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2024-11-19 10:29:19Ethan 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.
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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
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Ethan's eyelids fluttered open, greeted by darkness. A sheet covered his face, heavy with an unsettling finality. His mind foggy, he lifted the sheet, and a faint hospital scent wafted in. Realization dawned in an instant... Morgue. With a jolt, Ethan sat up, sheet flying off his face. A frightened shriek pierced the air. He spun around, finding a nurse stumbling backward, eyes wide with terror. Ethan reacted on instinct. In one swift motion, he swung his legs over the gurney and scooped up the nurse, cradling her in a princess carry. Her eyes locked onto his, shock and fear mingling. "Y-you're...you're alive," she stammered. Ethan's gaze roved the dimly lit morgue, taking in the rows of cold storage drawers. "How long?" he asked, voice low and rough. The nurse trembled, "Y-you've been here for...for hours. You were pronounced DOA." Ethan's thoughts began to spin as he sought for a solution to what happened to him. He knew he had been involved in an accident and should be
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Ethan hailed a cab, carefully securing Emily's car seat before handing her over to the daycare staff at Kids Haven. The registration process had taken longer than expected, but he'd managed to negotiate a partial payment plan. Although he wasn't much of a haggler, but he did try to haggle at the fee he was to pay. In the end, he had to concede to their demand and paid the amount required.He kissed Emily on the cheek and the little girl smiled. Ethan then rushed out of the daycare building, he knew he could not appear late for the interview else he may just lose this opportunity to change his life and that of his daughter. As the cab sped toward Overlord Stocks, Ethan's anxiety grew. This interview could change everything. He took a deep breath, mentally preparing himself. The cab stopped in front of the sleek, glass-faced Overlord Stocks building. Ethan paid the fare, grabbed his briefcase, and stepped out onto the sidewalk. He still could not believe he was finally going to get an
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Chapter 1. Abandoned
Ethan trudged through the dimly lit streets, his worn shoes scraping against the pavement. Another long night as a guard for the wealthy Richardson family had taken its toll. He couldn't wait to get home, collapse onto the couch, and forget the world.As he turned the corner onto his street, the faint cry of his three-month-old daughter, Emily, pierced the night air. Ethan's heart quickened. Something was off. Sarah, his wife, usually kept Emily calm and quiet.He hastened his pace, keys jingling in his pocket. The one-room apartment complex came into view, and Ethan's anxiety grew. He unlocked the door and pushed it open."Sarah?" Ethan called out, but only Emily's wails responded.The small apartment was dimly lit, the single window shaded by a tattered curtain. Ethan's gaze swept the room, taking in the messy space. Sarah's belongings were scattered about, but she was nowhere to be seen.Ethan rushed to Emily's crib, lifting her into his arms. She calmed slightly, nuzzling her head
