The Questioner System (Ask Me Anything)

Chapter 1: The Answer to Everything

The sound of laughter and conversation filled the air as Adam Carter, a 20-year-old college dropout, walked through the lively streets of downtown Austin, Texas. It was a Saturday evening, and the city was alive with its usual mix of live music, food trucks, and bustling crowds. The warm glow of string lights stretched across the narrow alleys, casting a comforting ambiance over the chaotic energy of the night.

Adam's worn sneakers scuffed the pavement as he turned into a quieter side street. His thoughts raced, but not with the excitement most people his age might feel in such an environment. He had just been fired from his part-time barista job, his rent was overdue, and his dreams of a better future seemed to drift further out of reach with each passing day.

"Another day, another failure," Adam muttered, shoving his hands into the pockets of his jacket.

---

He reached his small apartment on the edge of the city, a run-down complex that looked like it hadn't been renovated since the 80s. The faded teal paint on the walls was peeling, and the fluorescent hallway lights flickered ominously as Adam made his way to his door. Room 302. He fumbled for his keys, unlocked the door, and stepped inside.

The apartment was as uninspiring as the building itself: a cramped studio with a sagging couch, a cluttered desk holding his aging laptop, and a kitchenette that seemed permanently stained from years of neglect. The only thing Adam took pride in was the bookshelf filled with novels and history books, remnants of a time when he had big plans for his future.

Collapsing onto the couch, Adam stared at the ceiling, the faint sound of sirens in the distance punctuating his thoughts.

"What am I even doing with my life?" he whispered.

---

That's when it happened.

A sudden, cold sensation washed over Adam's entire body, like he'd been plunged into icy water. His vision blurred, and for a moment, he thought he might be passing out. But instead of blacking out, he saw words—floating, glowing letters that formed in the air before him.

"Welcome, Adam Carter. You have been chosen as the wielder of the Omniscient Query System (OQS). This system allows you to ask questions about the past or future and receive accurate answers. Your current daily limit: 3 questions."

Adam blinked, sitting upright. "What the...?"

The words shimmered, then disappeared, replaced by a simple interface hovering in front of him, visible only to him. A blank prompt awaited his input.

---

"Am I hallucinating?" Adam asked aloud.

There was no response. Tentatively, he raised a hand toward the interface, but it didn't react to his touch. His heart raced as he considered the absurdity of the situation. Was this some kind of prank? Was he losing his mind?

He decided to test it. Taking a deep breath, Adam spoke his first question:

"What will the winning lottery numbers be for tonight?"

The interface flickered, then displayed a sequence of numbers: 17, 23, 45, 54, 61, 9.

Adam stared at the numbers, his disbelief mingling with a flicker of hope. If this was real, it could change everything.

---

The nearest convenience store was just a few blocks away, and Adam wasted no time grabbing his wallet and rushing out the door. The cool night air hit his face as he jogged down the dimly lit streets, passing by the occasional pedestrian. His mind raced with possibilities.

The store was a familiar sight, its neon sign buzzing faintly. Inside, the clerk—a scruffy man in his 30s named Mike—looked up from his phone and gave Adam a nod.

"Back again, Adam? Thought you were cutting back on the junk food."

"Not tonight, Mike," Adam said, grabbing a lottery slip and a pen. He quickly filled out the numbers and handed it to the clerk. "Just this."

Mike raised an eyebrow but shrugged, processing the ticket. "Good luck, man. Nobody around here ever wins big."

Adam pocketed the ticket, his hands trembling slightly.

---

Back in his apartment, Adam paced the room, glancing at the clock every few seconds. The lottery draw was broadcast live at 10 p.m., and the anticipation was unbearable. When the time finally came, he turned on the TV, the grainy image of the local anchor filling the screen.

"And tonight's winning numbers are..."

Adam's heart nearly stopped as the numbers were read aloud. 17, 23, 45, 54, 61, 9.

He sank onto the couch, staring at the ticket in his hand. It was real.

---

The realization hit him like a tidal wave. This wasn't just a lucky break—it was a tool, a system that could give him answers to anything. His mind spun with possibilities, from solving personal problems to changing the world.

But there was also fear. If this system was as powerful as it seemed, what were the rules? The limits? The consequences?

---

The next morning, Adam cashed in the ticket, claiming a modest but life-changing $50,000 prize. He kept his composure at the lottery office, but inside, he was ecstatic. This was his chance to escape the cycle of failure that had plagued him for years.

That evening, as he sat in a diner, enjoying a rare treat of steak and fries, he noticed a heated argument between the waitress and a customer.

"Look, you can't just walk out on the bill!" the waitress shouted.

The man, a burly figure with a leather jacket, sneered. "What're you gonna do about it?"

Adam felt a surge of righteous anger. He didn't know the waitress, but the man's arrogance grated on him.

"What will happen if I intervene in the argument at the diner?" Adam asked the system, whispering the question under his breath.

The response was immediate: "The man will escalate to violence, but you will successfully defuse the situation by threatening to call the authorities."

Adam stood, his heart pounding. This was the first time he'd used the system for something other than personal gain. Approaching the table, he cleared his throat.

"Hey, buddy, why don't you just pay the bill and leave?"

The man turned to him, his expression darkening. "Stay outta this, kid."

Adam held up his phone, the dial screen open. "I'm calling the cops if you don't pay right now."

The man hesitated, his gaze flickering to the phone. After a tense moment, he tossed a few crumpled bills onto the table and stormed out.

The waitress, a young woman with tired eyes, looked at Adam with a mix of gratitude and surprise.

"Thanks," she said. "Most people wouldn't bother."

"No problem," Adam replied, sitting back down.

As he ate, he couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. The system wasn't just a tool for wealth—it was a chance to make a difference.

---

That night, Adam stared at the glowing interface in his apartment. He had two questions left for the day, and an endless sea of possibilities stretched before him.

His journey was just beginning.