The Infinite Fortune System

Chapter 3

Eric felt restless.

‘I don’t want to die yet… Not before I save my sister…’ he muttered inwardly, fighting with every ounce of strength he had left to stay awake. He was terrified that if he lost consciousness, he would wake up in the afterlife.

[Ding!]

[System has detected that the host’s life is always beyond the reach of fortune!]

"Whose voice is that?" Eric whispered, his confusion deepening as his eyes darted around the dimly lit space.

[This is the voice of the System. The System has discovered that the Host has suffered misfortune throughout his entire life and is in desperate need of a touch of Luck to finally enjoy the world! The System has chosen the Host to receive great fortunes!]

Eric swallowed hard, his throat dry. "Are you saying… does this mean… I’ve been granted a miracle that will change my life forever?"

[Yes! That is correct. At this moment, the System detects that the Host's body is critically weak and on the verge of death. Would the Host like to use the Healing feature to restore host's body?]

Another gulp. Eric hesitated only for a second before nodding weakly. "Y-Yes. I want to try it. Please… heal my wounds."

[Unfortunately, the Healing feature is not yet unlocked at this level.]

Eric coughed violently, nearly spitting out blood. He clenched his fists, his body trembling with frustration. "Then why the hell did you offer it to me?!"

[There is a f*e of $100,000 to temporarily unlock the Healing feature. The System can loan the amount from the System Bank if the Host agrees.]

"Loan me the money. Unlock the feature. Heal me… now."

[Loan in progress. $100,000 has been successfully used to activate the temporary Healing feature. Healing will now commence.]

Eric had no expectations. In fact, he was half-convinced that these voices were nothing more than hallucinations—delusions of a dying man slipping toward the abyss of death.

But then—

"What… what is this sensation?"

A sharp jolt ran through his body. His ribs felt as though they were set ablaze, yet strangely, the heat was not painful—it was soothing, like a gentle wave of warmth coursing through his veins. His broken bones snapped back into place, his bruises shrank and faded, and the deep gashes that marred his face closed up seamlessly as though they had never existed.

[Healing process complete. The Host is now in perfect health.]

"Unbelievable!" Eric gasped, immediately rising to his feet with ease. He patted his body all over, even slapping his cheeks a few times, making sure he wasn’t dreaming.

[As an initial gift, the Host may choose a reward from the System. There are two boxes: Box A and Box B. Which one will the Host select?]

Eric hesitated, his mind still racing. Then, testing his newfound luck, he smirked and asked, "What if I want both Box A and Box B?"

[A wise choice!]

[Of course. The Host has successfully claimed both Box A and Box B. Box A contains a balance of $1,000,000,000, which has been deposited into the Host’s bank account. Box B contains a mission with a reward of a Luck Fragment.]

"One billion dollars and a Luck Fragment?!" Eric’s heart pounded wildly in his chest. His world had suddenly transformed from despair into an exhilarating adventure filled with endless possibilities. "By the way… what happens if I fail the mission?"

[The missions from the Reward Boxes can be declined without any penalties. If the Host successfully completes the mission, the reward will be granted as promised.]

Eric’s eyes lit up, a fire of determination flickering within them. "Alright, what’s the mission?"

[The mission assigned to the Host: Deliver fitting punishment to the one who harmed the Host today.]

A slow, knowing smile crept onto Eric’s lips. Even without the mission, he had already planned to give Jim a taste of his own medicine—and, of course, to save Elise White.

After all… wasn’t luck finally on his side?

***

Meanwhile, at Jim and Peyton’s brothel, Elise was being forced into a revealing red lingerie set. Later that night, a nude party was scheduled at the nightclub within Jim’s establishment.

"When the important guests arrive, you will dance seductively and strip off every single thread of clothing on your body. Do you understand?" Peyton hissed, adjusting Elise’s makeup to make her look older than her actual age.

Elise’s lips trembled. She wanted to say yes—to agree and avoid further punishment—but the very thought crushed her pride into dust.

Jim, who had been watching from the side, slowly approached her, his grin widening as he lifted her chin. He leaned in, his lips nearly brushing her ear as he whispered darkly, "If I find your performance lacking, I can make you squirm and moan right there on the stage, Baby…"

A violent shiver ran down Elise’s spine.

"Oh yes, Jim is good at that," Peyton chimed in with a cold, heartless laugh. "He’s quite skilled at unleashing the wild instincts of our new members. Ha ha, it will be quite the spectacle, Elise."

To Jim and Peyton, their marriage was nothing more than a business arrangement. Money reigned supreme over any notions of love or loyalty. That was why, years ago, they had stolen the inheritance left by Eric and Elise’s late mother, condemning the siblings to a life of poverty while they themselves bathed in wealth.

"Uncle… Aunt… can we delay the party? I’m not feeling well," Elise pleaded softly. Her body was exhausted, her mind on the verge of breaking. "I just need a little time to rest. I promise I’ll do my part once I recover."

Jim and Peyton burst into laughter.

"Ha ha ha! Why would you think we care about your health?" Peyton sneered before delivering a sharp slap to Elise’s cheek. "Wake up, girl. You’re in a brothel! Here, whores never get sick! More accurately: they’re not allowed to!"

Elise felt the weight of the world crush her shoulders. She hung her head, her tears slipping down her cheeks in silence.

"Don’t cry! You’ll ruin your makeup!" Peyton snapped, before grabbing the lingerie and throwing it at Elise’s face. "Now, get dressed! Remember, if you don’t obey, your brother will die. Do you want Jim to beat Eric to death for your disobedience?"

Elise frantically shook her head. Even now, she was sick with worry over Eric’s condition. If he had to endure another beating, she feared he wouldn’t survive—not from brain cancer, but from their uncle’s brutality.

"Then stop testing my patience!"

"O-Okay, Aunt…"

"That’s a good girl!" Peyton cooed, stroking Elise’s hair with a sinister grin.

Just as Elise was about to change, Jim, who had been occupied with his phone, suddenly let out an excited shout.

"What is it?" Peyton asked sharply.

"Elise, put the lingerie down. Right now, grab your suitcase and pick out your best dress!"

Elise blinked in confusion, her brows knitting together. She was just as lost as Peyton, unsure of what had made Jim so ecstatic.

"Peyton, we’re about to get rich! Filthy rich!" Jim rushed over to Elise, his eyes glinting with greed. "Someone just offered $50,000 to spend the night with her. This is insane!"

"What?!" Elise and Peyton exclaimed at the same time—but their tones couldn’t have been more different.

Grinning ear to ear, Jim thrust his phone toward Peyton. "Look, they already sent a $5,000 deposit. The rest will be paid in cash at the hotel once they’ve ‘enjoyed’ her."