"From Broke to Baller: Thanks, System?"

The sun was already setting as Jin walked back to his dorm after his last class for the day. The streets were bustling with students and locals, but his mind was elsewhere. He hadn't told anyone about his investments or his plans. Everything was still a quiet, personal journey.

At the dorm, Jin sat down on his bed and opened his laptop. His system had given him another small reward for maintaining his streak of good habits.

Daily Habit Streak: 28 Days

Reward: +1 Stamina, +100 XP, Mood Boost (Minor)

He had a few messages from his friends, but none of them knew the full story. He'd always kept things to himself, not out of distrust but because he didn't want anyone to feel pressured to support him. This journey, as lonely as it was at times, was his alone.

After a quick dinner of instant noodles, Jin logged into his trading platform. The numbers were small, but they were steady. His investments were slowly growing, and his experience with the market was improving.

Balance: ₱5,375.00

Total Assets: ₱15,000 (including real estate investments)

He glanced over his portfolio, reviewing his next moves. He'd been saving, and his plans were starting to form clearly in his mind. He was still far from being able to buy anything big, but the goal was slowly becoming a reality. Every small step added up.

The next morning, Jin woke up early as usual. He checked his phone before getting out of bed.

Achievement Unlocked: Early Riser

Reward: +1 Stamina, +100 XP, +2 Affection (Family)

He stretched and smiled. Every achievement, no matter how small, felt like a step toward his ultimate goal. Even though he hadn't shared his plans with anyone, there was a sense of progress that kept him motivated.

At college, Jin met up with his friends during lunch. Yssa, Mika, and Calix were talking about their plans for the weekend. Jin was content to listen. He didn't mind keeping quiet while they discussed their own lives. For him, this was just the beginning.

"Hey, Jin," Yssa said, noticing him zoning out. "You seem quiet today. Everything okay?"

Jin shrugged, giving her a small smile. "Yeah, just thinking about some stuff."

Mika raised an eyebrow. "What kind of stuff?"

"Nothing major," Jin replied. "Just planning for the future."

Calix laughed. "Planning for the future, huh? What are you, a business major now?"

Jin chuckled softly. "Something like that."

They didn't push him further, and the conversation shifted to something else. Jin let out a breath, relieved. It wasn't that he didn't trust them, but this part of his life was something he wasn't ready to share yet.

Later that day, Jin walked to a small café after classes. He sat by the window, watching people pass by, feeling the peaceful moment as he sipped on his coffee. It had become a routine — a small break between his studies and the work he did in the background.

His phone buzzed. Another notification.

Reward: +1 Confidence

Unlocked New Task: Research Property Investment Opportunities

Jin tapped on the notification, reading the brief description of his new task. Researching real estate felt like the next logical step, and it made him feel a sense of direction. Slowly, his plans were becoming more concrete. He wasn't just surviving anymore; he was building.

That evening, Jin returned home to his family. His father was still at work, and his mother was busy preparing dinner. He helped out where he could, washing dishes and setting the table. It was quiet, but comfortable.

After dinner, Jin sat with his mom on the porch, watching the sun dip below the horizon.

"How's school, Jin?" his mom asked, glancing at him.

"Good," he replied. "Everything's fine."

His mom smiled, but Jin could see the tiredness in her eyes. She worked hard, and so did his father. Jin knew that his success would be their success too. That was why he was so determined to make things work — for them.

"How's Dad doing?" he asked.

"Still working long hours," his mom said. "But he's managing."

Jin nodded. "I'll make sure things get better."

His mom looked at him curiously but didn't ask any more questions. She trusted him, just like his father did.

Later that night, Jin sat in his room, reflecting on the day. His system had rewarded him again, and he felt the familiar sense of calm that came with knowing he was moving forward. The future was still uncertain, but every step, no matter how small, was taking him closer to where he wanted to be.

Daily Habit Streak: 29 Days

Reward: +1 Stamina, +100 XP, +2 Affection (Family)

As he closed his eyes, ready to sleep, he thought about his dad and the small toolkit. It wasn't much, but to Jin, it meant everything. He would keep working. Keep saving. Keep planning. And one day, he would be able to give his family everything they deserved.

End of Chapter 20.