By the end of the test, they were both exhausted but relieved. As the papers were collected, Desiderio turned to Sam with a grin. "Well, that was something."
Sam chuckled. "Yeah, it was. Maybe this system isn't so bad after all."
They shared a laugh, the tension easing as they realized that, together, they could tackle anything—even impossible tests with a little help from a strange, sometimes overenthusiastic system.
After a grueling period of daily quests and rigorous challenges, the boys finally passed the test. To everyone's astonishment, they did it with flying colors. The system congratulated them warmly, acknowledging their determination and hard work.
A week into their new routine, they began to notice changes in their physiques. Muscles were more defined, and they moved with newfound confidence. Glancing into the mirror, they couldn't help but admire their progress. For the first time in a long while, they liked what they saw and felt a surge of self-esteem.
But not all was well. Desi, growing increasingly impatient, turned to the system with a pressing question: "Is it only exercise that will make us money? Can't you show us another way?"
The system replied, "To make money, you'll need access to the internet."
Their hearts sank. None of them owned a mobile phone, let alone a computer or internet connection. The dream of earning money seemed further away than ever.
Sensing their despair, the system suggested, "You need to find a way to buy a computer and WiFi first."
The boys huddled together, brainstorming potential solutions. Ideas bounced back and forth, but nothing seemed feasible. Suddenly, the system chimed in with a mischievous proposal: "Why don't you steal the money?"
The room fell silent. They stared at each other, eyes wide with shock. Then, laughter erupted. The absurdity of the suggestion was too much to handle. "Steal the money? Really?" one of them chuckled.
But as they laughed, a plan began to form in their minds. Perhaps not stealing, but certainly finding a clever way to gather the funds needed. The system had, unintentionally, sparked a creative solution in their determined minds.
The boys huddled together, brainstorming potential solutions, but nothing seemed feasible. Frustrated and out of ideas, they turned back to the system. "Okay, what exactly do you mean by stealing the money?" Sam asked.
The system responded calmly, "Just steal a small amount from a rich person. When you become rich, you can return it."
Desperate to bring back his mother, Desi declared, "I'm going to do it. We have no other choice."
The room fell silent as they pondered their next move. "Who are we going to steal from?" Sam wondered aloud. Suddenly, he remembered, "There's a rich man who lives around our school. He's always seen carrying a briefcase. It must be full of money or something valuable since he keeps it so close."
Determined, the boys began to monitor the man, carefully noting his routines and devising a plan. They even prepared disguises to cover their faces.
On the day of the heist, their hearts pounded as they waited in a nearby alley. The rich man appeared, strolling down the street with his ever-present briefcase. With exaggerated stealth, the boys crept closer.
"Now!" whispered Desi. In a burst of adrenaline-fueled action, they pounced, snatching the briefcase and running off, legs pumping wildly. They ducked into a secluded spot, panting with excitement.
"Open it!" Desi urged. Sam fumbled with the latches, finally prying the briefcase open. Both boys stared in shock at the contents.
"Is that... cocaine?" Sam gasped.
Panic set in. "Throw it away!" Desi yelped. They hurled the briefcase into a dumpster and bolted, running faster than ever. Their minds raced with fear of getting caught with the drugs.
As they neared home, trying to catch their breath and calm their nerves, Sam spotted a crowd gathered around an event. A large banner read: "Quiz Competition - Win Cash Prizes!"
Sam's eyes lit up. He turned to the system and asked with a devilish smile, "You're smart, right?" The look on his face gave Desi goosebumps.
"Yes," the system replied.
Sam grinned. "Then let's win that quiz."
Chapter 10: We did it
The next day, they arrived at the community center, where the competition was being held. The room buzzed with chatter and excitement. Teams from all over the neighborhood were present, and the atmosphere was electric.
As the quiz began, Desi felt a rush of adrenaline. The first few questions were tough, but true to its word, the system whispered the correct answers into their ears. They quickly gained confidence, buzzing in with the right responses.
Question after question, they nailed it, thanks to the system's guidance. The other teams looked increasingly puzzled as Desi and his friends consistently got the right answers, pulling ahead in the scores.
Finally, the last question was asked. It was a particularly tricky one about ancient history, but the system provided the answer promptly. Desi buzzed in and answered with confidence.
The quizmaster's voice rang out, "That's correct! And the winners are Desi and his team!"