So, without wasting time, he rolled out of bed and dropped to the floor. The carpet smelled of mildew, but he ignored it, positioning himself for push-ups.
His arms trembled at first, but as he pushed through the first twenty, his body adjusted. By the time he hit fifty, sweat beaded on his forehead, his breathing steady.
The system's enhancements weren't a joke. He was faster, stronger—better than he had been in years.
"Seventy... eighty..." he counted under his breath, pushing through the final reps. At one hundred, he collapsed onto his knees, chest heaving.
The screen flickered.
[Push-ups: Completed.]
Without pausing, he flipped onto his back and started sit-ups. By the time he finished the hundred, his shirt was soaked, and his abs screamed in protest.
[Sit-ups: Completed.]
Vincent stood, rolling his shoulders and shaking out the tension. The system updated again.
[Remaining Task: Running 2 km, 10 laps.]
He sighed, grabbed his sneakers, and slipped on his hoodie before heading for the door. The motel's hallway was quiet, the faint hum of the vending machine the only sound.
Stepping outside, the cold morning air hit him. Snow crunched beneath his feet, and the sky hung low and gray, the sun barely cutting through.
Vincent took a deep breath, his breath visible in the frigid air, then started jogging. The system's screen hovered in his vision, tracking his progress.
[Remaining Distance: 2 km.]
[Laps Completed: 0/10.]
The first few laps around the motel's perimeter were easy enough. His body warmed up as he moved. The streets were empty, save for a stray cat darting across the road.
When he finished, the system responded.
[Daily Task Completed.]
[Physical Condition: Adjusting.]
[Endurance Increased: 18%.]
[Muscle Strength: Optimization in Progress.]
Vincent stood outside the motel, hands on his hips, catching his breath. Despite the exhaustion, he felt a strange surge of energy.
The system was grinding him down, but it was making him stronger. Faster.
He clenched his fists, feeling the subtle power in his grip. If this was what it took to end Universe Enterprises, he'd endure it.
After a quick shower, Vincent changed into a clean shirt and his usual hoodie, lacing up his sneakers as the screen flickered back to life.
[Current Objective: Secure Local Operations - Target: Stardust Motel.]
[Progress: Influence on Stephanie Moore - 60% Complete.]
He smirked. Yesterday had gone better than expected. Stephanie was skeptical, but he'd cracked her defenses just enough.
Today, he needed to seal the deal.
Vincent grabbed the notebook where he'd outlined his plan last night—financial projections, marketing ideas, security upgrades. It wasn't perfect, but it was enough to make her see his worth.
Tucking it under his arm, he headed toward the front desk.
***
The reception area was as rundown as ever. Peeling wallpaper, a flickering fluorescent light, and a counter stacked with invoices Stephanie had been struggling to sort.
Her brown hair was tied back in a messy bun, dark circles beneath her eyes betraying another sleepless night.
She glanced up when Vincent approached, eyes wary.
"Back already?" she muttered with a dry voice. "Thought you'd wait till fuckin' noon."
Vincent leaned against the counter, flashing an easy smile. "Told you I was serious, Steph. Check this shit out."
He slid the notebook across the counter, open to the plan.
Stephanie raised an eyebrow, flipping through the first few pages. "This your big-ass plan to save my motel?"
"Damn right," Vincent kept his voice confident—but not cocky. "Numbers, strategies, the works, all there Take a look."
She scanned the pages, her fingers pausing on the financial projections. Vincent watched closely.
He'd detailed ways they could cut costs through renegotiating supplier contracts. Boost bookings through targeted ads. Upgrade security with cameras, reinforced locks.
But more importantly, he had plans to take control of the entire area's security—ensuring that all his operations would be untouchable.
After a long minute, Stephanie closed the notebook, keeping it in her hands. "Not bad," she admitted. "But it's all talk. How do I know you can pull this shit off?"
Vincent stepped closer, lowering his voice slightly, his tone firm but measured. "You're stuck, Steph. Bills stacking, guests bailing, bank up your ass. I'm handing you a damn lifeline here."
He paused, letting his gaze linger on hers for a beat. "And, shit, you and me? We'd kill it together."
Her lips twitched—almost a smile—but she quickly looked away, pretending to adjust a stack of papers. "You're a stubborn bastard, you know that?"
"Only when I'm fuckin' right," Vincent said, his smile widening. She was softening, just like yesterday. Time to push further. "Alright, how's this? Give me one week to flip this place. I'll deal with suppliers, sling some ads, maybe fix that shitty back door lock. If I fuck it up, I'm gone. No bullshit."
Stephanie sighed, running a hand through her hair. "A week? You screw this, I'm screwed."
"I won't," Vincent said, voice steady. "But if I do, you can boot my ass out. Deal?"
She studied him for a long moment before nodding slowly. "Fine. One week. But I'm watching you, Vincent. One dumb move, and you're fuckin' done."
Vincent grinned, feeling the rush of victory. "Deal, Steph. You won't regret this."
The system's screen flickered in his vision, updating silently.
[Progress Updated: Influence on Stephanie Moore – 80% Complete.]
Vincent ignored it, keeping his focus on her. "I'm starting now. Can I see those supplier contracts? Got some ideas to stop the bleeding."
She hesitated, then slid a folder across the counter. "Go nuts. But don't expect me to wipe your ass."
"Wouldn't fuckin' dream of it," Vincent said, winking before picking up the folder and settling into a chair.
Vincent sank into the creaky chair, flipping open the folder. The faint hum of a vending machine down the hall and the occasional clatter of Stephanie sorting keys behind the counter were the only sounds.
The contracts were a mess—overpriced services, outdated terms, unnecessary expenses. Some suppliers were bleeding the motel dry, and Stephanie either hadn't noticed or hadn't had the energy to fight it.
The system hadn't issued a new task yet, but Vincent knew it would. It always did.