Sam took a deep breath and gently squeezed Desiderio's shoulder, calming him down. "Okay, Desi. Just take it slow and explain exactly what you saw."
Desiderio nodded, his voice still shaky. "There were tabs, like in a game. One of them said 'Wishes.' When I clicked on it, there was a notification that said 'Ongoing wishes: I want everything to change.' I... I remember making that wish on my fifteenth birthday. I was so frustrated with our life, with everything."
Sam's brow furrowed. "So, this system... it's real? It's actually doing something?"
As if in response, the automated voice echoed in Desiderio's mind again, audible to both boys this time. "Sam is correct. This is a system designed to fulfill the host's wishes, but every wish comes with an equivalent price."
Desiderio's eyes widened in realization. "That's why it said 'Wish Equivalent Exchange System is now online.'"
Sam's curiosity was piqued. "Can it grant any wish?" he asked, looking around as if expecting the answer to materialize from thin air.
The system responded, its tone proud and slightly boastful. "Indeed, I can grant any wish the host desires, as long as they are prepared to pay the equivalent price."
Desiderio felt a mix of annoyance and desperation. The system's arrogance grated on him, but the possibilities it presented were too significant to ignore. "You can fulfill any wish?" he repeated, his voice trembling with a newfound hope. "Then I wish for my mother to come back."
Silence filled the room for a brief moment, the air heavy with anticipation. The system's response was measured, almost contemplative. "The wish for your mother's return is significant. The price will be equally substantial."
Desiderio's heart pounded in his chest. "I don't care. I'll pay whatever it takes. Just bring her back."
The system's voice took on a more serious tone. "The price must be paid in accordance with the value of the wish. Your net worth must reach $1,000,000 before the wish can be granted."
Desiderio's elation turned to frustration. "What? That's impossible! We're just kids. We're poor."
Sam clenched his fists. "You expect us to make a million dollars? How is that fair?"
The system remained impassive. "This is the requirement. Fulfill it, and your wish will be granted."
Desiderio stood up, anger and determination burning in his eyes. "Fine. If that's what it takes to bring my mother back, then I'll do it. A million dollars... I'll find a way."
Sam watched him in disbelief, thinking about how impossible such a goal seemed for two boys from a poor neighborhood. But seeing the resolve in Desiderio's eyes, he quickly discarded his doubts. If Desiderio was willing to fight for this, then so was he.
"You're not alone, Desi. We'll figure this out together. Somehow, we'll make that million dollars."
Desiderio nodded, a newfound resolve hardening his features. "We have to. For Mom."
Sam and Desiderio stood united, their declaration echoing in the small house. The road ahead was uncertain and fraught with challenges, but they were determined to overcome them. For the first time, they had a purpose, a goal that would drive them forward. And no matter how impossible it seemed, they would strive to achieve it together.
Desiderio and Sam spent the next few hours brainstorming ways to make money, each idea more outlandish and impractical than the last. They sat at the kitchen table, a notepad between them filled with scribbles and half-baked plans.
Sam leaned back, scratching his head. "What if we start a lemonade stand? We could make a fortune in the summer."
Desiderio shook his head, smiling despite himself. "We'd need more than a million cups of lemonade to hit our target, Sam."
"Okay, what about becoming YouTube stars? We could make prank videos or do crazy stunts."
Desiderio laughed. "With our luck, we'd probably end up in the hospital before we made a cent."
Sam snapped his fingers, eyes lighting up. "How about selling rare collectibles? Like finding old comic books or vintage toys and flipping them for a profit."
Desiderio rolled his eyes. "Where are we going to find rare collectibles around here? And even if we did, it would take years to find enough to make that kind of money."
They continued tossing ideas back and forth, each one more ridiculous than the last. "Maybe we could invent something," Sam suggested. "Like a new gadget or an app."
Desiderio chuckled. "Sure, because we're totally inventors now."
"Or we could start a dog-walking business," Sam offered with a grin. "Or babysitting. Or... professional line-standing."
Desiderio laughed so hard he nearly fell off his chair. "Professional line-standing? Really, Sam?"
As their ideas grew more absurd, they realized how helpless they were. The laughter slowly faded, replaced by a heavy silence. Desiderio's shoulders slumped, and he put his head in his hands. "This is impossible. We'll never make a million dollars."
Just then, the system's voice broke through their despair. "Desiderio, if you follow my advice, you will be able to make the money in ten years."
Desiderio's heart sank. "Ten years? That's too long! I need my mom back sooner."
Sam put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Desi, ten years is better than never. Let's hear the system out."
Desiderio took a deep breath and nodded. "Alright, what's your advice?"
"Check your daily quest tab," the system instructed. "Complete the quests every day to build the habits necessary for success."
Desiderio opened the daily quest tab and read the list:
-Wake up early every day.
-Drink water first thing in the morning to enhance productivity.
-Work out five to six days a week.
-Avoid chasing girls and stay away from porn.
-Eat a good diet and maintain proper hygiene.
Desiderio read the list aloud, feeling a mix of hope and skepticism. "These are just basic lifestyle changes. How will this help me make a million dollars?"
The system's voice was firm. "Building discipline and healthy habits is the foundation of success. These daily quests will prepare you to seize opportunities and build wealth over time."
Sam nodded thoughtfully. "It makes sense, Desi. If we stick to these habits, we might not make a million overnight, but we'll be in a better position to find real opportunities."