Ethan Ward stood on the rickety fire escape outside his Calverton apartment, the morning sun glinting off the Quantum Chronometer on his wrist. Below, the Astellon Vantage sat like a king among peasants, its red curves mocking the rusted hulks in the lot. His new blazer hugged his shoulders, the Calverton Elite Jacket swapped out for today's sharper vibe. With $3,436.70 in his account, a growing stock portfolio, and a futuristic blueprint burning a hole in his System Inventory, he was a man on the cusp—but Selene's warning last night gnawed at him. Someone's bidding on that blueprint. The Helix Group loomed in his mind, a shadow he couldn't shake.
The Galactic Ascension System flared up, its blue text crisp against the salty air.
[Task: Leverage your assets. Reward: 1300 credits, Random Skill Unlock (Tier 2). Time limit: 3 days remaining.]
[Task: Secure your assets. Reward: 1500 credits, Random Property Deed (Tier 1). Time limit: 4 days remaining.]
[Task: Identify Vincent's affiliation. Reward: 2000 credits, Random Luxury Item. Time limit: 5 days remaining.]
Ethan smirked, pocketing Vincent's spiral-stamped card. "Helix Group, huh? Time to poke the bear." Marcus's tip—private, tech-savvy, tied to shipping—gave him a thread to pull. The Portable Energy Core blueprint was his ace; leveraging it could mean millions, but he needed to know who he was dealing with. And that bidder? They weren't getting it cheap.
His phone buzzed—Marcus again: NexTech hit $25/share, OmniCorp $32. Portfolio's at $3,850 total. Market's hot—want to sell? Ethan's gut, sharpened by Basic Financial Acumen, said no. "Hold," he texted back. "I'm playing long." The system rewarded growth, not quick cash-outs.
He climbed into the Vantage, the engine's growl scattering dock gulls. His plan: hit TechPulse Expo, a trade show in Calverton's eastern district where startups and big shots flaunted their wares. If Helix was tech-focused, they'd be there—or someone who knew them would. Plus, the blueprint's potential might snag him a contact to turn it into reality.
The expo sprawled across a gleaming convention center, its glass dome reflecting Aetheris's twin suns. Ethan parked, the valet's jaw dropping as he handed over the keys. Inside, drones whirred overhead, holographic displays showcased quantum chips and hover-tech, and suits mingled with nerds in logoed tees. Ethan's new fit—blazer, jeans, white shirt—blended in just enough, but the Quantum Chronometer and Holo-Comm drew curious glances.
He wandered, Network Expansion (Tier 1) buzzing faintly—5% easier to connect with the right people. A booth caught his eye: NexTech Industries, his stock pick, demoing a slick processor. A rep—short, bespectacled, named Kyle—chatted up a crowd. Ethan sidled in, activating Charisma Boost. "Nice tech," he said, voice smooth. "Heard you're climbing fast—any big investors backing this?"
Kyle beamed. "Thanks! Yeah, we've got some heavy hitters—Calverton Shipping's in, and rumors say Helix Group's sniffing around. They're ghosts, though—never see 'em, just feel the cash."
Ethan's pulse quickened. Helix. "Ghosts with deep pockets," he said, fishing. "Know anyone who's met them?"
Kyle shrugged. "Not directly. Word is they scout talent here—guys with ideas. You pitching something?"
"Maybe," Ethan said, grinning. "Got a prototype in mind—energy core, next-gen stuff." He kept it vague, but Kyle's eyes lit up.
"Hit up the investor lounge—third floor. That's where the sharks swim."
The system chimed.
[Task update: Identify Vincent's affiliation—progress noted. Bonus reward: $800 cash injection. New balance: $4,236.70.]
Ethan smirked, heading upstairs. The lounge was plush—velvet chairs, a bar with glowing bottles, and a view of Calverton's skyline. He ordered a whiskey—$20, down to $4,216.70—and scanned the room. Suits clinked glasses, voices low and scheming. Network Expansion nudged him toward a woman in a gray blazer, mid-thirties, sharp eyes behind glasses. Her badge read "Lila Hart, Venture Capital."
He approached, Negotiation (Passive) humming. "Lila? Ethan Ward. Mind if I join you?"
She glanced up, sizing him up. "Depends. You selling or buying?"
"Bit of both," he said, sitting. "Heard Helix Group's in the game—tech and shipping. You know them?"
Lila's lips twitched. "Everyone knows of them. Private firm, old money, new tricks. They fund disruptors—quietly. Why?"
"Got something they might want," Ethan said, tapping the table. "Energy tech, portable, game-changing. Looking for the right partner."
Her eyes narrowed, intrigued. "Bold claim. Helix doesn't chase—they're chased. Show me a spec, I might point you their way."
Ethan hesitated—the blueprint wasn't physical yet. "Working on a prototype," he said, bluffing with Charisma Boost. "Small, efficient, powers anything. Interested?"
Lila leaned in. "If it's real, yeah. Helix'd bid high—but they're not the only ones. I'll bite. Send me a pitch—HartVC.com."
The system pinged.
[Task completed: Leverage your assets—progress detected. Reward granted: 1300 credits, Random Skill Unlock—Tech Savvy (Tier 2)—10% boost to understanding and developing tech. Total credits: 6450.]
Ethan grinned. Tech Savvy—perfect for the blueprint. "You'll hear from me," he said, standing. Lila nodded, already typing on her tablet.
As he turned, a familiar face blocked his path—Derek Voss, the plaza brat from yesterday, flanked by two goons in suits. "Well, well," Derek sneered. "Slumming with the big boys now? That blazer doesn't hide the dock stench."
Ethan's jaw tightened. "Voss. Still crying about your trust fund?"
Derek's smirk vanished. "You think you're hot shit 'cause you've got a car and some stocks? My family's got more pull than you'll ever dream of."
The system flared.
[Task: Crush a rival's pride. Reward: 900 credits, Random Asset Boost. Time limit: 10 minutes.]
Ethan stepped closer, Charisma Boost still active. "Pull? Your dad's a has-been riding old shipping lanes. I'm the future—tech, cash, power. Watch me buy your family's scraps and turn 'em gold."
Derek's face reddened. "Prove it, poser."
Ethan pulled out his phone, flashing his portfolio—$3,850 and climbing. "More than you've earned in your life. Keep talking, and I'll own your daddy's yacht by next week." He leaned in, voice low. "Run along, Derek. The adults are busy."
The lounge hushed, eyes on them. Derek's goons shifted, but he backed off, spitting curses. "This isn't over," he snarled, storming out.
The system chimed.
[Task completed: Crush a rival's pride. Rewards granted: 900 credits, Random Asset Boost—Stock Surge: OmniCorp shares rise 20%, now $38.40/share. Total credits: 7350. Portfolio value: $4,170.]
Ethan exhaled, sipping his whiskey. OmniCorp at $38.40—his 50 shares were now $1,920, pushing his portfolio past $4,000. Voss was a gnat, but Helix was the real prize.
His Holo-Comm buzzed—Selene's voice, icy and amused. "Nice show, Ward. Derek's a pest, but you're making waves. Helix noticed. Check your car—gift from a fan."
He bolted downstairs, heart pounding. The Vantage sat untouched—except for a black case on the hood. Inside: a slim tablet, screen locked with a spiral symbol. The system pinged.
[Bonus reward: Luxury Item—Helix Slate (Encrypted Tablet). Value: $3,000. Features: Secure comms, data vault. Unlock required.]
Ethan gripped it, the valet staring. "Who left this?" he demanded.
"Dunno, man," the kid said. "Some suit dropped it and split."
Vincent? Selene? Ethan climbed in, the Slate cold in his hands. The system chimed again.
[Task update: Identify Vincent's affiliation—major progress. Helix Group confirmed. New task: Unlock the Helix Slate. Reward: 2500 credits, Random Tech Upgrade. Time limit: 4 days.]
He grinned, starting the engine. Helix was real, and they were playing. The blueprint, the Slate, his growing wealth—Ethan was a contender now. Derek could sulk, but bigger fish were circling. Time to swim with the sharks.