The next morning, Ashburn was up before the call to prayer. The desert air was cool, carrying a faint whisper of sand and smoke from the bakeries already firing their ovens. The first rays of sunlight crept over the horizon like molten gold spilling over the dunes.
He tied his worn-out shoelaces, checked the small notebook in his pocket, and whispered, "Alright, Ledger, let's make this one lakh worth something."
A faint hum echoed in his head.
> [Fortune Ledger: Evaluation Period — 30 Days]
Task Objective: Increase business variety and market awareness.
Suggestion: Observe. Learn. Adapt.
Ashburn rubbed his temples. "Even my system talks like a teacher," he muttered.
He stepped out into the narrow streets of Ashrock City, where life was already stirring. Donkey carts rattled by with crates of dates and watermelons. The call of vendors echoed from street corners, promising "discounts that would make your wife smile." The smell of freshly fried parathas mixed with diesel fumes and dust. The rising heat clung to his skin like an old debt he couldn't quite pay off.
Children ran barefoot, chasing a deflated football. An old man sat by the roadside, selling newspapers from a torn sack. The city looked ordinary, tired — but to Ashburn, it pulsed with opportunity. He just needed to see it.
---
His first stop was Rafiq & Sons Superstore, the largest shop in the district and his unofficial rival.
Inside, a burst of cold air greeted him — the air conditioner struggling but determined. Bright lights reflected off glass jars, imported biscuits, and perfumes with foreign labels. A small television near the counter played an Indian drama loudly, ignored by everyone except the cashier, who seemed emotionally invested in it.
Ashburn's eyes scanned the shelves. "Half these things aren't even needed here," he murmured, tracing a finger over a tin of imported chocolates. "But people still buy them…"
The bored cashier finally noticed him. "Looking for something, bhai?"
"Just browsing," Ashburn replied.
Every shelf told a story — not of necessity, but of choice. Ten kinds of soap. Five brands of rice. Dozens of shampoos with shiny bottles and fake promises.
He jotted quickly in his notebook:
> "People don't just buy what they need — they buy what feels better."
Behind him, a little boy tugged at his mother's dupatta, begging for a colorful candy bar. The mother sighed, gave in, and added it to her basket. Ashburn smiled faintly. Emotions sell too.
He left the shop under the suspicious stare of the cashier, his mind already racing.
---
His next stop was the open bazaar, a chaos of shouting, laughter, and life.
Vendors squatted behind stalls that spilled over with second-hand clothes, cracked electronics, and plastic toys that would break within a day. A man roasted corn on charcoal, the smell mingling with the sweet smoke of incense from a perfume stall.
Ashburn moved slowly, absorbing everything — how people haggled, how vendors presented themselves, how little things caught attention.
At one stall, a man sold herbal oils with hand-painted labels. "Two hundred rupees, bhai! Best oil in all Ashrock! Guaranteed hair growth or I'll shave my own head!" he shouted theatrically.
Ashburn raised an eyebrow. "That's a bold guarantee."
The vendor winked. "Confidence sells, bhai. You should try it sometime."
Ashburn chuckled and scribbled another line in his notebook:
> "Confidence sells."
He bought a small bottle anyway — not for the oil, but for the lesson.
---
By noon, his shirt clung to his back, and the soles of his shoes were coated in red dust. He found a small shade near a shuttered shop, opened his water bottle, and drank greedily. The city shimmered in the distance, and his heartbeat slowed.
Then, the familiar hum again.
> [Observation Progress: 45%]
Tip: Opportunities often lie where others see routine.
He sighed. "You sound like my old university professor. Just say it clearly."
But deep down, he understood. His shop wasn't failing because of bad luck. It was trapped in monotony — same layout, same dusty shelves, same uninspired products.
He looked around. Even in this chaos, people sought novelty. Colors, smells, stories.
He smiled faintly. "Fine then, Fortune Ledger. Time to shake things up."
---
That evening, the sky burned orange as the family gathered for dinner. The small living room smelled of lentils, onions, and warm bread. The fan above squeaked with every turn, but no one seemed to mind.
His father sat cross-legged on the old couch, reading the newspaper. "Where were you all day, beta?"
Ashburn washed his hands and sat down. "Market survey," he said lightly. "Thinking of expanding the store's variety. Snacks, soft drinks, hygiene products — maybe even small electronics."
His mother frowned immediately. "But that will need money, won't it?"
Ashburn forced a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Ammi. I've got a plan."
His younger sister, Ayesha, perked up. "Are we going to sell ice cream, bhai? Please say yes."
He laughed softly. "Maybe. If the plan works."
He didn't mention the Ledger. Not yet. He wasn't sure they'd believe him — or worse, they might think he'd lost his mind talking to invisible messages in his head.
---
That night, as the house fell into silence, Ashburn sat at his small wooden desk. A single bulb hung above him, its light flickering like an uncertain heartbeat. His notebook lay open, pages filled with messy handwriting, rough sketches, and crossed-out ideas.
He stared at them for a long moment before whispering, "Okay, Fortune Ledger… show me what you've got."
The holographic screen shimmered to life before him.
> [Investment Portal Unlocked]
Funds Available: ₹100,000
Time Limit: 30 Days
Rule: Capital will return if investment shows net positive growth after evaluation.
Failure: Reduction of future funds and penalty deduction.
A grin spread across his tired face. "So it's basically like a strict business partner who lives in my head."
He typed carefully:
Investment Plan #1: Store Variety Expansion
Focus: Snacks, soft drinks, hygiene products, small electronics.
> [Plan Accepted]
Evaluation Timer: Active — 29 Days, 23 Hours Remaining.
Bonus Tip: Growth begins where courage meets calculation.
Ashburn leaned back, heart pounding. He hadn't felt this alive in years.
He looked out the small window — the city glowed faintly under the moonlight, dust swirling across the empty streets. Somewhere, a prayer echoed from a distant mosque, solemn and hopeful.
He whispered to himself, half laughing, half trembling, "Let's see if Ashrock City is ready for Ashburn Khan's comeback."
Outside, the desert wind swept through the alleys, carrying the scent of sand and promise. And deep within him, the Fortune Ledger hummed in quiet approval — as if smiling back.