Arc 1 : Rock Bottom to System Awakening
**Chapter 4: Stepping into the Unknown**
Jae-min woke up the next morning with an unfamiliar sense of anticipation. It had been a while since he'd felt genuinely motivated to do anything, but after yesterday, things felt different. He had a reason to get out of bed—something beyond just scraping by. Helping Mina had ignited something in him, and he wasn't about to let that feeling slip away.
After a quick breakfast, he checked his phone. Elyra's face appeared, her expression bright and cheerful.
"Good morning, Jae-min," she greeted him. "Ready for another day of opportunities?"
He rubbed the back of his neck, still getting used to her presence. "I guess so. Yesterday went pretty well. Do you… have any suggestions for today?"
Elyra tilted her head, her silver hair falling softly over her shoulders. "Since you've made progress with Mina, it would be wise to focus on building that connection further. But keep an open mind—today, you may encounter new people who could be important to your journey as well."
Jae-min frowned slightly. "So… I just go out and see who I run into?"
"Essentially," Elyra replied with a small smile. "But remember, this isn't just about spending money. Think of it as an opportunity to understand others, to make a difference. You'll find that true connections often come from the simplest acts."
He took a deep breath, nodding. "Alright, I'll give it a shot."
---
After a quick shower and a change of clothes, Jae-min found himself walking through the same park where he'd met Mina. It was a crisp morning, with the scent of autumn in the air, and the city was just beginning to wake up. People passed by, wrapped in scarves and jackets, lost in their own worlds.
As he wandered, his phone buzzed. He glanced down to see a message from Mina.
**Mina:** *Hey, are you free today? I could use some company at the diner. It's my shift, and it gets pretty slow around this time.*
Jae-min felt a small surge of excitement as he typed out a quick response.
**Jae-min:** *Yeah, I'll be there. See you soon.*
---
The diner was a cozy, slightly worn place with a vintage charm. Red leather booths, checkered floors, and the soft hum of classic music filled the air. As Jae-min entered, he spotted Mina wiping down tables near the counter. She wore a simple white shirt and an apron, her dark hair pulled back in a loose ponytail.
When she saw him, she smiled, waving him over. "Hey! Thanks for coming. I know it's not the most exciting way to spend your day."
He shrugged, grinning. "Better than sitting around doing nothing. Besides, I figured I could grab a coffee and keep you company."
She laughed, setting down her cloth. "Fair enough. You're officially my only customer right now."
They settled into a conversation, talking about everything from the latest movies to her favorite artists. Mina's passion for art was infectious, and as she spoke, Jae-min found himself genuinely fascinated by her dedication and vision.
"So," he said after a while, "have you always wanted to be an artist?"
She nodded, a wistful look crossing her face. "Yeah. Ever since I was little, I've loved drawing. But, you know… life happens. My parents weren't exactly thrilled about the idea of me pursuing art as a career. They wanted something more stable, something with a guaranteed income."
Jae-min could understand that all too well. "Sounds familiar. My parents wanted me to get a solid office job, climb the corporate ladder, the whole deal."
Mina sighed, resting her chin in her hand. "Sometimes I wonder if I'm being selfish, sticking to this dream. Art isn't exactly paying the bills right now, and it feels like I'm just chasing something that'll never come true."
Jae-min leaned forward, his gaze intent. "You're not selfish. You're brave. It takes guts to go after what you want, especially when the world tells you to settle."
She looked at him, her eyes searching his face. "You really think so?"
"Absolutely," he said firmly. "You've got something special, Mina. Don't let anyone convince you otherwise."
For a moment, there was a comfortable silence between them. Mina's expression softened, and a small, grateful smile played on her lips. Just as she was about to say something, the bell above the diner door jingled, and a group of young women walked in, chatting and laughing as they took a booth near the window.
Mina straightened, putting her work face back on. "Duty calls. Give me a sec, okay?"
He nodded, watching as she went to take the group's orders. As he waited, Elyra's voice came through his phone.
"Well done, Jae-min. Mina's likability has reached 40%."
He smirked slightly, feeling a sense of accomplishment. "Good to know. But… is it weird that I actually care about helping her? It doesn't feel like I'm just doing it for the system rewards."
Elyra's expression softened, her tone gentle. "That's exactly the point. Real connections aren't built on ulterior motives. You're beginning to understand that."
As Mina finished with the group's orders, she returned to the counter, glancing at Jae-min with a tired but content smile. "You know, I've got a short break coming up. Want to go grab some fresh air with me?"
"Sure," Jae-min replied, standing up.
They stepped outside, taking a short stroll around the block. Mina seemed more relaxed now, the stress of work fading as they walked. She paused by a small flower shop, her gaze lingering on a display of fresh daisies and lilies.
"I love flowers," she murmured, almost to herself. "There's something peaceful about them, like they don't care about anything but growing."
Jae-min looked at her, struck by how vulnerable and genuine she seemed in that moment. He glanced at Elyra on his phone, who gave him a subtle nod of encouragement.
He turned back to Mina. "Wait here for a second."
Before she could protest, he slipped into the flower shop, choosing a small bouquet of daisies. When he came back out, he held them out to her, feeling a little self-conscious.
"These reminded me of you," he said simply. "Strong, bright, and standing out without trying."
Mina's cheeks flushed, and she looked down at the flowers, clearly touched. "Jae-min… thank you. I don't know what to say."
"Just keep going," he replied, his voice gentle. "Don't give up on your art. You've got something that no one else has."
She looked up at him, her eyes shining with gratitude. For a moment, the world around them seemed to fade, and he felt a strange, electric connection between them, something deeper than just friendship.
"Thank you," she whispered, clutching the bouquet. "I… I really needed this."
Elyra's voice sounded softly in his ear again. "Likability at 55%. You're doing well, Jae-min. She's starting to trust you."
The rest of the day passed in a warm, quiet blur. They returned to the diner, and Jae-min stayed for her whole shift, keeping her company and cracking jokes whenever she looked tired. By the time she clocked out, they were both laughing and chatting like old friends.
As they parted ways that evening, Mina surprised him by giving him a quick hug. "Thanks for today, Jae-min. I mean it. You've really made me feel… like I can do this."
He returned her smile, feeling a glow of satisfaction that went far beyond the system rewards. "Anytime. I'm rooting for you, Mina."
As she walked away, he checked his phone, where Elyra watched him with a knowing smile.
"Likability now at 60%," she announced. "Your approach is paying off."
Jae-min nodded, slipping his phone back into his pocket as he headed home. For the first time in a long time, he felt like he was moving forward, building something real—one step at a time.