The Billionaire System: Only I Know the Currency Has Changed

CHAPTER 5

Lucas continued staring at the golden screen.

“So, you are telling me that you can make me the wealthiest man alive, but I still have not received a single dollar?”

[Your understanding is correct, Host.]

“Excellent. Even imaginary systems know how to disappoint people.”

[Your complaint has been noted. As a newly bound host, you are eligible for a beginner reward.]

Lucas immediately sat up straighter.

“Wait. A reward?”

[Affirmative. The system is granting you a binding gift of $1,000 in former-value funds.]

A notification appeared before him.

[BEGINNER REWARD: $1,000]

[Reward status: Successfully credited.]

Lucas studied the message suspiciously.

“Where exactly did you credit it? I never gave you my bank details.”

[The funds have been deposited into your system account. You may view your balance through the system interface.]

Another panel appeared.

[SYSTEM ACCOUNT BALANCE: $1,000]

Lucas stared at the figure, then looked toward his phone on the bedside table.

“Can I transfer the money into my regular bank account?”

[Affirmative. The system can transfer funds through the appropriate financial channels. The receiving account will display the amount according to the current monetary scale.]

“Will the bank ask questions about where the money came from?”

[The funds are legitimate system rewards. The transfer will be processed automatically.]

Lucas hesitated for a moment before making his decision.

“Fine. Transfer the entire reward.”

[Please confirm the transfer of $1,000 in former-value funds to your designated bank account.]

“I confirm.”

The screen flashed.

[Transfer successful.]

Lucas grabbed his phone and opened his banking application. His fingers trembled slightly as he waited for the balance to load.

For a moment, he simply stared.

He refreshed the page, expecting the figure to disappear, but it remained. His transaction history showed a new credit, and the balance reflected the reward after conversion to the current monetary scale.

Lucas slowly lowered his phone.

“Good heavens.”

[The transfer has been completed successfully, Host.]

He checked the transaction again, then looked at the system.

“So this is real?”

[Correct.]

Lucas leaned back against his pillow, trying to absorb what had happened. Only a short while earlier, he had been panicking over his hospital bill, with just eighty dollars in cash and no money in his bank account. Now, the system had given him a reward with purchasing power equivalent to one million times his former financial expectations? No. He shook his head, realizing he needed to stop guessing and trust the explanation he had been given.

He looked at the screen again.

“Let me make sure I understand. Your reward retains its former purchasing power, but when I transfer it, the bank displays the converted amount?”

[Correct. The monetary scale used by ordinary financial institutions has changed. System rewards retain their former purchasing power, and conversions are handled automatically when the funds enter the current financial system.]

Lucas nodded slowly.

“Fine. At least I don't have to calculate all those numbers myself.”

[That is correct. The system is designed to reduce unnecessary complications for its host.]

“Good. Because I have enough problems already.”

His gaze drifted toward the hospital room door. He still had medical bills to settle, and he had no home waiting for him after discharge. The reward did not magically solve every problem in his life, but it had given him something he had been missing since Victoria's betrayal.

A choice.

He no longer had to accept humiliation simply because he could not afford to walk away.

“Do you have any idea how much trouble I was in before you appeared?” he asked quietly.

[Your financial circumstances were considered during the system's initial assessment.]

“Then you have excellent timing. Another day, and I might have been sleeping on a park bench.”

[Your current reward is only a preliminary demonstration of the system's capabilities. Future missions may offer substantially greater rewards, including cash, real estate, luxury vehicles, company shares, business ownership, and exclusive opportunities.]

Lucas's expression changed.

For years, Victoria's family had treated him like a burden because he lacked the wealth and connections they valued. Victoria had eventually chosen Damien, convinced that Lucas could never offer her the life she wanted.

He remembered her cold expression and the divorce papers she had pushed toward him.

You have nothing to offer me anymore.

Lucas tightened his grip on his phone.

Perhaps she had been right about one thing. Until now, he had possessed very little.

But that was about to change.

“All right, Billionaire System. You have my attention.”

[Acknowledged, Host.]

Lucas leaned back against his pillow, a slow smile spreading across his face.

“Now tell me what I have to do to earn the next reward.”

[Your first mission will be issued when you are ready.]

For the first time since waking up, Lucas had something to look forward to.

And this time, nobody could take it away simply by asking him to sign a piece of paper.