The fluorescent lights of the convenience store buzzed overhead as Lin Chen stocked shelves at 2 AM, his university textbooks gathering dust in his backpack. At twenty-two, he was supposed to be graduating with honors, not working three part-time jobs to pay for his sick mother's medical bills.
*If only I could go back and change everything...*
The thought had haunted him for months. His girlfriend had left him for his wealthy roommate. His grades had plummeted. His mother's cancer treatments were draining their savings. And tomorrow, he'd have to drop out of university permanently.
"Another energy drink?" The customer's voice dripped with disdain. It was Zhang Wei, his former roommate, now dating his ex-girlfriend Liu Mei. "Still playing the poor martyr, Chen? Some people are just born losers."
Lin Chen's hands trembled as he scanned the items. Through the store window, he could see Liu Mei waiting in Zhang Wei's luxury car—the same car bought with his father's dirty money.
"That'll be 847 yuan," Lin Chen said quietly.
Zhang Wei threw a thousand-yuan bill on the counter. "Keep the change. Buy yourself some dignity."
As they drove away, laughing, Lin Chen felt something snap inside him. He stepped outside into the rain, looking up at the neon-lit city that had chewed him up and spat him out.
"If I could just have one more chance..." he whispered to the uncaring sky.
**CRACK!**
Lightning split the darkness. The last thing Lin Chen saw was a truck speeding toward him, its driver asleep at the wheel.
---
*Beep... Beep... Beep...*
Lin Chen's eyes snapped open. Instead of the afterlife, he found himself staring at a familiar ceiling—his dorm room ceiling. But that was impossible. This room had been demolished six months ago.
He bolted upright, his heart pounding. The calendar on his desk read March 15th, 2024—exactly one year ago. His phone buzzed with notifications he remembered receiving: scholarship announcements, his mother's doctor appointments, Liu Mei's sweet morning messages before everything went wrong.
*I'm... back?*
Suddenly, the air shimmered, and translucent blue text appeared before his eyes:
[DIVINE SUPPORT SYSTEM ACTIVATED]
[HOST: Lin Chen - University Student]
[CURRENT LEVEL: 1]
[UNIQUE ABILITY: Perfect Support - Make others stronger while gaining 10x their improvements]
[WELCOME MESSAGE: You have been chosen to become the ultimate support master. Help others achieve greatness, and surpass even gods.]
[STARTER PACKAGE AVAILABLE - OPEN NOW? Y/N]
Lin Chen's hands shook as he mentally selected 'Y'. This had to be a dream, but the system felt impossibly real.
[STARTER PACKAGE OPENED]
[RECEIVED: Basic Enhancement Skill (Level 1)]
[RECEIVED: Talent Identification (Level 1)]
[RECEIVED: 1000 System Points]
[RECEIVED: Beginner's Luck Charm (24 hours)]
[FIRST MISSION AVAILABLE]
[MISSION: Help someone unlock their hidden potential]
[REWARD: Level 2 Enhancement Skill + Mystery Box]
[TIME LIMIT: 48 hours]
A knock on his door interrupted his amazement. "Chen! You awake? We're gonna be late for Professor Wang's lecture!"
It was his roommate, fatty Zhou Ming—a gaming addict who'd eventually drop out. But Lin Chen's new Talent Identification skill revealed something shocking:
[Zhou Ming - Hidden Potential: SSS-Rank Gaming Strategist]
[Current Status: Unfocused, lacking confidence]
[Recommendation: Mental clarity enhancement + motivation boost]
Lin Chen's mind raced. In his previous life, Zhou Ming had failed everything. But what if he had incredible hidden talent?
"Zhou, wait!" Lin Chen called out, activating his Basic Enhancement Skill. Golden light flowed from his hands toward Zhou Ming, invisible to everyone else.
Zhou Ming suddenly straightened, his eyes becoming sharper and more focused. "Whoa... I feel... different. Like my mind just got upgraded. What did you do?"
[SUCCESS! Zhou Ming's cognitive abilities enhanced by 200%]
[HOST BENEFIT: Your intelligence increased by 2000%]
[LEVEL UP! Basic Enhancement Skill → Level 2]
Lin Chen felt his mind expanding, information processing faster than ever before. Complex mathematical formulas he'd struggled with became child's play. But more importantly, he could see the path to changing everything.
"Nothing special," Lin Chen smiled. "But Zhou, what if I told you that you could become the greatest strategic mind in the country?"
Zhou Ming's eyes widened. "You're crazy. I'm just a fatty who plays games all day."
"Trust me. I can help you unlock potential you never knew you had. And in return..." Lin Chen looked out the window toward the business district where Zhang Wei's father's company towered over the city. "We're going to show this world what real power looks like."
His phone buzzed. A text from Liu Mei: "Good morning, babe! Can't wait to see you today! ♥️"
In his previous life, he'd cherished these messages. Now, knowing she'd betray him in just three months, he felt only cold determination.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION: Multiple high-potential individuals detected on campus]
[OPPORTUNITY ALERT: Your ex-girlfriend Liu Mei has SSS-Rank Business Talent (Dormant)]
[WARNING: Zhang Wei approaching to steal her in 73 days]
[SUGGESTION: Support her development to prevent future betrayal]
Lin Chen's lips curved into a smile. He had knowledge of the future, a god-tier system, and a year to rewrite his destiny. This time, he wouldn't just survive—he'd become the puppet master pulling the strings of fate itself.
But first, he had classes to attend and potential allies to awaken.
As he walked toward the door, his reflection in the mirror looked different—more confident, more dangerous. The loser Lin Chen had died with that truck.
What stood in his place was something far more terrifying: a man with nothing left to lose and everything to gain.
[SYSTEM REMINDER: 47 hours, 23 minutes remaining for first mission]
[HIDDEN QUEST DISCOVERED: Create a power network of 10 enhanced individuals]
[ULTIMATE GOAL: Become strong enough to protect everything precious to you]
Zhang Wei... Liu Mei... everyone who looked down on me, Lin Chen thought as he stepped into the hallway. This time, you'll all dance to my tune.