But there was something more. Something... odd.
It happened when I was sitting on the couch, staring at the blank walls of my apartment, wondering what I would do for the rest of the evening. I'd been so focused on making a life for myself, so immersed in my work on the farm, that I hadn't really given much thought to anything else. No dreams of grand success, no aspirations beyond survival. Until now.
It started as a whisper in the back of my mind. A voice that was soft at first, like a distant murmur in a crowded room. I shook my head, thinking I was just tired, that maybe I was imagining things. But then, it came again, clearer this time.
*"System activated."*
I froze, my heart skipping a beat. What the hell was that? My hand instinctively went to my head, like I could somehow touch the source of the voice. I stood up, pacing around the small apartment, trying to make sense of it.
*"System activated. Welcome, Sunny Gibson."*
I stopped dead in my tracks. That was no dream. That was a voice. It was in my mind, but it wasn't mine. A system? Was I losing it? Had I finally gone insane?
But before I could spiral into panic, the voice continued, calm and detached.
*"At the age of 21, the system has been activated. All assets will now earn a 10% interest at 12:00 AM every day."*
I blinked. Wait. What? Assets? Interest?
I stumbled back toward the kitchen, my head spinning. "What... what do you mean by assets? Interest?"
*"All monetary assets you currently possess will gain an automatic 10% increase at midnight every day."*
My breath caught in my throat. This couldn't be real. No way. I wasn't some rich guy with stocks or investments. I worked on a farm for three years, scraping by with barely enough to pay rent. I hadn't even thought about saving up. How could I have assets?
*"Current assets: $2,000. Interest gained at 12:00 AM will be $200."*
I stared at the words floating in my mind like a strange notification on a screen. My bank balance—$2,000? That was all I had in my account. There was no way this could be real. But the voice was so calm, so sure. And when I checked my bank account on my phone, the numbers confirmed it. I had exactly $2,000 in there.
I felt my pulse quicken. Was this a dream? A simulation? But it felt too real, too tangible. I glanced around, hoping I was just imagining things, but the voice in my head was still there, like an uninvited guest, continuing its monotonous explanation.
*"System will continue to monitor and enhance assets as long as you maintain a positive balance. The 10% interest will be calculated every midnight. No action is required on your part."*
My heart raced. This couldn't be happening, but at the same time, it was real. I wasn't just hearing things. There was no reason why I'd be given this system. I wasn't special. I wasn't some chosen hero. I was just a guy who had been grinding for years, barely getting by.
But now… Now it seemed like something had changed.
*"System activated. Countdown until midnight: 3 hours, 14 minutes."*
I stood there, staring at my phone, trying to wrap my head around it. This was insane. I had no idea what this meant, but I couldn't ignore it. Something in me, deep down, stirred with excitement. Could this really be happening? Was the system real? Was this some sort of… blessing?
The voice spoke again, this time with a faint hint of finality.
*"At midnight, assets will increase by 10%. Be prepared for the results."*
I swallowed hard. Midnight? In just a few hours, I would know if this was real. I paced the room nervously. The voice in my head was quiet for now, but my thoughts were anything but. My mind raced. What if this system was more than just about money? What if it had other abilities I didn't even know about yet?
My heart pounded in my chest as the clock ticked closer to midnight. I had spent my entire life grinding, struggling just to make ends meet. For the first time, it felt like I had a chance at something bigger, something that wasn't just about surviving.
The minutes seemed to crawl by, and I found myself sitting on the edge of my bed, waiting. I had to know. Had to see if this was some kind of cruel joke or a real opportunity.
When the clock finally hit 12:00 AM, I held my breath.
*"System update: 10% interest has been applied to your assets. Current balance: $2,200."*
I blinked, staring at the screen. It was real. The system wasn't lying. The $2,000 I had in my account was now $2,200. It had actually worked. The 10% interest, just as the voice had said.
A rush of exhilaration flooded my chest. It wasn't just a dream, and it wasn't some trick. This was real.
I jumped to my feet, pacing around the room, a grin spreading across my face. This was insane. In one single night, my life had changed. I wasn't just living day by day anymore. The system had given me a shot at something bigger.
I stared down at my phone, the numbers on the screen still glowing.
The grind had been long, but it was finally paying off. This was just the beginning.
And for the first time in a long time, I felt something I hadn't felt in years—hope.
The system was real.
And now, I had a chance to rise.