Foundations of Power

The echoes of Nathan's departure were still fresh, his footsteps fading into nothingness—just like his presence in our lives. The moment he was gone, an eruption of cheers burst from the workers around me. Their voices rose in triumph, fists pumping into the air, faces lit with relief and unrestrained joy. It was overwhelming, infectious even, watching hardened laborers celebrate like kids freed from school.

"Reynard! Reynard!" They chanted my name like it was carved into stone, a badge of victory.

But I wasn't here for celebrations.

"Hold on!" I shouted, raising my hand. The crowd quieted almost instantly, their eyes filled with anticipation.

"I know this feels like a win, and in many ways, it is. But we don't have the luxury to celebrate." My voice was steady, cutting through the lingering excitement. "I only got permission from the Evaluation Center to remove Nathan because I assured them he was a liability—because I promised better results without him."

The effect was immediate. The cheers died like a candle snuffed out by the wind. The smiles faded, replaced by determined expressions. The weight of responsibility settled on all of us, heavy but necessary. They understood. This wasn't just about removing Nathan. It was about proving that we were better without him.

Without another word, the workers dispersed, heading back to their stations with renewed focus. No one wanted to risk disappointing the Evaluation Center. Not after what we'd fought for.

As the dust settled and the site regained its rhythm, Sienna approached me. She didn't say anything at first, just reached into her jacket and pulled out a sleek, brand-new phone. It was the latest model—lightyears ahead of my battered flip phone, which was practically held together by stubbornness and duct tape.

She held it out to me. "Here. I got this for you."

I blinked, genuinely caught off guard. "What?"

"For what you did with the Hudson Bridge Project," she explained, a faint blush creeping up her neck. "I thought, you know… you probably weren't making much back then. Figured you could use an upgrade."

I stared at the phone, then at her, feeling something unfamiliar twist in my chest. Gratitude mixed with… something else.

"Thank you," I said quietly, accepting the gift. It felt strange in my hand—sleek, polished, and full of potential.

I hesitated for a second before asking, "Hey, could I bother you for a bit?"

She raised an eyebrow. "With what?"

"Can you keep an eye on the site team for a minute? There's something I need to check."

She smiled, her usual confident grin slipping back into place. "Of course. My number's already in the phone, by the way. Don't hesitate to call if something comes up." She winked before turning on her heel and walking off.

I couldn't help but chuckle softly.

Once she was gone, I found a quiet, secluded corner behind one of the storage containers. My heart was still racing—not from the confrontation with Nathan, but from what had happened afterward.

The moment I'd used [Destroy], a flood of system notifications had hit me like a tidal wave. I hadn't had the time—or privacy—to check them until now.

I pulled out my card, and as soon as I activated the system, the interface lit up before me.

—

[System Notifications]

Reward Unlocked: Skill Synchronization

All current skills have been elevated to match the highest level of Nathan Crowley's former skills.

—

The change was instantaneous.

A rush of energy coursed through me, as if my whole being had been reconfigured. My muscles tightened, my breathing caught, and for a brief moment, it seemed as though I was positioned at the brink of something immense—something boundless.

[Skill Updates]:

Structural Reinforcement (Lv. 7) – Enhances durability and stability of constructed buildings.

Heavy Lifting (Lv. 8) – Greatly increases physical strength for carrying materials.

Precision Engineering (Lv. 6) – Improves accuracy when measuring and assembling structures.

Endurance Boost (Lv. 9) – Significantly reduces fatigue from manual labor.

Material Efficiency (Lv. 5) – Optimizes use of building resources to minimize waste.

My fists clenched and relaxed instinctively. The strength was unreal. It wasn't just physical—I could feel the mental clarity too, as if every measurement I'd ever taken, every structure I'd ever studied, now lived inside my mind with crystal precision.

But the notifications weren't done yet.

—

[System Notification]

Rank Advancement: A-Rank Achieved (Construction Worker)

Congratulations! You have ascended to A-Rank status. All base construction related base attributes have significantly increased. You are now eligible to create a Portfolio.

—

As soon as the rank notification popped up, it seemed as if reality itself changed. My perceptions became more acute. The noises from the construction site became more distinct—the regular thumping of hammers, the drone of machines, and even the soft whisper of wind brushing against metal beams. My body felt more buoyant yet powerful, as if gravity had eased its hold on me.

A-Rank.

I'd done it.

But there was something else—something new. A small icon hovered in the corner of my interface: [Create Portfolio].

I frowned and tapped it.

A question mark appeared next to the prompt, so I clicked on it.

—

[Portfolio System Explanation]

Portfolios are organizational tools designed to manage and categorize skills. Skills can be added or removed from a Portfolio at any time. 

—

My eyes widened.

My Strategist skill was flaring up telling me that this was more than just an organizational tool. This was a shield.

Evaluation orbs couldn't detect what they weren't programmed to scan. That meant if I placed my skills inside a Portfolio, they'd be invisible—hidden from prying eyes.

Without hesitation, I selected [Create Construction Worker Portfolio].

The system responded instantly. My construction-related skills were pulled into the Portfolio, neatly organized and stored. I could still access them, of course, but now they were hidden unless I chose to display them. The only skill that remained outside was Strategist, probably because it wasn't related to construction.

Curiosity got the better of me. I wanted to test something.

I thought back to Darius Kent, the coordinator from District 3—the one from the Hudson Bridge Project. I remembered his skill clearly: On-Sight Adaptability.

I activated my copy ability, focusing on that memory.

—

Skill Copied: On-Sight Adaptability (Lv. 1)

Allows for quick problem-solving when unexpected logistical issues arise.

—

There it was. A new skill, fresh and untested.

I opened my Portfolio and, with a simple command, moved On-Sight Adaptability inside. It disappeared from my main interface, tucked safely away.

I exhaled slowly, satisfied.

The rewards were beyond anything I'd expected. Strength, status, secrecy—I had it all.

But the system wasn't done with me yet.

One last notification blinked at the edge of my vision.

I tapped it.

—

[System Notification]

Congratulations on reaching A-Rank. You are now eligible for a new job. Would you like to proceed?

—

I stared at the prompt, my heart pounding.

A new job?

What the hell did that mean?

With a deep breath, I tapped [Yes].

—

[SYSTEM INTERFACE]

Name: Reynard Vale

Job Title: Jobmaster (Rank SSS)

Active Portfolio: Construction Worker Portfolio (A-Rank)

Endurance Boost (Lv. 9)

Heavy Lifting (Lv. 8)

Material Efficiency (Lv. 5)

Team Coordination (Lv. 6)

Structural Reinforcement (Lv. 7)

Precision Engineering (Lv. 6)

Fast Assembly (Lv. 2)

On-Sight Adaptability (Lv. 1) 

Job Skills:

Strategist (Lv. 3) – Improves planning and problem-solving abilities

Jobs:

Construction Worker (A-Rank)

New Job Possibility — Pending

Special Skill:

Scan, Absorb, Destroy

Cooldown:

Skill Copy (23h 58m)