Rich Nights of a Penniless

Chapter 2 System Activated...

In a desperate state, Leo shoved his hands in his pocket to find something sharp poking him and a hint of hope bloomed in him.

As a cleaner, he had the keys to the storeroom, at least his job helped him with that. As adrenaline pumped through his veins, Leo scanned the next room for any possible means of escape. His eyes fell upon a small, narrow window, offering a glimmer of hope in the darkness. Pushing aside his fear and pain, he summoned every ounce of strength and resolve to pry it open.

As the window creaked open, Leo felt a rush of anticipation. He squeezed through the tight opening, his body contorting to fit the narrow passage.

The cool air kissed his face, a brief respite from the suffocating atmosphere he had left behind. One of the employees, Jake, couldn't bear to see him escape.

"Hey, get him, he is running away...." he yelled calling the security and asking them to catch Leo.

Security started looking for him everywhere. With the hard-earned freedom beckoning him, Leo darted into the open, his heart pounding with every step. But he couldn't escape the sound of pursuing footsteps echoing in the distance.

Fear gripped him, knowing that those people were now intent on capturing him, driven by their blind rage and the desire for vengeance.

In his desperate flight, Leo's path led him through unfamiliar corridors and hidden corners, his body propelled forward by sheer will. His mere soul shivered as he heard something.

The echoing barks of security guard's dogs reverberated through the hallways, a chilling reminder that he was being relentlessly pursued.

He relied on his instinct, finding hidden nooks and crannies, and using every ounce of his physical endurance to outrun his chasers.

The chase continued a tense game of survival in which Leo's life hung in the balance. Beads of sweat rolled down his brow as he raced against the ticking clock, his breath ragged, blood droplets rolling down from his forehead, and his muscles burning with exertion.

The sound of the dogs' growls and the security guards' shouts spurred him on, amplifying his resolve to escape their clutches.

"No, I can't end up like this..."

With a final burst of energy, Leo managed to elude his pursuers. He ducked into a secluded alley, his body pressed against the cold, brick wall, his chest heaving with each labored breath. The silence enveloped him, broken only by the distant sounds of his pursuers fading away.

Exhausted yet determined, Leo allowed himself a moment to gather his thoughts and regain his composure. He sat on the floor and looked around at the place he was in. It was a shattered building near the dump yard, smelling gross but that smell helped him get away from those beasts.

As Leo's weary body sought respite from the exhausting chase, he drifted into a deep and dreamless sleep.

When he finally awoke, he found himself in a place unlike any he had ever seen before, a hidden chamber, bathed in an ethereal glow.

Confusion mingled with curiosity as Leo surveyed his surroundings. The room exuded an air of mystery, and there, in the center of the room, lay a remarkable treasure cube, glowing mysteriously, its surface adorned with intricate patterns and enigmatic symbols.

Intrigued by this unexpected discovery, Leo approached the cube cautiously. As his hand brushed against its smooth surface, a low hum resonated through the chamber, and the cube came to life.

{Ding}

{System Activated}

A holographic display materialized above it revealing a complex system of lights and controls along with the soft voice command.

{Ding Dong}

{Allow The Cube Code System Bind}

"What the...!" Leo was astonished by what he was looking at and hearing right now,

{10%}

{20%}

{30%}

{....}

{50%}

{...}

{100%}

{Congratulations, System 100% bound}

Leo jolted back as he gazed upon the extraordinary treasure cube, a mixture of awe, disbelief, and trepidation coursed through his veins. He rubbed his eyes to wake himself up from the dream he was in right now.

"What system....! What is going on? Is it all for real?" he mumbled in disbelief.

{Host: Leonard Conner}

The moment his name resonated through the room, the light passed through that cube into his body and all his wounds started healing and the pain subsided.

It was so miraculous that he still strived to believe it.

{Introduction Task Completed}

{Strenght points: 20}

{Weak points: 85}

{Codes Accqired: 0}

In that awe and fascination, Leo realized that he had stumbled upon something extraordinary, a device imbued with untold knowledge and power. It seemed to be a relic of a forgotten civilization, waiting patiently for someone worthy to unlock its secrets.

With a mixture of suspicion and excitement, Leo began to decipher the controls of the treasure cube.

There was a hand mark on the cube, where his hand just brushed. He kept his hand properly, though hesitated, he had nothing to lose anyway.

{Welcome host, Leonard Conner}

Leo gazed intently at the holographic display screen before him, emanating from the treasure cube, his mind racing with anticipation and curiosity.

On the screen, there lay a thirty-digit code.

He understood that unlocking the unimaginable treasure hidden within would require more than mere physical prowess.

The system's voice, gentle yet commanding, resonated within Leo's consciousness.

{Leo,} it began,

{within this treasure lies a reward of great magnitude. To unlock its boundless wealth, you must embark on a journey to incite the thirty digits code.}

Leo listened intently, his eyes focused on the holographic screen before him.

"Tell me," he responded, "what must I do? How can I unlock this extraordinary treasure?"

The cube system's voice reverberated through the chamber as it explained,

{You have to fulfill the tasks given to you. Each night, you will be granted two million dollars to spend. But here lies the challenge, you must use this wealth in one night, with no remnants in this world}

"Wait...! What...!"

Leo took a deep breath, it was anything but acceptable.

Two million dollars in just one night, but without remanent. Can this be possible?

His mind swirled in this mess as that amount was more than his lifetime earnings.

{Each completed task will provide you with one digit of the code to unlock the hidden treasure within the cube. You can also complete minor tasks and find innovative ways to gather strength points as well as rewards for you}

Leo's heart swelled with a mix of excitement and trepidation. The prospect of wielding such immense wealth for the betterment was like a dream coming true.

"How long will I have to follow this? and what will I get once I complete it?" Leo inquired, his voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and determination.

The cube system responded,

{Thirty days}

{If you fail in acquiring any one of the codes, you can't get it again, the system will provide you with three chances to guess the correct digit and the system task will be continued from the next night as usual as per the information on what you will get after decoding the code, it is confidential for now, once you are eligible, you will be informed}

Leo's mind whirled with possibilities. He realized that this task was not just a simple thing of spending money, but it was the toughest challenge for him.

He thought it through, even if this path is tough, it will provide him with the kinds of stuff that he had only dreamed about.

With a determined glint in his eye, Leo decided to accept the challenge laid before him.

He recognized the weight of obligation that came with this unimaginable treasure and vowed to use it wisely, never losing sight of the profound impact his actions could have on the lives of others.

"How could I use that money? I mean are there any restrictions on how to use it?" he asked, that doubt was clinging to his mind. After all, two millions is not a small amount to spend in just a night, and especially a man like him can survive all his life with that.

{No, it's up to you, how you spend it. The only restriction is that it shouldn't leave any remnants, not even a cent or a penny}

{Your time will start from eight in the night when your account will be credited with two million dollars to eight in the morning when there should not be a penny in your account as well as in your pockets. Right at eight in the morning, the system will scan your account, and the reward points and a digit will be provided}

{Meanwhile, you will be given with a few small tasks for you to complete which will provide you with your basic needs in the form of rewards} The system replied in detail.

He sucked in the air and opened his eyes with determination.

"I am ready," Leo declared, his voice filled with conviction. "I will unlock the codes, complete the tasks, making my life and the life of struggling people like me, better."

The cube, sensing Leo's resolve, emitted a faint glow of approval.

{Go forth, Leo} it whispered,

{and remember, all this must be kept a secret for the better good}

As Leo embraced his newfound chance, he joyously embarked on a journey that would forever change his perception of life.

With an unbelievable spark in him, he strode out of that place. Looking back at the shattered building, which had just provided him with a system that changed his life, he still couldn't believe in his eyes.

"Do I have to return here again?" he mumbled under his breath. The screen popped again before him,

{You don't have to return here until you have decoded the code}

"Oh..!" though startled a little, he understood that the system will be with him always.

He looked at his phone which showed one minute to eight, many doubts swirled in his mind.

Will my account be charged by one million in one minute, it wasn't any dream or illusion, right?

As confusion pooled in his mind,

[Ting] A notification shook his doubts away.

[Delta Central Bank; The account number ending with xxxx890 has been credited with an amount of 20,00,000/-]

{Task initiated: Your time starts now}

As the system announced, Leo's face lit up with excitement, all those horrible things have subsided as this gift was provided to him by the system in the form of a challenge. Now that he was rich enough, he could only think about one person with whom he wanted to share his fortune.

With that money in his pocket, his legs moved him straight to Anastasia's house. She was the receptionist of the office where Leo worked. They were in a relationship for about a year but their relationship was not made public yet. That was because Anastasia doesn't want to introduce a cleaner as her boyfriend.

Whenever they meet, only on weekends or during the first week of the month, when Leo gets his salary and brings her gifts. Despite he spends all his earnings on her, she still complains that he doesn't have anything to give to him.

Now with his account filled with money, he wanted to make her feel that he can give her anything, take her to any luxurious place she wants. On his way to her house, he even searched for the best romantic place in the city where he can spend a pleasing time with the love of his life, treating her an expensive food that she might have never had, and then kissing her as how she promised him that she will, once he earns a lot of money.

Leo made his way swiftly toward her home. As he approached the familiar door, a sense of unease gnawed at his gut. The sound of laughter and whispered voices seeped through the cracks, sending a chill down his spine.

He stood outside the door stunned and raised his hand to push the bell button, but some noises coming from inside jolted him,

"Uhh...Ummm..." she was moaning in pleasure, as per him, it can't be possible because she lives there alone and it was already quarter past eight, a time when she said she had classes for her online courses.

He shook off any doubts that covered his mind and moved his hand to push the button.

"Ahh, you are my death, Nasi...!" A man's voice echoed in his ears and Leo pulled his hand back in shock. Again.

Gathering all his courage, he pushed the door open, and stepped into a scene that shattered his world. There, before his eyes, laid his girlfriend in an intimate embrace with another man, naked on the bed. The room seemed to spin, and time stood still as the harsh reality of betrayal crashed down upon him.

Shock and heartbreak surged through Leo's veins, a potent mix of emotions that threatened to consume him. The joy and anticipation he had carried with him moments ago were now eclipsed by a wave of anguish and disbelief. The foundation of trust he had built with his girlfriend crumbled in an instant, leaving behind a gaping void.

"Anastasia...!" devastated Leo, who could only stutter her name.

"I will talk to you later, Leo, please leave," she said pulling the sheets over them,

"Who the hell is that Nasi?" the man over her asked in irritation,

Tears welled up in Leo's eyes as he struggled to find words to confront the painful truth before him. The world around him blurred as a tumultuous storm of emotions raged within. The weight of their shared struggles, the dreams they had woven together, now felt like shards of shattered glass.

He turned around and the door closed automatically,

"Don't worry, he was just a cleaner..." Anastasia replied. While their moaning and pleasure continued leaving the young man outside in a state that even a strong man cant bear.

In that moment of that shameful betrayal, Leo's world seemed to collapse. The treasure he had hoped to share with her, the prospect of a brighter future, now lay tarnished and tarnished. He felt a deep sense of loss, not just for the relationship, but for the dreams and plans they had forged together.

But amidst the wreckage of his heart, a flicker of resilience emerged. Leo wiped away his tears, summoning the strength to accept the painful reality and forge a new path.

"You will regret it...!"

"You will regret betraying me, Anastasia...! You will"

"Everyone that played with my life will pay for it...!"

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