The air at Divine Cross High buzzed with an underlying tension. Jiang Han's calculated moves were no longer whispered among the student body but had become the stuff of lunchtime debates. His name carried weight, equal parts admiration and animosity, depending on who was asked. Danish Afiq's simmering rage, Luqman Irfan's lingering proposal, and Hafiy Zafran's tentative collaboration painted a landscape of shifting allegiances and looming confrontations.
For Jiang, the game had only just begun.
As Jiang settled at his desk to review his notes during a free period, a familiar notification pulsed in his mind:
System Notification: New Mission
Mission: Secure Strategic Alliance with Hafiy Zafran
Objective: Strengthen Hafiy's supply chain operations to gain his family's trust.
Reward: Advanced Logistics Skill
Bonus Hidden Reward: ???
Failure Consequence: Hafiy Zafran withdraws all support, and Danish Afiq's influence grows.
Jiang smirked, closing his eyes momentarily to think. The System's timing was precise—perhaps even too precise. He knew better than to take its tasks at face value; every reward it dangled came with risks buried beneath the surface.
Hafiy's collaboration was a critical piece of Jiang's current strategy, but the challenge would lie in securing tangible outcomes while keeping Hafiy's fiery personality in check.
The next day, Jiang arranged to meet Hafiy at a popular café just outside of Petraling Jaya. The café, frequented by students and young entrepreneurs alike, was bustling with energy. Hafiy arrived, his fiery presence unmistakable. His sharp features and designer jacket were offset by a tension in his posture, signalling he was less comfortable with this meeting than he let on.
"Jiang," Hafiy greeted, sitting across from him. "I'm here. Let's hear your plan."
Jiang smiled faintly, sliding a printed diagram across the table. "This is a snapshot of your family's supply chain network. Based on publicly available data, I've identified two bottlenecks that could disrupt efficiency. Addressing these would not only streamline operations but also significantly boost your profitability."
Hafiy scanned the document, his expression hardening. "How do you know this? Did you dig into my family's affairs?"
"No digging was necessary," Jiang replied calmly. "Your father's business is a significant player in the region. Efficiency metrics are often visible if you know where to look. Think of this as my way of demonstrating value."
Hafiy studied Jiang's face, his suspicion slowly giving way to grudging respect. "Alright. Suppose I believe you. What's your angle?"
"I succeed when my allies succeed," Jiang said simply. "Help me reinforce my family's logistics, and I'll ensure your operations are stronger in return. It's mutually beneficial."
After a long pause, Hafiy finally nodded. "Fine. But if this backfires, you'll regret it."
Back at school, Jiang's progress was met with an unexpected obstacle. Danish Afiq, desperate to regain his footing, had concocted a plan to undermine Jiang academically. During an important group presentation, Danish manipulated the assigned teams, placing Jiang alongside students notorious for their laziness and lack of commitment.
Jiang, however, was unshaken.
The System intervened at the perfect moment:
System Notification: Sub-Mission
Mission: Salvage the Group Presentation
Objective: Deliver a high-quality presentation despite team disadvantages.
Reward: Leadership Skill (Intermediate)
Failure Consequence: Academic standing decreases, reputation among peers suffers.
"Alright," Jiang said to his group after their first, disastrous brainstorming session. "Let's divide tasks based on strengths. If we each focus on one section, we can still pull this together."
His team hesitated, clearly accustomed to failure and sceptical of Jiang's optimism. But as Jiang delegated roles with precision and ensured frequent follow-ups, even the laziest members began to rise to the challenge.
By the day of the presentation, the team's transformation was evident. Jiang's polished delivery and the group's unexpectedly cohesive effort left the audience impressed—and Danish fuming.
"Better luck next time, Danish," Jiang quipped under his breath as he returned to his seat, satisfaction gleaming in his eyes.
Luqman Irfan, meanwhile, hadn't been idle. Jiang's refusal to commit had irked him, and whispers of Jiang's alliance with Hafiy had reached his ears. Determined to assert his influence, Luqman approached Jiang during a quiet moment in the library.
"Jiang," Luqman began, his voice low but firm, "we need to talk."
Jiang set his book aside, meeting Luqman's gaze evenly. "I'm listening."
"You've been playing a dangerous game," Luqman said, leaning closer. "Aligning yourself with Hafiy? Rejecting my offer? You're treading on thin ice."
Jiang smiled faintly. "I tread carefully, Luqman. But I'm not one to bow under pressure."
Luqman's expression darkened. "Careful, Jiang. My patience has limits."
"Noted," Jiang replied smoothly. "But if you want to make progress, threats won't get you far. Present me with something compelling, and we'll talk."
Luqman left, his frustration evident. Jiang knew their conflict was far from over, but for now, he had managed to hold his ground.
Jiang's alliance with Hafiy bore fruit sooner than expected. By implementing Jiang's recommendations, Hafiy's family business saw a noticeable improvement in efficiency, earning Jiang both Hafiy's gratitude and his father's attention.
At home that evening, Jiang received the news he'd been waiting for:
System Notification: Mission Completed
Reward Unlocked: Advanced Logistics Skill
Bonus Hidden Reward Unlocked: Influence Skill (Beginner)
As the notifications faded, Jiang allowed himself a moment of satisfaction. But he knew better than to rest on his laurels. The chessboard was still in motion, and his next move would require even greater precision.
The day after Jiang Han's strategic victory over Hafiy Zafran's logistical challenges, the echoes of his success began rippling across Petraling Jaya. Hafiy's father, Dato' Seri Zainuddin Adnan, had personally commended Hafiy for his foresight, unaware that the young man's brilliant "solution" was entirely Jiang's brainchild. This made Jiang a significant ally in Hafiy, but it also painted a larger target on his back.
Among those paying close attention was Danish Afiq. His frustration at Jiang's rise transformed into a calculated coldness. For Danish, the battle wasn't just academic or personal—it was a matter of pride.
Jiang's day began like any other until a familiar pulse of energy filled his mind.
System Notification: New Mission
Mission: Confront and Neutralise Danish Afiq's Sabotage
Objective: Expose Danish Afiq's attempts to undermine your academic and business reputation.
Reward: Intellectual Warfare Skill (Intermediate)
Bonus Hidden Reward: ???
Failure Consequence: Loss of credibility and leverage over key players.
Jiang leaned back in his chair, letting the weight of the new mission settle in. The stakes were clear: his credibility was his most potent weapon. Any erosion of it could unravel his carefully built alliances.
Danish Afiq's sabotage came in the form of planted rumours. He spread false claims that Jiang had manipulated Hafiy's success to steal credit and damage the Zafran family's reputation. While these rumours were subtle at first, they began to gain traction in certain circles.
Jiang realised that addressing the problem head-on would require more than his words—it required undeniable proof. His mind raced as he formulated a plan to expose Danish's ploy.
The opportunity came during an inter-school networking event at the Petraling Jaya Youth Centre. Students and prominent families mingled, exchanging pleasantries and assessing potential allies. Jiang had ensured his invitation through Hafiy, who had enthusiastically vouched for him.
The event featured a panel discussion where students could present solutions to hypothetical business challenges. Danish, ever opportunistic, used his moment on stage to cast veiled aspersions.
"...Of course, not every solution is as organic as it appears. Some ideas are, let's say, borrowed without acknowledgement," Danish said, his gaze flickering toward Jiang.
The room murmured, sensing the tension.
When Jiang's turn came, he approached the stage with calm confidence. His presentation wasn't just about logistics but also about integrity and innovation. In the end, he addressed the rumours without naming Danish directly.
"True leadership isn't about discrediting others. It's about recognising the value of collaboration and standing by your principles. Those who rely on deceit to weaken their competition ultimately reveal their own insecurities," Jiang concluded, his words slicing through the murmurs.
To hammer the point home, Jiang had prepared a presentation slide. It showcased Hafiy's improvement data alongside timestamps of their brainstorming sessions—a subtle but irrefutable defence of his contribution.
The audience, particularly the adults, nodded in approval. Danish's face darkened as he realised his plan had backfired spectacularly. Hafiy, sitting nearby, smirked knowingly.
After the session, Dato' Seri Zainuddin approached Jiang, clapping him on the shoulder. "Impressive work, Jiang. It's rare to see someone your age balance humility with brilliance. Hafiy's lucky to have an ally like you."