By Monday, the whole campus was buzzing again—this time not about free lunches or UniTrade, but about me.
Whispers followed me everywhere.
"Did you hear? Rin turned down HanTech."
"Yeah, that investment firm? Who does that?"
"Maybe he's secretly rich or something."
I pretended not to notice, but it was impossible to ignore. Every time I entered a room, conversations dipped for half a second.
Min-jun tried to act casual, but even he was curious. "You sure you wanna keep this lowkey, bro? Turning down HanTech's kinda… big."
"Big?" I said, forcing a smile. "It's just a company."
"Yeah, but everyone's talking about it. Even the business majors think you're nuts."
[They're not wrong,] Nova chimed in. [But that's what makes you interesting.]
"Thanks, I think."
[You're welcome.]
During lunch, I saw Soo-ah again in the art room. She was painting this time—soft pastel colors that blended into a skyline.
"You've been in the news," she said, glancing at me.
"I wouldn't call it news."
She smiled faintly. "Well, people are impressed. But I like that you didn't sell out."
I leaned against the wall, watching her brush move. "Why's that?"
"Because it means you're not doing it for the money," she said simply. "You're doing it because you care."
For a second, I didn't know what to say. I'd never told her about the System—about Nova, or the infinite money—but she somehow saw through the noise.
[Careful, Rin,] Nova whispered. [She's the kind who sees things no one else can.]
"I just… wanted to build something good," I said quietly.
"And you are," she replied, smiling.
Later that night, my phone buzzed again. Not a System message this time—a real one.
Unknown number:
You're making waves, kid. Watch your back.
I frowned, staring at the message. "Nova, did you see this?"
[Already tracing. Hmm. Interesting. Not from HanTech. Someone else.]
"Someone else?"
[Yes. And whoever it is—they're very good at hiding.]
A cold shiver ran down my neck.
The city outside my window looked calm, peaceful, glowing under a sea of lights. But something in my gut told me the peace wouldn't last.
[Welcome to the deep end, Rin,] Nova said softly. [Let's see if you can swim.]
I looked down at the glowing Infinite Balance in my account and exhaled slowly.
"I didn't come this far to sink," I said. "Let's see what's next."