the best grandfather of the world

Ben's interest was officially piqued.

—"What was that most valuable thing his grandfather mentioned?

His old house?

Some ancient, millennia-old knowledge?"

Ben continued reading the letter.

> "I'm not planning to leave you destitute either, so I've left a suitcase with money buried at the base of the tree in that house. Haha, I bet you're already looking at that old house differently now. As you know, I couldn't leave you money openly in the inheritance and risk putting you in danger; this is a safer, more indirect way. I also couldn't trust anyone in your family. Your father is a freeloader and wouldn't hesitate to take the money from you. Your mother, on the other hand…"

His grandfather paused the writing and continued further down.

> "I've been sending you money every month so you'd always have a little pocket money to treat yourself."

Ben's eyes widened in surprise.

> "If you're surprised right now, it's because you just found out. Until recently, I discovered your mother never gave you any of that money. She spent it all on herself. Every time I think about how that woman stole your money, it makes me furious! Another reason I couldn't leave you money openly—not in a way she could touch."

Ben smiled at his grandfather's cunning.

A thought suddenly crossed his mind: "I didn't get any Evil Points for stealing mom's money… because it was mine all along!"

Ben stopped reading and stared at the ceiling in anger and frustration. Just when he thought his family couldn't get any worse, they proved him wrong yet again.

> "But money isn't really that important. I left you just enough for emergencies."

"Yeah, sure," Ben thought sarcastically. "People who say money doesn't matter are always the ones who don't lack it."

> "As you know, I was born into a completely ordinary family. I rose from poverty thanks to my talent and cleverness… but that's all lies!"

Ben leapt out of bed, staring at the letter with intense focus.

> "The truth is, I don't have even a shred of talent. You can see that in how all my children and grandchildren have such mediocre abilities. I was a normie, just like you!"

Ben's breathing quickened at the revelation.

> "Yes, that's right. I was just like you, and now I'm going to tell you my secret."

Ben turned the page and saw a map of the mansion with some instructions beside it.

1. Go to the basement.

Ben's heart raced with excitement. It felt almost like a treasure hunt. He left his room and, ensuring no one was around, made his way down to the basement.

2. In the wine cellar, take the bottle in the third row, seventh position. At the bottom, you'll find a button. Press it.

Ben followed the instructions precisely and watched, wide-eyed, as the wall holding the wine began to split apart, revealing a hidden room.

As he stepped inside, the wall sealed behind him. The room was empty except for old paintings, two doors, and cobwebs.

3. Remove the painting of the headless knight.

Ben complied, taking down the painting hanging in the far corner of the room.

Behind it was a digital combination safe.

4. Enter the code 1997.

Ben rubbed his hands together with excitement and typed in the code.

The safe opened slowly, to Ben's exasperation, revealing stacks of cash and a small box inside.

"There must be at least 500,000 argens here!"

His hands trembled as he stared. Never in his two lives had he held so much money. He stuffed as much as he could into his pockets, but there was too much to fit.

Finally, he picked up the small box and opened it. Inside was a completely black necklace—from the chain to the gem at its center.

The gem had a gray metal star engraved in the middle, with tiny streaks resembling electricity running through it.

Ben pulled out the letter and continued reading.

> "What you're holding in your hands right now (assuming you are) is your fishing rod. I found this necklace when I was just a child near the river outside the city. This necklace is what allowed me to enter the world of magic.

> Apparently, the necklace has the power to awaken your most compatible element, even for normies like us."

Ben slapped his forehead at the thought of all the Evil Points he had wasted, unaware of the necklace's existence.

> "Additionally, the necklace can accelerate star particle absorption up to ten times your normal capacity!"

Ben felt his heart skip a beat. He had spent countless Evil Points to form his stars, and the cost was growing exponentially.

With this necklace, he could focus on saving points to buy the spells and abilities he truly wanted—not to mention martial arts techniques.

Ben carefully put the necklace on and kept reading the letter, which was nearing its end.

> "I've given you the tools to fish. Now, all you need is patience and intelligence. I only hope for one thing from you, my friend: I hope power doesn't corrupt you.

> When you have the ability to do whatever you want, whenever you want, with no repercussions... people become corrupted. You can't imagine the things I've seen people do. I never thought humanity could be so cruel and dark.

> I hope that, no matter how much power you possess, you remain true to who you are deep inside.

> P.S. I've included a map of all the secret passages in the mansion.

> I had a lot of fun using them. I hope you do too."

Ben lowered the letter with a smile.

"Ahhh, I'm going to miss you, old man."