The sun was barely up when Jun returned to the community center.
The sting of failure still sat deep in his chest, but determination pushed him forward. He couldn't afford another wasted day.
[System Update – Previous Task Incomplete]
Retry available. Focus remains intact.
[New Timer: 12h 00m]
The system pulsed calmly, as if it hadn't nearly crushed his spirit yesterday.
Mina spotted him the moment he stepped in.
"Back already?" she asked, sipping from her travel mug.
Jun nodded. "I need another shot. I brought my own water this time. And a power strip."
She blinked, then shrugged. "You're persistent. I'll give you that."
Inside the kitchenette, Jun moved methodically. He checked the outlet. Plugged everything into his surge-protected strip. Set the kettle. Measured the beans Mina had let him keep. Ground them slowly, carefully.
This time, everything went right.
The water boiled. The grounds bloomed. The aroma filled the tiny room with warmth and promise.
Jun knelt beside the French press, eyes level with the rising swirl. He waited.
Pressed.
Poured.
[Task Complete – First Brew Success]
You brewed with clarity and care. Progress acknowledged.
+50 XP
[Reward: Beginner Brewing Set – Added to Inventory]
Includes a calibrated grinder, precision kettle, and pour-over dripper—tools built for intention, not speed.
Provides +5% brew consistency. Performance scales with user skill.
A golden shimmer flashed across his vision. He blinked.
Jun didn't see anything appear physically, but he felt it—like the weight of tools he hadn't yet touched, quietly waiting for him in some invisible space.
He smiled faintly. It wasn't flashy, but it was real.
Mina peeked in again. "You're not still making a mess in there, are you?"
Jun stood with a finished cup in his hand, steam curling into the air.
"No mess," he said. "Just progress."
[New Task – Serve 5 Cups to Strangers]
Reward: 100 XP + $10 USD
[System Note: Physical reward delivery enabled for balances under $50.]
[Drop Point Created – Check inventory location.]
Jun blinked. "Wait, physical delivery?"
He opened his canvas tote and found a crisp $10 bill folded into a tight square inside the side pouch—one he hadn't touched all day.
"...Weird. But I'm not complaining."
It wasn't much. But it was food. Or a transit pass. Or maybe more cups.
He slid the bill into his jacket and looked up at the new task.
It felt like luck. But deeper down—he knew it wasn't.
Mina raised an eyebrow. "You're acting weird again."
Jun grinned for the first time in days. "Weird gets things done."
He took a sip, closed his eyes, and let the warmth settle into his bones.
He wasn't there yet. But the grind had finally begun.