Ethan sat in his apartment, staring at the holographic interface of the Infinite System. After the café encounter, he felt invigorated—like a new world of possibilities had opened up before him. But he knew this was just the beginning. The system's rewards had given him a boost, but he needed to think bigger.
[Host, you have earned sufficient points to unlock a new ability.]
the AI's voice echoed in his mind.
[Would you like to proceed?]
Ethan leaned forward, his eyes gleaming. "What's the next ability?"
[Combat Mastery unlocked.]
the AI replied.
[This ability grants you enhanced physical strength, agility, and tactical combat skills. Activate it to prepare for physical confrontations.]
Ethan clenched his fists, feeling a surge of energy course through his body. He'd always been on the scrawny side, but now he felt powerful—like he could take on anyone.
"Combat Mastery, huh?" he muttered. "This could come in handy."
But before he could test his new abilities, the system interrupted him.
[New Task: Establish a legitimate business venture within 30 days. Reward: $50,000 bonus funds, +2 Intelligence points.]
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "A legitimate business? What kind of business?"
[The system recommends a tech startup.]
the AI explained.
[With your enhanced intelligence and financial insight, you have the potential to create a groundbreaking product.]
Ethan nodded, already formulating a plan. He didn't know much about tech, but the system did. And with its help, he could do anything.
The Meeting
A week later, Ethan found himself sitting in a sleek conference room, facing a group of potential investors. He'd spent the past few days using the system's financial insight to develop a business plan for a new app—a revolutionary AI-driven personal assistant called "Nexa." It was a bold idea, but Ethan knew it had potential.
The lead investor, a middle-aged man named Robert Hayes, leaned forward, his eyes narrowing.
"So, Mr. Steele," he said, his tone skeptical. "You're saying this app can outperform Siri and Alexa? That's a pretty ambitious claim."
Ethan smiled, his confidence unshakable. "Ambitious, maybe. But not impossible. Nexa isn't just a personal assistant—it's a lifestyle manager. It can anticipate your needs, manage your schedule, and even make financial decisions on your behalf. And best of all, it learns and adapts in real-time."
Robert raised an eyebrow. "And how do you plan to make this happen?"
"With cutting-edge AI technology," Ethan replied smoothly. "I've already developed a prototype, and the results are promising. All I need is the funding to bring it to market."
The investors exchanged glances, clearly intrigued but still hesitant. Ethan knew he had to seal the deal.
"Look," he said, leaning forward. "I know this sounds like a gamble, but I'm not asking for blind faith. I'm offering you a chance to be part of something revolutionary. The tech industry is evolving, and I'm giving you the opportunity to be on the ground floor."
There was a moment of silence, then Robert nodded slowly. "Alright, Mr. Steele. We'll give you the funding. But if this doesn't pan out, don't expect any second chances."
Ethan leaned back in his chair, a satisfied smile on his face. "You won't regret this."
The Challenge
As Ethan left the meeting, his phone buzzed with a notification. It was a text from Liam, his childhood friend who'd lent him the $2,000 for his initial investment.
"Hey, man. Heard you're making moves. Let's grab a drink and catch up."
Ethan smiled. Liam had always been a loyal friend, and he could use someone like him in his corner. But before he could reply, a voice called out from behind him.
"Ethan Steele?"
He turned to see a tall, muscular man in a black suit approaching him. The man's expression was cold, and his eyes were hidden behind a pair of dark sunglasses.
"You've got a lot of nerve," the man said, his voice low and menacing.
Ethan's instincts kicked in, and he activated his Combat Mastery ability. He felt his body tense, ready for a fight.
"Who the hell are you?" he demanded.
"Names aren't important," the man replied, stepping closer. "What's important is that you're stepping on the wrong toes. Back off, or things are going to get ugly."
Ethan smirked, his confidence unshakable. "Is that a threat?"
The man didn't respond. Instead, he lunged forward, his fist aimed directly at Ethan's face. But Ethan was faster. He sidestepped the attack effortlessly, using the system's tactical combat skills to counter with a swift punch to the man's ribs. The man doubled over, gasping for air, and Ethan followed up with a precise kick to his knee, sending him crashing to the ground.
"Tell whoever sent you that I'm not backing down," Ethan said, his voice cold. "And next time, send someone who can actually fight."
With that, he turned and walked away, leaving the man lying on the ground.
The Aftermath
Back in his apartment, Ethan felt a rush of adrenaline. He'd faced his first real threat and come out on top. But he knew this was just the beginning. The system's rewards had given him an edge, but he needed to stay ahead of his enemies.
[Host, you have successfully defended against a physical confrontation.]
the AI announced.
[Rewards: $10,000 bonus funds, +1 Agility point.]
Ethan smiled as he felt the system's energy course through him. He was building an empire, one step at a time. And nothing—and no one—was going to stop him.