Lian Wei stood in the heart of the Night Market Collective's warehouse, the holo-table's glow casting shadows across the faces of his newfound allies. The *Fortune's Gambit* system's latest quest pulsed in his vision: **Global Stake – Spend 100,000,000 yuan on a high-Favorability alliance (95+) to unlock an international asset. Reward: 700% cashback + 20,000 Fortune Points.** With 65,421,000 yuan in his account and 4,080 Fortune Points, Wei was a multimillionaire by any standard, but 100 million yuan was a daunting leap. The promise of 700,000,000 yuan in cashback and an "international asset" fueled his resolve, but Kang's chilling broadcast—*"The system was ours first"*—and the system's revelation that it was a Lian Tech prototype stolen by Eclipse Corp turned his world upside down.
Xiao Lan's hand rested in his, her Favorability maxed at 100, her eyes demanding answers. "Wei, what's this 'system' Kang mentioned? You're not just throwing around money for fun, are you?"
Zara, her purple hair glinting under the warehouse lights, crossed her arms, her Favorability at 92. "Yeah, spill it, big shot. Eclipse doesn't just show up for kicks, and that holo-hack wasn't cheap tech."
The Collective's leader, Chen, watched closely, his Favorability at 80. The room's average Favorability held at 95, a fragile coalition that could propel Wei to the quest's goal—or crumble under Eclipse's pressure. The system pinged: **Opportunity Detected: Share the system's purpose to unify the alliance. Cost: 100 Fortune Points for +5 Favorability across the Collective.**
Wei burned the points, dropping to 3,980, and took a deep breath. "My father's company built a prototype to redistribute wealth through strategic investments. Eclipse stole it when we went under. Somehow, it chose me to carry it on. I'm using it to build something bigger than them—starting with this festival."
Xiao Lan's eyes softened, her trust unshaken. Zara's Favorability hit 97, and Chen's climbed to 85, pushing the Collective's average to 98. "That's some sci-fi nonsense," Zara said, grinning. "But if it's screwing over Eclipse, I'm in."
Chen nodded. "The Xinshou Cultural Fest is our stand. With your 10 million, we're already prepping stages and holo-installations. But Eclipse will try to sabotage it."
The system updated: **Quest Progress: 30%. Collective Favorability: 98. Suggested Action: Expand the festival into a global cultural summit to meet the 100,000,000-yuan requirement.**
A global summit? Wei's mind reeled. The festival was already a massive undertaking, but scaling it to attract international artists, tech moguls, and media—streamed worldwide via the Xinshou Media Network—could hit the 100-million-yuan mark. His 65,421,000 yuan was substantial, but he needed more to bridge the gap.
"We go bigger," Wei said, his voice carrying newfound authority. "Turn the Fest into a global summit. Invite top artists, tech innovators, and sponsors. I'll cover the costs."
Chen's eyes widened. "That's a 100-million-yuan play, Wei. You got that kind of cash?"
"I'll make it happen," Wei said, his Charm (back to 65 after the surge expired) still carrying weight. He opened the **Fortune Store**, his 3,980 Fortune Points a war chest. A new option glowed:
- **Global Capital Boost: Receive 100,000,000 yuan (no cashback, repay within 120 hours) – 3,500 Fortune Points**
It was a brutal cost, nearly wiping his points, but the 700,000,000-yuan cashback would make him untouchable. Wei activated the boost, his phone buzzing as his balance surged to 165,421,000 yuan. His Fortune Points dropped to 480, and a warning flashed: **Debt: 100,000,000 yuan due in 120 hours. Failure to repay may result in system shutdown.**
"I'm wiring 100 million to the Collective," Wei announced, transferring the funds. The holo-table updated, projecting a dazzling summit plan: international headliners, AI-driven art installations, and a global livestream. His balance fell to 65,421,000 yuan, but the system blared: **Quest Complete! Global Stake fulfilled. 700,000,000 yuan deposited. +20,000 Fortune Points. International Asset Unlocked: Global Cultural Alliance Membership (Grants influence over international media and trade networks). New Quest Unlocked: Cosmic Dominion – Spend 1,000,000,000 yuan on a high-Favorability empire (98+) to unlock a global empire. Reward: 800% cashback + 100,000 Fortune Points.**
Wei's phone confirmed his balance: 765,421,000 yuan after repaying the 100,000,000-yuan debt. His Fortune Points soared to 20,480. A billion yuan? The scale was incomprehensible, but 8,000,000,000 yuan in cashback was a fortune that could reshape nations.
The Collective erupted in cheers, naming Wei their "Patron of Xinshou." Xiao Lan pulled him close, whispering, "You're not just changing the city—you're changing the world."
Before Wei could reply, the warehouse's holo-screen flickered back on. Kang's face reappeared, his smirk replaced by cold fury. "You think you've won, Lian? The system's code is ours. We'll rip it from you—and your little empire."
The system flashed: **Critical Alert: Eclipse Corp deploying cyber-attack on Collective systems. Recommended Action: Spend 5,000 Fortune Points to unlock Cyber Defense Protocol.**
Wei burned the points, dropping to 15,480. A new interface appeared: **Cyber Defense Protocol – Shields Collective networks and traces Eclipse's attack. Cost: 5,000 Fortune Points.** The holo-screen glitched, Kang's image dissolving as Zara whooped. "Got him! Our firewalls are holding!"
Chen clapped Wei's shoulder. "You're a damn miracle. But Eclipse won't stop. They've got hackers, muscle, and half the city's elites in their pocket."
Wei's mind raced. The system's origins tied to his father, and Kang's obsession suggested Eclipse wanted more than just money. The billion-yuan quest loomed, but so did the Global Cultural Alliance, giving him leverage with international players.
Zara grinned, her Favorability hitting 99. "We've got two weeks to make this summit untouchable. Let's show Eclipse they're out of their league."
Xiao Lan squeezed Wei's hand, her voice firm. "We're with you, Wei. Whatever this system is, it's yours now. Make it count."
The system's golden text glowed: **Fortune's Gambit is your birthright. Build an empire, or watch it burn.