Act - 68: "The Prodigy Kid"

The hotel conference room buzzed with an unspoken tension, thick as the ticking of the clock that seemed to grow louder with each second. I sat at the long, polished table, my fingers tapping against its surface in rhythm with the tick, tick, tick, of the wall clock. Outside the door, distant murmurs of hotel guests blended into the soft hum of the building, but inside, it was just me and the waiting.

Then, from down the hall, the sound of footsteps—slow, deliberate, confident. Each step echoing through the quiet space, growing louder with every passing second. I straightened in my chair, eyes fixed on the door as the footsteps drew nearer, anticipation tightening my chest. After what felt like a long, drawn-out moment, the door opened, and there he was.

Kai Ashford.

The kid prodigy, now looking like he'd just stepped out of some glossy magazine. His new haircut was sleek, sharp lines that framed his face in a way that screamed polished and professional. He wore his confidence like a second skin, his eyes scanning the room before they locked onto mine with an intensity that hadn't been there before. He was no longer just a street-smart kid; he looked like someone who belonged in this world of high-stakes deals and power moves.

Kai walked toward me with that quiet, self-assured swagger, and I gestured for him to take a seat.

"Have a seat," I said, my voice steady, but the weight of the moment hung between us.

He didn't hesitate, settling into the chair across from me. There was a pause—a heartbeat of silence—as we stared at each other across the table. I leaned forward, breaking the stillness with a small smile.

"So, I take it this means you're officially saying yes to my proposition?" I asked, my words deliberate, calm, but with just enough edge to remind him this was more than just a casual offer.

Kai didn't answer right away. His eyes searched mine, as if testing the waters before he dove in. Then, his voice cut through the quiet, serious and steady. "Are you really aiming to change this world? Because that sounds… crazy."

I didn't flinch, didn't break eye contact. "Maybe I am crazy," I said, leaning back slightly, "but let me tell you something. This world? It's cold. Always has been. Since birth, I've asked myself why."

Kai watched me closely, his brow furrowing just slightly. He was waiting for the punchline, the real reason behind everything.

"The people at the top," I continued, my voice sharper now, "they're greedy. Too greedy. They take, and they take, and they don't share. The rich keep getting richer, and the gap between them and the rest of us? It keeps growing wider, every single day."

He didn't say a word, but I could see the flicker of understanding in his eyes. He knew this already. He'd seen it. Lived it.

"But here's the thing," I said, leaning forward again, my tone quieter now, more intense. "I'm going to change that. I'm going to build a new world order—one that's fair, one that works for everyone. And I need people like you, people who see things differently, to help me do it."

Kai's lips twitched, the faintest hint of a smile. He wasn't smiling for real, not yet—but he was close. He was considering it.

"I don't know exactly how yet," I admitted, my voice softening for a moment, "but that's why I'm building this empire. That's why I'm recruiting the best. And right now, I want to focus on Wall Street and crypto. This is just the beginning, Kai. And I need you with me."

Kai's serious expression finally broke into a full smile, a genuine one this time. "That's where I come in," he said, his tone playful but confident.

I nodded, my own smile growing. "That's exactly where you come in."

Without hesitation, Kai extended his hand across the table. I gripped it firmly, and the handshake felt like sealing a pact, a silent agreement between two forces ready to take on the world.

"So," he asked, leaning back in his chair with that same casual smirk, "what's my salary?"

I chuckled, shaking my head slightly. "Thirty thousand dollars a month," I said, watching for his reaction. "Plus commission on stock and crypto trades. Standard percentage for traders. You'll be making more than enough once we get things rolling."

Kai raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed, but not surprised. The glint in his eye told me he was already on board, not just for the money, but for the ride.

"Deal," he said, his voice steady, but the excitement simmered just beneath the surface.

I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms as the tension from earlier melted away. "Welcome aboard, Kai."

We had just made our first move, and the game was only beginning.

I leaned back in my chair and exhaled slowly, letting the weight of our deal settle. Kai sat across from me, still processing everything. I could see the flicker of disbelief in his eyes—it wasn't just the offer or the money, but the fact that his life was about to change.

"Alright, Kai," I said, standing up and straightening my jacket. "Get home. First thing tomorrow, we're stepping onto the battlefield. Wall Street, crypto… it's going to be a fight, and I need you sharp."

He blinked, nodding slowly, still taking it all in.

"Before that," I continued, "you need to get set up. Go meet with Evelyn—she'll help you sort out everything you need. Bank account, paperwork, all of it. And I'll advance you $30k so you can get your own place. I need you focused, at the top of your game. No distractions. We're going all in."

Kai's eyes widened, and for the first time, I saw them shimmer, filling with unshed tears. He opened his mouth to speak but couldn't find the words right away. Finally, he managed a quiet, "Thank you…"

I walked around the table, closing the distance between us, and gave him a light pat on the shoulder. "Hey, don't think of this as me doing you a favor," I said with a smirk. "You'd better be worth every penny of that money, got it?" My tone was playful, but the underlying message was clear.

Kai let out a shaky laugh, wiping at his eyes, though the tears kept falling. "I will, I swear," he said, his voice cracking. "But, man… how are you my age? You talk and act like someone in their thirties. It's like you've lived a whole life already."

I chuckled softly, feeling a familiar pang deep in my chest. "Let's just say… I've got some battle scars," I said, my tone dropping. "Life has a way of making you grow up fast when you've been through enough."

Kai nodded, still looking up at me, the admiration clear in his gaze. He wiped the last of his tears away, his expression solidifying into determination.

"Tomorrow," I said, stepping back, "we hit the ground running."

Kai stood, his posture straighter, more confident. "I won't let you down."

I smiled. "You'd better not."

And with that, Kai left the room, his footsteps fading into the hallway as he headed out to start this new chapter of his life. Tomorrow, we would be entering the battlefield together—but tonight, the pieces were finally falling into place.

As Kai walked out of the room, leaving me with a rare moment of silence, I felt something shift within me—a subtle pulse, like the flicker of energy I hadn't felt in a while. A familiar system window popped up in front of me, glowing softly in the dimly lit conference room.

Level Up!

Dio Stats:

Lvl: 16

It had been a long time since I leveled up. Too long, really. I glanced at my stats, noting how much progress had slowed down. The experience gap was getting wider with each passing level, and it was no longer as easy to break through as it once was. I used to get 10 upgrade points whenever I leveled up, but now… only 5. It was a reminder that the stakes were getting higher, and each gain required more effort than before.

Still, the upgrades were there, waiting.

As I stared at my stat window, I took a moment to consider where to allocate the five upgrade points. Each stat was important, but the next phase of my journey wasn't just about physical strength. Wall Street and the crypto market were battlegrounds of the mind and influence. I needed to be smarter and more persuasive to stay ahead.

Available Upgrade Points: 5

Current Stats:

Strength: 35

Agility: 24

Intelligence: 28

Endurance: 21

Charm: 23

I decided to focus on Intelligence and Charm. I invested 3 points into Intelligence, pushing it higher. In a world driven by data, stocks, and crypto, understanding trends, predicting outcomes, and analyzing risks was essential. If I wanted to dominate the financial battlefield, I needed a mind that could process it all quickly and accurately.

Then, I added 2 points into Charm. Influence mattered as much as intellect. Deals are sealed not just by numbers, but by charisma—by getting people to trust you, to believe in your vision. If I wanted to build an empire, I had to convince others to join me. Charm would help with negotiations, partnerships, and growing my network of allies.

Upgraded Stats:

Strength: 35

Agility: 24

Intelligence: 28 → 31 (+3)

Endurance: 21

Charm: 23 → 25 (+2)

I could feel the subtle difference right away. My thoughts felt quicker, clearer, as if I could see two steps ahead in every scenario. At the same time, there was an ease to the way I carried myself—a quiet confidence that would make people listen more closely to what I had to say.

"Intelligence and charm," I muttered with a grin. "The perfect combination for what's coming."

The path ahead was clear. Tomorrow, Kai and I would enter Wall Street's arena, armed with sharper minds and greater influence. The financial world wouldn't know what hit them.

Dio Stat's Info:

Lvl: 16

Skill Count: 3 (Key selling point analyze) (Analyze) (Global Monitoring System)

Strength:35

Agility:24

Intelligence:31

Endurance:21

Charm:25

Dio influence, power & riches:

Money - 3.5 Million Kroner 

Associate - 10

Asset - 0

Digital Asset - 250 BTC

Goons - 10

Car - 1

Guard - 0

Employers -50

Company - 1