Chapter 1. Merchant System

In the sprawling city of Metropolis, where aspirations and dreams mingled with the hustle and bustle of everyday life, lived a young man named Liam. Liam had always dreamt of becoming a civil servant, a beacon of service and integrity in a world that needed them. With determination etched into his heart, he left his hometown and family behind, embarking on a journey towards his dreams.

However, life in the city was far from what Liam had envisioned. Days stretched long, from 9 to 7, as he toiled away in various jobs to pay his bills and support his family back home. His high school education left him at a disadvantage, and he felt the weight of his perceived inadequacy every time he saw the disdainful glances of those around him. Still, he held on, gritting his teeth and pushing through the monotonous routine.

One fateful night, Exhaustion hung heavily on Liam as he went through the motions of another grueling shift at the quaint café. His eyes were heavy, and his movements were sluggish, his body aching from the unrelenting demands of his various jobs. It was one of those nights where time seemed to crawl, and every minute felt like an hour.

Amid the whirlwind of clinking dishes and hushed conversations, a momentary lapse of focus led to disaster. A tray slipped from Liam's grip, and scalding coffee splashed onto a customer seated nearby. The abrupt yelp of pain caught the attention of everyone in the vicinity. The once cozy atmosphere of the café was now tainted by tension.

Anger flashed in the customer's eyes as they clutched their scalded arm. Their frustration echoed through the café, reaching the ears of the café's vigilant manager. Swiftly, the manager approached the scene, aware that customer satisfaction was crucial to the café's reputation. With a strained smile, the manager assured the irate patron that their grievances would be addressed.

"Sir, we deeply apologize for this unfortunate incident," the manager said, their voice oozing with practiced professionalism. "We understand your discomfort, and we are committed to making it right. As a gesture of goodwill, we'll provide you with compensation in cash."

Liam's heart plummeted as the reality of his mistake settled in. The customer's dissatisfaction was evident, and now the manager's promises of compensation placed the burden squarely on Liam's shoulders. He had been living paycheck to paycheck, scraping together every penny for his family back home. The thought of forking over his meager savings gnawed at him like a relentless ache.

As the manager's words lingered in the air, they turned their attention to Liam, their gaze heavy with expectation. "Liam," the manager began, voice stern, "you will cover the compensation out of your own pocket money."

The weight of the demand crashed over Liam like a tidal wave. He felt his stomach churn with a potent mixture of anxiety and desperation. The pitiful amount he had managed to save over the months seemed utterly insufficient in the face of this sudden obligation. The prospect of losing that hard-earned money, money meant to support his family, was crushing.

Desperation etched into his expression, Liam met the manager's gaze. "But... I can't afford to," he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. "I have responsibilities, and..."

The manager's features remained unyielding, their decision already made. "Liam, this is non-negotiable," they replied firmly. "You caused a disturbance in our establishment, and it's only right that you take responsibility for it and you don't need to come for tomorrow onwards."

His pleas fell on deaf ears. The manager's decision was final, and the outcome was swift and cruel. Liam found himself standing at the precipice of a harsh reality – not only did he have to surrender his hard-earned money, but he was also informed that he was being let go from his job.

As the manager's words echoed in his ears, the weight of his own actions and the unforgiving reality bore down upon him. In that moment, Liam's world was shattered, replaced by a stark and brutal truth he couldn't escape.

With a heavy heart, Liam handed over the money he had saved, every dollar representing a piece of his hope and determination. As the customer pocketed the cash, he knew he had lost more than just money – he had lost his dignity and his job, both of which were intertwined with his aspirations.

The rain fell in heavy sheets, drenching the deserted streets and casting a gloomy atmosphere over the city. Liam, his shoulders hunched against the onslaught of the storm, trudged forward with an air of defeat. The cold drops of rain mingled with the weight of his troubles, each drop a reminder of the challenges he faced.

As he navigated the slick pavement, the dim streetlights offered little solace. He was a solitary figure in the night, battered not only by the rain but by the burdens that had brought him to this point. The shadows seemed to dance around him, mirroring the turmoil within his mind.

Amidst the downpour, a group of shadowy figures emerged from the darkness, their footsteps echoing against the wet pavement. Their presence felt ominous, an eerie contrast to the relentless storm. Liam's heart clenched, and he quickened his pace, attempting to steer clear of the potential trouble they might bring.

Yet, fate had other plans. In the labyrinth of the night, his path converged with theirs, and before he knew it, he found himself surrounded. The rough group materialized into a threatening circle, their faces partially hidden by the hoodies they wore. Their eyes glinted with malice, predatory gazes assessing him from head to toe.

"Hey, you there!" one of them sneered, stepping forward with a menacing grin. "What brings you out on a night like this?"

Liam's voice was meek, his response barely audible above the sound of raindrops. "Just trying to get home," he muttered, his eyes darting between them.

"Home, huh?" another one chimed in, a hint of mockery in his tone. "Seems you're in the wrong place at the wrong time."

The tension in the air was palpable as the group closed in, surrounding Liam and cutting off any possible escape. Fear clenched his stomach, his heart racing as he felt the weight of their hostile intentions.

"Money. We need some compensation," the first one demanded, a malicious grin spreading across his face. "For disturbing our night."

Liam's pockets were empty, his money having been drained by the café incident earlier. "I don't have any money," he stammered, his voice trembling.

The response was met with derisive laughter, echoing eerily in the desolate street. "No money, eh? Well, it seems we've got to teach you a lesson then."

As if on cue, their aggression erupted. Fists flew, connecting with Liam's body as he desperately tried to shield himself from the onslaught. He stumbled and fell, the rain mingling with his tears as pain radiated through his body. Their anger was palpable, their blows relentless, and the storm seemed to mirror his turmoil.

Bruised and battered, Liam's strength waned. He couldn't provide what they demanded, and their violence became a manifestation of their frustration. It was a cruel dance of power, a symphony of suffering orchestrated by desperation and anger.

Finally, they left him, sprawled on the rain-soaked ground, his breath ragged and his body throbbing. His vision blurred as he struggled to his feet, the journey back to his small apartment feeling like a Herculean task. Each step was a battle against the physical and emotional pain, a reminder of the darkness that seemed to be closing in.

His apartment door swung shut behind him, and Liam sank against it, his breaths coming in ragged gasps. The weight of his failures pressed down on him, an invisible hand that threatened to suffocate his dreams. Alone in the dim light of his apartment, he faced a harsh truth: the world was unforgiving, and he was just a pawn in its game.

"Is this how it's going to be?" Liam muttered to himself, his voice carrying a mix of frustration and resignation. He had poured his heart and soul into his aspirations, only to be met with rejection and setbacks at every turn. The city had chewed him up and spat him out, leaving him bruised and broken.

As he slumped against the door, his fatigue-laden eyes caught something strange out of the corner of his vision. A notification, bold and otherworldly, seemed to materialize before him, as if conjured from thin air.

"Merchant system installing," the message declared, its words pulsating with an otherworldly glow.

Liam's brows furrowed in confusion, the lines of his weary face deepening as he tried to make sense of this surreal phenomenon.

"What on earth?" he murmured, his voice barely audible amidst the haze of his thoughts.

Liam's mind spun like a whirlwind, the lines between his pain and the bizarre notification blurring into a surreal tapestry. His fingers twitched with the urge to touch the words, to confirm their reality through his senses.

The weight of exhaustion finally overpowered him, and the room seemed to sway as Liam's vision blurred. The combination of his pain and the inexplicable message proved too much for his fatigued mind to handle. With a soft groan, he slumped further, his consciousness slipping away like sand through his fingers.

As his eyes fluttered shut, the last thing he registered was the notification's declaration: "Installing 0%."