"Welcome home, Master Alex. I am Sebastian, your head butler."
An older man with gray hair and a perfectly pressed tuxedo bowed deeply. Behind him, the nineteen other servants remained bowed, not daring to look up.
Alex nodded, trying to keep his face calm. Inside, his heart was racing. This is insane. Yesterday I was eating instant noodles.
"Rise," Alex said, channeling his Tycoon's Aura.
Sebastian stood up straight. "The villa has been prepared according to the System's specifications. The Master Suite is on the top floor. Would you like a tour, or do you wish to activate the Master Protocol first?"
"Master Protocol first," Alex said. He needed to finish the mission.
"Right this way, sir."
Sebastian led him through the massive double doors. The interior was breathtaking. The floors were made of black marble imported from Italy. A crystal chandelier the size of a car hung from the ceiling. The walls were lined with artwork that looked like originals.
They took a private glass elevator to the top floor.
The Master Suite was bigger than Alex's entire old apartment building. One wall was entirely made of glass, offering a panoramic view of the city lights below.
In the center of the room, a futuristic console was rising from the floor.
"Please place your hand on the scanner, Master," Sebastian said, then stepped back and closed the door to give him privacy.
Alex walked over to the console. It glowed with a soft blue light.
He placed his right hand on the panel.
Buzz.
[Biometric Scan Complete. Identity Confirmed: Host Alex.] [Transferring Ownership Deed... Complete.] [Dragon Bay Villa No. 1 is now officially yours.]
[DING!]
[Mission Complete: Claim Your Territory.] [Rewards: +20 Charm. +500 Tycoon Points.] [SYSTEM UPGRADE: Level 2 Reached.] [UNLOCKING SYSTEM SHOP...]
A massive golden holographic interface exploded into existence in the middle of the room. It was different from the usual blue text. This one looked expensive.
[Welcome to the Tycoon System Shop (Level 1)] [Current Tycoon Points (TP): 1,100] (Note: 100 from Humiliation Mission + 500 from Office Mission + 500 from Villa Mission)
Alex's eyes scanned the list of items available for purchase. His jaw dropped.
[Consumer Goods]
Super Soldier Serum (Grade F): Permanently increases all stats by +10. Price: 1,000 TP.
Beauty Pill: Removes all scars, acne, and imperfections. Grants perfect skin. Price: 500 TP.
Health Potion: Cures any non-terminal illness instantly. Price: 200 TP.
[Skills]
Grandmaster Fighting Proficiency: Instantly master all forms of hand-to-hand combat. Price: 1,000 TP.
God-Level Singing Voice: Sing like a siren. Price: 800 TP.
Stock Market Foresight (1 Hour): Predict the market perfectly for one hour. Price: 500 TP.
[Special]
Loyalty Card: Use on a target. They will never betray you. Price: 2,000 TP.
Alex stared at the screen.
"This... this is godhood," Alex whispered.
Money could buy cars and houses. But money couldn't buy instant Kung Fu mastery or perfect health. The System could.
He looked at his stats.
Strength: 20 (Normal human is 5)
Speed: 20
Charm: 35 (Superstar level)
He was already superhumanly attractive and strong. But he didn't know how to fight. If David hired professional hitmen, Alex might still be in trouble despite his strength.
He looked at the Grandmaster Fighting Proficiency.
Price: 1,000 TP. Current Balance: 1,100 TP.
"I have enough," Alex realized.
He thought about the threats he faced. David was rich and vindictive. Manager Wang was petty. There were definitely more enemies coming.
"System," Alex said firmly. "Purchase Grandmaster Fighting Proficiency."
[Purchase Successful! Deducting 1,000 TP.] [Downloading Combat Data to Host's Brain... Warning: This may hurt.]
"Wait, hurt?"
Before Alex could react, a blinding white light engulfed his vision. It felt like his brain was being split open. Memories that weren't his flooded his mind.
Boxing, Muay Thai, Jiu-Jitsu, Krav Maga. Years of training compressed into a single second.
"ARGH!" Alex fell to his knees, clutching his head.
Then, as quickly as it started, the pain vanished.
Alex gasped for air. He looked at his hands. They looked the same, but they felt... different. Deadly. He knew exactly how to break a man's neck with two fingers. He knew how to dodge a bullet.
He stood up and threw a test punch.
WHOOSH.
The air cracked. It was fast. Too fast for the human eye to track.
Alex smirked. The reflection in the glass window showed a man who wasn't just rich. He was a weapon.
"Sebastian!" Alex called out.
The door opened instantly. "Yes, Master?"
"Prepare dinner," Alex said, adjusting his cuffs. "I'm starving. And get the car ready for tomorrow morning."
"Where will you be going, sir?"
Alex looked at the city lights below.
"I need to pay a visit to my old university," Alex said. "I have some unfinished business with a certain 'Professor' who failed me on purpose."