Godly Beggar

Jiang Han stood before his bedroom window, staring out at the quiet streets of Petraling Jaya. The glow of the streetlights cast long shadows across the pavement, but his mind was elsewhere. Level 2. The system's promise of new capabilities intrigued him, but also left him wondering what kind of challenges it would bring.

The system's notification had been brief, its tone calm yet teasing:

[System Notification: Congratulations on reaching Level 2! Additional features and rewards are unlocked. Exploration is recommended to maximise benefits.]

"Exploration recommended?" Jiang Han muttered. "Am I dealing with a game tutorial or an overly polite landlord?"

The system, as if reading his thoughts, chimed in.

[Host Commentary: Sarcasm detected. Proceeding to guide mode anyway.]

Jiang Han groaned, dropping into his chair. "Fine, fine. Let's see what's new."

The moment Jiang Han focused on the system, a sleek new interface appeared in his mind. Gone was the minimalist design he was used to. Now, glowing tabs hovered in neat rows, each labelled with intriguing names: Shop, Daily Challenges, Skill Tree, Mission Hub, and Hidden Vault.

"Whoa," Jiang Han said, blinking. "It looks like I just unlocked the premium subscription."

[System Notification: Host has unlocked premium features. No subscription required.]

"Not funny," Jiang Han muttered, though he couldn't help but smile.

The system began explaining the new features:

Shop: Points could now be exchanged for skills, items, and even situational advantages.Skill Tree: A detailed map of Jiang Han's abilities, showing current levels and potential upgrades.Mission Hub: A repository of active, completed, and hidden missions.Hidden Vault: A mysterious section that remained locked, marked with the words: Access Restricted Until Further Progression.

"And what's this 'Hidden Vault'?" Jiang Han asked.

[System Response: Curious hosts are productive hosts. Unlock requirements remain undisclosed.]

"Of course they do," Jiang Han muttered.

Jiang Han decided to explore the Shop first. Scrolling through the available skills, he was struck by the variety on offer. Each skill was marked with a rank—Elementary, Intermediate, Advanced, Master, Grandmaster, and so on.

One caught his eye: Charisma Boost (Intermediate Level).

Cost: 150 Points.

He paused. "Charisma, huh? So I can turn myself into some sort of people magnet?"

[System Response: The skill enhances the host's ability to engage, persuade, and connect with others. Useful in academic, social, and professional settings.]

"Not bad," Jiang Han mused. He glanced at his point balance—170. "Alright, let's try it."

The moment he purchased the skill, a warm sensation spread through his chest, like a wave of confidence settling into place.

[Skill Acquired: Charisma Boost (Intermediate Level). Immediate application recommended.]

"Immediate application? What do you want me to do, host a talent show?"

The system didn't reply, but Jiang Han's phone buzzed. A message from Hui Qi lit up the screen.

[Hui Qi: Group meeting tomorrow. Prep for the Olympiad. Don't be late, or I'll make you run laps.]

Jiang Han chuckled. "Looks like my first test is already lined up."

The next day, Jiang Han arrived at school early, his energy levels unusually high. As he made his way to the canteen for breakfast, he spotted Derek attempting to balance three plates of nasi lemak on his tray.

"Need a hand?" Jiang Han called out.

"Nope, I've got—" Derek began, just as one plate tipped precariously. Jiang Han swooped in, catching it before it fell.

"See? This is why you need charisma," Jiang Han joked, setting the plate back on the tray.

"Charisma doesn't stop nasi lemak from falling," Derek retorted, grinning. "But thanks, hero."

The exchange drew a few chuckles from nearby students, and Jiang Han felt a subtle shift in the atmosphere. His Charisma Boost skill seemed to be working. Conversations flowed more easily, and even casual jokes landed better than usual.

As Jiang Han settled into his routine, the days blurred into a steady rhythm of Olympiad preparation, system exploration, and schoolwork. But life wasn't about to let him off easy.

One evening, as Jiang Han sat by his desk reviewing his notes, the system chimed with an unexpected notification.

[Major Mission Triggered: Financial Crisis Detected.]

Mission: Investigate and resolve the source of the financial issue impacting your family.]

Reward: Resourcefulness Skill (Advanced Level). Hidden Rewards Included.]

Penalty for Failure: System Downgrade to Level 1 and Locked Skills for 14 Days.]

Jiang Han froze, the weight of the mission sinking in. "A financial crisis? What's going on?"

The system remained silent, leaving him to piece together the details.

He decided to confront the issue head-on. After dinner, Jiang Han approached his parents, who were seated in the living room.

"Is everything alright?" Jiang Han asked, his voice steady but concerned.

His mother, Madam Jiang, exchanged a glance with his father. The hesitation in their eyes told Jiang Han all he needed to know.

"Son," his father began, his tone careful, "things have been... challenging lately. Business hasn't been as steady as we'd hoped, and we're looking at some significant expenses."

Jiang Han nodded slowly. "What can I do to help?"

His mother smiled faintly, reaching out to pat his hand. "You just focus on your studies, alright? We'll figure this out."

But Jiang Han wasn't satisfied with that answer. He excused himself, retreating to his room, where he activated the Mission Hub in his system interface.

[Mission Objective: Identify key areas of financial strain and devise solutions to mitigate the impact.]

Jiang Han sighed, staring at the glowing screen in his mind. "Looks like this is going to take more than a simple chat."

The next day, Jiang Han began investigating discreetly. He combed through his parents' financial records, carefully noting patterns and discrepancies.

"Loan repayments... rising operational costs... delayed invoices," he murmured, piecing together the puzzle.

The more he uncovered, the clearer it became that the family's small business—a logistics company—was struggling to stay afloat.

The system chimed softly, offering its insight.

[Reflection: Identifying the problem is the first step. Solving it requires creativity, persistence, and collaboration.]

Jiang Han nodded grimly. "Alright, system. Let's see how resourceful I can be."

By the end of the week, Jiang Han had formulated a plan. He knew he couldn't solve the crisis alone, but he could use the skills and connections he'd built to make a difference.

First, he approached Hui Qi and Derek, explaining the situation in broad terms without revealing too much personal detail.

"I need help brainstorming ways to boost cash flow for a small business," Jiang Han said.

Hui Qi frowned thoughtfully. "We could look into short-term promotional strategies or partnerships."

Derek grinned. "Or we could go viral on social media. Nothing like a good publicity stunt to get people interested."

Jiang Han chuckled, grateful for their support.