Ethan looked at his reflection in a car's side mirror. The grease from the shop was still on his skin, but his face looked different. His jawline was sharper and his eyes were clear. He looked healthy and strong.
He had $100,000 in his bank account. Instead of finding a cheap place to sleep, he went straight to a high-end department store. The shop assistants looked at him with disgust because he smelled like a mechanic's workshop, but Ethan ignored them. He walked directly to the grooming and luxury clothing sections.
By the time he was done, he had spent $4,500 on a haircut, a shave, and skincare.
Next, he bought a wardrobe. He put on a midnight-blue Armani suit that fit his broad shoulders and muscular chest perfectly. He added a Balenciaga belt and expensive leather shoes. The entire outfit cost $20,000. With his improved "Appearance" and "Charm" stats, he no longer looked like a poor orphan. He looked like a successful businessman.
He checked his wrist. He was wearing a Vacherin Constantin watch worth $24,000—enough money to buy his old boss's entire garage. Finally, he bought a new iPhone 17e for $600.
Ethan knew $100,000 was just a starting point, and he had already spent most of it on his appearance. He needed more capital.
For the next three days, he walked through Miami's financial district and visited high-end pawn shops. Using his Eye of Discernment, he saw the world as a list of data:
[Object: Painting] – Price: $2,000 | True Value: $150,000 (Authentic work).
[Object: Tech Shares] – Price: $0.50 | Projected Value: $12.00 (New cooling patent).
Ethan didn't buy things because he liked them; he bought them to make money. He sold the painting 48 hours later for $140,000.
Now he had nearly $240,000. He found a small logistics company called Swift-Path that was struggling with a lawsuit. Most people thought the company was dying, but Ethan's System showed him the truth: the lawsuit was fake, and the company was about to sign a massive contract.
Ethan met the owner, who was desperate and nearly bankrupt. Ethan offered $200,000 for 40% of the company. The owner signed the deal immediately. A day later, the news announced the company's new partnership. The value of the company exploded. Ethan sold his shares quickly to a bigger firm.
[Wealth Updated: $2,150,000]
He had turned $100,000 into over $2 million in a week. But to a real billionaire, $2 million is just pocket money for their kids. Ethan wanted more. He took the entire $2.15 million and put it into a high-risk "10x margin" trade. Most people would lose everything doing this, but Ethan wasn't guessing. He watched the screen calmly.
Two hours later, his phone buzzed.
[Trade Closed. Profit: $21.5 Million]
The energy from his improved physical stats made him feel restless. He was rich, but he was also hungry for more power. He knew the System wanted him to start a family, but first, he had one last thing to do.
Ethan drove a leased Mercedes S-Class to his old, falling-apart apartment. His landlord, Mr. Henderson, had been threatening to evict him for two months. Ethan went into his room, took his important things, and threw the rest in the trash.
He walked into Mr. Henderson's office, put a stack of cash on the counter, and told him he was moving out. Before the landlord could even say a word, Ethan walked out. He got into his luxury car and drove away, leaving Mr. Henderson standing in the dust, staring in shock.