...
In the mansion's grand hall, the air was filled with a sense of urgency as Zastan engaged in a deep discussion with Darius, his trusted business strategist. They were standing near the large, ornate table that served as the command center for their operations. The walls were adorned with paintings depicting scenes of triumph and prosperity.
"I want both warehouses fortified immediately," Zastan commanded, his voice steady and assertive. "They're crucial to our operations. I'll send in an Elite to oversee their defense personally."
Darius nodded, his brow furrowing slightly as he considered the implications. "That's a wise decision, Zastan. With the recent tensions, we can't afford to take any chances. The last thing we need is a vulnerability in our supply chain."
The Elites, as Zastan had named them, were his most advanced enforcers. Equipped with cutting-edge technology like the Titanium-Aegis EXO armor, and Vibra-Edge Blades, weapons designed for both precision and lethality. Sending one of them to protect the warehouses was not just a precaution; it was a clear message to anyone who dared to threaten his business. Zastan was determined to maintain control and ensure that his operations remained uninterrupted.
...
Later that day, Zastan found himself seated at his desk, a large screen in front of him displaying the System Mall. He began browsing through the available items, his focus sharpening as he searched for something to enhance his business further. His eyes lingered on the section dedicated to flavors, a key component of his milk tea franchise. These flavors were what set his brand apart, and he knew the importance of staying ahead in a competitive market.
After scrolling through various options, Zastan spotted a premium flavor that stood out among the rest. It had a price tag of 100,000 points, a significant investment but one that could potentially elevate his product line to new heights. After a moment's hesitation, he confirmed the purchase. As soon as he did, a stack of papers materialized in front of him. Each sheet contained detailed formulas for the flavors he had just acquired.
"What is this?" Zastan muttered to himself, surprised by this unexpected feature from the system. He had hoped for a simple transaction, but this felt like a bonus he hadn't anticipated.
Darius, who had been poring over other business documents in the room, glanced up and his expression shifted from curiosity to excitement as he picked up the papers. "This is perfect," he said, his voice filled with enthusiasm. "We can incorporate these new flavors into the upcoming expansion. Our retail spaces and stalls across Luminae are going to triple within the next ten days. These flavors will be part of our signature launch."
Zastan felt a rush of excitement at the prospect. They were already planning a significant expansion, and these new flavors would give them a competitive edge. He nodded in approval and opened the system menu once more, his gaze falling on Darius's profile. Without hesitation, he clicked the + button, upgrading Darius to a level 3 manager.
Immediately, a new feature unlocked. Darius now had access to Resource Allocation Boost, a perk that would allow him to manage resources more efficiently, cutting operational costs by 15% and speeding up expansion timelines by 20%.
Zastan felt a sense of satisfaction wash over him as he saw the upgrade take effect. However, as he examined the details further, he realized something important—it was only applicable to the subordinates assigned to Darius.
He sighed, knowing that expanding Darius's capacity would cost him more points. [The upgrade cost for additional slots is 1,000 points per slot.]
It seemed expensive, but Zastan gave the mental command to add his newly equipped MK4s to Darius's roster. The decision was straightforward: Darius's previous upgrade to Level 2 had unlocked Tactician's Aura, a feature that boosted the overall abilities and stats of all biochemicals under his command by 20%. With the MK4s being his most advanced biochemicals, Zastan wasn't willing to miss out on such a powerful bonus.
As he opened his stats, Zastan glanced at his profile:
Name: Zastan Miles
Level: 3 (258,394,091/1,000,000,000)
Age: 18
Balance: $3,929,075
Stats:
Strength: 13
Agility: 9
Intelligence: 7 (5 is the average for humans)
Points: 647,823
Miner Points: 25,000
Subordinates:
Biochemicals:
MK1 - 500
MK2 - 250
MK3 - 150
MK4 - 6
As he took in the numbers, Zastan swore under his breath, realizing he had completely forgotten about his level-up to Level 3. He recalled the familiar ding sound he heard two weeks ago while he was half-asleep, but at the time, he had dismissed it, too tired to care.
Now fully alert, Zastan decided to inquire about the rewards or features he had received from this level-up.
[You have unlocked the following features:
Forestry
Eye of Insight]
Curious about what these new features entailed, Zastan requested descriptions for each one.
[Forestry: The host can now obtain wood-based products by purchasing "Mills," similar to how Miners gather resources. The mills come in various types, each producing different grades of wood, such as Oak, Pine, and even rare magical woods like Mythrilwood. Each mill has its own production rate and can be upgraded to increase efficiency. Just like in the mines, wood harvested from mills can be sold, traded, or used for construction. The wood can also be refined into high-quality materials used in crafting unique items and expanding infrastructure. This feature opens up new avenues for resource management, allowing the host to dominate not only mineral wealth but also the lumber industry.]
[Eye of Insight: Once activated, the Eye of Insight allows the host to see a person's loyalty, favorability, and overall disposition toward them. This invaluable tool can expose traitors, detect dishonesty, and highlight those with genuine loyalty. The Eye of Insight will display a glowing aura around individuals based on their alignment: green for loyalty, yellow for neutrality, and red for treachery. With this feature, the host can ensure that no deception goes unnoticed, giving them an edge in managing allies, subordinates, and business dealings.]
...
Zastan grinned at these new features, feeling a surge of motivation. But then, a thought struck him. Weren't there options for selling wood-related furniture in the System Mall?
With that curiosity in mind, he quickly searched for it in the System Mall. As he scanned through the results, a smile crept across his face—he was right. There was indeed a section for wooden furniture.
Originally, Zastan had planned to tell Darius about the potential addition to their product line. However, after giving it a second thought, he decided against it for the moment. He knew how crucial it was for his business to expand effectively, which would allow him to gain more capital and ultimately upgrade his production capacity. Selling furniture could wait.
Instead, Zastan focused on discussing the upcoming expansion plans with Darius. He wanted to ensure that every detail was accounted for, from marketing strategies to logistics. It was a significant step for their empire, and Zastan felt the weight of responsibility resting on his shoulders.
"Darius," Zastan called, gesturing for him to come closer. "Let's go over the expansion plans in detail. I want to make sure everything is lined up perfectly for our launch."
Darius stepped forward, a notepad in hand, ready to jot down the ideas that would shape their future. "Absolutely, Zastan. I've been thinking about our marketing strategy as well. We should consider a launch event that not only highlights our new flavors but also showcases our growth as a brand."
"Good idea," Zastan replied, his mind racing with possibilities. "We could invite influencers and local media to create buzz. It'll help draw in customers and set the tone for our new image."
As they continued to discuss their plans, Zastan couldn't shake the feeling that they were on the verge of something monumental. The expansion would not only solidify their presence in Luminae but could also set the stage for a larger empire in the future. With the new features from the system, Zastan was determined to seize every opportunity that came his way.
"Darius," Zastan began, a spark of curiosity in his eyes, "what exactly increased about you when I upgraded you to Level 3, aside from the perk you just unlocked?"
Darius paused for a moment, considering his words carefully. "Well, besides the Resource Allocation Boost, my cognitive abilities have increased by more than five times. I can analyze data and strategize much more effectively now." His expression was one of pride mixed with enthusiasm, reflecting the newfound capabilities that came with the upgrade.
Zastan nodded, impressed by the advancement. The thought of having Darius functioning at such a high level excited him. It meant better decision-making and sharper strategies, essential qualities for steering their growing business.
Feeling inspired, Zastan decided to unlock another feature for Darius. This one cost him 50,000 points, but he believed it would be worth the investment. He concentrated, sending the mental command through the system.
[Unlocking Feature: Purchasing Authority for System Mall]
With a flash, the new feature was activated. Darius would now have the permission to buy items directly from the System Mall, making it easier for him to acquire resources and materials that could aid their operations.
"I've set the maximum spending limit to 100,000 points," Zastan said, ensuring that Darius wouldn't accidentally make any costly purchases that could set them back. "We need to keep things in check as we move forward."
"Understood, Zastan," Darius replied, his expression serious yet appreciative. "This will streamline our operations significantly. I'll make sure to use the budget wisely."
Zastan felt a sense of relief wash over him. Empowering Darius in this way would not only enhance their capabilities but also foster a deeper level of trust between them. As they discussed the details of the expansion further, Zastan envisioned how the synergy of their combined efforts would lead them to unprecedented success.
"Let's keep the momentum going," Zastan said, determination etched on his face. "With the new flavors and the additional resources we can acquire, we'll be unstoppable. We need to execute our plans flawlessly."
Darius nodded enthusiastically, already mentally preparing strategies and logistics to implement. "I'll start drafting the materials we need to push this expansion forward. We can begin scouting locations for new stalls and retail spaces immediately."
...