As he began to win, the system began to watch him.
—
Simulation City Trial · Day 2
Elric's company still had no official name.
When the trial launched, he had refused to fill in any brand labels or industry tags.
Under "Company Vision," he had typed just seven words:
"Surviving is important than speaking on nothing."
But tonight, even without a name, his company had already been highlighted on the city simulation map.
The reasons were simple:
• His first acquisition was complete.
• His profit margin had jumped to the top of the leaderboard.
• His resource flow had triggered the system's observer threshold.
In short—
The system had started paying attention.
—
Central Oversight Room
James leaned forward, staring at the screen.
"22-F03."
"He's seized control of two subsidiary firms already, and turned a third into a capital pivot point."
A data analyst spoke up:
"No rule violations. No external advantages."
James's voice dropped slightly.
"No. He's just… too efficient."
"Like he already knows how every lever will snap back."
Someone suggested:
"Should we dig into his background?"
James shook his head.
"What's there to dig?"
"His file's a sanctioned blank."
He paused.
Then added, almost under his breath—
"When the system leaves a blank space open…"
"It usually means someone made room for it."
The room fell silent, tension settling like mist.
—
Simulation City · Third Negotiation Round
Elric sat at the simulated corporate conference table.
Across from him was Lin Yaochen, representative of Group A—
a student backed by Loen Asia Capital,
one of the few participants granted early-stage resource privileges in this round.
Lin spoke in a relaxed, almost casual tone.
Like this was just another friendly discussion,
nothing serious at stake.
"I can give you exposure," he said.
"Your company's heating up fast. But you have no backing."
"The platform's algorithm will flag you as a volatility risk. You know what that means."
"I offer the resources. You give up majority control. We partner up."
It was a particular soft acquisition—
Dress it up nicely.
Let you rise.
Then strip you clean—
All legal, all polished, no bloodshed.
—
Elric didn't answer right away.
He simply jotted a line in his notebook,
then slid it across the table.
"Your exposure brings me no advantage."
Lin raised an eyebrow.
Leaned back slightly in his chair.
"You think you can hold your own in this market?"
Elric's voice stayed calm.
"This isn't a partnership offer."
"It's a polite annexation."
"And sorry—"
"I'm not bankrupt yet."
He stood up, adding softly—
"I'd rather fail on my own terms than win by being formatted into your system."
The room stayed silent for five full seconds.
Then Lin chuckled under his breath.
"You really think you'll get to talk like that—once you hit the real world?"
Elric didn't answer.
He just turned and walked away.
⸻
System Log Update:
[Social Risk Triggered]
[Influence Recalibration: Designated as 'Independent Variable.']
[Preliminary Observation Tag issued by Upper-Tier Controllers.]
⸻
S Country · Hotel · Night
Liu stood by the desk, reviewing the freshly printed assessment sheet.
"He turned down the partnership offer," Liu said.
Zane sat by the window, sipping coffee that had long gone cold.
"Good," he answered, his voice calm and steady.
Liu glanced sideways.
"You're not worried they'll hit back?"
Zane spoke low, almost absently—
"It's only a matter of time."
"If he's afraid of being crushed—"
"then he's only fit to be someone else's tool."
He lifted his gaze to the city model lights outside the window.
"But if he can survive the first trial—"
"the ones watching him will start asking themselves—"
'Is this one worth betting on?'"
—
The system doesn't easily endorse anyone.
The world doesn't offer second chances.
But capital—
Capital always finds a way to back those who refuse to fall.
——
[Chapter Closing Epigraph]
The first glance back isn't surrender.
It's the moment you realize how far you've come—
And whether you still have the strength to keep moving forward.
——
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Chapter 22 · The Price of Worth
Every resource has a price.
Even you.