The office had smelled of cardboard and stale coffee.
Cassian Vale stacked the last box on his desk, the word "redundant" still echoing in his ears. His manager's smirk had cut deeper than any blade.
Useless. Poor. A man no one wanted.
At forty-one, he had nothing. His parents had died years ago. His extended family had turned their backs. His old girlfriend had sneered and walked away. Everyone else had looked at him with the same expression—pity, disgust, boredom.
The final straw came that evening. A bridge. A cold river. He remembered the silence most of all.
Then came birdsong.
Cassian gasped, sitting upright. His chest heaved. His eyes darted around.
The ceiling above was painted in cracked white, the plaster slightly peeling. His alarm clock blinked 7:12, its plastic casing cheap and faded. Posters of old bands clung to the wall.
He looked down at his hands. Smooth. No scars. No callouses from decades of odd jobs.
Eighteen-year-old hands.
"No…" he whispered. "This is…"
A voice cut through his thoughts. Calm. Clipped. Aristocratic.
[Welcome back, Cassian Vale.]
[The ledger is open.]
Cass froze. A glass panel shimmered into view before his eyes, like a projection only he could see.
[Date: 21st August 2002]
[Age: 18]
[System: Infinite Money Protocol]
His heart thundered.
'I'm back. I died, and I'm back. At the start. At eighteen.'
A wild laugh almost escaped his throat.
'This time, I won't crawl through life. This time, I'll burn the world.'
A knock at the door jolted him.
"Cass, breakfast!" his mother called from downstairs.
His breath caught. His mother's voice. Elaine Vale. Alive.
He stumbled out of his room, down the creaky stairs.
The kitchen was exactly as he remembered it. A battered table. An old stove. Faded curtains.
Elaine Vale stood at the pan, stirring eggs. Her sweater was frayed, her hair tied back. She looked tired, older than she should be for her age.
At the table sat his father, Thomas Vale, broad-shouldered but hunched, oil stains still dark on his hands from late shifts.
Both alive. Both here.
Cass's throat tightened.
"Morning, love," Elaine said warmly.
"You're up early," Thomas added with a faint smile.
Cass sat down. His hands shook slightly as he held the mug of weak tea his mother poured.
'I lost them once. Not again. Never again.'
The glass panel shimmered again.
[Quests Unlocked]
[Treat your family to a proper breakfast → Reward: £5,000 + Gourmet Cooking Lv.1 + Pantry Voucher]
[Clear your university balance today → Reward: Tuition covered for entire degree + Intelligence +1 + Suit Voucher]
[Record a future blue chip plan → Reward: 10 Shares + Passive: Perfect Recall Lv.1]
Cass's lips curved.
'A system that gives me money for looking after my family? Generous. Dangerous. Perfect.'
He looked at the pan of overcooked eggs.
"I'll make breakfast," Cass said suddenly.
Elaine blinked. "With what? We've barely got enough."
Cass smiled faintly. "Trust me."
He touched the option on the panel.
[Redeem Pantry Voucher?]
"Yes."
[Redeemed]
[Delivery Incoming]
The doorbell rang immediately. Cass went to open it. A chilled box, large enough to fill his arms, sat on the doorstep. He dragged it in and opened it.
His mother's eyes widened. His father lowered the paper slowly.
Inside lay miracles: fresh croissants, smoked salmon, strawberries, a jar of saffron, thick cream, a loaf of sourdough that crackled when he touched it, eggs so golden they glowed. Even a package of streaky bacon that smelled rich before it hit the pan.
Elaine gasped. "Cass…?"
"Promotion from the café," he lied smoothly. "Perks."
He moved with confidence that he had never had before. Bacon hissed in the pan. Eggs folded like silk under his whisk. Strawberries gleamed red in bowls. Coffee steamed rich and dark.
When he laid the plates out, his parents stared as though he had set treasure before them.
Elaine lifted her fork, hesitating. Then she tasted. Her eyes widened, and tears shimmered.
"Oh, Cass…"
Thomas bit into his own serving. He closed his eyes. "Bloody hell. This is… something else."
Cass leaned back, smiling faintly.
'Good. Let them taste what's waiting for them. This is just the start.'
The pane chimed.
[Quest Complete: Treat your family to a proper breakfast]
[Reward: Balance +£5,000. Skill: Gourmet Cooking Lv.1. Bond Increased: Elaine +5, Thomas +5]
Warmth spread through his chest, the numbers like fuel in his veins.
'Even love can be currency. Then I'll spend it lavishly.'
Later, in his room, he opened the Portfolio Vault.
[Quest triggered: Record a future blue chip plan]
"Google," he said softly. "IPO in 2004. Buy at $85. Split in 2014. World dominance."
[Recorded]
[Reward: 10 Google Shares Seeded. Passive Unlocked: Perfect Recall Lv.1]
His mind sharpened instantly. Every headline, every number from his past life slotted into place. Dates became clear. Futures unfolded like cards in his hand.
'Last time, I dreamed of investments. This time, I'll own the future.'
Another panel appeared.
[University Balance: £1,462. Deadline: 7 Days]
"Clear it," Cass ordered.
[Tuition Cleared: Entire Degree Prepaid]
[Stat Increased: Intelligence +1]
[Suit Voucher Unlocked: Talbot & Sons, Savile Row]
Cass laughed softly.
'A free education, a tailored suit… last time I drowned in debt before I even began. This time, I'll walk in silk while the world begs.'
On his way to town later, the system chimed again.
[Daily Quest Activated: Walk to plan your day → Reward: £10 Cash Card]
[Hint: A small kindness today unlocks a gate you will need in one year]
At the bus stop, a woman in a care home uniform panicked, searching her pockets as the bus arrived. Her card was empty.
Cass tapped his new card against the reader. "Here. Pay me back with a good day."
Her eyes shone. She nodded and hurried on.
[Gate Set: individual logged. Bond will trigger in 1 year]
Cass smirked.
'Even fate can be bought.'
…
On the street, later, he saw her.
Sienna Reed. The girl who had once sneered, called him poor, and walked away.
She laughed with a friend, then spotted him. Her smile faltered, then returned too bright.
"Cass! Fancy seeing you."
Memories of betrayal flashed like knives. The stairwell where he had cried. The years of humiliation.
But Cass only smiled calmly. "Hello, Sienna."
She invited him to a party. He shook his head.
"I've got dinner with my parents."
He walked past her. His new watch caught the sunlight. Her smile cracked.
[Restraint Noted → Aura of Command +1]
Cass grinned.
'This is just the beginning.'