The morning light filtered through the cracked blinds of Matt's apartment, streaks of golden sunlight cutting through the smoke-stained air. Matt sat at the edge of his bed, tying the laces of his worn sneakers. His phone buzzed on the nightstand, breaking the quiet.
It was a message from Mr. Daniels:
"Retailer meeting at 10 AM. Midtown Market, conference room 2. Good luck."
Matt exhaled sharply, tossing his phone into his pocket. This meeting wasn't just about closing another deal. It was about proving to himself—and to the system—that he was capable of something bigger than scraping by. His network was growing, his skills were improving, and now it was time to test it all.
Midtown Market was a bustling hub of activity, with vendors unloading crates of fresh produce and small businesses setting up their displays. The conference rooms were tucked away on the second floor, behind a café that smelled of strong coffee and warm pastries.
Matt entered conference room 2, finding himself face-to-face with three people seated at a long table. The lead buyer for Midtown Market, a woman in her early forties with sharp eyes, gestured for him to sit.
"Matthew Moore, right?" she said, flipping through a folder of documents. Her tone was neutral, professional. "You're here to pitch Mr. Daniels' product."
"That's right," Matt said, taking a seat. He adjusted his hoodie self-consciously; everyone else in the room was dressed like they were heading to a board meeting.
The woman nodded and gestured for him to begin. "You've got fifteen minutes. Let's hear what you've got."
Matt took a deep breath, silently summoning every ounce of confidence the system had helped him build. He began with the basics—highlighting the eco-friendly nature of the cleaning products, their affordability, and their rising popularity among smaller retailers. But it wasn't enough just to list features. He needed to make them feel the value.
"Midtown Market is known for offering quality products that connect with its customers," Matt said, leaning forward slightly. "These cleaning supplies don't just meet that standard—they elevate it. Imagine being the retailer that offers a sustainable alternative in a market that's increasingly demanding eco-conscious choices. You wouldn't just be meeting a need; you'd be setting a trend."
The lead buyer raised an eyebrow but said nothing, her expression unreadable. Matt pressed on, his words flowing more easily as he found his rhythm.
"And here's the best part," he continued, pulling out a sample bottle from his bag and placing it on the table. "This product isn't just good for the environment—it works better than most mainstream brands. That's what keeps customers coming back. It's not just about being green; it's about being effective."
As he spoke, Matt noticed subtle shifts in their body language—the nod of one buyer, the slight smile of another. They were engaged, listening.
The system chimed softly in his mind.
[Skill Utilized: Negotiation - Intermediate. Progress: Excellent.]
When he finished his pitch, the room was quiet for a moment. Then the lead buyer closed the folder in front of her and leaned back in her chair.
"Well, Mr. Moore," she said, her lips curving into a faint smile. "That's one of the better pitches we've heard in a while. We'll need to test the product ourselves, of course, but I'm impressed. We'll be in touch."
Matt's heart raced, but he kept his composure. "Thank you. I'm confident you'll see the value."
As he stood to leave, the woman added, "You've got potential, you know. Keep this up, and you'll go far."
Matt stepped out of the conference room into the bustling market below, his shoulders finally relaxing. He checked his phone—a notification from the system was waiting.
[Mission Update: Beyond Survival.]
Milestone goal achieved. Progress: 75%.
A satisfied grin spread across his face. It wasn't just the system acknowledging his success; it was the growing confidence in himself that made it feel real.
Later that afternoon, Matt sat at a corner table in a quiet café, sipping black coffee as he reviewed his progress. The people he'd met at the networking event had already started reaching out—Elliot had sent him a few leads, and Jake, the tech startup founder, had messaged about potential help with investor presentations.
His phone buzzed again, this time with a call from Sarah, the boutique owner he'd met at the event. He hesitated for a moment before answering.
"Hey, Sarah," he said, trying to sound casual.
"Hi, Matt. I hope I'm not catching you at a bad time," Sarah said, her voice warm and enthusiastic. "I wanted to ask—do you have time to help me with a small project? I'm trying to pitch my boutique's collection to a larger retailer, but I'm terrible at presentations."
Matt leaned back in his chair, a small smile tugging at his lips. "I'd be happy to help. When do you need it?"
They made plans to meet the next day, and as Matt ended the call, he realized something important: this wasn't just about earning rewards from the system anymore. He was building something real—relationships, trust, and the beginnings of a career he could be proud of.
As the sun set over the city, Matt returned to the construction site he'd claimed as his personal training ground. The half-finished walls and rusted scaffolding felt like old friends now, a place where he could test his growing physical abilities.
Climbing the scaffolding with ease, he reached the top and stared out over the city skyline. The lights stretched endlessly, a reminder of just how much potential lay out there waiting to be tapped. He didn't know exactly where this journey would take him, but for the first time in years, he felt like he was in control.
The system chimed again, pulling him from his thoughts.
[New Mission Unlocked: Expanding Horizons.]
Description: Leverage your skills and connections to create a significant breakthrough.
Requirements: Secure a high-value deal or partnership. Achieve recognition in your network or field.
Rewards: $1,000 and Advanced Skill Token.
Matt exhaled sharply, a mix of excitement and nerves bubbling inside him. A high-value deal? Recognition? The stakes were getting higher, but so was the potential payoff.
"Alright," he muttered to himself, smirking. "Let's see what you've got for me, system."
With that, he leaped from the scaffolding to the ground below, his movements fluid and precise. As his feet hit the dirt, he felt a surge of adrenaline. The system wasn't just giving him skills—it was giving him a reason to fight for something better.
And he wasn't about to stop now.