At 05.00. Alarm on Alex's old cellphone rang loudly. Usually, he will peck him and go back to sleep, filled with severe feelings to go through the day. But this morning is different. His eyes wide open, immediately awake. His memory was immediately fixed on yesterday's incident in the park.
"System?" he murmured in his heart, almost in disbelief that everything was not a dream.
Ting!
[Good morning, Host Alex. Premium wealth system is active and ready to serve.]
The neutral and clear voice was heard again in his head. Alex smiled with relief and enthusiasm. That's real.
"Check the status," he ordered while rushing to take a towel to take a shower.
Ting!
[Checking the status of the system [Premium wealth ...]
[Host: Alex Mahesa.]
[System Level: 1 (0/100 XP).]
Wealth Points: 0
[Wealth is detected: IDR 12,350 (remaining money in pocket).]
[Active Mission: 1 (Challenges of Self -Confidence).]
The mission was ringing in his mind. Face the disturbances with their heads upright. He sighed. It will not be easy, but 50 points of wealth and 50 million rupiahs promised are very strong motivation.
He took a shower with cold water, using ordinary soap and the cheapest sachet shampoo. He brushed his teeth carefully. He saw himself in a cracked mirror. His face is still the same, handsome but lethargic. Her hair is still curly and difficult to manage.
"Today will be different," he told his own shadow.
He wore his other uniform, which was a little better in his condition, although he still looked faded and dirty than his friends' uniforms. When he left the bathroom, the fragrant aroma was smelled from the kitchen.
Ibu Sari has returned from the market and is wrapping cakes for sale this afternoon. "Alex, son, mother has prepared breakfast. Mother cooks special fried rice, there are eggs and shredded chicken."
Alex approached the small table. A plate of fried rice that is still steaming hot looks more luxurious than usual. His mother is usually very frugal with side dishes.
"Mother, cook a lot of cooking? We have to save money," Alex said while sitting.
Mrs. Sari smiled weakly. "Mother, see you go home yesterday. He stroked Alex's hair that was still wet. "I know the school there is hard for you, son."
Alex's heart was touched. He scooped the fried rice and ate it with gusto. "Thank you, ma'am. Don't worry, today will be fine. I promise."
Ibu Sari looked a little surprised by Alex's optimistic attitude this morning, but she just nodded with sparkling eyes. "Yes, son. Mother believes."
Alex spent his rice and, different from usual, he took two packets of layer cakes for his lunch. He set aside his angkot ration money which was just enough to go home.
"Ma'am, just the money to go home. I will walk," he said.
"Why, why? Far, son!" Protest Ibu Sari.
"For sports, ma'am. To be healthy," Alex answered with a smile before rushing out of the house. He could not explain that he needed the money to go home later, after he managed to complete the mission and might exchange his points.
The trip to school feels lighter. His steps are full of confidence. His mind was busy thinking about a strategy to face Kevin and his gang.
Ting!
[Host shows a significant increase in psychological conditions. Very good to start the mission.]
"I have to do it, the system. For my mother, and for myself," murmured Alex to himself.
[The points obtained can be used to increase the comfort of the life of hosts and mothers host. Level 1 system store offers a very efficient direct cash option.
The school was seen. Alex took a deep breath before passing the magnificent gate. He walked with his back upright, a straight front look, just as the mission ordered.
As usual, Kevin, Richard, and two other people have gathered near their luxurious lockers, laughing out loud seeing something on a cellphone.
"Wow, see who is coming. The pedestrian!" exclaimed Richard who first saw Alex.
Kevin looked away and grinned. "He seems to be excited again. Maybe yesterday got money from begging."
Alex did not look down. He continued to walk towards his simple locker, which was at the end of the corridor. He ignored them.
"He nigns us, Kev!" said Richard in a provocative tone.
Kevin approached with a proud step. "Hey, Mahesa! Deaf huh? I'm talking to you!"
Alex just opened the locker. He took the textbook he needed. Calmly, he closed the locker and turned around. He looked directly into Kevin's eyes.
"I heard, Kevin. Is there anything you need to say?" Alex's voice sounded flat and not afraid, very different from usual.
Kevin was surprised for a moment. Usually Alex will tremble or run away immediately. "You're brave, huh? Maybe yesterday fell on the park bench until his brain was hit."
"If that's all you want to say, I have to go to class," Alex said while turning to leave.
Kevin pushed Alex's shoulder from behind. "Don't be pretentious! Who do you think you are?"
Alex turned around. His face was cold. "I think I am a student at this school, just like you. Now, please don't block my way."
Ting!
[Warning: Detection of an increase in adrenaline in the host. Maintain emotional control. Physical action can endanger the completion of the mission.]
Alex heard the system warning. He took a deep breath, holding back anger that began to burning.
"Wow, he gave us a lesson!" Richard mocked, trying to support Kevin.
Some other students began to pay attention to this small commotion. They were surprised to see Alex no longer looking scared.
"What's wrong here?" A teacher's voice was heard. Pak Gunawan, a mathematics teacher, approached them.
"There is nothing, sir. Alex just stumbled," Kevin said quickly with a fake smile.
Pak Gunawan looked at Alex. "Really, Alex?"
Alex looked at Kevin, then saw his teacher. "No, sir. Kevin pushed me. But it's okay. I'm fine and will go straight to class." Alex gave an honest but not provocative answer.
Pak Gunawan frowned. "Kevin, I don't want any more problems. Alex, are you all right?"
"Fine, sir. Thank you," Alex answered politely before walking leaving the crowd, leaving Kevin who looked frustrated because he could not bluff Alex as usual.
Throughout the day, Alex maintains his attitude. He did not look for problems, but he also did not avoid. When he was ridiculed, he replied with a cold look or short answer that did not give the opportunity to be ridiculed further. He even dared to answer the teacher's question with confidence in class, something he rarely did because he was always afraid of being a laughing stock.
When lunch arrived, Alex sat in the corner of the canteen he used to occupy, alone. He opened the layer cake wrap.
Suddenly, Kevin and Richard approached his desk. They put their tray full of expensive food from the cafeteria.
"Still eating mom layer cakes, huh? It's a pity," Kevin said in a demeaning tone.
Alex chewed his layer cake calmly. "My mother made the best layer cake. It's better than the overpriced food here that you buy."
Richard burst out laughing. "Listen, Kev! He said the layer cake was better than Steak Wagyu!"
"Maybe the tongue of the poor is indeed different," Kevin replied while cutting his steady cuts.
Alex did not react. He actually took his second layer cake and ate it casually, as if their mockery had no meaning at all. This indifferent attitude actually made Kevin and Richard lose material to mock. They finally left with annoyed faces, while some students who saw from afar began to whisper, surprised by the change in Alex's attitude.
The last lesson ends. Alex walked to the locker to get his bag. He felt tired, but also satisfied. He had gone through that day without showing fear.
Ting!
[Mission: The challenge of self -confidence has been completed with a success rate of 92%.
[Gift: 50 wealth points and 10 XPs have been transferred.]
[Updated system status.]
Host: Alex Mahesa.]
[System Level: 1 (10/100 XP).]
[Wealth Points: 50.]
[Wealth detected: IDR 12,350.]
"Yes! I succeed!" Alex exclaimed in his heart, a big smile on his face for the first time in months.
[Host can access system stores at any time to exchange wealth points.]
"Shop access!" Alex's command enthusiastically.
In his mind, an interface like a digital catalog appears. There are several categories: cash, food & drinks, clothing & accessories, and others.
He opened the 'cash' category. Some options appear:
10 points = IDR 10,000,000
25 points = IDR 25,000,000
50 points = IDR 50,000,000
100 points = IDR 100,000,000
His eyes widened to see so many zero. He also saw foreign currency options such as US dollars and euros.
"Exchange 50 points for IDR 50,000,000," he instructed, almost in disbelief.
Ting!
[Confirmation: Exchange 50 wealth points for cash worth IDR 50,000,000?
"Yes! Exchange!"
[Successful transaction. 50 points of wealth have been reduced. Current wealth points: 0.]
[Please determine the location of the placement of money. Money will appear in an instant and safe physical form of the vision of others.
Alex thought for a moment. He could not just appear in his hand in the middle of the school corridor.
"Place it in my backpack, in the main compartment, in a brown paper bag," he thought.
[Request received.]
Alex trembled opening his old backpack. Among the textbooks, a dense brown paper bag is lying. He opened the bag a little. Inside, there are some banknotes of IDR 100,000 that are still new and neatly lined up. The number is very large.
His heart was beating fast. This is real. He really held Rp. 50 million in his hand, in his bag.
He quickly closed his bag, trying to look calm. He has to go home. He must give this to his mother.
He walked out of school with quick steps. This time, he did not care about Kevin or anyone. His mind was only on his house and mother.
He didn't walk. He went straight to the bus stop and took an angkot. He even paid for two people, something he had never done.
Arriving near the house, he did not go home immediately. He went to a nearest building shop and bought an iron money storage box with a strong key. He paid with a hundreds of thousands of money from the bag, saving the change.
When he arrived in front of his plot house, he saw his mother tidying up an empty cake cart. Mrs. Sari looks tired.
"Mother, I'm home!" Alex greeted in an excited voice.
"Son, why is your face beaming today? What's wrong?" asked Mrs. Sari in surprise.
Alex pulled his mother into the house. "Sit down first, ma'am. I have something for mom."
Ibu Sari sat in a wooden chair, still curious. Alex took out the iron box and the brown paper bag. He opened the bag and issued a pile of new money.
Ibu Sari gasped. His eyes widened. His hand closed his mouth. "A-alex ... son ... money ... where is the money from? he asked in a trembling voice, full of worries.
"No, ma'am. I swear," Alex said while holding his mother's hand. "I ... I helped a big boss yesterday. I showed him the right path and he was lost. As a thank you, he gave me this money. Everything is halal, ma'am."
Alex has prepared the small lie. He could not tell the truth about the system.
Mrs. Sari still looks disbelief, but she sees sincerity in Alex's eyes. Tears of happiness began to drip down his cheeks. "Yes, God ... Thank you, God. Alex, son ... this ... this can be used to pay off our debts ... to buy new carts ... even for your school fees ..."
"Yes, ma'am. Save safe in this box," Alex said while giving the iron box. "We will start living better."
Mrs. Sari hugged Alex tightly. "Thank you, son. Mother is very proud of you."
Ting!
[The resolved mission has had a direct positive impact. The system detects an increase in host happiness by 70%.]
[New mission Available: Awakening Level 1.]
[Description: Use new wealth to improve the physical appearance of the host. Buy new clothes, new shoes, and haircut. Appearance is an important aspect of self -confidence and social perception.]
[Gift: 30 wealth points, 15 xp.]
Alex heard the new mission while still in his mother's arms. He smiled. The next mission sounds fun. For the first time, he will buy something for himself.
"Mother, tomorrow I want to go to the mall after school. I need to buy new clothes and shoes," Alex said.
Mrs. Sari released a hug and nodded, still sobbing. "Yes, son. Yes. Take the money. You have long been in need of new clothes."
Alex saw a pile of money at the table, then saw his mother who was crying happily. He felt like he was in a beautiful dream.
Ting!
[Ready to start the next mission, host?] Ask the system.
"Ready," Alex answered in his heart, with full confidence. "I'm very ready."