Jhon sat on the edge of his bed, staring blankly at his phone. He couldn't stop replaying the words Alice had said when she left him: "You're going nowhere, Jhon. I need someone who has ambition, someone who can provide a future." The pain from her departure had settled deep in his chest, a mix of heartbreak and the harsh realization that maybe she was right.
The apartment felt suffocating, with its peeling wallpaper and the faint scent of mold. This was his life—a series of failures, bad luck, and missed opportunities. At 27, he had nothing to show for his hard work. No decent job, no real savings, and now no Alice.
His phone buzzed, snapping him out of his dark thoughts. It was a strange notification, one he didn't recognize. He swiped at the screen.
[Fortune System Activated.]
He frowned. "Fortune System?" he muttered. There was no app like that on his phone. Was this some kind of spam? He almost dismissed it but something held him back. The notification pulsed softly, as though beckoning him to tap it.
Against his better judgment, Jhon pressed the icon.
[Welcome to the Fortune System. Do you wish to rise from 'Zero' status?]
Jhon blinked. "What is this, some kind of game?" But curiosity had taken hold of him, and, quite frankly, he had nothing to lose. He pressed "Yes."
[Fortune Points (FP) will be awarded based on daily tasks and achievements. Use FP to unlock new skills, enhance your life, and rise through the ranks. Initial Task: Optimize your Finances. Reward: 50 FP.]
Jhon sat back, baffled. A system designed to give him fortune? It sounded ridiculous, like one of those scam apps. But he couldn't shake the strange allure. "Optimize your Finances," the first task said. Well, he could try.
He opened his bank app, cringing at the near-empty balance. Rent was due in a week, and he barely had enough to scrape by. But the system's task encouraged him to take a hard look at his spending. He combed through his expenses, canceling subscriptions he rarely used, cutting down on unnecessary purchases. By the time he was done, he had managed to save a small amount—not much, but more than he had expected.
As soon as he closed his banking app, the Fortune System flashed on his phone.
[Task Completed. 50 FP awarded.]
Jhon's eyes widened. "That actually worked?" He felt a strange thrill at seeing the points add up on the screen. It was a game—but with real-life consequences. A new task appeared:
[New Task: Find a Side Hustle. Reward: 100 FP.]
The days that followed saw Jhon gradually immersing himself into the strange, game-like system. Each task pushed him to improve his life in small, meaningful ways. He began researching freelance opportunities, taking on small gigs that earned him extra cash. As his FP accumulated, the system offered him upgrades—real skills he could buy with points.
[Skill Unlocked: Market Analysis – Analyze job opportunities and investments for maximum returns.]
This was where things took a sharp turn. With this new skill, Jhon's decisions became sharper. He could spot trends in the market, identify opportunities others might overlook. He even made a small investment in cryptocurrency after analyzing its potential, which paid off handsomely within days.
His confidence grew with each task completed. Soon, he found himself with enough money to comfortably pay off his rent and still have some left over. But more than the money, it was the sense of control that thrilled him. For the first time in years, Jhon felt like he was steering his own destiny.
[New Task: Face the Past. Confront Alice. Reward: 150 FP.]
Jhon's heart sank as he stared at the latest notification. Confront Alice? After everything, was he really ready for that? He wasn't sure. But the system seemed to believe it was necessary for his progress.
He debated for a long time, the memories of their last conversation playing in his mind like a broken record. But then he thought of all the progress he had made. The Fortune System had given him tools, confidence, and a vision for the future. He wasn't the same man Alice had walked out on.
The decision was made.
The next evening, Jhon found himself standing outside Alice's apartment. His hands trembled slightly as he knocked. The door opened to reveal Alice, looking surprised to see him. Her eyes scanned him up and down, and Jhon knew immediately that she noticed the change.
"Jhon? What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice filled with a mix of confusion and, perhaps, curiosity.
"I wanted to talk," Jhon said, keeping his tone steady.
Alice hesitated but stepped aside, letting him in. The apartment was as pristine as ever, a stark contrast to his own place. She motioned for him to sit, but Jhon remained standing, his heart pounding in his chest.
"I know things didn't end well between us," Jhon began, choosing his words carefully. "But I'm not here to beg or make you feel guilty. I've changed. I'm working on building something for myself. And I just wanted to say that… I get it. I wasn't where I needed to be back then."
Alice raised an eyebrow, her expression softening just slightly. "You… you've changed?"
"I have. And I'm going to keep changing." Jhon took a deep breath, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders. "I don't blame you for leaving. But I'm not the same person anymore."
She studied him for a long moment, as if trying to figure out what to say. Finally, she nodded. "I can see that."
As Jhon left Alice's apartment, he felt lighter. The past no longer held him down. The notification on his phone chimed once more.
[Task Completed. 150 FP awarded. New Tasks Unlocked.]