Chereads / Rich and Powerful / Chapter 23 - Temptation of Power

Chapter 23 - Temptation of Power

That way, the system would have a limit—a safety net that kept him from overloading his body. He could also include something about being able to gradually adjust to the new powers, so as not to experience any shocking aftereffects.

He was already familiar with what the bronze wish's 'optimal' level eluded to, then what about the silver wish's standard of 'optimal'?

The more he thought about it, the more his anticipation grew. Tonight, he would put his plan to the test. He would use the silver token to push the boundaries of what the system could offer.

There had to be a way to unlock more, to reach the next level. If the system had any limits, Martin was determined to uncover them.

His mind whirred with excitement, but deep down, he knew there was a risk. Even though he'd grown familiar with the system, this was uncharted territory. Silver tokens were a new frontier, and he didn't know if he was truly prepared for what they could bring. But one thing was certain—he had to try.

His mind kept drifting back to midnight. To the experiment. To the possibility of unlocking powers that no one in the world could fathom.

Tonight, he would test the limits of the system's power and see just how far it could take him. The silver token held the key to his next evolution, and Martin was determined to unlock it.

It just so happens that he planned to stay the night in the villa, so he could test out the effects of the wish in his private gym facilities all night long if he had to!

Martin had decided to spend the night in his lakeside villa. The sprawling estate, with its luxurious amenities and spacious gym facilities, would be the perfect place to test the silver token's wish.

But before that, he needed a way to track his performance stats before and after the wish.

The villa's gym offered everything he needed—weights, resistance machines, and advanced fitness monitors. It was the perfect testing ground, but he had to arrive hours before midnight to set everything up.

After a quick, cold shower, Martin grabbed his wallet and phone, heading out of his apartment with a sense of purpose.

He had been putting off buying a new car, but today felt like the right moment to make that purchase. Something luxurious, comfortable, and fitting for the image of a successful businessman.

His destination was the automobile park downtown, where luxury car dealerships lined the streets like high-end boutiques. Each shopfront displayed sleek, gleaming cars, the kind that turned heads on the road. As he wandered through the rows of high-end models, Martin wasn't in a rush.

He had until 12:00 O'clock to make his decision, and the real priority was to align the timing of the golden countdown with the transaction. The more time he had, the better the reward.

As he moved between the dealerships, salespeople approached him, eager to make a sale.

Martin listened to their pitches with polite interest, but his mind was elsewhere. He observed the purchase procedures, noting how long it took for each buyer to complete their transaction.

From what he could tell, the paperwork and final registration would take about 20 minutes—just enough time to complete the purchase right at the crucial moment when the system's five-minute window would open.

After consulting with a few buyers and weighing his options, Martin kept an eye on the clock. He didn't want to rush into the transaction too early and miss the golden countdown.

Eventually, after careful consideration, Martin settled on a classic luxury model from a reputable brand—a sleek, understated car priced at $90,000. It wasn't overly extravagant, but it had the polished elegance of a businessman who knew his worth.

The car would leave a lasting impression on future business partners without raising too many eyebrows.

With the timing aligned perfectly, Martin began the purchase process. The paperwork was tedious, as expected—documents to sign, identification to verify, bank approvals to process.

He moved through the motions methodically, keeping his eye on the time. As the minutes ticked closer to noon, he could feel the familiar sensation creeping in—the system's countdown.

Just as the bank approval notice came through, confirming the release of the $90,000, Martin felt the golden lines start to form.

The bell chimed in his head, signaling the golden countdown, and he realized with relief that the transaction was being finalized just in time. The paperwork was signed, the registration completed, and the money transferred—all with only ten seconds to spare.

Slumping into the plush leather chair of the dealership, Martin's body sagged with a mixture of mental exhaustion and relief. $90,000—gone, just like that.

But before he could dwell on it, the golden lines of the system twisted into familiar shapes, and the words echoed in his mind.

[You spent $90,000 and triggered a 7,610x rebate!]

[Reward 1: $684,900,000!]

[Reward 2: 0.02% Tesla shares!]

(Author Note: I use a randomizer on google for the rebate chance, it's not some number I come up with for plot convenience)

Martin blinked in disbelief at the numbers, stunned by the sheer magnitude of the rebate. 0.02% Tesla shares? For that much money?

It barely seemed worth it, but the $684,900,000 cash reward was another story.

His heart raced as he selected the first option, knowing that the funds would go straight into his private bank account at Morgan Private Bank.

As he processed the decision, the salesperson, noticing Martin's slightly pale complexion, rushed over with a glass of water. "You alright, sir? You look like you could use a break."

Martin accepted the water gratefully, nodding. "Just a bit worn out, that's all. Thank you."

As he sipped the water, the familiar ping of his phone alerted him to a new text message from Morgan Private Bank .

He opened it, seeing the notification that $684,900,000 had been deposited into his account. There was a note about the 1% transaction fee, which meant he lost about $6.8 million, but Martin didn't care.

What was 1% when you had just made $678,051,000?

Martin smirked to himself. He was richer than he could have ever imagined, and the sheer power of the system still sent shivers down his spine.

It was no longer about luck—it was strategy. His thoughts guided the system's gifts, and now, with the silver token ready to be used, the stakes were about to grow even higher.

"Congratulations, Mr. Fox," the salesperson said, interrupting his thoughts. He handed Martin the car keys along with the finalized registration papers. "Your new car is ready whenever you are."

Martin thanked him, pocketing the keys. His mind, however, was elsewhere. The car was just a minor part of his day. What really mattered was the silver token—what it could do, what kind of wish it could grant.

He stepped out of the dealership and into the driver's seat of his new car, turning the key in the ignition. The engine purred to life beneath him, but even the thrill of the new car couldn't shake the anticipation for tonight.

The real experiment would begin soon, and Martin would uncover just how far the system's power could take him.

Martin gripped the car keys tightly as he exited the dealership, a small sense of satisfaction washing over him.

His new luxury car gleamed under the afternoon sun, the polished chrome and sleek lines radiating the image of wealth and power. He climbed inside, the leather seats enveloping him in comfort, and with a smooth twist of the key, the engine purred to life.

This was the first of many upgrades in his life—just one more step in cementing his place in the upper echelon of society.

Leaving the bustling downtown behind, Martin directed the car toward the countryside, away from the provincial capital's noise and chaos.

The road was long and winding, but he didn't mind. Each passing minute brought him closer to the privacy and luxury of his lakeside villa.

The journey itself felt surreal, as if this life—the car, the villa, the wealth—wasn't something he had ever imagined for himself. Yet, here he was, driving toward a future that only a few days ago seemed unreachable.

After an hour on the road, Martin reached the private drive leading into the lakeside housing district.

The private road was lined with trees, their branches arching overhead in a natural canopy that shielded the estates from the outside world.

Up ahead, the security checkpoint came into view, an imposing structure manned by uniformed guards.

Behind it, the luxurious private estates of the city's elite stretched out, hidden behind perfectly manicured hedges and fences.

Martin pulled up to the checkpoint, the guards stepping forward with practiced professionalism.

He handed over his credentials and the property deed for his villa, the final piece of paperwork that made this all official. The guards examined the documents briefly before nodding in approval.

"Welcome home, Mr. Fox," one of the guards said with a polite smile, handing the paperwork back. "Your estate is just a few minutes up ahead. Enjoy your evening."