The World’s System Monarch
Chapter 2: Money Can’t Buy Happiness… But It Can Buy Ramen
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Ryo sprinted toward the nearest convenience store, heart pounding.
This is it. My first system mission.
All he had to do was spend 100 yen, and he'd get 100,000 yen in return.
A literal 1000x profit.
If this worked, he could finally help his family out of their financial struggles.
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[Ding! Reminder: Mission Incomplete. Stop standing around like an NPC.]
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"Yeah, yeah, I’m going!"
He pushed open the gss door, the familiar ding-dong chime pying as he stepped inside. The bright lights, the perfectly arranged shelves… it smelled like capitalism.
Ryo casually strolled to the ramen section.
His hand hovered over a cup of spicy miso ramen—98 yen.
"...Two yen short. You gotta be kidding me."
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[Ding! System suggests adding a stick of gum.]
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Ryo sighed. Fine. He grabbed a pack of mint gum (12 yen), bringing the total to 110 yen.
"Just a cup of ramen and gum, please."
The cashier, an exhausted-looking high school girl, zily scanned his items. "110 yen."
Ryo reached into his inventory, pretending to pull cash from his pocket. He handed over a 1,000 yen bill.
The cashier took the bill, gave him change, and handed over his items.
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[Ding! Mission Complete!]
> You have received 100,000 yen!
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Ryo nearly choked. That easy?!
A quick gnce at his inventory confirmed it—100,000 yen was sitting in his bance.
"Bro… I’m rich."
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Outside the Store
Ryo sat on a bench, slurping his ramen while staring at his system screen.
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[Stats Updated!]
> Money Bance: 100,237 yen
Mission Progress: Beginner mission completed!
Skill Tree Progress: Still at the bottom. You suck.
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"...Okay, seriously. System, do you have to insult me every time?"
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[Ding! Absolutely.]
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"Figures."
Ryo finished his ramen, wiped his mouth, and checked for new missions.
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[New Mission Unlocked!]
> Mission: "A Taste of Power"
Task: Use the system’s power to enhance your physical abilities.
Reward: +5 Strength, +5 Agility, Basic Combat Skill.
Penalty: None. (Don’t waste this chance, weakling.)
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"Wait… I can upgrade my body?!"
He immediately opened his Stats screen.
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[Current Stats - Ryo Kisarag
> Strength: 5 → (Upgradable)
Agility: 4 → (Upgradable)
Intelligence: 6
Luck: 1
Charisma: 3
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"So... how do I upgrade?"
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[Ding! Just say ‘Upgrade.’]
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Ryo clenched his fists. This is it. The moment I become a protagonist.
"...Upgrade Strength and Agility."
A warm surge spread through his body.
His muscles tightened. His reflexes sharpened. His body felt lighter, stronger, and more responsive.
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[Stats Updated!]
> Strength: 5 → 10
Agility: 4 → 9
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Ryo flexed his arm, feeling the difference. "Yo… I actually feel stronger."
He crouched down and jumped.
He soared twice as high as normal.
"...Holy crap, I’m Spider-Man."
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[Ding! No, you’re not. But good effort.]
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Ryo grinned. This was just the beginning.
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[Ding! Chapter Complete!]
> Mission: Read the next chapter.
Reward: More dumb system commentary, more power-ups, and maybe… just maybe… an interaction with a girl.
Penalty for skipping: You’ll miss out. Also, the system will call you weak.
Will you accept the mission?
