Jack takes a deep breath, trying to calm the storm raging within him. The shock of regression, the system's activation, and the memories of his betrayal swirl through his mind.
He stumbles to the bathroom, staring at the mirror. A much younger version of himself stares back – messy black hair, dark circles under his eyes, and a face hardened by years of suffering that haven't happened yet.
"I really am... 23 again," he mutters, touching his face. "Everything I lost... It's all back."
Jack leaves the bathroom and scans the tiny apartment. The old TV sits in the corner, coated in a thin layer of dust. On the cluttered desk, a stack of unpaid bills is piled up, just like before.
[Mission: Secure a valuable asset that can generate income within 7 days. Time remaining: 6 days, 23 hours.]
Jack's eyes narrow as he checks the time on his flip phone. He needs to make a move. But first, he has to assess his current state.
He searches his drawers, pulling out a thin, worn wallet. Inside, he finds a few crumpled bills – a measly $35. His bank account balance? $62.
"Pathetic," Jack mutters. "But I was worse off in my past life. At least now I know what's coming."
Jack sits down and starts listing potential assets. His mind flashes to the internet café – the opportunity he plans to seize. But he needs money to make the deal.
[Hint: Think small to win big. Opportunities often come in unexpected forms.]
Jack's eyes light up. He remembers an online auction site where a rare gaming console was sold for $500 just two weeks from now. At the moment, it's being listed for $50 by a clueless seller.
"If I can snag that console and flip it..." Jack grins, pulling out his laptop. "Time to get to work."