an impossible mission

Ethan didn't think much of the brief eye contact.

Why would he?

People looked at each other every day. It didn't mean anything.

As the event came to an end, students crowded around the company representatives, eager to hand over résumés and ask questions.

Mark nudged Ethan with his elbow.

"Aren't you going?"

"Going where?"

"To the recruitment booths."

Ethan looked at the long lines.

"I'm good."

"You've been complaining about money all month."

"I know."

"So?"

"So... standing in line looks exhausting."

Mark stared at him for a long moment before shaking his head.

"You really are hopeless."

"I prefer 'selectively motivated.'"

"You mean lazy."

"I didn't say it."

Before Mark could argue, the familiar voice echoed in Ethan's mind.

"Host."

"What?"

"You have a new mission."

Ethan sighed.

"I was having such a peaceful day."

A blue screen appeared in front of him.

Main Mission

Approach Evelyn Hart and have a conversation that lasts at least three minutes.

Time Limit: 15 minutes.

Reward: ????

Failure: Unknown.

Ethan blinked twice.

"...You've lost your mind."

"I don't have one."

"She's the CEO of Hart Technologies."

"I know."

"There are at least a hundred students trying to talk to her."

"I counted one hundred and seventeen."

"So why me?"

"Because I assigned the mission to you."

Ethan rubbed his forehead.

"No."

"No?"

"I'm not doing it."

"You accepted the previous mission."

"Cleaning my apartment and talking to a famous CEO are completely different things."

"Correct."

"I'm skipping this one."

The system remained silent.

Ethan smiled.

"See? You finally understand."

Then another screen appeared.

Failure Penalty Updated

Your left shoe will squeak loudly every time you take a step for the next seven days.

"...What kind of punishment is that?"

"A memorable one."

"You're evil."

"I prefer 'creative.'"

Ethan looked down at his perfectly normal sneakers.

"If I ignore you..."

"You'll become the loudest walker on campus."

He imagined entering a quiet classroom.

Squeak.

Walking through the library.

Squeak.

Trying to impress someone.

Squeak.

He groaned.

"I hate you."

"I'm aware."

Mark frowned.

"Who are you talking to?"

"Myself."

"...Should I be worried?"

"Probably."

Before Mark could ask another question, Ethan took a deep breath.

"I'm going."

"What changed?"

"I made a terrible life decision."

He walked toward the Hart Technologies booth.

Every step felt heavier than the last.

Students surrounded Evelyn, asking about internships, graduate programs, and business advice.

She answered each question patiently.

Professional.

Calm.

Completely different from everyone else in the room.

Ethan stopped a few meters away.

"I can't do this."

"You have fourteen minutes."

"I'll embarrass myself."

"Very likely."

"You're not helping."

"I wasn't trying to."

One by one, the crowd around Evelyn began to thin.

Her assistant glanced at the remaining students.

"We'll take one last question."

The students hurried forward.

Ethan stayed where he was.

"Go."

"No."

"Go."

"I'm thinking."

"You've been thinking for three minutes."

"And?"

"You've accomplished nothing."

Ethan clenched his fists.

"Fine."

He stepped forward just as the last student walked away.

Only Evelyn and her assistant remained.

The assistant smiled politely.

"Do you have a question?"

Ethan opened his mouth.

Nothing came out.

His mind went completely blank.

The system spoke.

"As expected."

Not now...

Evelyn studied him for a moment.

Then, to Ethan's surprise, she spoke first.

"We've met before."

He blinked.

"You... remember me?"

"You helped a little girl yesterday."

Ethan scratched the back of his neck.

"Oh... that."

"You left before I could thank you."

"It wasn't a big deal."

"It was."

Her answer was simple.

Sincere.

For the first time, Ethan noticed something different about her.

She wasn't smiling.

But her eyes were gentle.

"I appreciate what you did."

He smiled awkwardly.

"I'm just glad she wasn't hurt."

A soft chime echoed in his head.

Mission Complete.

Ethan almost laughed in relief.

That counted?

"Three minutes and twelve seconds," the system said. "Adequate."

He ignored it.

Evelyn glanced at the résumé tucked under Ethan's arm.

"You didn't submit it."

Ethan looked down.

"I... wasn't planning to."

"Why?"

He hesitated.

The truth sounded embarrassing.

"I didn't think someone like me had a chance."

For a brief second, Evelyn's expression changed.

"If you decide your future before anyone else does..."

She handed him a business card.

"...then you've already rejected yourself."

Ethan stared at the elegant black card in his hand.

Evelyn Hart Chief Executive Officer Hart Technologies

"If you ever believe you're ready," she said, "send your application."

With that, she turned and walked away.

Ethan remained frozen, watching the black sedan disappear through the university gates.

The system broke the silence.

"...Interesting."

"What now?"

"I may have been wrong about one thing."

Ethan raised an eyebrow.

"And what's that?"

"maybe you don't lack potential."

The pause that followed was unusually long.

"You simply have no faith in yourself."

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