Godly Beggar

The sun was just beginning to rise over Petraling Jaya, casting a warm glow across the school grounds as Jiang Han made his way to class. Despite the calm morning, his thoughts were anything but settled.

The past few days of collaboration with Chen Xun have been rewarding yet challenging. Balancing his rivalry with teamwork was a delicate act, one that pushed Jiang Han to grow in unexpected ways. But there was no denying it: Chen Xun was a formidable partner.

As Jiang Han took his seat, the familiar chime of the Begging System echoed in his mind.

[System Notification: Host Growth Milestone Reached.]

Prerequisite for Level 2 Activation Unlocked.]

Jiang Han sat up straighter, his attention fully captured.

[To unlock System Level 2, the host must master the Art of Begging. This includes refining persuasion skills, mastering empathy, and understanding the balance between pride and purpose.]

[Mission Path Initiated: The Art of Begging.]

"Of course," Jiang Han muttered under his breath. "You just had to make it sound dramatic."

The system continued as if it hadn't heard him.

[New System Requirements Added:]

The host must complete five missions to refine the art of begging. Each mission will increase in difficulty, teaching advanced skills in persuasion, negotiation, and emotional intelligence.]

Rewards for Completion:

Enhanced Persuasion Skill (Advanced Level).Hidden Rewards (To be revealed upon completion).

Note: Failure to complete these missions will result in penalties including skill downgrades.]

Jiang Han exhaled slowly, leaning back in his chair. "Great. Just when I thought things couldn't get harder."

First Mission: The Forgotten Wallet

The system wasted no time.

[Mission Triggered: Convince Wang Jia Qi to lend you RM50 after claiming you forgot your wallet at home.]

Penalty for Failure: -20 System Points.]

Reward: Emotional Reading Skill (Elementary Level).]

Jiang Han's eyebrow twitched. "You want me to beg Jia Qi for lunch money? That's it?"

[Reminder: Mastery of begging begins with humility. Proceed.]

"Fine," Jiang Han muttered. He glanced across the room at Wang Jia Qi, who was engrossed in her textbook.

Jiang Han approached Jia Qi with a casual smile, leaning on her desk. "Hey, Jia Qi, I need a favour."

She looked up, narrowing her eyes suspiciously. "What kind of favour?"

"Well," Jiang Han began, scratching the back of his neck sheepishly, "I may have left my wallet at home, and I was hoping you could lend me RM50 for lunch. I promise I'll pay you back tomorrow."

Jia Qi raised an eyebrow. "You? Forget your wallet? That doesn't sound like you."

"It happens to the best of us," Jiang Han said, his tone light but earnest.

Jia Qi studied him for a moment before sighing. "Alright, but you'd better pay me back. I'm keeping track of this."

"Thanks, Jia Qi! You're a lifesaver," Jiang Han said, taking the money with a grin.

[Mission Complete! Reward Unlocked: Emotional Reading Skill (Elementary Level).]

As the reward activated, Jiang Han felt a subtle shift in his perception. He could now pick up on small cues—changes in tone, body language, and microexpressions—that revealed a person's emotional state.

"That wasn't too bad," Jiang Han thought. "But I have a feeling it's only going to get harder from here."

That evening, Jiang Han sat by his window, the soft glow of the city lights filling his room. The mission had been simple, almost laughable, yet it had forced him to confront something he'd always avoided: the vulnerability of asking for help.

"Begging isn't just about asking," he thought. "It's about understanding the other person—knowing how to approach them, what they value, and how to appeal to their better nature."

The system chimed softly as if affirming his thoughts.

[Reflection: True mastery of begging lies in balancing humility with purpose. A skilled beggar persuades not through desperation but through understanding and respect.]

Jiang Han nodded slowly. The system's methods were unconventional, but he couldn't deny their effectiveness.

The next day, the system struck again.

[Mission Triggered: Convince Derek Lim to buy an old, broken calculator for RM20.]

Penalty for Failure: -30 System Points.]

Reward: Negotiation Skill (Elementary Level).]

Jiang Han glanced at the battered calculator on his desk, its buttons were worn and the screen cracked.

"This should be fun," he muttered sarcastically.

Derek was lounging by the window, scrolling through his phone. Jiang Han approached him with the calculator in hand.

"Derek, I've got something amazing to show you," Jiang Han said, his tone enthusiastic.

Derek glanced up, unimpressed. "What is it?"

"This," Jiang Han said, holding up the calculator like it was a prized artefact. "A vintage calculator with unmatched charm and character."

Derek snorted. "That thing looks like it survived a war."

"Exactly!" Jiang Han said, leaning in. "It's not just a calculator—it's a conversation starter, a piece of history. Plus, it still works. Mostly."

Derek raised an eyebrow. "Are you seriously trying to sell me that junk?"

"Think about it," Jiang Han pressed. "For just RM20, you could own a piece of nostalgia. And who knows? It might even be worth something one day."

Derek stared at the calculator, then at Jiang Han, before bursting into laughter. "You're ridiculous. But fine, I'll take it—just for the entertainment value."

[Mission Complete! Reward Unlocked: Negotiation Skill (Elementary Level).]

Jiang Han pocketed the RM20, feeling a surge of pride. The system chimed again, its tone almost amused.

[Reflection: Negotiation is not about selling a product—it's about selling a perspective.]

As the days passed, Jiang Han completed more missions, each one pushing him further out of his comfort zone. He convinced Hui Qi to join a club she had no interest in, persuaded a teacher to extend a deadline, and even managed to broker peace between two feuding classmates.

Each mission taught him something new—how to read people, how to frame his requests, and how to turn seemingly impossible situations to his advantage.

But it wasn't just about the missions. Jiang Han found himself applying these skills in everyday life, whether it was negotiating group project roles or mediating disputes among his friends.

"Begging isn't about losing pride," he realised. "It's about gaining perspective—and knowing when to put the bigger picture above your ego."

One evening, as Jiang Han reviewed his notes, the system delivered another notification.

[System Notification: Host Progressing Towards Level 2 Activation.]

Prerequisite Missions Completed: 3/5.]

Warning: Final missions will involve heightened stakes and greater complexity. Prepare accordingly.]

Jiang Han exhaled slowly, feeling the weight of the words. "Heightened stakes, huh? Let's see what you've got."

Despite the challenges ahead, Jiang Han felt a quiet confidence growing within him. Each mission, each lesson, was shaping him into someone stronger, sharper, and more resilient.

With the system guiding him, Jiang Han knew one thing for certain: he was just getting started.