Johnny Lance and the Seven Deadly Sins System of Wealth

Chapter 2: The Awakening

The pieces came together for the world again. Glass shattered as Johnny moved in a different position, and a metallic taste of blood stung across his tongue. His head throbbed, and his vision was all misted around. He blinked rapidly in attempted focus, but all he could see was smoke and the twisted wreckage of his driven car.

"Oh man, am I... finished?" He croaked out the words; they got subjugated drowning in humming sounds to his ears.

A cold, mechanical voice answered: "No, not yet." He couldn’t see who or where the voice was coming from. It was in his head. Keen, unemotional, and strangely calm.

"Do you agree to the system's sins—Yes.":

"Welcome, Johnny Lance, to the Wealth System of the Seven Deadly Sins."

Johnny remained still. "What's happening to me?" He managed to get out the words as he tried rising from the ground, hissing in pain through his ribs. He coughed blood onto the asphalt.

"The system has been consented to by you," said the voice devoid of any feelings. "Here, you will therefore be."

His body froze while an unexpected warmth flowed through his veins, a brilliant light from under his skin. He breathed deeply and witnessed how all those serious injuries on his arms slowly started closing up, and bones started repairing themselves within his chest with a horrific snap. The pains evaporated, leaving an unusual tingling sensation in the body.

“What’s happening to me?” Johnny whispered, staring at his healed hands.

“You have been granted the first sin: Greed.”

“Greed?” Johnny’s voice cracked. “What the hell kind of—”

“You seek power,” the system interrupted, its tone unchanging. “You seek wealth. You seek revenge. Greed answers that call. Use it wisely, or it will consume you.”

Johnny staggered to his feet, clothes torn and bloodstained. He turned slowly, taking in the destruction around him. His car was sitting half-bottomed in a ditch, the other half up in the air; it was obviously wrecked. Smoke had begun to pour out of the crushed hood, and a faint whiff of gasoline lingered.

"This....this cannot be real," he muttered, shaking his head. "I'm hallucinating. I'm..."

“It is real,” the system cut in, its voice sharp. “Behold the gift of Greed.”

Before Johnny could respond, his vision shifted. The world around him seemed to shimmer, and suddenly, he could see… opportunities. Green, glowing threads of energy stretched out from the wreckage—toward a wallet lying in the grass, a phone with a cracked screen, and even the nearby gas station barely visible through the trees. Each thread pulsed with light, and Johnny instinctively knew what they represented.

“Money,” he muttered. “All of this… it’s money.”

“Greed shows you the paths to gain,” the system explained. “Financial, social, or otherwise. But remember, Johnny Lance: Greed feeds on what it takes.”

Johnny's abdomen twisted; it was as if he had made the ultimate second-nature recognition of what he was observing; the sound of boots upon gravel yanked him back to the present. He looked up and felt his heart sink as three figures emerged from the dark under the trees, their shapes well-defined in the dim light provided by the street lamps. Big bruisers with stout shoulders would be apt descriptions for them. The tallest of the trio, a scarred man, spat on the ground while drawing near.

"Well, well," the scarred man said slowly, his voice laden with irony. "See who's still alive."

Johnny’s fingers quivered. “Who on earth are you?” he insisted, attempting to suppress the shake in his voice

“Don’t act stupid, Lance,” Scar sneered. “Marcus sent us. Said you’ve been dodging your debts.”

“Debts?” Johnny blinked, his mind racing. “What debts?”

Scar grinned, pulling a crumpled piece of paper from his pocket. “You think we don’t know about the loans you took out? Marcus was nice enough to buy them up after you tanked your life. Now you owe him. And us.” He balled up the paper and tossed it at Johnny’s feet. “We’re here to collect.”

Johnny’s jaw clenched. “You tell Marcus he can go to hell.”

Scar chuckled, nodding to the men behind him. “Not the answer we were looking for.”

The two thugs moved forward, cracking their knuckles. Johnny flinched backward, his heart pounding in his chest. Glancing around, he was heard looking for the way out, but the men would not give him an opening.

"System," he hissed low. "What the hell do I do?"

"You have the power of Greed," the voice replied back. "Use it."

Johnny swallowed hard; his vision flickered as the green threads of energy returned again. This was the time when they were connected to the men in front of him. He could perceive their desires--money, respect, power--and by instinct, he knew how to leverage those against them.

"Wait," Johnny said, raising his hands. "Let's... let's talk about this."

Scar narrowed his eyes. “Talk about what? You are a failed husband and father, and worst a poor one at that.”

“Yes, I am poor” Johnny confessed, slowly moving a step ahead. “But, I know Marcus very well. I am sure that he isn't paying you based on worth and time.”

Scar wavered, while Johnny continued, speaking in a quiet and secretive tone. "Come on, dude. Do you believe I don’t of how Marcus thinks and does business? He was my best friend and business partner for years. He is a serpent. He’s likely giving you very little money while he’s accumulating millions.

“Be quiet,” Scar retorted, though a glimmer of uncertainty appeared in his eyes.

"Do you not trust what I'm saying?" Johnny advanced nearer, disregarding the other two men as they fumed. "Think about it. You're out here, putting yourself at risk for him, and what do you receive? A few hundred, maybe thousands of dollars? All the while, Marcus is in his upscale office, enjoying scotch and chuckling at you.”

Scar clenched his jaw. “You have no idea what you're talking about.”

“Yes, I do,” Johnny responded, his tone unwavering. He knew the system of Greed was taking its effect on Scar. "I worked with him for several years. I know how he thinks. And let me tell you this—he couldn’t care less about you. But, you see I…” He opened his arms. "I can make you rich beyond your wildest dreams."

Scar’s gaze flicked to his men, who were moving restlessly. "Rich, I see? And precisely how will you accomplish this feat?"

Johnny chuckled, sensing the force of Greed flowing within him. "Let's just say I have some ties. Large ones. If you help me, I’ll include you in the deal. Half and half. No middleman. No, Marcus."

The other two hoodlums looked at each other, their interest aroused. Scar, nonetheless, remained skeptical. He moved closer, grabbing Johnny by the collar. "Do you think I’m stupid? Do you really think I’m going to trust you?"

“No,” Johnny replied in a calm manner. “However, I believe you’re smart enough to recognize a once in a lifetime offer when it comes your way.”

Scar gazed at him for an extended period of time, his hold becoming firmer. Then, gradually, he let him go. "You are brave, I’ll give that. However, if you're playing games with me—”

“I’m not,” Johnny interrupted. “And if you want proof, you can start by taking Marcus’s money for yourself. He doesn’t deserve it.”

Scar blinked, caught off guard by the suggestion. The green threads pulsed, and Johnny could see the man’s greed growing, overtaking his loyalty. It was working.

“You’re saying… take his cut?” Scar asked, his tone cautious.

Johnny nodded. “Why not? He’s been misusing you for years. It’s only fair.”

Scar looked at the other two men, who were nodding uncertainly. At last, he faced Johnny again, a gradual smile forming on his lips. "Okay, Lance. You have a deal. However, if you betray me…”

“I won’t,” Johnny replied swiftly. "You will see."

Scar withdrew, signaling to his crew. "Let's move. We have other tasks to handle."

As the trio vanished into the darkness, Johnny breathed out unevenly, his legs about to give way beneath him. The voice of the system returned, cold and unyielding.

"Excellent work, Johnny Lance." Nonetheless, remember this: Greed flourishes on what it devours.

Johnny felt a twist in his stomach as he looked at the wreckage of his car. The energy was thrilling, truly. Nonetheless, it was just as intimidating.

"I'll take advantage of it," he murmured, clenching his fists. "I will use it to regain everything. And after that… I will take care of Marcus."

At the back of his thoughts, the picture of Lily shimmered—her pure smile, her tiny hand extending towards his. The voice of the system resonated in his mind for the final time.

“Greed will open the door. But every door leads to a price.”