King of Games 34 Mission

Soon enough, Shinro found himself back in Tokyo, donning his favorite black suit as he returns to the fast-paced life in his company's office. The development of "PUBG" consumed his waking hours, fingers flying across the transparent keyboard, making characters come to life on the screen. In between endless lines of code, he would surreptitiously buy server after server, expanding the game's reach.

The ambition welling up within him was unprecedented, and he couldn't quite place why. His thoughts drifted back to the cave and the letter with a message left by Kimiko's grandfather: a simple but profound message to be ambitious, for the betterment of both oneself and the country.

A vivid memory of the letter's aura and the surging ambition that coursed through him upon reading the words filled his mind. The paper itself, imbued with the author's will and determination, seemed to have imparted some of that drive to him.

His mind was laser-focused on the development of "PUBG" and the expansion of his server network. Time seemed to fly by, and only the constant hum of his computer kept him company.

Suddenly, an ethereal chime echoed in his thoughts, [Ding! The "Mania" effect has expired!]

As the sound faded, the fire in his chest flickered and dimmed. He couldn't help but frown. "Wait, it was just an effect?" he muttered, his brows furrowing. "I thought it would last forever."

The fire that had been burning in his chest flickered and died down, replaced by the steady flame of his usual drive. His mind cleared, and he glanced around at the chaos of an office he had left in his wake.

Two days had passed in what felt like mere minutes.

He rubbed his stiff neck, but a small smile crept onto his lips. In that time, he'd made considerable progress on "PUBG" and had also managed to acquire numerous high-quality servers for his online games.

"Incredible," he breathed, "I didn't think I could accomplish so much when I put my mind to it."

Shinro stretched, feeling his joints creak in protest. "Well, time to get some rest," he muttered, "Tomorrow's another day."

As Shinro powered down his computer, another notification popped into his mind, [Ding! Congratulations! You've completed a hidden quest! You've unlocked the skill {Body Occupation Possession}! [Note: You can split your soul and live in another body. Usage time depends on your skill level and Mana. Unlimited uses on subjects in worlds you own.]

Shinro's eyes widened. His eyebrows rose. "An interesting development," he mused aloud. "I can only use it for a limited time on others, but unrestricted in the worlds I own? Intriguing."

His thoughts turned to his "Tiny World" and "Small World", which he hadn't checked on since his return.

"Tomorrow," he yawned, "I'll take a look at it tomorrow."

With a weary sigh, Shinro trudged to the room adjacent to his office, where a inviting futon beckoned him to its embrace. He didn't even bother changing out of his clothes before collapsing onto the soft mattress. Sleep claimed him almost immediately, the weight of the past two days' manic productivity finally catching up with him.

---

Early next morning, Shinro's eyes flickered open, greeted by the familiar hum of his air conditioner. The smell of freshly brewed coffee tickled his nose, and he sat up, yawned, and stretched.

His daily routine played out like a well-oiled machine: he showered, prepared a simple breakfast of ramen, and flipped on the TV to watch the morning news as he ate. His life had its conveniences, living in his company's building as he did.

The comforting sensation of the steamy broth and noodles sliding down his throat paired beautifully with the runny yolk of the soft-boiled egg and the savory beef slices. As he chewed, Shinro's mind wandered back to the events of the past two days and the newfound ability he had gained.

As Shinro mindlessly slurped up the last noodle, the news presenter's voice caught his attention. "There's a new grocery store gaining popularity in Tokyo area," the newscaster said, "and residents rave about its exceptional produce. Let's go to our reporter on the ground, Hiro Tanaka, for more."

Shinro's eyes widened as the scene shifted to a reporter standing in front of a familiar storefront. "KiShin Store". The store was part of his growing business.

Hiro, the reporter, began to speak. "The new grocery chain that just opened in select Tokyo locations has been the talk of the town" he gushed, "attracting customers with its high-quality offerings. Let's hear from some of the regulars."

The camera panned to a middle-aged woman, her basket brimming with produce. "The fruits here are so fresh and juicy! I've never tasted anything like it," she gushed. "And the prices? Unbeatable!"

The camera shifted to an elderly woman, who gushed, "My husband, who's a wagyu connoisseur, swears by the beef here. He says it's even better!"

Hiro Tanaka's eyebrows shot up in surprise. He then interviewed another customer, who chimed in, "The fruits and vegetables are so fresh and crisp. I've never tasted anything like it!"

Investigating further, Hiro picked up a pack of beef and read the label aloud. "It seems these high-quality products are brought to us by the KiShin Company!"

Shinro couldn't help but grin at the glowing reviews.

Hiro Tanaka, the news reporter, continued his segment on the KiShin Store's charitable efforts. "And believe it or not, they even have a discounted section for those who are less fortunate!"

Shinro's heart swelled with pride as he watched Hiro showcase the discounted area, where a customer was carefully selecting items.

"Is the store making a profit with such a generous discount?" Hiro asked the cashier.

The cashier nodded. "We believe in honesty. Our regular customers only buy from the normal section, and the discounted section is reserved for those who truly need it. Besides, our products are already priced competitively for their exceptional quality, so people are more than willing to support us."

Shinro smiled as he finished his breakfast. "This kindness will not go unnoticed," he muttered to himself. "It's only a matter of time before profits skyrocket."

Meanwhile, in living rooms across Japan, viewers not from Tokyo tuned in to the news, their stomachs rumbling with envy.

"I wish we had a 'KiShin Store' here too!"

The KiShin Company's reputation was spreading, and Shinro knew it was only a matter of time before their reach extended beyond Tokyo.

---

After finishing his breakfast and the news, Shinro turned his attention to his "Tiny World". With a thought, the transparent projection of the world appeared before him.

The humans were still hard at work on their tower, determined to reach the heavens. Their ambition was admirable, even if their methods were flawed. The tower's latest incarnation, under the watchful eye of their new king, Vronti, was no exception. The materials they used were sturdy, but the foundation remained weak.

[Ding! Your "Tiny World" has stagnated due to the humans' single-minded pursuit of a tower that reaches the heavens. Their hubris and disregard for consequences has blinded them. Teach your subjects a lesson they won't forget: Reward: +30 Intelligence]

Shinro frowned, watching as the humans scurried about, oblivious to their looming doom. "They've become too complacent," he muttered, "I thought a single language would jumpstart their progress…"