The morning air was crisp as Rei stepped off the bus, the distant hum of school chatter blending with the wind. He walked through the school gates with quiet steps, his clothes clean, his hair finally under control, and a strange calm in his chest.
As he walked, the soft voice in his mind returned.
Ding!
[Chaos Crown Task Received]
Top Ten Quiz Score
• Goal: place in the top 10 in today's surprise math quiz.
• Reward: 1,000–2,000 CC.
He was stunned by this task, but he just nodded to himself, slipping into class as if today were just another forgettable day.
But it wouldn't be.
After some time,
The math teacher entered, her glasses perched on her nose, eyes scanning the class.
"We'll have a short quiz today. Nothing too hard. Just be honest and do your best. And don't even think about cheating."
Even after hearing this, Rei didn't panic. He didn't even sweat.
Something inside him felt still — clear. He picked up his pen and answered the questions without rushing. Line by line, the answers came to him like old memories.
It was strange… but was welcomed.
By noon, the quiz results were out.
The teacher pinned a fresh sheet to the board with a short nod. "Results are up," she said, then walked out without saying anything further, like it was normal. It's just a normal test.
But for Rei, this was his first step for himself. Leaving the past as a past and forging a brand-new future for himself.
The class moved quickly, gathering around the paper. Whispers broke out like wildfire. Specify when they notice Rei's name on the list.
"Rei's name? Eighth place?"
"Huh?! That guy never scores above thirty."
"No way, is it a mistake?"
When his classmates heard the whispers, their heads turned toward him.
Rei sat quietly at his desk. He hadn't even stood up. His uniform was neat, sleeves rolled just right, shoes polished without being flashy. His hair was trimmed and brushed, not messy like usual. His whole vibe had changed — calm, quiet… sharp.
Charm +1.
He heard them whisper. He saw the glances. But he said nothing.
Across the room, a girl with silver eyes stared at the list. She read it once, blinked, then glanced over at Rei.
Something soft touched her expression. A quiet smile, like a secret.
"He changed," she murmured. "He looks… livelier."
Her voice was low, barely more than a breath. But two boys nearby caught it.
"Whoa," one whispered. "Did she just smile?"
"She never smiles, man. What's going on?"
Their eyes turned from her to Rei, like something unspoken had started to unfold.
Rei noticed it too. That smile. That warmth.
But he didn't return it. He just stood up, grabbed his bag, and walked out toward the courtyard without a word.
Let them talk. He had bigger things to do.
As Rei sat under the courtyard tree, unwrapping his simple sandwich, the system spoke again.
Ding!
[Task Completed]
You ranked 8th out of 42.
Reward: +1 600 CC.
Bonus: Passive Ability Unlocked – Memory Focus (minor)
"Your ability to remember and study has improved slightly."
While he was eating, another Ding! Echoed in his mind.
[New Task Received]
Earn 100 dollars before midnight.
• Progress: $0 / $100
• Reward: 1,500 CC
• Bonus: Micro Business Boost
"Here we go again," He mumbled, with a little smile on his face.
Because of system has given him a task, which he needs to complete.
He spent the rest of the day tutoring a junior for pocket cash, then picked up a quick job from an online gig app. It wasn't glorious, but by the time the sun dipped below the city skyline, he'd hit the target.
Ding!
[Task Completed]
You've successfully earned $105 today.
Reward: +1,500 CC
Bonus Unlocked: Micro Business Boost
"Your real-world efforts now bring slightly more financial return. Hustle pays."
Back in his room, Rei sat on the edge of his bed, the soft system glowing in his vision like a gentle screen.
Ding!
[Special Task Triggered]
Invest in Yourself
Spend at least 1,000 CC on personal growth within 3 days.
• Reward: +2,000 CC
• Bonus: Minor Confidence Boost
He hesitated for a moment, he didn't want to invest too much in himself, but after thinking about some things. He bought the Starter Business Kit — a package filled with ideas, skills, and blueprints for starting something real.
[System Update]
• CC Balance: 1,800
• Evolution Progress: 12%
After completing the task, he lay back on his bed, breathing out slowly. For once, the day had gone… well.
Not perfect. But better.
Still, in the quiet of his room, he stared at the ceiling, wondering.
Why now? Why him?
But because of him working non-stop today, his eyes were tired, so he closed them, and sleep pulled him in; the last thing he heard wasn't the system.
It was a soft, unknown voice, echoing deep in his mind.
"We've waited a long time… for you to wake up."
End of Chapter 3