The next morning, Dave woke up with a strange sense of clarity. He felt different—like a part of him had finally awakened. It wasn't just excitement coursing through him, but a quiet confidence. As he glanced around his small apartment, the events of the previous day flooded back. The Infinite Possibility System had already changed his life in ways he hadn't anticipated, and yet, he had barely begun to tap into its full potential.
He swung his legs off the bed, stretching as a yawn escaped his lips. "Alright, let's figure out how this thing works," he murmured to himself. Sitting up, he decided it was time to get more answers from the system.
"System, how do I increase my rank?"
You can only rank up by defeating enemies. Your progress in strength, agility, and other skills will only improve through battle.
Dave blinked at the message. He had been expecting something like training or completing various tasks, but battling enemies? That sounded intense. So, it wasn't going to be as simple as buying his way to the top. He had to earn it—fight for it. A thrill shot through him at the realization. The system wasn't just going to hand him power-ups like candy; he'd have to prove himself, one fight at a time.
"Guess that makes things more interesting," he muttered. A grin tugged at the corners of his lips. He hadn't been in a real fight in years. The thought of going head-to-head with enemies to grow stronger sent adrenaline pumping through his veins. But who—or what—were these enemies? Were they just ordinary people, or something more sinister?
There was no point dwelling on it. He'd figure it out soon enough. For now, he turned his thoughts to the system points he had accrued. He'd earned 10 system points so far, and he was curious to see what he could do with them.
"What can I do with my 10 system points?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.
10 system points are not sufficient to purchase skills or significant upgrades. However, as a reward for earning your first 10 points, the system will grant you a random skill.
A wave of excitement washed over him. A random skill, just for hitting 10 points? He could get used to these kinds of perks. "Alright, system. I'll take it. What's my reward?"
A moment of silence followed before the system responded with a soft chime.
Congratulations! You have been granted the skill: 'Shadow Step'. This skill allows you to move unnoticed in the shadows for a limited time.
Dave raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Shadow Step, huh?" He imagined sneaking around undetected, slipping past enemies or evading dangerous situations. It wasn't a flashy offensive skill, but it had its uses. The thrill of having a real, supernatural ability made his heart race. It was a start—a taste of what the system could offer if he continued down this path of battles and self-improvement.
Just then, his phone buzzed, interrupting his thoughts. He pulled it out of his pocket and glanced at the screen. It was a reminder: Rent Due in 3 Days.
Dave's grin faded as reality hit him like a bucket of cold water. He checked his bank account. $7,000. Not exactly a small sum, but with rent and bills piling up, it wasn't going to last forever. He needed a plan—something to keep his finances steady while he pursued this new path. He couldn't just depend on the system for quick cash, especially if he had to spend it to earn rewards. There had to be a better way to utilize what he had without burning through his funds.
"Okay, system," Dave said aloud, pacing back and forth. "What's the best way to earn more points and money without spending everything I've got?"
The system will reward you based on challenges or purchases you make. However, the rewards will be moderate and not guaranteed to multiply by large amounts. Focus on earning points and improving your rank through combat.
Dave nodded thoughtfully. That made sense. He couldn't rely on outrageous returns for every purchase. The system had given him a generous reward for his $10 test purchase, but it seemed that was a one-time deal to get him started. From here on out, he'd have to put in the effort to reap significant rewards.
Still, he decided to test the waters a bit more. Dave grabbed his jacket and headed out of the apartment, making his way to a nearby tech store. He wandered through the aisles, browsing various gadgets and electronics until something caught his eye—a pair of high-quality noise-canceling headphones. They weren't cheap, but they weren't over-the-top either. A practical purchase that would let him focus during his downtime.
"Let's see if you'll reward me for this," he muttered, heading to the checkout.
After swiping his card, the familiar notification popped up in his mind:
Purchase completed. Reward: $1,000 and 5 system points.
Dave couldn't help but grin. "Not bad at all," he whispered. The system had rewarded him again, though this time the return was more reasonable. $1,000 wasn't going to make him a millionaire overnight, but it was still a solid gain. It confirmed his theory—the system would reward him, but it wouldn't be handing out fortunes like candy. The real path to wealth and power lay in combat.
"So, I really need to find some enemies, huh?" Dave mused, stepping out of the store and looking up at the bright blue sky. He felt a stirring of anticipation deep within him. He needed to grow stronger, accumulate more points, and eventually reach those higher ranks where the truly powerful skills resided.
He walked down the street, his mind already running through potential ways to find suitable opponents. Maybe he could start small—seek out low-level threats and work his way up. The system had mentioned only gaining progress through defeating enemies, so he'd have to seek out these challenges wherever they might be.
"This is only the beginning," Dave muttered to himself, his gaze hardening with determination. His path was set. He would fight, grow stronger, and rise through the ranks. And one day, he'd have all the power and wealth he could ever dream of.
But first, he needed to get his hands dirty.
Dave returned to his apartment, his resolve firm. The battle for power and success had just begun, and he was ready to dive headfirst into the challenges ahead. With the system at his side and his growing skills, there was no telling how far he could go.