Amara returned home from the class reunion with her heels dangling from one hand and frustration burning quietly in her chest. The night was cool, but her mind was hot with memories of everything that happened, the laughter, the bragging, and Ada's voice—sharp, mocking.
"This your life never changes, Amara. Some of us have moved forward. Others… are still where we left them." Amara had smiled, but her pride caught fire, and before she could stop herself, she bragged boldly:
"Just watch. In a few days, my family will be living in a better place than any of you can dream of."
Her classmates laughed, thinking it was empty talk, but the System didn't think so and as she pushed open her compound's gate, the cold voice chimed in her head:
⟨ BRAGGING SYSTEM UPDATE
Task Completed: "Outshine Your Peers"
Reward Granted: Family Upgrade Package ⟩
She froze the System… had taken her boast literally, she walked into the dim sitting room the weak bulb flickered, throwing shadows on the cracked walls. Her mother looked up from folding laundry.
"Amara? You're back early. I thought you'd stay longer at your reunion?"
"It was fine, Mama," she lied with a smile.
Her younger brother, Timi, ran in barefoot. "Sister! Did you bring anything?"
She dropped her heels and sighed.
"I brought something better. All of you, please sit down."
Her mother raised an eyebrow, confused, but she obeyed Timi and her two cousins sat too, staring at her expectantly, Amara inhaled slowly.
"Mama… we are moving out of this place."
The room fell into a stunned silence.
"Moving?" Mama asked softly. "To where?"
"A new house," Amara said, her heart pounding. "A very good house. Spacious. Comfortable. Safe. With everything we've ever prayed for."
Her mother's hands trembled. "Amara… are you telling me the truth?"
Before she could answer, a vibration echoed in her skull:
⟨ LIE MODE ACTIVATED – Protecting Host Identity ⟩
"Mama," she whispered, "God has opened a door for us. I handled everything today. We are leaving tomorrow morning."
Her mother burst into tears instantly.
"After all these years… God finally did it."
The children jumped around the room, shouting and dancing.
"A house with tiles?!"
"A house with a real bathroom?!"
"I want my own bed!"
"No more heat!"
"No more leaking roof!"
Amara watched them with a bittersweet smile.
They deserved this,they deserved everything, but deep inside, her fear grew, because she knew the truth.Their miracle came from the System and every reward came with a task, a cost, or a price.
On the moving day, they woke up before sunrise, the excitement in the house was loud enough to wake the neighbors. They packed their clothes, pots, wrappers, books, and memories into the van Amara hired. Mama held her hand tightly as they climbed in.
"My daughter… whoever helped you… may heaven bless them richly."
Amara forced a smile.
"Amen, Mama."
But the System whispered coldly:
⟨ WARNING:
Revealing the System leads to punishment. ⟩
She looked away, hiding her worry.
The drive to the new estate felt like entering another world. The roads were smooth, the streetlights actually worked, the flowers along the sidewalks were trimmed perfectly, Timi stuck his head out the window, shouting,
"Sister, look! Everywhere is fine!"
When they reached the estate gate, the security guard greeted them politely.
"Good morning, ma. Are you the new tenants?"
Amara nodded, trying not to look shocked that he already knew them, the System worked too smoothly.They drove into the estate neat lawns, bright houses, quiet streets.
Her mother gasped. "Amara… where is this place? Are you sure we belong here?"
"We do now, Mama," Amara said softly.
When the van stopped in front of their new home, the children screamed.
"Mama! It's big!"
"Ah! The house is fine!"
"It's like film!"
Mama covered her mouth with both hands. Tears ran down her cheeks uncontrollably.
They entered the house… and the awe doubled.
The sitting room had fresh paint, tiled floors, a big sofa, a dining set, and even framed wall art. The kitchen had cabinets, a real gas cooker, and spotless countertops. Each room had its own wardrobe, ceiling fan, and mattress.
The children ran through the house like excited puppies.
"This is my room!"
"No! This one!"
"See bathroom!"
Mama touched the wall gently, like she was afraid it would disappear.
"This is… this is too much. Amara, how did you—?"
A sharp pulse echoed in Amara's head:
⟨ LIE MODE ALERT
Host must not disclose source ⟩
She swallowed.
"Mama… God did it."
Mama hugged her tightly. "My daughter, you have changed our story."
Amara closed her eyes she wished she could say the same because deep inside, she knew the System never blessed without expecting something back.
By evening, after they settled in, Amara stepped outside to breathe. The estate was quiet. Clean. Peaceful. Everything she ever dreamed of giving her family.
Her phone buzzed.
Message from: LEO
Hey Amara…
"Hey, I got your number from the class group. Hope you reached home safely? Can I see you today?"
Her heart skipped Leo—the one person who once mattered too much, before she could reply, the System chimed softly:
⟨ NEW TASK AVAILABLE
"Face Your Past"
Reward: Unknown ⟩
Her stomach tightened, Leo wanted to meet the System wanted something.
And the night was just beginning, the boy she had liked for years, the boy she always felt unworthy of, now he wanted to see her, and she… had secrets.
Big ones.