"…Yes."
The word barely left Reus's lips when—
**[Processing…]**
The glowing screen flickered.
Then—
**[Balance Synced.]**
A new interface unfolded before his eyes.
---
**[Host: Reus]**
**[Current Balance: 10,000 USD]**
**[Conversion Available: Local Currency Supported]**
**[Daily Mission: Spend Money to Earn More]**
---
Reus stopped breathing.
"…This isn't a dream."
He slapped his own face.
*Smack.*
Pain.
Real.
---
"Wait… wait…"
His hands trembled as he grabbed his old phone.
Bank app.
He hesitated.
"…If this is fake…"
He tapped.
Loading.
One second.
Two seconds.
---
Then—
His eyes widened.
---
**10,000 USD**
---
"…What…?"
He blinked.
Refreshed.
Still there.
---
Reus sat frozen on his bed.
That number—
It wasn't just money.
It was *freedom*.
---
A laugh escaped his lips.
Soft at first.
Then louder.
Then—
He couldn't stop.
"HAHA… hahaha…"
Tears formed again—but this time, they weren't from pain.
---
"They… they laughed at me…"
His grip tightened around the phone.
"Because I was poor."
---
His gaze slowly hardened.
---
"Let's see if they can still laugh."
---
**[New Mission Triggered]**
**[Task: Spend 1,000 USD within 24 hours]**
**[Reward: 2,000 USD]**
**[Failure: System Lock for 7 Days]**
---
Reus's smile froze.
"…Spend money?"
He looked around his tiny room.
A broken chair.
A weak fan.
Walls that felt like they were closing in.
---
"…I don't even know how to spend this much."
---
**[Hint: Consumption increases Host Authority.]**
---
"…Authority?"
---
No answer.
The screen dimmed slightly, waiting.
---
Reus stood up slowly.
His heart was still racing.
$1,000.
In one day.
---
A few hours ago—
He couldn't even afford dinner without being mocked.
Now—
He was being *forced* to spend money.
---
"…Crazy…"
He let out a breath.
---
Then—
His eyes drifted to the corner.
A worn-out pair of shoes.
The same one he wore tonight.
The same one they laughed at.
---
Reus grabbed them.
Held them in silence.
---
"…Let's start here."
---
He changed quickly.
Same old clothes.
But something about him—
Was different.
---
When he stepped outside this time—
He didn't hesitate.
---
The night air felt lighter.
The streets felt… smaller.
---
For the first time—
Reus didn't feel like he was trying to survive in this city.
---
He felt like—
He was about to conquer it.
---
A glowing arrow suddenly appeared in his vision.
Pointing forward.
---
**[Recommended Location: Premium Retail District]**
---
"…You even guide me?"
---
Reus smirked.
"Fine."
---
"Let's see how rich people spend money."
---
The taxi ride was silent.
But his thoughts weren't.
---
Every laugh.
Every insult.
Every look of pity—
Burned in his mind.
---
The restaurant.
The faces.
The guy who paid for him like he was nothing.
---
Reus leaned back.
Eyes cold.
---
"Next time…"
---
His reflection in the window stared back at him.
---
"…I'll be the one they can't afford to sit with."
---
The car stopped.
---
Bright lights.
Luxury brands.
People dressed like they belonged.
---
For a second—
The old hesitation crept back.
---
"…This place…"
---
Then—
**[Balance: 10,000 USD]**
---
Reus exhaled.
---
"…Right."
---
He stepped out.
---
And this time—
He didn't look like someone who didn't belong.
---
He walked in like someone who was about to buy the place.
---