System Within: Million Dollars From Today

CHAPTER 02

“Are you kidding me?” Gabe’s gall bladder almost loosened from hearing the system’s words. “How do you expect me to defeat that monster of a man? He only needs to punch me casually for me to hug the ground for good.”

[Don’t you want a million dollars?]

“I do, but give me some reasonable task,” Gabe blurted. “Not an impossible one.”

[Host Gabe, you’re not cooperating, so I’ll be taking control over your body.]

“Taking control? What are you…” Gabe’s body convulsed for a second. And then he was opening and closing his hands against his will. “Hey, stop this! It’s not funny!”

His body turned around and entered the tent.

The big guy was threatening the interviewer, “If you don’t give me this job, I’ll come to your house tonight and fuck your wife right before your eyes.”

The interviewer trembled visibly. “Y-You’re overqualified for this job, Mr. Bart. W-What’s your reason for wanting to join as a mere museum’s guard? Are you planning to steal something from the museum?”

“Just shut your trap and get the paperwork done,” the big guy, Bart, glanced over his shoulder. Gabe was right behind him. “What do you want, ant?”

“You shouldn’t scare the interviewer,” the system forcibly spoke through Gabe’s mouth. “Apologize to him, or I'll make you do it.”

“Heh, make me do it then,” he turned around and grabbed Gabe’s head and squeezed it, “if you can, that is.”

Gabe’s left hand moved on its own and punched in the big guy’s ribs, but nothing happened.

“What was that sissy-ass punch? Was that supposed to tickle me or what?” Bart clenched his hand and viciously threw his fist. He was surprisingly fast. The punch crushed Gabe’s nose and sent him flying out of the tent. “Hmph. Pathetic.” Bart turned back to the interviewer. “Now then, about my job…”

Outside the tent, Gabe was profusely bleeding from the nose. He greatly cringed in pain. Whenever he wasn’t focusing with his eyes, his cross-eyedness would become more pronounced. And that happened now because the pain took his attention.

He was bullied a lot by his friends all the time, and they even beat him often, but he had never taken a punch like this to the face. It hurt like hell, so much so he couldn’t even scold the system right now. Bearing the pain was taking all of his effort.

After his sight was restored, he found himself boiling in anger.

“System, or whatever… screw you!” Gabe tried to remove the ring, but it didn’t come off. “What the hell? Why isn’t it coming off?”

[If you want to become an alpha, you shouldn’t be afraid of taking hits.]

“If I take another such hit, I’ll die! And why aren’t you coming off?” Gabe was starting to regret putting this ring on.

[We are bound together for now, which leaves us with three options. Either you dominate me, or I dominate you, or we both cooperate with each other.]

“I’ll take the fourth option,” Gabe got up. “I’ll go to a jeweler and get rid of you.” As he started walking, he realized that his nose stopped bleeding, and the pain was mostly gone.

[That’s more like it. Alphas don’t limit themselves but tend to think out of the box. The more courage you show, the more I’ll be able to help you.]

Gabe looked surprised because he no longer felt the pain in his nose. He had no idea how that happened, but he didn’t hate it. “Courage isn’t my strong point, though.”

[You are now ready to beat Bart’s ass.]

“I-I can beat that guy?” Gabe still didn’t believe it. “Really?”

[Do it before this feeling goes away.]

“B-But…” Gabe still hesitated. (What feeling? I still feel the same.)

The system took control of his body and made him walk back into the tent.

Bart just finished signing the papers and laughed, “Now I’m a step closer to getting what I want, haha.”

“Hey,” Gabe’s voice reached Bart, making him turn back.

“You’re still here?” Bart cracked his knuckles. “That’s good. I didn’t connect perfectly with my last punch.” He clenched his fist. “This time, I’ll fully disfigure your face!” He viciously threw a punch that flew much faster than the last time.

Gabe swiftly ducked to the side, and his left fist cannoned into Bart’s ribs, forcing all the air out of his lungs this time.

“Gwuoogh,” Bart pathetically collapsed on his knees, with saliva hanging from his mouth.

Again, Gabe’s knee moved on its own and smashed the big guy’s face.

Bart’s head moved back and hit the desk; he bled from the head.

The interviewer was stupefied, but Gabe looked just as shocked.

[You made an Expert Alpha fall to his knees.]

[You are now eligible to for system activation.]

[Alpha’s Avatar is being activated…]

“Well, he fell on his butt, to be accurate,” Gabe said and suddenly felt a surge of energy flowing through his veins. His skin also turned brighter and smoother. A slight bit of regal glow and sharpness was added to his eyes. But more importantly, he felt his spine growing in size. “Am I getting taller and bigger?”

[Just a little bit.]

Gabe looked quite surprised and speechless. (I thought this was just some kind of advanced AI tool, but it’s totally on a different level. It’s beyond my expectation.)

[You’re now a Novice Alpha. But you are still not on the same level as Bart. He won’t let his guard down again, so there’s not much benefit in fighting him right now. Let’s look for a Novice Alpha.]

“W-What?” Gabe was shaken on the inside. “We’re going for another alpha right away? I-I’m not prepared.” Despite Gabe’s words, the system forcibly took him out of the tent, saying it was much more dangerous to stay in the tent.

“Wait, you little…” Bart was furious. He got up and rushed out, with rage filling his veins. To his surprise, Gabe had already covered more than a hundred meters. “When did he get that far?” Gritting his teeth, he chased him. “You think I’ll let you run away after making me look like an idiot?”

Gabe was oblivious to the fact that Bart was rushing in his direction. “I came here for a job, and I’m leaving without getting it,” he sounded a little depressed. “I want to buy medicine for my aunt, but I don’t have money. I already owe a lot of money to almost everyone in my neighborhood. Nobody is willing to give me money anymore. Can you help me earn some money?”

[I can. If you listen to me, I’ll see to that you’ll earn more than you can ever imagine. An alpha must have power more than anything, and that power will bring you everything. Money, fame, women. Everything. Wait, I think I found a Luna Candidate.]

“Luna what?”

[She’s to your right, at 4 o’clock.]

Gabe slightly turned around.

Bart also stopped in his tracks after seeing a woman in glasses who was coming down the stairs of the museum. Modestly dressed in a tight sweater top neatly tucked into a long pencil skirt, she was a pristine peach that would put pearls to shame. Her pink lips and the saffron tint on her skin would melt any man’s heart.

“Mia…” both Gabe and Bart uttered her name at the same time.