Dave sat in his small, cluttered apartment, his thoughts consumed by the system's seemingly endless potential. The room around him was dimly lit, the hum of the refrigerator and the distant noise of traffic outside the only sounds that filled the silence. His gaze was fixated on his phone screen, where his bank account showed a reassuring $3,500 from his last system reward. It was a far cry from the meager savings he'd been scraping by with for so long, but still… it wasn't enough.
'It's not enough,' he thought, his mind buzzing with ideas and possibilities. 'I need more, much more.'
He clenched his jaw, determination burning in his eyes. His goal was clear now. He needed to get out of this cramped, suffocating apartment and buy a real house—one that would signify his transition from struggling to thriving. A place where he could truly start a new chapter in his life. With the system's help, that dream was becoming more tangible by the day. But he knew he had to be smart about it.
Just as he began exploring new investment options and financial strategies on his laptop, his phone rang, pulling him out of his thoughts. The screen lit up with a name he hadn't seen in a while: Mom. He hesitated for a moment, his finger hovering over the "Answer" button. It had been a few weeks since he last spoke to his family, and a familiar sense of guilt washed over him.
Taking a deep breath, he swiped to answer. "Hey, Mom."
"David, where have you been? Your father and I have been trying to reach you for days!" Her voice was sharp, filled with concern and a touch of irritation—the hallmark tone of a mother who cared deeply but wasn't shy about showing it through a little tough love.
Dave ran a hand through his hair, trying to sound nonchalant. "Yeah, sorry, been busy with… work."
"Work? What kind of work could be so important that you can't even pick up the phone? We worry about you, you know," his mother continued, the edge in her voice softening just a little.
Dave sighed, leaning back in his chair and glancing around his messy apartment. It was hard to explain what he'd been up to. How could he even begin to describe the whirlwind his life had become since acquiring the system? It was the kind of thing you'd expect to see in a movie or read about in a novel—certainly not something you'd tell your mother over the phone.
"I'm doing fine, Mom. I'm actually working on something that could change things for me." He tried to keep his tone light, but there was a seriousness beneath it that didn't go unnoticed.
"Change things for you?" His mother's tone softened a bit more, concern turning into curiosity. "You're always working on something, David. But you barely talk to your sisters anymore. When was the last time you called Emily or Sarah?"
Dave winced at the mention of his sisters. He missed them—more than he cared to admit. "How are they?"
"Oh, don't you 'how are they' me," his mother chided gently. "You could ask them yourself if you'd bother to pick up the phone once in a while."
Dave swallowed, guilt tugging at him. "I know, I know. I'll call them. I promise."
His mother's voice softened even further, a sigh escaping her lips. "You better. They worry about you. Sarah just finished her finals, and Emily… well, you know how she is. Always worrying about you, trying to look out for her little brother." There was a pause, then she added, "They miss you, David. We all do."
Dave's heart tightened. His sisters had always been his biggest supporters, especially when times were tough. They had stuck by him through everything—through every failure, every disappointment. And now that things were finally looking up, he realized he hadn't been there for them like they had been for him.
"I'll call them soon. I promise," he repeated, a bit more firmly this time.
"You better," his mother huffed, but her tone held a warmth that hadn't been there at the start of the call. "We just want to make sure you're okay. You've been through a lot, David. We know that. But we're here for you. Don't forget that."
"I know, Mom," he said softly. "I won't forget."
"And take care of yourself," she continued. "Your father's been asking about you too. He's been busy at the shop, but he always wonders how you're doing."
Dave nodded, though he knew she couldn't see him. "I will. Tell Dad I'm good. I'm working on something big."
"I will, honey. Just… don't disappear on us, okay?"
"Okay, I won't. Love you, Mom."
"Love you too, David."
The call ended, and the apartment seemed even quieter than before. Dave stared at his phone for a long moment, his thoughts churning. His family cared about him—maybe more than he deserved. But he couldn't slow down now. He was on the cusp of something incredible. He was finally getting the chance to prove to himself—and to them—that he was capable of achieving greatness.
With a deep breath, he pushed the phone call to the back of his mind and focused on the screen in front of him. The system shop opened at his command, revealing a list of options that could help him reach his next goal. He needed more money, and he needed it fast. He scrolled through the real estate options, weighing his choices carefully.
"System," Dave called out, his voice steady. "Show me the options for real estate. I want to see how much I need for a decent place."
The system responded almost instantly, a list of potential homes appearing before his eyes.
Property Listings:
Modest Apartment - $250,000
A comfortable apartment in the heart of the city.
Suburban House - $500,000
A cozy house with a garden in a quiet neighborhood.
Luxury Villa - $2,000,000
A sprawling estate with multiple rooms, a pool, and a large yard.
Dave's eyes lingered on the suburban house. 'That's the one,' he thought, determination settling in his chest. It was within reach. All he needed to do was accumulate enough money, and that house would be his.
"Time to get to work," he murmured, a new fire igniting within him. He wasn't going to let anything—or anyone—stop him from achieving his goals. Not now, not ever.
With his mind set, Dave left his apartment and headed out into the city, ready to push the system harder than he ever had before. The suburban house was just the beginning, and he was more determined than ever to build a life for himself and his family that they could all be proud of.