Godly Beggar

The victory at the science fair left Jiang Han with a rare sense of satisfaction. Standing under the spotlight, holding the trophy with his teammates by his side, he had felt the culmination of their hard work and persistence. But even as the applause faded and the glow of success settled, Jiang Han knew the journey wasn't over.

The Begging System, quiet since the announcement of the fair results, stirred within his mind as he prepared for bed that night.

[System Notification: Major Milestone Reached.]

[Host has completed the prerequisites for levelling up to Level 2.]

Jiang Han sat up in bed, his heart quickening. "Finally," he muttered, anticipation surging through him.

The system continued in its measured tone.

[Level 2 Upgrade Requirements Complete. Initialising level-up process…]

[Upgrade Includes:]

System Shop Access Unlocked.New Skills Available for Acquisition.Enhanced Daily Missions with Greater Rewards.Hidden Perks (To Be Disclosed at Appropriate Moments).

[Upgrade Activation in Progress… Please Wait.]

Jiang Han's room was silent save for the hum of his desk lamp, yet he felt a strange sense of energy coursing through him.

The next morning, Jiang Han woke up earlier than usual, feeling refreshed despite the late night. The system had gone quiet after initiating the upgrade, leaving him to wonder what new features awaited him.

His daily routine carried an unusual buzz of anticipation. As he walked into the school gates, familiar faces greeted him with congratulatory nods and waves. The science fair victory had earned him and his teammates a certain level of respect, even from those who rarely interacted with them.

"Look who's the star now," Wang Jia Qi teased, falling into step beside him.

"Not a star," Jiang Han replied, grinning. "Just someone who refuses to give up."

As they approached the classroom, Hui Qi and Derek were already there, huddled over their trophy like it was a prized artefact.

"We're thinking of engraving something on it," Derek said, looking up. "How about: 'The Dream Team of Petraling Jaya Secondary'?"

Hui Qi rolled her eyes. "Or we could go with something simple, like our names."

Jiang Han laughed, taking a seat. "Let's keep it classy, guys."

During a lull in the morning lessons, the system finally stirred.

[System Upgrade Complete.]

Welcome to Level 2.]

Jiang Han's vision shifted momentarily as a sleek new interface appeared in his mind. The familiar basic menus had expanded, featuring additional tabs and options.

[System Shop Unlocked.]

Browse and exchange points for skills, items, and upgrades.]

Jiang Han selected the new System Shop tab, curious about its offerings. The list was extensive, with skills ranging from Advanced Problem-Solving to Interpersonal Dynamics. There were even tangible items like Digital Organisers and Enhanced Study Tools.

He noticed one skill marked with a glowing tag:

[Recommended Skill: Adaptive Thinking (Intermediate Level).]

Cost: 100 Points.]

Jiang Han checked his current point balance—120.

"Looks like I can afford it," he thought. He selected the skill, and the system confirmed the purchase.

[Skill Acquired: Adaptive Thinking (Intermediate Level).]

A faint warmth spread through Jiang Han's mind as the skill integrated, sharpening his ability to think quickly and adjust to unexpected challenges.

"Useful," he murmured.

The system chimed again.

[New Daily Mission Unlocked.]

Mission: Assist three classmates with their studies.]

Reward: 10 Points and Enhanced Collaboration Skills (Elementary Level).]

Jiang Han smiled faintly. "Back to work, I see."

As the day unfolded, Jiang Han kept an eye out for opportunities to complete the mission. It wasn't long before he spotted Lim De Kang struggling with a maths problem.

"Need a hand?" Jiang Han asked, sliding into the seat beside him.

De Kang hesitated but nodded. "Yeah, this quadratic equation is killing me."

Jiang Han walked him through the solution step by step, explaining the process in a way that made it click.

"Thanks, man," De Kang said, relief evident in his voice.

"That's one," Jiang Han thought.

Later, he helped Wang Jia Qi organise her notes for biology and guided Derek through a tricky physics question. By the end of the day, the mission was complete.

[Mission Complete! Reward Unlocked: Enhanced Collaboration Skill (Elementary Level).]

The system chimed again.

[Reflection: Collaboration is not just about helping others; it's about building connections and fostering mutual growth.]

Jiang Han nodded thoughtfully. "It's true. Every interaction is an opportunity to learn."

As Jiang Han walked home that evening, his mind buzzed with possibilities. The system's new features offered immense potential, but he knew they wouldn't make things easier—they'd simply raise the stakes.

He decided to test his new Adaptive Thinking skill by tackling a complex problem from his physics textbook.

The problem required multiple steps, each one more intricate than the last. Normally, Jiang Han would have taken several tries to solve it, but with the new skill enhancing his cognitive abilities, he worked through it methodically and efficiently.

When he reached the correct solution, a smile tugged at his lips.

"This is just the beginning," he thought.

That night, as Jiang Han lay in bed, the system delivered a final notification.

[Reflection: Levelling up is not the end of the journey but the beginning of a new chapter. The path ahead will be challenging, but with growth comes greater opportunities.]

Jiang Han stared at the ceiling, his mind calm yet focused. The system's words resonated deeply.

"Whatever comes next, I'm ready," he thought, determination hardening his resolve.

The journey so far had tested his resilience, forcing him to confront his weaknesses and embrace failure as a stepping stone. Now, with the system's new capabilities, he felt equipped to tackle even greater challenges.

"This second chance is more than just a reset," he murmured. "It's a chance to become someone I can truly be proud of."

And with that thought, Jiang Han drifted into a deep, dreamless sleep, ready to face the next phase of his journey.

The next morning, Jiang Han woke with a clarity he hadn't felt in a long time. The system's levelling to Level 2 wasn't just an upgrade—it felt like a new chapter in his life. As he got ready for school, he scrolled through the expanded system interface in his mind, noting the additional features and the wealth of options now available in the System Shop.

On his way to school, he couldn't help but reflect on the system's progression. The skills he had earned, the lessons he had learned, and the obstacles he had overcome—all of it had brought him to this point. Yet the road ahead felt steeper, filled with more daunting challenges.

"Every level raises the stakes," Jiang Han thought, his lips curling into a faint smile. "But it also raises the rewards."

The first class of the day was mathematics, and the teacher, Mr Lim, was explaining advanced trigonometric identities. Jiang Han took notes diligently, but he couldn't ignore the soft chime of the system that interrupted his focus.

[New Daily Mission: Volunteer to solve a difficult problem on the board.]

Reward: Confidence Boost (Short-Term: 2 Hours) and 10 Points.]

Jiang Han hesitated, glancing at the board. The question was a complex combination of trigonometric identities and equations, and even the top students were murmuring nervously.

"You've got this," he told himself.

When Mr Lim asked for volunteers, Jiang Han raised his hand. The room fell silent as he walked to the board.

The equation was challenging, but Jiang Han's newly acquired Adaptive Thinking skill guided him. He broke the problem into smaller, manageable steps, explaining his reasoning as he wrote.

By the time he finished, Mr Lim was nodding approvingly.

"Well done, Jiang Han," Mr Lim said, his tone warm. "That's exactly the approach I was hoping to see."

[Mission Complete! Reward Unlocked: Confidence Boost (Short-Term) and 10 Points.]

Jiang Han returned to his seat, feeling the subtle surge of confidence from the system's reward. The soft murmurs of admiration from his classmates didn't hurt, either.

During lunch, Jiang Han found himself approached by several classmates who had previously kept their distance.

"Hey, Jiang Han," one of them said, hesitating slightly. "Can you help me with that trig problem from class? I still don't get it."

Jiang Han smiled, nodding. "Of course. Let's go through it together."

As he explained the steps, more students joined in, forming an impromptu study group around him. Jiang Han realised that the system wasn't just about personal growth—it was about building connections, earning trust, and inspiring others to push their limits.

Later that evening, as Jiang Han sat by his desk reviewing his notes, the system chimed softly.

[Hidden Reward Unlocked: Enhanced Focus (Elementary Level).]

[This passive skill allows the host to concentrate more effectively during prolonged tasks or high-pressure situations.]

Jiang Han blinked in surprise. "A hidden reward? Guess the system's full of surprises."

The gentle hum of the new skill settling into his mind felt like a small but significant upgrade, sharpening his ability to block out distractions and stay on task.

"Thank you, system," Jiang Han murmured, his resolve deepening.