The King Of Steeze System

Level One Begins

Suddenly, I metaphorsed back at the regular city of New York and I was no where around the prison , momentarily I forgot about it.

I stared at the screen before me, trying to process everything that has just happened. 

A game ?

Ding .

I heard and someone had transfer something into my account.

~500 gold coins had been transferred into your chest~

The words floated in my screen and at just the same time I got an alert.

I looked around me in surprise and confusion , this look like something straight out a dream. 

Yet the glow of my phone's screen and the ping of a new notification was undeniably real.

~Welcome,Thomas. You have entered the KING OF STEEZE SYSTEM~

I blinked ,my heart racing. "King Of Steeze?"I mumbled ,shaking my head .I had heard of strange game titles before ,but this one took the cake. What kind of game was this ?

Before I could question it further, my phone buzzed again and a new message appeared.

~Level 1: Aura Initiation~

"What ..." I muttered leaning in closer to my phone . I was about to ask aloud but the screen change showing a detailed explanation

~King Of Steeze has nine levels. Each level is made up of three stages called Auras~

~Auras represent the mastery of style, confidence and influence. To progress through each level, you must complete all three Auras~

~The higher the level the more money received to help you grow~

My eyes widened as I continuing reading." Auras.... And money to grow? So this isn't just some game. It is about... changing myself?" I paused, letting the concept sink in . My phone buzzed again pulling my attention back to the screen. 

~Second Installment: 700 gold coins had been transferred to your chest~

Ding.

My phone was been credited with $5,000

I swapped over to my bank app to see this transaction for myself. 

There it was—$5,000 sitting in my account like it had always been there. 

Ding.

Another $5000 dollars just popped in.

Five more notification and it felt as if I was running mad. 

My jaw nearly hit the floor.

"This is insane. I have never seen this much money in my life."My mind immediately went to all the things I could do with it.

"I could finally furnish my room, get a real bed maybe a decent wardrobe—"

But before I could even finish that thought my phone chimed once more. 

This time there was no voice to interrupt me , just a message on the screen that read: 

~This isn't about furnishing your room. The funds are to help you elevate your Steeze. You must buy items that reflect who you are becoming : clothing accessories anything that shows you command the room. No watches~

I blinked ."No watches ? Why not ? What is wrong with a nice watch?"

~Watches are too predictable, too easy. The King of Steeze doesn't follow trends. He sets them.~

A mechanical voice obviously from the game answered.

"Alright ,alright." I said to myself chuckling softly as I stared at the screen. " So... Suit, shoes, maybe some sunglasses . Something that scream style and confidence." I run a hand through my hair, feeling the excitement bubble up inside me. "I can do that."

Another chime echoed from my phone.

~You are in Level One: Aura of Appearance. Complete this Aura by purchasing your first set of items~

My eyes quickly scan the message. "Aura of appearance?"I said aloud it made sense in away. Style ,presence— this were things that matter if you wanted to stand out . If this was the first Aura , I could only imagine what the next ones would be like.

Suddenly another ding came from my phone and I checked my bank app ,my balance had increased by $5,000.

"No way..."I whispered . That was thousands of dollars in total now. My pulse quickened as I realized in gravity of the situation. 

"This... this is real," I muttered looking widely around me. "I can't believe this is happening."

I stood still for a moment taking it all in then I punched then air in excitement .

As if responding to my excitement, my phone buzzed again. A new notification flash before my eyes. Blinking 

~Level One is waiting to be unlocked. You have an hour for this phase.~

Before I could react , a shimmering blue map appeared in front of me floating in the air. I took a step back in disbelief . "What ...what is this?

The map hovered in front of me, a glowing transparent guides to the city of New York. 

Certain locations with marked with bright red dot, and as I squinted at the map, I realize they were all stores—high-end boutique places I had never heard before.

What was I saying?

I was too broke to even get my next meal.

"I don't even know where half of this places are," I muttered, looking at the unfamiliar names. 

As if on cue, a glowing line appeared on the map tracing a part from where I stood to one of the marked location.

I stared at it for a moment, my heart racing again. "Alright I guess I am doing this."

I took my left and headed South, the map overed in front of me as I walked guiding me through the street of the city. 

A new notification popped up on my screen. 

~Fifty five minutes left~

I quickly flagged down a taxi and jumped in the map still hovering in front of me.

Eventually, the map led me to a slick ,modern building with towering glass windows I glanced up at the sign: Le Mode

The boutique look like something out of a fashion magazine ,with polished floors ,spotless displays and mannequins dressed in outfits that screamed money.

I swallowed hard. "Okay, here we go."

I stepped inside ,immediately hit by the scent of leather and expensive cologne. My worn out sneakers squeaked on the marble floors, as I approached the rows of suits ,each one more intimidating that the last. This wasn't just shopping —this was transformation

"Can I help you?" A sharply dressed sales associate appeared looking up at me and down with a raised brow. She clearly didn't think I belonged here.

"Yeah," I said, trying to keep my voice steady."I am looking for something... unique. Something that screams style

Her expression didn't change but she motioned for me to follow her." This way. "

We walked to deeper into the boutique , passed racks of tailored suit ,designer shoes and accessories that look like the cost more than my rent .

My mind was racing as I imagine what I could put together to complete the Aura of Appearance. 

As we stopped in front of a selection of tailored jacket, I reached out to touch one, feeling the smooth fabric under my fingers, when suddenly I had heels clicking someone was walking behind me.

I heard the cruel, bitter laughter before the voice. 

"What in God's name are you doing here?"

I turned to see no other person but Sarah.

"Perhaps he is here to steal again." Someone said I was no other person but George ,a smirk on his lips. " I heard you steal some jewelries worth $40,000."

I didn't imagine , I had come across them at the store. 

"Thomas when will you change." Sarah said and I felt like strangling her.

"We pay with money here not boxes of pizzas." He said and guffawed. He turned," Never mind the little boy, he is just delusional." 

I felt so angry and I balled my fist.

George turned to me.

" Pick anything and I will pay. "

My eyes opened wide . Did he know who he is talking to, I gave out a small laugh.

George placed his hands on shoulders.

"I know you are crazy but don't finish my money buying boxers."

.