Chapter Two

Charles glanced around the room as he woke up and realized he was in the hospital. His head was spinning with questions as he sat up. What happened to him? How did he end up in the hospital and who brought him here?

He tried to recall everything that happened in the hotel and the last thing he remembered was trying to leave the parking lot and hearing a strange voice in his head.

As he was about to get up from his bed, the same voice replayed in his head again and he fell back to his bed.

[LINKING THE BLACK CARD SYSTEM]

[10%...

[50%...

[80%...

[100%...

[YOU HAVE ACTIVATED THE BLACK SYSTEM]

Charles glanced around the room in confusion, unable to understand what was going on in his head. Suddenly, a screen that was only visible to him appeared before his eyes.

[System Host: Charles Lincoln]

[Balance: $23]

[Body: Weak due to exhaustion and trauma]

[Mind: 29(Normal)]

[Skills: Skills will be gained once missions are completed. Needs to earn black card points.]

[Black card points: 0]

"What is going on? Why is this happening to me?" Charles muttered to himself, utterly confused. Before he could grasp what was going on, the voice began again.

[[First task: Spend one million dollars. Once you complete the task, the system will reward you with black card points. you have 24 hours to complete the mission]

"I don't understand," Charles said out loud but the voice continued.

Charles thought he was going crazy and chuckled. He wondered how the system expected him to spend a million dollars in twenty four hours when he had only $23 in his bank account. And he wouldn't be able to earn a million dollars in the next ten years from his job. Just as he was contemplating this, the screen revealed his bank details.

[The system is now transferring the funds to your bank account]

To his surprise,1 million dollars was instantly added to his account and Charles jumped up immediately. He received a notification from the bank and he checked his phone to confirm that 1 million dollars had been added to his bank account.

He rubbed his hands on his eyes to be sure he was seeing well. He stared at his phone, then to the screen and back to his phone. His hands were trembling with excitement as he kept looking at the 1 million dollars in his bank account.

"What just happened?" He asked himself as he stared at the amount in his bank account. He had never imagined he would have a million dollars in his account.

At this point, Charles felt like he was dreaming and pinched himself to wake up. But he was fully awake and everything happening was real. The money was truly his and the system was activated. He was now a rich man.

Charles took a moment to understand what the system revealed to him. Did it mean that he could spend his money on anything? And if he gained more skills, would he become more powerful?

Charles didn't know how to feel about having an incredible system that could give him money and power at the same time. He would finally be rich and afford everything he desired. He could buy any company he wanted and change his status. He will be respected because of his wealth and power.

He smiled to himself as he realized that his life was about to change. He was about to show everyone who humiliated him his new life. He would make them grovel at his feet.

But he needed to focus on the mission. He had to spend 1 million dollars on anything within 24 hours. He thought hard about what he was going to spend his money on and he finally decided to go to a grand hotel.

Charles walked out of the hospital room, still feeling dizzy. Although he didn't know if the system was real, he decided to try it out. However, he was confident that his life was about to change. He had a big smile on his face as he walked out.

He booked a cab to Golden State Hotel, the highest class hotel in the city. It was the most expensive hotel in the city and only those with a membership card were permitted to enjoy their services. On an ordinary day, he would be humiliated and kicked out if he tried to enter but since he had the system, he decided to go there.

"I will have to pay for their highest hotel membership in order to spend 1 million dollars today," Charles said to himself on his way to the hotel.

As the cab pulled over at the entrance of the hotel, Charles stepped out and saw his brother-in-law, Mark, at the entrance of the hotel. Mark was Angela's elder brother who treated him even worse than Angela. He would always humiliate him at every family meeting and treat him like a pauper.

No matter what Charles did, Mark would find a way to mock him about it. Charles always avoided him because of his constant maltreatment and attitude toward him.

"What are you doing here?" Mark asked him. "This is not a place for a beggar. Oh, I forgot. You run around the city in your wretched scooter to deliver food. Is that what you're here for? How many cents do you earn in a day?" He chuckled bitterly.

"Hello Mark," Charles answered, ignoring his questions.

Mark scoffed. "Are you here to beg for scraps? Unfortunately, they don't let beggars in. I wonder how my sister managed to keep up with you. Anyway, I'm here to secure one of their membership cards." He boasted, adjusting his tie. "It's quite popular amongst successful businessmen so I know you have no idea about what I'm talking about." Mark mocked him but Charles remained silent as he waited for the security personnel to check him in.

"Are you deaf or has your poverty affected your senses?" Mark asked, eyeing him from his dirty jeans to his shirt. "I can't believe we let you marry my sister. You're a complete disgrace to our family and I hope my sister divorces you soon. Not only are you incapable of providing her needs, you're also bringing shame upon her. I'll personally make sure she marries a rich man who can take care of her."

Charles decided to ignore his humiliation and focus on his mission. He was going to make sure that Mark would learn of his new status by securing the highest hotel membership.

"You may go in," the security personnel said to Charles after checking him in. Charles went straight into the hotel without batting an eyelash at Mark.

However, Mark followed him, eager to watch him make a fool out of himself. "You're only going to make a mockery of yourself," he said with confidence behind Charles. "You better leave now before you become the next headline in the city. You've already embarrassed our family enough with your poverty and status."

Charles laughed within himself. "We will see about that."