Chapter 32: A Step Into the Unknown

The dim glow of the penthouse suite cast long shadows as Jackim stared at the sleek black card in his hand.

No name. No title. Just a symbol—a crimson phoenix etched in gold.

He looked up at the mysterious woman.

Her lips curled into an amused smile. "I can see the questions in your eyes, Jackim."

Jackim's voice was steady. "You still haven't told me your name."

She leaned back in her chair, swirling the wine glass in her hand. "Names hold power. You may call me Madam X for now."

Jackim narrowed his eyes. He wasn't sure if that was a joke or a test.

"What do you want from me?" he asked again.

Madam X took a sip of her wine before answering. "Your inheritance. Your background. Your sudden rise from nothing. Do you think it has gone unnoticed?"

Jackim stiffened.

She knew.

But how much did she know?

"I don't know what you're talking about."

She chuckled. "You're a smart man, Jackim. But let's not play games. You've been dragged into a world far bigger than you realize. And whether you like it or not… powerful people have started to take interest in you."

Jackim's grip on the card tightened.

"Why would powerful people care about a poor university student?"

Madam X's gaze sharpened. "Because you're not just a 'poor university student.' You're a wild card. And in this game, wild cards are either recruited… or eliminated."

Silence filled the room.

Jackim could hear the faint ticking of a clock somewhere.

He had faced insults. He had endured mockery. He had survived betrayals.

But this?

This was different.

"Are you threatening me?" he asked, his tone dangerously low.

Madam X tilted her head. "If I were threatening you, you wouldn't still be sitting here."

Jackim exhaled slowly. She was right.

Whoever she was… she didn't see him as a threat.

Not yet.

"So what's this 'offer' of yours?" he asked.

She smiled. "You have potential. But potential alone isn't enough. You need guidance. Training. Connections."

Jackim's jaw tightened. "And what do you get in return?"

Madam X leaned forward, her eyes gleaming.

"A debt."

Jackim frowned.

"What kind of debt?"

She placed her glass down gently. "One that I will collect when the time is right."

Everything about this woman screamed danger.

And yet…

Jackim had spent his whole life being stepped on. Looked down upon. Underestimated.

Maybe it was time to take a step forward.

Maybe it was time to stop surviving… and start playing the game.

He looked at the black card one last time before slipping it into his pocket.

"I'll think about it."

Madam X's smile didn't waver.

"Take your time, Jackim. But remember—hesitation is a luxury only the weak can afford."

---

The night air was crisp as Jackim exited the Phoenix Grand Hotel.

He walked down the sidewalk, his mind replaying the conversation.

Madam X.

Powerful people watching him.

An offer that smelled of both opportunity and danger.

His instincts told him to stay away.

But another voice whispered—This is your chance.

Jackim exhaled.

For now, he needed to focus on surviving one day at a time.

Little did he know… his world was about to change forever.