The next morning, Ethan was stirred from sleep, not by the sunlight streaming through his window but by the notification from his phone.
Groggily, he reached for the device, squinting at the screen. As he thought, he saw a text message from David.
David: [Good morning, Ethan. It's the interview today.]
Ethan stared at the message, his mind still foggy with sleep. "Oh. It's that day already? Time does fly so fast now, huh?"
Before he could summon the energy to respond, another message came through.
David: [Will you be coming to help today?]
Ethan smiled, leaning back against his pillow. David's enthusiasm was admirable, though perhaps a bit misplaced at this ungodly hour.
He typed a reply, paused, and then set the phone aside, letting his thoughts drift.
Clara's update from the day before came to mind. The ground floor and first floor of the office were completely renovated and decorated, and they were set up in a way that Ethan couldn't help but be impressed.
True to her words, Clara and her team had pulled off in three days, which was what others might have stretched into weeks.
The second floor and rooftop, however, were still in progress. Clara had proposed an updated design, one more aligned with Ethan's preferences.
He'd agreed without hesitation; he believed her instincts and taste.
Besides, the timeline was still comfortably within his plans, and he valued the meticulous care she brought to her work.
There was also the matter of the gift from Moretti. Ethan hadn't seen it yet, but his curiosity was piqued. Moretti's reputation as a world-renowned architect suggested it would be something extraordinary.
"Probably too extraordinary for me to even understand," Ethan thought with a wry smile. The man had a talent for making ordinary spaces feel like art installations.
The thought of the office filled Ethan with a quiet sense of pride. It wasn't just a workspace—it was a canvas for his aspirations. What had started as a system mission had evolved into something far more meaningful.
Of course, most people would call him a fool for pouring effort into this when he could buy a dozen established companies outright. But Ethan found the act of building from the ground up oddly satisfying.
He'd wrestled with its logic for days.
Why not just cash out?
Why not take the easy route and let the system's limitless wealth do all the work?
Yet, he knew the answer even as he questioned it. There was joy in creation, in the slow but rewarding process of turning ideas into reality.
Sure, if he ever tired of it, he could sell the company or delegate the day-to-day management to someone else. But for now, this venture wasn't just about profit—it was about purpose.
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Nova Tech's first planned project, a food delivery app, wasn't just a business opportunity; it was a chance to make a tangible difference.
It could support small restaurants, provide jobs for delivery riders, and, in a broader sense, uplift countless lives.
'Enough,' Ethan muttered in his mind, 'there's only so much philosophy a man can stomach before breakfast.'
With a chuckle, he picked up his phone and typed his reply.
Ethan: [I'll come later. Maybe in the afternoon. Got a few things to do.]
David and he had already discussed the day's plans. They would hire twenty developers for the app and bring on a Human Resources agency to manage the onboarding process.
Charles had recommended a reputable accounting firm to handle NovaTech's finances. Both firms had agreed to assist with the interviews, which meant David wouldn't be handling everything alone.
Jordan was away, attending a course. Besides, there was nothing he could do during this interview process. He was not meant for that role anyway.
As he tapped away at his phone, another thought struck him. Jessica.
She had proven herself more than capable in the past weeks, and her involvement could take some of the pressure off David.
Without thinking too much, he sent another message.
Ethan: [Would it be a problem if Jessica assisted you with the interviews?]
David's response was nearly instant.
David: [Jessica? Not a bad idea. I'll get in touch with her. Good thinking.]
Ethan smiled, setting his phone aside. "Good thinking," he echoed to himself.
He believed today was going to be a really good day. Perhaps even better than any other day.
Ethan sighed happily as he placed his phone on the table. With David and Jessica managing the recruitment, he could focus on other things.
Not long ago, the size of this task would have overwhelmed Ethan. He used to be an ordinary young man with ordinary dreams. His days revolved around the struggle to get by.
Survival was the main focus of his life, not truly living. His dreams felt far away, unclear and weak. His goals were simple: to earn enough money to get by and to provide some security for his family.
But then, everything changed.
The day the Unlimited System came into Ethan's life felt like a bad joke at first. Its power confused him, and its purpose was unclear. However, as he started to complete more missions, he began to see things differently.
These tasks were not just chores; they were signs pointing to a path he had never noticed before.
Each mission took him further away from his ordinary life. They required more than just effort; they required him to grow.
As he completed these missions, Ethan discovered something unexpected: a sense of clarity. For the first time, he felt that his life was not just a random collection of days.
There was a sense of order in the chaos and a direction he had not dared to imagine.
Now, Ethan stood at a turning point in his life. He felt the weight of his choices. Finishing a mission brought him satisfaction, not just because of the rewards—though they were valuable—but because it showed progress toward a future that was his alone.
He was not just building a company; he was building his life. Each decision and plan was a step in creating something that could last.
Ethan's thoughts drifted to the mission that had set it all in motion.
=====
[Mission Complete: Deliver Success]
Objective: Successfully develop the Novan City Food Delivery App.
Reward:
1. 5,000 EXP
2. 20 Ascension Points
=====
Ethan looked at the mission panel again and couldn’t help but smile a little.
This app and project were the start of Nova Tech's story. Like any good start, it needed to set the right tone for what would come next.
The mission was not just about making an app; it was about building a foundation. Ethan believed that the system gave out missions that were connected, like chapters in a book, each one building on the last.
This app was the first chapter, and it had to be just right, not only for itself but also for what it represented: a launchpad for future missions.
Ethan thought, "I’ll let the team handle the details and perfect it."
Ethan could already see it—the system showing future challenges tied to the app's success. This could lead to larger platforms, partnerships, or even new industries.
Whatever happens next, this first step must be perfect, a solid foundation for the missions that will come after.
Ethan leaned back, thinking carefully. "If this is where it all starts," he said, "then it needs to start off right."