Ryan’s fingers trembled as he dug the metal disc out of the packed earth. Using the edge of his sleeve, he carefully rubbed away a century's worth of black grime. As the dirt flaked off, the silver edge of a historic liberty bust gleamed beneath the afternoon sun. The floating blue system tag flickered aggressively, confirming the data: an authentic 1804 silver dollar.He didn't hesitate. Clutching the coin tightly in his fist, he grabbed his backpack and headed straight toward the downtown financial district. He needed cash today. If he didn't pay his sister’s college tuition by midnight, she would be expelled.Forty minutes later, Ryan stood before the towering glass facade of the Prestige Chronicle Auction House—the premier luxury brokerage for historical relics in the city.Taking a deep breath, he pushed through the rotating glass doors. The lobby was pristine, smelling of polished mahogany and wealth. Men in tailor-made suits and women adorned in diamonds glided across the marbl

Stepping out of the university building, the cool night breeze cleared the lingering tension from Ryan's mind. For the first time in years, the crushing weight on his chest was completely gone. His sister’s future was secure, and he still had over forty thousand dollars sitting in his bank account.But Ryan knew that in a city ruled by giants like the Sterling family, forty thousand dollars was just drop in the ocean. If he wanted to ensure that no one could ever throw him into the dirt again, he needed to turn this seed money into an empire.System, Ryan thought internally as he walked down the sidewalk. What is the maximum range of your scanning ability?A crisp, blue window immediately snapped into his field of vision:[System Notice: Current range is a 5-meter radius around the Host. Range and scanning speed can be upgraded as the Host’s personal net worth increases.][Current Objective: Reach a net worth of $100,000 to unlock Tier 2 Appraisals.]Ryan’s eyes gleamed. To more than

The glass towers of the Vance Group headquarters soared into the morning clouds, reflecting the sunlight like a massive crystal monument. Ryan walked through the grand lobby, no longer dressed in his old, grass-stained country club clothes. He wore a crisp, dark tailored suit that Victoria Vance had sent to his apartment earlier that morning. Though he still looked young, his eyes held a calm, sharp authority that made the passing corporate executives look twice.He was escorted directly to the top-floor executive boardroom. As the heavy mahogany doors opened, Ryan stepped into a room filled with tension. A dozen elderly board directors in expensive suits sat around a massive marble table.Sitting at the head of the table was Victoria, looking radiant but visibly stressed. Directly opposite her sat a heavy-set man with graying hair and an arrogant expression. This was Arthur Vance, Victoria’s ambitious uncle, who had been trying to seize control of the family business for years."Vict

The Grand Imperial Ballroom was a sea of glittering crystal chandeliers, expensive champagne, and the city’s absolute elite. Billionaires, high-ranking politicians, and old-money tycoons mingled in hushed, refined tones. Outside, flashbulbs exploded continuously as reporters lined the red carpet, trying to catch a glimpse of the guests attending the most exclusive event of the year—the Vance Group’s Global Heritage Gala.Ryan stood near the grand marble staircase, casually swirling a glass of sparkling water. The tailored tuxedo he wore fit his lean frame perfectly, making him look every bit like a young noble from a dominant family."You look like you belong here, Ryan," a smooth, elegant voice purred behind him.Ryan turned to see Victoria Vance walking toward him. She wore a stunning, emerald-green evening gown that perfectly matched the color of the recovered Imperial Seal. Her presence immediately drew the eyes of every wealthy bachelor in the room, but her focus remained entirel

The word radiation cut through the lavish atmosphere of the Grand Imperial Ballroom like a sudden blast of arctic wind. The excited whispers of the billionaire collectors died instantly, replaced by a tense, heavy silence. Several tycoons who had been actively reaching for their checkbooks froze mid-motion, staring at the fist-sized crimson stone with sudden, visceral horror."Radiation poisoning?" Master Thomas scoffed from the back of the room, his voice shaking with desperate rage as the security guards dragged him toward the exit. "You're speaking absolute madness, kid! That is the Crimson Heart of Alaric! It's a pure diamond hybrid! Cinnabar crystals don't emit radioactive energy!""Cinnabar itself doesn't," Ryan turned his head slightly, his gaze piercing through the dimming spotlight to lock onto the disgraced old appraiser. "But a volcanic cinnabar vein that has been compressed alongside heavy pitchblende deposits for millions of years absolutely does. The crystalline structur