The streets of Yeongdeungpo-gu buzzed with an unusual energy. Banners fluttered from light poles, stalls were being erected, and the faint smell of grilled street food drifted through the air. Word had spread: the city's annual cultural festival was coming. Crowds from neighboring districts would pour in, and the usual hum of nightlife would give way to days of music, games, and commerce.
Yujhae strolled past his newly renovated gaming hub, observing the chaos. Teenagers and adults alike chattered excitedly about performances, tournaments, and food stalls. His eyes narrowed slightly, scanning the crowds, analyzing the flow of people.
A thought struck him. Festivals brought money. Festivals brought opportunity. And he was good at capitalizing on both.
"Perfect," he muttered under his breath. "A festival like this… there's more than enough chaos to make a profit."
---
He entered the hub, Taejun and Dojin already discussing plans for the next week.
"Boss, you look… serious," Taejun said.
"I've got an idea," Yujhae replied, pacing between the VR stations and tournament arenas. "This festival? It's huge. Thousands will flood the streets, tourists, gamers, performers… everyone. If we play it right, we can get a cut from every angle — merchandise, mini-games, competitions, even exclusive VIP experiences in the hub."
Dojin raised an eyebrow. "You want to run a festival inside a festival?"
Yujhae smirked. "Not inside… alongside it. We'll position ourselves where the action is. We have the hub, the tech, and the reputation. People will come to us for everything — gaming tournaments, food, energy drinks, even just a safe place to rest while the chaos rages outside."
Taejun nodded slowly. "It's risky… the festival will be crowded. Gangs, pickpockets, accidents… we need security tight."
Yujhae grinned. "Already handled. Dojin, our team stays full alert. Cameras, earpieces, strategic placements. No one interferes with Phoenix operations."
---
The System notification blinked faintly before him:
> New Mission: "Festival Opportunity"
Objective: Capitalize on Town Festival
Reward: Item Master
Yujhae raised an eyebrow. Item Master. The words glowed faintly on the screen. He tapped his chin, imagining the possibilities. Weapons, tools, items — mastered. Even at Level 1, he could wield them like a normal human. With his reflexes, strength, and combat experience, that was more than enough to gain an advantage if things went wrong.
"Noted," he muttered. "If anything goes sideways during the festival, I'll have options."
---
Over the next few days, preparations began.
Yujhae invested in pop-up stations near the festival grounds — VR mini-games connected to the hub, small gaming competitions with prizes, and promotional food and drink stalls. Signage was everywhere: neon arrows, banners, and posters pointed directly to the hub. Every visitor was a potential customer.
Meanwhile, Dojin and the security team walked the festival grounds, mapping choke points, crowd density, and potential troublemakers. Taejun oversaw tech installations: live scoreboards, mobile payment stations, and surveillance cameras feeding directly back to the hub.
Yujhae moved among the people, observing. Kids screamed in excitement as they played demo VR games outside, teenagers argued over tournaments, adults stopped by to recharge and buy snacks. Every smile, every coin, every bit of attention was being subtly funneled back to Phoenix.
---
When the festival officially started, it became a spectacle. Music, fire shows, cosplay parades, street food, and gaming tournaments combined into a chaotic swirl of excitement. And right at the center, Yujhae's pop-up hub thrived. People crowded around, competing for prizes, taking selfies with branded signage, buying energy drinks, and joining VIP experiences that funneled them directly into the hub.
Even when minor conflicts flared — a drunken brawl here, a pickpocket there — Yujhae's security team handled it swiftly. Cameras, communication, and trained reflexes ensured minimal disruption. The system of safety, entertainment, and profit ran like clockwork.
---
By evening, the festival was at its peak. The Phoenix hub overflowed with people, some waiting outside just for a chance to get in. Yujhae leaned against a railing, observing the organized chaos. The energy of the festival, combined with his planning and execution, had turned a simple town event into a personal goldmine.
SYSTEM UPDATE:
> Mission Complete — Festival Opportunity
Reward: Item Master (Level 1) — Can wield any weapons like a normal human
Renown and Influence Increased
Yujhae's fists clenched instinctively, a thrill running through him. Even a simple festival had taught him something important: influence wasn't just about fighting streets or owning shops. It was about presence, preparation, and control. And with Item Master, the next time danger arose, he would have options the crowd couldn't even imagine.
He smiled faintly, eyes scanning the neon-lit streets. The festival lights flickered across puddles, reflecting the chaos and energy of the town.
"From the streets to the hub… to the festival," he murmured. "Everywhere I touch, Phoenix leaves its mark. And this? This is just the beginning."