23:41:12
The countdown glowed in Ethan's vision.
[Starter Mission: Earn $10,000 within 24 hours.]Failure = Permanent System Lock.
He sat on the edge of his bed, staring at his old laptop.
Five years ago, this was the night everything began to collapse.
Tomorrow, Daniel would propose the "joint expansion plan."
Tomorrow, Ethan would trust him.
Tomorrow, the trap would close.
But tonight…
Tonight was different.
Ethan opened his banking app.
Balance: $4,230
That was all he had in this timeline.
Five years ago, Bitcoin had crashed sharply after a regulatory announcement overseas. Panic selling lasted exactly six hours before whales bought back in.
He remembered it clearly.
Because back then, he was too cautious.
Too slow.
Too naive.
This time, he wouldn't hesitate.
Step One: Liquidate.
He sold everything.
Savings. Small investments. Even the emergency fund.
His heart didn't shake.
Risk didn't scare him anymore.
Failure did.
23:12:44
He opened the trading platform.
Bitcoin price was already dipping.
Red candles.
Panic in online forums.
Perfect.
But $4,000 wouldn't reach $10,000 fast enough.
He needed leverage.
Ethan exhaled slowly.
Five years ago, he knew someone who owed him a favor.
Ryan Park.
A college senior who later became a successful angel investor.
Right now?
Just a rich kid with access to capital.
Ethan grabbed his phone.
Dialed.
It rang three times.
"Ethan? At midnight?" Ryan's voice sounded annoyed.
"I have a 6-hour trade window," Ethan said calmly. "You lend me $20,000. I return $30,000 by morning."
Silence.
"You're drunk."
"I'm not asking for trust. I'm offering profit."
Another pause.
"You don't even trade crypto."
Ethan smiled faintly.
"Markets overreact. Asian regulatory fear. U.S. correction rebound within 6 hours. 18% minimum swing."
Ryan's tone changed slightly.
"How sure are you?"
"Certain."
Not confident.
Not hopeful.
Certain.
Because he had already lived it.
23:01:18
Ryan transferred the money.
Total capital: $24,230
Ethan entered the position.
Full margin.
High leverage.
All in.
The red candles continued.
Price dropped further.
Liquidation line dangerously close.
His phone buzzed.
Ryan:
If this fails, you're finished socially.
Ethan didn't reply.
He just watched.
Tick by tick.
Breath steady.
Because he knew the exact moment it would turn.
00:42:31
Bitcoin dropped another 3%.
Liquidation warning flashed.
Sweat formed on his forehead.
Was his memory wrong?
No.
It couldn't be.
He had memorized that night in regret for years.
00:57:04
A sudden spike.
Small green candle.
Then another.
Then—
Massive buy wall.
Chat forums exploded.
"Whale entry detected!"
Price shot upward violently.
Liquidation risk vanished.
Ryan called immediately.
"What the hell is happening?!"
Ethan's voice stayed cold.
"Rebound phase."
The price climbed 8%.
12%.
15%.
His screen flashed green.
Profit numbers surged rapidly.
$8,000$12,000$18,000
His total equity crossed $32,000.
Mission requirement: $10,000 profit.
He wasn't done.
Because greed used to be his weakness.
Now it was his weapon.
02:11:09
The rebound peaked at 19%.
Ethan closed the position instantly.
Total balance: $41,782
Net profit: Over $17,000.
Mission completed.
Ryan was breathing heavily on the other end.
"You… you actually did it."
Ethan stared at the city lights outside his window.
"This is just the beginning."
Suddenly—
The interface appeared again.
[Starter Mission Completed.]Reward Processing…[Tier 1 Shadow Access Unlocked.]
New options opened in the system panel:
Market Insight (Level 1)
Social Analyzer (Locked)
Influence Points: 10
Hidden Skill Tree: Available
Ethan's heartbeat slowed.
This wasn't just memory advantage anymore.
This was something greater.
A shortcut beyond normal limits.
The system flickered again.
[New Mission Generated]Crush a Future Threat Before It Rises.Target: Daniel Hayes.Time Limit: 7 Days.Reward: Social Analyzer Activation.
Ethan's eyes darkened.
Seven days.
In seven days, Daniel would begin planting the fraud structure.
Seven days before betrayal.
This time—
He would be the one setting the trap.
Ethan picked up his phone.
Daniel had just sent a message.
Bro, big opportunity tomorrow. Let's talk expansion.
Ethan stared at the screen for a long moment.
Then typed:
Sure. I'm looking forward to it.
He smiled.
But it wasn't friendly.
It was predatory.