The blue screen hovered in front of my eyes, glowing with an eerie light that only I could see. [System Initializing... Welcome, User Prasenjit.] The voice was cold, yet it felt like the only hope I had left in this world.
I looked at my trembling hands. Just moments ago, I was a nobody, a failure who couldn't even afford a proper meal. And now, a "God-Tier System" was telling me it could change my destiny?
"Is this real?" I whispered, my voice cracking.
[Mission 1: The First Step to Power]
[Task: Walk 2 kilometers within 1 hour.]
[Reward: 100 Gold Coins & Level 1 Strength Boost.]
[Failure: System Uninstallation.]
A timer appeared at the corner of the screen: 59:59... 59:58...
I didn't wait. If this was a hallucination, I would find out soon enough. But if it was real... I couldn't afford to lose it. I started walking, then picking up pace into a light jog. My lungs burned and my legs felt heavy—a reminder of how weak my body had become from months of poor nutrition.
People on the street looked at me strangely as I hurried past them, staring at the empty air in front of me. They couldn't see the map or the distance counter ticking down.
1.2 km... 1.5 km... 1.9 km...
Finally, as I reached the park's end, a loud chime rang in my head.
[Mission Accomplished!]
[Distributing Rewards...]
Suddenly, a surge of warmth flowed through my veins. The exhaustion vanished, replaced by a raw energy I had never felt before. My muscles tightened, and I felt taller, stronger.
Ding!
My phone vibrated in my pocket. I pulled it out, expecting another debt collector's message. Instead, my eyes widened.
"Bank Alert: 10,000 INR has been credited to your account."
My heart stopped. 100 Gold Coins in the system meant real money in my bank account? Tears blurred my vision. I wasn't just a failure anymore. I was a Player.
"Thank you," I sobbed, clutching the phone to my chest. "I won't let this chance go to waste."
But then, the screen changed again, turning blood-red.
[Warning: Emergency Mission Detected!]