Chapter 1: The System Awakening
Leon Carter sat in the dimly lit apartment he called home—a cramped, one-bedroom space that smelled of old books, instant noodles, and desperation. The ceiling fan wobbled dangerously, squeaking like a dying hamster. Bills were stacked on the table, unopened. His phone buzzed with another missed call from the bank. Overdraft fees, past-due notices, and debt collectors hounded him like hungry wolves.
He ran a hand through his messy black hair, exhaling sharply. "Just one break... Just one chance..."
Life had never been kind to Leon. His startup had failed spectacularly, burning through what little savings he had. His ex-girlfriend, Rachel, had left him for a successful hedge fund manager. And now, he was on the verge of eviction.
His reflection in the grimy bathroom mirror didn't help—dark circles under his dull brown eyes, an unshaven jawline that made him look more homeless than rugged, and a posture that screamed 'man defeated by life.' His worn-out hoodie and jeans had more holes than fabric. The only thing holding his sneakers together was sheer willpower.
Then, a notification popped up on his cracked phone screen.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations, host! You have activated the Love & Fortune System!]
Leon blinked. "The what now?"
A sleek, futuristic interface materialized in his vision, displaying a welcome message in glowing gold letters.
Welcome, Leon Carter. The Love & Fortune System has chosen you as its host! Your path to wealth and romance begins now.
[New Gift Unlocked: Luxor Penthouse – A luxurious 5,000 sq. ft. apartment in the heart of Manhattan, complete with a skyline view, private elevator, and a fridge stocked with gourmet meals!]
[New Gift Unlocked: $500,000 deposited into your bank account! No strings attached, just pure, glorious cash.]
[New Gift Unlocked: Charm & Looks Enhancement – Your facial structure is now sculpted to perfection, skin flawless, hair effortlessly stylish, and your presence radiates confidence!]
Leon stared at the screen in disbelief. "Wait... what?!"
His phone buzzed again, this time with a bank notification.
[Bank Deposit: $500,000.00]
His heart nearly stopped. He pulled up his banking app, and sure enough, the money was there. Real. Tangible.
Then, he felt a strange sensation ripple through his body. It was as if someone had thrown him into a high-end spa and hit him with a Makeover-Overdrive-3000 machine. His skin tingled, muscles tightened, and his posture straightened involuntarily. He turned to the mirror again.
Gone was the tired, broke, caffeine-addicted mess. In his place stood a man straight out of a fashion magazine—sharp jawline, piercing blue eyes (wait, when did his eyes turn blue?!), thick black hair that looked perfectly styled even though he hadn't touched it, and a physique that screamed effortless Greek god.
"Holy crap," he muttered, running a hand through his now silky-smooth hair. "I look like the guy who steals your girl in movies."
And then another notification appeared.
[New Task: Message Your First Love, Sophia Lancaster.]
Task Reward: Ownership of Lancaster Bistro, a high-end café located in Manhattan with celebrity clientele.
Failure Penalty: None (First Task Free).
Leon froze. Sophia Lancaster. The girl he had loved since high school. The one who had moved away for college, leaving behind a gaping hole in his heart. Smart, kind, and way out of his league back then, she was the one person who had ever made him feel like more than just another loser scraping by.
He swallowed hard. A café in Manhattan? That sounded like the kind of thing rich people bought for fun, not something a broke guy like him could ever dream of owning.
He hesitated, then exhaled. "Well… if I'm starting a new life, might as well go all in."
He tapped on his phone, pulled up her contact, and typed a message.
Leon: Hey, Sophia… It's been a while.
The game had begun.