Chapter 2: Milking Online Loans

Could it be… this system is just useless? he thought unwillingly.

If it could only copy some worthless trinkets, what meaning would this system have?

Wait!

Qin Hao's mind suddenly flashed with inspiration.

The system manual says it can "copy any non-living object that comes into contact,"

and there is no restriction that it must be banknotes.

Banknotes have serial numbers, making them hard to circulate, but… what about gold?

What about jewelry?

Those precious metals inherently have extremely high value, and they don't need special serial numbers to prove authenticity; only purity and weight need to be assessed.

As soon as this thought arose, Qin Hao's heart began to pound violently again.

If he could copy gold… that would be real wealth!

One gram of gold now costs over four hundred dollars; if he could copy a kilogram, even ten kilograms…

Thinking this, Qin Hao's breathing grew heavy. He clenched those two banknotes tightly, and the flame of hope reignited in his eyes.

However, copying items requires energy, namely electrical energy.

The bit of energy he just used is already exhausted; to continue copying he must absorb electrical energy.

But… if he actively contacts a power source, will he get shocked again, even risking his life?

Qin Hao hesitated; although he yearned to change his fate, he also cherished his life.

His experience in the orphanage let him understand life's fragility and preciousness earlier than his peers.

But if he doesn't try, would he just watch this heaven-defying system fall silent due to exhausted energy?

"Go for it!" Qin Hao gritted his teeth.

One seeks wealth amid danger; if he doesn't even dare to take this small risk, what right does he have to talk about changing his fate?

He cautiously walked to the wall, took a deep breath, extended his right index finger, and slowly touched the metal spring of the socket.

At the same time, due to tension and fear, his heart rate also involuntarily sped up,

When his finger made contact with the socket piece, the anticipated strong current did not appear.

He felt nothing.

However, the number in the energy reserve column of the system interface began to change.

"0.1… 0.2… 0.3…"

"Is it starting to charge? Really amazing, though the speed is a bit slow!"

Qin Hao felt a surge of joy; indeed! The system truly can replenish energy by contacting a power source!

However, the speed is a bit slow.

Thus Qin Hao kept his finger in contact with the power source, silently observing the change in energy reserves.

After about five or six minutes, the energy reserve rose to 100 points.

"Hah…" Qin Hao then released his finger and let out a long sigh.

Although the charging speed is a bit slow, at least it proves this route is feasible. Moreover, this active charging method seems not to harm him; it merely absorbs electrical energy.

This let him completely relax.

But another problem popped up: how much electricity was just used?

Thinking this, Qin Hao hurried to check the electricity meter installed at the entrance, made a record, and then began experimenting.

Ultimately confirmed, storing one energy point consumes one degree of electricity.

That is to say, the few minutes of charging just now used up a hundred degrees of electricity.

"Using this much electricity in a short time—will it arouse others' suspicion?" Qin Hao worried in his mind.

But now is not the time to dwell on this issue, because he still needs to continue exploring the system's functions.

Soon he found a ballpoint pen to scan, discovering that copying it requires 0.01 energy point.

Then he disassembled it, splitting it into the barrel, ink core, spring, cap, and several other parts.

Then he scanned each part one by one. The conclusion was that all parts together sum exactly to 0.01 energy point.

Qin Hao understood clearly. It seems the system didn't deceive him; the item's complexity and value indeed affect energy consumption.

Moreover, the system can not only copy whole objects but also copy disassembled parts, which undoubtedly greatly increases operational flexibility.

After confirming the system's authenticity and basic operation, Qin Hao's mood calmed considerably, but then came even more doubts.

Where exactly did this system come from? Why did it select him? Moreover, it can even be upgraded!

These questions, for now, have no answers. What he can do now is to figure out the specific limits and potential of the basic copying function.

He once again turned his gaze to those two banknotes with identical serial numbers.

Although the path of copying currency is blocked, it at least proves that the items the system copies are physically identical to the originals.

So the question arises: how should he use the copying system to make money?

"Gold…"

Qin Hao's first thought was gold.

If he could copy gold, even just a small piece, it could greatly improve his current situation.

But where would the gold come from?

He had previously spent all his money on his girlfriend; now he only has a couple thousand dollars total, enough at most to buy a few grams of jewelry.

Qin Hao paced back and forth in the room; he needed to think of a quick way to make money.

After a dozen seconds, an idea suddenly popped up: borrowing money.

Namely, those various online loans.

Although he had always kept his distance from these things, considering them drinking poison to quench thirst, but now, to verify the system's true capability and to change his fate, he decided to take a gamble and try!

Qin Hao sat on the edge of the bed, the light from the phone screen flickering across his ever-changing face.

He was browsing the interfaces of various loan apps, those enticing slogans and seemingly low daily interest rates now appearing to him as the first pot of gold for getting rich.

"High credit limit, instant transfer, interest as low as XX……" Qin Hao's fingertip slid across the screen, his heart filled with turmoil.

He was inherently cautious; his orphanage experience made him understand that every penny is hard-earned, and he also knew the pressure of debt.

In the past, he scoffed at online loans, seeing them as traps exploiting youth, the fangs of capital.

But now, for that one-in-ten-thousand chance, for that "All-Things Replication System" that could change everything, he had to bow to what he once despised.

"Damn it, let's go all out!"

He gritted his teeth, chose a relatively well-known platform with seemingly more legitimate terms, and began filling out the information.

ID photo, facial recognition, emergency contact info…… each step made him feel a twinge of unease, as if he were nakedly exposing his privacy to others.

The waiting for approval was agonizing.

Each second felt as long as a century.

Qin Hao kept refreshing the app from time to time, his palms sweating slightly from nervousness.

His mind kept racing with thoughts: What if replicating gold fails?

Wouldn't this loan then suffocate him?