The world outside Jackim's new villa was calm, yet beneath that calmness, storms were gathering—silent, invisible, and deadly.
Sue City had started whispering a new name everywhere: "The Mysterious Bragger."
Campus forums, gossip groups, livestream platforms—all buzzing about the same man who appeared from nowhere and shook the elite circles.
Some called him a god of luck.
Others said he was a fraud with connections.
But the truth was much stranger than all of them knew.
Jackim stood at the balcony of his villa that night, overlooking the glittering lights of the city. A cool breeze swept through, brushing against his shirt. He sipped black coffee, his reflection shimmering faintly on the glass window beside him.
Kelvin, his ever-loyal friend, was scrolling through social media inside the living room, laughing at the chaos online.
> "Bro, you've gone viral again," Kelvin said between chuckles. "Someone posted your piano performance clip. One million views in four hours! Even Sandra commented—'Unbelievable transformation.'"
Jackim smirked faintly. "She's regretting again."
> "Regret is her new hobby," Kelvin replied, shaking his head. "You're living rent-free in everyone's mind."
Jackim didn't respond. He had learned that silence could speak louder than arrogance. Still, something inside him stirred—a quiet anticipation, as if fate was about to knock again.
That's when the System's mechanical voice broke through the night.
> [System Notification: New Stage Unlocked — "Public Influence."]
[Host's current status has attracted attention from higher entities.]
[Warning: External forces will now test your strength.]
Jackim froze.
"External forces?" he murmured, frowning.
> [Yes, Host. The higher your fame, the greater the danger. Power always attracts predators.]
The words echoed in his mind like distant thunder.
He had bragged his way through wealth, skills, fame—but now it seemed the System wasn't just about showing off anymore. It was about survival.
The following morning, the sun rose lazily over Sue City University. The campus felt different now. Students pointed, whispered, and stared at Jackim as he walked through the corridors in a casual black hoodie.
> "That's the guy from the music show!"
"He's the one who beat Bryan and owns that crazy villa!"
"Do you think it's all real?"
He ignored them. Fame had its weight, and he felt it pressing on his shoulders.
At the cafeteria, Lina caught up to him. Her expression was softer now—far from the cold, prideful goddess she used to be.
> "You've changed, Jackim," she said, her tone almost gentle. "Everyone's talking about you."
He smiled faintly. "People talk a lot. Doesn't mean they understand."
> "Maybe," she admitted. "But I'm curious—how did you learn to play like that last night? You weren't that good before."
Jackim looked at her eyes, deep and uncertain. He couldn't tell her the truth—not about the Bragging System, not yet.
> "Practice," he said simply. "A lot of sleepless nights."
Lina smiled faintly, though she didn't seem convinced. "Then maybe I should practice too."
Before he could respond, Bryan walked in with his group of wealthy friends. His pride was still wounded from every loss he'd suffered at Jackim's hands—the basketball humiliation, the party, the villa reveal, and now the music competition.
He threw a sharp glare across the room.
> "You enjoying your moment, peasant?" Bryan spat. "Let's see how long it lasts. People like you always burn out."
Kelvin immediately stood, anger flaring. "Watch your mouth, Bryan!"
But Jackim raised a hand. "Let him talk. That's all he's good at."
The cafeteria went silent for a moment.
Bryan's jaw tightened, but he didn't reply. Deep down, he knew he couldn't win—not yet.
Jackim turned away calmly and walked out with Kelvin and Lina, unaware that several men in black suits had been observing him from outside the glass windows.
Later that evening, somewhere in a dimly lit skyscraper, far above Sue City, a group of powerful figures gathered around a long table.
A holographic projection of Jackim's face floated in the air.
> "This is him," said a deep voice from the shadows. "Jackim Ochieng. Twenty-two. Poor background. No known investors, no family wealth, yet within three weeks—he owns real estate, luxury cars, and a villa. His name keeps coming up in social influence reports."
Another man, dressed sharply in a silver suit, crossed his legs. "A fluke?"
> "Impossible," said a woman with cold eyes. "His rise doesn't follow logic or data. No traceable financial source. He's connected to something else."
The room went silent.
Finally, the man at the head of the table—an old figure with snow-white hair and a serpent-like calmness—spoke.
> "Then we test him. The WHEEL does not tolerate anomalies."
A command was given. Files changed hands.
Within minutes, the decision was made.
> Target: Jackim Ochieng.
Phase One: Observation. Phase Two: Provocation.
Back at the villa, Kelvin was asleep on the couch, snoring softly. Jackim sat by his study table, going through new System notifications.
> [System Alert: Unknown digital interference detected.]
[Host's location being scanned by external source.]
His eyes narrowed. "So it begins."
The system's voice hummed.
> [Recommendation: Prepare for non-financial confrontation. Future challenges may involve combat or influence.]
He leaned back, exhaling slowly. "Looks like the bragging era just got serious."
Then, his phone buzzed. A message. Unknown number.
> UNKNOWN: "Enjoying your fame, Mr. Bragger? Let's see how long it lasts. :)"
Jackim's expression darkened.
Kelvin stirred awake. "What's wrong, bro?"
> "Nothing," Jackim lied. "Just noise."
He turned off the phone—but inside, his gut churned with instinct. He had learned to trust that feeling.
The peace he'd built was now under siege.
Two days later, Sandra reappeared on campus. Rumors spread that she had broken up with her rich boyfriend. When she spotted Jackim near the fountain, she rushed over, dressed elegantly but with eyes full of desperation.
> "Jackim!" she called out. "Wait!"
He turned, cold and unreadable. "Sandra."
She hesitated, biting her lip. "Can we talk?"
He said nothing, but she took it as permission.
> "I made mistakes," she began softly. "I was stupid back then. I didn't see who you really were. I let money blind me."
Jackim's silence made her nervous. She stepped closer, her voice trembling.
> "You're amazing now, Jackim. Everyone admires you. The villa, the cars, your fame—"
He cut her off quietly. "So now you love me because I have things?"
> "No! It's not like that—"
> "Then what is it like?" His tone sharpened. "Because when I had nothing, you treated me like dirt."
Tears welled in her eyes. "Please… give me one more chance."
But before Jackim could answer, the System chimed in.
> [Special Task: Resist False Love.]
[Reward: $1,000,000 + Reputation Shield.]
Jackim smiled faintly. "You said something once, Sandra. That love doesn't pay rent. So keep your rent-free feelings to yourself."
He walked away, leaving her standing frozen by the fountain, mascara streaking down her cheeks.
Behind him, the System's voice purred softly.
> [Task Complete. Reward Credited.]
Kelvin, watching from a distance, exhaled. "Damn, bro… you didn't just reject her. You vaporized her."
Jackim gave a faint smirk. "Some people only come back to test if you've healed."
That night, it rained hard. Thunder cracked above the city.
Jackim sat by his piano, fingers gliding softly across the keys. The melody was slow, haunting—a tune that spoke of loss and awakening.
Then, lightning flashed—and a shadow appeared on his balcony.
He turned sharply. A man in a black coat stood there, face hidden behind a mask.
> "Who are you?" Jackim asked calmly.
The man didn't answer. He simply placed a card on the table, then turned and leapt over the railing—gone into the storm like a phantom.
Jackim picked up the card.
It was black, metallic, engraved with a silver symbol: a wheel with seven spokes.
His heartbeat slowed.
> "The WHEEL," he whispered.
The System flickered instantly.
> [Warning: Host has been marked by Organization "The WHEEL."]
[Prepare for escalation.]
Jackim's eyes hardened, his jaw tightening. "Then let them come."
The storm outside grew louder—as if the heavens themselves acknowledged the beginning of something colossal.
He looked out at the city lights again, but this time his reflection in the glass was different.
No longer the poor boy mocked at a reunion. No longer the insecure student hiding behind casual clothes.
This was a man forged by humiliation, strengthened by defiance, armed with a power no one could understand.
> "You started this," he murmured to the rain, "but I'll finish it."
Thunder rumbled in response, rolling across Sue City like a war drum.
And somewhere in the distance, inside a skyscraper full of secrets, a voice whispered coldly:
> "Phase Two begins."