[The Great Tycoon System has been activated.]
- - -
Name: Gray Adams
Age: 20
Status: Struggling (0%)
Wealth: 0
Power: 0
Influence: 0
Skills:
Basic Negotiation (Passive): Slightly improves chances of earning more through bargains.
Hard Labor (Active): Increases strength and endurance in physical work.
- - -
A translucent screen suddenly appeared in front of Gray. It was floating in midair.
"What the hell…?" Gray blinked rapidly, his heart pounding loudly.
Was this some sort of joke?
Maybe he was losing his mind from exhaustion and hunger.
[This is not a hallucination, Host.]
The voice was calm and robotic, causing Gray to stiffen.
[You have been chosen, Host. The system will assist you in obtaining wealth and power.]
Gray shook his head in confusion.
"What's going on? What do you mean by 'chosen'? I don't even have money to survive…"
[You have been granted a second chance. The system is here to help you rise from nothing.]
His hands tightened around the crumpled envelope in his grip. His situation was already at its lowest, and now this voice was telling him he had a second chance.
Was he really hearing this?
"Second chance?" Gray muttered, still trying to make sense of the situation.
[You can complete missions to gain wealth, influence, and power. Completing missions will reward you with the means to change your life.]
Gray's mind raced.
A second chance.
A way out of his miserable existence.
'No fucking way…'
Gray stood there in the rain. His lifeless eyes suddenly became filled with life.
"I'll do it. I'll take this second chance. I'll rise. I can't keep living like this." He was determined.
[Good choice, Host. The system is now granting you your starting funds.]
'A starting fund?'
The screen in front of Gray flickered again before it displayed a new message.
[Starting Funds: $10,000]
"Wait... What?" He rubbed his eyes in disbelief.
Was this for real?
Ten thousand dollars?
That was a fortune compared to what he had right now!
[You have received $10,000.]
[Ding!]
[You have received your first new mission.]
[Mission: Spend $10,000 within 48 hours.]
[Reward: $10,000 for you to save and a 5% rebate for your future purchase.]
Gray stood frozen, staring at the screen.
'Spend it all?'
He could barely wrap his head around the idea of having that much money. He had never seen that much at once in his life.
Ang damn, he was about to go crazy.
A small and wide smile appeared on Gray's face. He shoved the envelope into his pocket and started walking.
Gray laughed as he walked. It was a deep and almost desperate laugh mixed with happiness and relief. He couldn't contain it.
For the first time in forever, he felt like something had changed.
"Wohhh!"
"Fuck you all!"
Gray was shouting, crying, and laughing at the same time.
"Ten thousand dollars?" he muttered to himself, his voice was even cracking as he said it out loud.
"I can actually do this!"
"10,000? Fuck all of youuuu!"
Gray laughed even louder.
"Mama, mama. Look at that—"
In the distance, a woman and a child inside a car were staring outside.
The woman swiftly pulled her child closer.
"Don't look at him, my dear. He's probably on drugs. Don't involve yourself with men like that in the future, okay?" she hissed, ushering the kid away.
"Poor guy must've lost it," another man murmured to his friend.
"Yes. Yes. I told you not to walk near the park when it's raining. There are too many crazy guys out here."
Gray, who can't hear any of it was still laughing in happiness. Before he could know, he was already near their apartment. He just walked a few miles and he didn't even notice it!
"Alright," Gray muttered, wiping away the remaining tears in his eyes.
"Time to buy dinner for my dear sister!"
Gray walked into the small and familiar restaurant, just a few meters away from their apartment. The scent of sizzling meat and cooked vegetables filled the air.
It was a place he went to almost every day, not because the food was fancy, but because it was cheap, and they never judged him for the few coins he could scrape together when paying.
He goes here all the time that he was already considered a regular, and the owners knew him well by now.
As he walked up to the counter, the older woman behind it, Mrs. Liang, looked up and blinked in surprise.
"Are you okay?" Mrs. Liang asked when she saw Gray dripping wet.
Gray wiped his face with his sleeve, still laughing under his breath as he stood at the counter. His clothes were soaked and his hair was sticking to his forehead, but there was a different look in his eyes.
Gray looked brighter.
"Yeah, I'm good," Gray said with a grin, trying to keep himself from laughing too much.
"Just got some... really good news."
He leaned forward a little, lowering his voice as if he was about to tell her a secret.
"I want everything on the menu today. Give me everything my sister wants, too!"
Mrs. Liang blinked in surprise.
"Are you sure? Everything?" She gave him a confused look. "Did you win the lottery or something?"
Gray laughed softly, shaking his head.
"Lottery? No, nothing like that," he said with a shrug. "But I'll be rich soon enough."
Mrs. Liang's expression softened as she studied him. She paused for a moment before sighing.
"Gray... I know life's been hard for you, but don't get crazy. You know better than to start spending like that." She gave him a concerned look, as if trying to make sure he wasn't losing touch with reality.
Gray just grinned, feeling the excitement bubbling inside him.
"Don't worry, Mrs. Liang. Everything's going to be fine." He was still laughing softly to himself, excitement growing with each passing moment.