2025-06-21 09:17:42The room was quiet again, save for the low humming of machines and the slow drip of an IV beside Dustin’s hospital bed. He stared blankly at the ceiling, his heart pounding like a war drum. The words echoed again in his head:
// "System pairing with Host is successful. Full performance, host dependent. Awaiting Host full authorization."
A wave of cold washed over him, and he tightened his jaw. Was this some delusion from the trauma? Or had something irreversible just happened to him?
Suddenly, a soft blue interface blinked into view, right in front of his eyes—not on any device, but hovering midair like augmented reality. The letters danced before him:
[Do you authorize full system access? Y/N]
"What the hell is this?" he whispered.
The interface remained, patient and unblinking.
[Awaiting Host input…]
He swallowed. His body was still in pain, but a strange heat pulsed through his veins, like adrenaline mixed with electricity. He raised a shaking finger toward the screen and whispered, "Yes."
The moment he spoke the word, a surge of light exploded before his eyes. His vision went white for a second, then dark. And then—
BING!
// Authorization confirmed. Welcome, Dustin Ryan. You are now the sole host of the Whopping Tycoon System.
// Daily Objectives Unlocked. System Inventory Activated. Beginner Mission Initiated.
Dustin's eyes widened as a list of functions unfolded before him:
Mission Log
Inventory
Skill Tree
Business Generator
Asset Tracker
System Shop
It felt like he had just been dropped into a video game—except this was real. And the pain in his ribs told him this reality had no reset button.
> Beginner Mission: Earn your first $10,000 within 24 hours. Reward: Skill Upgrade Token + Passive Income Starter Pack. Penalty for failure: System Suspension for 7 days.
Dustin blinked at the mission prompt. "Ten thousand dollars? Are you insane? I can't even sit up properly."
> System Tip: Utilize your unique starter skill - [Underdog's Leverage]
> [Underdog's Leverage]: The more desperate your situation, the more potential for exponential profit. Effects increase with social disadvantage, physical weakness, or public humiliation.
Dustin laughed bitterly. "So being beaten to a pulp is actually an investment now?"
But the gears in his mind started turning. He knew he had no job, no savings, and barely any family support. The university letter in his back pocket was soaked in blood. His life was a mess. And now, somehow, the universe—or whatever this system was—had handed him a weapon.
A knock came at the door.
Before he could answer, a man in a black coat entered with two hospital security officers. The man had slicked-back silver hair and a face too familiar to forget.
"Mr. Ryan," the man said coldly, "I’m afraid your stay here is over."
Dustin frowned. "Who the hell are you?"
"My name is Roland Wynne. You know my father, Daniel Wynne, very well. He's the one your father failed, and it's time to clear the trash out of our family's doorstep. You are not welcome here, not in this city."
Dustin sat up, blood draining from his face.
"You’re kicking me out of the hospital?"
Roland gave a cruel smile. "We pulled a few strings. You were declared dead. This room is needed for someone... more useful."
> System Alert: Host is being publicly humiliated. Underdog's Leverage bonus increased by 30%.
"You can’t just throw me out. I was nearly murdered," Dustin snapped, forcing himself to his feet.
"Exactly. Nearly. Pity it didn’t finish the job," Roland sneered.
The security officers advanced.
> System Notification: Mission update triggered. New Opportunity: Disgraced Victim Media Campaign. Reward: $15,000. Status: Pending User Action.
Dustin stared at the pop-up, breathing heavily.
He clenched his fists. "Get out of my face. You want to humiliate me? Fine. But I’ll make sure everyone in this city sees what the Wynnes did."
Roland's eyes narrowed. "Watch yourself, boy. You wouldn’t want to end up like your father."
"I’d rather end up worse than crawl behind your family again."
The guards grabbed him roughly and dragged him out into the corridor, tossing him into a wheelchair and rolling him outside. The cold air bit into his skin. He was dumped like garbage near the back gate of the hospital.
> Disgraced Victim Media Campaign: Success condition - Viral exposure. Options available: Open System Shop > Communication Tools
Gritting his teeth, Dustin tapped on the System Shop mentally.
A sleek digital interface appeared:
--COMMUNICATION TOOLS--
Starter Smartphone (1 Credit)
Anonymous Viral Campaign Package (3 Credits)
Video Editor Pro Suite (1 Credit)
Emergency Media Press Kit (FREE - First Time Use)
He chose the last option. Within seconds, a small cardboard box shimmered into existence beside him. He tore it open. Inside was a pre-configured smartphone with editing tools, a portable hotspot, and a ready-to-use interview script.
Dustin began filming himself, using the pain in his face and the bruises still fresh to speak directly into the lens.
"My name is Dustin Ryan. I was beaten and left for dead by men connected to the Wynne family. The same family that enslaved my father and destroyed my future. This is not a suicide story. This is a survival story. And it’s only just beginning."
He posted the video across every social platform the system allowed.
> System Alert: Video uploaded. Network boost engaged. Viral Algorithm Activated.
> Status: Views (400)... (1000)... (7500)... (25,000)...
An hour later, as he hobbled into a nearby train station shelter, his phone buzzed.
> Congratulations! Mission Complete: $10,000 transferred to Temporary Digital Wallet.
> Reward: Skill Upgrade Token + Passive Income Starter Pack acquired.
> New Mission Unlocked: Revenge Ledger — Expose and Dismantle the Wynne Empire (Stage 1).
Dustin looked up into the darkness of the city night.
He might be alone. He might be broken. But he had something now he never did before:
Power.
The screen flashed one final message:
> System Notice: Unknown entity has detected your awakening. Tracking signal initiated. Prepare for first confrontation.
Dustin’s breath caught in his throat.
"They're coming for me again..."
Previous Chapter
Latest Chapter
Protocol Revenant
The chamber hissed with ancient pressure seals. The walls trembled slightly as the reinforced containment glass receded into the floor. A chorus of machines stirred awake with a synchronized hum. Lights flickered red.The Mayor stepped into the vault’s heart, flanked by two emotionless Blackguard enforcers. Before him stood the dormant mass of steel, bone, and bio-synthetic cables—taller than Omega, thicker than any warframe Dustin had faced.Its chest bore the code: REV-0.“Activate it,” the Mayor ordered.One of the engineers hesitated. “Sir, this is a prototype. We haven’t—”“I said now.”The override keys were turned. The beast twitched.[Initializing Protocol Revenant… Boot Sequence: Complete.]Its eyes lit up—deep amber, glowing like molten sun.“Dustin Ryan…” the voice croaked, like gravel scraping through wires. “Target acquired.”*****At the rebel compound, the news feeds had exploded. Millions across Alderra had seen the truth—the conspiracies, the stolen children, the synt
A City Unbound
A low, humming silence spread across Alderra as the final echoes of the Vex encounter faded. Screens throughout the city remained black for minutes, their usual flashing propaganda and surveillance feeds interrupted for the first time in years.Then a single word blinked into view:REBOOT.It wasn’t just a message. It was a promise.Inside the rebel command base, deep beneath the old train station, Dustin stood with his back to the terminal. Dozens of children rescued from the Spire were being tended to by medics and volunteers. Syra, bandaged but sharp-eyed, coordinated supplies and regroup efforts with Mina and Theo.Rael entered, tossing a crumpled comm device onto the table.“City Hall’s gone quiet. No messages, no orders. Mayor’s office hasn’t sent a signal in hours.”Dustin narrowed his eyes. “They’re reeling. Vex was their shadow weapon. Without him, they’re exposed.”Syra approached, holding a portable screen. “Still… they’re not beaten. The Mayor’s Emergency Council has invok
Clash of Code
The Spire’s core chamber was like standing in the belly of a living machine. Blue veins of data raced along the walls, feeding into the floating throne of Vex. Behind him, streams of code poured from thousands of neural strands embedded in the structure itself—each strand linked to a child’s consciousness.Vex stepped down from his throne, mechanical tendrils receding into his back like serpents returning to a nest."I gave you a choice, Dustin,” he said. “But you insist on playing the hero."Dustin tightened his grip on the hilt of his system-forged blade, the weapon glowing with reactive energy.“You kidnapped children. You enslaved their minds. Whatever system you’ve merged with, it’s poisoned your soul.”Vex chuckled. “Soul? We’re past souls now. The future is logic. Precision. Immortality.”[System Sync: Vex Power Level — Tier 3 Unlocked. Matching host combat protocols. Activating Advanced Combat Mode.]Syra, Rael, and the others spread out across the chamber. The stasis pods abo
The Second Host
The image hovered in front of Dustin, flickering with static. The cloaked man’s voice echoed like it had crawled out of some digital abyss:"You’re getting stronger, Dustin Ryan. But you’re not the only one chosen by the Systems anymore. The next evolution has begun."[System Alert: Unverified system frequency detected. Signature Code: XH-001. Status: Active. Power Tier: Unknown.]Syra stood behind Dustin, her eyes wide. "Is that... another host?"Dustin didn’t blink. “Looks like it.”The image sharpened. The man’s face was mostly obscured, but his eyes glowed faintly red—just like the ZEUS core before it exploded.“I watched you disable Omega. That was impressive,” the man said. “But you're fighting a battle that’s already been decided. The future belongs to integration. Control. Purpose. You cling to chaos. You delay the inevitable.”Dustin clenched his jaw. “Who are you?”“You can call me Vex.”[System Log: Alias 'Vex' linked to former WynTech cyber engineer: Alexei Vaughn. Presume
The Network Rebellion
Dustin stared across the scorched rooftop as the pale morning light pierced through the lingering smoke. Somewhere below, the remnants of Omega's shattered frame still crackled with dying sparks, now buried in rubble and silent.He flexed his fingers, now wrapped in reinforced armor still faintly glowing from the aftermath of Tier 3 activation. Every movement felt charged—heavy with purpose.Syra leaned against a broken antenna nearby, her voice hoarse. “We got lucky.”Dustin shook his head. “No. We sacrificed. And we’re still at war.”[System Log: Internal balance at 81%. Tier 3 stabilized. Weapon access recalibrating. New skill tree unlocked — "Rebellion." Would you like to review now? Y/N]He pressed 'N'. There was no time to rest.The city below was stirring. Sirens wailed faintly in the distance. The news feeds on nearby sky-screens buzzed to life.A breaking headline flashed:> ALDERRA IN CHAOS: Mysterious Explosion Near Sector D13 Blamed on Unknown Rebel Group. Mayor Issues Eme
Rise of Omega
The fog in Sector D13 swirled violently around the massive silhouette now standing across from Dustin. Rain fell harder, thundering against the metal casing of the figure. Project Omega stood silent, unmoving, but radiating a killing intent that pierced the air like knives.Its voice returned, low and synthetic:"Dustin Ryan. Identified. Prime Directive: Terminate."[System Alert: Host is within lethal range. Combat Mode activated. Tactical options calculating... Complete. Threat Level: Extreme.]Dustin glanced at his older self. “Any bright ideas?”The older Dustin drew two compact EMP blades from beneath his jacket. “One. We don’t fight it head-on.”Too late.With a blur of motion, Omega lunged forward, the ground splitting beneath each step. A glowing blade extended from its wrist like a plasma guillotine. Dustin dove sideways, the blade slicing through the wall behind him like paper.“System! Evasive enhancement, now!”[Skill Activated: Shadow Drift – Short-range blink teleportati
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