Liam's fingers flew across the keyboard, his mind processing information at a speed that should have been impossible.
The old, sluggish laptop struggled to keep up, but it didn't matter. His brain was moving faster than the machine. Every article, video, and forum post he read was stored instantly, his comprehension flawless.
Dropshipping? Too risky without capital.
Crypto? Unstable. Not good for fast gains.
Freelancing? No guarantee of high earnings unless I specialize in something unique.
Investing? Best long-term, but I need immediate cash.
A web of possibilities spun in his mind, each thread connecting to a potential outcome. His new intelligence upgrade allowed him to visualize success before he even acted.
Then-he found it.
The Path to Wealth: Arbitrage
Liam leaned forward, his eyes narrowing.
"Arbitrage...," he muttered, his thoughts racing.
It was simple. Buy low, sell high. But not just in stocks or crypto.
No-he was thinking bigger.
There were hundreds of online platforms where people underpriced valuable items without realizing their worth. Vintage clothes, limited-edition sneakers, rare collectibles-all resold for double, triple, even ten times their original price if you knew where to look.
Liam's mind snapped through the steps needed:
1. Find undervalued products.
2. Buy them cheap.
3. Sell them at their true value.
His brain mapped the perfect strategy.
---
The First Deal
Liam opened a second tab and started searching.
He filtered through local online marketplaces, auction sites, and niche forums, his fingers a blur. With his Quick Learning Mode, he identified patterns in pricing instantly.
Within minutes, he found his first opportunity.
A guy in his city was selling an old pair of Air Jordans for $40-a model Liam instantly recognized from an article just minutes earlier.
Retail price? $300.
A quick check on sneaker reselling sites confirmed his calculations.
If he could buy them, he could flip them for at least $250.
That's more than five times the price.
His mind fired through the next step: Contact the seller. Secure the deal.
Without hesitation, he sent a message.
> Liam: "Hey, I'm interested in the Jordans. Are they still available?"
Seller: "Yeah, still got 'em. You want them?"
Liam: "Can I pick them up today? Cash in hand."
A few seconds later-
> Seller: "Sure, I'm free now. Meet at 9th Street corner shop?"
Liam checked the time-11:32 PM.
Most people wouldn't go out this late.
Most people would hesitate.
But Liam?
I'm not most people anymore.
He grabbed his savings-$50 from odd jobs and barely eating lunch for weeks-and sprinted out the door.
---
A Dangerous Encounter
The night air was crisp, the streets nearly empty as Liam approached the 9th Street corner shop. The seller was already there-a guy in his mid-20s, hood up, leaning against a dimly lit wall.
Liam's mind immediately analyzed everything.
Posture: Relaxed but alert. Not nervous.
Hands: Inside his hoodie. Potential risk?
Glance: He checked his surroundings twice. Watching for something?
Possibly dangerous, but unlikely if handled correctly.
Liam approached, keeping his stance neutral-non-threatening, but confident.
"You the buyer?" the man asked.
Liam nodded. "Yeah. You got the shoes?"
The man smirked and pulled out a shoebox. He lifted the lid-Air Jordans, pristine condition.
Liam's upgraded intelligence kicked in.
Material: Authentic. No visible fakes.
Laces & stitching: Consistent with real Jordans.
Size: Perfect for resale.
It's real. This is it.
"Forty bucks," the guy said. "You got it?"
Liam pulled out the cash. But as he handed it over, the man's expression shifted.
"Actually... make it sixty."
Liam's eyes hardened.
His mind processed the situation instantly:
This was a test. The guy wanted to see if Liam would panic or fold.
If Liam agreed too fast? He'd lose power. The seller might push for more.
If Liam hesitated too much? The deal might vanish.
Liam exhaled slowly, then gave the guy a calm, knowing smile.
"Come on, man," he said, shaking his head slightly. "You already know that's not how this works."
The guy blinked.
Liam continued. Confident. Measured.
"You listed these for $40. I came fast. I brought cash. You could've asked for sixty in the listing, but you didn't. That means you need the money tonight."
He held out the forty dollars again, steady.
"Take it. Or wait another week and hope someone else buys them."
The man hesitated. Then-he grunted and grabbed the cash.
"Fine, man. Whatever."
He handed over the shoes.
Liam turned on his heel and walked away, victorious.
He had just made his first business move.
And it wouldn't be his last.
---
The System Responds
The moment Liam stepped into his apartment, his System panel flashed to life.
> Transaction Successful.
Profit Margin: 500% (Projected).
New Passive Skill Unlocked: Negotiation Mastery (Level 1).
Liam's breath caught.
> Negotiation Mastery: Grants increased awareness of psychological pressure points, influencing skills, and bargaining strength.
His mind buzzed with excitement.
This was it.
His first step toward power. Toward wealth.
Tomorrow, he would sell these Jordans and turn $40 into $250.
Then? He'd do it again. And again.
Until he was unstoppable.
A slow, confident smirk crept across Liam's face.
This is just the beginning.
---