Kenji sat at his desk, staring at the glowing system interface in front of him. The words Business Fundantals (LV 1) seed almost laughable, considering the weight of the challenge before him. Saving Anastasia's company wasn't sothing he could brute force. This wasn't training his body—this was training his mind.
He leaned back in his chair, taking a deep breath. He had no experience in corporate managent, but he did have sothing no ordinary businessman had: the Gar System. While it couldn't magically grant him knowledge, it could track his progress and help him learn more efficiently. He just had to put in the work.
Anastasia barely looked up when Kenji entered her office later that afternoon. Stacks of paperwork and financial reports covered her desk, a clear sign of how deep she was into salvaging what remained of her company.
"You're busy," Kenji noted, carefully stepping inside.
She didn't look up. "It's a company, Kenji. It doesn't run on hope. But I can't expect you to understand that."
He clenched his jaw. He deserved that. The old Kenji had scoffed at the very idea of helping. But he wasn't that man anymore.
"I want to help," he said, stepping closer. "Let take so of the load off."
Anastasia finally looked up, skeptical. "Help? Doing what?"
Kenji exhaled. "I've been studying. Learning about business, and economics for a while(well a few hours is a while too). I know I can't fix everything overnight, but if you trust with just a small part of the work, I can prove I'm serious."
She stared at him for a long mont, then sighed. "Fine. There's a supplier contract that needs renegotiating, but have been making everything needlessly hard. See if you can handle it."
---
[System Alert!]
New Sub-Quest Acquired: Contract Negotiations
Objective: Successfully renegotiate a deal with a key supplier.
Reward: 3 Intelligence, ???
Kenji took the file she handed him and nodded. This was it—the first real step toward proving himself, and he knew he had made progress with her, she would have never given him a chance before today.
And he wasn't going to fail.
That night, Kenji sat in the study, pouring over the contract. He analyzed every clause, and every pricing detail, cross-referencing with the knowledge he had gained. The supplier was charging above market value, and there were clear loopholes that put Anastasia's company at a disadvantage. He took detailed notes, planning possible counteroffers.
[System Alert!]
Business Fundantals has leveled up! (LV 4)
New Skill Acquired: Negotiation (LV 1)
Effect: Improves persuasion, deal-making, and conflict resolution. Higher levels increase success in bargaining.
Kenji's lips curled into a smirk. This was working. He loved his system.
The next morning, he dressed in formal attire for the first ti in years and headed to the supplier eting. As he walked into the office, he knew those gazes, he had seen people like these in his past life at the company he worked for. People who just wanted to make things hard and squeeze out everything soone own by taking advange of their targets issues.
He straightened his tie, confidence burning in his chest. He may not have been in charge of the negotiations in the past life but he had been there most of the ti and learned a lot and his system was already helping.
They were in for a surprise.
Kenji took his seat, placing the contract on the table. The lead negotiator, a middle-aged man with graying hair and sharp eyes, smirked. "Mr. Takahashi. I wasn't expecting you to handle this personally."
They knew him. Most people knew him,and even though he didn't have a hand in the business.He was Anastasia's useless husband after all, the joke behind the bosses back, the one that people say didn't deserve to be by her side.
Kenji t his gaze evenly. "Yes well i had asked my dear wife to alllow to handle this for her, It's important for a man to help out his lovely wife don't you think. It will allow her to handle more important matters."
The negotiator forwn a little before smiling again probabily because he had just in a way insulted them calling them less important. He chuckled. "Well, I hope you're familiar with the terms."
Kenji flipped through the contract. "Oh, I am. And we have so adjustnts to discuss."
That seed to catch them off guard.
For the next hour, Kenji systematically broke down the flaws in the contract, citing market rates, alternative suppliers, and loopholes that had previously gone unnoticed. His calm, analytical approach caught the executives off guard.
[System Alert!]
Negotiation has leveled up! (LV 3)
The lead negotiator frowned, shifting in his chair. "You've certainly done your howork."
Kenji leaned forward, confidence unwavering. "I'm here to secure the best deal for the company. If you want to keep us as clients, you'll adjust these terms."
A tense silence filled the room before the man sighed. "Fine. We'll make the revisions."
Kenji shook his hand, sealing the deal. As he walked out of the office, he checked his system.
[System Alert!]
Sub-Quest Completed: Contract Negotiations
Reward: 3 Intelligence, A Random Rare skill book
---
When Kenji returned ho that evening, he found Anastasia in her study, still working. He placed the revised contract on her desk. She skimd through it, eyebrows raising slightly as she reached the new terms.
"You actually did it," she murmured, unable to hide the note of surprise in her voice.
Kenji leaned against the doorfra, arms crossed. "Told you I was serious."
She set the contract down, eting his gaze. "We saved nearly fifteen percent on supply costs. That's... significant."
Kenji smirked. "Just the beginning."
Anastasia studied him for a mont before nodding. "Alright. Let's see what else you can do."
[System Alert!]
New Quest Progress: Saving Anastasia's Company (19%)
[System Alert!]
New Bond Progress: Anastasia (28%)
Kenji exhaled, satisfaction settling in his chest. He was finally making a real difference.
Later that evening, Kenji found himself standing in front of the local library. The building was quiet, its tall windows glowing softly in the dim light of the setting sun. He hadn't been here in years.
If he was going to grow—not just in business but in every aspect of his life—he needed to expand his knowledge.
And he hoped he could find so books to acquire skills.
He stepped inside, the scent of old books and polished wood filling his senses. The librarian at the front desk gave him a polite nod as he passed, and Kenji made his way to the non-fiction section. He wasn't looking for anything specific—just sothing that could help him improve, whether it was business, fighting, crafting, engineering, or even sothing entirely new.
He ran his fingers along the spines of the books, his mind wandering as he considered the possibilities. What if I could learn to build sothing? He thought. Or design tools that could help protect my family? The supernatural world was dangerous, and he needed every advantage he could get.
He paused at a book titled The Art of Crafting: From Theory to Practice. It was an old, weathered to, its cover faded but still sturdy. He pulled it from the shelf, flipping through the pages. Diagrams of tools, blueprints, and step-by-step instructions filled the pages. It wasn't exactly what he was looking for, but it sparked an idea.
[Do You Wish to Absorp Skill Book]
[YES] OR [NO]
He didn't even hesitate, he clicked yes.
The book burned up as it was absorbed.
OOPS.
[System Alert!]
New Skill Acquired: Crafting (LV 1)
Effect: Grants basic knowledge of crafting tools, weapons, and other items. Higher levels improve the efficiency and complexity of creations.
Kenji raised an eyebrow. So, the system really was gods gift to him.crafting and production was sothing the GA was really good at. That was interesting.
Next, he found a book on engineering principles. It was dense, filled with equations and technical jargon, but the system seed to react again.
[System Alert!]
New Skill Acquired: Engineering (LV 1)
Effect: Provides foundational knowledge of engineering principles, including chanics and design. Higher levels unlock advanced techniques.
Kenji smirked. This was what he was hoping for. He knew crafting or engineering may not seem that useful in short term but if he leveled them up, well that was sothing he could only imagine., but he couldn't deny the potential. If he could create tools or even weapons, it might give him an edge in the supernatural world.
Finally, his eyes landed on a book titled The Art of Strategy. It was a mix of military tactics, business strategy, and psychological warfare. He pulled it from the shelf, feeling the weight of it in his hands. This was sothing he could use right now—not just for Anastasia's company but for his own survival.
He placed his hand on the cover, a small smile tugging at his lips.
"Let's see what this one has to offer," he murmured to himself.
[System Alert!]
New Skill Acquired: Strategy (LV 1)
Effect: Enhances tactical thinking, planning, and decision-making. Higher levels improve foresight and adaptability in complex situations.
Kenji checked several other books after that and left the library.
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