Second step

The shopkeeper sat behind his counter, carefully counting the stacks of cash in front of him.

Each bill was folded neatly, and he made sure to tally the total several times. His hands trembled slightly—not out of fear, but with a mix of excitement and relief.

Every bill reminded him that his fortunes were finally turning around. The heavy weight of his past worries felt a little lighter as he slid the money across the counter to Adam. 

Adam, who had maintained his calm demeanor throughout the entire exchange, reached out and scooped up the money with practiced ease. He then tucked the cash safely into his bag.

With a simple motion, he shifted the money into his inventory, ensuring that every bill was secure and accounted for. There was no rush or hesitation in his movements; he was in full control of the situation.

After making sure that his inventory was updated with the new funds, Adam turned to face the shopkeeper.

With a small nod that carried both assurance and finality, he said quietly, "Alright then. We'll meet again… someday."

His voice was soft but carried a clear promise, leaving no doubt in the shopkeeper's mind that their paths would cross once more.

Without waiting for a response or for any further discussion, Adam strode out of the store. His steps were steady and purposeful as he left the building, disappearing into the busy city street with the same quiet confidence that had guided him all along.

Inside the shop, the shopkeeper watched Adam go. His mind raced with a jumble of questions. 'Who was that kid? How did he have so much gold?' These thoughts buzzed like insects in his head.

For a moment, suspicion flickered in his eyes. But as he turned his gaze back to the shining gold bars stacked neatly on his counter, all his doubts seemed to melt away. The precious metal glistened in the light, a solid reminder that this was real and not a trick.

A wide smile spread slowly across the shopkeeper's face. "Finally," he muttered to himself, his voice soft yet filled with hope. "Looks like my luck is about to change."

In that moment, the long hours of worry and the constant struggles of his failing business began to seem like a distant memory. The gold was more than just wealth—it was the promise of a new beginning.

Outside on the busy city streets, Adam stepped into the cool evening air. The gentle breeze brushed against his face, bringing with it the faint sounds of distant traffic and murmurs of city life.

As he walked along the sidewalk, his mind turned to his recent earnings. He began to calculate his total, quietly tallying the money that he had just acquired. 

The number that came to his mind was astonishing: $105000. 

He paused, letting the figure sink in.

This was a huge change from where he had started. Just a short while ago, he had only had $100—money he had borrowed from his friend Eric.

Now, through a series of bold moves and a special ability that no one else possessed, he had earned over $100,000 by himself.

Adam's eyes narrowed as he considered the new total. "Is this enough?" he wondered aloud, his voice barely a whisper.

The simple question carried a weight of uncertainty. He had come a long way, but deep inside he asked if this was truly enough to make a difference in his life. Had he finally reached a turning point, or was there still more to be done?

A slight frown crossed his face as he continued to walk. But soon, he caught himself and then laughed softly at his own thoughts.

The memory of his humble beginning was not lost on him. From that single $100 bill borrowed from Eric to this moment of newfound wealth, the journey had been nothing short of remarkable. 

In that laughter, there was also a deep understanding: this was no longer just about survival. The money was not simply a means to get by—it was a symbol of power.

Power that could be used to shape his future and take control of his destiny. Adam clenched his fists at his sides, and his eyes hardened with resolve.

"Time to move to Phase Two," he declared to himself, a phrase that meant the next stage of his plan was about to begin.

As Adam wandered through the bustling streets, his mind busy with plans for the future, a particular sign caught his attention.

The bright letters on the sign read: "Property Distributor Agent." The sign was attached to a modern, two-story office building that stood proudly in a busy part of the city.

Its clean exterior and polished glass windows suggested that this was a well-established business with a strong reputation.

People moved in and out of the building throughout the day, talking about deals, discussing property values, and going over legal matters.

The energy of the place was serious and business-like, a clear contrast to the simple shops on quieter streets.

Adam's lips curved into a small, confident smirk as he looked at the sign. "It's time to buy some land," he thought to himself, a new idea taking shape in his mind.

Taking a deep breath to steady himself, Adam stepped inside the building. The cool interior air was welcoming, and the soft hum of activity made him feel as though he were stepping into a new world of possibilities.

Inside, the building's interior was spacious and well-lit. The floor was polished marble that shone under the gentle lights, and the walls were decorated in simple, modern designs.

At the front of the building was a long, glass reception desk, behind which sat a well-dressed receptionist.

The receptionist was busy with paperwork and phone calls, clearly focused on keeping everything in order.

Adam walked confidently up to the desk and spoke in a clear, steady voice, "I want to buy land." His words were brief and to the point, leaving little room for misunderstanding.

The receptionist glanced up from her work and studied Adam's youthful face carefully.

Her first thought was that he might be a young person looking for a rental apartment or a small space for a modest purpose.

In her mind, he did not immediately seem like the kind of client who would be interested in a large property deal.

Without missing a beat, she gestured toward a waiting area that was lined with chairs.

"Please take a seat. Your turn will come soon," she said politely. Her tone was courteous but distant, as if she expected nothing more than a brief visit.

Adam sighed inwardly but nodded. He understood that patience was key in any business transaction.

With a small, resigned smile, he moved to an empty spot on a bench in the waiting area. There, he sat quietly, keeping an eye on the front desk and listening to the low murmur of conversation around him. Every minute that passed was a reminder that his new phase of life was just beginning.

After a few minutes, the quiet murmur of the building was broken by the sound of a glass door swinging open.

All eyes in the reception area turned toward the door as a tall, well-dressed man in his mid-30s stepped out.

He was wearing a sleek black suit, and his hair was dark and neatly styled. There was a commanding presence about him that made it clear he was in charge. 

Right behind him, an older man entered. This man, who looked to be around 40 years old, had a very different appearance.

His hair was half gray and he was partially bald. He wore loose-fitting, village-style clothes that did not match the modern look of the building. A round straw hat hung from his waist, marking him as a farmer. The contrast between the two men was striking.

Adam watched the unfolding scene with growing interest. It did not take him long to pick up on the tension between them. The farmer's face was drawn with frustration, exhaustion, and a desperate hope.

His eyes pleaded for understanding, while the well-dressed property agent's face was set in a mask of impatience and disbelief.

The agent spoke sharply, his tone rising with irritation. "I've already told you countless times, no one is going to buy land in your village!" he declared. His voice was firm, leaving little room for argument. 

The farmer, however, could not hide his despair. Clenching his fists tightly, he responded in a pleading voice,

"Please… try to understand! I need to sell this land. I wouldn't even think of it otherwise. That land belongs to my ancestors!" The words spilled out in a rush, filled with emotion and the weight of generations.

Adam leaned forward slightly, his interest deepening with every word. He saw the farmer's eyes, filled with both determination and sorrow, and the impatient, almost cold, look of the agent.

It was a scene of a man fighting for his heritage and a future that seemed to be slipping away.

The argument in the reception area grew louder and more heated. The agent's patience soon ran out. With a sudden, harsh command, he turned to the two security guards who were stationed nearby.

In a firm, commanding tone he ordered, "Get him out of here." His voice left no room for debate, and the guards immediately stepped forward.

The farmer stiffened as the guards moved in. His body tensed, and for a moment his hands trembled—not with fear, but with a deep resignation.

His eyes darted back toward the agent, and in them, a final desperate plea was visible. "I'll lower my price! I'll even give you a higher cut! But please, just… help me sell it!" he cried out, his voice cracking with desperation.

The agent ignored the farmer's desperate words. Instead, he turned back to his office, leaving the farmer's pleas hanging in the air.

The guards, following orders without question, moved in to escort the farmer out. In one last look of sorrow and defeat, the farmer glanced over his shoulder at the building's entrance.

For a moment, defeat settled into his expression, and then, with a heavy sigh, he turned and walked away.

Adam, who had been watching the entire scene unfold, felt a small, knowing smirk form on his lips.

'This was interesting'—he thought. The injustice and struggle were clear, and he could see an opportunity in the pain of the farmer.

Without saying another word, Adam stood up from his seat in the waiting area. He walked purposefully toward the exit. The receptionist watched him leave, her eyes following his every move, but she did not speak.

To her, Adam was just another person passing through. Yet, In future, she would soon learn that he was much more than that.

As Adam stepped back out into the city street, the cool air and the fading sounds of the office building followed him. He took a moment to absorb what he had seen.

The forced exit of the desperate farmer had left a mark on him—a reminder that even in a world of deals and business, human pain and hope were never far behind. With that thought, he turned away from the building, ready to move on to the next step in his plan.