**Arc 2: Chapter 1 – The Proposal**
The buzz of the diner was still lingering in Jae-min's mind as he walked Mina home. The glow of streetlights reflected in the puddles left by a recent rain, casting a soft sheen over the quiet streets. Mina clung to her guitar case, the weight of the night's events evident in her hesitant glances at Jae-min.
"You didn't have to go that far back there," Mina said, breaking the silence. "I could've handled my ex."
Jae-min shrugged, stuffing his hands into his jacket pockets. "Maybe. But I didn't like the way he was talking to you. He had no right to show up and act like that."
Mina stopped, turning to face him. "You barely know me, Jae-min. Why do you care so much?"
For a moment, Jae-min didn't answer. He could feel Elyra's presence in the back of his mind, her golden eyes watching him closely, but this wasn't about the system. It was about Mina.
"Because someone believed in me when I thought I had nothing left," he finally said. "And I figured I'd do the same for you."
Mina's expression softened, her grip on the guitar case loosening. "Thank you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
They resumed walking, the silence between them no longer uncomfortable. When they reached Mina's apartment, she lingered at the door, her fingers brushing against the handle.
"I'm going to repay you," she said suddenly. "For everything. I don't know how yet, but I will."
"You don't owe me anything," Jae-min replied, offering her a small smile. "Just focus on your music."
Mina smiled back, a rare moment of vulnerability breaking through her usual guarded demeanor. She leaned in and kissed him on the cheek, her lips lingering for just a second longer than he expected.
"Goodnight, Jae-min," she said, disappearing into the building.
Jae-min stood there for a moment, his cheek tingling from the unexpected kiss. A soft laugh echoed in his ear as Elyra materialized beside him.
"Well, well," she teased. "It seems like you're making progress."
"Progress?" Jae-min asked, arching an eyebrow.
"Mina's likability just hit 100%," Elyra said with a grin. "She's fully loyal to you now. Congratulations, lover boy."
Jae-min rolled his eyes, though he couldn't help the faint smile tugging at his lips.
"What happens now?" he asked.
"Oh, you'll see," Elyra said cryptically, before vanishing with a wink.
---
The next morning, Jae-min was greeted by a notification from the system as soon as he opened his eyes.
**Congratulations! Mina's loyalty has been secured. Reward unlocked: Persuasion Mastery Lv. 1.**
The words were accompanied by a rush of knowledge flooding his mind, sharpening his understanding of communication and negotiation. He could feel the subtle shift in his confidence, like a hidden edge he hadn't known he possessed.
"Persuasion, huh?" Jae-min muttered to himself. "Could've used that skill last week."
He got up and went through his morning routine, his thoughts drifting to Mina and the progress he'd made since the system entered his life. For the first time in a while, he felt like he was moving forward.
As he stepped outside, the crisp autumn air greeted him, carrying with it a sense of possibility.
"Time to find the next opportunity," he said under his breath.
---
Jae-min's steps carried him to a busy shopping district, the hum of life all around him. His eyes scanned the bustling crowd, searching for something—or someone—that might spark his next move. Elyra's voice chimed in, breaking his focus.
"You can't just wander aimlessly," she said, appearing beside him in her usual glowing form. "You need to be proactive."
"And how exactly am I supposed to do that?" he shot back.
"Opportunities don't fall from the sky," she replied, gesturing to the street around them. "Look closer. People's lives are full of problems waiting to be solved. Find one you can fix."
Jae-min sighed, leaning against a railing and watching the crowd. It was then that he noticed a group of teenagers gathered outside a gaming café, their animated voices carrying over the noise of the street.
"Did you see So-ra's stream last night? She totally crushed it!"
"Yeah, but her setup sucks. She kept lagging out during the final match."
Jae-min's interest piqued at the mention of a stream. He followed the group into the café, where the sound of clicking keyboards and cheers filled the air. At the center of the commotion was a young woman with electric blue streaks in her hair, her fingers flying across a mechanical keyboard. Her fiery determination was palpable as she barked orders into her headset.
"That must be So-ra," Jae-min muttered to Elyra.
"She's interesting," Elyra said, studying the girl. "And she's definitely frustrated about something. Go talk to her."
---
After the match ended, So-ra slammed her headset onto the desk, her jaw tight with frustration. Jae-min approached cautiously, aware of the fiery energy radiating off her.
"Tough match?" he asked.
So-ra glanced at him, her dark eyes narrowing. "What do you want?"
"Nothing, really," Jae-min said, holding up his hands. "Just noticed you were dealing with some technical issues. Thought I'd offer some advice."
So-ra snorted, crossing her arms. "Unless you've got a brand-new setup hiding in your back pocket, I don't need advice."
Jae-min smiled, his newfound confidence kicking in. "What if I could help with that? No strings attached."
Her skepticism was written all over her face. "Yeah, right. What's the catch?"
"No catch," he said, leaning casually against the desk. "I just see potential. You've got talent, but your equipment is holding you back. Let me help you, and you can focus on what you're good at—winning."
So-ra studied him for a long moment, her gaze sharp and unyielding. Finally, she sighed.
"Fine," she said. "But if this is some kind of scam, I'm not going to let it slide."
"Fair enough," Jae-min said with a grin. "Let's get started."
As So-ra returned to her game, Jae-min felt the familiar thrill of stepping into a new challenge. This was just the beginning.