Lian Wei stood in the Night Market Collective's warehouse, the buzz of celebration fading as Kang's threat lingered like smoke. His *Fortune's Gambit* system blazed with its latest quest: **Titan's Challenge – Spend 10,000,000 yuan on a high-Favorability coalition (90+) to unlock a national-level asset. Reward: 600% cashback + 5,000 Fortune Points.** With 5,421,000 yuan in his account and 730 Fortune Points, Wei was closer to the goal than ever, but 10 million yuan was a chasm. The promise of 60,000,000 yuan and a "national-level asset" fueled his ambition, yet Kang's words—*"Hand over your access"*—gnawed at him. Did Eclipse Corp know about the system?
Xiao Lan stood close, her Favorability steady at 98, her eyes searching his. "Wei, you're shaking. What's Kang got on you? And don't dodge this time."
Zara, tablet in hand, chimed in, her Favorability at 85. "Yeah, that suit wasn't bluffing. Eclipse has been muscling into the Night Market for months. You're on their radar now."
The system pinged: **Opportunity Detected: Reveal a strategic truth to strengthen coalition bonds. Cost: 50 Fortune Points for +5 Favorability across the Collective.** Wei spent the points, dropping to 680, and chose his words. "Kang thinks I've got something they want—a resource from my family's old tech days. I don't know what it is, but I'm not letting them win."
Xiao Lan's Favorability hit 99, and Zara's climbed to 90. The Collective's leader, Chen, nodded, his Favorability at 80. "We've got your back, Wei. Eclipse can't touch us if we're united."
The system updated: **Quest Progress: 20%. Night Market Collective Favorability: 92. Suggested Action: Fund a city-wide cultural festival to meet the 10,000,000-yuan requirement.**
A festival? Wei's mind spun. The Collective's Night Market 2.0 project was already ambitious, but a city-wide event—art, music, tech—could cement their influence and hit the quest's mark. The cost, though, was staggering. His 5,421,000 yuan was over half the target, but he needed more.
Chen gestured to the holo-table, projecting festival plans. "We've been dreaming of a Xinshou Cultural Fest—stages, holo-installations, global sponsors. Budget's 10 million, minimum. You in?"
"Count me in," Wei said, his boosted Charm (85, fading soon) commanding the room. "I'll fund it, but I want a leading role—branding, decisions, the works."
The Collective cheered, their Favorability hitting 95. Xiao Lan whispered, "You're gonna need a miracle to pull this off."
Wei opened the **Fortune Store**, his 680 Fortune Points a lifeline. A new option glowed:
- **Mega Infusion: Receive 10,000,000 yuan (no cashback, repay within 96 hours) – 600 Fortune Points**
It was a brutal cost, but the 60,000,000-yuan cashback would dwarf the debt. Wei activated the infusion, his phone buzzing as his balance surged to 15,421,000 yuan. His Fortune Points dropped to 80, and a warning flashed: **Debt: 10,000,000 yuan due in 96 hours. Failure to repay may result in system termination.**
"I'm wiring 10 million to the Collective," Wei announced, transferring the funds. The holo-table lit up, confirming the transaction. His balance fell to 5,421,000 yuan, but the system blared: **Quest Complete! Titan's Challenge fulfilled. 60,000,000 yuan deposited. +5,000 Fortune Points. National-Level Asset Unlocked: Xinshou Media Network Access (Grants influence over city news and cultural narratives). New Quest Unlocked: Global Stake – Spend 100,000,000 yuan on a high-Favorability alliance (95+) to unlock an international asset. Reward: 700% cashback + 20,000 Fortune Points.**
Wei's phone confirmed his balance: 65,421,000 yuan after repaying the 10,000,000-yuan debt. His Fortune Points soared to 5,080. A hundred million yuan? The scale was dizzying, but 700,000,000 yuan in cashback was a fortune beyond dreams.
Chen clapped Wei's shoulder. "You're a legend, man. The Fest launches in two weeks. We're naming the main stage after you."
Xiao Lan's eyes shone, her Favorability maxing at 100. "You're building something real, Wei. I'm proud of you."
Before Wei could bask in the moment, the warehouse's lights flickered. A holo-screen on the wall crackled, and Kang's face appeared, his smirk chilling. "Impressive, Lian. But you're playing with stolen tools. The system you're using? It was ours first."
The Collective gasped, and Wei's blood froze. The system pinged: **Critical Alert: Eclipse Corp has knowledge of Fortune's Gambit. Recommended Action: Spend 1,000 Fortune Points to unlock System Origin Insight.**
Wei hesitated, then burned the points, dropping to 4,080. A cryptic message scrolled: **Fortune's Gambit: Prototype wealth redistribution system, developed by Lian Tech, stolen by Eclipse Corp. User status: Legitimate heir. Warning: Eclipse seeks to reclaim control.**
"My father's tech," Wei whispered, his past crashing into the present. Kang's voice cut through: "Surrender the system, Lian, or we'll bury you and your little Collective."
Zara grabbed her tablet, hacking the holo-screen to shut Kang off. "We're not scared of suits," she snapped, her Favorability hitting 92.
Xiao Lan gripped Wei's hand. "What's he talking about, Wei? What's this system?"
Wei's mind raced. With 65,421,000 yuan and 4,080 Fortune Points, he had power, but Eclipse was a titan. The 100,000,000-yuan quest loomed, and the system's origins tied him to a war he didn't start.
"We fight back," Wei said, his voice steady. "The Fest will show Xinshou who we are. Kang wants a battle? He's got one."
The system's golden text glowed: **Fortune's Gambit is your legacy. Claim it, or lose everything.**