Phuby couldn't sleep that night. His mind kept circling back to the strange pop-up. [System Activated: Cashback of the Heart]—it didn't make sense. Where did it come from? Who installed it? Was this some elaborate prank or malware?
He checked his phone again. His Dana balance still read Rp2.145.000. He stared at the digits, refreshed the page, then checked the transaction history. The entry showed a cashback labeled "System Reward – External Source." No app name. No sender. Just... there.
He tossed the phone onto his mattress and buried his face into his pillow. "If this is a dream, I better not wake up."
The next morning, Phuby got out of bed earlier than usual. It wasn't even noon yet—record-breaking for him. Phuby's mom, Mrs. Wulan, blinked in surprise when he shuffled into the kitchen still yawning.
"You're awake early. Are you feeling okay?" she asked, stirring a pot of warm porridge.
"I think I found a way to earn money," Phuby said.
Mrs. Wulan turned with cautious hope in her eyes. "Really? What kind of work?"
"It's… complicated. But I might have a system that gives me money when I buy stuff. Like cashback."
She blinked. "Like a promo?"
"No, like—extra cashback. Double. Maybe even more."
She handed him a bowl of porridge. "Just be careful, okay? There are a lot of scams out there."
"I know, Mom. I checked everything. No data breach, no weird charges. My Dana still has Rp2.145.000."
She nodded, clearly unsure but choosing to trust him.
---
Over the next few days, Phuby ran careful tests. He didn't go overboard. He bought small items: imported Japanese keychains, stickers, snacks, and low-cost merch. Each time, the system popped up with a cashback message:
> [System Reward: Cashback of the Heart – Tier 1]
Purchase Detected.
Reward: ¥3,000 x2
Conversion: Rp300.000 x2 = Rp600.000
Dana Balance Updated
Phuby logged everything into a spreadsheet. Every reward, every timestamp, conversion rate—it all pointed to one truth: the system was real.
By the end of the first week, his Dana balance had grown to Rp20.000.000. He knew that was the app's limit.
"I knew this would happen. Time to open a bank account," he muttered.
---
He visited a local Bank Mandiri branch dressed decently for the first time in months. While filling out forms, he described his source of income as "online retail and digital cashback." The teller raised an eyebrow but didn't pry.
With a shiny new debit card in hand and a fresh account, he transferred the excess funds and resumed testing.
The second week, he raised the stakes: mid-range items like rare anime figures, imported watches, and beauty products. They sold fast in the online communities. He spent Rp10.000.000, and the system returned Rp20.000.000.
He now had Rp37.500.000 in total.
By the third week, he tested bulk orders of trending items like matcha snacks, capsule toys, and fan-favorite cosmetics. The system again doubled his investment. After a few more purchases, his balance hit Rp42.500.000.
Then he made his move.
He used Rp5.000.000 on streaming gear: a ring light, ergonomic chair, arm mic, and some upgraded shelving. As expected, the system paid him double: another Rp10.000.000.
> System Reward: Streaming Setup Purchase Approved
Reward: Rp5.000.000 x2 = Rp10.000.000
New Balance: Rp47.500.000
Phuby stared at the screen.
"It's working. It's really working."
---
With enough in hand, he placed two major orders. One: a custom-built gaming PC for Rp25.000.000. Two: a high-end gaming laptop for Rp22.000.000. He paid using his bank account.
The system responded instantly:
> [System Reward: Cashback of the Heart – Tier 2]
Total Purchase: Rp47.000.000
Reward: Rp47.000.000 x2 = Rp94.000.000
Balance: Rp94.000.000.
He almost fell off his chair.
This wasn't just luck anymore. It was something else entirely.
That night, while checking his transaction logs, the screen suddenly shifted. A new pop-up appeared:
> [System Upgrade Available]
Unlock Features: Shop – Gacha – Investment – Livestream Bonus
Phuby's heart pounded. A window appeared with two buttons:
> [Accept Upgrade] [Decline]
He hesitated for only a moment—then clicked Accept.