Tyler Brooks didn't sleep that night.
How could he, after seeing ten thousand dollars magically appear in his bank account?
He sat on the bed, staring at the phone as if it were a bomb about to explode.
Finally, he took a deep breath and picked it up.
"Okay... if this is real, then show me more," he whispered.
The screen lit up with a soft, electric blue.
[Digital Drops System — Main Menu]
Daily Drops
Missions
Inventory
System Shop
Host Panel
A real menu, as if it were a game... but one that affected his real life.
Tyler swallowed and tapped "Host Panel."
[HOST PANEL — TYLER BROOKS] Level: 1 Experience: 0/100 Status: Emotionally unstable — Improving Skills:
Clear Mind (E): +15% concentration, organized thought, light stress resistance. Fortune: $10,002.43 World Reputation: 1/100 (irrelevant) System Note: "Host, your status is pitiful. Let's improve it."
"Great, even my own system insults me," Tyler scoffed, though he couldn't help but smile.
He returned to the menu and selected "Daily Drops."
[DAILY DROP — Available] Would you like to claim your Drop? Yes / No
Tyler's finger trembled before he pressed Yes.
The screen exploded in a shower of golden sparks.
[Daily Drop Claimed]
Random Drop: Active Skill — Potential Scanner (Rank F) Allows you to view the "hidden potential" of people, places, and objects. Minimum, but useful, information.
Cooldown: 24 hours.
"Does this... help me read people?" he muttered, curious.
It wouldn't take long to find out.
THE WORLD DOESN'T WAIT
At dawn, Tyler went outside. The sky was grey, the sidewalks wet, and life continued as if he wasn't now a guy with an impossible system in his pocket.
On his way to work, he saw his landlady, Mrs. Fletcher, a woman with a hard gaze and zero patience.
"Brooks," she grumbled. "I need this month's rent. Today."
Normally, Tyler would have shrunk back, trembling inside.
But this time...
Potential Scanner — Activate.
Tyler's vision sharpened. A panel appeared above the woman.
[MRS. FLETCHER — General Potential: 7/100] Emotional State: Irritated Weak Points: Impatient, needs quick money Opportunity: May accept a deal if a temporary extra is offered.
"Wow... this is actually useful."
Tyler smiled with a confidence that surprised both of them.
"I'll pay you today, ma'am. And I can also advance you a portion of next month's rent if you give me a few hours."
She blinked.
"Seriously? Well... alright. But don't let me down."
When she left, Tyler stared at his own hands.
For the first time in a long time, he felt like he had control.
A NEW MISSION
His phone vibrated.
[New Mission Available] Mission: "Get on Your Feet" Objective: Resolve your financial situation for this month. Reward: Level 1 Drop, +50 exp Penalty: None.
"Perfect. I'm already working on that."
THE SECOND DROP — A REAL CHANGE
After his shift—which, for the first time, went without errors, thanks to Clear Mind—Tyler decided to try another feature: the System Shop.
[SHOP — CATEGORY: SKILLS, FINANCE, OBJECTS]
One item immediately caught his eye:
Financial MicroDrop (E) Price: Free (promotional first use) Effect: Generates an "immediate and legal economic opportunity" within a 200-meter radius.
"Promotional... why not?" Tyler tapped the button.
The phone vibrated powerfully.
[MicroDrop Activated]
Scanning environment…
Opportunity found.
Tyler looked up.
Right in front of him, on the street, a well-dressed man was arguing with a mechanic in front of a white sports car.
"No!" the man bellowed. "I can't wait two hours! I have an urgent meeting! I need to leave now!"
The system displayed a panel above him:
"REQUIREMENT: Urgent driver — high immediate pay."
The man turned and saw Tyler, who must have had the most surprised look on his face in the world.
"You!" he yelled. "Do you have a license? Can you drive? I'll pay you a hundred dollars if you take me downtown right now."
Tyler's mouth dropped open.
The system intervened:
[System Hint: Accept.]
"Yes," he replied, in a voice that seemed to belong to someone more confident. "Get in."
THE RIDE THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING
Eighteen minutes later, after a fast and perfect drive thanks to Clear Mind, the man looked at him with relief.
"Kid, you saved me. Here you go," he handed him not a hundred, but three hundred dollars. "And listen... if you ever want a part-time job as a driver, call me. I own a consulting firm; I always need reliable people."
Tyler saved the number, almost trembling.
The phone vibrated just then.
[Mission: "Get on Your Feet" — COMPLETED] Reward: Level 1 Drop, +50 exp Current XP: 50/100
[Level 1 Drop Claimed]
Special Drop: Smart Savings Card (Rank E+) Effect: All money deposited is automatically multiplied by +20% every 24 hours. (Limit: $2,000 daily) "A small step toward wealth."
Tyler nearly dropped the phone.
"This... this is insane."
With this card, even a small sum could become a solid fund in a matter of days.
For the first time since Ellen left him... Tyler felt enthusiastic about the future.
ONE STEP CLOSER TO THE TOP
That night, as he walked home, the phone spoke once more:
Host, you have taken your first step.Keep going. The top is closer than you think.
Tyler took a deep breath, feeling a new strength grow inside him.
His life was no longer the same.
And it was just beginning.