The sky above turned pitch black without warning, swallowing the sunlight in an instant. Panic filled the air. Then suddenly, in front of my eyes, a system notification appeared.
[System Notification]"Warning: ERROR — The EVENT has begun prematurely. Host's life may be in danger."
My heart skipped a beat.
"Event...? What event? What does that mean?"
My thoughts raced. I remembered the system once telling me I had to rise to the top for some reason. Was this the reason? Was this Event the trigger for everything? But why now?
Before I could make sense of it, an overwhelming heaviness washed over my body. My vision blurred. My knees buckled.
And then—darkness.
Hospital Room – Later
I woke up to the sterile smell of antiseptic and the beeping of a monitor. My head throbbed.
I was in a hospital bed.
Ruxue was sitting beside me, her eyes red from crying. The moment she saw me stir, she clutched my hand tightly.
"Chen Yu… you're awake!" she said, trying to hold back tears. "What happened to you? You scared me to death! You collapsed right in front of everyone and wouldn't wake up…"
I slowly sat up, pressing my fingers against my temples.
My head was spinning, but one question burned in me.
"The sky… When did it turn normal again?"
Ruxue blinked. "Huh? What are you talking about?"
"When I passed out… the sky, it was black. Completely black. You came running to me when I got out of the dorms. Don't you remember?"
Her brows furrowed. "Chen… what are you saying? The sky was normal. There was no darkness or anything strange. You just fainted."
"No…" I whispered. "That can't be right."
I looked out the window. Clear blue sky. Birds chirping.
But what I saw—what I felt—it was real. That pressure. That fear. That system warning.
Was it a hallucination? A dream?
No. It was too vivid… too specific.
"Was it a warning?" I murmured to myself. "Or… a glimpse of something to come?"
Ruxue leaned closer. "Chen Yu, are you okay? Maybe you're still feeling dizzy. You should rest."
I shook my head. "No. I'm fine. I know what I saw. If what I experienced was real… then I need to prepare. I can't let myself be caught off guard again."
I looked at my hands, then clenched them into fists.
"That feeling of helplessness… I never want to feel it again."
My eyes narrowed.
"If I want answers, if I want to protect those around me… then the only way forward is to rise to the top. No matter what this 'Event' is… I'll be ready next time."
[System Update Detected]
Just as I made that vow internally, the familiar ding of the system echoed in my head.
[System Notification]"The Host has shown determination to rise above fate."
"Unlocking: Path to Ascension — Phase One Initiated."
"System assistance will now be tailored to prepare the Host for the upcoming Event."
My eyes widened. This wasn't just a hallucination. It was real. The system—the Event—it was all connected.
[New Mission: Foundation of Power]
Objective: Acquire your first real foothold in the business world.
Reward: Hidden Skill + 1 Random Stat Boost
Bonus Objective: Execute this mission within 7 days for an additional reward.
Warning: The Event's first wave may arrive within a month. Prepare wisely.
My mind raced.
First real foothold? Wasn't I already a billionaire? But then I realized—it wasn't about money anymore. It was about influence. Control. Power.
I needed more than wealth. I needed reach, respect, and resources—things that could shield me from whatever the Event would throw my way.
Ruxue tilted her head. "Chen Yu? Are you spacing out again?"
I looked at her and smiled softly. "No, it's nothing… Just thinking."
But it wasn't nothing. It was everything.
I got up from the bed, stretching my limbs. The fatigue was fading. The system must've done something in the background, because I felt sharper, lighter… stronger.
"Ruxue, get ready. We're going home."
"Already?" she asked, surprised. "Shouldn't you rest a bit more?"
"I've rested enough," I said, already pulling on my jacket. "There's something I have to do now."
Later, at the Villa
Back at the villa, I stood in front of the mirror, deep in thought.
If I had seven days… then I needed to act fast.
I already owned a controlling stake in Meiyun's company. That was one card.
But one wasn't enough.
I picked up my phone and called Meiyun.
"Chen Yu?" she answered, her voice still soft and formal.
"We're meeting tomorrow. I want a list of all potential companies facing bankruptcy or desperate for funding in Tianxu City."
"What for?" she asked.
"To start building my empire."
I hung up and looked at the system panel again.
"Time Remaining: 6 Days 23 Hours 12 Minutes."
So it begins.