Alex sat in the driver's seat of his Porsche 918 Spyder, parked just around the corner from his old office building.
He took a deep breath. The adrenaline from crushing Manager Wang's wrist was fading, replaced by a strange sense of calm.
"I really did it," Alex whispered. "I'm not that loser anymore."
He looked at the blue holographic screen floating in front of him.
[Item in Inventory: x1 Lucky Lottery Ticket.] [Description: A special reward for the Host's first "King's Return" moment. Contains a random asset valued between $10 Million and $1 Billion.]
Alex's eyes widened. Even the minimum prize was ten million dollars?
"System, use the Lottery Ticket," Alex commanded.
[Acknowledged. Spinning the wheel...]
A giant, golden roulette wheel appeared in his vision. It spun so fast it was a blur of colors—Gold, Platinum, Diamond.
Tick-tick-tick-tick...
The wheel began to slow down.
It passed a "Rolls Royce Phantom Fleet." It passed a "Private Island." It passed a "Gold Mine."
The needle crawled slower and slower. It stopped on a tile that was glowing with a blinding purple light.
[DING!]
[Congratulations! You have won a Grand Prize!] [Asset: Dragon Bay Villa No. 1] [Location: The peak of Dragon Mountain, overlooking the entire city.] [Market Value: $150,000,000.] [Status: Fully furnished, staffed, and ready for occupancy. Key card has been transferred to your pocket.]
Alex froze.
Dragon Bay.
Everyone in the city knew about Dragon Bay. It was the most exclusive residential area in the country. Only billionaires lived there. And Villa No. 1? That was a legend. It was the palace at the very top of the mountain. Rumor had it that even the Mayor couldn't afford to live there.
Alex reached into his suit pocket. His fingers brushed against cold metal. He pulled out a black card made of pure obsidian. On it, the number "001" was engraved in gold.
"A house worth 150 million..." Alex laughed. It was a crazy, wild laugh. "I was worried about paying $500 for rent this morning. Now I own the mountain."
[New Mission Triggered: Claim Your Territory.] [Task: Go to Dragon Bay Villa No. 1 and activate the Master Protocol.] [Reward: +20 Charm. +500 Tycoon Points. Unlock System Shop.]
"Unlock System Shop?" Alex's interest peaked. If the free rewards were this good, what could he buy from the shop?
He threw the Porsche into gear. The engine roared.
"Let's go home," Alex grinned.
He sped toward the Dragon Mountain district.
Thirty minutes later, he arrived at the massive iron gates at the base of the mountain. A security booth, manned by armed guards, blocked the road.
As Alex pulled up, a guard stepped out, his hand on his holster. He looked at the Porsche 918 Spyder and hesitated. It was an expensive car, but this was Dragon Bay. Even rich people were turned away if they weren't on the list.
The guard walked up to the window.
"Sir, this is a private residence," the guard said sternly. "Unless you are a resident or have an invitation, you need to turn around."
Alex didn't say a word. He simply held up the Obsidian Card with the gold "001".
The guard looked at the card. His eyes almost popped out of his skull. He recognized it immediately. The legend of the empty "Number One Villa" was famous among the staff.
The guard's face turned pale. He snapped his heels together and saluted.
"My apologies, Mr... Mr. Owner! Welcome home!"
The guard frantically radioed the gate. "Open the gate! Open it now! The owner of Number One is here!"
The massive iron gates groaned and swung open slowly.
Alex nodded coolly and drove through.
As he wound his way up the mountain road, passing mansions worth 20 or 30 million, he felt like an emperor ascending his throne.
At the very peak, the road ended at a massive white mansion. It looked like a modern fortress of glass and steel. An infinity pool hung over the edge of the cliff, blending into the sky.
Standing in front of the massive double doors were two lines of servants—maids in crisp black and white uniforms, and butlers in tails.
They had been notified by the system the moment the lottery was won.
As Alex stepped out of the car, twenty people bowed in perfect unison.
"Welcome home, Master!"
Alex looked at the view. The entire city lay beneath his feet. The skyscrapers looked like toys.
"So this is what power feels like," Alex whispered.