Becoming A Tech Tycoon Begins With Regression

[Congratulations on completing mission 2:

Public Exposure

Objective: OmniTech cannot change the world if the world doesn't know it exists. It's time to build credibility and technological presence. You must publicly launch your first product (Sentinel) and secure your first real user base or client contract.

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Mission Details:

To complete this mission, the following steps must be fulfilled:

1. Product Launch: Create a public-facing platform (website, landing page, demo presentation) that showcases Sentinel's capabilities. (Completed)

2. Secure Client Usage: Have at least one business, institution, or verified organization adopt Sentinel for active use. (Completed)

3. Gather Results: Collect initial performance feedback or analytics from the client/user base to verify real-world utility. (Completed)

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Rewards:

+10% free use knowledge and proficiency point

Multiplier Unlocked: x10 on the first 100 system points earned

Progress: 100% (Completed.)

]

Ethan paused with his hands on the steering wheel as he looked at the system's screen.

"An interview is also considered as user feedback?" He asked, a bit surprised, since he expected the last part to entail lots and lots of detailed reviews before it counted.

[Correct,] the system responded, [as long as the interview is from a verified representative of the client and is made public, it is considered initial performance feedback. This satisfies the requirement.]

"I see," Ethan muttered as he leaned back on his car's seat.

A new line appeared across the translucent interface:

[Reward Claimed: +10% free-use knowledge & proficiency point]

[Multiplier Activated: x10 on first 100 system points earned]

He wanted to say something but was soon interrupted, by the sudden barrage of system notifications.

[You have earned 50 SP from company using your tech (*10) ]

[You have earned 50 SP from company using your tech (*10) ]

[You have earned 200 SP.....]

[You have earned 500 SP....]

The notifications continue for what felt like an hour before they finally stopped.

[System Point Balance Updated: 51,782 SP]

"The hell?" Ethan muttered.

Yes he expected to earn SP from Sentinel's launch but this much? And he could also see the number rising by the second.

[Congratulations on earning over 50,000 SP, x2 multiplier has been added.]

[SP: 103,564 SP.]

"....."

[....]

Both were silent before Ethan broke it as he called out, "System?"

[Yes host,] it responded.

"What are you planning?" He asked, completely skeptical.

[Nothing, all the rewards are a result of the host's actions] the system responded.

Ethan's brows were still raised in suspicion but since there was no way to force an answer out of it, he just sighed and said, "open the shop."

This was working on his favor anyway. There's something he needed to purchase from the system store and he had gotten enough SP in just a matter of minutes.

The translucent interface expanding into the familiar [OmniTech Shop] catalog. Three glowing tabs hovered: Skill Enhancements, Knowledge Packs, Tech Blueprints.

Ethan didn't waste a second. He focused his mind, and the [Tech Blueprints] tab opened.

Scrolling past tier 3 and tier 4 tech he could already replicate on his own, his eyes locked onto the prize he had been thinking about since the last time he browsed.

[Cloning Pod (Tier 6): A pod capable of fully cloning any biological being. Requires rare biomaterials and high energy.

Price: 100,000 SP]

With over 100,000 SP in his balance, he could afford it now. His lips tugged into a grin as his finger hovered above the holographic [Purchase] button.

"Finally…" he muttered. "With this, I could—"

[Ding!]

A sharp notification rang out, and the [Purchase Denied] screen slammed into view.

[Restriction: Tech Blueprints two tiers above host's current tier cannot be purchased.]

Ethan froze. "…What?"

Another line appeared beneath it:

[Note: Knowledge Packs can be purchased regardless of tier, as knowledge is cumulative and can be scaled with the host's progression. However, Tech Blueprints require minimum proficiency equal to or higher than their tier before purchase.]

His brow twitched. "So knowledge is a free pass, but tech isn't? What kind of scam rule is that?"

[It is not a scam,] the system answered calmly. [Knowledge without application is harmless. Advanced tech, however, cannot be wielded responsibly by a host who has not yet reached the required level of understanding. The restriction exists to prevent system collapse and host self-destruction.]

"Tch…" Ethan leaned back against the seat, staring at the floating red [Denied] prompt. The explanation made sense, but it still annoyed him.

He could see the cloning pod, see its price, even envision the chaos and opportunity it would bring him… yet it was locked behind a wall.

"So unless I push myself to tier 5 or 6 in biotech and genetics…" Ethan muttered, "…that pod's nothing more than window shopping."

[Correct.]

"Then just purchase—" before he could complete his words, the system interrupted.

[I'd advise not to purchase the tier 6 knowledge enhancement right now,] the system said, [after all, it has only been a few days since you purchased a tier 5 one.]

[Purchasing another will just risk blowing your brain off, for real this time.]

Ethan thought for a while before he sighed, then pulled up the store again. This time, his gaze fixed on more realistic choices, blueprints within his reach.

Personal Energy Shield, Neural-Link Interface and Bio-Regenerative Chamber.

The last one made him pause.

[Bio-Regenerative Chamber (Tier 5): Medical pod capable of enhancing and accelerating healing. Price: 5,000 SP]

Ethan's jaw tightened slightly as María's face popped up in his mind. He had been so busy these past day that he hadn't even remembered his promise to give her a call.

"…That one," he whispered.

Unlike the cloning pod, this was something he could buy now and it was something he needed.

"Purchase Bio-Regenerative Chamber."

[Successfully purchased Bio-Regenerative Chamber.]

The moment the system confirmed, he immediately felt a torrent of information being uploaded in his mind.

He suddenly knew all the steps and processes involved in building the Bio-Regenerative Chamber and he realized one thing...

Unlike with ONI, some of the the materials needed to build it would be impossible to find anywhere on earth.

But there were always replacements Ethan could create in the lab with the materials available and although it wouldn't be as effective as the one with the system's blueprint, the differences would barely be noticeable.

"Alright," He muttered, "let's finally deal with a pest before starting work on this."