Fortunately for Miles, the following day was a Saturday, meaning no school for him and Charlie and an almost guaranteed escape from his aunt's overbearing presence. Saturdays were her usual bowling and clubbing days, so she would leave the house early and stay out late.
Miles woke up at dawn, hearing her rummaging loudly in the kitchen, no doubt preparing for her long day of indulgence. He took a deep breath, deciding this was the perfect opportunity to tackle his first System mission: 100 push-ups and pull-ups. The rewards—100 EXP and +1 Strength—were very meaningful steps toward building himself up, both physically and mentally.
He quietly cleared a small area on the floor in his room, doing his best not to disturb Charlie, who was still fast asleep under a worn-out blanket. As he dropped to the floor and began his push-ups, the strain hit him almost immediately. His arms burned, his muscles groaned in protest, and his chest tightened after just a dozen reps.
Miles couldn't even remember when last he attempted to exercise! He was a finance student caught up in the stress of college and life, never did he have the chance to even think of exercising this lanky body of his.
But Miles kept pushing. The System had opened a door he never thought possible, and now, every drop of sweat felt like an investment in his new future.
By the time he moved to the pull-ups, using the rusty bar mounted to the doorway, he was drenched in sweat, his arms trembling with every lift. Yet, as hard as it was, he couldn't stop. He thought of Charlie sleeping peacefully behind him, oblivious to the weight of their struggles. He thought of his aunt's insults, her cruelty, and the suffocating hopelessness that had been his life since their parents passed. It would soon change!
Breathing heavily, Miles collapsed onto the floor, staring at the ceiling with a sense of pride that he felt was strange. Ha—ha. I did it, he thought. Miles could already feel the subtle shift in his body as his muscles were burning, prophesying of the progress that was to come.
The System's notification broke the silence in his head:
[First Mission Complete: 100 Push-ups and Pull-ups!]
[Reward: +100 EXP, +1 Strength.]
[Ding!]
[Congratulations on your Reward! Host has received $500 for completing a mission. Host should check bank details for confirmation]
[Ding!]
[Host has received Daily $50 according to current Level 1. Host should check bank details for confirmation]
Wow. I just got $550 for doing literally nothing but just exercising and breathing?! How much would I receive by the end of the month?!
Miles rose to his feet and said "Status" typical of all he had heard about systems.
[Generating host stats and financial profile... Completed]
[System Activated]
[Name: Miles Bennett]
[Age: 19]
[Account Balance: $10,000,671]
[EXP: 100/1000]
[System Level: 1]
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Attributes
[Financial Acumen: 4
Entrepreneurial Spirit: 5
Negotiation Skills: 2.5
Strength: 3 (+1)
Agility: 2
Stamina: 5
Intelligence: 10
Charisma: 1 ]
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Miles' eyes lingered on that account balance he was yet to spend in real life after he had spent lavishly in his dream last night. He decided he'd spend today and enjoy himself while thinking about how to accomplish the other two missions.
Miles pressed his ear against the door, straining to catch any sound of his aunt. He could hear nothing but silence, meaning she was gone. Relief washed over him. The apartment was finally theirs, even if only for the day.
He moved quickly, knowing this was his chance to enjoy the wealth that felt almost unreal without disturbance. A quick, cold shower later, Miles dressed in the cleanest outfit he could find—a simple shirt and jeans that didn't scream "delivery guy." He turned to Charlie, who was still rubbing his sleepy eyes, and helped him get ready, pulling out his brother's favorite striped hoodie and sneakers.
"Where are we going?" Charlie asked groggily.
"You'll see," Miles replied with a smile, holding up his new, sleek black card before he tucked it into his front pocket. He couldn't risk a back pocket.
With Charlie's hand firmly in his, Miles stepped out of the apartment and grabbed his bicycle. He had half expected his aunt to damage his bicycle in anger because she had done it countless times, making Miles to spend the little he had on a repair many times than he could remember. However, the bike was safe.
Miles rode with his little brother through the city until they arrived at a certain restaurant. Miles took his brother to the outside ATM where he pulled out the black card.
I hope this is real, he said to himself as he inserted the card, remembering the new code reset by the System.
How much should I withdraw? Miles asked himself as the ATM successfully scanned the card and awaited his input. Miles decide to withdraw just a thousand dollars since the eatery didn't pay directly through bank. Miles felt bad because he wanted to get his first 10x rebate. He decided he'd go shopping after this. Surely, that would give him what he wanted.
Whirrr....
The money was for real!
Miles couldn't believe it as ten crisp one-hundred-dollar bills sat in his hand. The machine had spit them out without hesitation, confirming what he'd seen on the System's interface.
[Ding!]
[Host has withdrew $1000 from account balance]
[Account Balance: $9,999,671]
The weight of the cash was light but it felt monumental in Miles' hands. Never in his life had he held this much money at once, and now it was his to spend however he wanted. His thoughts raced, filled with disbelief and exhilaration.
For years, he'd scraped by, stretching every dollar he earned delivering pizzas, and now… now he could live. Not just survive. Yes!!!
Charlie tugged on his hand, snapping him out of his thoughts. "Why are we here?"
Miles smiled, pocketing the money and his card before lifting him up. "To eat like kings, buddy. Let's get a table!"
Miles managed to get a proper meal for himself and his little brother—something he hadn't enjoyed in years, and for Charlie, not even once in his short life. Many people stared at the two boys who were dressed in outdated, fading clothes as they ate at a table. Miles did his best to ignore the stares. After all, their clothes were neat, it's just that they were old fashioned and were losing color.
Miles was going to change that. He'd go to a mall after this and buy new clothes! This entire meal—rice, fried chicken and fresh orange juice only cost him what felt like pocket change, and he was just getting started.
Miles savored each bite of the chicken as he washed it down with the juice. A rare feeling of hope swelled in his chest as he watched his little brother struggling to munch one of the drumsticks. Now, they could really enjoy.