Ethan Cross stared out the grimy window of his tiny apartment, watching as another plane sliced through the night sky, its lights blinking like a beacon of everything he wanted but could never have. The dream of becoming a pilot had consumed him for as long as he could remember. But in this world, it wasn't about passion, skill, or determination. It was about connections. And Ethan had none.
He let out a frustrated sigh, leaning back in his chair, his eyes scanning the stack of rejection letters scattered across his desk. All from the top flight academies, each one coldly informing him that he lacked the necessary "qualifications," a polite way of saying he didn't know the right people.
"Fuck," he muttered under his breath, rubbing his temples. He had worked so hard, pushing himself through odd jobs just to scrape by, but it was never enough. The system was rigged. The rich and connected got their wings, while people like him stayed grounded.
As if to mock his misery, his phone buzzed on the desk. For a moment, Ethan ignored it, expecting it to be another bill reminder or some ad for a loan he couldn't afford. But when the buzzing didn't stop, he grabbed the phone and glanced at the screen.
A strange notification blinked back at him:
[Congratulations! You have been selected as the user of the Sky Sovereign System. Do you accept?]
Ethan frowned, confusion washing over him. The message was unlike anything he had seen before, and there was no app or sender information attached. He tapped the screen, but nothing happened. Just that single prompt, waiting for his response.
"What the hell…" he muttered. "Is this a joke?"
He was about to swipe the notification away, but something stopped him. What did he have to lose? His life had hit rock bottom. No prospects, no future, no way to achieve his dream. If this was some sort of prank, it wasn't like it could make things worse.
He tapped "Accept."
Immediately, the phone screen went black, and then a blinding light erupted from it. Ethan jerked back, dropping the phone, but the light didn't fade. It enveloped the room, and a sharp, robotic voice filled his mind:
[Welcome, Ethan Cross, to the Sky Sovereign System. Your journey to rule the skies begins now.]
"What… the hell is this?" Ethan's heart pounded as the voice continued.
[As the chosen user of the Sky Sovereign System, you will be given tasks to complete. Each successful task will grant you rewards, increasing your strength, influence, and access to power. Fail, and the system will be terminated.]
His mind raced. A system? What was this, some kind of video game mechanic come to life? But before he could ask more questions, the voice continued:
[Your first task is simple: Seduce Elena Blackwood, heiress to Blackwood Airlines. Reward: Pilot's license, private jet, and increased charisma.]
Ethan's jaw dropped. Seduce Elena Blackwood? The Elena Blackwood—daughter of the CEO of one of the largest private airline companies in the world? She was stunning, sure, but completely out of his league. And seduction? That wasn't exactly his area of expertise.
"What kind of system is this?" Ethan said aloud, though he knew no one could hear him. "Seduction for rewards?"
But the voice wasn't finished:
[Failure to complete the task within 48 hours will result in termination of the system. Good luck.]
And just like that, the light faded, leaving Ethan alone in the dimly lit room, his phone lying motionless on the floor as if nothing had happened.
For a moment, he just sat there, his mind swirling with disbelief. Was he going insane? Maybe the pressure had finally cracked him. But as he picked up the phone, the notification was gone, replaced with a single new message:
[Task: Seduce Elena Blackwood. Time Remaining: 47:59:32.]
Ethan's pulse quickened. This wasn't some joke. Whatever had just happened was real—or at least it was as real as the strange countdown ticking down on his screen. And if it was real, this could be his ticket out of the hellhole his life had become.
But how the hell was he supposed to seduce a woman like Elena Blackwood? She was one of the most unattainable women in the world, with power and wealth far beyond anything Ethan could imagine.
He grabbed his jacket and rushed out of the apartment, adrenaline coursing through him. He wasn't even sure where to begin, but there was only one place where someone like her might be—one of the city's elite clubs where the rich and powerful gathered.
Several Hours Later
Ethan found himself outside "Altitude," the city's most exclusive nightclub, a place where the wealthy elite mingled and made deals worth more than his entire life savings. He took a deep breath and approached the entrance, where a burly bouncer stood, eyeing him up with disdain.
"You don't look like you belong here," the bouncer growled, folding his massive arms.
For a moment, Ethan hesitated, but then a strange sensation washed over him. He felt… different. More confident, more sure of himself. He met the bouncer's gaze and spoke, his voice firm and commanding.
"I'm here to see Elena Blackwood."
The bouncer blinked, and for a second, it looked like he was about to laugh in his face. But then, almost imperceptibly, the man's demeanor shifted, and he nodded, stepping aside without another word.
Ethan walked into the club, his heart pounding. Was this the system's influence? Whatever it was, it worked.
Inside, the club was a scene of luxury and excess—dim lighting, plush seating, and champagne flowing like water. And in the center of it all, surrounded by sycophants and admirers, was Elena Blackwood.
She was even more stunning in person. Her long black hair cascaded down her back in waves, and her emerald eyes glinted under the lights. She wore a sleek, form-fitting dress that left little to the imagination, her posture radiating confidence and authority.
Ethan swallowed hard. This was it—the first step. He had no idea what was going to happen, but something deep inside him told him that his life was never going to be the same again.
With newfound confidence coursing through his veins, he approached her, his eyes locking onto hers. Elena looked up, and for a brief moment, her gaze lingered on him—just enough to spark curiosity.
"Mind if I join you?" he asked smoothly.
She raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in her expression. "Who are you?"
Ethan smiled. "Someone who's about to change your life."