The last bite of my meal settled in comfortably in my stomach as I leaned back, letting out a deep sigh. It has been a while since I had felt this full, and honestly it wasn't just about the food. There was something special about this place—the energy ,the atmosphere ,it felt... calming even with the eyes on me
Just as I began to sip the last of my wine , the owner of the restaurant returned.
"Just had to pass instructions to the waiters."she smiled at me."Enjoy your meal?"
I took closer look at the restaurant owner she was young probably mid– 20s, with jet black hair tied into a neat bun. Her features were sharp but softened by a warm smile.
"Yeah ," I said smiling back. "Best I have had in a long time. You are really doing great."
Her smiled widened slightly ,a hint of pride in her eyes."I'm glad you think so , I have been running this place for a couple of years now. My name's Li Na, by the way I haven't see you around before."
"Thomas ," I introduced myself. "And no , this is my first time here. Just passing through."
~System Task: Engage in a conversation. Task completion requires: genuine interest.~
The system chime in my ears.
Li Na pulled out the chair opposite me and sat down.
"Passing through ,huh ? You don't look like someone who is passing through. Most of my customers come in for a quick meal,not... whatever that was."
She gestured at the empty plate in front of me , her expression teasing but curious
I laughed scratching the back of my head . "What can I say ? I was starving , and your food is something else."
Her eyes sparkled at the compliments . "We have a saying back home — food brings people together . Maybe you were meant to find us."
"Maybe ," I said nodding thoughtfully ." There's a certain energy in this place . Its different, peaceful in a way."
My phone beeped.
~+50 Charm Points.~
Li Na leaned in slightly ,her tone more curious now . "Where are you from ,Thomas ? I can't quite place your accent."
Ding.
~Task update: Divert attention.
Reward : Enhanced rapport~
I gave a nonchalant shrug ,steering the conversation away from anything to revealing. "I have been around. Traveled a lot. I guess you could say, I am still figuring out where I belong."
She raised an eyebrow, her interest piqued. "Sounds mysterious. Most people who come in here are running from something— or towards something."
I met her gaze and for a moment, there was silence between us .She was sharp, no doubt about it . But she didn't push instead , she just started to the now empty table.
"So ,are you running from something or towards something?"
"Both,maybe ." I smiled ."What about you ? How had you end up running a place like this?
Li Na's expression soften and she leaned back in her chair . "My parents moved here from China when I was little. They worked hard ,saved up , and eventually they started this restaurant .
When they retired , I took over . It's been a journey ...not always easy , but it's worth it. Every time a customer leaves here with a smile ,I know I'm doing something right.
Ding.
~+100 Rapport points~
I nodded , genuinely impressed.
"That is something to be proud of , I'm sure your parents must be proud too."
She gave a small , wistful smile.
"They are, but I still felt like there's more achieve , you know? Like I am meant for something bigger than this."
~Task completion: Genuine interest shown.~
~Reward unlocked: Bong Strengthened~
~New Task : Reveal nothing.
Continue building rapport ~
I leaned forward slightly , lowering my voice .
"You have thought about expanding? You could bring this place to a bigger city. Hell, you could turn it into a franchise . Food this good shouldn't be kept hidden."
Li Na's eyes widened slightly at the thought and she left out a soft laugh . "Expand ? You think , I could really pull that off?"
"Why not ?" I shrugged ."You have already proven you can run this place like a well-oiled machine. With the right help ,you could take it to the next level."
Her expression shifted, thoughtful now ."It's funny you say that. I have been toying with the idea, but always felt.... impossible . Maybe it is not."
Before I could respond, a soft chime from my phone interrupted the moment . I glanced at the screen and saw the notification flash.
~Your vehicle has arrived sooner than 24 hours ~
~Task update: Elite Vehicle unlocked.Prepares for the reveal.~
I smirked to myself, putting the phone back into my pocket. Li Na noticed my change in expression and raise an eyebrow . "What is so funny?"
I stood up , gesturing towards the door ."I think you might want to come outside with me."
Li Na looked confused but intrigues ,as she followed me towards the front of the restaurant.
As we stepped outside, the sounds of cars on the road
filled the air. A crowd had already gathered , their attention fixed on something at the curb.
And there it was.
A sleek, beautiful Bugatti Chiron.
It's presence alone , demanded attention , with sharp aggressive lines and an engine that purred like a beast barely contained. The car gleamed under the streetlight, every inch of it exuding raw power and elegance
Crowd outside had their phones out , snapping pictures , whispering in wonder. Li Na stood beside me , her mouth slightly opened in disbelief.
Ding.
~+500 Surprise factor!~
"That's ...your car?" she asked her voice barely above a whisper
I nodded casually, trying to suppress a grin." Yeah. I figured I had tread myself."
"Treat yourself ? She let out a laugh ,shaking her head ." You are full of surprises,Thomas."
Ding
_~Congratulations !
Task complete.~
~Vehicle Reveal: Bonus +1,000 XP for crowd reaction .~
~New Task : Ride with your ally~
The salesman who had delivered the car , handed me the keys with a bow , and I tossed them slightly in the air before catching them, feeling the weight of their significance.
I could feel the energy shift , as the crowd stared captivated
"How about a ride ?"I offered glancing at Li Na with a teasing smile
Her eyes widened again, but this time she didn't hesitate." I think I had like that. But no , I will pass."
A notification popped up on my phone.
~Host , you have the right to pass and ride~
I tapped the button.
~Goodluck ,King Of Steeze ~

Latest Chapter
Crown Circle
There was a silent monument of judgment as the Crown Circle Arbiter towered over the obsidian ballroom. He was more than just a man, he was an institution with a face that was neutral and timeless. The cold intricate light of the black-crystal chandeliers glinted on his diamond-studded staff which served as a conduit of power rather than provide support. His voice which didn't just reach your ears but also sank deep into your bones rolled through the air like velvet-wrapped thunder when he finally spoke. “Tonight the hierarchy resets,” He declared, his words reverberating throughout the room, each one striking with the finality of a gavel. “It has been established that status is not inherited. Now the first round brgins.”I had become used to but never completely at ease with the low-frequency hum that vibrated through the polished floor as if on cue. The System was waking up and encircling the event with its digital conscio
Just getting started
I stood on the expansive windswept rooftop of my penthouse, gazing down at the black envelope in my hand, the night air shimmering with the electric hum of city lights. It felt heavier compared to simple cardstockAs if it had its own aura, it's own heartbeat, the gold crown sigil engraved on the front appeared to absorb and then radiate the moonlight pulsing with a subtle internal glow. An hour after I'd seen it, the emotion hadn't gone away. 《 SYSTEM REMINDER 》• Quest Active: Crown Circle Gala – Survival of the Elite• Objective: Dominate on a global stage.• Reward: [Global Presence] Skill, Legacy Boost.• Risk: Permanent reputation downgrade if you fail to stand out.I exhaled slowly. This wasn’t like flexing at the pizza shop or owning the yacht crowd. This was stepping into an arena with players who had been kings long before my name trended.This quest, this invitation was a statement that the sand
Prelude to the gala
The morning after the yacht and my phone was the epicenter of the earthquake, it was like waking up inside a headline. Not only did it buzz, but it also vibrated frantically against my nightstands polished marble. Before I picked it up, I gave it a moment to sing its frantic song. A tumbling blur of alerts, articles and tags from every social media platform imaginable covered the screen. 《 SYSTEM NOTIFICATION 》• National Trend Secured: #CrownKingThomas• Reputation Surge: +25,000• Media Bonus: You are now considered “Elite Status” in all major networks.I scrolled with a slight smirk on my lips.These same platforms had treated me like a ghost and a minor player who wasn't worth the digital ink last month. Now a high-resolution image of my face was blown up and displayed on their digital banners. *The Untouchable Wolf* was a headline from a well-known gossip blog that is bold and dramatic and another read: *Crown King Aura — Is Thomas Salazar the Future of Influence?* Although
Crown King Unleashed
The warning from the system blazed in a fiery urgent red across my screen. 《 FINAL WARNING 》• Social Showdown Entering Critical Stage• Counter Now or Lose [CITY ICON] Permanently I gazed at the words, each one hitting me like a hammer blow, like a piece of glass on the verge of breaking. Although the Fox's aura was invisible, I could feel it pressing down on me like a crushing weight. Everyone on the yacht was drawn in by the delicate, pretty woman that had gradually and deftly captured their interest. There seemed to be a rift in the crowds energy and the air itself. The other half remained mesmerized by her effortless elegance and charm. The other half turned to watch me anticipating something extraordinary from the man they had read about. Her piercing perceptive eyes challenged me to move. Her lips formed a small sly smile. She believed she had me. She thought I had run out of tricks. So I followed her wishes. I started moving. Shimmering with latent power, a new prompt
The Fox's Gambit.
I didn't see or hear anything but the crowd was a sea of electric energy and the music had a thunderous beat. Everything in my world had been compressed into a single point by a concentrated force. The woman standing at the yacht's edge was dressed in black leather and chrome a perfect lethal reflection of my own Night Wolf style. Her fluid economy of motion and deliberate grace in every movement gave the impression that she was born with the aura she now commanded. Her power felt like a sharpened, accurate blade while mine felt like an unadulterated explosive force. And my worries were validated by the system which was my silent companion. 《 SYSTEM ALERT 》• Challenger Aura Detected• Title: [Influence Predator]• Core Skill: [Spotlight Theft] – Ability to absorb and redirect attention in social environments• Threat Level: HIGHMy jaw tightened. For the first time, the system didn’t call me the only presence in the room.《 AUDIENCE ATTENTION SPLIT 》• Thomas – 62%• Fox – 38%
Level Up luxury
A river of liquid gold poured across the polished marble floors of my penthouse as the morning sun pierced the glass walls that ran from floor to ceiling. The abstract art I had impulsively purchased and the simple chrome furniture were all painted in a warm opulent glow. The system's recognizable quiet hum started its daily routine inside my head while I was still enmeshed in high-thread-count sheets and not even completely awake. 《 SYSTEM UPDATE 》• Emotional Lockdown: +2,000 XP• Reputation Increase: +4,500 (City-Wide)• Caleb Loyalty Meter: MAX – Buff Activated [BROTHERHOOD BOOST]• Daily Quest Unlocked: “Spend $1,000,000 in 24 Hours to Unlock [CROWN KING AURA]With a quick disbelieving laugh that reverberated throughout the empty room, I wiped the sleep from my eyes. “A million in one day?” I whispered to the void. That is a flex not a quest.My chest felt like it was vibrating with the system's low hum, a silent but strong nod of approval. It's intent was always obvious and d
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