The glow of his phone screen was the last thing Darren saw before sleep.
The system's new missions blinked insistently:
[New Mission Set Unlocked]
Mission 1: Complete 15 consecutive daily check-ins (Current: 3).
Mission 2: Invest in 3 different local businesses to diversify portfolio.
Mission 3: Spend at least £1,000 on family-related expenses within 7 days.
Darren stretched, feeling the weight of the challenge settling in.
The missions were harder than before — but not impossible.
They pushed him just enough.
He started small the next day.
First, he upgraded the old refrigerator in their cramped kitchen — a modest purchase but one that eased his mother's daily work.
The system pinged instantly:
[Expenditure Multiplier Activated]
Multiplier Result: 150x
Bonus Credit: +£150,000
Aria's eyes lit up when Darren brought home new school supplies and textbooks.
"It's like magic," she said.
Over the next week, Darren spread his investments cautiously — a small laundromat, a street food stall, and a neighborhood repair shop.
Each triggered the multiplier, with returns ranging between 120x and 350x.
The bank balance swelled steadily.
But with every success, Darren sensed eyes watching him — rival business owners whispering, system alerts flashing cryptic warnings.
He couldn't afford to slip.
Still, at night, he savored the quiet moments with his mother and Aria, the soft smiles, the small improvements.
The system was no longer just numbers on a screen.
It was their lifeline.