Dave sat at his kitchen table, staring at the system's weekly mission.
**Weekly Mission:**
"Accumulate 50,000 System Points within the week. Failure to do so will result in penalties."
'50,000 system points,' he thought, doing the mental math. 'That's $50 million just to get 50 points. I can't keep spending like this, not at the rate I'm going.' Dave had barely started investing in mid-sized companies, and while he still had a hefty sum in his account, the sheer scale of the system's requirements was becoming clear.
He also couldn't forget about the yearly mission.
**Yearly Mission:**
"Reach 1,000 points in each ability stat by the end of the year."
'My stats are nowhere close,' Dave admitted to himself. He had been getting stronger with his daily exercises, thanks to the system's missions, but 1,000 points in each stat? It felt nearly impossible.
He pushed the thought aside. 'I'll worry about the yearly mission later. Let's focus on getting through this week.' The idea of penalties hung over his head, and he wasn't about to find out what they would be. With a sigh, he decided to clear his head with a walk downtown. He needed some air to think.
---
As Dave wandered through the bustling streets, his mind kept circling back to the system. He had already accumulated some wealth, and now he needed to think strategically. If he wanted to hit those 50,000 system points, he'd have to invest even more. 'Maybe another company, or perhaps some high-value assets,' he mused. The idea of spending that much money again weighed on him, but he was already committed.
His thoughts were interrupted when he turned down a quieter street, the sounds of the city fading behind him. As he strolled, a sudden chill ran down his spine. Something didn't feel right.
Out of nowhere, a man appeared from the alley, his face hidden under a hoodie. The man brandished a knife and blocked Dave's path. His eyes flickered with menace as he sized Dave up. "Hand over the watch and wallet, and no one gets hurt," the man growled, stepping closer.
Dave blinked, momentarily shocked. His instincts kicked in, adrenaline coursing through his body. He had received points from the daily missions over the past week, and this was his first real chance to test them out.
The thief lunged forward with the knife, aiming for Dave's arm. But Dave's reflexes, enhanced by his improved agility, kicked in immediately. He sidestepped the attack effortlessly, his movements quicker than the thief anticipated. The man swung again, but Dave blocked the knife with his forearm, then threw a quick punch that landed squarely on the thief's jaw.
**Stat Notification:**
"Agility: 15 | Strength: 12 | Endurance: 13"
The thief staggered backward, clearly not expecting such resistance. Dave followed up with a swift kick to the man's hand, sending the knife clattering to the ground. He could feel the strength and speed that his daily training had given him, and it was paying off in this fight. The thief scrambled to grab the knife, but Dave moved faster, kicking it out of reach.
"Give it up," Dave said calmly, watching the man scramble.
The thief glanced around, realizing he was outmatched. Dave reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. "I'm calling the police," he warned. The thief, now panicking, turned and bolted down the street, disappearing into the alleyway.
Dave let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. His heart was still pounding, but he hadn't even broken a sweat. The system's daily mission had prepared him well. He quickly dialed 911 and reported the attempted robbery.
'That was close,' he thought as he pocketed his phone. 'If it wasn't for these stat points, that could've gone much worse.'
---
Later that evening, after speaking with the police and filing a report, Dave sat back in his house, reflecting on the day. His mind kept going back to the fight. The system had given him real power, but it also came with responsibility. 'This system is changing me in more ways than I expected,' he thought. 'But I'm not done yet. I'll get through this weekly mission, even if it costs me more than I'm comfortable with.'
He checked his bank account briefly, noting the number. It was a good amount, but nowhere near enough to relax completely.
---
System Notification:
"You have completed your daily mission. 5 ability points awarded. Please allocate your points."
Dave's stats popped up in his mind, and he quickly allocated the 5 points, splitting them between his strength and agility. With every point added, he could feel himself becoming more formidable. The thought of facing tougher challenges excited him, but at the same time, he knew that the system's demands would only grow more intense.
'I need to get serious about these points,' Dave thought. 'I need more money, and fast.'
As he prepared for bed, the weight of the weekly mission sat heavily in his mind. The penalties for failure still remained a mystery, but one thing was clear: Dave would do whatever it took to avoid them. And if that meant fighting off more thieves or making bigger investments, he was ready.
But as he drifted off to sleep, one last thought lingered in his mind: 'This system… it's only just begun.'