Chapter 2: The Awakening

Raghu couldn't believe what he had just heard. "Welcome, host. The system is at your service," echoed in his mind. He blinked, pinched himself, and even splashed water on his face to make sure he wasn't dreaming. But the voice was real.

"System?" Raghu asked hesitantly.

"Yes, host. I am here to assist you in achieving your goals," the voice responded smoothly.

Raghu's heart raced with excitement. It was like a scene straight out of the novel he had read. He quickly navigated to the status screen on his laptop. The familiar layout greeted him, but now it felt more alive.

"System, what do I need to do to get my first reward?" Raghu asked, feeling a mix of curiosity and anticipation.

"Complete the task: Learn Computer Basics," the system replied.

Determined to get started, Raghu spent the rest of the day researching basic computer skills. He made a list of topics he needed to cover: understanding hardware components, learning about operating systems, getting familiar with software applications, and grasping the basics of artificial intelligence and ethical hacking.

The next morning, Raghu set a strict schedule for himself. He decided to dedicate two hours every day to learning these new skills. His work routine from 10 AM to 6 PM remained the same, but his evenings were now devoted to his new mission.

Week 1: Raghu started with the basics of computer hardware. He learned about different components such as the CPU, RAM, hard drives, and motherboards. He watched tutorials, read articles, and even dismantled an old PC to get hands-on experience.

Week 2: Moving on to operating systems, Raghu familiarized himself with Windows, Linux, and macOS. He practiced installing and configuring these systems on virtual machines. His understanding of how software interacted with hardware grew deeper.

Week 3: Software applications were next on his list. Raghu explored various productivity tools, learned the basics of coding with Python, and experimented with simple AI programs. He was particularly fascinated by how AI could solve real-world problems.

Week 4: The final stretch was the most challenging. Ethical hacking required a good grasp of security concepts and the ability to think like a hacker. Raghu studied network security, encryption techniques, and common vulnerabilities. He practiced on safe, legal platforms designed for learning ethical hacking.

Each day, Raghu updated his status page, seeing incremental progress. The feeling of accomplishment kept him motivated. As he checked off each topic from his list, he felt more confident and knowledgeable.

On the 30th day, Raghu completed the last module on ethical hacking. He sat back, exhausted but satisfied. He opened his status page one last time to update his progress.

"System, I've completed the task. What now?" Raghu asked, eagerly waiting for his reward.

"Congratulations, host. You have successfully learned Computer Basics. Your reward: Basic All Computer Skills Book," the system announced.

A digital book icon appeared on his screen. Raghu clicked on it and found a comprehensive e-book covering all the topics he had studied, along with advanced concepts and practice exercises.

"Thank you, system," Raghu said, feeling a surge of gratitude and excitement for what lay ahead. He knew this was just the beginning. With the system by his side, he was ready to tackle more challenges and move closer to his ultimate goal of becoming a tech master.