A week zoomed by like a swift breeze, school days blending into one another with classes, assignments, and easy hangouts with buddies. Amid the hustle, Zero couldn't shake off the building excitement for the weekend. The excitement of reconnecting with friends and exploring opportunities was slowly giving way to a sense of restlessness. The days seemed to blend together, and Zero began to long for something to break the monotony. The anticipation lingered in the air, almost tangible, as he counted down to the days off that promised something special.
Saturday arrived with a splash of golden sunlight across the sky. Stepping out of his dorm, Zero could practically feel the thrill in the air. The morning was crisp, and the breeze whispered the promise of a day full of possibilities. His heart raced a little faster with the thought of what lay ahead.
He was aware that his plan for the day might raise a few eyebrows, but being in the student council and topping the first-year class gave him a bit of a shield from heavy consequences. It was a risk he was willing to take to go outside.
Flagging down a passing taxi, he hopped in, exchanged pleasantries with the driver, and then leaned back, focusing on the mission he had in mind.
The taxi ride was a quick blur, the outside world rushing past while Zero's thoughts raced ahead. Soon, they pulled up at the familiar convenience store, its fluorescent sign inviting him inside.
As Zero stepped out of the taxi, the soft glow of the store's sign warmly welcomed him. With determination in his step, he approached the entrance, the bell above chiming a greeting that seemed to echo his purpose.
The convenience store, situated about 50 minutes away from the academy, was a slightly worn-down establishment, nestled between a dry cleaner and a small bakery. Its facade, bearing faded pastel colors, spoke of decades of serving the community. While inside, the hum of the refrigerators filled the air, blending with the faint radio music playing old classics. Various sections flaunted colorful goods; from magazines stacked messily to rows of packaged snacks, the store was a mosaic of everyday necessities. But today, Zero's purpose was different. It was this very store where, amid its unassuming surroundings, he'd stumbled upon a life-changing lottery ticket.
As the entrance bell signaled Zero's entry, Mr. Lee looked up from the counter where he was diligently scanning items for a customer. The wrinkles on his face deepened as he smiled, recognizing the young man.
"Ah! Look who it is! Our very own billionaire!" Mr. Lee exclaimed, his voice filled with genuine delight, causing a couple of customers to turn their heads in curiosity.
Zero replied with a grin, brushing off some imaginary dust from his attire, "Well, you know me, Mr. Lee. Thought I'd drop by and claim my lucky charm's reward."
A lady in the store, overhearing the conversation, whispered to her friend, eyes wide with amazement, "That's the boy? The kid who won the lottery?" Her friend nodded, equally engrossed.
After a quick but meticulous verification, where Zero provided his ID and the ticket, Mr. Lee took a deep breath and handed over a check with numerous zeros printed on it - a whopping 8 billion won (6 million USD), after all deductions. Holding it up to the light, as if to confirm its authenticity, Mr. Lee mused, "Never thought I'd see such a day! It's a big deal, young man."
Zero chuckled, "All thanks to your lucky store, Mr. Lee."
Mr. Lee, leaning closer with an excited glint in his eyes, proposed, "Why not share your story? TV channels, interviews... They all would be very interested, you know. And the store could do with a little publicity."
Zero's smile softened. "I appreciate the thought, but I'd rather stay low-key. Fame has its prices."
Understanding Zero's decision, Mr. Lee nodded, "Well, if you ever change your mind, the offer stands. By the way, how do you plan on managing such a fortune?"
"Actually," Zero began, pulling out his phone to initiate a transaction, "I'm transferring most of it to my parent's account."
Mr. Lee raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed, "Seems like you've got it all figured out. Just remember, with great power, comes great responsibility. Use it wisely."
Zero nodded in acknowledgment, grateful for the wisdom in Mr. Lee's words. "Thanks, Mr. Lee. I'll keep that in mind."
Exiting the convenience store, the soft chime of the bell bidding him farewell, Zero swiftly pulled out his phone and busied himself with a series of transactions. Within a matter of minutes, he'd dispatched half of the whopping lottery sum to Tom's account. He then shot off a message to Tom, instructing him to distribute a portion of it as salaries for the employees at their nascent gaming company. It was a project Zero was particularly serious about, and he believed in investing generously to secure the best talent.
Barely had Zero pocketed his phone when it rang loudly, displaying Tom's face, eyes widened and mouth agape in the caller ID photo. Zero chuckled and swiped to answer.
Tom's voice, a mix of astonishment and suspicion, blared from the other end. "BOSS! ARE YOU TRYING TO GIVE ME A HEART ATTACK? WHAT'S WITH THIS SUDDEN INFLUX OF CASH?!"
Zero, trying hard to suppress his laughter Tom didn't give Zero any chance to reply.
Tom retorted in mock exasperation, "3 MILLION USD doesn't just drop into someone's lap! Did you rob a bank while I wasn't looking? Or maybe you've taken up secret spy missions?"
Rolling his eyes, Zero clarified, "Calm down Tom, It's legal, I won the lottery, Tom. Can you believe it?"
There was a brief pause before Tom, feigning disbelief, responded, "A lottery? Seriously? Do you expect me to believe that you, of all people, just strolled into a store and got the winning ticket?"
Zero sighed dramatically, "Well, you better believe it because it happened."
Tom's voice softened into a tease, "Well, alright, Mr. Billionaire. Now that you're swimming in cash, any plans?"
Zero smirked, "Come pick me up first then we'll discuss our plans."
Zero then turned off the call and pocketed his phone.
"status" zero continued.
===========================
QUEST Completed:
Target: [net worth more than a billion won]
Reward: 1000 zen, +4 free attribute points, System balance.
============================
============================
Name: Zero Elsher
Age: 12 years old
Power: 18
Intelligence: 32
Stamina: 20.5
Unused points: 7 (+4)
Balance: 1800 Zen
Balance Exchange.
Skills: Future Sight -, Calm Mind Rank F
============================
"hmm... Balance exchange" Zero said, and then a new window come out.
========================
Zen Balance: 1800 Zen
Cash: 0 $
Exchange World Balance
Exchange System Balance
========================
Zero furrowed his brow, trying to make sense of what lay before him. The balance exchange feature essentially served as an intricate conduit between the real world and this unique system. Through 'Exchange World Balance,' one could easily convert one real-world currency to another, using real-time market rates. On the other hand, 'Exchange System Balance' allowed for conversion between Zen and the real-world currency.
This was intriguing. The system balance acted as a secure, off-the-grid bank, a haven for funds without the constraints of banking regulations. Zero could discreetly stash away or retrieve money without a trace. It was the perfect solution for someone aiming to hide assets or sidestep financial scrutiny.
But curiosity drove him further. Zero quickly pulled up the latest currency exchange rates on his phone's browser. He cross-referenced and found that the system's 'Exchange World Balance' mirrored the current rates accurately.
Moving on, he tapped on 'Exchange System Balance' and two figures flashed up:
100,000 $ = 10 Zen
1 Zen = 1,000$
Zero whistled softly. The conversion was steep, making Zen a high-value virtual currency. "Looks like converting a substantial amount to Zen will be a pricey affair," he mused.
'oh well,' Zero thought and decided to put in 2 million USD inside the system.
========================
Zen Balance: 1800 Zen
Cash: 2,000,000 $
Exchange World Balance
Exchange System Balance
========================
'For the rest of the money, I will make a bank account that I can store in.' zero planned,
Interrupting his thought, the roar of a motorbike signaled Tom's arrival. Pulling up next to Zero, he offered a cheeky salute, "At your service, Boss. Now, where are we off to??"
Zero hopped on behind him, patting Tom's shoulder, "to the nearest showroom of course."