[Use the welcome package. Yes / No?]
The transparent screen shows two options. Jack doesn't understand what he's hearing or seeing, but he will do whatever it takes to save his own life. Softly, he said, "Yes."
Jack closed his eyes and darkness then enveloped him. He would surely die now and what he just saw was a near-death hallucination. However, a second later, Jack felt a powerful rush of energy enters his body as if weaving back all the damaged parts of his body. All his broken bones crunched together again.
Within a few minutes, Jack was able to open his eyes and with a feeling of surprise, he stood up. He saw that his hands were still covered in blood, but all the wounds had completely closed. Jack felt his health recovering, even much fitter than before. He felt his stomach which should be full of wounds, but now his stomach was not only intact without any injuries, but also filled with bulging muscles.
"Impossible," he murmured. Jack thought he must be dreaming.
All of a sudden, the transparent screen that had previously appeared, reappeared in front of Jack. Now clearly visible and accompanied by a sound, Ding!
[Congratulations, Jack Ashworth. You have used the welcome package. Now that your health is at 100% and you have USD 100,000,000 in your account, this is the start of our journey.]
“W-what? Who are you? What does all this mean?” asked Jack in shock and confusion.
[I am just a system that will help the user achieve wealth and glory in this life. The user can get everything he wants in life as long as he does good deeds. Every time the user completed a mission related to goodness, the user will get a number of points. Users can exchange their points for anything they want. Conversely, if the user commits a crime or fails the mission, points will be reduced.]
He frowned. It's like things that only happen in a fairy tale world. This can't be real. However, on the transparent screen, Jack could see data about himself. Starting from age, and blood type, to hobbies. Apart from that, Jack could see his own health level which was at 100%, happiness was 20%, and the most astonishing thing was the amount of money he had, the number USD 100,000,000 printed on it.
"No way…" Jack said slowly.
Jack immediately took the cell phone that was in his trouser pocket. The phone was cracked, but luckily it still powers on. Jack immediately checked the money in his account through the mobile banking application that he usually uses to receive his meager monthly salary. It's not even the middle of the month yet Jack is running out of money. As far as Jack knew, the money in his account was completely empty. But now, Jack couldn't believe his eyes when he saw the 100,000,000 numbers.
“The money actually went into my account?” asked Jack in disbelief.
[Welcome package has been used successfully. Please use the money.]
"I can use this money for anything I want?" Jack asked as if confirming his hearing.
[Of course. Users can get even more every time they complete missions or do good deeds.]
“W-what does it mean to do good deeds? Can I help the blind cross the street and earn points?” he asked.
[That includes a good deed. However, the bigger and more important the good deed, the more points you can get. You will know what good deeds you can do over time. Missions will also appear later.]
Jack couldn't believe what he was hearing. He can earn money very easily.
“Do I have a mission now? What's that mission like?" he asked again.
[Opening mission box. Mission box is empty. Currently you have no mission to carry out.]
Jack felt very excited about it. He found the minimize button at the top right corner of the transparent screen. Hesitantly, Jack pressed the button and suddenly the screen disappeared from his sight. His vision had now returned to normal, but he could see a faded blue light in the lower left corner of his eye. When he touched the light, the screen opened again.
Ding!
[Welcome back, user Jack Ashworth.]
Jack didn't know where this strange system had come from, but he decided not to think about it. With a hundred million dollars in his account, he could have a nice place to live in Lumina City as well as a fancy car, clothes and many other things. Jack immediately pressed the minimize button and quickly wiped his bloodied face with his sleeve. With shabby clothes and full of blood stains, Jack went to the office of the most famous real estate agent in the city.
Everyone on the street steers clear of Jack looking the part but no one really cares. In a city as busy as Lumina City, no one had too much time to take care of other people. Jack walked for several blocks until he finally reached the real estate agent's large office. However, at the front of the building, Jack was confronted by a big security guard.
“Hey! What are you doing here?" he asked.
He looked at Jack from head to toe. Of course, Jack's clothes were very worn, slightly torn, and stained with blood. Even Jack's face was dirty from last night's incident. He brought nothing but a cracked cell phone.
"I want to buy a house," said Jack.
"What? Don't brag! We do not accept scammers and tramps like you. Get away and don't you dare come back, or we'll call the police!” he exclaimed.
“Just call the police. I really came here to buy a house and I have money!” cried Jack.
“I told you not to brag! A man like you can't possibly buy a house. What's that on your clothes? Blood stains? Have you been hurting people? I'm really going to call the police if you don't leave soon!” he exclaimed.
“You will regret your actions!” cried Jack.
"Wait! What's all the fuss over here?" asked a woman who rushed out of the luxurious building.
She wears after a blazer with a short skirt above the knee. Her long legs were clad in transparent black stockings with black high heels. Her dark brown hair glistened in the morning sun. She is so beautiful, really beautiful. She wore a small identification tag on her left chest. Jack could read it, 'Ashley Norton, marketing.'
“This person insisted on entering. I kicked him out and was about to call the police," replied the security guard.
"I'm looking to buy a house and I have some money, Miss Norton," said Jack confidently.
“You believe that, Miss Norton? I think he is mentally ill," said the security guard again.
“I can prove it. I have a hundred million dollars in my account," said Jack.
The security guard laughed as if he had heard the funniest joke in the world. His pot belly wobbled as he laughed so hard. Meanwhile, Ashley Norton was silent, trying to analyze everything that happened.
“What kind of joke is this? Go already! Don't waste our time!” cried the security guard.
"If I can prove it, do you dare to bet?" he asked.
"You can't possibly prove it," said the security guard, still chuckling.
"Are you afraid to bet with me?" he asked again.
“Mr. Williams, I think we should give this man a chance. Besides, there's nothing to lose," she said trying to mediate.
The security guard was challenged when Jack called him scared. So he wanted to embarrass Jack even more.
“Fine, I bet you are penniless and a crook. If you can't prove it, you have to deal with the police because I'm really going to call them,” the man told Jack.
“Okay. And if I can prove that I am right?” he asked.
“I will resign from my job and kneel before you!” cried the man with a laugh.
Jack just smiled faintly.
"Okay, proof time," Jack said firmly, looking at the man with unwavering determination. Ashley Norton, who had been secretly watching their conversation, noticed an unusual amount of confidence in Jack's face. She was intrigued and curious about what would happen next. Jack took out his cracked cell phone and opened it carefully. He opened a banking app and showed his staggering account balance. "Here's the proof," Jack said, showing the balance display to the one hundred million dollar mark. "A hundred million dollars in my account." The guard was silent, his eyes widened in disbelief. He looked closely at the cellphone screen shown by Jack, trying to make sure that it was not a trick or engineering. "Wait! This must be a lie! He must be cheating to get that kind of money!” cried the security guard in panic. Ashley Norton, unable to hide her surprise, approached the two of them. She saw the balance displayed by Jack, and her face contorted into one of admiration. "I will call t
"Okay. Get ready to go to jail, Jack Ashworth," said Tom, glancing at Ashley who was silent. "Let's go to the bank now," he said again, glancing at Jack. Jack snorted softly and walked behind Tom. Ashley chose to walk beside Tom and opened the door for her manager. The location of the bank is not far from here, just by walking, they can arrive within five minutes. While walking, Jack opened the system screen silently. Ding! [Welcome back, user Jack Ashworth. What do you want to do?] "Trade my ten points for money," Jack said in a low voice. [Point exchange successful. Ten million dollars has entered the user's account.] Jack smiled and pressed the minimize button. At the same time, they reached the bank. "All right, Jack Ashworth. We've arrived at the bank. Let's see if you are as big as you say," said Tom Kenny. "By the time I prove it, you will lose your job," said Jack with a faint smile. Tom snorted with a sneer but said nothing more. He just gave Ashley the code to make
Tom was getting sweaty hearing that.“Tom! Are you still there?""Laila, this must be a mistake!”“Tom, this information is 100% valid. What’s wrong?” she answered.“What? There’s no fraud? He might have robbed someone!”“Tom, are you questioning my accountability?”Tom stopped for a moment. Laila is very accountable and she had all the access to verify someone’s account. It is impossible that she made a mistake.“Why didn't you tell me earlier?" asked Tom angrily.“Tom, I've done my best to help you. At least say thank you,” Laila replied a little irritated.Tom was still riled up, he immediately hung up the phone. He was shaking, didn’t know what to do. What if Jack is really rich? Tom hesitatingly opened the door and found that the transaction is done. The luxurious mansion is now Jack’s. He’s even in the process of getting a black card from the bank.“Well, Tom, what did your friend at the central bank said?” asked Jack with a smile. Tom was embarrassed and angry, but shaking as
“Your job is only to help me buy the things I need, remind my schedule, and do things related to my work. That's all," replied Jack.“Th-that's all?” she asked.Jack frowned, trying to analyze why Ashley looked so doubtful.“All the work that is usually done by a personal assistant. I just need a lot of things that I would not be able to do alone now. I have a lot of agendas that I have to finish,” said Jack, starting to see Ashley's doubts. Of course, Ashley was very beautiful, she doubted a guy like Jack who might drag her into bed like other rich jerks. But Jack wasn't some goddamn Gordon Hawthorne. Jack just needs help from Ashley who looks smart and nimble. But, if Ashley wants to accompany him in bed, of course, Jack doesn't mind.Ashley looked at Jack and realized that this one man might be different. She needed a lot of money for her sick mother and to send her little brother to school. A bigger salary is what she really needs. It would be a great loss if Ashley did not accept
[Is there anything else you want? Your money are still available to be exchanged for anything you want, user Jack Ashworth.]“Nothing for now. Thank you," replied Jack.[No need to thank. All the facilities present in this system are yours.]The transparent screen then disappeared from Jack's presence. Jack smiled at himself and quickly came out of the bathroom wearing the soft kimono that had been provided for him.“Mr. Ashworth, please follow me for skin treatment and massage,” said one of the therapists.The woman couldn't hide her admiration for Jack, her face even blushed. Jack nodded and followed the woman into one of the rooms that had been prepared. All the way to the room, Jack felt many eyes staring at him. Little did he know that rumors about him were already spreading. There is a mysterious man who bought a real estate office on the spur of the moment.Jack finally arrived at the massage and facial room. A female therapist is ready inside. However, both Jack and the woman
Suzzane looked at Jack and a beautiful woman looked at each other with a smile. She crumpled the hem of her shirt as she snorted. She couldn't restrain her footsteps from approaching Jack and the beautiful woman. Suzzane can't let Jack have fun over her misery.“Jack!” she exclaimed.Both Jack and Ashley were a little taken aback by it. From the appearance of Suzzane who had changed into ripped jeans and a tank top, as well as her eyes that were red from crying, Jack could already guess that Suzzane had been fired. Jack didn't answer, he just stared at Suzzane with a sharp gaze and a slight crooked smile, making Suzzane even more annoyed.“I lost my job because of you!” cried Suzzane as she brought her index finger closer to Jack's face.Jack brushed off Suzzane's forefinger while pushing her slightly, making her take a few steps back."Keep your filthy finger out of my sight you slut," Jack said in a low, calm tone. This made Suzzane even angrier.“You call me slut? Then what about y
"What's wrong Harry?" asked the person on the other end of the line once the call was connected.“Mr. Cowell, someone wants to buy the limited edition Lamborghini, but he insists on using it for today. He is willing to pay more to speed up the process," Harry replied.“That limited edition Lambo is only one in Lumina City and it is in our showroom. The papers can be processed if he pays an extra fee. I don’t think he wanted to do that since it will cost a lot,” Jamie answered."He is willing to pay any amount, Sir."“Tell him he can buy the car and drive it today for an extra five hundred thousand dollars. Oh yeah, what's his name? I know all the rich families in Lumina City. Why didn't he just contact me directly? Is that Louis Lerroy? Jordan Mitchel? Or Gordon Hawthorne? Yesterday Gordon asked about the car," Jamie asked curiously."No sir. None of them. His name is Jack Ashworth," Harry replied.“Ashworth? Did you hear right? I never heard that name before. Just make sure he's not
“I'm sorry, Mister Ashworth. I didn't mean to offend you at all. Tell you what, I'm having a birthday party this weekend. If you are willing, I look forward to welcoming you, Mr. Ashworth," said Jamie, handing over his invitation card.The invitation card was a golden envelope with a matching card inside. The smell of roses and the texture of the card show how expensive the invitation card is."I'll consider it," Jack said as he put the card in his pocket.Jack didn't want to seem too excited, so he purposely didn't say right away that he was willing to come. Jack knew who to invite to the event, of course, there would be the Hawthornes."Mr. Ashworth, your car is ready for use," said Harry, handing all the files and also the car keys into Jack's hands.“If there's nothing else you want to talk about, I'll be leaving now. I still have a lot of things to do,” Jack said to Jamie.“Of course, Mister Ashworth. I'm not going to hold you any longer,” Jamie replied, getting to his feet with
As the smoke began to dissipate, revealing the chaos of the decimated lab, Jack's enhanced vision honed in on Patrick, a formidable figure even in his wounded state. Blood trickled down Patrick's forehead, mixing with the grim determination and seething anger in his eyes. His breath came in ragged gasps, a testament to the intensity of their struggle."You think you can defeat me like this?" Patrick's voice reverberated through the chamber, his words dripping with contempt as he advanced towards Jack. "I won't let you win, Jack!"With a sudden burst of speed, Patrick lunged forward, his armored form hurtling towards Jack with frightening velocity. Jack barely had time to react, his instincts kicking in as he braced himself for the impact.The clash was thunderous, the force of Patrick's charge slamming into Jack like a battering ram. They grappled fiercely, each trying to gain the upper hand in the brutal melee. Jack's muscles strained against the weight of Patrick's armor, his mind r
Jack's situation was dire. He lay on the cold floor, pain radiating through his body, Ashley's bloodied form just out of reach. His vision blurred and darkened at the edges, but he wasn't ready to give up. He knew he had one last trick up his sleeve.With a barely noticeable movement, he activated the communication implant Jill had embedded in his arm. It was a last-resort device, meant for emergencies only. Jack whispered urgently, his voice barely a breath, "Jill, now!"Even though it looked like he was talking to himself, he knew Jill was listening. His eyes briefly met Patrick's smug gaze before he summoned all his remaining strength. With a sudden, almost inhuman burst of energy, Jack leaped high into the air, his body propelled by the advanced tech Jill had provided.He soared upwards, smashing through the ceiling and creating a gaping hole. Dust and debris rained down as the astonished guards and Patrick stared up, their expressions a mix of shock and disbelief. The room fell s
Patrick, sensing a slight tremor of control slipping from his grasp, attempted to regain his dominance with a sneer. "You think you're clever, don't you, Jack?" he jeered, his voice echoing off the cold, stone walls of the lair. "But you're just bluffing. We both know what happened the last time you tried to fight alone. You lost, and you lost badly. Look around you. My men guard every corner of this place with the highest vigilance. There's no help coming from Jill or anyone else. You think you can fool me? I anticipated your move, and I've made sure it won't happen."Jack's jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing as he fixed Patrick with a steely glare. "You talk too much, Patrick," he retorted, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. His confidence was unwavering, a stark contrast to the villain's bluster.Without another word, Jack launched himself into action with a burst of explosive energy. His movements were a blur, honed by years of training and battle-hardened experience. He b
As Jack's cries of anguish reverberated through the glass chamber, something within him snapped. A surge of adrenaline and sheer willpower coursed through his veins. His eyes, still wet with tears, hardened with a new determination. He strained against the metal restraints with every ounce of strength he possessed, the cords of his muscles standing out in stark relief against his skin.The glass walls seemed to close in on him, but Jack refused to accept defeat. With a roar of pure rage, he wrenched his arm free from one of the metal bindings, the steel groaning under the force of his fury. The other restraints seemed to tighten in response, but Jack was beyond pain now. He tore at the remaining bonds, his breath coming in ragged gasps.The guards outside the chamber stared in shock, their initial disbelief giving way to alarm. The sight of Jack breaking free sent a wave of panic through them."What's happening?" one of the guards shouted, his voice tinged with fear.Patrick's smug ex
Jack watched intently as the guards began to unfasten the restraints binding Ashley to the chair. Every movement seemed to drag in slow motion, his heart hammering in his chest. Despite her weakened state, Ashley managed to shake her head weakly, her voice a mere whisper, carrying the weight of her desperation. "No, Jack," she pleaded, her eyes wide and glistening with tears. "Please, just go. Leave me."Jack’s determination was unshakeable. He shook his head firmly, his jaw set in a hard line. "Ashley, you have to go now," he insisted, his voice steady and resolute, cutting through the tense atmosphere like a blade. He knew there was no other option if she were to have any chance at freedom.Ashley remained in the iron grip of the guards, her strength all but spent. Her eyes, though filled with despair, still bore into Jack’s with a silent plea, a plea he could not heed. She understood the depth of his resolve but felt the crushing weight of helplessness. Her body slumped slightly as
As Jack was escorted further into the heart of The Golden Apple's new stronghold, the dimly lit corridors seemed to close in around him, suffocating him with their oppressive atmosphere. The guards flanked him on either side, their eyes boring into him with a mixture of suspicion and contempt.Patrick stood at the end of the hallway, his presence commanding and his demeanor oozing with arrogance. His arms were crossed over his chest, and a smug smirk played at the corners of his lips as Jack was brought before him."Well, well, if it isn't our obedient little errand boy," Patrick sneered, his voice laced with disdain as he regarded Jack. "Coming here unarmed, all for the sake of the traitor who betrayed you. How noble of you, Jack."Jack's fists clenched at his sides, his nails digging into his palms as he struggled to contain his rising anger. He knew Patrick was trying to provoke him, but he refused to take the bait. Instead, he focused on the urgency of the situation at hand."Wher
As Ashley teetered on the brink of consciousness, her senses dulled by the relentless onslaught of pain and exhaustion, she felt as though she were adrift in a sea of torment. Every breath was a struggle, each heartbeat a painful reminder of the ordeal she had endured. Her body felt heavy, weighed down by the bruises that marred her skin and the ache that permeated every fiber of her being.The dim light in the room seemed to flicker and dance before her eyes, casting eerie shadows that danced across the walls like specters of her own despair. The air was thick with the scent of sweat and blood, mingling with the metallic tang of fear that clung to her like a suffocating shroud.The henchman of Patrick's approached with an air of calculated menace, his footsteps echoing ominously in the dimly lit room. Ashley strained to lift her head, her muscles protesting against the effort as she braced herself for whatever news he bore.With a glance over his shoulder to ensure they were alone, t
Jack's heart skipped a beat as his phone vibrated, signaling an incoming message. With a sense of urgency, he glanced at the screen, his eyes widening in shock at the sight before him. It was a video, sent from an unknown number, and as Jack tapped to play it, his blood ran cold.The video opened to a chilling scene. A dimly lit room filled the screen, casting long shadows that danced across the walls. In the center of the frame sat a wooden chair, its surface worn and weathered, and bound to it was Ashley. Her hands were tied behind her back, and her eyes were filled with a mixture of fear and defiance.“Ashley?” Jack breathed, his voice barely a whisper as he struggled to comprehend the gravity of the situation.“What? What happened?” Jill's voice crackled with concern, her eyes widening as she leaned in closer to see the screen of Jack's phone.For a moment, Jack's mind reeled in disbelief. It took several seconds for the reality of the situation to sink in—that the woman in the vi
The soft hum of machinery filled the air as Jack slowly emerged from his slumber, the gentle rhythm of Jill's movements resonating in the laboratory. Blinking away the remnants of sleep, he turned his gaze towards Jill, who was already engrossed in her work, her movements fluid and purposeful."Rise and shine, sleepyhead. It's time for you to join the land of the living," Jill greeted him with a playful smirk, her eyes sparkling with determination. "I need your help with some brainstorming."Jack yawned and stretched, feeling the weight of the impending tasks settling upon him like a heavy cloak. "What's the plan?" he asked, his voice still tinged with drowsiness as he sat up and gave Jill his full attention.Jill's eyes gleamed with determination as she launched into an explanation of the necessity for a tracker device that could evade detection by their adversaries. "Jack, we need a failsafe in case things go south. We can't risk you getting caught or lost in the chaos," she began,