Rise of the Ultimate Profit System

The rush of power coursing through Ed Val's body was exhilarating. His muscles no longer felt frail, and his reflexes had sharpened. The moment the system rewarded him, he knew—this was his first step toward true strength.

The crowd around him was still in shock. The burly man who had grabbed him was now sprawled on the ground, clutching his wrist in pain. Murmurs filled the air.

"How did that weakling do that?"

"Wasn't he just a punching bag before?"

"Did he always have this kind of strength?"

Ed took a deep breath, ignoring the stares. He had no time to waste. His mission was complete, and now he needed to plan his next move. But before he could leave, the burly man stood up, his face red with anger.

"You think you're tough now, huh? Just because you pulled some cheap trick?" the man growled, cracking his knuckles.

Ed smirked. "Cheap trick? You grabbed me first, didn't you? I just defended myself."

The man lunged forward, aiming a punch at Ed's face. The crowd gasped, expecting Ed to be knocked down like before. But this time, things were different.

His newly enhanced reflexes kicked in. With a slight tilt of his head, he effortlessly dodged the incoming punch. The world seemed slower, as if his perception had improved. He could see every movement, every slight hesitation in his opponent's attack.

"Too slow," Ed muttered.

With a swift motion, he grabbed the man's wrist and twisted it, sending him crashing to his knees. A loud crack echoed, and the man howled in pain.

Ed leaned in and whispered, "This is your last warning. Next time, I won't be so kind."

The man's face turned pale. He clutched his arm and backed away, not daring to continue the fight. The bystanders erupted in murmurs, their previous impressions of Ed shattered.

"Who the hell is he? That wasn't normal!"

"Did he awaken an ability?"

"No way… maybe he's one of those hidden geniuses?"

Ed took advantage of the moment and walked away, his mind racing. The world was changing rapidly. Strength was becoming the new currency, and if he wanted to thrive, he had to get ahead of everyone else.

The system's screen appeared before him again.

[New Mission Unlocked!]

Mission: Earn 100,000 Pesos within one week.

Reward: +20 Strength, +20 Speed, Intermediate Combat Skill, and ???

Ed clenched his fists. The difficulty had just skyrocketed. But instead of fear, he felt excitement.

"100,000 pesos in one week?" he muttered. "Looks like I'll have to get creative."

Just as he was about to strategize, a familiar voice called out to him.

"Ed?"

He turned and saw an old classmate—Rico, one of the few people who never bullied him but also never defended him. Rico's eyes were wide with surprise.

"What the hell happened to you?" Rico asked. "Last time I saw you, you were getting beaten up by those rich bastards. Now, you're throwing guys around like it's nothing."

Ed smirked but didn't answer directly. "Let's just say I had some good luck."

Rico studied him for a moment, then grinned. "Well, whatever it is, I want in. You planning to make money? Maybe we can work together."

Ed narrowed his eyes. Rico was smart, and having a partner could be useful. But could he be trusted?

"That depends," Ed said, crossing his arms. "What do you bring to the table?"

Rico chuckled. "Connections. Information. And a sharp business sense. You're strong, but strength alone won't make money. You need strategy."

Ed considered his words. The mission required a huge sum in a short time. Having someone to handle the logistics while he focused on growing stronger might not be a bad idea.

"Fine," Ed said. "But if you betray me—"

Rico raised his hands. "Relax. I'm not stupid enough to cross someone who just took down a thug like it was nothing."

Ed smirked. "Good. Now, let's make some money."