The sun was barely up when Jun returned to the community center.
Failure still clung to him. But determination pushed harder.
He couldn't afford another wasted day.
> [System Update – Previous Task Incomplete]
Retry available. Focus remains intact.
[New Timer: 12h 00m]
The system pulsed calmly, like it hadn't nearly crushed him yesterday.
Mina spotted him the moment he walked in.
"Back already?" she asked, sipping from her travel mug.
Jun nodded. "I brought my own water this time. And a power strip."
She blinked, then shrugged. "You're persistent. I'll give you that."
---
Inside the kitchenette, he moved with quiet focus.
Outlet checked.
Power strip plugged in.
Beans—measured. Ground. Carefully.
This time, everything aligned.
Water boiled. Grounds bloomed.
The aroma wrapped around the room—warm, grounded, promising.
Jun knelt beside the press, eyes level with the swirl. He waited.
Pressed.
Poured.
> [Task Complete – First Brew Success]
You brewed with clarity and care. Progress acknowledged.
+50 XP
[Reward: Beginner Brewing Set – Added to Inventory]
Includes calibrated grinder, precision kettle, and pour-over dripper.
Tools built for intention—not speed.
Provides +5% brew consistency. Performance scales with user skill.
A golden shimmer flickered across his vision.
Nothing physical appeared—but he felt it. Like the weight of tools in an unseen drawer. Waiting.
He smiled faintly.
Not flashy. But real.
---
Mina peeked in. "You're not still making a mess, are you?"
Jun stood with a cup in hand, steam curling upward.
"No mess," he said. "Just progress."
> [New Task – Serve 5 Cups to Strangers]
Reward: 100 XP + $10 USD
[System Note: Physical reward delivery enabled for balances under $50.]
[Drop Point Created – Check inventory location.]
He blinked. "Wait... physical delivery?"
Opening his canvas tote, he found a crisp $10 bill—folded perfectly—in the side pouch. One he hadn't touched.
He stared for a second.
"…Weird. But I'm not complaining."
It wasn't much. But it meant food. Or a transit pass. Or maybe more cups.
He tucked the bill into his jacket and looked back at the task.
It felt like luck.
But deeper down—he knew it wasn't.
---
Mina raised an eyebrow. "You're acting weird again."
Jun smiled—for the first time in days.
"Weird gets things done."
He took a sip, eyes closing.
The warmth settled into his chest, grounding him.
He wasn't there yet.
But the grind had finally begun.
[System Tag – Craft Line Confirmed]
Brewing Base Acquired
Author: Stylsite08
This storyline is protected. Please respect the grind.
Original work by Stylsite08. Do not repost or distribute without permission. All rights reserved.