The sun barely peeked over the city skyline as Liam sat in his dimly lit room, staring at the pristine Air Jordans he had bought for $40 the night before.
He ran a hand over the smooth leather, a smirk playing on his lips.
Today, I turn this into my first real profit.
The System interface hovered before him, pulsing faintly.
> Transaction Successful.
Profit Margin: 500% (Projected).
New Passive Skill Unlocked: Negotiation Mastery (Level 1).
Liam had never felt this level of control over his life.
For years, money had been an unreachable luxury, something that only belonged to the privileged. But now?
Now, he had a system. A method. A way out.
---
The First Sale
Liam had spent the early hours of the morning researching sneaker reselling forums, local collectors, and high-end fashion buyers.
His newly enhanced intelligence made the process effortless.
By 7:00 AM, he had found a buyer willing to pay $280 for the sneakers.
That was a 700% profit.
> Buyer: "I'll take them. Cash. Meet at Blackwood Plaza?"
Liam: "10 AM. Don't be late."
Liam locked his phone, exhaled sharply, and stood.
This was it. His first real deal.
He grabbed his backpack, slipped the sneakers inside, and left his apartment.
---
Meeting the Buyer
Blackwood Plaza was one of the busier commercial districts in the city—a perfect place to make a deal without drawing attention.
Liam arrived ten minutes early, his mind analyzing everything.
Crowd density: Medium. Enough people for safety, but not too many to cause issues.
Exit routes: Three clear pathways, plus a side alley if needed.
Buyer's profile: Young adult, high fashion enthusiast, more interested in status than money.
Perfect target.
A tall guy in designer clothes approached, his confident swagger practically screaming wealth.
"You got the kicks?" he asked, eyes scanning Liam's backpack.
Liam didn't respond immediately. Instead, he studied the guy, reading every micro-expression.
Eyes flickered down to Liam's stance: He was checking if Liam was nervous.
Arms crossed but feet angled forward: Trying to appear dominant but eager to close the deal.
Glance to the side: Looking for anyone else nearby—probably making sure he wasn't being scammed.
Liam smirked. He had the upper hand.
Wordlessly, he pulled out the Jordans and held them just out of reach.
The buyer's eyes lit up. He tried to play it cool, but Liam saw the excitement.
"You said $280, right?" Liam said smoothly.
The guy nodded, already reaching for his wallet.
Liam paused. He narrowed his eyes slightly.
"You seem pretty eager," Liam mused. "These are selling for $400 on sneaker forums. You sure you don't want to make it an even $300 and call it a day?"
The guy hesitated for a fraction of a second.
Then—he grinned. "You're good, man. Fine. $300."
He handed over the cash, and Liam placed the shoes in his hands.
> Sale Complete.
Profit Earned: $260.
Skill Progression: Negotiation Mastery (Level 1 → Level 2).
Liam pocketed the money, suppressing the thrill rushing through his veins.
This wasn't just a sale. This was proof.
The System worked. His method worked.
He had just turned $40 into $300 in less than 12 hours.
And this? This was just the beginning.
---
Scaling Up
Liam didn't waste a second.
He went straight to a café, ordered the cheapest coffee on the menu, and opened his laptop.
His Quick Learning Mode activated, absorbing everything at lightning speed.
Phase 1: Establish a repeatable system.
Find underpriced items.
Buy low.
Resell at the highest margin possible.
Phase 2: Increase frequency.
One sale wasn't enough. He needed to do this multiple times a week.
Phase 3: Expand the operation.
More categories.
More platforms.
More money.
Liam's brain processed the entire roadmap to financial freedom in minutes.
He started hunting again. This time, he looked for multiple deals at once.
His next targets:
Two rare gaming consoles listed for $50 each—actual value $200 each.
A vintage leather jacket being sold for $20—market price $120.
A gold-plated watch being sold at a pawn shop for $70—real value unknown, but potentially much higher.
He wasn't just flipping sneakers anymore.
He was building a business.
---
The System Recognizes Progress
As Liam was finalizing his next purchases, his System Panel blinked.
> Congratulations, User.
You have earned your first true profit.
New Upgrade Available.
Choose One:
1) Financial Strategy Boost (Advanced business knowledge, stock market insights, and real-time economic trends.)
2) Physical Enhancement Level 2 (Further strength, speed, and endurance increases.)
3) Charisma Upgrade (Boosted confidence, persuasion, and social influence.)
Liam's heart pounded.
Each option was a path toward dominance.
But which one would push him to the next level faster?
He smirked.
I know exactly what I need next.
His finger hovered over the choice that would cement his rise.
And he pressed—
---