From Ashes to Eminence

Chapter 4. Set goal

Ethan sat up straight and decided to probe into this so-called companion.

"Eminence, huh? Who or what are you?" Ethan asked.

"I am an Artificial Intelligence System, you can think of me as your personal assistant. Needless to say, I am not of this world of yours. I have been sent as your aide by the goddess of nature and life, Her Excellency Gaia, thus I am here to help.» the female voice said with no hint of glee in its voice.

"And how will you be able to help me?" Ethan questioned the system. In the past he would have been fretting, but now his mind was as calm as the sea. He had already died once, what's the worse that could happen, not like he's afraid of death anyway.

«I can grant the Host sets of skills and monetary rewards should host walk in the path of accomplishing his goal.» the system replied..

"Alright. Since you said you're a system and I'm the host, can you show me my stats?" Ethan knew about this sort of things, not like he'd been a recluse all his childhood days, he had once fantasized of being reincarnated like in the Lightnovels he reads.

«Ding!

STAT (System for Transfer and Analysis of Tactical data):

Host: Ethan Wright (Noah)

Age: 29

Status: Healthy

Experience points (XP); 0

Networth; $10,000

Goal: Null

(System suggests that Host makes a decision regarding goal in life.).»

"Hey! How's my networth ten thousand dollars!? I don't have such amount in my account!" Ethan said to the system. He could not process that piece of information. He knew well that he did not have that kind of amount. He only had $800 on him, he used $600 to register Emily at the daycare, then used up $200 transportation fare and dinner.

«Ding! Host had saved nurse Susan at the morgue from a fatal fall. Host was rewarded with $10,000.»

«Ding! For every living being you save, you get a $10,000 reward!»

Ethan hurriedly checked his phone, and sure enough, there was a ten thousand dollars credit alert message in his phone.

"Almost half a year's salary earned in a single day by doing nothing." Ethan muttered to himself.

«Ding!

Host's actions which lead towards the path of fortune are rewarded.»

"I get it now.." Ethan muttered. "But how does saving the nurse leads me towards the path of fortune?"

«Ding!

System is unable to provide Host with an answer.»

«Ding! System suggests that Host makes a decision regarding goal in life.»

Ethan turned to his sleeping daughter. He stood up and looked around his humble apartment. His mind flashed back to what Marcus had done and the humiliating words.

"Eminence, I have decided. I want to stand above everyone else. The Noah family, the Eldridge family, the Ozilla family, the Von Blake family, and Omar family. I want to stand above them all in both wealth and power.. only then will I be able to make life better for my daughter. She won't lack anything this world could offer. That is my goal." Ethan spoke every word with seriousness and balled fists.

The system was silent for a while before the now familiar ding was heard.

«Ding! Host's goal has been updated, missions leading towards that goal has been set. Good luck.»

«Ding!

Goal: To stand at the Peak.

Chain mission:

#1: Get a better apartment

#2: Get comfortable

#3: Get a better job

#4: Reach savings of $100,000

#5: Acquire a company

Reward: Depends on the results and efficiency. (Minimum reward: $10,000. Maximum reward: $10,000,000).»

"Holy Shit!!! Ten friggin million dollars!! You ain't kidding me, are you?" Ethan could not help but ask.

«Ding! Reward depends on Host's result and efficiency.» the system's emotionless voice answered.

Ethan nodded and thought long and hard. He took his phone and began to browse.

"Luxury Apartments (Top 10%):

Average rent: $5,000-$10,000/month

Average sale price: $1 million-$5 million

Amenities: High-end finishes, ocean views, private pools, gyms, spas, 24/7 concierge

Neighborhoods: Eldrador Coast, Starlight Isle, Dragon's Peak, Celestial Cove

Examples:

The Wyrmstone Villa: $2,000-$6,000/sqft (located at 1234 Moonstone Drive, Eldrador Coast)

The Azure Spire Residences: $1,500-$4,000/sqft (located at 5678 Starlight Boulevard, Starlight Isle)

The Emerald Citadel: $1,000-$3,000/sqft (located at 9012 Dragon's Peak Drive, Dragon's Peak)

High-End Apartments (20%):

Average rent: $3,000-$6,000/month

Average sale price: $500,000-$1.5 million

Amenities: Upscale finishes, pool, gym, spa, concierge

Neighborhoods: Silvermist District, Goldenhills, Raven's Ridge, Luminaria

Examples:

The Silverbrook Estates: $600-$1,200/sqft (located at 3456 Silvermist Avenue, Silvermist District)

The Golden Oak Towers: $500-$1,000/sqft (located at 7890 Goldenhills Boulevard, Goldenhills)

The Raven's Nest Apartments: $450-$900/sqft (located at 1234 Raven's Ridge Road, Raven's Ridge)

Mid-Range Apartments (40%):

Average rent: $1,800-$3,500/month

Average sale price: $200,000-$500,000

Amenities: Pool, gym, community room

Neighborhoods: Copperhaven, Brookstone, Greenhaven, Willowdale

Examples:

The Copper Creek Apartments: $250-$450/sqft (located at 5678 Copperhaven Drive, Copperhaven)

The Brookstone Village: $200-$400/sqft (located at 9012 Brookstone Boulevard, Brookstone)

The Greenhaven Estates: $180-$350/sqft (located at 3456 Greenhaven Avenue, Greenhaven)

Affordable Apartments (30%):

Average rent: $1,200-$2,000/month

Average sale price: $100,000-$250,000

Amenities: Basic finishes, community pool

Neighborhoods: Misty Meadows, Dawnshire, Sunset Valley, Bayside

Examples:

The Misty Meadows Apartments: $100-$200/sqft (located at 1234 Misty Meadows Drive, Misty Meadows)

The Dawnshire Village: $80-$180/sqft (located at 5678 Dawnshire Boulevard, Dawnshire)

The Sunset Valley Estates: $120-$250/sqft (located at 9012 Sunset Valley Road, Sunset Valley)"

Ethan thought long and hard. He only had about ten thousand in his account now, he could not afford to make an irreparable mistake.

"Say, Eminence, each mission segment has its own reward, right? So if I complete the first mission, I'd get a reward, right?" Ethan asked.

«Ding! Host is correct. But reward is based on Host's result and efficiency.»

"Alright, then it's decided. I'm moving to Eldrador coast tomorrow." Ethan said and dialed on the number for the Wrymstone Residence.

"Hello, this is Wrymstone Residence, how can I help you." A female voice was heard over the phone.

"My name is Ethan Wright. I'd like to rent a villa for a month or two." Ethan said.

"The Wyrmstone Residence is located at 1342 Moonstone Drive, Eldrador Coast. Please make the deal in person, good Sir." The female voice said. It seems she thought this was a prank call. It's understandable since a lot of people likes to play this sort of pranks.

"Okay, I will be there tomorrow then." Ethan agreed and hanged up.

After securing an appointment and letting them know exactly what he wanted, Ethan drifted off to sleep. It had been a long day, but the future seemed bright now.