The Ascension of Noah Reed

Chapter 7

Noah stood rooted to the spot, his mind reeling from what he had just heard from the wealth system. It was all too real to disband -- the voice was real, what he felt was real and there was just no way that it could have been something that was formed from his mind. He had accepted the wealth system as a joke, a whimsical idea that would bring him some momentary relief from the disappointment he faced in TechNova. But now, he had just received a chilling warning that seemed to suggest something far more sinister.

Noah took a deep breath and tried to compose himself. He needed to think rationally, to figure out what was going on. But his thoughts were a jumble of confusion and disbelief.

"What have I gotten myself into?" he muttered to himself. "Is this some kind of cult or scam? Am I in danger?"

"Do not be afraid, Noah. This is no cult or scam as you think, I am Iris, a wealth system that has been assigned to you to help you navigate the world of riches and achieve your goals in life," the robotic female-like voice said to him.

He looked around nervously, half-expecting to see someone watching him from the shadows. But the street was empty and silent, save for the distant hum of traffic. Of course it was real, but he was doubting his current state of his environment. The disappearance of people was just appalling and more than he craved to know what the system was all about, he wanted to know where everyone went. This was the streets of New York for goodness sake, there was just no way that everybody could have disappeared like that, especially in broad daylight.

"Where is everyone? Where did everyone go?" He asked, hoping that the system would at least answer him.

"Nowhere. They are all around you but you can't just see them," it replied.

"This is ridiculous," he muttered as he shook his head in disbelief. He had always been skeptical about things, someone who didn't believe in things that couldn't be proven. And yet, here he was, standing in the middle of the street with a robot system that was communicating with him about what was happening. He still had so many questions to ask and he was going to make sure that he gets to the root of the matter. If it was going to be too much to bear, then he would reject the wealth system and live his life normally.

"Okay then what is this all about? You said your name is Iris and you are a wealth system. I don't understand. What is a wealth system and what exactly am I supposed to do with it?" He asked.

"The wealth system is a complex network of rules, strategies, and techniques designed to help individuals maximize their financial potential. It operates on the principle of leverage, using various tools and resources to generate wealth and income. The rules of the wealth system are designed to be followed strictly, as failure to do so can result in dire consequences. However, those who master the wealth system can achieve true financial freedom and independence. This is a new revolution" Iris responded.

Revolution. That sounded familiar. Wasn't that what Lucas was telling him about last night? Lucas spoke of a revolution and system and all and now that he was experiencing one, he couldn't help but compare both.

"Do you have any other questions before I tell you the rules, Noah?" Iris asked him.

"Of course I have tons of questions! I don't even know where to start! Okay..." He took a deep breath and continued. "Why did you choose me for this? Am I the only one that has this so-called wealth system?"

"The selection process for the wealth system takes into account various factors, including financial history, skills, and potential. Although you may not currently have significant wealth, our algorithms have identified you as having valuable skills and potential to generate wealth and income in the tech industry. Your acceptance into the system is based on your unique combination of skills and potential, which we believe can be leveraged to unlock your full financial potential and help you achieve true financial freedom and independence. And no, you are not the only person selected for the wealth system. However, it's important to note that not all individuals who are invited to join the wealth system will succeed. Success in the wealth system depends on several factors, including one's ability to follow the rules, adapt to changing market conditions, and make smart investment decisions. We provide our members with the necessary tools and resources to succeed, but ultimately, it is up to each individual to leverage their skills and potential to achieve their financial goals."

"Jesus!" He exclaimed.

"Now onto the next part, the rules," Iris' voice became more sinister. "Rule number one. Do not attempt to cheat or exploit the system for personal gain, as it may result in permanent damage to the user's virtual and/or physical body. Rule number two, Do not ignore or refuse to complete assigned quests or tasks, as it may lead to a decrease in reputation and potential consequences from the system's administrators. And finally, rule number three. Do not ignore system warnings or directives. If the system gives you a warning or directive, it is important to follow it to avoid risking your life."

Quests? Tasks? He was not entirely new to these things. He played video games and read books regarding systems and he knew how heart wrenching and tough the quests can be. Especially for a video game. He realized that he had been foolish to accept the wealth system without knowing what it was all about. He had been so desperate to escape his financial troubles that he had let his guard down, and now he was paying the price. But he didn't think that accepting the system would mean something serious. He thought that it was one of the creations from the kids around and that they were just trying to mess with him. Noah took another deep breath and tried to steady his nerves. 

"Are you ready to unlock your potential, Noah?" Iris asked him.

He let out a deep exhale and then he responded. "Yes,"

"Congratulations, Noah. You have officially joined the wealth system, and we are thrilled to have you as part of the Unveiled. As a member of the wealth system, you will have access to exclusive resources and tools to help you unlock your full financial potential provided you fulfill quests and accomplish tasks. To mark this occasion, we are pleased to offer you a special reward as a first-time member of the wealth system. This reward is just the beginning of the benefits that you will receive as a member, and we look forward to helping you achieve your financial goals through our system. As for the source of your reward, do not worry, your reward awaits you at home."

As soon as Iris was done, Noah heard the telltale sound of the wealth system activating, and the display materialized in front of him with a soft electronic hum. It was suspended in thin air and Noah could see the glowing interface of the wealth system. The display was divided into several sections, each with its own information. Noah could see his experience points, skill level, net worth, achievements, quests, and inventory, all neatly arranged in a futuristic font. The information seemed to be updated in real-time, with numbers and graphics shifting and changing as the wealth system processed new data. Noah was transfixed by the display, feeling a sense of awe and wonder at the power of the system.

The data:

Experience Points: 100 XP

Skill Level:Level 2

Achievements: System acceptance/System acceptance.

Quests: Nil

Inventory: Nil

Leaderboard: 1011th

Health bar: 10/10 (healthy)

Social network: Limited.

Investment portfolio: Nil

Reputation: 0

Rewards: $100,000, Helix pro laptop

Net worth: Nil

Noah's eyes widened in amazement as he stared at the holographic display hovering in front of him. He had never seen anything like it before. The sleek and futuristic design of the interface was unlike anything he had ever seen in his life. He could see the different tabs and sections of the display, all lit up in bright, vivid colors of blue and red.

As he looked at the experience points, skill level, net worth, achievement, quest, and inventory tabs, he felt a sense of excitement and anticipation building up inside him. He couldn't believe that he was a part of this new world, a world that promised him immense wealth and success if he followed the rules.

Noah couldn't help but smile to himself as he took it all in. He knew that this was the beginning of a new journey, a journey that would lead him to greatness. But despite the growing excitement, he knew that he had to be careful and observant if he wanted to survive with this system. He had to figure out how to handle the system. But for now, he was confused, shocked, and more than a little scared.