WebNovels

Chapter 22 - The WellCorp Pitch

The mirrored glass walls of the WellCorp Solutions building reflected the morning skyline like a promise I hadn't dared to believe in three months ago. I stood in the lobby with my hard case in one hand, presentation folder in the other, trying to steady my breathing.

The receptionist smiled at me. "You're here for the 9:30 with Ms. Chen?"

I nodded. "Ryou. Project Forge."

She typed something quickly. "She's expecting you. Elevator to the 17th floor."

I thanked her and stepped into the lift, heart pounding. This wasn't a classroom presentation. This wasn't a street-side sale. This was a corporate boardroom pitch for a bulk deal worth over a million yen.

[System Notification: Nerve Stabilization Active] [Confidence: 82/100 | Focus: 91/100 | Charisma Modifier: +2 (Professional Attire Bonus)]

The elevator's soft chime signaled the 17th floor, and I stepped out onto carpet that cost more than my entire apartment's monthly rent. Glass panels framed sleek hallways, and abstract art hung in perfect symmetry along the walls.

I was led into the boardroom—a modern, minimalist space with an oval table of brushed steel and a wide touchscreen embedded at the center. A glass pitcher of water sat untouched in the middle. One wall showed a digital projection of the company's wellness statistics. A silent message: We care about numbers here.

Sarah Chen stood at the far end, flipping through her tablet. Late 30s, smart-cut suit, sharp eyes, not a single detail missed.

"Mr. Ryou," she said, extending a hand. "Thanks for coming. We've reviewed your preliminary proposal, and I'll admit—our team is curious."

"Thank you for the opportunity," I said, shaking her hand firmly. "I've brought product samples and a full proposal walkthrough."

She gestured toward a sleek cable jutting from the conference table. "You're on."

I connected my laptop and launched the presentation. Each slide was clean, visual, direct. No fluff.

Introduction to Project Forge

What makes the harness different

Use cases in office wellness

ROI breakdown (less sick leave, higher energy, better posture)

Testimonials from Daigo and IronForge Gym

Social proof from AyakaFit and expo exposure

Each point had corresponding infographics, short clips, and even real use-case data pulled from a pilot test I'd run with Ken and Daigo.

Sarah leaned forward, asking sharp, targeted questions:

"What's your fulfillment timeline at 250 units?" "What liability protection do you offer for injury claims?" "What kind of warranty are we looking at?" "How scalable is this in Q2 if we add more branches?"

I answered every one. Carefully. Honestly. Not overselling, not fumbling.

"Current fulfillment window is three weeks for the first 150. If we scale, the second half would take four weeks due to batch QA. All units come with a 6-month full-replacement guarantee, plus training documentation for safe use. And yes, the factory can handle volume increase. I've negotiated expansion bandwidth with them."

Her eyes narrowed slightly. "And customer service? Who handles product inquiries or issues?"

"I'm building a support structure this quarter—starting with automated contact forms and hiring a part-time assistant to manage outreach. Short-term, I'll personally answer every inquiry to ensure satisfaction."

[System Notification: Charisma Skill Check - SUCCESS] [Passive Boost: Calculated Risk Assessment → Effective Communication Bonus Triggered]

Her expression shifted—still sharp, but no longer skeptical.

She took a sample from the case, examined the stitching, the tension loops, the clasp. She tested its flexibility by pulling the straps apart with surprising force.

"This doesn't look mass produced."

"It's not. Yet. But the current factory I'm working with can handle up to 1000 units a month with dedicated QC oversight. I personally inspect each batch before it leaves."

"Impressive," she murmured. Then looked back at the slides. "Your branding's strong. I've seen startups fumble because their story was inconsistent. But you—this," she gestured to the presentation, "this feels grounded. Real."

She tapped on her tablet.

"Alright, Mr. Ryou. Here's what I propose. A 150-unit pilot for the Tokyo branch. If feedback is strong, we'll order the additional 150 before end of quarter. We'll need a formal invoice and delivery schedule within three days."

I held back my grin. "I can do that."

"Also, if this works out, I'd like you to speak at our internal startup panel. Not a sales pitch—just your story."

[New Quest: Thought Leader]

Objective: Speak at corporate event Bonus: Inspire professionals | Gain exposure | Boost brand authority Reward: Charisma +2, Network Trait (Lv.1)

Outside the building, I stood frozen for a moment, letting it all sink in.

150 units. A partnership. A talk.

Not just a deal. A foothold.

I texted Mrs. Yamamoto: "Confirmed 150-unit order. Second 150 likely by end of quarter. Will update delivery schedule ASAP."

Her reply came in seconds. "Atta boy. Bring the paperwork."

Then I checked my notifications:

[Quest Complete: Corporate Client Acquisition] [Reward: Advanced Business Management Skill Unlocked] [Skill: Workflow Optimization (Lv.1) - Enables multitask buff across logistics, client handling, and team coordination.]

That night, I stood in my room again, the harness casting shadows on the wall like wings.

I opened my laptop and began drafting the formal invoice. Created a follow-up schedule. Updated my production tracker. Filed the delivery estimates into a shared calendar.

I wasn't just managing a side hustle anymore. I was running a business.

I pulled up my goals sheet. The one I made three months ago when everything in my life had collapsed.

Build something from scratch

Make enough to live on

Regain self-worth

Prove I'm not a failure

I crossed the first two off.

And then, one line below, I added: - Leave a mark

[System Message: You didn't just sell a product today. You sold a vision.]

[Achievement Unlocked: First Corporate Deal] [Trait Progress: Professionalism 29% → 55%] [Confidence Boost Applied: +5 | Charisma Buff Duration Extended 24h]

I closed my eyes, letting that sink in.

And for the first time, I felt like I didn't just survive the world.

I was beginning to shape it.

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