Xavier returned to his apartment, his body aching from the day's events. He carefully tended to his wounds, the sting of antiseptic and the cool touch of bandages providing some relief. Time passed slowly as he nursed his injuries, the silence of the apartment a stark contrast to the chaos of the day.
Suddenly, the apartment door swung open. Xavier's heart leapt into his throat. He had locked the door, so whoever was entering must have a key. At first, he thought it might be Eamon returning early, but the figure that stepped into the room was not his uncle. It was a girl, around the same age as Xavier, both cute and sexy at the same time.
She had long, wavy hair that cascaded down her back in dark curls, framing a face with high cheekbones and full lips. Her eyes were a striking shade of green, fringed with long lashes. She wore a fitted leather jacket over a tight black top and ripped jeans that hugged her curves. Her boots were heavy and studded, giving her an edgy, rebellious look.
Xavier was sitting on the floor, tending to his wounds, when the girl stepped in. Her eyes widened in shock as she took in the sight of him, and then her expression darkened. She rushed towards him, her face a mask of fury.
"Who the hell are you, and what are you doing in my apartment?" she demanded, her voice sharp and accusatory.
Xavier looked up at her, his eyes wide with surprise. "I'm Xavier. You must be Eamon's daughter. We're cousins."
The girl hesitated for a moment, her grip on Xavier's shoulder loosening slightly. She recalled Eamon mentioning a nephew who would be staying with them. She let go of Xavier and stepped back, her expression softening.
"I'm Lilia," she said, her voice still guarded. "Why didn't Dad tell me you were here?"
She pretended to not know about Xavier's visit to get away with her blunder just now.
Xavier shrugged, wincing slightly at the pain in his shoulder. "I don't know. I've been here for days, but this is the first time I'm seeing you."
Lilia's expression turned cold. "It's none of your business where I've been." She turned on her heel and stalked into the washroom, slamming the door behind her.
A few minutes later, there was a knock at the door. Xavier got up to answer it, his body protesting with every movement. At the same time, Lilia emerged from the washroom, her face pale as she saw the figures standing in the doorway.
They were loan sharks, their faces hard and menacing. The leader, a burly man with a scar running down his cheek, pushed his way into the apartment, his eyes scanning the room before landing on Lilia and Xavier.
"You idiot! Why did you open the door?" Lilia hissed at Xavier, her voice filled with panic.
The loan sharks rushed in, pinning Xavier and Lilia to the ground with brutal efficiency. The leader loomed over them, his voice a low growl. "Payment's due. Where's the money?"
Lilia struggled against the grip of the loan shark holding her down. "My father's not home. Come back when he is."
The leader's face darkened, and he backhanded Lilia, the sound of the slap echoing through the room. "We're not your fucking slaves. You don't tell us when to come."
Just then, Eamon rushed into the apartment, his eyes wide with fear as he took in the scene. He rushed to Xavier and Lilia, his voice pleading. "Please, let them go. I'll get you the money."
The leader grabbed Eamon by the collar and slammed him against the wall. "Where's the payment, Eamon? You're already late."
Eamon's voice was desperate. "I don't have it right now, but I'll get paid in ten days. I'll give it to you then, I swear."
The leader's eyes narrowed as he looked at Lilia, then back to Eamon. "You have one week to pay up. If you don't, we'll take your daughter instead."
With that, the loan sharks released Xavier and Lilia and left the apartment, the door slamming shut behind them. Eamon rushed to his children, his face filled with concern.
"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice trembling.
Eamon's eyes widened as he took in the bruises on Xavier's body. "Did they do this to you? Did they come before also?"
"Um…"
Eamon turned to Lilia, his voice firm. "You should stay at your friend's house for a few days, until I can manage the month's rent."
Lilia nodded, her face pale and her eyes filled with fear. She grabbed a bag and rushed out of the apartment, the door slamming shut behind her.
Eamon then turned Xavier and apologized to him. "Don't worry. I will fix everything. But I am a loser. I should just die."
He placed his hands on Xavier's shoulders while crying and then said, "If this city and this new life is too much for you, and if you want to return to the village, let me know.'
After that, Eamon left. Leaving Xavier alone with his thoughts.
Xavier sat in front of the Goddes Astrea, his body aching and his mind racing. 'What is going on with my life? Why am I suffering so much? Why did my father send me here if he already knew what was going to happen?'
Just as Xavier was lamenting his situation, a voice rang in his mind—a voice that didn't belong to him. It was feminine, clear, and commanding.
[Xavier.]
Suddenly, a holographic screen popped up in front of his eyes, displaying a message:
[Unlimited Money System activated.]
Xavier's eyes widened in shock and confusion. 'What is this?!'
[Xavier,] the voice echoed in his mind again, this time with a warmth that felt almost familiar. [You finally turn to me for help after so many years.]
'Was that the goddess's voice? But how?' Xavier's eyes widened in shock. 'I had always thought the fragment of rock was just a meteorite, a piece of space debris. How could it communicate with me?' His mind raced, trying to reconcile this new reality with his skepticism, influenced by the outside world where gods and souls were mere concepts.
"Are you... the goddess?" Xavier asked tentatively, his voice barely above a whisper.
[Yes, Xavier. Although I am referred to as the goddess, I am just one of the high extraterrestrial beings,] the voice replied, its tone gentle yet authoritative.
Xavier's gaze shifted to the holographic screen floating in front of him. "What is this? What does it do?"
[This is your power, Xavier. Your ability. You may consider it a blessing from me,] the goddess explained.
Xavier hesitated, his mind still reeling from the revelation. "But... I have a congenital disorder. I'm cursed. My body can't handle anything. I can't even do the most normal things because of it."
The goddess chuckled softly, her voice filled with amusement. [It is not a curse, Xavier. It is a blessing.]
Xavier's brow furrowed in confusion. "A blessing? How can this be a blessing?"
[You are one of my descendants, Xavier. Although you are mostly human, your powers are dormant inside you. You are money,] the goddess said, her voice steady and clear.
Xavier blinked, his mind struggling to comprehend. "I am... money?"
[Yes, Xavier. Your DNA, your blood, your organs, your cells—everything about you is money. There are many high extraterrestrial beings who have been living and making contact with humans for thousands of years. They were referred to as gods and goddesses. These beings could bestow their powers on certain people, and they were called prophets,] the goddess explained.
Xavier listened intently, his mind racing to keep up with the information.
[I am known as Astrea, the goddess of justice and impartiality. And since you are the prophet's son, you are one of my descendants,] the goddess continued, her voice filled with pride.
Xavier's breath hitched as the weight of the revelation settled on him. It was too much to take in, yet he understood every word. His life, his struggles, his purpose—it all made sense now. He was not cursed; he was blessed. He was not weak; he was powerful.