September 25, 2025. It was an overcast day at the end of another very hot summer. There was a chill in the air as if it were the harbinger of fall, or of a more chilling future than I could possibly imagine.
Naw, I'm just being overly pensive. After all, today is a great day! The day my less than average life turned around. Why? Because today I awoke an ability. I always knew I was special, now I have the proof!
This afternoon when I woke up, I crawled out of bed to turn off the S-box that was playing a Me-tube video. Since I couldn't go to sleep without one playing in the background.
When I touched the console to turn it off I noticed a blue holographic panel, no bigger than a note card floating just above my hand. It showed an exp bar that was filled, and an option to upgrade.
Naturally as an enjoyer of webnovels, I didn't hesitate to upgrade. The blue panel shrank back into my hand, then blue circuits spread out from my hand across the surface of the S-box. They progressively got brighter and brighter until I couldn't see any longer. Blinded by the light I had no choice but to close my eyes and wait for it to recede.
After a short few breaths the light receded to reveal the S-box not looking any different. Obviously it must have upgraded the components.
I swiftly picked up the controller and navigated to the specs tab in the settings. Low and behold the specs were better, much better than my previous S-series S-box contained.
Shocked, astonished, elated. I quickly felt the blood rushing to my head, causing me to feel light headed and faint.
I quickly rushed outside to get some fresh air. The air was crisp, slightly humid before the rain, but utterly refreshing.
As I paced up and down my driveway, trying not to pass out, I envisioned the future. Me, standing at the top of the world, the one in control. With all of the wealth, women, and luxury one could ever desire.
But first, a plan, what do I need to do to get there. That comes first. Tons of ideas flashed through my mind, each more fanciful than the last.
The real question is what is my ability and where does its limit lies. The plans would have to come only after I found that out.
Now that I've caught my breath, and composed myself, it's time to head back inside.
Time to test some limits.
After heading inside, I briskly walked up to the S-box and placed my hand on top. The same blue holographic panel appeared right above my hand.
Only this time the exp bar was not full, but it did have a few points of exp.
Ok so the upgrade ability requires exp to upgrade, I mean obviously, what am I saying? So it stands to reason that to gain exp I have to use whatever it is I'm trying to upgrade. So, how much do I gain and how much do I need?
The exp bar currently displays that 1000 experience is required to upgrade, and currently there is 1 exp filled.
Oh, so I managed to get some exp somehow? I immediately went outside after upgrading it. So there must be some kind of mechanic where usage isn't defined as actual active use.
Passive, huh. I would imagine that passive use has a diminished return of experience. But, the real question is by how much.
Let's see I was outside for 10 to 15 minutes. So 1 every 10 minutes? No. I can't come to an immediate conclusion. But, I will run on that current assumption.
I wonder… I have to be able to use this ability on other things, right? I mean you would assume so.
I take my hand off of the S-box and place it on the TV.
Well, would you look at that? This one is maxed too. Should I upgrade this or not?
Let's hold off for now. I want to see if the experience can be shared. I wouldn't think so but you never know.
Turning around I walked out of my bedroom and entered the den, or small secondary living room. I worked pretty hard renovating this into the modest library that it currently is. Building all of those bookshelves was quite the pain.
A modest room that has stairs in one corner leading to the main floor. Opposite it has 2 glass double doors leading outside. From the door along the left wall are 2 windows, on the opposite wall are 2 doors, one leading to my bedroom, the other leading to another bedroom; which currently functions as my office. Under the stairs is a fireplace.
The walls are lined with bookshelves, above the fireplace is a painting, and in the center of the room is a stylish reclining chair paired with an ottoman, accompanied by a small side table and a lamp.
My mother is an interior designer for a furniture company, so yeah, the house looks pretty nice.
Walking into my office, which is really just a place that is designed to look like an office. While I only really use it to play games on my computer, read webnovels, or try to write them.
A shame I'm too shelf conscious to actually post them.
But, otherwise, I waste my days away here. Unemployed. That tends to happen when you're a real jack of all trades.
I have worked a plethora of jobs ranging from construction, bicycle shop, art studio, blacksmithing, sewing, editor, store clerk, Renaissance festival, really, everything. But, just because you have a colorful work history doesn't mean people will hire you. Nor will it keep you employed.
Recently the construction office has been laying lots of people off, 2 of my neighbors have been let go as well. Which is weird, because we actually have an influx of people moving here so we have a housing shortage.
But, I guess that's not really my problem now. I have an ability, which should help me solve all of my problems.
Hopefully.