Two days passed quickly.
Arin, after several examinations, and a barrage of questions from the doctors, was eventually allowed to go home. His body was fully healed, and there was no evidence of the electric shock on his skin. It was as if the incident hadn't had taken place at all.
Nevertheless, he felt disappointed when he came back home.
The little apartment voided by him was destroyed. Not only a lightning strike had gone into his computer, but also partially through his room to burn and damage the majority of the things inside. His stuff was both rotten and burnt. As a matter of fact, the landlord has already arranged the cleanup crew and informed him that the room was unsafe for living.
Just in one night, Arin had completely removed the last spot where he could call home.
He only had his little backpack and a few clothes at that time, and he was aimlessly walking around the streets. The rain had stopped, and the air had a slight smell of wet asphalt. His stomach softly growled, letting him know that he hadn't eaten all day.
He got into a mini-mart and bought a sandwich and a can of Coke. Upon paying, he looked into his wallet and sighed. His money was getting lower and lower.
After that, he went to a nearby park where he found a bench and sat down. The park was calm, with the sound of the wind playing with the leaves and the noise of the distant cars. The cold wind passed across his face as he took off the wrapper from his sandwich.
He was eating the sandwich while softly speaking, "System, open window."
At once, the familiar blue screen appeared before his eyes.
Name: Arin
Money: $4950
Store Rating: 0
Shop 1 (Level 0)
Product 1: Locked
Product 2: Locked
Product 3: Locked
Shop 2: Locked
Abilities:
Idle (Level 5) – The ancient art of doing absolutely nothing!
Value Eyes (Level 1) – Can see the true value of all things.
Quest: Open a Store
Reward: Shop 1 (Level 1)
Penalty: System Deletion
Time Limit: 5 Days
Arin leaned closer, staring at the glowing panel. "Wait… it was one week before," he whispered. "Now it's five days?"
The time limit had shortened, and his money had decreased to $4950 after his purchase. Everything on the screen updated in real time.
He had been waiting for some time without saying a word, but he still had not properly grasped the "system" way of working.
Without warning, a voice rang inside his mind.
[Congratulations, Host, for unlocking the Idle System.]
That moment, Arin stood still. His sandwich was almost dropping from his hand. The voice wasn't any of the surroundings-he was inside his head.
He glanced around in a hurry, ensuring that no one was close to him. "Who are you?" he said with suspicion.
[I am the voice of the System. I can answer questions related to the System or anything you don't understand.]
Arin blinked. "A talking system…? Okay, that's new."
He paused for a moment and then asked, "Why did the system choose me as its host?"
There was a short silence.
[I can't give you that answer. You will find out by completing your quest.]
Arin sighed. "Of course. Figures."
He leaned back on the bench, staring at the sky. "Fine then… what should I call you?"
[You can call me anything you want, Host.]
Arin thought for a moment. He wasn't good at naming things. After a few seconds, he said, "Then I'll just call you SA — short for System Assistant. Since you're here to assist me."
[Acknowledged. You may call me SA.]
"Alright, SA," Arin said, sitting up straighter. "Then tell me — what exactly is this system?"
[This is the Idle System. With it, you can generate money without doing anything. However, to understand more about its functions, you must complete the quest.]
Arin's eyes widened. "Generate money without doing anything? You're saying… I can earn money just by being idle?"
[That is correct, Host.]
Arin almost laughed. It sounded too good to be true. But after everything that had happened — the lightning, the system, the screen — he couldn't deny that something supernatural was happening.
The voice continued:
[Abilities are skills you obtain through the System. They will help you grow stronger and progress. For now, you have two abilities: Idle and Value Eyes.]
"Value Eyes…?" Arin repeated.
[Yes. It allows you to see the true value of things. For example, look at the Coke you're holding and use the ability.]
Arin hesitated but then looked down at the can in his hand. He thought the words silently — Value Eyes.
A soft ding echoed in his mind, and a small panel appeared before his eyes.
Item: Coke
Manufacturing Value: $1.50
Sell Value: $5.00
Arin's eyes widened in amazement. "I can see the value of things… this is insane!"
He quickly realized what those numbers meant. The manufacturing value was the cost to produce the item, and the sell value was its market price.
"That means… I can know if something is overpriced or underpriced just by looking," he said quietly.
[Correct, Host.]
Arin leaned back, a grin forming on his face. "This… this is actually useful."
[If you want to continue asking more questions, you need to complete the quest first.]
Arin frowned. "Just one last question, SA. If I fail to complete the quest… what happens?"
[As the penalty states, the System will delete itself. You will no longer see or use the System.]
Arin's grin gradually dimmed. He gripped his fist with such force that it was almost painful. To be without this system would be like shutting the door on his only way of setting things right.
He glanced down at his hands and then at the bright display that was levitating before him.
"That's not going to happen," he said under his breath, decisively. "I have the opportunity here. I am not going to let it fall out of my hand."
The evening breeze was gently sweeping the park. With the fire of resolve still flickering in his eyes, Arin got up..
"This System… it's going to change my life," he said quietly. "No matter what it takes."