Chapter 8 — First Client, First Chaos

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a soft gold across the university courtyard. Rei sat beneath a tree with his tablet open, eyes locked on the glowing interface of the Business Toolkit.

[Business Quest Active]

Goal: Earn $100 in profit

Time Left: 1 Day (Bonus Period)

Current Profit: $0

Clients Served: 0

He groaned. "What kind of side hustle do you expect me to run one day? Open-heart surgery?"

[System Response]

That falls under the 'shady methods' clause. Try again, CEO-sama.

"Smartass."

The interface blinked again, and a list of trending service requests appeared.

"I need someone to line up for a sneaker drop."

"Urgent: My pet lizard needs a bath."

"Help! My crush might be a yandere. Need someone to spy for me."

Seeking a ghostwriter for a love letter. Must sound poetic but not desperate."

Rei blinked at the screen. "The hell is this jungle?"

Still, he clicked the last one.

Client Request: Write a Love Letter

Payout: $10

Delivery: By today

Note: "Make her cry… in a good way."

"...Of course. Start with heartbreak." He sighed, cracking his knuckles.

Rei finished the letter with a dramatic final line:

"If my soul had hands, it would still choose yours, even in the dark."

He reread it, cringed once, and submitted.

[+ $10 Profit]

[Charm +1]

[Client Review: ★★★★★ — 'Bro, she cried.']

[First Client Served]

"Okay… that's weirdly satisfying."

The system chimed cheerfully.

[Progress: $10 / $100]

Would you like a business name card upgrade, CEO-sama?

Rei blinked. "You want me to act like a businessman, huh?"

[New Title Unlocked]: 'Midnight Poet for Hire'

He nearly spat out his drink.

"Excuse me… are you the guy from 'Order of Chaos'?"

Rei looked up from his tablet. A girl stood there, holding her phone nervously. Long hair. Serious eyes. She looked like the responsible student council type.

He sat up straight. "Uh. Depends. Is it about the ghostwriting job or the yandere spy mission?"

"…Neither." She sat beside him and leaned in, whispering, "I saw your ad. I need a fake boyfriend. Just for tomorrow."

"…I'm sorry?" He replied instantly.

"My ex is coming to the festival. I need someone to make him jealous."

[New Side Quest: Accept or Decline Fake Relationship Contract]

Reward: $25, +2 Charm, +200 CC

Risk: Emotional damage is not covered by the system.

Rei blinked slowly. "This feels morally gray."

[System Suggestion]: Gray is fashionable this year.

"...Fine."

Task Accepted

That afternoon, Rei walked the campus with the girl, arms linked, fake-laughing, fake-blushing, and internally screaming.

At one point, the ex-boyfriend passed by and glared. The girl smirked.

[Emotional Trauma Delivered Successfully]

[+$25 Earned | +2 Charm | +200 CC]

[Client Review: ★★★★★ — 'I've never felt more empowered. Or petty.']

[Progress: $35 / $100]

Back in his room, Rei collapsed onto his bed.

"System… you're turning me into a con artist with great posture."

[Affirmative. Great posture = increased business credibility.]

He rubbed his face and checked the clock. It was almost evening.

Still not enough.

Still no ally recruited.

Then—ping!

A message popped up in his inbox.

Client: Haru

Subject: "Need a favor"

Rei raised an eyebrow.

Gym — Evening

"Wait. You want me to teach you how to write an apology to your girlfriend?" Rei asked.

Haru rubbed the back of his neck. "She likes poetry. I'm bad with words. I figured… I saw the reviews…"

"…Unbelievable." Rei sighed, but sat down with a pen and paper.

[Client Request Accepted]

[Fee: $15 + Two Energy Drinks + A Favor Owed]

Thirty minutes and a lot of embarrassing drafts later, the message was ready.

[Progress: $50 / $100]

[Client Review: ★★★★★ — 'Bro, she called me her moonlight.']

"You're terrifying," Haru muttered.

Rei stood, brushing off his jacket. "I prefer the term 'resourceful.'"

Nightfall

Rei paced the rooftop of the dorms.

[System Notification]

Only 6 Hours Left in Bonus Period

He clenched his fists. "Come on… just one big job."

Just then—ding!

Another client request came in.

"Emergency! My cat got on the roof and won't come down. Please help!"

"…You're kidding."

20 Minutes Later

Rei crouched on the roof, bribing a fluffy gray demon with a piece of jerky.

"Come on, come on… I fought spiritual fatigue for this..."

The cat sniffed, purred, and walked straight into his arms.

[Quest Complete!]

[Reward: $50 + 1 Random Passive Skill Unlocked]

Rei blinked. "Wait, what?"

[Passive Unlocked: Soft Aura — Reduces hostility from animals and small children.]

"…I'm evolving into a kindergarten teacher."

[Bonus Reward Achieved!]

[Total Earned: $100 | Time Left: 2 Hours]

[System Upgrade Unlocked: Business Toolkit Phase III]

[Unique Passive: 'Trusted Vendor' acquired — easier to negotiate prices, clients are more likely to trust you.]

After finishing the task,

That night, Rei sat in his room, cross-legged, tablet in hand, staring at his account.

[Total CC: 1,450+]

[Reputation: 5-Star]

[Clients Served: 5]

He stared blankly.

"I… did it."

[System Response]

Congratulations. You survived Capitalism Lv. 1.

He chuckled, leaning back.

"Alright, System. What now?"

[New Notification]

Upcoming Event: Annual Sports Festival

You have been automatically nominated by the teacher based on recent physical activity logs.

Rei blinked. "No, no, no—wait—"

[Side Quest: Compete in at least 3 events]

Bonus Reward if you defeat the Sports Department's Ace.

"Why do I feel like this is going to hurt more than the cat?"

The system dimmed.

The sky outside darkened.

And far away… the woman with the glowing mark opened her eyes again.

"He's accelerating," she whispered. "Faster than expected."

End of Chapter 8