If anyone ever tells you that joining the school talent show will help your self-confidence, they're lying.
I did it purely for the regret points.
Let me explain.
Earlier that day, Baozi floated in front of my face like a smug fortune cookie.
"You've plateaued," he said.
"I'm at Level One."
"And plateaued. You're becoming efficient. That's dangerous."
I was lying on the grass behind school, arms crossed behind my head, staring at the clouds like someone deeply philosophical. In reality, I had simply fallen over during dodgeball and decided not to get up.
"So what's the solution?" I yawned.
"Embarrass yourself on a stage," Baozi said.
"I already do that just by existing."
"True. But this is amplified humiliation," he said. "The system loves a public meltdown."
Ten minutes later, I stood outside the auditorium, signing up for the annual school talent show.
I didn't have a talent.
That was the point.
Back in class, my sister Ye Lin stared at me in horror.
"You volunteered to sing… in front of the entire school?"
"Yup."
"You can't sing."
"I know."
"Your voice sounds like a blender choking on a fork."
"Beautiful, right?"
[REGRET QUEST GENERATED]Quest: Enter Talent Show Without TalentPrimary Goal: Experience Social Regret (Moderate to Severe)Reward: 30 RP + Skill: Tone-Deaf Sonic Boom – LV1Bonus Reward: Title – "Bold Fool"Warning: You will 100% regret this
Show day.
The auditorium was full. Teachers, students, even the janitor who hated everyone - all watching.
I walked onto the stage, took the mic, and cleared my throat.
"Hi. I'm Ye Zhen. And I deeply regret this."
Then I began to sing.
I chose a power ballad. A hard one. The kind that crushes dreams and vocal cords equally.
I missed the first note so hard, I'm pretty sure the ceiling cracked.
Someone in the front row flinched.
Halfway through the chorus, I committed fully. I leaned into the cringe. I did jazz hands.
At one point, I attempted a high note. I think a dog barked in the distance.
By the time I finished, there was dead silence. The kind usually reserved for car crashes and tax audits.
Then… applause.
From the back row.
One person stood and clapped slowly.
It was Shen Min - top student, class monitor, and future dictator if we weren't careful.
"You have guts," she said.
"Technically," I croaked, "I have no shame."
[REGRET CORRECTED ✅]+35 RP EarnedNew Skill: Tone-Deaf Sonic Boom – LV1Effect: Stuns enemies within 3 meters. Also fans.New Title: Bold FoolReputation Shift: +5 Respect (Weirdos), -3 Attractiveness (Normal People)
I limped off stage as Baozi floated beside me, humming.
"You, my friend," he said, "are weaponizing embarrassment."
"Am I strong yet?" I whispered, voice hoarse.
"No. But you're iconic."
Regret wasn't just a weakness.It was a resource.And I was mining it in bulk.