The rain never stopped in this part of the city.
It poured endlessly over broken streets, rusted signs, and dim neon lights that flickered like they were struggling to survive—just like everyone else here.
Ethan Cole pulled his thin jacket tighter around his body as he walked down the alley. His shoes were soaked, his stomach empty, and his mind heavy with the same question that haunted him every night:
"Is this really all there is?"
At 19 years old, Ethan had nothing.
No money.
No connections.
No future
Just debt.
A notification buzzed weakly from his old phone. The cracked screen barely responded, but he forced it open.
Bank Balance: -$42.17
Ethan laughed.
Not because it was funny—but because there was nothing else left to do.
"Perfect," he muttered. "Absolutely perfect."
A sudden shout echoed from behind him.
"HEY! You think you can run from us?!"
Ethan froze.
Three figures stepped into the alley, their silhouettes growing clearer under the flickering light. The same guys.
Loan sharks.
His heartbeat spiked.
"I told you I'd pay," Ethan said, backing away slowly. "I just need more time."
The tallest one smirked.
"You've been saying that for weeks."
Another cracked his knuckles.
"Time's up."
Ethan turned and ran.
His feet splashed through puddles as he sprinted through the narrow alleyways. His breath burned, his vision blurred—but he didn't stop.
He couldn't.
Not now.
Not ever.
He took a sharp turn—
—and crashed straight into someone.
Ethan fell hard to the ground.
"Ow—!"
Before he could react, a cold, metallic voice echoed in his head.
[System Activation Detected]
[Scanning Host…]
[Compatibility: 99.97%]
[Condition: Critical | Financial Status: Ruined | Mental State: High Stress]
Ethan's eyes widened.
"What…?"
The world around him seemed to freeze.
Rain stopped mid-air.
Sound vanished.
Time… stood still.
[The System has chosen you.]
[Do you accept?]
YES / NO
Ethan's breath trembled.
"Am I… hallucinating?"
He looked around—everything was frozen.
Even the droplets of rain hung motionless in the air like tiny crystals.
"This isn't real…"
But then again—
What part of his life was real?
The endless struggle?
The constant failure?
The feeling of being stuck while everyone else moved forward?
His fists clenched.
"If this is a joke…" he whispered, "…it's a cruel one."
The voice returned—calm, emotionless.
[Warning: Opportunity will expire in 10 seconds.
Ethan's heart pounded harder.
10…
9…
8…
He looked back at the alley.
The men chasing him—frozen.
The life he hated—waiting.
7…
6…
5…
A strange thought crossed his mind.
What if… this is my only way out?
4…
3…
He took a deep breath.
"I've got nothing left to lose."
2…
1…
"...Yes."
[Choice Confirmed.]
[Binding System to Host…]
[Synchronization Complete.]
Time resumed.
Rain crashed down again. Sound returned violently.
Ethan gasped as pain shot through his entire body. He collapsed, clutching his chest.
"AAAAH—!"
His vision filled with glowing blue screens.
[Welcome, Host Ethan Cole.]
[System Type: Wealth Ascension System]
[Primary Objective: Turn Host into a Billionaire]
Ethan stared, breathless.
"A… billionaire?"
[Starting Reward Granted]
[+ $10,000]
His phone buzzed again.
With shaking hands, he opened it.
Bank Balance: $9,957.83
Ethan froze.
His mind went blank.
"This… this is real…"
Fortsteps approached.
The men had caught up.
"Well," the tall one said, cracking a grin, "looks like you ran out of places to go."
Ethan slowly stood up.
But something had changed.
The fear in his eyes… was gone.
Instead—
There was something new.
Something dangerous.
He looked at them… and smiled.
[New Mission Assigned]
[Task: Resolve Immediate Threat]
[Reward: $5,000 + Skill Unlock]
Ethan whispered under his breath:
"Let's begin."
End of Chapter 1