It began like any other day. Lin had a small stack of tasks recorded in his system and a nagging curiosity about whether he was close to unlocking another ability. He had already used some wish points and accumulated others. That made every new assignment feel like a meaningful step, because the system rarely gifted abilities for nothing. Points had to be earned.
Then the notification blinked. A new assignment had appeared and its color made his stomach flip: golden. Gold was not normal. Gold meant rarity and significance, the kind of task that could alter the trajectory of the system. Lin read the sparse description, then read it again. Golden assignments did not present themselves to just anyone, and the requirements were both complicated and delicate. This felt like a test the system had finally issued him.
His mind immediately moved into strategy mode. Some assignments rewarded raw effort, others rewarded tact and discretion. This one demanded a blend. It would require the right words, the right timing, and a soft touch with people's feelings. He could not simply brute force it. That knowledge made the task both nerve wracking and oddly thrilling. If he succeeded, the payoff would be much more than wish points. It would be momentum.
He started with investigation. Golden assignments often included hidden strings. They were tied into personal networks, subtle histories, and sometimes reputations that had to be handled with care. Lin made a list, sketched possible approaches, and lined up some small favors he could trade for information. He texted a few contacts, set up a meeting, and practiced the tone he would use when asking for sensitive help. A golden task required finesse. It rewarded the planner more than the brawler.
A day passed in small, quick motions. He interviewed a parent, mediated a misunderstanding, and soothed a fragile ego with a few carefully chosen compliments. Each action felt like another coin tossed into a jar. The system tracked them all, and Lin watched the small progress bar inch forward with an addictive satisfaction. When the final condition was met, the notification chimed and the reward landed in his account. The screen displayed the result: body constitution plus two. The feeling that followed was immediate, warm, and strangely restorative.
His strength had increased, his old injury healed more fully, and a quiet sense of possibility settled over him. Golden assignments were not trivial. They shifted reality in small but permanent ways. Lin realized that from now on, these assignments would shape not only his abilities but also his role in the web of people he was learning to navigate. He smiled to himself, pocketed his phone, and prepared for the next assignment. The loop had begun to spin faster.
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