"Strength alone isn't enough. Power comes from the foundations you build."
Weekend Break – The City of Tianhai
For the first time since the ranking assessment, Joshua found himself outside the academy, walking through the bustling streets of Tianhai City.
The towering skyline, filled with hunter guild offices, equipment stores, and dungeon transport hubs, was a reminder of how the world truly worked.
The academy was just one part of the hunter system—out here, money, power, and influence were just as important as raw strength.
Joshua knew this well.
He had seen which companies would rise, which guilds would fall, and which figures would shape the future.
"This time, I won't wait for the future. I'll build it myself."
And his first step?
Investing in a small guild before it became a major power.
The Guild: Silver Fang – A Future Titan in the Making
In his past life, Silver Fang Guild had started as a low-tier hunter guild, struggling to stay afloat.
But ten years from now, they would grow into one of the most powerful independent guilds in the world, rivaling even government-backed organizations.
The reason?
A man named Han Zixuan.
Currently, Han Zixuan was just an unknown, struggling guild agent, barely keeping his company afloat.
But in the future?
He would become one of the most influential hunter brokers in China, known for scouting hidden talents and turning them into legends.
And right now?
He was desperate for a break.
Joshua smirked as he stopped in front of a small, rundown office with a flickering neon sign that read:
[Silver Fang Guild – Recruiting Hunters Now!]
"Time to make my move."
Inside the Office – Meeting Han Zixuan
The inside of the guild office was exactly how Joshua remembered—small, cluttered, and barely functioning.
Stacks of unpaid bills lay on a desk, alongside rejected sponsorship applications.
And behind that desk?
A man in his mid-twenties, dark circles under his eyes, his black hair slightly disheveled.
Han Zixuan looked up from his paperwork, blinking tiredly.
"We're not taking recruits right now," he said automatically. "Try one of the bigger guilds."
Joshua chuckled, stepping forward.
"I'm not here to join," he said. "I'm here to invest."
Han Zixuan froze.
"…Invest?"
Joshua casually sat in the chair across from him.
"You're struggling, aren't you?" he said. "Lack of funding. No major hunters under contract. No sponsorships. You're running this guild with nothing but debt and stubbornness."
Han Zixuan's jaw tightened.
"…Who are you?"
Joshua leaned back, smirking. "Just someone who sees potential."
Han Zixuan narrowed his eyes. "You're seventeen. You don't look like an investor."
Joshua tapped his academy badge.
[Joshua Lim – 5-Star Hunter]
The moment Han Zixuan saw the 5-star ranking, his entire demeanor shifted.
"…You're that kid from the academy ranking assessment."
Joshua grinned. "So you have heard of me."
Han Zixuan stared at him for a long moment before exhaling, running a hand through his hair.
"…Alright. You have my attention."
The Deal – Betting on the Future
Joshua leaned forward.
"I know Silver Fang is struggling right now," he said. "But that won't last forever. In a few years, this guild will become one of the strongest independent forces in the hunter world."
Han Zixuan raised an eyebrow. "You sound awfully sure of that."
Joshua smirked. Because I already know.
"I'm offering an investment," Joshua continued. "I'll inject funding into Silver Fang, and in return, I want a share of the guild's future earnings."
Han Zixuan frowned.
"How much funding are we talking?"
Joshua reached into his pocket and pulled out a credit chip.
Han Zixuan took it hesitantly and scanned it on his terminal.
When he saw the amount, his eyes widened.
50 million credits.
For a struggling guild, that was a fortune.
"…Where the hell did a student get this kind of money?" Han Zixuan muttered in disbelief.
Joshua smirked, leaning back.
"It's all the system's money anyway."
After the ranking assessment, Joshua had woken up one morning to a new system notification.
[Hidden Achievement Unlocked: The Future Tycoon]
Reward: 50 Million Credits for Initial Investments.
At first, he had been surprised—but then he realized.
The system wasn't just making him stronger.
It was setting him up for something bigger.
And if it wanted him to use the money?
"Then I'll use it to build an empire."
Joshua met Han Zixuan's gaze.
"What matters isn't where I got it," he said. "What matters is that I'm offering it to you."
Han Zixuan stared at him, then at the money.
He looked conflicted.
"…Why are you doing this?" he finally asked. "You could invest in any major guild. Why bet on a failing one like mine?"
Joshua's expression turned serious.
"Because I believe in betting on the right people."
Han Zixuan's breath hitched slightly.
This wasn't just a business deal.
It was a lifeline.
After a long silence, he finally chuckled, shaking his head.
"You're insane," he muttered. Then, looking at Joshua with newfound respect, he extended his hand.
"…But alright. You've got a deal."
Joshua smirked, shaking his hand.
"Step one: complete."
The Final Request – A Personal Agent
Just as Han Zixuan was about to finalize the paperwork, Joshua leaned back, a thoughtful look crossing his face.
"One more thing," he said.
Han Zixuan paused. "What?"
Joshua grinned.
"I don't just want you to manage Silver Fang." He folded his arms. "I want you to be my agent too."
Han Zixuan blinked. "You… want me to represent you?"
Joshua nodded. "Every top hunter has someone who handles their contracts, sponsorships, and negotiations. You're going to be one of the best agents in the future."
Han Zixuan scoffed. "And how do you know that?"
Joshua's smirk widened.
"Call it instinct."
There was a long silence.
Then—Han Zixuan chuckled, shaking his head.
"I have no idea what you're planning," he admitted. "But fine. I'll take the job."
A system chime echoed in Joshua's mind.
[DING!]
[New System Quest Acquired: The Architect of Power]
Objective: Form alliances with five influential figures before they rise to power.
Progress: 1/5 (Han Zixuan – Future Guild Master & Agent)]
Reward: Passive Income Feature Unlocked (Weekly Earnings from Investments).
Bonus: +2% Increased Success Rate in Business Negotiations.
Joshua smirked.
"Good. Now my money will work for me."
End of Chapter