If you like the series, throw some power stones; that helps me keep writing.
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The elevator doors opened with a soft chime.Tyler stepped into the top-floor executive corridor, sleek and silent, the kind of place where even breathing too loud felt like a financial crime.
Eva Snow walked ahead with swift, confident strides.
She was all business now—chin high, eyes sharp, posture commanding—yet every few seconds, she glanced back to make sure he was following.Almost protective.Almost… interested.
Tyler wasn't sure why she'd picked him, but he wasn't complaining.He needed this mission.This foothold.This step upward.
The System pulsed softly in his mind.
[Mental Boost: Calm Focus Activated][Non-Verbal Composure +12%]
He breathed easier.
Eva finally stopped in front of a large conference room, its glass walls tinted for privacy.Inside, two men in tailored suits sat with laptops open, reviewing documents.
Eva turned to Tyler, fixing his tie and brushing a bit of lint from his shoulder.Her fingers lingered longer than necessary.
—Alright. Last checks. —She straightened the knot— You look the part. Now act it. Investors are like sharks: if you bleed nerves, you're done.
—Noted. Anything else I should know?
She studied his face for a moment.Her voice softened—only for him:
—Just stay close to me.
Tyler nodded.
They entered.
The Investors
The two men looked up.
The older one—gray suit, slicked-back hair—spoke first:
—Eva. Cutting it close, as usual.
—Karl. Always a pleasure. —Eva sat gracefully, crossing her legs— Shall we begin?
Karl's eyes moved to Tyler.
—And he is…?
Eva didn't blink.
—My assistant. Tyler.
Karl raised a skeptical brow.
—New?
Eva smiled at Tyler—too sweet, too polished.
—Fresh talent. Brilliant under pressure.
Tyler held her gaze for a moment.There was something electric between them.
The younger investor, a man barely thirty with sharp eyes, leaned forward.
—Alright then. Let's get straight to the point. We have doubts about the profitability of your "Riverside Rebirth" project.
Eva didn't flinch.
—Then allow me to address them.
For the next fifteen minutes, she presented numbers, graphs, urban development charts—her voice smooth and authoritative.She was good. Extremely good.
But Karl remained unmoved.
—Your projections are optimistic, Eva. Too optimistic.
Eva inhaled through her nose, calm but irritated.
—Karl, we've gone through this—
—No. —He closed his laptop— We want proof that the district is actually gaining traction with younger talent. Without that, we won't risk thirty million in capital.
Eva paused.
Karl smiled.
—Unless your "new assistant" can convince us otherwise.
The room thickened with tension.
Eva turned toward Tyler slowly, as if unsure whether she should kill Karl or save Tyler.
—You don't have to do this —she whispered, almost too quiet to hear.
Tyler cracked his knuckles.
—It's fine. I've got this.
The System chimed.
[Situational Support Triggered]Skill Preview Available: "Urban Insight (B)"Would you like to activate early?Yes / No
Tyler mentally selected Yes.
A wave of clarity washed over him.Suddenly, he understood the investors' postures, hesitations, hidden agendas.He could see exactly what they needed to hear.
He stepped forward slightly.
—Karl. You doubt the district because it looks like it's stagnating. But you're not seeing the shift from the ground level.
Karl stared.
Tyler continued:
—Young talent doesn't move by statistics. They move by momentum.Right now, Riverside is where every creative, every freelancer, every tech rookie is gathering. Cafés are filling. Micro-startups are popping up. Rents are rising in the outer streets. The energy is building—you just can't quantify it yet.
He pointed to the window overlooking the city.
—But I've lived there my whole life. I'm telling you: change is already happening.
Karl leaned back.
The younger investor nodded slowly.
—He's right… I've seen chatter on forums. Small-scale dev groups are relocating near Riverside because it's cheaper and closer to transport.
Karl frowned.
—But that isn't enough to justify—
Tyler stepped closer.
—You want raw profitability?Fine.
The System pulsed.
[Temporary Insight: Economic Trend Forecast +1 minute]
A stream of data appeared behind Tyler's eyes—micro-loans, gig worker density, campus expansion plans.
He finished:
—The university expansion approved last quarter will push five thousand new students toward the Riverside area. Dorm overflow will force development one way or another. If Silver Crest acquires early real estate, you'll dominate the entire zone before anyone else sees it coming.
Silence.
Then the younger investor sat upright.
—Karl. He's right. If the expansion goes through, this is a gold mine.
Karl stared at Tyler long and hard.
Then he smiled.
—Eva… congratulations. You have your funding.
Eva's expression shifted from restrained composure… to stunned disbelief… to the softest, most relieved smile Tyler had ever seen on her.
—Thank you, Karl. Tyler and I appreciate it.
Karl chuckled.
—I'll expect to see more of your assistant.
Eva grabbed Tyler's wrist under the table, squeezing lightly.Not professional.Not cold.Not distant.
Something warm.
Something dangerous.
After the Meeting
Once the investors left, Eva exhaled deeply and leaned against the table.
—Tyler…She rubbed her forehead, then laughed—a beautiful, elegant sound she probably never used at work.—What was that? How did you even know all that?
—Good instincts, I guess.
Eva stepped closer.Too close.
—Instincts like that don't come cheap.
She looked him in the eyes.
Something in her gaze changed.Interest.Curiosity.Attraction.A spark she tried to hide but failed.
—You're… something else, Tyler Brooks.
Before he could answer, the System vibrated hard.
[Mini-Mission Complete]
Assisted Eva Snow in securing a $30M investor deal.
Rewards:– $10,000– Charm Boost (Minor)– Skill Upgrade: Urban Insight → Urban Insight (A)– Special Relationship Flag Unlocked: "Eva Snow – High Status Interest"
Eva blinked as he wobbled slightly.
—Are you okay?
—Yeah, just… dizzy.
She steadied him by the arm.
—Come with me. There's something I want to show you.
She guided him to the elevator, pressed a hidden key, and the lift began moving upward—far above the top floor he thought existed.
When the doors opened, they stepped onto a private sky terrace overlooking the entire city.A breathtaking view.
Eva crossed her arms.
—This is where I bring only people I trust… or people who matter.
Tyler raised a brow.
—Which am I?
Eva's lips curled faintly.
—Still deciding.
The wind blew softly between them, tension lingering like static.The city lights flickered below, a kingdom he wasn't meant to touch…
But one he was starting to claim.
The System chimed again—quiet, almost reverent.
[Tier 2 Mission Progress: 80%]
Status achieved:– High-value contact secured– Emotional connection initiated– Upper district access gained
Remaining requirement:Acquire or gain access to a property or major opportunity in this district.
Reward Preview Updated:Mystery Drop (A+)
Tyler exhaled.
—Eva… thanks for bringing me up here.
She looked away, almost shy.
—Don't thank me yet, Tyler. This city eats people alive.She turned to him again, eyes sharp.—But something tells me… it won't be able to chew you.
The skyline glowed behind her like a prophecy.
Tyler smiled slightly.
The System had pushed him out of the neighborhood…Straight into a world where power, beauty, and danger mixed freely.
And he was ready.