"Kael, what do you mean by an apartment?"
Sera stared at him from across the small table while Kael scratched his cheek.
’Of course she’d ask.’
He had spoken without thinking, and now he needed an explanation that wouldn’t make him sound crazy.
"I mean... I’ve been thinking about moving," Kael said.
"Moving where?" Sera asked.
"Somewhere better," Kael replied.
Sera looked around his apartment, and Kael followed her gaze. The peeling paint, the tiny kitchen, and the old refrigerator that sounded like it was preparing for takeoff didn’t exactly make a good impression. He couldn’t even blame her for the look on her face.
"All right, I know this place isn’t exactly impressive," Kael admitted. "But it’s affordable."
"I wasn’t going to say anything," Sera replied.
"You were thinking it," Kael said.
"Maybe a little," she admitted.
Kael laughed. For a moment, things felt almost normal between them, but then he remembered the system’s notification.
[New Task: Establish a stable home for your family.]
[Objective: Secure a suitable living environment for your family.]
[Reward: Claim the previously offered two-bedroom apartment in Crestview District.]
Kael focused on the panel and wondered, ’How am I supposed to claim it?’
As soon as the question crossed his mind, another notification appeared.
[Ding!]
[The host may claim the property by confirming the reward.]
[Would you like to claim your two-bedroom apartment in Crestview District?]
[YES / NO]
Kael nearly smiled.
’So it really is that simple.’
He selected YES.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations, Host!]
[You have successfully claimed a two-bedroom apartment in Crestview District.]
[Property documents and access details have been delivered to your registered devices.]
[The property is fully paid for and legally registered.]
Kael stared at the message before pulling out his phone. A notification had appeared on the screen, and when he opened it, he found a collection of documents confirming the apartment’s ownership, along with an address and instructions for collecting the keys.
He read through the details twice.
It was real. He owned an apartment in Crestview District. He hadn’t borrowed the money or signed a mortgage. According to the documents, the property belonged to him.
Kael leaned back in his chair.
’What kind of system did I get?’
Yesterday, he had been worrying about whether he could afford groceries. Now he owned a property in one of the city’s better neighborhoods, and this was only the beginning.
"Kael?" Sera called.
He looked up and found her watching him suspiciously.
"Are you listening to me?" she asked.
"Sorry. I was checking something," Kael replied.
"What were you checking?" Sera asked.
Kael hesitated. He couldn’t exactly tell her that a mysterious system had just handed him an apartment. Not yet.
"I found a place we could move into," he said.
Sera blinked.
"What?"
"A two-bedroom apartment. It’s in Crestview District," Kael explained.
For several seconds, she didn’t respond. Then she frowned and asked, "Kael, how much does it cost?"
"Don’t worry about that," he replied.
"How can I not worry about it?" Sera asked. "Do you know how expensive that area is?"
Kael did know. That was what made the whole thing so ridiculous.
"I have it covered," he replied.
Sera shook her head.
"Kael, you can’t spend money you don’t have just because you want to help us," she warned him.
"I’m not spending money I don’t have," Kael replied.
"Then where did you get it?" Sera asked.
Kael opened his mouth, then closed it before letting out a sigh.
’This is going to be harder than I thought.’
"I’ll explain everything later," he said. "For now, just trust me."
Sera looked unconvinced. She clearly wanted to ask more questions, but Noah suddenly stirred in her arms, and she immediately looked down at him.
Kael took the opportunity to check the apartment details again. The property was ready for occupation. All he needed to do was collect the keys and arrange the move.
He looked around his current apartment one last time. It had been his home for years, and although it wasn’t much, it had kept a roof over his head when he had nowhere else to go. Still, he couldn’t imagine raising Noah here. There was barely enough room for three people, and the neighborhood wasn’t exactly safe.
Crestview District would be a much better place for them. They would have a proper home where Sera could rest and Noah could grow up without Kael worrying about every noise outside the window.
For once, the future didn’t look quite so hopeless.
"All right," Kael said as he stood up. "I’ll go and collect the keys."
Sera looked up at him.
"You’re leaving now?" she asked.
"Just for a little while," Kael replied.
"What about Noah?" Sera asked.
Kael glanced at his son.
"I thought you could stay here with him. You need the rest, and I shouldn’t be gone for long," he explained.
Sera hesitated.
"Are you sure you can handle everything?" she asked.
Kael grinned.
"No. But I’m going to learn," he replied.
She laughed quietly.
"At least you’re honest," Sera said.
"That’s one of my better qualities," Kael replied.
"Name another," she challenged him.
Kael stared at her.
"You’re supposed to be encouraging me," he complained.
"I’m trying," Sera replied.
"You’re doing a terrible job," Kael said.
Sera smiled, and for a moment, Kael forgot about the system, the apartment, and all the questions he still needed to answer. Then he grabbed his jacket and headed for the door.
"I’ll be back soon," he said.
"Be careful," Sera told him.
Kael paused at the door. He wasn’t used to anyone telling him that, and although it was a small thing, it made him smile.
"I will," he replied.
He stepped into the hallway and closed the door behind him. Once he was alone, he pulled out his phone and checked the address again.
Crestview District. Two bedrooms. Fully paid for.
Kael let out a quiet laugh.
"Unbelievable," he muttered.
He had no idea what the future held, but he was beginning to understand one thing. This system wasn’t going to let him live an ordinary life anymore, and strangely enough, he wasn’t sure he wanted to.
The trip to Crestview District took nearly forty minutes by bus. Kael spent most of the journey checking the property documents on his phone. Everything looked legitimate. There were registration details, an ownership certificate, and contact information for the property manager.
He even checked the address online, and the building existed. That was reassuring. He wasn’t entirely sure what he would do if the system had sent him to an empty lot.
When he finally arrived, Kael stepped off the bus and looked around. The difference was immediate. The roads were clean, the buildings were well maintained, and trees lined the sidewalks. Small shops stood along the street, and families walked past without the hurried, cautious expressions he was used to seeing in his neighborhood.
Kael adjusted his jacket.
’People actually live like this?’
He had passed through Crestview District a few times before, usually while making deliveries for the convenience store, but he had never imagined owning a place here.
His new apartment was inside a modern residential building with a security desk near the entrance. Kael approached the guard.
"Good morning," he said. "I’m here to collect the keys to an apartment."
The guard looked up from his desk.
"Do you have an appointment?" he asked.
"I have the ownership documents," Kael replied.
He showed the guard the message on his phone. The guard checked the details before picking up the telephone. After a short conversation, he nodded.
"Please wait a moment, sir," the guard said.
Kael blinked.
Sir?
He wasn’t sure when someone had last addressed him that way.
A few minutes later, a woman in her forties walked out of the elevator carrying a folder.
"Mr. Kael?" she asked.
"Yes, that’s me," he replied.
"I’m Helen, the property manager. We’ve been expecting you," she said.
Kael shook her hand. Helen glanced at the documents in her folder before smiling.
"Everything is in order. If you’ll follow me, I’ll show you the apartment and hand over the keys," she explained.
"That would be great. Thank you," Kael replied.
They entered the elevator and rode to the sixth floor. Helen led him down a quiet hallway before stopping in front of apartment 604.
She unlocked the door.
"Here we are," Helen said.
Kael stepped inside and stopped.
The apartment was much bigger than he had expected. There was a spacious living room with large windows, a modern kitchen, two bedrooms, and a bathroom that looked as though it belonged in a hotel. The place was clean, furnished, and ready to move into.
Kael walked slowly through the living room, then opened the kitchen cabinets, checked the refrigerator, and looked inside both bedrooms. Everything was there, including a small dining table near the kitchen.
’I’m actually going to live here.’
Helen handed him the keys and a folder containing the remaining property documents.
"Congratulations on your new home," she said.
Kael smiled.
"Thank you," he replied.
"If you need anything, my office is on the ground floor. The building’s security team is available around the clock, and the maintenance number is included in your folder," Helen explained.
"I appreciate it," Kael said.
After Helen left, Kael stood alone in the living room for a few seconds without moving. He had spent years living in a cramped studio, worrying about rent and trying to save whatever money he could. Now he had a home, not a rented room that he might lose if he missed a payment, but a place of his own.
Kael sat on the sofa and pulled out his phone. He checked his bank balance, and the twenty-seven thousand dollars from the system was still there. Then he looked at the apartment documents again.
Everything was real.
He leaned back and covered his face with both hands.
"Man, what is my life now?" he muttered.
A notification appeared.
[Ding!]
[Task Progress Updated.]
[Objective: Secure a suitable living environment for your family.]
[Status: Complete.]
[Reward: Family Bond experience increased.]
[Additional Bonus: New Home Protection.]
[Effect: Your family will feel more comfortable and secure within your registered home.]
Kael lowered his hands.
’New Home Protection?’
He read the description again, but there were no further details. He decided to leave it for later because there was still plenty to do. He needed to return to his apartment, tell Sera the good news, and figure out how they would move their belongings.
More importantly, he needed to buy supplies for Noah: diapers, formula, clothes, and everything else a baby needed.
Kael stood up. For the first time, he had enough money to buy what was necessary without checking every price tag.
It was a strange feeling, but he liked it.
When Kael returned to his old apartment, he found Sera sitting on the bed with Noah in her arms. She looked up as he entered.
"You’re back," she said.
"Yep," Kael replied.
He closed the door and held up the keys.
"Guess what?" he asked.
Sera glanced at them.
"You got the keys?" she asked.
Kael grinned.
"I got the keys," he confirmed.
She stared at him.
"Wait. You actually bought the apartment?" she asked.
"Yes," Kael replied.
"Kael!" Sera exclaimed.
He winced.
"Why are you shouting?" he asked.
"Because you just told me you bought an apartment in Crestview District!" she replied.
"Well, when you put it like that, it does sound a little crazy," Kael admitted.
Sera stood up carefully, keeping Noah close.
"How did you afford it?" she asked.
Kael scratched the back of his head.
"I got lucky," he replied.
"That’s not an answer," Sera said.
"I know," Kael admitted.
She stared at him for several seconds. Kael expected another round of questions, but instead, she looked down at Noah.
"Does this mean he can grow up somewhere safe?" she asked.
Kael’s smile softened.
"That’s the idea," he replied.
Sera fell quiet before nodding, her eyes growing watery.
"Thank you, Kael," she said.
He shook his head.
"You don’t have to keep thanking me," he replied.
"I know," Sera said. "But I want to."
Kael didn’t know what to say to that, so he walked over and gently touched Noah’s cheek.
"Well, little man, looks like you’re getting an upgrade," he said.
Noah opened his mouth and made a small sound, making Kael laugh.
"See? He agrees with me," Kael joked.
Sera smiled.
"When should we move?" she asked.
"Today, if we can manage it. We don’t have much to carry, and the apartment is already furnished," Kael replied.
Sera glanced around the room.
"What about your things?" she asked.
Kael looked at his bed, the small table, and the old chair.
"I can fit everything I own into a few bags," he replied.
She looked at him sadly.
"That sounds lonely," Sera said.
Kael shrugged.
"I’m used to it," he replied.
Sera lowered her gaze.
"Well, you don’t have to be anymore," she told him.
Kael looked at her. For a moment, neither of them spoke. Then he smiled.
"Yeah. I guess I don’t," he said.
He turned toward the closet.
"All right. Let’s pack what we need," Kael said.
Sera nodded and began gathering Noah’s things while Kael took one last look around the apartment. It had been his home for years, but it no longer felt like the place he belonged.
His family was here now, and their new home was waiting for them.
As he folded his clothes into a bag, a final notification appeared.
[Ding!]
[Family Man System]
[New Task: Prepare for your family’s future.]
[Objective: Purchase the essential supplies your family needs.]
[Reward: Rebate benefits unlocked for qualifying family expenses.]
Kael looked at the message and smiled.
’All right, system. Let’s see what else you have for me.’
He zipped up his bag and looked toward Sera and Noah.
"Ready?" he asked.
Sera nodded.
"Ready," she replied.
Kael picked up the bag in one hand and carefully gathered Noah’s things with the other before opening the door. For the first time in years, he was leaving his old apartment without worrying about where he would sleep that night.
He was going home, and this time, he wouldn’t be going alone.