Seeing the system and everything inside it, Marcus Reed's emotions rose and fell like a roller coaster. A thousand thoughts flashed through his mind, but in the end, they condensed into a single sigh.
"Seriously… what kind of lunatic thinks about finding a legal job in Gotham?"
"Come to think of it, where did these seven dollars of starting assets even come from? I don't remember having any U.S. cash on me."
Marcus carefully checked his pockets, only to realize that the fifty something yuan he'd had after buying cigarettes was gone.
"Wow. I really thought this was free starter money. Turns out the wool still comes from the sheep."
At least, looking on the bright side, his outfit shirt, trousers, and jacket didn't stand out in Gotham. He blended in just fine.
He sighed and immediately purchased Basic English Proficiency and Local Resident Identity. Without those, his original English level would've made survival here impossible.
He also bought Rapid Health Regeneration and a Save Point in one go.
"Special Notice Future missions may unlock Save Point forward shift functionality. Please do not hesitate to use Save Points. 20 Save Point reloads may be distributed across five different time nodes plan carefully. Current time is a safe node. You will not encounter danger for the next 30 minutes. Saving is disabled during this period. Please rest assured."
Marcus looked up at the sky. Thick clouds completely blocked out the moonlight. From the dim brightness alone, he could tell it was nighttime but not the exact hour.
With no other option, he headed toward the station exit. He remembered seeing a clock tower from the train. Maybe once outside, he'd be able to tell the time.
After just a few steps, his pace slowed.
A moment ago, the chaotic voices echoing throughout the station had sounded like meaningless noise. But the instant he bought Basic English Proficiency, those sounds transformed into fragmented yet intelligible conversations just like street chatter back home.
The sensation was novel and strangely fascinating.
Marcus, who had barely scraped past the English CET 6 exam, tested a few English concepts in his head. It felt like the system had patched his broken language skills together like a clunky bicycle that barely worked, yet somehow went freakishly fast.
Once he adapted, that broken bike would probably upgrade into a handy little electric scooter.
Remembering that he now had a Gotham local identity, Marcus searched his pockets again.
Clean. As clean as his face.
After checking more carefully, he realized that all his documents driver's license, social security info, and other identity papers were stored directly inside the Self Made Fortune System.
To retrieve them, he just had to think about it. To put them away, same thing.
"At least that's somewhat humane."
Having never seen a foreign driver's license before, Marcus slipped his hand into his jacket pocket. A few seconds later, he pulled out the license, flipped through it curiously, then put it back.
Right now, finding a way to survive in Gotham was far more urgent.
If he didn't, he'd starve to death or freeze on the streets long before gangs, terrorists, assassins, super criminals, or ordinary robbers got to him.
After all, he had no idea how American homeless people usually survived. And Gotham definitely didn't have harmless homeless people.
Sure, he might eventually grow accustomed to being homeless after all, he owned no property locally. Becoming one wouldn't be surprising.
It was worth noting that while some homeless individuals could receive welfare after filing federal tax returns and providing valid bank account information
Marcus had an account, courtesy of the system. But he hadn't earned a cent yet. Which meant no taxes paid. Which meant no welfare.
Once he stepped off the crowded platform, Marcus finally saw Gotham up close.
A fine, cold drizzle fell from the sky, draping the city in a hazy veil. Neon lit streets shimmered as cars and motorcycles roared past.
The lower halves of towering skyscrapers were bathed in city lights, while their upper sections disappeared into darkness only faintly outlined by massive floodlights.
In the distance, factories belched thick smoke beside low, sprawling slums. The filthy clusters of buildings had almost no lights at all.
From the alleys came the sounds of sobbing, beatings, and occasional gunshots.
Homeless camps were usually set up here as well dirty crowds living in makeshift tents, abandoned factories, under bridges, or inside ruined buildings.
They burned old newspapers and torn books in rusted oil barrels to keep warm.
Marcus looked toward the distance. Between flashing screens and glowing billboards, the clock tower pointed to 900 PM.
Clearly, there would be no job hunting tonight. He'd have to survive until morning.
"This start is absolutely ridiculous…"
A cold night breeze carrying mist swept over him. Marcus stumbled, shivering, and stuffed his hands back into his jacket pockets.
He curled his body inward, thinking hard but still couldn't figure out where to spend the night.
Busy streets would drive him away. Quiet corners were dangerous.
"Is there really no other way?"
He searched through the system again and found a Shop. Inside was almost everything imaginable things that could be bought, and things that absolutely couldn't.
From food and knives… to special abilities and supernatural items.
He didn't bother scrolling further. He couldn't afford them anyway. He had three dollars left.
At this rate, sleeping on the street tonight was almost guaranteed.
As Marcus walked while browsing cheaper items, he suddenly realized his driver's license was gone.
"?"
He was certain he hadn't stored it back into the system. It should still be in his jacket pocket.
"Hello? Anyone there?"
He turned his jacket inside out with both hands. Nothing.
Just as panic was about to make him curse out loud, his hand brushed against his pants pocket.
"?"
"In… here?"
It took him a few seconds to process what had happened. In the short hundred meters from the station to here he had already been pickpocketed by a local thief.
The thief checked his pockets, found them as clean as his face and thoughtfully put the driver's license back into his pants pocket.
What was even funnier? The entire theft happened without Marcus noticing a thing.
But thinking about it another way, this served as a reminder. A skilled thief might steal cash, watches, phones but they can't steal money from someone who has none.
As long as he stayed broke he was invincible.
If he ran into a robber, they might even feel sorry for him and give him a few dollars for food.