The God of Wealth's System

"Sean, you are the best courier Vane Logistics has ever seen. That is why I am entrusting this briefcase only to you."

Viktor Vane’s deep voice echoed through his opulent private office on the 50th floor. On a black marble desk sat a titanium briefcase. Inside, a Richard Mille RM 52-01 Skull shimmered with a lethal brilliance. The limited-edition timepiece was valued at a staggering $1,500,000.

"Deliver this to Mr. Henderson’s estate in Beverly Hills before two o'clock. If you succeed, your commission will be enough to pay off the mortgage on your apartment and buy that fiancée of yours a lavish gift," Viktor said, patting Sean’s shoulder.

Sean Alexander smiled sincerely. An orphan who had worked his fingers to the bone his entire life, he felt as though luck was finally on his side. He nodded respectfully, carefully shackling the briefcase to his wrist. He did not realize that the pat on his shoulder was the signal for his execution to begin.

"Understood, Mr. Viktor. I won't let you down," Sean replied firmly before leaving the private office.

As he drove, a wide grin stayed on his face. Fantasies of the massive bonus danced in his head. Unfortunately, that smile vanished two hours later when he arrived at his destination.

In front of the collector and two expert witnesses, the briefcase was opened. The watch inside was a total wreck. Its gold frame was crushed, and the sapphire crystal was pulverized as if it had been hit by a hydraulic press.

"What is the meaning of this?! You dare insult me with this piece of broken trash?!" Henderson roared.

Sean froze, his face turning deathly pale. "That’s impossible... I never let this briefcase out of my sight!"

"Liar!" Viktor suddenly burst into the room, flanked by two police officers. The face that had been so friendly hours ago was now twisted in a mask of orchestrated fury. "Officers, search his jacket! I received a tip that he planned to swap the original components for cheap replicas!"

As the police reached into Sean’s pocket, they pulled out a micro-screwdriver and a tiny watch gear that looked identical to the Richard Mille’s inner workings.

"No... that’s not mine! Someone planted that there!" Sean shouted, staring at Viktor in total confusion. "Mr. Viktor, what is happening? You know me! You know I’m honest. I would never do this!"

Viktor merely shrugged, meeting Sean’s gaze with a cold, sinister sneer. There was no friendly smile, no defense—only intimidation radiating from everyone in the room.

Before Sean could even attempt to defend himself, the handcuffs clicked shut around his wrists.

That day, Sean lost everything. He was fired dishonorably, blacklisted from the entire American logistics industry, and forced to sign a debt confession for $1,500,000 under the threat of federal prison.

Broken and drenched by a raging thunderstorm, Sean walked home that night. After hours of interrogation, he had been allowed to leave on the condition that the police gave him exactly one week to pay off the debt. It was an amount he couldn't pay even if he sold his own soul.

With a limp body, Sean hurried toward his apartment. He needed Sophia. He needed the woman whose tuition he had paid for three years to give him the strength to keep going.

Click.

The apartment door was unlocked. As he stepped inside, the sharp, masculine scent of Tom Ford Oud Wood hit his senses. It was the signature fragrance of Viktor Vane.

Sean’s heart hammered against his ribs as he walked toward the master bedroom. The door was slightly ajar, revealing a sight that instantly extinguished his remaining will to live.

"Ah... Viktor... harder... don't stop..."

It was Sophia’s voice. The voice he listened to every night was now moaning in ecstasy beneath the man who had just destroyed Sean’s life.

"Tell me, babe... who’s better in bed? Me, or that pathetic courier?" Viktor whispered in a provocative tone, gripping Sophia’s hips roughly.

"You, of course, Viktor... Ah! Sean was just my cash cow. I was so sick of playing the innocent girl just to get my monthly allowance. I’m so glad you framed him today—I can’t wait to see him begging on the streets," Sophia gasped, her hands clutching Viktor’s back.

CRASH!

Sean kicked the door open, sent it slamming against the wall. His face was haggard, his eyes burning with an uncontrollable rage.

"SOPHIA! VIKTOR!" Sean roared, his voice hoarse and shattered.

Viktor didn't stop immediately. He deliberately gave one final thrust that made Sophia shriek in pleasure before turning around with a triumphant smirk.

Sophia, on the other hand, showed no shame. Вона merely pulled the silk sheets up to cover her flushed chest, staring at Sean with cold contempt.

"Oh, you’re home, Loser?" Sophia asked casually.

"You bastards! Viktor, this was your plan all along, wasn't it? You prick!!! And you, Sophia, you’re nothing but a cheap slut! You betrayed me with him!" Sean screamed in fury.

Sophia let out a soft laugh. "Goodness, Sean, don't be so dramatic! Did you really think I loved you? Look at yourself. You smell like sweat, you’re cheap, and now... you’re a criminal."

"I was framed by this bastard!" Sean yelled, pointing at Viktor. "I gave my whole life for you, Sophia! I worked 18 hours a day so you could live in luxury! Is this how you repay me?" Tears streamed down his face.

"That was your choice, not my request," Sophia countered sharply. "Viktor gave me a $50,000 diamond in one night. And you? It took you a year just to buy me a basic gold ring. Move along, you're ruining my fun."

Viktor rose from the bed, his athletic frame towering over the gaunt and disheveled Sean. "You heard her, Sean. In this world, money is everything. And you... you’re just a big fat zero."

"YOU BASTARD!" Sean lunged forward with a clenched fist.

However, two massive men—Viktor’s private bodyguards—emerged from behind the wardrobe and drove a knee into Sean’s stomach.

THUD!

Sean collapsed, vomiting bitter bile onto the carpet. A boot pressed his head firmly into the floor. Viktor walked over, grabbed a half-empty bottle of champagne from the nightstand, and poured it over Sean’s head.

"Take this trash to the back alley. Give him one last lesson so he knows who truly owns this city," Viktor ordered coldly.

Sean was dragged across the floor like a carcass. In the dark, rain-soaked alley behind his own apartment building, he was beaten mercilessly. Every kick to his ribs felt like snapping wood, but the physical pain paled in comparison to the agony of seeing Sophia standing on the balcony above, sipping wine and watching his torture with a satisfied smile.

"This is from Mr. Viktor!" One guard ripped the ancient metal coin from Sean’s neck—his father’s only heirloom.

"No... please...! It’s my father’s... it’s all I have..." Sean whispered with his fading breath.

"This? This piece of junk?" The guard laughed, threw the coin onto the ground, and stomped his combat boot directly onto Sean’s open palm.

CRACK!

The metal coin shattered into sharp shards, embedding themselves deep into the flesh, muscle, and nerves of Sean’s hand.

"AAARGGH!!!" Sean screamed in agony.

Fresh blood poured out, mingling with the filthy rainwater. Sean screamed until his voice was swallowed by the roar of the storm. The guards left after one final kick to his head, leaving him to die among the piles of trash.

Sean Alexander gasped for air, his breath short and bloody. At the brink of death, he felt his blood begin to boil unnaturally. The shards of the coin in his hand began to glow with an electric blue radiance, crawling into his veins.

[Warning: Vital Signs Critical. Probability of Survival: 0.01%]

[Security Protocol 'Legacy' Detected...]

[Analyzing Alexander DNA... 100% Match.]

[Activating 'God of Wealth System' v.1.0...]

A pain a thousand times worse than the beating surged through Sean. He felt his cells being dismantled and rebuilt by millions of nanobots forced into his bone marrow.

Bzzzztt...

A transparent holographic screen suddenly flickered before his bloodshot eyes.

[Integration Complete.]

[Welcome, Mr. Sean Alexander.]

[Status: Bankrupt, Betrayed, Near Death.]

[System Debt: $1,500,000 (Watch Indemnity)]

[Warning: If your balance remains negative within 24 hours, the system will erase your consciousness.]

"I am your financial assistant," a cold, digital female voice echoed in his mind. "Use Appraisal Eye to locate assets immediately."

Sean Alexander let out a bitter laugh in the middle of the downpour. He could see the hologram of a woman speaking to him. "Is this the end... am I finally hallucinating?"

He coughed, spitting out a mouthful of fresh blood before everything went black.

To be continued...