"One… Two… Three!"
As Ethan lifted the bookstore's ancient metal shutters, they rattled loudly, breaking the quiet morning silence.
He thought to himself, 'No wonder I was rated this way. In reality, I'm not that strong.' However, he couldn't help but chuckle at the thought.
Looking around outside, Ethan noticed the area was almost empty, with just a few early birds passing by, coffee in hand.
When he entered the bookstore, he was greeted by the familiar smell of old books and the slightly musty scent of worn carpets.
But today was going to be a day of change for Ethan. He didn't plan on staying here much longer.
The opportunities he had been given made this job seem like a leftover from his past life, one he didn't need anymore.
He had already planned what to say to his boss. He would hand in his resignation and leave this routine behind.
'I'll have to figure out my next steps later. I have about fourteen weeks of break time left,' Ethan thought to himself.
Yet, as he walked behind the counter, he felt a strange emotion. It wasn't exactly guilt.
It was more of an odd realization that this job had been his safety net for so long, and now he was about to let it go.
He wondered if his new opportunities would truly replace the security this job had provided.
Shaking off the thought, Ethan was brought back to the present as the front door chimed. A customer entered, shaking off the cold of the morning.
Looking up, Ethan saw a middle-aged man with an unkempt appearance holding a stack of papers.
The man's tiredness was evident, the result of long work nights and too little sleep.
"Morning," the man grumbled, his voice rough. "I need four copies of these printed. Quickly."
"Sure, I can take care of that for you," Ethan replied, taking the papers and moving toward the small copier in the back.
The man internally berated himself for forgetting to print these at home, relieved the bookstore still offered such services.
Despite technological advancements and printers' affordability, not everyone had access to them, keeping the bookstore's service relevant.
As the copier started, Ethan couldn't help but glance at the top sheet.
It was a proposal titled "Project Proposal for Novan City Food Delivery App—$500,000 Funding Required."
His interest was immediately piqued.
A food delivery app for the city seemed like a promising venture, especially in a growing metropolis like Novan City, which has an increasing demand for digital solutions tailored to local businesses.
Ethan thought about the potential of the project and his own financial situation. 'This could be a way to invest without raising questions about my wealth.'
Considering offering his help, Ethan hesitated, aware that his young age and part-time job might not make the best impression.
But the idea kept nagging at him until he finally spoke up.
"I am sorry for asking, sir. Is this for a food delivery app?"
The man looked up, visibly annoyed by Ethan’s curiosity. "Yeah. What of it?"
Ethan paused briefly before taking a step forward. "Actually, I'm a programmer. I've worked on some app projects in the past. Something like this could really take off in Novan City. Are you still in need of developers and investors?"
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
The man's expression turned more suspicious, his eyes narrowing. "And why should that concern you? You don't look like you have $500,000 just lying around to invest in something like this."
Ethan let out an awkward chuckle, trying to ease the tension. "Well, I might not have the funds myself, but I know someone who might be interested... and I'm pretty close with him."
The man's eyebrows lifted in anticipation of more information. "Oh? And who might that be?"
Ethan quickly crafted a lie, "My university professor's been involved in several major projects recently. He might be open to funding something like this."
Luckily, the man seemed to buy Ethan's story, so Ethan added, "And I've done some programming for the university and on personal projects. I can handle the development side of things."
The man looked at Ethan with a mix of skepticism and curiosity. "You're serious?"
"Absolutely," Ethan replied with unexpected confidence. "I can show you some of my work if you'd like."
The man seemed to ponder Ethan's words, studying his face as if to gauge his honesty. Finally, he gestured for Ethan to go ahead.
The man was truly interested not in Ethan's programming skills but in the possibility of the professor's investment.
Finding funding for the app had been challenging, as starting such a venture required significant capital for development and marketing before any profit could be realized.
"Show me what you've got," the man said.
Ethan quickly pulled up some of his past app projects on his phone. They were mostly simple apps from his coursework or personal projects, but they were well-made and looked professional.
"Here's one example," he said, handing over the phone. "It's an app for booking the university's multipurpose hall and sports center."
As the man scrolled through Ethan's apps, his initial skepticism seemed to melt away, replaced by genuine interest. "Not bad," he murmured, almost to himself. "Not bad at all."
The man was impressed. He could see Ethan's professionalism and skill. Now believing in Ethan's capabilities, he thought that having a prototype could make it easier to attract potential investors.
Ethan was improvising through the situation, but it was starting to look like his efforts were paying off.
He confidently stated, "Like I said, I can handle the development side. I just need some time to arrange a meeting with my professor. If we get the funding, we could start right away."
The man he spoke to thought it over, tapping his chin thoughtfully. Then, with a decisive movement, he took a business card from his jacket and handed it to Ethan.
"Let's plan for that meeting. My name's David Turner. I work with local businesses to help boost the city’s economy," said David.
He continued, "The goal of this app is to assist small restaurants in surviving against the big chains. I've been trying to get this project off the ground for months."
Hearing the name "David Turner" made Ethan pause. He knew that name. David was well-regarded in Novan City for his dedication to supporting local businesses through various programs and initiatives to improve small entrepreneurs' livelihoods.
This app wasn't just another technology project but a crucial part of David's broader mission to uplift the community.
“I’ve heard of you, sir,” Ethan managed to say, trying not to seem too impressed. “You’ve done a lot for the city.”
A hint of pride flashed across David’s face. “I do what I can. But there’s always more work to be done. This app is not just about food delivery. It’s about giving the smaller businesses a chance to compete. If successful, we could create a model to help cities nationwide.”
Ethan realized the magnitude of what he was getting involved in. He was about to become part of a project with significant implications and the potential to genuinely make a difference. Expanding his network, a recent goal of his, suddenly seemed within reach.
“I’ll ensure my professor is available for a meeting as soon as possible, sir,” Ethan said, tucking the card away. “And I’ll continue to work on a prototype in the meantime. I’m confident we can make this happen, Mr. Turner.”
“Drop the formalities. I’m not fond of them. Just call me David... And what’s your name, young man?”
“I’m Ethan,” he replied, smiling.
David nodded, looking hopeful and energized. “Good. I’m eager to see if you can live up to those promises, Ethan.
I’m looking forward to it.”
“Sure, David. I’ll have good news for you soon. It’s just a phone call away to inform my professor,” Ethan responded.
As David exited the store, Ethan stood still for a moment, feeling the gravity of his commitment. This project was no longer just an abstract app idea.
It could potentially change lives in Novan City and maybe even beyond.
The bookstore suddenly seemed smaller to Ethan, as if its walls were closing in. His previous plans to resign were pushed aside by the exciting possibilities this new opportunity presented.
Despite not knowing exactly how he would accomplish it, Ethan felt that anything was possible with the support of the system he was working with.
Glancing at the System Panel, he noticed a new notification:
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[New Mission: Deliver Success]
Objective: Successfully develop and launch the NovanCity Food Delivery App.
Reward: 5,000 EXP, 20 Ascension Points
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Ethan smiled, reassured. The system was already aligning with his next steps.