[Congratulations!]
[Quest Completed.]
[You have been rewarded +1 in influence.]
[You have gained the skill Giga Confidence (Passive): You are no longer easily shaken by insults, mockery, or pressure. Instead, you find them funny as if it was just a big joke.]
'Status Update.'
- - -
Name: Gray Adams
Age: 20
Status: Struggling (0%)
Wealth: 0
Power: 0
Influence: 1
Skills:
Basic Negotiation (Passive): Slightly improves chances of earning more through bargains.
Hard Labor (Active): Increases strength and endurance in physical work.
Giga Confidence (Passive): You are no longer easily shaken by insults, mockery, or pressure. Instead, you find them funny as if it was just a big joke.
- - -
Gray and Lily were now back at their apartment after spending more time going around the mall.
Gray was seated on his small bed. Lily had already gone to rest, so he had all the time in the world to think rationally about the system.
However, before that, he reached into his pocket and pulled out the two calling cards that the girls gave him.
Emily Lancaster.
Chloe Lancaster.
Their names and numbers were printed on thick and elegant paper. Gray stared at them for a while. In a second, a small and amused smile appeared on his face.
"This is getting better than I expected," he muttered.
Just a few days ago, he was worrying about where to get their next meal. Heck, he even considered ending his life. But now he was casually receiving numbers from girls way out of his league.
Gray let out a quiet breath. He looked up at their plain and old dusty ceiling for a moment.
'Alright... System. Can you hear me?' Gray asked in his head.
[Ding!]
[System is active and is listening, Host.]
'I've been meaning to ask. What exactly are you?' Gray's brows furrowed as he thought of it.
[The System is a universal growth-type helper. granted to individuals with potential for greatness. And the system chose you because of your resilience and potential.]
[The System's goal is to guide the Host toward wealth, power, and influence.]
'So you mean, you're like a cheat tool in life?'
[That is one way to describe it, Host. But only if you make the most of it, can you succeed.]
'I see..' Gray smirked.
'And the money? That card? Where's all that coming from?'
[The System provides resources based on missions. The card granted to the Host accesses a reserved fund created for system-use. The more missions completed, the more privileges the Host will unlock.]
'What kind of privileges are there?' It piqued the curiosity of Gray.
Growing up, privilege was a word that he hadn't even used to describe his life. It was a new and foreign thing, and he couldn't wait to experience it.
[You can gain a lot from the system, Host. That includes business creation support, real estate opportunities, skill upgrades, talent recruitment, and most importantly, getting a lot of money.]
'So this thing's only getting started, huh...' Gray thought as he recalled the events from earlier.
[That's right, Host.]
Gray stared at the two cards again in front of it.
"So what do I need to do now?"
[Good timing, Host.]
As the system gave him an answer, a flood of notifications sounded afterward.
[Ding!]
[New Mission Unlocked!]
Gray blinked as the familiar translucent screen popped up in front of him once more.
[Mission: Find a Way In the Lancaster's Family.]
[Objective: Establish a connection to the Lancaster family by becoming close to one or both of the Lancaster sisters. Your goal is to find a job that grants you access or involvement with their business or household.]
[Time Limit: 7 Days]
[Reward: +1 influence | Elixir of Refinement (One-Time Use): Gives the host an upgrade on his overall look.]
[Failure: -1 Influence]
"Huh... now that's something new." He raised an eyebrow as he saw the sudden mission.
Gray leaned back against the headboard of his bed. He stared at the mission details for a while without saying a word.
Then, slowly, he let out a loud sigh.
"Getting close to the Lancaster family, huh..." he muttered.
It sounded simple when read out loud. But Gray knew better.
The Lancaster family wasn't just some rich family from the town. They were at the top. They were powerful. Untouchable. The kind of people who lived in another world entirely.
Gray let out another sigh. He was doubting if he could even do it.
"...Can I really do this?" he said to himself.
[Why is the Host showing hesitation?]
Gray raised an eyebrow at the sudden system response.
"Well, I'm just being real, System. It's the Lancasters we're talking about. I might've gotten their attention once... but that's because of pure lack and my hatred for Nathan. But staying in their world? That's something else, you know."
[Don't worry, Host. The system will assist you.]
Gray glanced up as if hope found him.
"What kind of assist?"
[Would the Host like to access detailed information about the Lancaster family and potential access points?]
Gray paused for a second. Then he nodded. It was a good opportunity.
"Yeah. Show me everything you've got."
[Ding!]
[Accessing Lancaster Database...]
[Loading...]
[Complete.]
A new screen appeared in front of Gray.
━━━━━
[LANCASTER FAMILY PROFILE]
Net Worth Estimate: Over $2 billion
Primary Holdings: Lancaster Group
[Family Members]
[Jonathan Lancaster (Father / CEO)]
Age: 58
- Originally from a poor background. He grew up working odd jobs before building his company from the ground up.
- Known for being kind, humble, and respectful to hard workers. While powerful, he dislikes arrogance and looks for honesty and grit in people.
[Cheska Lancaster (Mother)
Deceased
[Emily Lancaster (Eldest Daughter)]
Age: 24
- Handles charity work, media relations, and public presence pf the company.
- She is warm, approachable, but smart. She evaluates people based on actions, not appearances.
[Chloe Lancaster (Youngest Daughter)]
Age: 20
- Currently still studying. Despite being rich, she is having a hard time maintaining her grades.
- She doesn't have any interest in the business.
- She is kind, warm, and approachable like her sister.