Ren didn't rush.
That was the first thing he forced himself to remember.
Even as the thought of the system lingered constantly at the back of his mind—even as every purchase now carried a different weight—he didn't allow himself to act impulsively. If anything, the more real it became, the more careful he grew.
Because this wasn't just an advantage.
It was something he didn't fully understand yet.
The next morning, Ren woke up earlier than usual, though not by much. The sunlight slipping through the thin gap in his curtains felt the same as always, but his thoughts were already active, already moving forward before his body had fully caught up.
The limit.
¥200,000 per day.
That number had stayed with him since the previous night.
He sat at the edge of his bed for a few seconds, staring at his phone resting on the desk across the room. For a brief moment, the familiar urge to delay surfaced—just a small one, quiet but present.
You can test it later.
There's no need to rush.
Ren exhaled slowly.
Then stood up.
"…No. Today."
If he didn't act now, he knew exactly what would happen. The thought would linger, stretch into the afternoon, then into the evening, and eventually dissolve into another "tomorrow."
That was how it always worked.
But not this time.
After getting ready and heading to work, Ren went through his usual routine with a steady focus. His classes ran smoothly, his explanations clear, his timing precise. From the outside, nothing had changed.
But internally, there was a constant undercurrent.
A plan forming.
During lunch break, he didn't join his coworkers immediately. Instead, he stepped outside, his steps naturally guiding him toward the same shopping district he had passed the night before.
The electronics store was there again.
Bright.
Unavoidable.
Ren slowed his pace slightly as he approached, his gaze lingering on the glass display.
Yesterday, he had made a decision.
Today—
He was going to test the system itself.
He didn't enter immediately.
Instead, he checked his phone.
Balance: ¥499,800
Then, a second screen.
[Daily Limit Remaining: ¥200,000]
Ren's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…It tracks it."
That answered one question.
The system wasn't passive.
It monitored usage in real time.
Which meant—
This wouldn't be a simple experiment.
Ren stepped inside.
This time, the environment felt more familiar. Not comfortable—but less distant. His attention moved more deliberately, scanning items not just for their appeal, but for their value relative to the limit.
Phones.
Tablets.
Accessories.
Then—
He shifted toward the laptop section.
His gaze settled on one almost immediately.
Slim.
Minimal design.
High performance.
The price tag was displayed clearly beneath it.
¥182,000
Ren stood still for a moment, staring at it.
Yesterday, this would have felt excessive.
Today—
It felt… calculated.
If he bought this—
He would come close to the limit.
Not exceed it.
But close enough to test how the system reacted near its boundary.
Ren reached out and picked it up.
It was light.
Smooth.
Efficient.
A strange thought crossed his mind.
This isn't something I need.
He paused.
Then—
But it's something I can use.
That distinction mattered.
Ren walked toward the counter.
Each step felt heavier than the day before—not with hesitation, but with awareness. This wasn't just a purchase.
It was a test.
The staff greeted him, going through the usual explanations, but Ren only half-listened. His attention remained fixed on the process itself.
The final amount appeared.
¥182,000
Ren glanced at his phone briefly.
[Daily Limit Remaining: ¥200,000]
Still untouched.
He pulled out his card.
This time, there was no pause.
He tapped it.
Beep.
"Thank you for your purchase."
Everything went through.
Too smoothly.
Ren took the bag, stepping aside, his movements calm but precise.
The moment he stepped out of the store, his phone vibrated.
He already knew what it was.
Still—
He checked.
Balance: ¥499,800 → ¥499,618
¥182 deducted.
Correct.
But that wasn't what he was looking for.
His gaze shifted upward.
[Daily Limit Remaining: ¥18,000]
Ren's expression sharpened.
"…So it subtracts from the total."
That confirmed it.
The system wasn't counting transactions individually.
It tracked cumulative spending.
Which meant—
He could push it.
Not recklessly.
But deliberately.
Ren stood there for a moment, the city noise fading slightly as his focus narrowed.
¥18,000 remaining.
Enough for one more test.
He didn't hesitate this time.
A nearby clothing store caught his attention.
He stepped inside.
This time, his movements were faster.
More direct.
He selected items quickly.
A jacket.
A pair of shoes.
Total:
¥16,500
He paid.
Checked his phone.
[Daily Limit Remaining: ¥1,500]
Still working.
Still consistent.
Ren stepped outside again, his heartbeat steady but his thoughts sharper than ever.
Now—
There was only one question left.
What happens when it reaches zero?