"From Broke to Baller: Thanks, System?"

The days passed in a blur of studying, trading, and planning. Jin's routine had found a rhythm, one that balanced the demands of his college life with his growing passion for property investment. His trading community continued to thrive, and while his personal life remained relatively simple, Jin had started feeling the weight of his responsibilities. He wasn't just working for himself anymore; there were people who depended on him, even if they didn't realize it yet.

---

It was early Monday morning when Jin woke up to the familiar buzz of his phone. He rubbed his eyes and reached for it. The notification was from his system.

> System Prompt:

"New Task Available. Task: Analyze Property Listings in Your Area."

Reward: +150 XP, +1 Knowledge.

Jin blinked, sitting up in bed as he processed the message. He hadn't expected a task like this, but it made perfect sense. His goal of purchasing the building near campus was a serious step forward, and the system was encouraging him to refine his skills.

He immediately opened the property listings app and started his search. The same building from a few days ago popped up again — and it was even cheaper now.

Jin's heart raced. This was his chance. If he moved quickly, he could secure it before someone else did.

> Balance: ₱4,512.00

The amount wasn't enough for a down payment, but it was getting closer. Jin knew he needed to wait just a bit longer to make the right decision. With a sense of calm determination, he bookmarked the listing and began to focus on the day ahead.

---

Later that morning, Jin met with his group for their next project meeting. They had finished their group project with great success, but there was still the midterm exam looming over them. The pressure was mounting.

"Hey, Jin," Mika said as they settled into their usual café spot. "How's the trading going?"

Jin smiled. "It's going well. Made a couple of solid trades last week. But I've been focusing more on the property stuff lately."

Yssa raised an eyebrow. "You're seriously thinking of buying a place? That's huge!"

Jin nodded. "Yeah. I think it's a good move. Something I can build on."

Calix, who had been munching on his fries, paused. "You've got to be kidding me. Real estate? That's a major leap."

"It's a small step in the bigger picture," Jin said, his voice steady. "It's not about just owning a building. It's about building something that lasts."

Yssa leaned in, her curiosity piqued. "That's... ambitious, Jin. I didn't know you were into that kind of thing."

Jin shrugged, a faint smile on his lips. "Sometimes, you just know when it's time to make a move."

There was a long silence as the group absorbed Jin's words. His confidence, while understated, was palpable. They had always known him as easygoing, but there was a side of him that was starting to show—a side that was focused, determined, and serious about his future.

"So, what's the plan?" Mika asked.

Jin's gaze shifted from his laptop to the group. "For now, I'm keeping it low-key. I'm learning as I go. Once I get the property, I'll figure out the next steps."

Yssa smiled, clearly impressed. "I think you've got this, Jin."

---

As the week progressed, Jin found himself more and more consumed with thoughts of the property. His small victories in trading were exciting, but they felt like mere practice compared to what lay ahead. Buying the building wasn't just about securing an asset; it was about taking control of his future. His mind raced with ideas—what he could do with the space, how he would finance it, how he could use it as a springboard for other investments.

The weekends came quickly, and with them, a renewed sense of urgency. Jin spent hours researching market trends, watching videos, reading articles, and studying property prices. He felt himself growing, inch by inch. The tasks, the lessons, the responsibility—it was all molding him into something different. Something bigger than the quiet student who had started this journey two months ago.

---

Saturday arrived, and Jin stood in front of the building he had been eyeing. The property wasn't much to look at—old, worn, with chipped paint and a cracked sidewalk. But there was potential. Beneath the surface, he could see it: the opportunities, the possibilities, the future.

Jin stepped up to the door and turned the handle. It was locked, of course, but it didn't deter him. He took a few steps back and stood in the middle of the street, looking at the building as if seeing it for the first time. His phone buzzed in his pocket, pulling him out of his thoughts.

> Beginner_101:

"Jin! I followed your trade strategy again, and it worked! Made another ₱500! Thank you!"

Jin couldn't help but smile at the message. It felt good to help others, to guide them along the path that he was walking himself. His community was growing, and with each small win, he was starting to see the bigger picture.

As he stood there, contemplating the building, he was reminded of something his father had said once: "Every big thing starts small."

Jin nodded to himself, the words echoing in his mind. This property was small. But it was a step toward something bigger.

He pulled out his phone again, checked his balance, and took a deep breath.

> Balance: ₱5,180.00

It wasn't enough to purchase the property outright, but it was getting closer. Jin wasn't ready to jump in yet, but he was close. He needed to make sure everything lined up perfectly before he committed.

---

That evening, back at his dorm, Jin opened his system. He had already been getting used to the notifications and tasks that popped up, but tonight's prompt caught his attention.

> System Prompt:

"Task Available: Investigate the Local Property Market Trends"

Reward: +250 XP, +2 Knowledge.

The task seemed straightforward enough. It was something he had already been doing on his own, but now the system was nudging him toward a more structured approach. Jin opened the app and started gathering information, learning more about interest rates, property taxes, and the legal steps involved in purchasing real estate.

The more he read, the more confident he felt. He was learning fast, and this knowledge would only make his next move stronger.

---

The next morning, Jin met his father for breakfast. The conversation was light, centered on family matters and the usual small talk. But as they finished their meal, Jin couldn't ignore the nagging thought in the back of his mind.

"Pa," he started, glancing at his father. "I've been looking into property investments. I think I'm ready to make a move."

His father didn't respond immediately, instead setting his coffee cup down slowly. Jin held his breath, waiting.

Finally, his father spoke, his voice steady but full of pride. "I knew you'd make it. Just don't rush. Take your time. Don't let the excitement blind you."

Jin smiled, feeling a warmth spread through him. His father's approval meant the world to him. "Thanks, Pa."

---

As the days passed, Jin's plans began to take shape. The knowledge he had gained, the lessons from his trading, and the encouragement from his father all gave him the foundation he needed to move forward. He wasn't quite ready to make the purchase yet, but with each step, he was getting closer. He could feel it.

In the meantime, he continued with his studies, balancing his group work, his trading, and his growing investment knowledge. The path ahead was clear: he just had to keep moving forward, one small step at a time.

End of Chapter 26