I am a Tycoon!

The clang of metal echoed as Lee-Oh tossed the last bent street sign into his inventory.

[Points: 25 | Storage: 15/15]

He wiped the sweat from his brow, chest rising and falling with exhaustion. Fifteen slots—completely full. Yet this time, the weight felt lighter. Not physically, but mentally. He finally had something to work with.

Then, the system screen flickered to life once again.

System:

"You have reached the maximum storage. Do you wish to upgrade the system?Note: If you do not sell your stored items and choose to use their points, the items will be permanently deleted. However, if you've sold the items beforehand and used the earned points, they will not be lost.This policy exists for the sake of customer satisfaction."

Lee-Oh narrowed his eyes at the screen.

Lee-Oh:

"If I don't sell them, they'll disappear... But how can I sell them? I'm a slave. They don't even let me near the front of the restaurant."

His stomach growled in response. All he'd eaten in the past day was a half-stale piece of bread and a tin cup of water. Fifteen hours of non-stop labor... for nothing.

Still, this was his only way forward.

Lee-Oh:

"Fine. Upgrade."

He pressed [Confirm].

System:

"Congratulations. System Level 0 → Level 1.New functions unlocked:

Crafting System Activated

Herb Collection Enabled

Potion Crafting Available

Storage expanded: 25 slots[Storage: 5/25]

To unlock Potion Recipes Shop: 100 pts required."

Lee-Oh:

"A hundred points?! I only have 15 left. But at least… new functions. Herbs and potions, huh?"

He glanced out the grimy kitchen window. The horizon was softening with the first hints of light.

Lee-Oh (to himself):

"If I could just sell potions... If I could get out of this hellhole… But it's already morning."

From beyond the pantry wall, a loud yawn thundered like a beast waking from slumber.

Gan-Nye, Assistant Manager of Tiger Grill—the gorilla of a man—was awake.

Lee-Oh could hear the clanging of chains and barked orders. He barely had time to think before being dragged back into the kitchen.

Another grueling 15-hour shift passed—washing, chopping, carrying—and still no pay. Just that damn bread. Just that damn water.

Lee-Oh (in his mind):

"I used to be a billionaire. And now… nothing. If I stay here, I'll rot. I need to escape."

That night, when the roaring snores of Gan-Nye finally rumbled through the wooden walls, Lee-Oh made his move. Carefully, he slipped out through the back.

But fate wasn't kind.

A gang of local thugs, recognizing him from the restaurant, intercepted him in an alley. They laughed. Then dragged him back.

The next morning, Lee-Oh didn't work.Instead, he sat on the cold ground—shackled at both hands and feet, locked in a dark, windowless cell.

Lee-Oh:

"How can I escape now…?"

Then a thought struck him.

Lee-Oh (suddenly):

"Wait... the system. Anything I touch... if it's unclaimed, it can go into storage."

He looked at the worn wooden shackles on his wrists.

[Collected: Wooden Shackles x2 | 4 pts each][Storage: 7/25 | Points: 23]

His eyes darted to the cell door—rotted wood, splintered at the base.

[Collected: Cell Door x1 | 5 pts][Storage: 8/25 | Points: 28]

He stepped out into the hallway. Quiet. No guards. No chains. Just the sound of his own breathing.

Lee-Oh (whispering):

"Now I run."

He didn't know Gan-Nye wasn't asleep anymore.

From the darkness behind him, yellow eyes opened.

Gan-Nye (growling):

"Thought you could escape, rat?"