Dave leaned against the cold, brick wall of the alley, catching his breath after his first real fight. His heart still pounded in his chest, the adrenaline pumping through his veins like a raging river. He glanced down at the unconscious man sprawled on the ground before him. The guy had put up more of a fight than Dave expected, but in the end, he had won. A strange sense of satisfaction washed over him—not just from the victory itself, but from knowing that this was just the beginning of his journey toward real power.
Suddenly, a familiar voice echoed in his mind.
Progression toward next Rank: 12%.
Dave blinked in surprise. "12%? That's all I get after that fight?"
The system's response was immediate and as emotionless as ever.
Each fight brings you closer to ranking up. The stronger your enemy, the greater your progress.
Dave frowned, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. It seemed like reaching the next rank wasn't going to be as easy as he'd hoped. One or two fights wouldn't be enough. He'd have to face stronger opponents and challenge himself if he really wanted to ascend in power. But for now, he was content with the small step he had taken.
"Alright, system," Dave muttered, straightening up and stretching his limbs, feeling the satisfying ache of muscles that had been pushed to their limit. "Let's take a look at the shop. I need to see what kind of tools I have at my disposal."
A new screen appeared before his eyes, the virtual text and images almost glowing against the dim alleyway. Rows of items, skills, and abilities scrolled past, each one offering him the chance to enhance his strength in different ways. Dave's eyes darted over the options, quickly scanning the prices and descriptions.
System Shop
Enhanced Strength - 100 System Points
Increases physical strength by a significant amount.
Quickstep - 50 System Points
Allows for faster movement and dodging.
Weapon Mastery (Basic) - 150 System Points
Grants the user proficiency with basic weapons.
Energy Blast (Low Tier) - 200 System Points
Fires a concentrated blast of energy at enemies.
Teleportation (Basic) - 500 System Points
Move instantly to a location within a short distance.
Healing Potion (Small) - 20 System Points
Recovers a small amount of health.
Dave's eyes widened as he saw the cost of some of the skills. The high-tier ones were way out of his reach for now, and even the more basic abilities seemed a bit steep. He currently had only 10 system points—nowhere near enough to purchase anything significant. The disparity between what he could afford and what was available left him feeling frustrated.
"So, I can't really buy much yet," Dave muttered, scrolling through the rest of the shop with a slight scowl. "Looks like I'll have to save up if I want anything useful."
Your current system points are insufficient for most items in the shop. Keep completing battles to accumulate more points and increase your Rank.
Dave let out a sigh, but his determination only grew. Sure, it was a long road ahead, but he'd get there eventually. He had to. The power he craved was just beyond his grasp, and he wasn't about to give up now. If anything, this was just a small taste of what was possible.
"Alright, I get it. No easy mode here," Dave said, running a hand through his hair. "But I'm not going to let that stop me."
He took a deep breath, trying to think of his next steps. That's when an idea struck him. "System, is there any way I can make more money right now? What happens if I use the rewards you've been giving me to make a little cash?"
System points can be exchanged for money. However, you will not gain experience toward your next Rank through monetary transactions. Would you like to convert system points into currency?
Dave paused, considering the offer. He didn't want to burn through his points just to get some cash—especially since he needed every point he could get to strengthen himself. But the idea of gaining more money was tempting. With enough cash, he could make life a lot easier. Plus, he could always find more enemies to fight and earn back any points he spent.
"No, I don't think I'll convert points," Dave said, shaking his head. "But let's try something else instead."
He remembered the system's earlier promises of random financial rewards when he made purchases. The system had given him $1,000 for a mere $10 transaction before—what would happen if he made a larger purchase?
"Alright, system," Dave said, a sly grin forming on his face. "Let's test your limits. What happens if I use more money in the real world? Will you keep multiplying it, or was that just a one-time deal?"
The system rewards vary depending on the action taken. You may attempt another transaction for further analysis.
Dave's fingers tingled with excitement as he pulled out his phone and transferred $50 from his bank account into an online service, half expecting the system to do something miraculous. A few moments later, a new notification popped up in his mind.
You have been rewarded with $3,500.
His jaw dropped. "That's… quite the jump," Dave muttered, unable to hide his excitement. He hadn't expected such a dramatic return on his investment, but there it was—$50 had turned into $3,500 in an instant.
A grin slowly spread across his face. The system wasn't joking when it mentioned infinite possibilities. His financial troubles were about to become a thing of the past if this kept up.
Remember, monetary rewards do not contribute to your rank or system progression. They are separate from your combat abilities.
"Yeah, yeah, I get it," Dave said, still grinning. The possibilities of what he could do with this were already filling his mind. If he could keep earning like this, he'd be set for life. The system's rewards were becoming more extravagant, and each one was another step toward true freedom.
With a chuckle, Dave pocketed his phone, his next moves already forming in his mind. He would push the system's boundaries, testing its limits to see just how far it could go. If he could keep getting stronger—both in power and money—then the future was his to shape.
He glanced back at the unconscious man one last time before turning and walking away from the alley, his footsteps echoing softly on the pavement. The thrill of his first fight, the satisfaction of his financial gain, and the anticipation of what was to come—all of it fueled a fire inside him.
Testing the system further would lead to even greater rewards, he was sure of it. He just needed to keep pushing, keep fighting, and keep growing. One day, he'd be unstoppable. And on that day, he'd look back on these early moments and smile, knowing that this was where it all began.
With his fists clenched in determination, Dave walked down the street, a new sense of purpose driving him forward. This was only the beginning, and he couldn't wait to see where the path would lead him next.