"Raphael, confirm time until Bit-Coin surge," I thought, picking up my pace. The new skills hummed in my mind, with enhanced perception and analytical capability. It was like I could almost feel the city's pulse, its intricate, hidden networks.
"Perfect. Let's make some virtual money, then grab some actual food."
The internet café was a dimly lit. I logged in, my 'digital ghost' persona flowing through the network, untraceable, leaving no digital footprints. Raphael guided me, its instructions precise and rapid-fire. I opened a cryptocurrency exchange platform, navigating with ease thanks to my newfound [Programming (Basic)] and [Finance (Basic)] skills. The screen displayed the current, meager value of Bit-Coin. It looked like a losing gamble to any uninformed observer.
I watched the clock, my heart beating with excitement. Three hours, then two, then one. The café slowly emptied, replaced by a fresh wave of morning commuters seeking a quick coffee before work. I was just another face in the crowd, a ghost among the living.
Then, Raphael's voice sharpened.
On the screen, the Bit-Coin value flickered. My eyes widened. It wasn't just flickering; it was exploding. The numbers began to climb, slowly at first, then with dizzying speed. My paltry $7.42 investment swelled to hundreds, then thousands. The graph on the screen spiked vertically, a green line shooting towards the digital heavens.
My breath hitched. This was real. This wasn't some theoretical exercise from my past life. This was actual, tangible wealth being generated, right here, right now.
Just as quickly as it had risen, the value began to stabilize, then ever so slightly dip. Raphael's timing was impeccable. The automated sell order executed, capturing the peak of the surge.
[Quest Objective: Achieve Financial Unfuckability (Current Net Worth: $7.42 -> $542.86 USD)]
I stared at the screen, a new figure displayed in my account balance: $542.86 USD.
It wasn't a million, not yet. But it was a far cry from seven dollars. It was food. It was shelter. It was the first, undeniable proof that the system, that I could change my fate.
"Holy crap, Raphael," I breathed, a wide, incredulous grin splitting my face. "That worked. It actually worked!"
I leaned back, a profound sense of relief washing over me.
Back on the busy street, the city air felt fresh and the sun warm. My stomach still rumbled, but now it was from anticipation, not dread. I found a vendor selling hot pretzels and coffee. Buying food, knowing I could afford it, felt like a huge win.
As I munched on the warm, salty pretzel, a new focus began to crystalize. The library had given me the theoretical tools, and the Bit-Coin surge had given me the capital. Now, it was time for the next step towards my financial and intellectual empire.
"Raphael," I thought, wiping pretzel salt from my fingers, "I need an engineer. Someone brilliant in programming and electrical engineering, our skill levels are too low. We're going to use [Origin Acquisition] for the first time. Someone brilliant in programming and electrical engineering. Our current skill levels are too low. Also, find me someone discreet, someone we can... experiment on with [Origin Acquisition]. We need to understand how this skill functions. Will it be like Rogue, absorbing their abilities, or more like special effects, where I simply gain the knowledge?
The search results were almost immediate, a testament to Raphael's power and the sheer amount of public data available. One name, in particular, stood out. Dr. Aris Thorne. Recently "let go" from Stark Industries after a patent dispute, a brilliant mind currently drowning his sorrows, reportedly, in a dive bar in Queens.
"Aris Thorne," I repeated, a new kind of anticipation stirring in my gut. This was it. My first direct application of [Origin Acquisition]. A stealth mission. A massive leap in personal ability. "Raphael, plot a discreet route to Queens. And start compiling a comprehensive profile on Dr. Thorne. Habits, daily routine, preferred brand of cheap beer. Everything."
I smiled, a predator's quiet, satisfied smile. The hunt was on.