Chapter 263: The magic of games

When Charlotte realized Ben looked at her phone, her heart sped up!

Her face was pale. 'He knows...he knows that I...play video games...'

...

Games were very important to her. After the incident at school in her youth, she had stopped speaking...to everyone.

Closed off from the world, it was as if Charlotte was stuck in quicksand, and regardless of how many psychologists her parents sent her to, no one managed to help her. At least, that was the case, until one creative doctor suggested video games, and from that day forward, the mute traumatized girl found an escape.

Somehow, while playing, she was able to get relief. Inside another avatar, it was like she could look past her issues, and soon, the virtual world became a place she felt safe in, a home where she could open up.

The key, was acting as another character. When she was someone else, she was free and without her neurosis, and with that support, she soon found her voice again. In time, her talking even evolved into chatter, and eventually, into talking sh*t and roasting people...

The thing was, Charlotte really dove into the culture.

She was all about that life...

As such, this gaming personality she developed also became an important part of her, and this character, was Chuck!

While she was never the same after that trauma, by using games as an outlet, over time, her condition improved little by little as she became more vocal in the outside world. A while later, she was even able to return to a semblance of a normal life, to the point where she could attend school and even go to college.

Then, at university, she brought out Chuck and it wasn't only to learn how to meet girls. Charlotte hoped he could help her get over her issues even further. That's how much gaming influenced her. Yet, as much as she loved games, that was always her private thing.

Glancing at Ben, she became flustered, because few girls played the video games she did, at least as far as she knew. So, wouldn't that make her weird? 'Is Ben going to think I'm strange?' The thought was troubling Charlotte. Ben was one of the only people who was kind to her and with whom she could speak when she was herself.

Yet, he soon surprised her. "So you play PUBG? That's great! Are you any good?"

Charlotte then blinked for a while, staring at him dumbfounded. "Y-you...don't think it's weird...for a girl to...play shooting games?"

Ben smiled. "Weird? No, it's awesome! We should party-up sometime!"

Hearing this, Charlotte's eyes sparkled, but...she soon looked away again, as her face became crimson. 'No, I can't. We've played together before. If he plays with me, Ben might figure out I'm Chuck.' Hence, to play it safe, she denied him. "S-sorry, can't. I'm solo. Solo forever..."

Ben knitted his brows, then chuckled. "Yea, until chapter 45 when you randomly become a necromancer and the minions start leveling too, right?"

"Wha?" Charlotte didn't get the reference...

Not feeling like explaining it though, Ben hand waved it away, indicating for her not to worry about it. Just like how the author of that reference did, when by convenience, the MC found someone else's sword in his inventory right as he was about to get killed, with no foreshadowing or reason for it to be there. Then, he slaughtered dozens of wolves at once right after three almost killed him. Yea, Ben hand-waved it away in that manner...

As such, assuming Charlotte was a fan who didn't need logic...Ben sat down next to her instead. However, this made Charlotte wiggle in discomfort, since the seats here were closer than those in Strategic Marketing.

"Are you in the Photography Club?" Ben turned to her, and noticed a black camera bag hanging over her shoulder.

She nodded. Photography was a hobby she picked up not long ago, finding it relaxing, as well as something she could do both on her own and while trying to improve her socialization skills. "W-what about you, Ben? I haven't seen you here before. A-are you joining?" Somehow, the idea of having him here made her a bit anxious, but also, happy?

"Yea, but I don't have a camera. Do you think this'll work?" From his pocket, Ben took out an old iPhone.

It made her giggle. "Probably not..."

"That's what I figured." He sighed.

Charlotte looked down into her lap, as she fidgeted with her fingers together. "I-I know a place nearby...where you can buy a cheap camera." She glanced up at him and became ruffled when he stared into her eyes. "I-if you want! No, forget I said anything!"

"That would be great!" Ben grinned. She had him at cheap!

Then, he decided to get more info. "So, can you tell me about this club?"

Obliging, Charlotte explained to him what the NYU Photography Club was about. It held teaching workshops, outdoor excursions to take photos, and even competitions sometimes. Today, there was a workshop discussing techniques for taking portrait photos.

"I see." Ben nodded with understanding, before scanning around the room. "So, where's the cute club manager?"

Charlotte glanced at him. 'Is this thirst...the reason he's doing so well?'

In reality, as a secret fellow PUA, she thought Ben was amazing. After all, putting aside what he pulled off at Beluga's house, she also knew he was seeing the two beauties of Strategic Marketing: Olivia and Miyuki. First, she'd seen him do suspicious things in class with them. Then, she overheard him mention it to Antonio at Latrine, confirming it. So Charlotte was aware there was no shortage of gorgeous girls in Ben's life.

For some reason though, that thought made her glance down. 'Smaller boobs...smaller butt...Ben would probably never look at me...' Then, realizing what passed through her mind, her face turned beet-red once more. 'What am I thinking about? I-I don't need to care about that... A better idea would be to ask him for pick up tips the next time I come around as Chuck.'

As Charlotte recovered her calm, soon, everyone in the room sat down, and an elderly overweight woman walked up to the front of the group and began speaking. Ben pointed to her and turned to Charlotte. "Is she the one I have to faceslap?"

...

Charlotte squinted in confusion, making Ben sigh. 'She doesn't understand that this is a new arc...which means someone here will definitely beg for a faceslap...'

Yet, whether or not he'd take the woman in front to slap-city...Ben soon found out that she was the first speaker discussing photography techniques. Hence, he knew it was time to take his system Adderall...and with that cue, pulled out a white card from his pocket.

[Low Level Stat Growth Multiplier(Consumable, Fine, Personal Talent) x1]

Since the lecture already started, Ben wasted no time, and activated the card with his mind.

*Fwoosh*

His eyes popped open! A rush of motivation arrived! And various thoughts passed through his head!

'Being weak means that there's room to grow!'

'If you don't move forward, you'll be left behind!'

'Run until you can't run anymore, and then run again! Constant effort is life's greatest shortcut!'

'If you don't want to lose to guys with bigger bodies, then practice twice as hard!'

'A miracle...something like that won't come if you're waiting for it. A miracle is something you work for!'

'It's a challenge because it's difficult! It's a dream because it can't be achieved easily!'

'No matter what, I will be number one! I'll beat anyone who tries to stop me!'

...

Meanwhile, as Ben's face glowed with determination, Charlotte followed his line of sight...to observe that he was staring at the old obese woman like a starving dog...

...

Charlotte showed an expression of horror. 'Ok, his thirst is getting extreme now...' She backed away in her chair.

...

It was one thing to be horny, but this was going too far. As she stared at Ben, she forgot any mental compliments she paid him earlier, as only one question remained in her mind. 'Why's he look like he's about to fall backward in his chair like a stimulated Vince McMahon?'

*Author's Note: Please don't forget to vote daily for more bonus chapters next week. Every vote counts and helps support the novel and author. Let's get MPUAS to number one!