When he became a variable, the market began valuing him with numbers.
—
Simulation City · Day 3 · 09:00
The system issued a global announcement:
[Simulation Phase Advancement: Level-1 Resource Market Unlocked]
Effective immediately, all participants could:
• Approach "angel investors" (simulated by the system)
• Submit public valuation applications
• Undergo strategic acquisition and post-investment monitoring tests
Starting today, it was no longer just practice.
Every strategy, every product, every word and pause—
Could become part of a valuation calculation.
—
Elric · Valuation Interview
The third simulation round scheduled one-on-one funding negotiations.
Elric's assigned investor: Ryan D. Sloan, Director of Strategic Evaluation, D.A. Institute.
Middle-aged, silver at the temples, dressed in a slate-gray suit.
No smile. No small talk.
After flipping through Elric's data sheet, he asked straight:
"What kind of company deserves a valuation?"
Elric answered without hesitation:
"One that can challenge the system's definitions themselves."
For the first time, Sloan looked up. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"Are you fighting the rules—"
"or fighting who gets to set the price?"
Elric paused for a breath. Then said—
"I don't fight the rules."
"I just refuse others to price-setting on me."
—
Valuation Interview Observation Room
On the other side of the glass, several high-ranking system officials quietly observed the session.
James sat in the center.
"His problem isn't strategy," he said,
"It's that he dares to reject cooperative support—without any institutional backing behind him."
An Asian female advisor, flipping through a file, spoke up:
"His profile's still sealed on our end. But I noticed his name appeared once—on a list connected to the 'Y7 Development Trust'."
Someone asked:
"What's Y7's background?"
James lifted a brow.
"Founded six months ago. Official mission: 'Youth Development for Civilized Societies.'"
He paused. Then dropped the key detail:
"One of its co-founder—comes from the Lin Yaochen family."
—
Loen Family Office · S country · MB Annex
Across the ocean, a family strategy meeting was in session.
A young man in a white cashmere sweater stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, listening to his assistant's report.
Lin Yaojun.
Elder brother of Lin Yaochen.
The assistant spoke quietly:
"In Yaochen's submitted report, his evaluation of Elric was summarized in one line: 'High control instinct, low dependence—recommend avoiding collaboration.'"
Lin Yaojun didn't turn from the window.
He gave a soft laugh.
"In other words—"
"he's saying the boy isn't easy to control."
The assistant nodded.
Lin Yaojun's smile barely moved.
"Then he's worth watching."
"Let Loen Research Lab assign him an observation slot—quietly. Tier Three. Make sure no one notices."
—
Athena System Backend · Elsewhere
At the same time, an European observer quietly activated private communication protocols—
And sent a single encrypted invitation:
⸻
To: Elric Zane
From: Athena International Entrepreneurship Council
Message: Should you wish to advance further, submit a real-world capital model within 60 hours.
⸻
It wasn't just another simulation task.
It was an invitation—
To step into the real experimental capital layer.
For the first time,
Elric was being flagged not just as a student,
But as a potential market player.
—
Night · Floor 22 Dormitory · Elric's Room
The room was dim.
The coffee on the desk had long gone cold.
The system terminal still cast its quiet glow.
Elric stared at the encrypted invitation.
Exhaled slowly.
He knew—
It all looked like practice.
But every page he opened, every choice he made from here—
Would be the system's way of asking:
"Are you ready to let the world put a price on you?"
—
He lowered his gaze.
Placed the pocket watch gently back on the desk.
Not to check the time.
But to remind himself:
"I couldn't be remembered as another 'successful observation.'
One day, they'll be waiting—
for my value."
—
[Chapter Closing Epigraph]
Your worth isn't decided by how many battles you win.
It's decided by how many times you survive being priced—
and still refuse to lose your direction.
—
[Next Chapter Preview]
Chapter 23 · He's not a pawn—but he's already on the board.
Everyone's placing their bets.
And some are betting on a plan no one has dared to speak aloud.
⸻