I mentally pressed 'Y.'
The holographic interface reacted instantly.
The [Y] button flashed a brilliant gold.
[CONFIRMED.]
[PROCESSING CONTRACT SIGNATURE…]
On my computer screen, the Fistoria contract page refreshed. A digital signature—a stylized version of my pen name—appeared on the dotted line. It was done.
The System window updated.
[CONTRACT TIER: BRONZE - SIGNED.]
[INITIATING REWARD PROTOCOL…]
[CALCULATING…]
A progress bar appeared. It filled rapidly from left to right.
My room was silent. I could hear the blood rushing in my ears.
What happens now? Money? A superpower?
The bar reached 100%.
[REWARD 1: CAPITAL INJECTION - $100,000.00 USD]
[DESCRIPTION: Funds have been transferred to a secure, offshore account under your name. Access credentials have been sent to your encrypted secondary email.]
A string of numbers appeared below the text. A routing number. An account number.
One hundred thousand dollars.
Just like that.
I fumbled for my phone. My cheap Realme. My hands were shaking so badly I dropped it.
I scooped it up, opened my browser. I navigated to the bank's login portal the System had listed.
I entered the details. Account number. A randomly generated password from my secret email.
The page loaded.
Account Balance: $100,000.87
I stared.
The numbers didn't change. They just sat there. Real.
I was a sixteen-year-old with a hundred grand in an offshore account.
A laugh bubbled up from my chest. It sounded unhinged.
The System wasn't done.
[REWARD 2: SKILL UNLOCK - COMPULSION (CW-TYPE) - BASIC]
[DESCRIPTION: Designate one female target per month. You may implant a single, specific suggestion into their mind. The target will follow this suggestion with sincere conviction, believing it to be their own idea or desire. Memory of the compulsion event will be hazy. Cooldown: 30 days.]
[WARNING: Skill potency scales with System Level and target's mental resistance.]
Text burned itself into my mind. The knowledge of the skill. How to focus. How to choose a target. How to whisper the command.
It felt like a new muscle. A dark, coiled power in the back of my skull.
The holographic screen faded.
I was alone in my room again.
But I wasn't the same person.
I looked at my reflection in the dark computer monitor. The eyes looking back were wide. Wild.
I can make people do things.
The power was terrifying. It was intoxicating.
I had money. I had a power straight out of a dark fantasy.
And I had a list.
A list of everyone who made the old Alex feel small.
The cold fire was now a blazing inferno.
"Where to start?" I whispered to the empty room.