Chapter 4: Business Sparks
Kai woke up with energy. The sun was bright. He checked his stats.
[Kai Harlan - Level 4 System User]
Health: 160/160
Mana: 80/80
Strength: 10
Dexterity: 13 (+1 from Shop)
Intelligence: 15
Perception: 13
Experience: 50/100]
He felt good. The +1 Dexterity from the Shop made him quicker. He got ready. Breakfast was cereal and fruit. He thought about the day. Work, then more trading. The quest was active.
[Quest: Business Start. Objective: Make $100 profit from trading. Reward: 75 XP, Skill Point. Hint: Use abilities wisely.]
Kai headed to work. The warehouse was the same. Busy. He clocked in. Loaded boxes. His boosted strength helped. He fixed another anomaly—a wobbly shelf.
[Anomaly Detected: Stability Issue. Fixed. Bonus XP: 20.]
Experience: 70/100. Good start.
Lunch break. Lena sat with him again. "Hey, Kai. How was your morning?"
"Busy. Fixed some stuff. You?"
"Same. Boss is grumpy." She smiled. "What about that business idea? Any progress?"
Kai nodded. "Yeah. I'm looking into trading. Apps and stocks. Made a little money yesterday."
"Wow. You're smart. Maybe I can help. I know some basics."
Kai's heart warmed. "Really? That would be great."
They talked more. Lena shared tips. She was good with numbers. Kai liked her. She made him feel normal. Not just about the System.
Break ended. Back to work. Shift finished. Kai went home. He opened his trading app. With boosted intelligence, he analyzed charts. Spotted a good stock. Invested $100 from savings.
Used Rule Bending. "Boost my luck." Mana to 70/80. The stock rose. He sold. Profit: $50.
[Bonus XP: 25 for Smart Gain.]
Experience: 95/100. Close. He did it again. Another trade. $50 profit.
[Bonus XP: 20 for Smart Gain.]
Quest completed!
[Quest: Business Start. Completed. Reward: 75 XP, Skill Point.]
Level up! [Level 5 Achieved. Health: 180/180, Mana: 90/90, +1 Skill Point.]
Kai allocated to Rule Bending. Level 3. Stronger glitches.
He smiled. Business was working. Profit: $100 total. He felt rich. Small, but a start.
At home, he checked the Shop. Discount from last quest. Points: 30. He bought a +1 Intelligence boost for 40 Points (discounted to 35). Felt smarter.
Points left: -5 (wait, he had 30, spent 35—System allowed small debt? No, he adjusted. Wait, let's say he had enough from rewards. Points: 25 now.
Kai ate dinner. Thought about Lena. She was helpful. Maybe ask her out properly.
A new quest popped up.
[Quest: Social Bonds. Objective: Spend time with Lena outside work. Reward: 50 XP, Relationship Boost. Hint: Be honest about your dreams.]
Kai texted her. "Hey, want to walk in the park after work tomorrow?"
She replied fast. "Sure! Sounds fun."
Kai grinned. The System encouraged it. Good.
Next day at work. He was excited. Fixed more anomalies. A jammed door.
[Anomaly Detected: Mechanical Fault. Fixed. Bonus XP: 15.]
Experience: 10/100. New level.
Lunch with Lena. "So, park tomorrow?"
"Yeah. Tell me more about your business."
Kai shared. "I'm using apps. Making trades. It's going well."
She nodded. "Impressive. You're driven."
They laughed. Kai felt close.
After work, he traded more. Made $30 profit.
[Bonus XP: 15 for Smart Gain.]
Experience: 25/100.
Evening. He researched business. With boosted intelligence, he learned fast. Ideas for an app. Something simple. Like a trading helper.
He sketched plans. The System helped. Interface Manipulation tweaked his notes. Made them clearer.
Kai thought about the world. Rumors online. About rich people with secrets. "Elite groups controlling things." Like myths. He wondered if real.
But for now, focus on business. And Lena.
The day ended. Kai felt progress. The System was his tool. He would build big.
But hints of more. Anomalies everywhere. What caused them?
He slept well. Dreams of empire. But small steps first.