Railey's resolve

Before I could think about anything else, I had to eat.

Making life-changing decisions on an empty stomach was a rookie mistake. Starving warriors didn't win battles—they passed out before they could throw a punch. And considering my entire life had just turned into a strategy game where the stakes were my soul, I needed all the brain power I could get.

So, with all the grace of a battle-hardened warrior (and by that, I mean I walked in like a sleep-deprived raccoon looking for leftovers), I entered the dining hall.

The room was massive—long tables on the left and right, and the serving areas lining the walls.

Now, something immediately caught my attention.

Each food station had price tags.

Like, literal numbers in front of each dish.

But one section—located right across from the entrance—was completely different. No price tags. No cafeteria staff. The food there looked... sad. Like someone had tried to make mashed potatoes but gave up halfway.

I had played this game before, but my memory was a bit fuzzy. To be safe, I decided to ask someone.

Unfortunately, luck hated me.

Because the person standing closest to me was Lucy.

Yeah. That Lucy. The same one who hated me for reasons I didn't want to know.

Before I could turn and escape, she spotted me.

"If it isn't Railey. What did I tell you about taking—"

I cut her off. Immediately.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm not interested in whatever garbage is about to come out of your mouth," I said. "Just tell me—what's up with the prices?"

Lucy's face did that thing people do when their brain short-circuits.

Then, just as quickly, she recovered.

"Who do you think you are, talking to me like—"

I walked away before she could finish.

Lucy's face went red with rage.

Meanwhile, I went about my business, completely unbothered.

Turns out, the whole price thing was part of Stellar Academy's economy system.

The school controlled a few low-level dungeons (F-rank and D-rank) and let students hunt monsters for materials. Those materials could be sold for points, which could then be exchanged for:

1.Upgraded Grades (a literal "pay-to-win" strategy—genius, honestly).

2. Weapons (sponsored by big-name companies).

3. Cold, hard cash.

Of course, the first-years got a 1,000-coin starter pack to survive.

I couldn't care less about weapons or grades. But real money?

Now that was interesting.

Still, I had zero energy to think about this right now.

So after eating just enough food to not drop dead, I went back to my room, collapsed face-first onto my bed, and stared at the ceiling.

I sighed. Loudly.

Because as much as I hated to admit it…

I needed the system.

Making a Deal with the Devil (Who's Also a Brat)

I groaned, pushed myself off the bed, and walked up to the cursed laptop.

"Hey, System," I called out. "Come out. We need to talk."

With a pop, the little ghost girl materialized in front of me.

"Took you long enough," she said, smirking like she had already won whatever conversation was about to happen.

I ignored the urge to throw her out the window.

"Let's bargain."

The words tasted like poison.

The system blinked. Then, she laughed.

"Bargain? With me?" she snorted. "You need me, idiot. That means you obey me, or else—"

"Or else what?" I cut in, as her smirk faided .

She frowned.

I looked her in the eye. "You need me just as much as I need you. If you didn't, you wouldn't have lied about my sister being in danger."

The system froze.

"Which means," I continued, stepping closer, "you get something out of contracting me. Or better yet—out of me passing this game."

Her eye twitched.

Bingo .

Her silence was proof that I was right.

She wasn't just here for fun. There was something bigger at play.

"You…" she growled. "Who do you think you are?"

I still unfazed . "Oh, took you this long to realize? You were waiting for me, weren't you? Be honest."

The system clenched her tiny fists.

Silence.

Then—

"Fine," she huffed. "You win. Let's hear it."

She crossed her arms, clearly frustrated but also… smiling pretending she was fine?

She looked at me like I was some kind of rare creature she hadn't expected to be this interesting.

I sat down, my confidence skyrocketing.

This was it.

The beginning of something bigger than I ever expected.

And honestly?

I was more excited than scared.