C1 Awakening in the Unknown

Jack Dorsey blinked against the harsh light filtering through unfamiliar curtains. As he slowly rose from his bed, confusion etched across his face. The room seemed alien, an abstract blend of unfamiliarity. He ran a hand through his hair, searching for the anchor of recognition.

"No injuries," he mumbled to himself, flexing his fingers. His hands were unscathed, not a hint of the accident he vaguely remembered. His brow furrowed as he surveyed the room, a perplexing puzzle with missing pieces.

Suddenly, a jolt surged through his head, a sharp pain that snapped his attention to the forefront of his thoughts. Memories, like fragments of a dream, danced on the periphery of his consciousness. A world different from his own, a life unfamiliar yet strangely connected.

"Another world?" Jack questioned aloud, grappling with the improbable notion. The room around him echoed the familiarity of Earth, yet an inexplicable sensation gnawed at his senses. He tried to reconcile the images flooding his mind—a blue star, technology akin to Earth, a life that mirrored his own but danced on the edge of foreign.

His gaze shifted to his hands once more, almost expecting them to betray the secrets of his strange journey. The face in the mirror reflected a 24-year-old Jack Dorsey, the same features that had earned him popularity among the opposite sex. A pharmaceutical job, good looks, a life he recognized but with a surreal twist.

As he pondered this enigma, a name echoed in his mind—Jack Dorsey. The realization struck like a lightning bolt; he was not alone in this anomaly. There existed another Jack Dorsey, a doppelgänger in a world reminiscent of his own.

Jack's eyes darted around the small, dimly lit room, a single bulb flickering overhead. The sound, an unfamiliar buzz, echoed in his mind, disrupting the silence of his humble abode. His brows furrowed as the mysterious message reverberated, "System download 1%, 2%..."

A sudden surge of caution gripped him. His hand instinctively reached for a makeshift weapon, a sense of vulnerability seeping in. "Who's there?" he demanded, his voice projecting authority, though tinged with an underlying unease.

The room offered no response, and the peculiar download continued, each percentage accompanied by an echo in his consciousness. His mind raced, considering the possibility of an intruder. Living on the fringes of financial stability, the idea of theft lingered uncomfortably in the back of his thoughts.

"Come out!" Jack bellowed, his voice echoing through the narrow space. The room remained still, and just as he began to question the nature of this intrusion, a final announcement broke through the tension. "System downloaded 100%, system is binding."

The air seemed to shift as if acknowledging a presence beyond his comprehension. Jack's grip on his makeshift weapon tightened, a mix of curiosity and trepidation etched on his face. The room, once a haven of solitude, now held an air of uncertainty, as if the very fabric of his reality was being rewritten.

The echoes of the mysterious download lingered in Jack's mind, gradually fading into the background. Just as he began to regain his composure, a melodic voice resonated within him, "Welcome, host."

His eyes widened as he scanned the room, searching for the source of the ethereal greeting. The voice, gentle yet commanding, seemed to originate from within his own consciousness. Confusion etched across his face, but before he could articulate his thoughts, the voice spoke again.

"The World Trading System is now activated. Host, you possess the ability to trade anything, anytime, anywhere. The system store is unlocked, and you may begin trading at your discretion."

Jack's mind swirled with a mixture of disbelief and curiosity. A trading system embedded within his very being? It sounded like a fantastical concept, yet the resonance of the voice left no room for doubt. Tentatively, he focused his thoughts on the enigmatic system, testing its limits.

"Trade?" Jack mumbled to himself, grappling with the possibilities. The room, once a mere shelter from the world's uncertainties, now held the promise of a boundless marketplace. His eyes flickered with a newfound determination as he contemplated the implications of this revelation.

As he mentally navigated the uncharted waters of the World Trading System, a holographic interface materialized before his eyes. Intricate patterns and symbols danced in the air, forming a gateway to a realm of untold potential. Jack's gaze darted across the hologram, each section promising a myriad of trade options.

"Host, you have the power to trade goods, skills, knowledge, and even experiences. The world is your marketplace, and transactions can occur seamlessly," the voice explained, guiding Jack through the interface. "To initiate a trade, simply visualize the item or concept you wish to trade, and the system will guide you through the process."

His mind buzzing with excitement, Jack envisioned a simple experiment. He focused on the worn-out furniture in his modest living space, wondering if the system could truly transform the mundane into something more. As his thoughts materialized, the holographic interface responded, presenting potential trades for his aged belongings.

With a sense of newfound agency, Jack engaged with the system, initiating a trade that would exchange his worn furniture for a sleek, modern set. The holographic display shimmered as the transaction unfolded, seamlessly transporting the old and introducing the new into his living space.

The room underwent a subtle transformation, a testament to the World Trading System's capabilities. Jack's eyes widened with amazement as he touched the smooth surface of his new furniture, realizing the boundless potential that lay at his fingertips.

Encouraged by the success of his initial trade, Jack's thoughts expanded to the world beyond his modest abode. The holographic interface responded eagerly, displaying a vast array of possibilities. He could trade skills, offering his expertise in pharmaceuticals in exchange for knowledge or abilities he desired. The marketplace of ideas unfolded before him, a dynamic exchange of intangible assets.

"Host, the World Trading System extends beyond the material realm. You can trade not only possessions but also memories, emotions, and aspirations. The currency is as diverse as the human experience," the voice elucidated, prompting Jack to explore the profound depths of this metaphysical marketplace.

With a sense of wonder, Jack delved into the intricacies of trading intangible elements. Memories of his past, skills honed over years, and even fragments of his imagination became commodities in this ethereal exchange. The holographic interface responded to his every thought, facilitating trades that transcended the boundaries of conventional understanding.

As Jack immersed himself in the endless possibilities, he couldn't shake the feeling that he had stumbled upon something extraordinary. The World Trading System became a conduit for self-discovery, a realm where the value of every trade extended far beyond the surface.

In the midst of this boundless exploration, a realization dawned on Jack. The system, though offering unparalleled opportunities, required a discerning mind. Every trade carried consequences, and the choices he made would shape the course of his newfound existence.

"Welcome, host, to a world where the exchange of ideas and experiences knows no bounds. The World Trading System is at your disposal, a testament to the limitless potential within you," the voice echoed, leaving Jack standing at the crossroads of infinite possibilities, ready to navigate the complexities of a world where trade transcended the ordinary.