In a narrow, dark alley, the sounds of relentless punches and kicks echoed. A young man lay on the ground, his body battered, his face swollen to the size of a pig's head. His clothes were torn and covered in blood and dust. Yet, not a single word escaped his lips. He only stared blankly at the men who continued to torment him mercilessly.
A group of men stood around him, dressed in fine clothes with satisfied expressions. One of them stepped on the young man's hand with full force.
Crack!
The sound of a breaking bone was unmistakable in the silent night. They laughed loudly, as if they had no conscience. After they were done with the beating, they left him behind, unable to stand.
But the young man remained silent. Despite the overwhelming pain, he didn't show his weakness. In his heart, he swore, "If I ever get the chance, I'll make them pay... double."
With great effort, he dragged his broken body toward a dilapidated house by the river, in a forgotten slum on the edge of town. With his arms and legs broken, he crawled inside and leaned against the fragile wooden wall.
His eyes gazed at the peaceful night sky, filled with stars shining brightly. He clenched the one hand he could still move and struck the ground with all his anger.
"AAAAARRRRGHHH!"
His scream echoed through the darkness, shattering the silence of the night. Afterward, he lost consciousness, his body slumping into the cold.
In the middle of the night, the young man awoke. His body felt cold, the pain was unbearable. His eyes once again looked at the flickering lights across the riverāthe view of the city that seemed so beautiful to some. But not to him, the young man who was always looked down upon and called a street coward.
"I never asked to be born into this world... never asked to be born poor. But I never gave up on my dream. One day, I will succeed and make them all kneel before me."
That belief filled his heart. His eyes burned with determination as he shouted to the night sky.
"I will destroy their arrogance!"
Suddenly, the night wind stopped blowing. The atmosphere became still.
(Ding...)
An odd sound echoed in his head.
(Will the Host accept the Conglomerate System? Yes/No)
He froze, his eyes widening as he stared at the holographic screen floating before him, following wherever he looked.
"System...?" he muttered, full of confusion. But his curiosity was stronger than the pain he was feeling. Without thinking twice, he extended his remaining hand and pressed the "Yes" button.
(Installation will begin. Please ensure the Host stays conscious.)
A percentage began to rise on the hologram screen:
5%... 25%... 50%... 75%... 100%...
"AAAAAAARRGH!!!"
A tremendous pain struck his head as though thousands of needles were piercing his brain. His body convulsed, his lips bleeding from biting too hard. After several minutes that felt like eternity, the pain slowly faded.
(Congratulations to the Host. Installation of the System was successful. You are the 1001st System user.)
The young man was shocked, his eyes wide. "Is... is this real?"
He remembered an old novel he had once read, about a character who gained incredible power from a system.
"If you really are a System like in that novel, show me what you can do for me!" he shouted. People passing by the slum just shook their heads.
"Poor guy, maybe he's gone crazy after getting beaten."
"Yeah, just leave him. Don't get too close, we might catch his madness."
The young man didn't care. His gaze was full of hope as he looked at the holographic screen floating before him.
(I can make you the world-shaking conglomerate you dream of.)
The young man's eyes sparkled. For the first time, he felt a great hope in his life.
"System, show me my status!"
(Ding...)
Full Name: Davis Harold
Level: 1
Charm: 2
Strength: 1
Speed: 0
Intelligence: 1
Skills: None
Funds: $0
Shop: Not Open
Inventory: Empty
The young man smiled bitterly. "Pathetic... but how do I improve it, System?"
(By completing tasks from the System. Levels: Low, Medium, High, Hidden.)
"Are there rewards for me?"
*(Yes. Would you like to open it now?) *
"Yes, open it now!"
(Ding... Gold Box opened.)
Congratulations! You have gained +1 Charm.
Congratulations! You have gained the skill: Ancient Martial Arts (Not Active).
Congratulations! You have gained $1,000.
Congratulations! You have gained a Mystery Box.
"Show me my status now!"
Full Name: Davis Harold
Level: 1
Charm: 3
Strength: 1
Speed: 0
Intelligence: 1
Skills: Ancient Martial Arts (Not Active)
Funds: $1,000 and 1 Mystery Box
Inventory: Empty
Davis' eyes were shining. "This... this is real! With this, I can definitely get my revenge and achieve my dreams!"
On that silent night, a new fate began to unfold for Davis Harold, the forgotten poor young man. With the power of the system within him, he swore to shake the world and silence all those who had once looked down on him.
Davis felt his body become more energetic, and his bones felt stronger. He lifted his previously broken left hand and clenched it tightly.
"I can feel it..." he murmured, full of excitement. He moved his legs and felt the healing there. A surge of happiness bubbled inside his chest. He jumped around on the low grass.
After testing his new powers, Davis walked toward the river. He touched his face, which now felt different. The river, reflecting the light of the full moon, mirrored his now more handsome face, which appeared much more attractive.
"I'm... more handsome," he said in awe. His confidence in the Conglomerate System grew even more.
Without wasting any time, Davis ran toward the small hut left by his deceased parents. He took some old cloth and laid them on the floor. After tying the cloth pieces together, he slung a bundle over his shoulder with great enthusiasm.
As he walked away, he hummed a song he often heard from the old radio in the hut:
Today, I will sing...
The song I've always wanted to sing...
Recalling all the memories I've experienced...
After a moment of nostalgia, Davis decided to head to his apartment immediately.
"System, find me a shortcut to my apartment."
(Ding... Shortcut found)
Suddenly, a blue screen appeared in front of his eyes, showing a GPS with his current location and the destination being a luxurious apartment in the city center.