I stared at my phone screen until it turned off. Ten thousand rupees. To some, it was a small amount, but to me, it was a lifeline. I could finally pay the overdue rent and eat a decent meal without counting every penny.
However, the red warning on my system screen didn't let me celebrate for long.
[Emergency Mission: The Debt Collector's Arrival]
[Description: Your former landlord and his thugs are coming to kick you out and seize your few belongings. Protect your dignity.]
[Objective: Do not let them enter your room.]
[Reward: 200 Gold Coins & Level 2 Strength Boost.]
[Failure: Permanent loss of the System.]
My heart hammered against my ribs. My landlord, Mr. Khanna, was a greedy man who used local goons to intimidate poor tenants like me. In the past, I would have hidden under my bed, trembling in fear. But not today.
I felt the new strength coursing through my limbs from the previous mission's reward. I wasn't the same weakling anymore.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The wooden door groaned under heavy kicks. "Prasenjit! Open up, you brat! I know you're in there!" Mr. Khanna's raspy voice screamed from the hallway.
I walked toward the door, my footsteps steady. I didn't feel the usual panic. Instead, a cold calmness settled over me.
I grabbed the handle and pulled the door open. Mr. Khanna stood there, flanked by two burly men with scarred faces. They looked ready to trash my room.
"Oh, so you finally decided to show your face?" Mr. Khanna sneered, holding out his hand. "Where's the money? Or should my boys start throwing your junk onto the street?"
One of the thugs stepped forward, trying to shove past me. Without thinking, I reached out and caught his wrist. The thug froze. His eyes widened in shock as he realized he couldn't budge an inch. My grip was like a steel vice.
"Get your hands off him!" the other thug growled, swinging a punch at my face.
Everything seemed to move in slow motion. I tilted my head, the fist whistling past my ear. I didn't know how I was doing it, but the System's 'Strength Boost' was working perfectly.
"I have the money," I said, my voice low and dangerous. "But if you ever kick my door again, you'll regret it."