The apartment was dark when Ethan stepped in, the faint creak of the door the only sound in the stillness.
He flicked on the light, casting the small space in a warm glow. The sight of the shabby couch and the mess on the coffee table greeted him, but tonight, they didn't bother him as much.
Kicking off his shoes, Ethan slumped onto the bed with a sigh. His body ached in places he didn't know could ache, but the exhaustion felt good.
It was the kind of tired that came from a hard day's work and tangible progress.
He reached for the system's phone, still sitting in his pocket. Pulling it out, Ethan unlocked it and placed it beside him on the bed.
He intended to review the day's sales and start planning for tomorrow.
But before he could open any apps, the phone vibrated, the familiar blue light flashing across the screen.
[SYSTEM ALERT]
[Your RP has reached 100%. Calculating rewards...]
Ethan blinked at the notification. "RP?" he muttered aloud. He hadn't heard the system mention this before.
A new message appeared:
[CONGRATULATIONS!]
[You have successfully established the Food Truck Business Investment. As a reward for reaching 100% progress, you have been granted a bonus of $100,000.]
For a moment, Ethan stared at the screen, dumbfounded.
"Bonus?" he murmured, sitting up straight.
His other phone vibrated, and the balance in his cashapp updated before his eyes. Sure enough, there it was — a shiny new $100,000 sitting in his account.
A grin spread across Ethan's face. This felt surreal. Just weeks ago, he had been buried under a mountain of debt, teetering on the edge of despair.
And now? Now, he had employees, thriving food trucks, and a six-figure bonus just for doing what the system told him to.
He couldn't help but laugh, shaking his head. "This is insane," he muttered.
As if responding to his thoughts, another notification popped up:
[SYSTEM EXPLANATION]
[RP (Reward Points) measures your progress in fully establishing an investment. Each successful investment generates RP. When you reach 100%, you receive a bonus reward.]
The message continued, addressing a question Ethan hadn't even thought to ask yet.
[Important Note]
[System-enabled investments guarantee success, but they are limited to physical investments that benefit you directly. Online investments such as stocks, cryptocurrency, and trading platforms are excluded.]
Ethan nodded slowly as he read, the words sinking in. "Physical investments only," he muttered. It made sense.
He couldn't imagine the system working its magic on something as abstract as stock prices.
Still, the idea that anything physical he invested in could succeed was... staggering. It was like having a cheat code for life.
The phone pinged again, pulling him from his thoughts.
[NEW INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY]
[Proposal: Rental Housing Project]
[Cost: $80,000]
[Potential ROI: $10,000/month]
Ethan's eyebrows shot up. "Rental housing?" he murmured, scrolling through the details.
The system outlined a nearby neighborhood with several abandoned properties. Renovating and renting them out would provide a steady income stream, and the upfront cost fell well within his new budget. Of course, he would also have to pay the Mayor and Agencies for securing it.
He leaned back against the headboard, staring at the screen. This was big. Bigger than the food truck business.
It wasn't just a step up — it was a leap.
But as enticing as the opportunity sounded, doubts crept in. Running food trucks was one thing; he could manage cooking and customer service. But real estate? That was a whole new ballgame.
"Can I even handle this?" he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck.
The phone buzzed softly, as if in response.
[REMINDER]
[The system will assist with all aspects of the investment. Trust in the process.]
Ethan snorted. "Trust in the process," he repeated under his breath. It was easy to say, but taking that leap was another matter entirely.
For a while, he sat there in silence, the weight of the decision pressing on him. He thought about how far he'd come in just a week.
The food trucks were thriving, his employees were happy, and he felt like he was in control of his life.
The system hadn't let him down yet.
Taking a deep breath, Ethan tapped the confirmation button on the screen.
[INVESTMENT CONFIRMED]
]Transaction Complete: $80,000]
A map appeared, highlighting several properties in the designated neighborhood.
[NEXT STEPS]
[Visit the properties and assess their condition.]
[Begin renovations with system-approved contractors.]
[Prepare for tenant applications.]
Ethan set the phone down beside him, exhaling slowly. It was official. He was now a real estate investor.
A small smile tugged at his lips. "Who would've thought?" he murmured to himself.
He leaned back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. The exhaustion from the day's work was still there, but now it was paired with a quiet excitement.