Tyler stood beside Eva on the sky terrace, the wind brushing against his clothes, the city lights glittering below like a billion silent witnesses.He didn't know what the future looked like, but the direction was clear now—up. Always up.
Then the System chimed again.
Not softly.Not subtly.But like a bell tolling inside his head.
[Opportunity Event Unlocked]Tier: A+Category: Real Estate / Strategic LeapA special acquisition chance has appeared.Event begins in: 2 hours, 14 minutes.
Tyler blinked.
"...Eva," he said softly. "I need to go."
She tilted her head. "Something wrong?"
He hesitated. He couldn't tell her about the System—not yet.But he also didn't want to lie.
"Something important just came up."
Eva studied him carefully. Her gaze lingered a bit too long—as if she could tell he carried secrets.
Finally, she nodded.
"Go. Handle whatever you need to. But Tyler…"She stepped closer, brushing her hand lightly against his forearm."…don't disappear on me."
That subtle admission hit harder than any mission reward.
"I won't," he said quietly.
The moment broke only when the elevator chimed again.
And Tyler walked away from the terrace, from her, from the glow of the corporate skyline…
Straight toward the unknown.
Leaving the Upper District
The elevator ride down felt strangely long.
As soon as the doors slid open, Tyler stepped into the lobby and the System threw another alert.
[Event Details Available]Would you like to view the prompt?YES / NO
He mentally selected YES.
A map projected in his mind.A red marker pulsed in the Old Business Sector—one of the rougher areas of the city, known for abandoned buildings and shady owners.
Then the details loaded.
[Opportunity Event: Abandoned Crown Complex Auction]
A once-prestigious mini-mall and mixed-use property.Now abandoned.Rumored to contain:
• sealed sections• outdated tech• rare materials• hidden storage• and… "anomalous energy signatures"
Minimum bid: $25,000Estimated value: ???Risk Level: HighReward Potential: Extreme
Special Access: Granted under "System-Favored Acquisition."
Tyler swallowed.
"$25,000…?"
He had $10,000 from the mission + $8,000 saved from his part-time jobs + $1,500 in credit rewards.
Total: $19,500.
Not enough.
Before panic could rise, the System chimed:
[Temporary Credit Line Unlocked]You may borrow: Up to $15,000Interest: 0% (First-Time Buyer Bonus)Condition: Auction must be won.
Tyler closed his eyes.
"...You really want me to go there."
[Affirmative.]
He felt a chill.
Not fear.Anticipation.
The System always nudged him toward danger—but with purpose.
The Old Business Sector
Tyler arrived twenty minutes later, Mira at his side.
She had insisted on coming."No way you're walking into a place with 'high risk' alone," she'd said.
And honestly, he was grateful.
The Old Business Sector was a ghost town.Old neon signs flickered weakly, windows shattered by years of neglect, metal shutters rusted shut.Sparse streetlights bathed everything in a pale orange glow.
But at the center of the district stood a surprisingly active building.
The City Auction Hall.
Dozens of luxury cars lined the street.Men and women in bespoke suits walked inside with confident strides.
Tyler stood there feeling like a guy who wandered into a VIP gala wearing clearance sneakers.
Mira nudged him gently."You'll be fine. Remember your confidence boost."
He smirked. "My 'non-verbal composure +12%'?"
She rolled her eyes. "Yes. Exactly that."
Inside the Auction Hall
The interior was bright, polished, and full of money.
Servers passed out drinks.Investors chatted in small clusters.A few beautiful women in elegant dresses laughed near the stage.
Tyler instantly noticed the glances.
Most were dismissive.A few curious.One or two openly judgmental.
But then the System activated the same subtle aura it used during the investor meeting.
[Passive Aura: Presence Boost (Minor)]
People's gazes shifted.Some paused.Some looked intrigued.
He was still out of place—but now he wasn't invisible.
A tall woman in a crimson dress approached, clipboard in hand.She was stunning. Confident, refined, and clearly important.
"Good evening," she said warmly. "Name?"
"Tyler Brooks."
Her eyes flickered to the screen in front of her… then widened.
"Oh. You're that one."
Tyler raised an eyebrow."That one?"
Her lips curved in a knowing smile.
"Follow me. You're seated in the Priority Section."
Priority.Him.The broke student.
Mira leaned close and whispered, "Your System cheats are showing again."
VIP Seating — and Danger
They were escorted to the front row.Directly behind three tycoons and one real estate shark Tyler recognized from TV.
Even Mira looked surprised.
"Tyler… this isn't normal. That woman treated you like someone important."
They sat.The auctioneer stepped onstage.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Tonight we have a very special hidden lot. A property once sealed by city authorities, off the market for years—returned today by anonymous approval."
Whispers rippled through the hall.
Tyler felt the System hum.Something in the air shifted.
Then the lights dimmed.The screen behind the auctioneer lit up.
The Abandoned Crown Complex
Images flashed:
A once-thriving mall with glass wallsNow covered in vines and dust
A basement area with sealed metal doorsMarked "AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY"
A rooftop greenhouse long dead and dried outRumors of energy readings within
A side building with unknown purposeBlueprints missing
Every slide felt heavier than the last—as if the System was breathing down his spine.
Then—
Starting bid: $25,000.
A few hands lifted.
"Thirty thousand!"
"Thirty-five!"
"Forty!"
Tyler's heart pounded.
He had enough.Barely.
But before he could raise his tablet—
A new bidder entered the room.
Elegant.Tall.Black hair tied in a high ponytail.Sharp eyes.Deadly calm.
Her presence was so overpowering the room went quiet.
Mira stiffened."Tyler… that woman…"
"What about her?" he whispered.
"She's trouble."
The woman took a seat two rows behind him.Crossed her legs.Folded her hands.
Then said, in a voice smooth as cold steel:
"Fifty thousand."
The auction hall murmured.
Tyler clenched his jaw.
The System pulsed.
[Warning: You are being challenged.][Unknown Faction Interest Detected.]
And then another line:
[Mission Update: Victory Is Mandatory.]
Tyler inhaled sharply.
Mandatory.
He looked at Mira.
She nodded once, resolute.
"Then win it."
Tyler lifted his bidding tablet.
His voice didn't shake.
"Fifty-five thousand."
The room froze.
Her eyes snapped to him.
A smirk.Slow.Dangerous.Intrigued.
"Well," she murmured, just loud enough for him to hear.
"Aren't you interesting?"