From Garbage To Glory

Chapter 4

4

"Well, it's a mechanism that connects with the player and through which you gain power. It helps the player grow stronger, smarter, and more powerful. And wealthy obviously." The guy flashed his teeth.

Jeremy was uncertain. He said, "Sounds great. I wish I could play. But I have three jobs to do. EMIs to pay and a family to feed. I don't think—"

"You don't need to worry about your job, sir. As I said before, if you complete the targets, you get points and cash it out. Many people have abandoned their laborious jobs and chose this game to be their fulltime job. Don't think much about it. Try it out." The guy turned around and went to the other end of his house.

He rummaged through something in a drawer and returned with a document of some sort. But Jeremy didn't see him get it as he was lost in his thoughts.

This sounded too good to be true. Was it really possible to earn through playing games? Did systems really make you powerful and wealthy? He was still contemplating when the developer guy spoke.

"You won't regret playing this game, sir. You see the names here. New gamers are joining daily in large numbers." He said. "Tell me which system would you like to choose for yourself?"

"I... I don't know. What kind of systems do you have though?"

"Great question, sir." The developer guy touched a button on the screen and a huge list of different systems showed. They went on and on. "I have plenty to choose from. There is level-up system, Revenge System, Billionaire System, Gold Medal winning Athlete System, Parental System, Good sibling System, Business/Wealth system, Supernatural System like werewolf, vampire, zombie, Good boyfriend System, Sweet Husband system, Mafia System, God of War System... These are just a few. We have more. Which one would you like, sir?"

The guy looked at Jeremy hopefully. Seeing him wary, he added, "Don't worry about it, sir. You can also play games normally without a system but you see, my users find playing under a System more helpful. You'll know what I'm saying once you try it."

Although Jeremy's mind told him not to, he anyway agreed. The guy had been nothing but respectful and considerate. He tipped him the highest tip in his life. For the sake of that, he decided to do it.

It's not like he was going to play the game! He didn't have time. But for the good guy, he was going to download his gaming app and leave a rating.

Jeremy fished out his secondhand phone and went to the Play Store.

"What is the name of your game application?" He asked.

"Game application? You're mistaking it, sir. My game is played in real life and in real time. Nothing is virtual. You don't need a phone or a game application."

"Whay do you mean?"

"You'll get an idea when you join in, sir. Tell me your name, sir?"

Jeremy stared at him cautiously. The guy was filling in some kind of form. Seeing the fright in Jeremy's eyes, he smiled assuredly.

"This is a new user registration procedure, sir. It's like logging into the game using your name and Email ID."

"Oh, write it down then." Jeremy was sure by now that he made a mistake staying.

The guy was creeping him out, and he wanted to get out as soon as possible. But he gave him his name, email ID, and tick marked in the check boxes to show that he was going to play. However, he was now dying to get out. He was never going to meet this guy again so he didn't bother giving his nickname (Jerry Cavill) and an Email ID that he no longer used or remembered password of.

"Very well, sir. Once I take your signature, you'll be registered. Then you can start to play."

"Oh no, I don't have that much time. I can't start playing right away." Jeremy said quickly.

The guy turned to him and looked at him for a moment before his lips stretched into a smile that appeared creepy more than assuring, "That's not a problem, sir."

Jeremy's fingers twitched in fear. He cursed himself, and he couldn't even try to run away. That would be stupid given the area, which was completely barren and desolated. Even if Jeremy tried to run away, he wouldn't get far away.

"We can discuss when to get you on board. You can decide when you want to log in and start playing."

"Cool!" Jeremy faked interest. "So, can you set it at a later date for me. Like after a month or two."

"That can easily be done, sir. I'll write here... Activate the game when you lose everything. Is that okay? The game will automatically start and the system... I'll choose a universal system for you since you're not clear with it." Jeremy wasn't listening to his nonsense now. His eyes were affixed on the slightly ajar door.

He was weighing his options, whether to just break into a run or work patiently as he did so far without annoying the crazy head.

"All done. I'll just need your sign here now, sir. Sir?"

"Y-yeah, I'm listening. What... What is it?"

"I said I'll need your signature."

"Oh. Where's the pen?" Jeremy extended his hand to take a pen, eyes still on the door.

The developer guy grabbed his hand and pricked him on the right thumb instead.

"Oww!" Jeremy winced as at the same time the developer guy pressed his bloody thumb to the end of the document on a dash quickly.

"There... It's done!"

Jeremy pulled his hand back while cursing him in his head as the crazy guy smiled politely.

"You're successfully registered, sir. Now the game and your chosen system will activate when you're ready. Oh, it's very late. I think you should get going, sir. Your family must be waiting."

Jeremy didn't wait to say goodbye or exchange any kind of farewell dialogues. He just ran towards the door and out the house. He didn't look back until he was out by the street. He came at a halt to take breaths because he was panting. He then peeked a look over his shoulder and his face went still!

The house that sat like a sore spot on the wide empty ground... was gone.

"G-ghost. G-ghost." Jeremy's body trembled with fear.

"T-the house... The house...!" Jeremy couldn't even yell because his fear was so intense.

He quickly spun around and took off, not daring to look back.

Jeremy cursed himself all while he ran faster and faster.

Nevertheless, what he didn't know was that the thing he was freaked out by now— Was going to change his life for good forever.

Tbc...