Liam sat on the edge of his worn-out couch, the holographic interface still glowing softly in the dim light of his apartment. The number in his bank account, displayed on the interface, was still incomprehensible. He poked at the interface, navigating the menus with a mixture of awe and trepidation.
"System, how… how does this work?" he asked, his voice still tinged with disbelief.
"The system provides access to resources based on your current level. Leveling up unlocks new abilities and expands existing ones. Wealth is automatically deposited and accessible through any financial institution. Knowledge is instantly transferred and integrated into your cognitive functions."
"So… I can just… know anything?" Liam asked, his mind reeling.
"Affirmative. Select a career or area of knowledge."
Liam hesitated. He'd always been passionate about teaching, but now, with unlimited possibilities, he felt a strange sense of liberation. He thought about Anya, about her world of finance and high-powered deals. A flicker of something akin to revenge, mixed with curiosity, sparked within him.
"Finance," he said, his voice firm. "Show me… everything about finance."
The interface flickered, and a wave of information washed over him. It was like a torrent, a deluge of data flooding his mind. He felt a strange pressure, a stretching sensation, as his brain absorbed the knowledge. He saw stock charts, financial models, market analyses, all laid out with perfect clarity.
Minutes, or perhaps hours, passed. Liam emerged from the mental deluge, his head buzzing but his mind sharper than ever. He understood the intricacies of the stock market, the nuances of investment strategies, the dark arts of corporate finance. He felt like a master, a puppet master, capable of manipulating the financial world with a mere thought.
"Incredible," he breathed, his voice filled with awe.
He looked at the number in his bank account. It was still there, a testament to the system's power. He opened his laptop, his fingers flying across the keyboard as he accessed his online banking. He transferred a small fraction of the money to his regular account, just to see if it was real.
The transaction went through instantly. His balance jumped, the numbers confirming the impossible. He was rich.
He stood up, a newfound energy coursing through him. He needed to get out of this apartment, to experience this new reality. He grabbed his worn-out jacket and headed out into the rain-soaked streets.
The city looked different now, not a symbol of unattainable wealth, but a playground, a stage for his newfound abilities. He walked with a newfound confidence, his head held high.
He found himself in front of a high-end restaurant, the kind he'd only ever glimpsed from the outside. He walked in, ignoring the raised eyebrows of the maitre d'. He sat down at an empty table and ordered the most expensive meal on the menu, a small smile playing on his lips.
The food was exquisite, the wine divine. He savored every bite, every sip, a sense of vindication washing over him. He was no longer the broke teacher, the discarded boyfriend. He was Liam, the man with the system, and he was just getting started.