Kai exited the sports outlet, his new, well-stocked gym bag slung over his shoulder. The cold reality of having over twenty million dollars in the bank still hadn't fully sunk in, but the excitement was a powerful motivator.
His next task was finding the perfect gym. This wasn't a casual decision like buying clothes; it required careful measurement on several fronts.
First, the gym couldn't be too far from the apartment. He had already completed only a small fraction of his exam preparation, and he couldn't afford to waste precious time commuting. He needed to maximize every hour he had between studying and sleeping.
Second, he absolutely required air conditioning. While the weather was currently getting colder for the soon-to-come winter, Kai knew that without AC, any workout during the summer would be a miserable, sweaty ordeal. He was starting his transformation now, and he had to ensure he could maintain it through every season.
He pulled out his phone and started searching. He quickly filtered by location and amenities, focusing on gyms within a ten-minute travel radius that explicitly advertised modern cooling systems.
Unfortunately, that stringent filter left him with only one viable option: a high-end fitness club located just a few blocks from a main public transport line. He hoped it was a good one, but given his massive budget, he wasn't too worried about the membership fees.
With his target set, Kai booked another cab. He wouldn't tip a staggering $2,000 this time that might get too much unwanted attention in a small city area. Instead, he planned for a large, shocking tip similar to the $400 he gave the last driver, maintaining his pattern of quiet, life-changing generosity.
He packed his bag, confirmed the cab's arrival on the app, and soon, he was sliding into the back seat.
"The Atlas Club," Kai told the driver, giving the address of the premium fitness center.
"Got it, sir. Shouldn't take more than fifteen minutes this time," the driver replied.
As the cab pulled away, Kai confirmed the payment on his phone, including a $450 tip this time. The cab ride was just another opportunity to turn a few bucks into millions.
The internal chime of the system was now becoming a familiar, comforting sound in his head.
[System Notification!]
[Host has given away $450.00!]
[Reward: $4,500,000.00 has been transferred to your System Bank!]
Kai watched the city streets blur past, a genuine sense of power settling over him. He was now worth over thirty million dollars. And he hadn't even finished his first day in this new world yet.
The cab pulled up to a modern, sleek building made of dark glass and polished steel. This was the Atlas Club.
Kai paid the driver and stepped out, the crisp smell of his four and a half million dollar return still faintly buzzing in his mind. He looked at the entrance. It was clear immediately that this was a high-end club, far beyond the cheap, crowded gyms he knew from his previous life. Despite his new fortune, Kai felt a slight hesitation. He was new to this kind of luxurious environment.
He walked inside. The lobby was vast, with muted lighting, marble floors, and soft lounge music. It smelled like expensive air freshener and clean towels. Everything was meticulously maintained.
He approached the reception desk. A polite, impeccably dressed young woman smiled at him.
"Welcome to Atlas. Do you have an appointment?" she asked.
"No, I'd like to look into a membership," Kai said.
The woman immediately called over a club consultant. This consultant, a woman with a sharp, professional haircut named Sarah, approached Kai. She took one look at his slightly sweaty, still-overweight frame and his simple, old clothes.
"Welcome," Sarah said, her voice smooth and practiced. She led him away from the main desk toward a quiet seating area. "First time in a gym, maybe?"
"First time in this one," Kai clarified.
Sarah opened a sleek, digital brochure on a tablet. "Our club is truly focused on total wellness. Let me show you what we offer."
She began her pitch by showing the standard gym features. The gym floor was enormous, filled with the newest equipment that looked like it belonged in a research lab. Beyond that, she revealed the luxury features: a dedicated spa and relaxation zone, a pool area, and private rooms for massage and physical therapy.
"We offer three main plans," Sarah continued, turning the tablet to the membership page. She bypassed the top two tiers completely and pointed only at the bottom option. "Based on what I see, I think our Standard Access plan is perfect to get you started. It includes 24/7 access to the weight floor, the cardio deck, and all of our group classes."
Kai understood immediately. She wasn't looking down on him, but she was trying to be helpful and match his visible "budget." She was trying to sell him the base package, hoping to secure at least one sale rather than scaring him off with an astronomical price.
"The Standard Access is just gym access, no spa, no extra features," Sarah explained gently. "It runs $150 a month, or a bit cheaper if you commit to a year."
Kai shook his head. "I appreciate you looking out for my wallet, but I need something more complete. I'm not here to quit after two months."
Sarah blinked, surprised by his confidence.
"Show me the best you have," Kai said simply.
She nervously scrolled up the tablet, revealing the final plan: the Apex Membership.
"The Apex Membership is our all-inclusive tier," she explained, her voice gaining a professional edge. "It gives you unlimited access to everything: spa, massage, private saunas, and even the executive lounges. It also includes the Atlas App."
She tapped the screen, showing the app interface. "The app is key. It provides 24/7 private chat with certified trainers, allows you to schedule sessions instantly, gives you a personalized diet and workout plan updated weekly, and even features direct-order supplement purchasing."
This was exactly what Kai needed. The structured diet plan and the trainer access were invaluable for his transformation and his tight schedule.
"The Apex Membership," Kai confirmed. "I'll take it. I want the longest annual commitment you offer."
Sarah quickly did the calculation. The annual price was steep, but Kai didn't flinch. He pulled out the System Bank Card the sleek, black card with his name on it and handed it to her.
"I'll pay for the full year up front," he said.
Sarah took the card, her eyes wide as she processed the quality of the plastic and the enormous amount being charged. She knew a serious client when she saw one. This was not a man worried about $150 a month.