"Then we must redeploy immediately," Victor demanded, his voice sharp with adrenaline. The $20,112 flashing on the screen—the twenty thousand Victory Marks—had transformed him from a critical client into a dangerously motivated financial zealot. "We must leverage this victory into permanent territory. Where is the next, largest vulnerability? I require the ultimate Trophy acquisition."
Joshua recognized the danger instantly. Victor was addicted to the volatility. If he plunged all $20,000 into another all-or-nothing trade, the inevitable crash—and it would come—would send his SSI spiraling to zero.
"We will not redeploy immediately, Victor," Joshua said, his voice calm and firm. "We must cease the frontline assault."
The warrior's four eyes narrowed, radiating intense focus. "Stagnation is vulnerability. My marks must be in motion to prove their worth. A successful warrior does not abandon his captured spoils; he immediately presses his advantage."
"You are confusing assault with fortification," Joshua countered, activating the Concept Transfer skill to build a sturdy intellectual bridge. "Your $20,112 is not a scouting party; it is The Citadel. It is the central fortress you have just captured."
Joshua gestured to the dizzying stock chart. "A warrior who succeeds in a grand offensive and then immediately leaves his fortress unprotected is a fool. The enemy—the market—will see your captured Citadel and launch a devastating counter-attack."
Victor remained silent, his gaze fixed on the screen, processing the analogy.
"Your next move is not attack; it is Strategic Defense," Joshua continued, leaning forward. "You must construct a Fortified Perimeter around The Citadel to absorb enemy counter-attacks without suffering catastrophic loss."
Joshua brought up the two new concepts on his monitor, simplifying the visual data.
"We must utilize Resource Segregation. We will not store all your gunpowder in one warehouse. We will spread your captured wealth across three distinct defensive formations:
The Main Force (Aggressive Stock Holdings): This is the high-mobility group, ready for short attacks. We will keep a small portion of capital here.
The Defensive Trenches (Bonds): These are fortifications designed for defense, not attack. They capture little territory, but they are built to absorb maximum damage. When the market attacks, your trenches hold the line and protect your core assets.
The Supply Lines (Index Funds): These are broad, multi-Clan alliances. They move slowly but are nearly impossible to break, ensuring your forces receive long-term, stable resources."
Victor processed the information for a long moment, the notion of defense clearly being a necessary, if less exciting, part of T-Rank strategy.
"If the Frontline Assault is successful, but the trenches collapse, the victory marks are forfeit," Victor concluded. "Therefore, the construction of a disciplined defense is a precursor to any future grand offense."
"Precisely," Joshua confirmed, relief flooding him. "We will secure your victory marks. We will allocate half the total capital—$10,000—to build this permanent defensive perimeter."
Victor gave a slow, deliberate nod. "Begin the construction of the defensive perimeter, Counselor. But know this: once the Citadel is secure, I will require a target that yields a greater than 20,000% return."
[TASK COMPLETE: ASSET PROTECTION AND SUSTAINABLE STRATEGY ESTABLISHED.]
[EPIC GOOD DEED ACHIEVED: CULTURAL INTEGRATION VIA STRATEGIC RISK MITIGATION.]
[SYSTEM POINTS (SP) AWARDED: +50]
[CURRENT SP: 150]
Joshua had managed to turn an accidental twenty-thousand-dollar windfall into a lesson on diversification. With his current task managed, he focused on the System. He needed a stronger tool to guide Victor's inevitable aggression.
Acquire Economic Insight (G-Rank), Joshua commanded mentally.
[SKILL ACQUISITION INTERFACE (SAI)]
[Current SP: 150]
[ANALYTICAL UTILITY]
Economic Insight (G-Rank) [Cost: 100 SP]
Description: Allows the user to quickly analyze market sentiment, identify short-term statistical anomalies, and detect high-probability market shifts with 10% greater accuracy than raw human data processing.
[ACQUISITION CONFIRMED. COST: 100 SP. BALANCE: 50 SP.]
[INSTALLING: ECONOMIC INSIGHT (G-RANK)...]
A sudden, sharp download of complex algorithms and financial data models flooded Joshua's mind. He no longer just saw numbers; he saw the underlying flow of capital—the currents of the economic war. He could now truly serve as Victor's strategic advisor.
"The perimeter is under construction, Victor," Joshua said, feeling the weight of the new skill. "Now we prepare for the next deployment. What area of Terran economy offers the greatest opportunity for massive, yet predictable, conquest?"
Joshua now has 50 SP remaining and Economic Insight (G-Rank). He has managed Victor's first major win and secured his portfolio.