"From Broke to Baller: Thanks, System?"

Two weeks into college, Jin had already slipped into a steady rhythm.

Wake up at 4:45 a.m.

Workout from 5:00 to 6:00 a.m.

Quick system log check.

Then prep for college.

Each habit, no matter how small, stacked into something stronger — and the system took notice.

> "Daily Consistency Bonus Achieved. Reward: +5 Vitality, +10 System Points."

College life itself was becoming manageable. His professors were decent, his subjects ranged from mildly interesting to tolerable, and most importantly, no one suspected that behind his calm, average-looking demeanor… Jin was renovating a small property and building wealth from scratch.

---

One late Friday afternoon, while Jin was in the library reviewing lectures and drawing in his notebook, he heard his name.

"Jin? You study here too?"

He looked up — it was Mika, one of his closest friends from high school. She smiled, adjusting the strap of her backpack.

"Yeah," Jin said with a casual nod. "Thought it'd be quieter here."

Mika sat beside him. "We're heading to the cafeteria later — me, Calix, and Yssa. Wanna come?"

Jin paused. He didn't want to seem distant. But he also had a property inspection scheduled tonight and a system task tied to it.

"I'll try to catch up," he said, offering a small smile. "Got something to finish first."

Mika nodded and left it at that. She didn't press — none of them ever did. And that's what Jin appreciated.

He watched her walk away, then looked at his phone.

> "Reminder: 7:00 PM — Property Visit. Objective: Evaluate Renovation Phase 3."

Time was ticking.

---

At the property, the scent of new paint still clung to the walls. Jin inspected each corner with quiet precision — the walls had been patched up, the floors sanded and stained, and the roof no longer leaked. A local carpenter had finished reinforcing the windows and doors using the funds Jin secretly earned through his system micro-rewards and trading attempts.

It wasn't fancy. Not even close.

But it was clean, safe, and almost ready to house someone.

He pulled up the system dashboard on his phone, something only visible to him:

> Property Progress: 82%

Estimated Monthly Rent Potential: ₱8,000–₱10,000

Passive Income Status: LOCKED (Until Tenant Moves In)

Jin's heartbeat quickened. He wasn't rich. Not yet. But the distance between who he was and who he was becoming — was closing.

---

That night, he sat on the small concrete steps outside the house, phone in hand, and the night wind on his face. Notifications scrolled slowly:

> "System Notice: You've reached a turning point.

New Passive Skill Unlocked: 'Silent Builder' – 5% increase in long-term project returns."

> "Quest Update: 'Live with Purpose' – Stage 2 Unlocked:

Objective: Find a reliable tenant."

Jin leaned back, watching the stars, quietly smiling to himself. The journey was still just beginning. No one knew. His friends, his classmates, even his family — they all saw a regular student.

And he intended to keep it that way.

---

The Next Morning…

At home, his younger brother ran up to him excitedly, holding a cheap toy gun Jin had bought with system earnings last week.

"Kuya! Look! It lights up!"

Jin laughed and ruffled his brother's hair.

His mother looked over from the kitchen. "You've been more responsible lately. Waking up early, buying snacks for your siblings. Something going on?"

Jin smiled faintly, brushing it off. "Just getting ready for life."

She smiled. "I'm proud of you, anak."

Those simple words meant more than any system reward. More than any coin he had saved.

He wasn't doing this to show off.

He was doing it so they'd never have to struggle again.

End of Chapter 13