Jack jolted awake as the system's voice echoed in his mind.
"Put it on hold," Jack mumbled groggily, wiping the sleep from his eyes. The truth was, he didn't know how to proceed. Recruiting a team seemed impossible. He couldn't just recruit Elisa. He needed capable people, but where would he even begin?
The system accepted his response, and Jack stretched before rolling out of bed. His morning routine was mechanical—brushing his teeth, washing his face, and preparing to face another day. The faint sound of sizzling from the kitchen reminded him of the small comforts of home.
"Good morning, Mom," Jack greeted as he slipped into a stool near the kitchen counter.
His mother turned, her eyes tired yet kind, and placed a plate of fried eggs and toast before him. "Good morning, Jack. How was your night?"
"It was fine. How about yours?" he asked, already diving into his meal.
"It would have been better if I wasn't worrying about your sister's medical bills," she replied, her voice heavy with worry.
Jack froze mid-bite. The mention of Ariel condition drained his appetite. He pushed his plate aside, his stomach churning. "How much do we need to pay in total?" he asked, feigning confidence.
"It's over ten thousand dollars now," his mother sighed, sipping her coffee.
Jack's mind raced. Ten thousand dollars was an impossible amount for them, but an idea sparked. If he used his money to help his mom, maybe the 2x rebate would apply. Reaching into his pocket, Jack pulled out the hundred dollars Elisa had entrusted to him weeks ago.
"Here, Mom. It's not much, but it's something," he said, handing her the money.
His mother took it with a weary smile. "Thank you, Jack. It's a start."
"How much more do we need after this?" Jack asked, expecting the system's notification about his rebate.
"About seven thousand," she replied, standing to wash her cup. The kitchen fell into a heavy silence before she left, leaving Jack to his thoughts.
"Why didn't I get the rebate?" Jack asked aloud, frustration creeping into his tone.
Jack sighed heavily, realizing his mistake. He had just given away the money Elisa had saved for herself. It wasn't his to spend. Guilt weighed on him as he realized he'd have to explain everything to her.
****
At school, Jack approached his locker, only to find Elisa waiting for him, arms crossed and an expectant look on her face.
"Jack, how are you? Did you bring the bucks?" she asked casually.
Jack winced, his hands tightening around the locker door. "About that..." he began, gritting his teeth.
Elisa's brows furrowed. "What happened to it?" she asked, her voice tinged with surprise.
"I... gave it to Mom this morning," Jack admitted, his head bowed in shame.
"You *what*?" Elisa's tone was sharp, though she quickly softened. "It's okay," she said, though her disappointment was evident.
"I didn't mean to," Jack said quickly. "I thought I'd get a rebate from the system like last time. But it turns out the rebate only works for charity."
Elisa blinked, then burst into laughter. "So, let me get this straight. You gambled with my money on your system's whims?"
Jack scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "I didn't think it through. But don't worry—I'll make it up to you."
"And how exactly will you do that?" Elisa asked, crossing her arms.
Jack held up a finger. "Do you have any cash on you?"
"Just fifty bucks. I brought it to add to the hundred for today's faction hunt."
"Can you give it to me?" Jack asked.
Elisa hesitated, then handed him the money. "What are you planning now?" she asked, trailing behind him as he left the school building.
"You'll see," Jack replied, quickening his pace.
They reached the school gate, where an old beggar sat, hunched and shivering. Jack walked up to him and handed him the fifty dollars.
"Are you sure this will work?" Elisa asked, watching anxiously.
"Not entirely," Jack admitted.
Moments later, a notification flashed before him.
<2x rebate activated. Wallet balance: $104.>
Jack grinned triumphantly. "It worked!"
He quickly instructed the system to transfer the money to Elisa's bank account. Seconds later, Elisa's phone buzzed with a notification.
"I got it," Elisa said, her voice tinged with relief. "So... are you joining me for the faction hunt?"
Jack hesitated. "Aren't we supposed to be in class?"
Elisa shook her head. "Not today. It's a special day for faction recruitment."
Jack sighed. "Fine. Let's go."
****
The friends navigated the bustling city streets, weaving through crowds of students and recruiters from various factions. Vibrant banners and enthusiastic voices filled the air, each group vying for new members. Elisa's eyes sparkled with excitement as she scanned the scene.
"Which faction are you thinking of joining?" Jack asked, struggling to match her enthusiasm.
"I'm not sure yet," Elisa replied. "But I want one that focuses on exploration."
Jack nodded, though his thoughts lingered on his own task. Forming a fleet felt even more daunting amidst the fervor of seasoned recruiters and their polished pitches.
As they continued, Jack couldn't help but wonder if the system had set him up for failure—or if this challenge was meant to push him toward something greater.