Lin Chen opened his eyes, though everything around him remained blurry. His body ached, and his head throbbed from the beating. As he tried to push himself up, his hands trembling, he realized he wasn't lying on the cold floor anymore. Instead, he was in a sterile, dimly lit environment.
"W-where am I?" he whispered weakly, confusion clouding his thoughts.
Then, an interface appeared before his eyes. A holographic display flickered into view, like something out of a sci-fi movie. A golden logo, bearing the word Salvator, hovered in front of him.
"Welcome to Salvator, Lin Chen."
The voice, calm and mechanical, reverberated in his mind, sending a shiver down his spine.
"Who are you?" Lin Chen demanded, his voice hoarse. "What the hell is going on?"
"I am Salvator, the Wealth System Protocol, designed to assist you in your ascension from the current low-point of your life."
Lin Chen blinked, trying to process the words. "Ascension? What are you talking about?"
"You have lost everything, Lin Chen. Your career, your friends, your money, your dignity. But now, you have the chance to regain it all and more. Your first task: survive. Completion of this task will grant you initial rewards."
Lin Chen's heart skipped a beat. Survive? Was this some kind of sick joke?
Before he could say anything, the interface shifted again, and a new screen appeared before his eyes.
Task: Survive the Night
Objective: Stay alive and avoid further harm from external threats.Reward: 50 Initial Gold, Basic Ability Enhancement, Access to the System Shop.
Lin Chen's mind raced. He looked around the sterile room again, still in disbelief. How could this be happening?
The voice continued.
"In this system, you will receive Gold by completing tasks. Gold can be used to purchase resources, skills, and items that will help you grow stronger. You may begin by completing your first task. Time is of the essence."
"Gold? Resources? Items?" Lin Chen muttered to himself. The absurdity of it all was overwhelming. But the voice seemed so certain, and the interface in front of him was too real to ignore.
"Complete the task, and you may begin your journey towards reclaiming your life and more."
Lin Chen clenched his fists. His head was still swimming, but his instincts kicked in. What else did he have left to lose? He had been abandoned by everyone he trusted, his life shattered beyond recognition. Could this system really offer him the chance to rebuild everything from the ground up?
With a resigned sigh, Lin Chen stood up and wiped the blood from his face. "Fine," he said, more to himself than to the voice in his head. "I'll play along."
Suddenly, the interface shifted again, and a message flashed.
"Task activated. You have one hour to survive. Failure will result in punishment. Good luck."