Rise of the Ultimate Profit System

The streets of Manila were as crowded as ever, filled with vendors calling out their sales, students rushing home, and workers ending their long shifts. Yet, amidst the city's noise, a young man sat quietly in a small alleyway, his hands clenched into fists. His clothes were tattered, his body bruised, and his eyes filled with a mix of sadness and frustration.

Ed Val had just been beaten up again. It wasn't the first time, and he doubted it would be the last. The ones responsible? A group of wealthy, arrogant students from his school, heirs to influential families. They treated him like dirt, simply because he was poor, powerless, and had no one to protect him.

His family was struggling. His father had passed away years ago, leaving his mother to work multiple jobs just to afford their tiny, rundown apartment. Some of their relatives, rather than offering support, had betrayed them—stealing money, spreading false rumors, and turning their backs when they needed help the most.

Ed wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and leaned his head back against the cold wall. He had long accepted his life as unfair. But deep down, a fire burned within him—a desire to change, to rise above his circumstances. However, no matter how hard he trained, no matter how many times he fought back, he was still weak.

Suddenly, the world around him seemed to tremble. A deep rumble echoed through the air, and a blinding light engulfed the sky. People screamed, cars screeched to a halt, and buildings shuddered.

"What's happening?!" someone shouted.

Ed's heart pounded as he struggled to his feet, his body aching. Then, an unfamiliar sensation washed over him. It was as if something ancient and powerful had awakened within the earth itself. A strange energy—thick and overwhelming—filled the air. The sky, once blue, now swirled with golden and purple hues.

[Alert! The Earth Evolution has begun.]

A voice echoed in his mind, clear and robotic. His vision blurred, and suddenly, a translucent screen appeared before him.

[Congratulations! You have awakened the Ultimate Profit System!]

[Host: Ed Val]

[Status: Weakling]

[Strength: 2]

[Speed: 3]

[Endurance: 2]

[Luck: ???]

[Skills: None]

[System Abilities: Profit Maximization, Greed Enhancement, Market Manipulation]

Ed stared, wide-eyed. Was he dreaming? Had he finally lost his mind from all the beatings? He cautiously extended a hand, trying to touch the floating screen, and to his shock, it reacted.

[New Mission: Earn 10,000 Pesos within 24 hours. Reward: +10 Strength, +10 Speed, Basic Combat Skill.]

His heart raced. A mission? A reward? Did this mean… he finally had a chance? A real chance to turn his life around?

The fear, the pain, the humiliation—none of it mattered anymore. For the first time in his life, Ed Val had hope.

And he wasn't about to waste it.