Chapter 3: Time to Change

Asher walked out of Walmart, carrying bags of groceries that he bought with the system's funds. He felt a sense of relief and satisfaction as he loaded them into the borrowed car.

[RING! Congratulations, you have spent $1000 in less than 30 minutes after following the system's manual guidance. You get a $20,000 prize and three system points.]

TRING!

Asher checked his ancient phone that he got from his birthday gift and saw a surprising notification.

[Dollar Bank Info: the Account's holder 0987654 made a transaction at 7.20 p.m., and the Total Balance is now $20.400."

Asher was stunned; he had a bank account that he only used to receive his monthly salary. But now it seems that the consortium system is also connected to Asher's bank account.

[Name: Asher Parker] [Level: 0] [System point: 3/100] [Charms Point: 4]

[Skills: Basic Mechanical Enginnering] [Inventory: None] [Shop: Locked]

[Lottery: Unavailable] [Balance: $20.400]

[Task: System Manual Guidance completed]

[Are you ready for the next task?]

"Yes."

[New side tasks, you have to spend 20 thousand dollars within a day]

Asher drove back to gather his friends and treated them to some food and a couple of bottles of beer that he had bought.

"Dude, you're so generous today," one of Asher's friends said.

"It's nothing, just enjoy yourselves," Asher said. He saw everyone smile and drink happily.

"Julian, can I talk to you for a minute?" Asher called Julian.

"Sure," Julian replied.

"Mate, you're usually so careful with your money; what's up with you after you broke up with your girlfriend? You're acting a bit different," Julian said.

Julian sat across from Asher, sipping a can of beer while observing Asher's expression.

Julian noticed that Asher looked different; he was no longer innocent, lonely or sad; he seemed to have a new outlook on life.

"Just tell me anything. I will listen because I'm always here for you," Julian said, sensing that Asher wanted to vent about something.

After Asher broke up with his girlfriend and got the Consortium System, his views of life changed. Asher wanted to pursue something more mature and ambitious.

"What if I told you that I'm the rising towards supremacy? Would you believe me?" Asher asked, testing Julian's reaction.

Julian was silent for a moment; he tried to understand his best friend. Then Julian responded, "It's hard to believe, after everything we've been through. But you know I fit is what it is, then I guess I'll trust you."

"Thanks, mate. Do you remember that our contract is about to be over? And the boss will offer us another year's contract at the dealership, right? Well, I decided not to continue it," Asher said honestly.

"I got you. Working at that place sucks. Not to mention, our boss is a jerk who only loves money and himself. To be honest, I'm also tired, and we lied to many customers to for the sake of our salary," Julian said regretfully.

Julian sighed and drank his beer. The man continued, "I'm only staying because I don't have any other options. Not to mention, I have to pay my sibling's tuition fee."

Asher saw from the glimpse of Julian's eye that his buddy wanted to quit and find another job, but it was difficult.

"I'm going to open my own engineering shop, and I need a reliable partner. I think you will fit that role," Asher said firmly.

[RING!]

[New Task appeard. You have to spend 100K system funds to open an engineering company within one month.]

"So that's how it works. If I do have a strong motive, the task will activate itself," Asher thought.

After thinking about it for a while, Julian saluted to Asher, and said, "It's an honour working with you, boss."

"Don't call me that. It's so uncomfortable," Asher said awkwardly.

"Ah, someone is being generous." Julian didn't really believe that his friend was wealthy. But at least Julian had an opportunity to leave the dealership and start a new career with him.

***

The following day, Asher and Julian went to the car repair shop where they worked. Both of them have a clear mind and stick around with their decision.

"What? Do you two want to quit? No way, you're the best employees I have. How can you leave me like this?"

The crazy money guy was obese, and had an anger issue. This greedy man was the boss of the company who liked to exploit his workers.

"Don't you remember that you owe everything to this company? You should be thankful that this company gave you a chance," the Dealer Boss said harshly.

"Jameson, enough already," Asher interrupted his boss's words.

"How dare you to say my name like that!" The boss was furious hearing that ignorant expression.

"Our contract is over since yesterday, and we came here just to say goodbye. If you want to cause us a trouble, I will sue you," Asher said calmly.

"Bastard, I won't forget this; when you leave here, you'll never find another job, and make sure to give back all the company's beneficial facilities as soon as possible."

Asher and Julian left their previous job, holding a few boxes of their stuff. They waited by the roadside for a truck.

"So what's next for us?" Julian asked, clueless.

"Chill, mate, you'll be surprised," Asher grinned.

Asher had rented a mansion on Flora Street, with full city vibes. Ares had arranged for a cargo truck to pick them up.

"Wow, this place looks awesome," Julian exclaimed as they reached the house. He felt his mood improve after being down for a long time. Julien trusted Asher, but he was also a bit nervous about what was happening.

"Sir, this is the key, and the rent is 20,000 dollars per month," the woman smiled.

"I'll take it as the deal we spoke about," Asher said bravely.

[RING! Congratulations, you have completed the task of spending 20k within a day, 200k reward and five system points]

"Dollar Bank Info: the Account's holder 0987654 new transaction happened at 10.16 am on for $200,000 and a Total Balance: of $200.400."

"My life will be different from now on," Asher's muttered.