Arc 1 : Rock Bottom to the System Awakening
**Chapter 3: First Steps**
Jae-min found himself in front of an art supply store, wondering just how far he was willing to take this strange new life path. He had only a vague idea of what he was doing, but Elyra's encouragement—and Mina's surprised, grateful smile—had left him with a strange sense of purpose.
He glanced down at his phone, where Elyra's face appeared, watching him expectantly. "So, I can really buy anything in here, and it won't cost me a single cent from my own account?"
"Correct," Elyra said, nodding. "Remember, the money you're using comes from the system account, which is essentially limitless—as long as your purchases benefit a girl in some way."
"Alright, then," Jae-min muttered, steeling himself as he entered the store.
The place was packed with every kind of art supply imaginable: rows of paint tubes, stacks of sketchbooks, racks of high-end pens, and shelves lined with canvases. He was instantly out of his depth, feeling a bit like a fish out of water. What did Mina need most? He barely knew the first thing about art supplies, but he figured some basics would help.
Just then, Elyra's voice guided him again. "Start with a quality sketchbook and a variety of pencils and brushes. Mina mentioned she's struggling financially, so anything that can help her create will be appreciated."
He nodded and wandered down the aisles, selecting items that fit Elyra's suggestions. By the time he reached the counter, he had a respectable assortment of supplies in his arms, though he still wondered if it was enough. As he paid, he watched the cashier ring up the items, waiting for that sinking feeling when he'd swipe his card, but all he felt was the quiet buzz of Elyra's confirmation.
"Transaction complete," she said, sounding almost pleased. "And as promised, you now have 1% of that amount in your personal account."
Jae-min grinned, the reality of the system sinking in for the first time. *This might actually work,* he thought, feeling a renewed sense of excitement as he left the store with a bag of supplies in hand.
---
Later that afternoon, he found Mina in the same spot at the park, hunched over her sketchbook, her fingers smudged with charcoal. She was deeply focused, her brow furrowed as she worked on the delicate details of her latest piece. He hesitated for a moment, then cleared his throat softly.
Mina looked up, startled, but then her face lit up with recognition. "Oh, Jae-min! Hey. Didn't expect to see you again so soon."
Jae-min held out the bag, feeling slightly awkward but determined. "I, uh, thought I'd follow through on that promise. Here—some supplies to help out."
Mina's eyes widened as she took the bag from him, peeking inside. "Oh my gosh… You actually did it?" She reached in and pulled out a sketchbook, running her fingers over the smooth cover. "These are really nice… I don't know how to thank you."
"It's no big deal," Jae-min said, brushing it off with a shrug. "I just wanted to help out. Besides, I think you deserve a shot."
Mina looked at him, a warmth in her eyes that hadn't been there before. "I don't get this kind of kindness often," she admitted. "People usually don't take my art seriously. They don't think it's worth the investment."
"Well, they're wrong," Jae-min replied, surprising himself with how much he meant it. "It's hard enough just trying to get by in this world. If art makes it worth it for you, then that's all that matters."
Mina's expression softened, and she let out a small, genuine laugh. "You're full of surprises, you know that?"
They talked for a while longer, sharing stories and laughs, and with each passing minute, Jae-min felt himself warming up to her more. Mina wasn't just someone to help or a target for the system—she was genuine, resilient, and talented in ways he was just beginning to understand.
After about an hour, Mina checked the time and winced. "I should get going—I have a part-time job at this diner, and I'm going to be late if I don't hurry."
Jae-min's brow furrowed. "You work at a diner too?"
Mina sighed. "Yeah, just to make ends meet. Art isn't exactly paying the bills right now."
Jae-min felt a pang of sympathy, realizing just how hard she was working to pursue her passion. "I get it. But… don't give up, alright? You've got talent. I can tell."
Mina smiled at him, a look of gratitude in her eyes. "Thank you, Jae-min. For everything. You don't know how much this means to me."
As she walked away, Jae-min heard Elyra's voice chime in through his phone. "Mina's likability has increased to 25%."
He smirked to himself, feeling oddly satisfied. This system was strange, maybe even crazy, but he couldn't deny that he felt a sense of purpose for the first time in a long while. He had a goal—to help people, to lift himself up from rock bottom—and somehow, this unlikely path was making that happen.
---
That evening, Jae-min sat alone in his tiny apartment, reflecting on the day. He'd spent more time with Mina than he'd expected, and he couldn't shake the feeling of pride that had come with seeing her smile. There was something fulfilling about helping someone else, something he hadn't felt in ages.
"Seems you're getting the hang of this," Elyra commented, her voice breaking through his thoughts.
Jae-min looked down at her image on the screen. "I think so. I mean, it's only one girl so far. I don't know if I can keep this up."
Elyra's expression softened, her blue eyes filled with an almost human warmth. "You don't have to rush. Take it one step at a time. Building genuine connections takes patience and effort, not just money."
He nodded, appreciating her reassurance. "Thanks, Elyra. I don't know what I'd be doing right now if you hadn't shown up."
"Remember," she replied, her voice gentle. "I'm here to help, but you're the one making the choices. This is your life, Jae-min. I'm just giving you a way forward."
As he lay down to sleep, Jae-min felt a quiet determination settle over him. He was at the start of something big, something he could barely comprehend. But for the first time in a long time, he wasn't alone, and he wasn't powerless.
He closed his eyes, a hint of a smile on his lips. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but he felt ready to face them. This was only the beginning.