"From Broke to Baller: Thanks, System?"

The days that followed were a whirlwind of activity for Jin. With the deadline for the midterm exam creeping closer, he found himself juggling his academic work with his growing investment ambitions. The task of analyzing the property market kept him up late into the night, researching trends, interest rates, and even attending online webinars on real estate investing. The learning curve was steep, but Jin embraced it. He had already set his sights on the future, and nothing would deter him from reaching his goal.

It was a Thursday when Jin received an unexpected message.

Beginner_101:

"Hey, Jin! I have a huge favor to ask. Can you help me with a trade? I've been struggling with risk management."

Jin's fingers hovered over the keyboard as he considered the request. He had been helping people in the community for a while now, but this felt different. His advice had already helped others, but now someone was asking for direct mentorship.

Jin C.:

"Sure, I'll help. Let's talk strategy."

Jin spent the next few hours walking Beginner_101 through the basics of setting stop losses, calculating position sizes, and identifying entry points. As they worked through the strategy, Jin found himself reflecting on his own journey. A few months ago, he had been in the same position—lost, unsure of the best approach. But now, he was offering guidance, helping others avoid the mistakes he had made.

When the session ended, Beginner_101 messaged him again.

Beginner_101:

"Thanks a lot, Jin! I made ₱800 today. I'm following your strategy!"

Jin smiled to himself, the satisfaction of helping others filling him with a quiet pride. But it wasn't just about the money—it was about the knowledge, the growth, and the path he was paving.

The next morning, Jin was at the campus café, sitting with Yssa, Mika, and Calix. They had gathered to discuss their group project, but Jin's mind was elsewhere. The property listing had updated again—there was a price reduction. He checked his balance one more time.

Balance: ₱6,190.00

Not quite enough yet, but the price reduction had narrowed the gap. He had calculated the cost of repairs and improvements, and he was confident that if he moved quickly, he could secure the building and still have room for upgrades. The plan was taking shape, and it was becoming more real by the day.

Yssa glanced at him as she sipped her coffee. "You've been quieter than usual, Jin. What's on your mind?"

Jin hesitated for a moment before speaking. "I'm thinking about buying the property near campus. I've been looking into it for a while now."

Calix raised an eyebrow. "Real estate? You're diving into that already?"

Jin nodded. "Yeah, I think it's time. I've been saving, and I'm getting close to the amount I need for a down payment."

Yssa looked at him with a mix of surprise and admiration. "That's impressive, Jin. You're really going for it."

Mika, ever the skeptic, leaned back in her chair. "Are you sure you're ready for something like that? Real estate can be a lot of work."

"I'm sure," Jin said with quiet confidence. "I've been learning. I've been studying the market and everything that comes with it."

They fell into a thoughtful silence as the weight of Jin's words settled over them. They had always seen Jin as easygoing and carefree, but there was a new intensity about him—a determination to carve out his own future.

The following weekend, Jin visited the property again. He had scheduled an appointment with the real estate agent who was handling the listing. The building was as worn as it had seemed in the pictures, but Jin could see beyond the surface. He could see the potential for transformation. The layout was solid, and the location—so close to the campus—was perfect.

He met with the agent, a middle-aged man with a tired smile.

"Hello, young man. You're interested in the place, huh?" the agent asked, his voice gravelly from years of talking business.

"Yes, I am," Jin replied. "I've been looking at this property for a while. I'd like to know more about the history of the building and any repairs needed."

The agent nodded and led him inside. They walked through the various rooms, each one in need of repair. The floors were cracked in places, the walls chipped, and the plumbing was outdated. But none of this phased Jin. In fact, he welcomed it. He had already factored in the cost of renovations, and he was confident that with the right changes, the building could become a valuable asset.

"It needs work," the agent said, "but it's a good location. You're not going to find anything else this close to the university for this price."

Jin nodded thoughtfully. "I've been researching. The price reduction is great, but I still need to make sure I have the funds for the repairs and the down payment."

The agent smiled. "Smart move. Not many young buyers think that far ahead."

Jin felt a small sense of pride at the compliment. He had been diligent in his research, and it was paying off. He wasn't just a student anymore. He was becoming a serious investor, someone who understood the importance of strategy and long-term thinking.

Later that evening, Jin sat at his desk, reviewing his finances once again. He had the money for the down payment, but there was still the matter of the repairs. He checked his system for any new tasks or rewards that might help.

System Prompt:

"Task Available: Negotiate a Property Deal."

Reward: +300 XP, +2 Negotiation Skill.

The task intrigued him. It was time to learn how to negotiate a deal. He had already researched the basics, but putting it into practice was a different story.

He sent the agent an email, expressing his interest in the property and asking for a meeting to discuss the terms further. The next step was clear: Jin needed to be strategic, both in his negotiations and in how he used his growing resources.

The following day, Jin received a reply from the agent.

Agent:

"Hello, Jin. I've reviewed your offer, and I'm willing to meet with you to discuss further. Let me know when you're available."

Jin's heart raced. This was it—the moment he had been waiting for. He was one step closer to making his first real estate purchase.

As the days passed, Jin continued to prepare. He honed his negotiation skills, studied property law, and even reached out to a few local contractors for quotes on repairs. Every move was calculated, every step taken with intention.

His friends noticed the change in him, but none of them questioned his decisions. They supported him quietly, knowing that Jin was walking a path of his own design.

That Friday, Jin met the agent at a café near campus. He was calm but focused, a stark contrast to the unsure young man who had first stumbled into the world of real estate.

They sat down, and the negotiations began.

End of Chapter 27