**Arc 2: Chapter 19 – Laying the Groundwork**
Jae-min found himself standing in the middle of the empty warehouse that would soon be the esports hub. The potential of the place was undeniable, even if it was currently just a vast, lifeless space of concrete floors and exposed beams. A few workers milled around, taking measurements and marking areas for the upcoming renovations.
So-ra was walking alongside Yumi, both of them deep in conversation about the layout plans.
"I think the main stage should go here," So-ra said, pointing toward the far end of the room. "It'll give us the best visibility for events, and we can set up the seating around it."
Yumi nodded. "Agreed. We'll need space for the VIP lounge too. Sponsors are going to want something exclusive."
Jae-min, feeling somewhat out of place amidst their planning, leaned against a pillar and watched them work.
"Don't tell me you're just going to stand there and let them do all the work," Elyra's voice echoed in his mind.
He ignored her, focusing instead on the energy the two women brought to the project. It was contagious. Despite his initial hesitation about the esports hub, seeing it come to life made him realize just how big this could be—not just for them but for the gaming community as a whole.
As if sensing his thoughts, So-ra turned to him. "Hey, Jae-min, come over here."
He walked over, hands in his pockets. "What's up?"
"We need your input," Yumi said, holding up a rough sketch of the floor plan. "What do you think about this section here? It's between the main stage and the snack bar. Should we use it for a casual gaming area or a merch store?"
Jae-min studied the sketch, pretending to mull it over. Truthfully, he didn't have strong opinions about the specifics, but he knew better than to say that out loud.
"Why not both?" he said finally. "Split it down the middle. Casual gaming on one side, merch on the other. That way, people who aren't interested in the main event still have something to do."
Yumi raised an eyebrow. "That's... actually a good idea."
So-ra nodded in agreement. "Yeah, that could work."
Jae-min smirked. "See? I'm not just a pretty face."
---
As the day went on, more pieces began falling into place. Yumi secured a deal with a popular energy drink brand to sponsor the hub, while So-ra started reaching out to some of her connections in the gaming world to spread the word.
Jae-min, meanwhile, focused on the financial side. With Elyra's help, he funneled more funds from the system into Elysian Ventures, ensuring they had enough to cover every expense.
"You know," Elyra said as she appeared next to him during a break, "you're handling this surprisingly well. For someone who was broke and jobless a few weeks ago, you're making big moves."
Jae-min glanced at her. "Is that your way of saying you're impressed?"
"Maybe," she teased. "But don't get cocky. You're still relying on me for all of this."
He smirked. "You say that like I'd forget."
---
That evening, the trio met at Jae-min's apartment to review their progress. So-ra spread out a stack of papers on the coffee table, while Yumi pulled out her laptop to show off the sponsorship deal she'd secured.
"We're ahead of schedule," Yumi announced, her tone triumphant. "If we keep this up, we can have the grand opening in less than two months."
"That's amazing," So-ra said, her excitement palpable.
Jae-min nodded, though a part of him couldn't shake the feeling that things were going too smoothly. In his experience, success always came with strings attached.
"Let's celebrate," Yumi suggested. "We've earned it."
So-ra looked skeptical. "Celebrate? We haven't even opened the place yet."
"Exactly," Yumi said, grinning. "This is the calm before the storm. Once the hub opens, we'll be swamped. We should enjoy the quiet while we can."
Jae-min chuckled. "She's got a point."
---
Later that night, after Yumi and So-ra had left, Jae-min sat on the couch, staring at the system interface. The latest notification caught his attention.
**[Task Progress Update: Build the Foundation – 75% Complete]**
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. Things were moving fast, and while that was a good thing, it also meant he had less time to prepare for whatever came next.
Elyra appeared beside him, lounging casually as usual. "You're thinking too much again."
"I can't help it," he admitted. "This is all happening so fast. What if I screw it up?"
"You won't," she said confidently. "You've got me, remember?"
"Yeah, and what happens when I can't rely on you anymore?"
Elyra's expression softened, a rare moment of sincerity. "You're stronger than you think, Jae-min. Trust yourself a little more."
He looked at her, surprised by the sudden shift in tone. "That's... almost encouraging. Who are you, and what have you done with Elyra?"
She laughed, the moment of seriousness gone as quickly as it had appeared. "Don't get used to it."
As she disappeared, Jae-min leaned back and closed his eyes. He didn't know what the future held, but for the first time in a long time, he felt like he was moving in the right direction.