The moment Rui returned home, he practically dropped his bag by the door before collapsing onto his small bed, staring up at the water-stained ceiling. The memory of Kian's voice echoed in his ears—deep, calm, and unexpectedly gentle. That short, bewildering moment at school had left a strange warmth in Rui's chest, a feeling more potent than he'd ever expected.
As silence settled over the cramped room, a soft, insistent ding! echoed not in the air, but directly in his mind.
Then, a cheerful, almost too cheerful, robotic voice chirped, startling him:
"Welcome, Host~! Initializing Wealth-Building System!"
Rui sat up so fast his head spun, his heart racing. "No way… not again," he mumbled, half-dreading, half-hoping.
A glowing screen shimmered into existence before him — no glitch, no flicker, stubbornly, undeniably real. It was precisely as it had been at the event.
[System Boot Complete]
[Binding Successful: Host – Rui Elen]
[Linked Target: Kian Elros – Bond Compatibility: 100%]
A tiny, floating chibi assistant, impeccably dressed in a miniature suit and glasses, materialized beside the screen, waving enthusiastically. Its wide, animated eyes blinked at him.
"Hi Rui! You've been selected for the exclusive Wealth-Building Program!" the chibi announced, its voice a bright, energetic hum. "Your match — Kian Elros, Alpha, Age 24, CEO of Elros Corporation — has already been linked. Due to alpha-instinct sensitivity, Kian is aware of the bond connection!"
Rui froze, his breath catching. His eyes darted from the screen to the chibi, then back. "He… he knows I'm his mate?" The words came out barely a whisper, a mixture of disbelief and a budding, fragile hope.
The chibi nodded, its smile unwavering. "Of course! Alphas with high spiritual awareness always recognize their fated mate. Though he may not act on it yet, don't worry — you're already special to him!"
Rui's face burned a furious red, a blush spreading down his neck. Special? The word felt alien, given his lonely, struggling life. Yet, despite the shock, his heart swelled with an unexpected, yearning warmth. He had liked Kian from the moment they met — even before knowing any of this insane system or mate bond. The idea that Kian might feel something similar, might even know, sent a strange jolt of thrill through him.
But the next part snapped his attention back to the glowing screen, pulling him from his daze.
[System Core Function: Wealth Creation]
Level 0 Access Unlocked:Product Store – Level 0
Item Limit: 2 Active Products
Available Categories:
💸 Point to Money Conversion (legal, traceable channels)
💅 Beauty & Energy Boosts
System WalletTracks earned points and wallet balance
Upgrade Goal:Collect 1000 Points to unlock Level 1 and expand store options
[Note]: Tasks will appear regularly, based on either Rui's current life situation or interactions involving Kian. Completing tasks earns system points. The more points earned, the faster you unlock higher levels and gain access to powerful features.
Rui's eyes widened, scanning the words. "So I just… complete tasks, earn points, and I can make money? And even improve myself?" He pointed a trembling finger at the screen, a giddy disbelief bubbling up.
"Exactly!" The chibi assistant spun in a small circle, its arms outstretched. "And don't worry — all earnings are processed through clean, verified channels. Nothing shady, just pure, legitimate wealth building!"
[Newcomer Starter Package Activated]
+100 Points Added
Store Access: OPEN
Rui's gaze was glued to the screen. He opened the Product Store menu, two basic options glowing softly:
[Basic Currency Exchange] – 50 points = $50
[Skin & Glow Pack] – 50 points = Radiant skin + 24-hour energy boost
His hand hovered, trembling slightly, for only a second before selecting the first one. Money. Real money.
[Transaction Complete – $50 has been added to your verified digital wallet.]
[Legal Source: Freelancer Bonus (Verified)]
His phone buzzed in his pocket. Rui fumbled it out, his fingers clumsy, and opened his digital wallet app. The $50 was sitting there, bold and undeniable, real and spendable.
Rui's lips parted slowly, a silent gasp escaping. It wasn't a dream. None of it was a dream.
He stared at the money, then at the lingering glow of the system screen, then back at the money. A wide, breathless grin slowly spread across his face, lighting up his tired features.
A system. A mate. A future.
For the first time in his seventeen years, Rui felt a surge of exhilaration, a sensation so foreign it almost took his breath away. The world, which had always weighed him down, had finally started turning in his favor.