The city buzzed with the constant hum of life as Michael maneuvered his delivery van through the maze of crowded streets. He had been working as a delivery driver for a month now, a job that, while monotonous, had become a comfortable routine.
Every morning, he would weave through traffic, the rising sun casting long shadows across the pavement, each delivery bringing him closer to the end of the day and the solace of his small, one-room apartment.
Today was just another ordinary day, or so it seemed. He glanced at his watch, noting he was behind schedule.
He grumbled under his breath, feeling the familiar pressure of deadlines and the weight of the packages piled high in the back of his van. He had one last delivery before he could call it a day.
A strange sense of unease washed over him as he turned onto a quiet suburban street. It was too calm, too still. He shrugged off the feeling and focused on the address before him.
In the blink of an eye, everything changed. A speeding truck, its driver oblivious to the traffic signal, barrelled through the intersection. Michael's eyes widened in horror as he realized what was happening. Time seemed to slow down, the world around him blurring into a swirl of colors and sounds.
There was no time to react, no time to escape. The impact was immediate and devastating, with the sound of crunching metal and shattering glass filling the air. As his life flashed before his eyes, he felt an overwhelming sense of regret for all the things left unsaid, all the dreams left unfulfilled.
Darkness enveloped him, and then nothing.
"Young master Michael, are you OK?".
A panicked voice reached his ears. Followed by a sharp pain in his head.
Michael felt his head was buried under some heavy object, and someone was trying to add more weight. This happened for a few minutes, after which the pain disappeared.
When he opened his eyes, a blurry image formed in front of them for a second. Then suddenly, he saw a woman who quickly came beside him and hugged him tightly.
"Thank God, Michael, that nothing happened to you."
This sudden hug woke Michael with a jolt, and the blurry visual was replaced by a young girl standing behind the woman hugging him.
That girl seemed like she just cried an ocean. Her eyes were still red, and she looked at him worriedly.
After hugging him tightly, that woman looked at him.
"How are you feeling now? Is there anywhere you are not feeling well."
Michael's eyes widened as he saw the woman standing before him. She was poised with an air of quiet grace and her presence commanding the room.
Her age was evident in the fine lines that framed her eyes and the streaks of silver that wove through her chestnut hair, yet they did nothing to diminish her beauty. He was slightly dazed and then answered.
"No, Mom, I am feeling well now. The doctor did an excellent job."
"Doctor"
Michael's mother, Nancy, looked at him with confusion. It was the first time she had encountered such a foreign word.
"I mean the healer! The healer did the perfect job. Look, I can even stand now. Mom, I am feeling starving. Can you please make some food for me?"
Somehow, he managed to change the subject, and after that, he sent everyone outside his room. At first, the little girl was reluctant to leave his side, but he convinced her to go with his mother and help her out.
Michael's POV
After closing the door, I looked at my room. It was much bigger than my old one and looked very fancy. The bed I was lying on was huge and covered with soft blankets and pillows. The room was filled with light from big windows with heavy curtains.
The walls were covered with colourful pictures of strange lands and creatures. A wooden desk with many books and papers showed that the boy who lived here studied a lot. Nearby, a wardrobe filled with fine clothes, including shirts and trousers made from the best fabrics, stood.
Interesting objects were around the room—a shiny dagger on a shelf, some pretty stones, and a musical instrument in the corner. The boy had many hobbies and lived a comfortable life.
I felt a mix of awe and nervousness. This luxurious room was quite different from what I was used to.
After looking at my room, I sat on my bed and wondered what happened to me. At one moment, I was driving my van, and now, suddenly, I am in this brand-new world.
I started reading the memory that my predecessor left behind. Unlike my past world, this world was not normal. It was like the fantasy world we read about in those books, with Dragons, Demons, and many other supernatural creatures.
This boy, who has the same name as mine, is 16 years old and recently graduated from the best school in the city.
Since this boy was cooped up inside his room and only went outside to attend school, he knew less of what was happening outside. Everything he learned was from those books or the stories his merchant father used to tell.
"God! This boy was a merchant's son, but he rarely knew the outside world; what was he even reading inside the whole time."
Michael looked at the books on the wooden desk beside his bed and went to take out one when a voice rang through his head.
"Ding! Do you wish to bind the System?"
This sudden voice sent a chill down my spine. I started looking around the room, but there was no one.
"Ding! Do you wish to bind the System?"
Once again, I heard the sound, but this time, I was sure it was all in my head.
I was skeptical about that sound but still went ahead with it. With that, I said Yes.
After that, I saw a floating screen in front of my eyes, showing that the System was binding.
"20% complete"
"50% complete"
"70% complete"
"100% complete"
"Congratulations, Host, for binding with The Merchant System."
Michael was surprised by a cold, emotionless voice that sounded mechanical.
"Merchant System? What is that?"
"As the name suggests, I am a Merchant system and will help you become the best Merchant in the entire Multiverse. You can purchase anything from this System with the built-in currency of System Points. If you have enough System Points, you can even purchase an entire Universe."
"Entire Universe? System, you are not kidding with me, right."
"Host, I never joke about my work. I have a strong work ethic."
Listening to the System boosting about himself, I rolled my eyes and asked him various other questions.
After checking through the System, I confirmed that it was not lying. There is an option to purchase a Universe, but it is currently greyed.
I think there must be some conditions to unlock it. The System told me that I could not unlock it soon.
When I asked the System about it choosing me, he said it was fate that I met him and not to think much about it.
"System, tell me what System points are and how to earn them?"
"Host, System points are a currency that only works within the System. You can earn them in three ways.
The first and easiest one is by exchanging real-world currency. But the exchange rate is 1:1000.
The Second way is trading real-world heavenly treasures. The third and System's most recommended way is to sell products or services and earn system points. You can sell anything and get points based on the number of people using your service."
I wanted to ask more questions, but suddenly, there was a knock on my door. I opened it and saw the same girl standing behind my mother.
From the inherited memories, I learned that she is my sister, Lila.
Although she was just twelve, she exuded a bright and lively presence. Like her mother, her long, chestnut hair was tied with a simple yet stylish ribbon. Her eyes, a striking shade of blue, sparkled with curiosity and a hint of worry.
She was dressed in a neatly tailored dress that reflected our family's wealth.
"Brother, dinner is ready. Mom is waiting for you on the table."
"OK, let's go."
While going with her, I observed the house. Although I have inherited the memories, it still is like an album to me. Seeing the expensive interiors and other things for the first time made me realize this family is loaded.
"Host, it's your family now."
"Yes, sorry, my family. Hey, can you hear my thoughts?"
"…."
"Hello, System, are you there?"
Even after calling the System multiple times, it didn't respond. After some time, we reached the dining hall. Nancy was standing near the dining table. After looking at Lila and me as we walked towards her, she smiled and asked our servants to bring the food.
As I sat at the table, I noticed various food items. Nancy started serving me, and my plate was full within a minute.
"Mom, I won't be able to eat this much."
"It's fine. You have just woken up after one month. Your body needs enough energy. Now, don't talk and start eating. Lila, why is your plate so empty? Girls of your age should eat more."
"No, Mom, this is more than enough."
Lila protested, but when it comes to food, which mothers have ever listened to their kids?
Seeing that we both were eating well, Mom got emotional.
"Mom, you too eat with us," Lila said, serving her.
"OK, I will eat."
After dinner, I asked Nancy and Lila to meet me in the reading room. Jacob, Michael's father, saw his son's growing interest in books and made this room specially for him. It had almost all the books the city could provide.
After reaching the room, I ensured no servant was around and asked them to sit on the sofa. Seeing me this anxious, Nancy asked worriedly.
"What happened, Michael? Is everything alright?"
"Mom, Lila, I wanted to tell you about the day Dad and I met with the beast horde. The beast horde was man-made."