Jin's life continued on its well-worn path, the familiar routine of school, family time, and trading keeping him grounded. It had been several weeks since he unlocked the Leverage Control skill, and his trades had started showing more consistent results. He was still cautious, but his confidence in his abilities was growing. Every decision he made, whether in the markets or in his personal life, was driven by a careful calculation.
Yet, despite his growth, there was a growing sense of tension. The Acquaintance Party was fast approaching, and with it, the inevitable changes it would bring. Jin hadn't told his friends about the resort or his growing wealth, and he wasn't sure how to break it to them. He wasn't afraid of their reactions, but more the shift it would cause in their dynamic.
---
Jin's Perspective:
The sun dipped low in the sky as Jin sat on the roof of his house, his legs dangling over the edge as he gazed out at the city skyline. He'd always loved this quiet moment, watching the world go by. There was something peaceful about it, a reminder that even as his life was changing, there was still something familiar in the world around him.
He glanced down at his phone, where a notification from Mika had popped up.
Mika: Hey, do you want to go out tomorrow? I heard there's a new café near school, and I thought we could check it out.
Jin smiled softly at the message. Mika was one of the few people who had never treated him any differently, even when things were hard at home. He'd always admired her for her straightforwardness and her ability to see through the surface. Jin had been thinking about his friends a lot lately—how they'd always supported him without asking for anything in return.
Maybe it's time to share a little bit of the truth, he thought, but he quickly pushed the thought away. Not yet. He wasn't ready to reveal everything. It would be too much too soon. The Acquaintance Party would be a good place to test the waters. He would gauge their reactions, see if they noticed any changes.
---
The Acquaintance Party:
A few days later, the much-anticipated Acquaintance Party was in full swing. The venue was a spacious, trendy bar on the edge of the city, and Jin's classmates were already mingling in small groups. He arrived early, not wanting to draw too much attention to himself. His friends, Yssa, Mika, and Calix, were already there, chatting and laughing with other students from the IT department.
Jin greeted them with his usual easygoing smile, but there was a slight difference in the way they looked at him. Yssa was the first to notice.
"Jin, you look... different," she said, her eyes narrowing with curiosity. "You've been working out or something? You've got this... aura around you."
Jin chuckled lightly. "I guess so. Just been keeping busy." He shrugged, trying to downplay the shift. But deep down, he knew they were starting to notice the changes.
Mika joined in, playfully nudging Jin's arm. "So, what's your deal? You've been acting all mysterious lately. Are you secretly rich or something?"
Jin laughed, a genuine sound this time. "If I was secretly rich, I wouldn't be hanging out here with you guys," he teased, giving her a friendly elbow.
But Calix raised an eyebrow. "You're not wrong about that," he said with a smirk. "You've been a little... distant lately. Just don't forget about us when you make it big, okay?"
Jin felt a pang of guilt at the words. They were joking, of course, but there was some truth in them. He'd been keeping his distance, and it was starting to show. His friends didn't know the half of it.
"I won't forget," Jin said, his tone more serious than he intended. "I've just got a lot on my plate right now, that's all."
As the night wore on, Jin kept his interactions light, not giving away too much. He could feel the weight of his secrets pressing on him, but for the most part, his friends didn't press him too hard. They were too caught up in the excitement of the party, meeting new people, and making connections for the upcoming semesters.
---
Back Home:
Later that night, after the party had wound down, Jin sat in his room, reflecting on the evening. It was clear that his friends were starting to notice the changes in him. Mika had been teasing him about being secretly rich, but there was no way they could understand the truth of it. Jin had built a foundation of wealth so carefully, and yet it felt like the pieces were starting to slip from his control.
The resort was nearly finished. It was a project he had been pouring his heart into, and soon, it would be ready for guests. But with that, he would have to reveal some of his secrets, not just to his friends, but to his family as well. The resort would change everything. It was more than just a financial investment—it was a symbol of his growing influence.
His phone buzzed with a message from his system.
---
SYSTEM ALERT:
You have unlocked the Intermediate Emotional Mastery Skill.
Task Complete: Balance personal and professional life without emotional distractions.
---
Jin stared at the message, feeling the weight of it settle in. Emotional Mastery. It was something he hadn't expected to unlock just yet, but it made sense. If he was going to balance the growing complexity of his life, he needed to stay focused, not let his emotions cloud his decisions.
---
End of Chapter 35