I Became Rich With My System

Chapter 4

(The herb helps you remove dirt, fat your body doesn’t need, and even diseases from your body.)

No wonder John felt so light after the bath, even though the process had felt like torture. His muscles ached a little, but his body also felt… cleaner, freer, almost energized.

Next, he tried the facial wash. It was surprisingly nice—the foam was thick and soft. After washing, his face felt smooth, supple, and fresh. He smiled at his reflection. I actually like this…

The next morning, John followed the system’s instructions again. He washed his face, then drank the health potion. The liquid was a strange dark green, and the smell was a little off, but it didn’t taste bad. He swallowed it down quickly, relieved that it wasn’t disgusting.

“What exercise should I do?” he muttered, feeling a bit lazy.

(Just walk, master.)

“Walk? That’s it?”

(Yes. You can walk for thirty minutes at a leisurely pace.)

“Hmm… then can I do it while going to school? Since it’s also thirty minutes from here, maybe even longer.”

(Of course, it’s no problem, master!)

“Thank goodness… but today’s a holiday. I’ll do it on Monday. For now, I’ll just walk around the neighborhood.”

(Cheer up, master!)

With light steps, John left his grandmother’s house and wandered through the quiet streets. The air felt fresher than usual, and even the sounds of the neighborhood seemed sharper, clearer. By the time he returned, his body felt energized and surprisingly strong.

Before he knew it, Monday came. John felt noticeably lighter, more agile, and he was genuinely excited to go to school. When he tried on his uniform, he realized something remarkable—his shirt was looser, his pants shorter.

“Am I… getting taller?” he muttered, eyes widening at his reflection.

Determined, he planned to measure his weight and height once he arrived at school.

(No need to do that, master. The system can measure for you.)

“Really? Then tell me now! What’s my height and weight?” he asked eagerly.

(Your height is 175 cm, and your current weight is 115 kg.)

John froze. “Seriously? I’ve grown five centimeters taller and lost thirty-five kilograms? Amazing!” His heart raced with excitement.

He clenched his fists. I have to keep this up. I have to reach my ideal body!

(That’s a good spirit, master.)

Since the system ordered him to eat healthy, John had been strict with his meals. Every day he cooked his own food—steamed chicken breast, lightly steamed vegetables, and brown rice. If he was still hungry, he added boiled eggs. He drank plenty of water, avoided sweets, and if he wanted coffee, it was only iced Americano—no exceptions. For snacks, fruits were allowed, nothing else.

The system didn’t restrict him from eating as much as he wanted, but it warned him—if he was full, he could not continue. Discipline was part of the path, and John followed it without complaint.

That calm routine shattered the moment a familiar, mocking voice reached him.

“Hey fatso! Still alive, huh?”

John froze. His heart sank. David. Alone, but this time with Sandra, his girlfriend.

“Aren’t you fed? You’re so skinny!” Sandra commented, a smirk tugging at her lips.

David glanced at him, eyes sharp. “Still fat like this? What’s skinny then?”

John’s legs wanted to move. Run. Anywhere but here. But David wasn’t done.

“Hey, where are you going? Quickly, buy me food and drinks, take that to my class as usual!”

John’s chest tightened. His mind raced. Run, escape, don’t give them a chance…

Then the system’s voice buzzed in his mind, firm and unyielding:

(You should firmly refuse.)

Fear and confusion collided in John’s chest. The system—was it insane? Refuse David? He would be beaten, maybe worse.

(You must be able to fight back, master.)

(You can’t continue to be a coward.)

(If you succeed, you will get a reward.)

Ugh… whether he got beaten up or not, John didn’t care anymore. His shoulders slumped, and he simply muttered, “I don’t want to.”

“You…” David started, his voice sharp, but John ignored him.

“He doesn’t want to. Why do you insist?”

Both boys turned toward the source of the voice. A tall figure stood there, with a sharp, handsome face and eyes that seemed to pierce right through the chaos. John recognized him immediately—the new student council president.

David chuckled softly, trying to regain control. “This is my business with him. You don’t need to interfere!”

May Harris only laughed, loud and unbothered, then tapped David lightly on the shoulder. “Why would I interfere? What am I afraid of? Just because you’re the son of some official? Do you know who I am? I’m the son of the Minister of Defense in this country. Tell me, what exactly do you want?”

David’s confident smirk faltered. For a moment, he forgot exactly who he was dealing with. May Harris wasn’t just a name on the student roster—he was a force, a power in his own right, backed by one of the most influential families in the country. If he chose, he could dismantle David and his followers without even breaking a sweat.

John watched silently, heart still hammering in his chest, but a strange calm settled over him. He didn’t need to intervene—the arrival of someone stronger than David was already enough.

“Let go of me,” David finally snapped, glaring at May, “let’s go, Sandra!”

It turned out that David wasn’t as fearless as he acted. Facing May, he immediately shrank back, cowardice flashing in his eyes.

May, calm and unbothered, walked over to John, easily draping an arm around his shoulder. Being five centimeters taller than John, he looked protective yet casual, like this was nothing.

“If you want to deal with people like that, you have to be confident. You can’t show fear. Understand?” May said, his tone firm but not harsh.

(Tell him if you want to be his friend, then you’ll get a reward)

“I understand… but… can I be your friend?” John asked, his voice soft but serious.

May paused, tilting his head slightly to look down at John’s earnest, cute face. “Friend?”

“Yeah. I… I don’t really have any friends,” John admitted, his eyes not leaving May.

May chuckled, a light sound that made John’s chest tighten with hope. He braced himself, expecting mockery, but the laugh wasn’t cruel.

“Alright. Let’s be friends,” May said simply.

“Are you… serious?” John asked, disbelief clear in his voice.

“Why aren’t you even sure? I’m serious,” May replied, his smile unwavering.

(You have successfully obtained a reward. Click the reward menu to claim your reward.)

John’s heart raced. May wasn’t just friendly—he seemed sincere. Could the system really be right? If May weren’t trustworthy, it wouldn’t have suggested him as a friend, right?

(No. Even if he’s bad, I’ll still recommend him.)

“Eh?” John thought, confused.

(Did you hear what I said? He’s the Defense Minister’s son. He’s strong.)

(The current master is not strong yet. You need a strong person who can protect you.)

(Being friends with the Minister’s son will give you valuable connections.)

John couldn’t argue with that logic. The system was right. He hadn’t considered the strategic side of friendship at all—he’d only thought of May as someone kind.

Walking to class with May at his side, John noticed the difference immediately. The moment they entered, a hush fell over the room. Everyone stared, too intimidated to speak.

“From now on, John is my friend. Whoever dares to disturb him will face me,” May declared, his presence radiating authority.

John felt a chill. May’s aura was dark, almost intimidating, but when he looked at John, it softened, and a warm smile spread across his face.

“If anyone bothers you, tell me. I’ll handle it,” May said before heading to his own class.

John couldn’t believe it. How could someone act so protective, so kind, and yet so fearsome all at once? He felt a strange warmth in his chest. From that day on, no one dared to touch him, speak to him cruelly, or even glance at him the wrong way.

School, which had always been a battlefield, finally felt… safer.

But not everything was easy. Group assignments were still a challenge. John needed a partner or two, but no one wanted to work with him.

“John, come group with me!”

John looked up, relief washing over him. Micheal, always loyal and kind, smiled at him.

“Can I join your group?” John asked tentatively.

As they turned toward the source of the voice, John’s heart nearly stopped. Standing before them was Vivienne Hart—the girl whose beauty was legendary, flawless skin, perfect posture, and intellect that could rival anyone in the school. She was also dating a famous idol, yet here she was, asking to join a group with John and Micheal, two of the most bullied students in the class.

Why her? Why would someone like Vivienne, someone everyone admired, want to work with them?