VIP System: The Top-Up Paragon

Aphis returned from the System Space after the tutorial to finish his meal. Having made a mess in the System Space he brought cleaning tools that were in the cleaning closet of the restaurant and entered. Surprisingly the System Space was already cleaned without his intervention.

Since the tools to clean were already in his hands, Aphis cleaned up after himself when he left the System Space, put back the cleaning supplies in the correct location and headed towards his boss's office. Now that Aphis had a System he did not have time to work, so Aphis had to quit. If he suddenly disappeared for a week or two when he journeyed forth onto the Xianxian World, he would lose the job anyway.

Aphis had a reason to wake in the morning now. Retaining a dead-end job would get in the way of that too. Aphis handed over a freshly written letter of resignation without caring about the expression on the face of his boss. "Thanks very much Mr. Graft for hiring me, however, I have found better opportunities elsewhere." Informed Aphis.

Mr. Graft was an older gentleman in his late sixties with copper eyes and light grey hair. He was wearing a handknit sand colored vest and sat behind an oak desk staring at Aphis. He didn't look surprised at Aphis's resignation, only disappointed. He still knew Aphis was a good seed. Not a good-looking one, not bad… just big.

Upon saying goodbye to his former boss Aphis walked out of his boss's office for the last time. Sighing, Mr. Graft watched Aphis leave storing away the letter of resignation before returning to the work on his desk.

Aphis knew that as long as he had his poor physique he would never become the employee of the year here or get a promotion. He didn't have a photogenic face either. Aphis clocked in and clocked out every day till today, his eyes slightly damp as he walked slowly to the building's exit. He worked there for two years, of course there was a tug on his heartstrings. But his compulsion to make a better life for himself won in the end.

Aphis took note of the condescending looks given to him by his former colleagues as he closed in on the exit of the restaurant. Aphis wasn't blind, he didn't have his head up his a.s.s, he knew what they thought of him. A fatty. That would be true no more, as that would also be changing soon. He would shed his weight and would forge a new life for himself with the assistance of the VIP System. The system provided Aphis with an opportunity, now it was up to Aphis to take hold of that opportunity for dear life.

Losing weight wasn't priority number 1 for Aphis. If anything, losing weight was priority number 3. Number 1 was of course cashing out the money that he had saved in his bank over the years. Priority 2 was getting more money. This system could very well drain his finances dry. He would have to figure out a way to make some passive income. He had a bit of money, so he wasn't on the edge of the ropes yet. If this system screwed him over, he would be. But it was best not to dwell on it, it would not help after all.

Aphis pulled out of the parking lot in his dilapidated car that sputtered here and there. The fecal matter of birds was ever smeared on the windows of his car that he never could wipe off completely. Aphis was able to drive to the bank by consistently meeting the speed limit, every step of the way till he got there.

Aphis parked his car in the street nearby and entered the bank. Looking around he noticed a couple of people standing about. It wasn't that busy, so he would be able to get out of the bank quite swiftly. Though, less half an hour ago Aphis had a fortunate encounter it hadn't fully sunk in. As Aphis waited, it began to. The possibilities of what Aphis could do with the system began to dance and weave their way into his thoughts, if not already his dreams.

Quicker than he had expected, Aphis was at the head of the line. He told the bank teller that he wanted to withdraw all of his money, they reminded him of the process, he had to sign few things… Aphis was happy to, as it was a step closer to seeing if the system was the real deal. What had happened before was definitely shocking, it could be a manic episode…

He would be able to fully accept his situation once he topped up and became a dragon! It was wishful thinking on his part, but still it may be possible for him eventually. He would be able to figure the system out more when he topped up. The system made topping-up seem extremely important to utilizing the system…

Once the whole withdrawal procedure for his banked funds was complete, he was handed over a sum of 5 thousand dollars. Aphis's excitement dialed down as he knew this money was about to disappear into the void. Topping-up had better be worth it.

Just in case, he would leave behind 1,000 dollars at his apartment: if somehow this whole thing with the system was a trick. If he had schizophrenia, or some other illness of the mind that he wouldn't be totally screwed out of his hard earned cash. How horrible would that be?

He would be back for the money if this system wasn't playing tricks on him.

When Aphis reached his apartment he packed a backpack full of nonperishable food and plastic water bottles that he had stored. Aphis hid the 1,000 dollars in a cheap metal safe under the floorboards of his apartment and went to the middle of the nearest forest that was a couple of miles away. The sun was setting, and the walk there exhausted Aphis. But exhaustion wasn't on his mind, nor was the approaching darkness. It was at this fateful moment, the moment of life or death that he would see if this opportunity, that was the system... was it real? Or was it total dogshit?

Aphis stood in the middle of the forest. His head tilted towards the orange sky, both of his arms were raised. He looked as if he was trying to grasp at the Heavens, with slight trepidation he called out a single word in his mind.

"System!" The single word of his bringing forth the azure colored display, this gleaming olive branch that he had been bestowed gracing his eyes which brightly shined with expectation of the days to come.

It was time to top-up!