Classes had barely begun, and already, Jiho found himself immersed in the grind. The morning sun filtered into the lecture hall, bathing the rows of students in a warm glow. Jiho sat at his usual seat, scribbling notes in his well-worn notebook. His focus wavered, however, as he doodled the skill tree he had seen during his vision the previous night.
The discovery of a new dimension to his ability thrilled him. Each branch on the tree represented potential upgrades: better predictive accuracy, broader insight, or even financial foresight. Jiho wasn't entirely sure how to unlock them yet, but the mere existence of these options opened a world of possibilities.
"Is that… a skill tree?"
The soft, curious voice startled him. Jiho looked up to see Lee Nari leaning slightly over, her bright eyes locked on his notebook.
"Uh, yeah." Jiho hesitated, caught off guard.
Her face lit up. "I love RPGs! That's definitely a skill tree. Are you designing something?"
Jiho forced a casual smile. "Not really. It's from a new game I'm into."
"You're really into gaming, huh?" Nari grinned. "Me too. I love anything with deep customization—RPGs are my favorite."
Jiho nodded, impressed. "Didn't think you'd be into games."
"Why not?" she asked, feigning offense. "I'm practically a pro at some of them. Maybe we should team up sometime."
Jiho smiled internally. Her enthusiasm was infectious, and for the first time that day, he felt at ease.
Their lunch break led them to a nearby café. As they waited for their coffee, the door opened with a melodic chime, and Jiho's breath caught in his throat.
Park Sumin entered, her presence commanding the room. She wore a chic two-piece outfit that exuded luxury, paired with a Louis Vuitton bag and oversized Gentle Monster sunglasses. Her polished demeanor drew every gaze, but it was the man beside her that completed the picture.
He was tall, impeccably dressed, and exuded wealth and confidence. Jiho recognized him instantly—her chaebol boyfriend.
Jiho froze, the scene playing out in slow motion.
Suddenly, his mind was flooded with memories. He saw himself walking hand-in-hand with Sumin under a canopy of cherry blossoms, her laughter ringing in his ears. He remembered their first kiss, the sweetness of it lingering even now, and the countless moments of warmth and intimacy they had shared.
"Jiho?" Nari's voice pulled him back to the present.
He blinked, realizing he had been staring. Sumin hadn't noticed him yet, but the pang in his chest was unmistakable.
"You okay?" Nari asked, concern flickering in her expression.
"I'm fine," Jiho said quickly, his tone sharper than intended. He regretted it immediately but didn't elaborate.
Sumin's gaze finally swept the room and landed on him. For a brief second, their eyes met. Her expression betrayed nothing—no surprise, no regret, just the faintest hint of acknowledgment before she turned back to her boyfriend.
Jiho clenched his fists under the table.
"Let's go," he said abruptly, grabbing his coffee.
That evening, Jiho sat alone in his small apartment, staring at the skill tree he had sketched out. His heart still felt heavy, the image of Sumin and her new life etched in his mind. But the bitterness wasn't the same as before—it was sharper, more focused.
He flipped to a blank page in his notebook and wrote down a new goal:
Unlock the next skill. Achieve financial freedom.
A notification flashed on his laptop. He opened it to see the result of his KCoin trade. His prediction had been correct; the currency's value had risen significantly, and his portfolio had grown by 40%.
A faint glow appeared in his vision, signaling he had gained experience points. For the first time, a new skill was unlocked: Enhanced Pattern Recognition.
Jiho's pulse quickened.
This wasn't just about money anymore—it was about control, mastery, and proving to himself that he could rise above his circumstances. Sumin was part of his past, but his future was his own.
The next few hours were spent creating an updated investment plan. Jiho decided to withdraw 20% of his profits into a secure savings account, ensuring he had a safety net. The rest would be reinvested strategically, guided by his growing knowledge and evolving skillset.As he closed his notebook, Jiho's thoughts drifted back to the day's events. Nari's genuine interest and enthusiasm had been a welcome contrast to the cold reality of seeing Sumin again. But even as he appreciated her warmth, he reminded himself of his priorities. Distractions, no matter how pleasant, could jeopardize his progress.He stared at the glowing notification, a steely determination hardening his resolve.
Tomorrow, he would take another step forward.