My Reputation System Makes Me Rich

The stifling heat mixed with the foul stench of rotting vegetables was practically suffocating in this corner of Greenwood Market. Alex wiped the sweat dripping from his forehead as he stacked the final sack of rice onto a wooden crate.

“Lex, wrap it up. We’re closing early today,” Mr. David said, counting through a wad of crumpled bills from the day's sales.

“Closing early? That’s not like you, Mr. It’s barely three in the afternoon. We usually wait until people get off work at five... Is something wrong?” Alex replied, his hands busy steadying the pile of sacks so it wouldn't collapse.

“I’ve had a bad feeling since this morning. A bunch of tough-looking strangers have been loitering out front. We’d better head home before trouble starts.”

“You’re worrying too much, Mr. If some drunk thugs show up, I’ll handle them. Besides, it’d be a waste to close now—late afternoon sales are usually pretty good to help cover your electric bill.”

“Oh, Lex... muscles won't guarantee your safety around here. People in this market play dirty.”

“I know, but we need the money, Pak. You still need to buy your asthma prescription, don't you?”

Mr. David managed a weak smile. “You’re like a son to me, Lex. Always looking out for me.”

Before Alex could smile back, the harsh clatter of a metal bin being kicked cut them off. Three men in leather jackets strode in with heavy, deliberate steps. One of them kicked over a basket of tomatoes at the neighboring stall, crushing the contents into a mess.

Crash!

“Clear this trash out now!” barked Damon, a man with a long scar running down his jawline. He was a loan shark and the most feared enforcer for hire around.

“Damon! What’s going on? Why the anger?” a neighboring vendor asked, trembling in fear.

“Are you lot deaf or stupid? A developer bought this land. Your lease is up today!”

Mr. David hurried forward, his hands shaking. “Wait, hold on! Didn't we already pay the full protection f*e for this month to your boss? Why are we being kicked out out of nowhere like this?”

Damon let out a bitter laugh that echoed through the emptying alley. “Protection f*e? That pocket change you scraped together means nothing to the boss anymore. The big boss at Greenwood Market bought this land outright from the city.”

“But... shouldn't you at least give us a week to find a new place? We have so much stock—where are we supposed to put all this rice?” Mr. David pleaded.

“A week? You think this is a hotel? The boss wants heavy machinery in here to flatten this dump tomorrow morning. If you don't leave now, we'll throw you and all this junk out ourselves.”

Smash!

Damon deliberately kicked over a rice rack. The expensive grains spilled all over the wet, dirty concrete floor.

“Hey, watch your boots!” Alex stepped forward, blocking Damon's way.

“Who the hell are you to glare at me?” Damon spat right next to Alex’s shoe.

“I just work here, and you’ve got no right damaging stuff that isn't yours. Protection money was paid, which means our deal stands!”

Damon narrowed his eyes, sizing Alex up from head to toe. A smirk slowly formed at the corner of his lips.

“Tch... Just a new laborer, huh? No wonder nobody taught you manners. Think those big muscles make you tough? In this city, money makes the rules. A bum like you should know your place and act like a good little dog!”

Alex ignored the insult, standing firm right in front of Damon as tension reached a boiling point.

“You’d better leave right now, or I’m calling the cops!”

“The cops?” Damon glanced at his two henchmen, breaking into a condescending laugh. “Go ahead, call ’em. Let’s see whose side they take—the developer paying billions in taxes, or a sweaty laborer who reeks like you!” Damon’s smirk widened. “Go on then, let the cops decide!”

Then, out of nowhere—

“You talk too much, Damon! Smash that display case so they see we mean business!”

One of the thugs raised a heavy wooden beam, aiming straight for the glass display case holding the dry goods.

“Don't you dare,” Alex growled, the veins on his neck bulging.

“Smash it!”

Alex moved before the beam could hit the glass, landing a brutal punch square on the man’s jaw. A sickening crunch echoed through the air, and the thug collapsed to the ground, groaning in pain.

“Damn it! You dare touch my man?” Damon snarled through clenched teeth. “Beat him to death! Teach him where he stands!”

“Please, stop! Don't hit him! We'll leave!” Mr. David cried out as two burly thugs jumped Alex.

“Too late, old man!” Damon backhanded Mr. David hard, sending the old man flying into a wooden pillar before knocking him out cold.

“Mr. David!”

Alex lost his focus, and a heavy kick caught him hard in the ribs. He dropped to the ground, and before he could get back up, Damon stomped a boot onto his back. Wooden beams and heavy boots rained down on him mercilessly.

“Poor scum don't get to fight back!” Damon barked, kicking him repeatedly.

Once Alex stopped moving, Damon signaled his men. “Drag this trash to the back alley. Don't let his blood mess up a market that's getting demolished tomorrow.”

The two thugs grabbed Alex by the collar, hauled him into the dark, muddy alley behind the market, and delivered one final kick to his gut.

“Remember this well. That place better be empty tomorrow, or your life is forfeit,” Damon warned, spitting on the ground before turning to leave.

Rain began to fall, washing over Alex’s battered face. He coughed violently, spitting out a glob of thick, red blood.

“Damn it... why—why are we always the ones getting stepped on?” Alex cursed, clutching his side in agony. “If only... if only I had money...”

Suddenly, a clear voice rang out. “City Reputation System activated.”

Alex squinted through his swollen eyes. “Who’s there? Don't hide!”

A neon-blue light slowly materialized in the air, hovering right in front of his face. “Scanning physical and mental condition. Scan complete.”

“What kind of hallucination is this? Did I get a concussion?” Alex tried to shift his body away, but a sharp pain shot through his broken ribs.

“You are not hallucinating. Criteria met. Starting capital of IDR 20,000,000,000 has been transferred to your account.”