"One… Two… Three!" Ethan grunted as he pushed the bookstore's ancient metal shutters upward.
They rattled and clanged, shattering the quiet of the early morning like a tin drum in an empty hall. He stepped back, catching his breath, and chuckled despite himself.
'No wonder the system rated me so low on strength, he thought. I'm really that weak.'
The street outside was still waking up, with only a few early risers wandering past, clutching steaming cups of coffee. The cool air carried a sense of stillness that seemed to stretch, unbroken, between the buildings.
Ethan took it in for a moment before stepping inside the bookstore.
The familiar smell greeted him immediately—old books mingled with the faint, slightly musty scent of the worn carpet beneath his feet. It was a smell he had come to associate with quiet, routine, and with a kind of comfort that only familiarity could bring.
"I have unlimited wealth now," he muttered under his breath as he crossed the room, "I could resign anytime I want, or…"
His words trailed off as a thought struck him, one that made him stop in his tracks. What if the system doesn't last forever? The idea sent a faint chill through him. What if it just… disappears one day?
Ethan frowned, the weight of the thought settling over him. I need to do something that grows money, he reasoned. Investing in stocks or cryptocurrency seemed like an obvious solution, but the idea filled him with unease.
He had no experience, no real understanding of how such things worked. And then there was the other problem: there were no guarantees. Every investment carried the risk of failure, and failure now felt like a luxury he couldn't afford.
Still, a quiet resolve stirred in him. "There's a risk in everything," he mused, the words soft but firm.
Today would be different—he could feel it. Change wasn't just coming; it was here. He had no intention of staying in this small bookstore for much longer.
With the resources he had at his disposal, there was so much more he could do. For now, though, the simplest thing was to withdraw some of the money. Cash, after all, couldn't simply vanish. Could it?
Ethan smiled faintly at the absurdity of his own thoughts. Even some from a billion dollars would still be a staggering amount. But how much was enough? How much was too much?
He realized, with a start, that he had been standing behind the counter, lost in thought for longer than he'd intended.
He shook his head and pulled himself back to the present. The plan was already forming in his mind. He would speak to his boss today, hand in his resignation, and leave this routine behind.
The semester break was four weeks long—plenty of time to start shaping the life he wanted, though the enormity of the task still loomed ahead of him like a mountain yet to be climbed.
And yet, as he moved behind the counter, a strange feeling settled over him. It wasn't guilt, not exactly. It was something quieter, deeper—a realization that he always had a part-time job, mundane as it often was, had been his anchor for so long.
It had been safe, predictable, a refuge in a world that sometimes felt too large and overwhelming. And now he was letting it go.
Ethan wondered if the opportunities before him could ever truly replace the quiet security this job had provided. The familiar rhythms of shelving books, assisting customers, and managing small tasks had anchored him in a way he hadn't fully appreciated until now.
Shaking off the thought, Ethan was pulled back to the present by the soft chime of the front door. A customer entered, brushing off the cold morning air with a practiced motion.
Looking up, Ethan saw a middle-aged man, sharply dressed but visibly weary. The man's neatly pressed suit and polished shoes suggested professionalism, but the tired lines around his eyes spoke of long nights and too little sleep.
"Morning," the man said gruffly, his voice rough as though worn from too many hours of talking—or shouting. "I need four copies of these printed. Quickly."
"Sure, I'll take care of that for you," Ethan replied, stepping forward to take the folder. He turned and headed toward the small copier in the back, the man muttering behind him.
"Gosh. How could I forget to print this earlier…" the man grumbled, half to himself, his tone carrying a mixture of frustration and relief. He seemed grateful that the bookstore still offered such services—a small lifeline in a world growing ever more digital.
Ethan placed the papers into the copier, the machine humming softly as it began its work. Curious, he glanced at the top sheet.
Novan City Food Delivery App: Funding Proposal.
The title caught his attention immediately. Ethan's eyes lingered on the page for a moment before they drifted to the others beneath it.
Fifteen pages in all, the neatly organized proposal detailed the requirements for launching the app. Ethan's interest deepened as he skimmed further.
A food delivery app tailored to Novan City—a metropolis teeming with potential for such a service—seemed not just promising but timely.
Then, his eyes landed on the total funding required: $500,000.
A staggering amount for most people. But for Ethan? It was nothing. Not even a fraction of what he could access through the system.
'This could be a way to invest,' he thought, his mind racing. 'A project like this could explain my involvement without raising questions about my wealth.'
Yet doubt crept in. How would a young man working in a bookstore be taken seriously? He lacked experience, authority, and any semblance of credibility in matters like this.
Then, the very thought of striking up a conversation about it made his stomach tighten. And yet… the idea refused to leave him alone. It nagged at him, insistent, until he couldn't ignore it any longer.
Ethan inhaled deeply, summoning what courage he could muster. His voice came out steadier than he expected. "Excuse me, sir," he said hesitantly. "I'm sorry for asking, but… are you looking for funding for a food delivery app?"
The man looked up sharply, his expression a mixture of irritation and curiosity. "Yeah," he said, his tone clipped. "What of it?"
Ethan swallowed, his pulse quickening. "Actually, I'm a programmer," he began cautiously, feeling the words tumble out before he could stop them. "I've worked on a few app projects before. Something like this—well, I think it could really take off in Novan City."
The man raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical, but he didn't interrupt. Encouraged, Ethan continued, his voice gaining a hint of confidence. "Are you still looking for developers? Or… investors?"
The man stared at him for a moment, his tired eyes narrowing slightly as if weighing Ethan's words. For a heartbeat, the room seemed to hold its breath, and Ethan wondered if he'd made a mistake.
The man's expression shifted, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. "Yes, I am. But… no offense, why should that concern you? You don't exactly look like you have money lying around to invest in something like this."
His words carried a sharper edge than he likely intended. It wasn't rudeness, exactly—more the weariness of a man stretched too thin. Tiredness had worn away the polish of his manners, leaving only the bluntness of his thoughts.
Ethan offered a nervous chuckle, hoping to smooth the tension. "Well," he began, "I might not have the funds myself, but I know someone who might be interested… and I'm pretty close to him."
The man's eyebrows lifted slightly, the smallest flicker of curiosity crossing his face. "Oh? And who might that be?"
Ethan hesitated for the briefest of moments, his mind racing. "My university professor," he said, the words tumbling out quickly. "He's been involved in several major projects recently. I think he might be open to funding something like this."
The lie came easier than he expected, and, to his relief, the man seemed to accept it. Encouraged, Ethan pressed on. "And I've done some programming for the university—mostly on smaller projects, but also some personal ones. I could handle the development side of things."
The man leaned back slightly, his gaze sharpening as he studied Ethan's face. There was skepticism in his eyes, yes, but something else as well—a flicker of curiosity, perhaps even hope.
"You're serious?" he asked, his tone half-challenging, half-intrigued.
"Absolutely," Ethan replied, surprised by the steadiness of his own voice. "I can show you some of my work if you'd like."
The man didn't answer immediately. Instead, he continued to study Ethan as though searching for cracks in his composure, signs of dishonesty or bravado.
At last, he gave a small nod, gesturing for Ethan to continue.
In truth, the man wasn't particularly interested in Ethan's programming skills.
What intrigued him was the possibility of this mysterious professor—the potential investor who might finally bring his project to life. Funding for the app had been a constant hurdle.
The venture demanded significant capital—not just for development but for marketing and the infrastructure needed to make it truly competitive.
The man had briefly considered starting his own company to oversee the project, but the thought felt overwhelming. It wasn't just the money; it was the time, the management, the sheer energy required to launch something of this scale. He had too much on his plate already.
He had no interest in controlling every detail of the app or building some grand corporate empire. That sort of ambition belonged to a different kind of person, and he knew it wasn't for him.
Instead, he preferred to let a third party handle the operational side of things.
His focus wasn't on the mechanics of management. Still, the impact the app could have empowering vendors and riders by providing a platform that was both fair and beneficial.
It wasn't profit or prestige that motivated him—it was the idea of creating something meaningful. A system where vendors could thrive, riders could earn a decent living, and customers could enjoy better service.
By partnering with a reliable management team, the man could ensure the app ran smoothly without being bogged down in the intricate details of day-to-day operations.
He understood his strengths and his limits.
Staying behind the scenes allowed him to focus on what mattered most—keeping the app's core values intact while leaving the execution to those better suited for it.
"Show me what you've got," the man said.
Ethan quickly pulled up examples of his past app projects on his phone. Most of them were simple—apps developed during his coursework or personal experiments—but they were polished and professional, the kind of work that spoke for itself.
"Here's one example," Ethan said, handing the phone over. "It's an app for booking the university's multipurpose hall and sports center."
The man's expression softened as he scrolled through the app, his earlier skepticism giving way to genuine interest. "Not bad," he murmured, almost to himself. "Not bad at all."
For the first time, Ethan felt a flicker of hope. The man wasn't just looking at his work—he was truly seeing it. He seemed to recognize the professionalism and skill behind Ethan's projects, and with that recognition came a shift in the conversation.
The man's thoughts turned practical, almost strategic. He could see how having a prototype could make it easier to attract potential investors, a tool to bridge the gap between vision and reality.
Ethan, meanwhile, was still improvising his way through the situation. He didn't have all the answers—not yet—but he could feel the pieces falling into place.
His voice was steadier now as he said, "Like I said, I can handle the development side. I just need some time to arrange a meeting with my professor. If we get the funding, we could start right away."
The man tapped his chin thoughtfully, his expression softening as he considered Ethan's words. Then, with a decisive motion, he reached into his jacket and produced a business card, handing it to Ethan.
"Let's plan for that meeting," he said, his tone warmer than before. "My name's David Turner. I work with local businesses to help boost the city's economy."
David's words carried a quiet sincerity, a purpose that seemed to ripple beneath them. "The goal of this app is to help small restaurants survive against the big chains. I've been trying to get this project off the ground for months," he continued.
The name "David Turner" struck a chord with Ethan. He paused, the weight of recognition settling over him.
David Turner was a well-known figure in Novan City, and he was celebrated for his tireless efforts to support local businesses and uplift small entrepreneurs.
His initiatives had transformed countless lives, fostering growth in areas often overshadowed by larger corporations.
Ethan realized this wasn't just a technology project. This app was a vital piece of David's broader mission to empower the community and level the playing field for small businesses.
"I've heard of you, Mr. Turner," Ethan said, trying to keep his voice steady, though he couldn't entirely mask his admiration. "You've done a lot for the city."
David's face lit up with a hint of pride. "I do what I can," he said simply. "But there's always more work to be done. This app isn't just about food delivery—it's about giving smaller businesses a fighting chance. If it works here, we could create a model that helps cities across the country."
Ethan felt the magnitude of what was unfolding before him. This wasn't just a project; it was a chance to be part of something with the potential to truly make a difference. His recent goal of expanding his network suddenly felt more tangible, more achievable.
"I'll ensure my professor is available for a meeting as soon as possible, Mr. Turner," Ethan replied, carefully tucking the card into his pocket. "And I'll try to come out with a prototype in the meantime. I'm confident we can make this happen."
David smiled faintly and waved a hand. "Drop the formalities. I'm not much for them. Just call me David… And what's your name, young man?"
"Ethan," he said, smiling back.
David nodded, a spark of energy lighting his features. "Good. I'm looking forward to seeing if you can live up to those promises, Ethan."
"I'll have good news for you soon," Ethan replied, though the casual use of David's name felt awkward on his tongue. "It's just a phone call to my professor away."
As David exited the store, Ethan stood rooted in place, feeling the gravity of what he had just committed to. This was no longer just an abstract idea.
It was real—a project with the power to change lives in Novan City and perhaps far beyond. It was an opportunity to secure something more tangible than his wealth from the system—a safety net of his own making in case the system ever failed or vanished altogether.
The bookstore suddenly felt smaller to Ethan, its familiar walls pressing in as though he had outgrown them in a single morning. His earlier thoughts of resigning were pushed aside, eclipsed by the possibilities this new path presented.
For a moment, uncertainty flared—how could he possibly accomplish all this?
Yet, in the next breath, a quiet resolve settled over him. With the system's support, he felt as though almost anything was possible.
As he stood there, lost in thought, a soft chime broke through his reverie—a notification from the system.
=====
[New Mission: Deliver Success]
Objective: Successfully develop and launch the Novan City Food Delivery App.
Reward:
1. 5,000 EXP
2. 20 Ascension Points
=====
"It seems everything is falling into place," Ethan murmured, a small smile forming as reassurance settled over him.
*Author's Note*
Hey everyone! Just a quick update: I've been going through all the feedback you've been giving me, and I want you to know that I'm editing and rewriting this series to make it even better.
Your thoughts and suggestions have been super helpful in shaping the story, so thank you for sharing them! Every comment and piece of advice really means a lot and helps me improve.
If you're enjoying the series and want to see even more polished, top-quality chapters, I'd love your support. Please consider voting with Power Stones, sending gifts, and dropping some Golden Tickets my way.
All of that goes a long way in motivating me to bring you the best of the best!
Thanks so much for reading and sticking with me. Let's keep making this story amazing together!
Cheers,
Noah Caelum