It's a way to represent that value. The number does not itself store the value, nor does changing the number transfer the value.

It's true that people work hard for that representation, because we've built systems where the link between the representation and the underlying value is quite strong, but it is still just a number at the end of the day.

That number that you don’t think is real lets you claim actual resources now and in the future.

I think you should equally be confused about abstractions such as university credentials, or citizenship.