The fortune's deadline

chapter 2: binding rules

Jason stared at the glowing screen, the blue light reflecting in his wet eyes.

Victor’s mocking smile made his chest tighten. The rain outside the window tapped the glass like a slow clock, each drop reminding him that his time was running out.

“What did you just say?” Jason asked quietly.

Victor leaned on the doorframe, his voice dripping with fake concern. “You really didn’t know, huh? Maybe you should’ve died back then with your precious parents.”

Jason’s hands clenched. “What do you know about my parents?”

Victor laughed. “Oh, now you’re curious. How about you come work for me again? I’ll tell you everything — but only if you stop pretending to be a saint.”

Jason’s heart thumped fast.

He wanted to hit him. He wanted to scream.

But the screen behind Victor glowed again.

> System Notice: Emotional instability detected.

Task chain paused. Displaying full system rules.

Blue light filled the room. Victor stepped back, eyes wide, unable to see it. The holographic letters appeared in front of Jason, clear as day.

---

> SYSTEM BINDING: ACTIVE

User: Jason Cross

Current Lifespan: 62 days

Rules of Operation:

1. Every task completed honestly and meaningfully adds to your days.

2. Dishonest gain voids all rewards.

3. Failure to complete tasks results in memory loss or reduced lifespan.

4. The system may set hidden challenges to test the user’s heart.

5. Emotional despair fuels activation. Hope fuels growth.

> Capabilities:

Gain “Intuition” — the ability to sense truth in people or deals.

Receive direct bank deposits upon completion of tasks.

> Limitations:

Tasks cannot involve cheating, lying, or hurting others for gain.

Breaking a rule leads to Penalty Tests.

> First Binding Rule Active:

You are being watched. Your path draws both helpers and enemies.

---

Jason blinked.

His heart pounded.

“Helpers and enemies…” he murmured. “So Victor…?”

The system didn’t answer. The light faded, leaving him alone with the sound of the rain.

Victor scoffed. “You’ve lost your mind, haven’t you? Staring at air. You always were pathetic.”

He turned and left, slamming the door so hard the walls shook.

Jason fell to his knees, gripping the silver cross. His chest ached, but this time it wasn’t from sickness — it was from anger.

---

That night, Mark called.

Jason stared at the screen of his old phone before answering.

“Jason, you useless rat,” Mark shouted. “You left early, didn’t deliver half your orders, and people complained. You’re fired!”

Jason tried to speak. “Sir, please—”

“Don’t beg, orphan trash,” Mark snapped. “You should thank me for not calling the police. There’s nothing in this world for people like you.”

The line went dead.

Jason sat there, quiet.

Rain kept falling.

In his head, a voice whispered — “You’ll always be nothing.”

He remembered nights in the orphanage when he slept hungry.

He remembered stealing bread for a sick friend named Caleb — his only friend.

He remembered promising Caleb they’d both escape one day.

But now Caleb was gone.

Or maybe… he wasn’t.

---

The screen blinked again.

> Mini Task: Remember your first promise.

Reward: $2,000 +3 days

Failure: Memory of “Caleb” erased.

Time limit: 2 hours.

Jason’s eyes widened. “It’s testing me…”

He closed his eyes, fighting to remember. The smell of rain on the orphanage roof. Caleb’s laugh. The way they shared one blanket through winter.

“I promised him I’d never give up. Never let life make me cold.”

The moment he whispered those words, the screen glowed.

> Task complete.

Reward added: $2,000 +3 days. Lifespan: 65 days.

But something else appeared under it — faint red letters.

> Hidden Rule Unlocked: The more you grow, the more they’ll notice.

Rivals drawn to your light.

---

Jason opened his wallet. He had more money now than ever before — but his heart still hurt.

He stood up, determined. “If this system is giving me time, I’ll use it to live right. I’ll make every day count.”

He walked into the night, the rain easing into mist. His old bicycle leaned by the wall, and he climbed on, riding through the sleeping streets.

As he passed the orphanage, a faint smile crossed his face. He saw a little boy through the window, shivering under thin sheets — just like he once did. Jason stopped and slipped an envelope of cash through the door gap. “Sleep warm, little guy,” he whispered. “You’ll make it.”

The cross on his chest glowed softly — a warm sign that he was on the right path.

---

When he got home, his phone buzzed.

A message.

Stephanie:

> Jason, I… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you. Can we talk?

Jason’s eyes softened, but before he could reply, another message popped up — from Victor.

Victor:

> Join me, Jason. One job. Quick money. Or stay poor forever.

The screen behind him flickered red again.

> Warning: External influence detected.

Choice impacts fate.

Jason stared at the two messages. His chest tightened.

Stephanie’s guilt… Victor’s threat… his system’s warning…

He didn’t know which one to answer.

But deep down, he felt the storm coming.