Jack groaned as the system's voice echoed in his mind, the monotone delivery a harsh reminder of his unfinished task. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he sighed heavily, already dreading the day ahead. Recruiting wasn't something he was looking forward to, especially since he couldn't just recruit Elisa alone. The thought of it was exhausting.
"Put it on hold. I'll perform it later," Jack muttered, giving the system his decision. The task could wait. Right now, he had more immediate concerns.
Swinging his legs off the bed, Jack trudged to the bathroom. The cold splash of water on his face helped shake off the remnants of sleep. He brushed his teeth with mechanical precision, staring at his reflection. The tired eyes staring back reminded him of the countless worries weighing on his shoulders.
Once done, Jack stepped out of his room, the aroma of breakfast guiding him to the kitchen. His stomach growled in anticipation, a small comfort in the chaos of his life. Jack loved eating before getting ready for school; it was a practical decision. Keeping his uniform clean was crucial since replacing or bleaching it wasn't an option.
"Good morning, Mom," Jack greeted as he slid onto the stool near the kitchen cabinet.
"Morning, Jack. How was your night?" His mom asked, placing a plate of fried eggs and bread in front of him.
"It was fine. How about yours?" Jack responded, picking up a fork and starting on his breakfast.
His mom sighed, a weariness in her eyes that Jack didn't miss. "It would've been better if I wasn't so worried about your sister's medical bills."
Jack's hand froze mid-bite. His appetite vanished as concern filled his mind. He hated seeing his mom stressed. "How much is it now?"
His mom looked at him, the weight of their financial struggles evident in her gaze. "Over ten thousand dollars."
Jack swallowed hard. The number was staggering, but he masked his despair, not wanting to add to his mother's worries. An idea flickered in his mind—a faint hope that the system might help. He pulled out a crumpled hundred-dollar bill from his pocket and handed it to her.
"Take this. It's not much, but it's all I can give right now."
His mom accepted the money with a small smile, touched by his gesture. "Thank you, Jack. Every little bit helps."
"How much do we still need after this?" Jack asked, hoping for a miracle from the system.
"About seven thousand dollars," she replied, taking a sip from her coffee. The kitchen fell silent, the weight of their predicament hanging heavily in the air.
Jack's thoughts raced, anticipating the system's promised rebate. Minutes passed, and just as he was beginning to worry, a notification popped up.
Jack's heart sank. The money wasn't his—it was Elisa's. He had been holding it for her, saving it for her faction hunt. The realization hit him hard, and guilt gnawed at his conscience. He had hoped to help, but now he felt the sting of his mistake.
"Why didn't I receive the rebate?" he whispered, frustrated.
The system's reply was like a final nail in the coffin, leaving Jack to grapple with his mixed emotions. He had tried to do the right thing, but the lines between right and wrong blurred in the face of their dire situation. As he sat in the quiet kitchen, Jack resolved to find another way. He couldn't let his family down.
****
Jack was leaning against his locker, lost in thought, when Elisa's familiar voice pulled him back to reality.
"Jack, how are you doing? Did you bring the bucks?" she asked, her tone light as she approached him.
Jack tensed, his grip on the locker tightening. He forced a smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. "I'm cool... but, um, something happened to your money," he admitted, his voice low and tinged with guilt.
Elisa frowned, sensing the unease in his demeanor. "What happened to it?" she asked, surprised. Jack had always been reliable, especially with things as important as this.
Jack hesitated, his gaze dropping to the floor. "I kinda gave it to my mom this morning," he confessed, shame coloring his words. He couldn't bear to meet her eyes, knowing he had let her down.
Elisa blinked, taken aback. "Oh... it's okay," she said softly, though her heart sank. She was disappointed but didn't want to make Jack feel worse. She knew he must have had a good reason.
Jack clenched his fists, frustration bubbling inside him. "It's not that I wanted to... I was expecting something," he explained, trying to justify his actions.
"What were you expecting?" Elisa asked, her curiosity piqued.
"My system... it rewards me with a 2x rebate on whatever money I spend," Jack began, his words tumbling out in a rush. "Mom mentioned Zee's hospital bills, and I thought if I gave her the money, I'd get double back. But it turns out the rebate only works for charity."
Elisa's lips twitched, and before she could stop herself, she burst into laughter. The whole situation was so absurd it was almost comical.
Jack, though embarrassed, found a small smile creeping onto his face. Her laughter was contagious.
"But how am I supposed to navigate the city for the faction hunt now?" Elisa asked, pouting slightly, her earlier amusement giving way to concern.
Jack raised an eyebrow. "You got any bucks on you?"
Elisa nodded. "Just fifty. I brought it to top up the hundred with you, but now it's all I have."
"Can you hand it to me?" Jack asked, a spark of determination in his eyes.
Reluctantly, Elisa handed over the money, watching as Jack turned and started walking towards the school gate.
"Jack, where are you going with my money?" she called, hurrying after him.
Jack glanced back with a mischievous grin. "I'm going to perform some charity."
They reached the gate where a beggar often sat, his weary eyes scanning the students. Jack approached and handed the fifty dollars to the man, who accepted it with a grateful smile.
"Are you sure you'll get the rebate this time?" Elisa asked, trying to mask her rising panic.
"Not sure," Jack admitted, his heart pounding. A moment later, his system pinged.
<2x rebate has occurred. Wallet balance: $104.>
Jack grinned triumphantly and immediately instructed the system to transfer the money to Elisa's debit card.
"I just got the bank alert!" Elisa exclaimed, her face lighting up with relief.
Jack gave her a playful nudge. "So, you still want to go on that faction hunt?"
Elisa smirked. "Are you joining me?"
Jack hesitated, glancing back towards the school building. "Aren't you attending lectures today?"
Elisa shook her head, a mischievous glint in her eyes. Jack sighed, his resolve crumbling under her gaze.
"Fine," he said with a resigned smile, following her out of the school. "Let's go."
As they walked away together, the day's challenges seemed a little less daunting, and for the first time in a while, Jack felt a sense of adventure stirring within him.