Lizbeth_Williams

In a decaying city where the powerful prey on the powerless, *Liam Carter*—a broke janitor with nothing but a mop and a mountain of debt—discovers a tattered journal in the trash. Its pages, scrawled by a homeless man named *Old Joe*, hold brutal truths: *“Fear is fuel. Pain is a teacher. And even the weakest can burn empires.”*  

When Liam’s younger sister *Mia*—chronically ill and running out of time—becomes collateral in a corrupt politician’s scheme, he has two choices: die quietly or fight dirtier. Armed with guerrilla tactics from Old Joe’s journal and a **survival instinct** sharpened by desperation, Liam wages war against the **Iron Fist Gang**, their billionaire puppeteers, and the broken system that wants him dead.  

But survival has a cost. Every victory leaves scars. Every ally—a cynical nurse, a retired boxer, a hacker teen—demands loyalty Liam isn’t sure he can give. And as he rises from janitor to folk hero, Liam must answer the question haunting Old Joe’s journal:  
“Will you be a spark… or the wildfire that consumes everything?”

From Dust to Dawn

The bunker stank of antiseptic and decay. Rusted cages held lab rats with milky eyes.

Liam (holding Old Joe's journal): "Joe was here. These are his notes."

A speaker crackled: *"Welcome, Mr. Carter."*

Elena (pale): "That's… my father's voice."

Dr. Chang's hologram flickered. *"The survival gene we tested? It's in *you*. Joe's journal was phase one. *You're* phase two."*

Cliffhanger:

Rats screeched as the bunker doors sealed. *"Let's see if you're worth the investment."*

Chapter 9: The Codex