The dim light of the early evening seeped through the dusty windows of the cramped apartment. The air smelled faintly of old coffee and damp concrete. James Parker stood in the middle of the room, glancing around nervously. The usual clutter of empty food containers and worn clothes made the space feel smaller than it already was.
"Maina? Where are you?" James called out, his voice low but edged with worry. His eyes scanned the living room, then the kitchen. No response. A faint noise caught his attention—something coming from the bedroom.
He hesitated a moment, heart pounding, then moved toward the door. A strange sense of unease prickled at the back of his neck. What if she wasn't alone?
The door creaked open, and James froze.
Maina stood there, clutching someone tightly. His blood ran cold. It was Logan. The same Logan who had tormented him for years with cruel taunts and relentless bullying. The guy who sneered at James every chance he got, reminding him of his poverty like a scar that never healed.
Maina's cheeks flushed crimson when she saw James in the doorway. She quickly pulled her hands away, covering her face with trembling fingers.
Logan, sensing the tension, turned his head with a mocking grin.
"Maina…" James muttered, disbelief and shock choking his voice.
"T-this isn't what it looks like, James," Maina stammered, voice barely audible.
Logan laughed, loud and cruel. "Look at this, boys. Brokie boy can't even afford his own girlfriend." His grin widened, exposing perfect teeth.
James's hands clenched into fists so tight his knuckles whitened. Fury surged through him like wildfire.
"How… how dare you, Logan!" James shouted, stepping forward.
Before he could land a punch, Logan blocked his wrist easily and slammed a fist into James's stomach. The wind was knocked out of him, and he doubled over, gasping for air.
"Pathetic," Logan sneered. "Think yelling at me will change anything?"
Two hulking men stepped into the room behind Logan.
"Take him outside," Logan ordered.
They grabbed James roughly, dragging him out the door and into the alley behind the building.
---
Cold concrete bit into James's knees as he was thrown down. Pain radiated from bruises and scrapes he hadn't noticed before.
"Fuckin' hell…" James whispered, struggling to breathe.
His vision swam, the dull roar of pain ringing in his ears. The world felt heavy, like it was closing in on him. Years of being looked down on, pushed around, and mocked flashed through his mind.
He was tired. Tired of being poor. Tired of being powerless.
His body shook, tears stinging his eyes as he curled against the wall.
And then—
A voice.
Soft, distant, almost mechanical. But undeniably real.
System initialization complete.
James's eyes snapped open. Floating in front of him, glowing faintly in the twilight, was a translucent screen filled with numbers and strange symbols.
[System UI]
Name: James Parker
Money: 347 $
Tasks:
1. Get 1,000 dollars
2. Spend 10,000 dollars
---
"What the hell is this?" James whispered, staring in disbelief.
Welcome, Host, to the Spend System.
[The more money you spend—and show off your wealth—the more money you gain] the system's voice intoned, cold and emotionless.
James shook his head, swallowing hard. "This… this can't be real. Systems only exist in novels and games."
This is real. Use it wisely.
A warm glow spread through James's battered body. His wounds, the bruises, even the soreness—began to fade, knitting themselves shut.
[Instant Regeneration used]
[Injuries healed.]
He sat up, amazed as pain vanished.
His fingers twitched, filled with new strength.
A spark of hope flickered in his chest.
If spending money could make him rich… if showing off wealth could turn his life around…
Then maybe, just maybe, this was his chance.
But how? Where would he get money to spend in the first place? And what did the system mean by "show off"?
He stood, brushing dirt from his torn clothes, eyes burning with determination.
It's time to change my life.
---
Outside, the city skyline shimmered with the last light of day. In this world of desperate poverty and ruthless competition, money was everything.
James clenched his fists, feeling the weight of the system's words.
This power was strange, confusing, but it was a lifeline.
And he was going to grab it with both hands.