Volume 2: The Rules of Survival in the Underground World
Summary: Taking Old John's advice, Jack begins making small investments and earns his first real profits. With each success, he regains a sense of confidence and purpose.
Chapter 5: Small Investments
Old John watched Jack with a flicker of quiet admiration—something rarely seen in his hardened eyes. He had underestimated the young man. Jack was proving to be more resilient and clever than he had expected.
Jack held the first stack of crumpled bills he had earned from Rat—barely over a hundred dollars, but it felt like a fortune. It wasn't handed to him or stolen—it was money he had earned through hard work and ingenuity. He didn't waste it on fleeting pleasures. Instead, he carefully tucked it away, already thinking about how to use this modest sum to build something greater.
"Mr. John," Jack asked humbly, "what should I do next?"
Old John stubbed out his cigarette against the ground, smoke curling into the night air. "You've learned how to turn trash into gold—that's step one. But if you want to truly escape this place, scraping by won't be enough. You need bigger opportunities. You need to grow your business."
Jack nodded, understanding the message beneath the words. Extracting rare metals had given him a foothold, but the returns were too slow and limited. He needed a more efficient way to make money—one that could scale.
"What direction should I go?" Jack pressed.
Old John didn't answer directly. He leaned back slightly, his voice low and deliberate. "Observe. Think. Then act. Opportunities are everywhere—you just have to recognize them when they come."
Taking those words to heart, Jack began watching the dump more closely. He noticed that beyond electronics, many other discarded items still held value—used clothes, furniture, even unexpired food.
He also observed some homeless individuals who repaired these items and sold them at makeshift stalls in remote corners of the city. Their profits were meager, but enough to survive.
An idea sparked in Jack's mind. If he applied his financial knowledge, he could invest small amounts of capital into these informal businesses—and earn returns.
He approached a woman named Mary, who made a living repairing and reselling old clothes. Her garments were clean, but outdated and poorly made, limiting her sales.
"Mary, I want to talk business with you," Jack said directly.
Mary, a middle-aged woman with deep lines etched into her face, eyed him warily. "What do you want?"
"I want to invest in your business," Jack explained. "I can provide some funds for better fabric and a sewing machine. That way, you can make higher-quality clothes and sell them for more."
Mary stared at him, stunned. "You… want to invest in me? Why?"
Jack smiled. "Because I believe in your skills and your potential. Of course, I'm not doing this for free—I expect a share of the profits."
After a moment's hesitation, Mary agreed. She longed for change, and Jack's offer was too tempting to refuse.
Jack used part of his savings to buy a secondhand sewing machine and some decent-quality fabric, handing them over to Mary.
Overwhelmed with gratitude, she promised to put the tools to good use and repay Jack with the best clothes she could make.
A few days later, Mary appeared in the dump wearing a brand-new dress she had sewn herself. The design was simple yet elegant, the colors vibrant. It immediately caught the attention of others.
Soon, people were asking about the price. Mary quoted a figure far higher than usual—but surprisingly, someone bought it without hesitation.
Her business took off overnight. She started selling multiple pieces a day, and her income multiplied.
Seeing her success, Jack felt a surge of satisfaction. He collected a portion of her profits as repayment—not much, but enough to fuel his hope.
Encouraged, he expanded the model. He helped an elderly man who repaired bicycles purchase better tools and spare parts. He supported an artist who carved wooden figures, providing him with higher-quality materials and paint.
Through these small investments, Jack not only improved the lives of others but also built a steady stream of income for himself. His wealth grew slowly but steadily—like a snowball rolling downhill.
Of course, not every investment paid off. Jack suffered losses too. One of his early attempts involved funding a man who sold counterfeit medicine—only for the man to disappear with the money.
These failures taught Jack caution. He began studying risk assessment, learning how to choose partners wisely and protect his interests.
He realized that in the underground world, intelligence and courage weren't enough—he also needed cunning and strategy.
Jack started forming connections with influential figures—the local gang leader at the dump, black-market traders, and others who operated in the shadows. He knew these people could offer protection and open new doors.
At the same time, he began building his own network of informants, using his growing funds to pay certain homeless individuals for useful information.
Step by step, Jack was adapting to the rules of survival in the underworld. Step by step, he was moving closer to his ultimate goal—to return to Wall Street and expose those who had destroyed him.
One day, Old John sought him out.
"You've been doing well, kid," he said, a rare smile playing on his lips.
"All thanks to your guidance," Jack replied humbly.
Old John nodded. "You've got talent, and you've got potential. But right now, you're still too weak. This world will swallow you whole if you're not careful."
"I understand," Jack said. "I'll keep working hard."
"No," Old John shook his head. "Hard work isn't enough. You need to learn how to use the rules—and sometimes break them."
Jack looked at him, puzzled.
Old John paused, then spoke slowly. "There's an opportunity—a chance to make a lot of money quickly. But it's dangerous. Are you ready to take the risk?"
Jack's pulse quickened. He sensed that Old John was offering him something bigger.
"What kind of opportunity?" Jack asked eagerly.
Old John lowered his voice, his tone turning secretive. "Someone is selling a batch of goods on the black market—at a very low price. If you can buy them and resell them, you'll make a fortune."
Jack's heart raced. This was a once-in-a-lifetime chance—but also a high-risk move.
"What kind of goods?" he asked.
Old John shook his head. "I don't know exactly. But I've heard the source is complicated—tied to some powerful underground groups."
Jack fell silent. He understood that entering the black-market trade meant stepping onto a path filled with danger. But he also knew that rapid wealth required bold risks.
"I need time to think," Jack said finally.
Old John nodded. "You have twenty-four hours. Remember, chances like this don't come twice."
As Old John walked away into the night, Jack stood alone, torn between fear and ambition. He didn't yet know whether he would accept the offer—but he did know one thing:
He couldn't afford to remain ordinary any longer.
He had to make a choice.
He had to shape his own destiny.