Chapter 3: The First Big Step
Nathan stared at his phone screen, his heart pounding.
[Current Balance: $14.25]
Just yesterday, he only had $4.25 to his name. Now, thanks to the Investment System, he had $10 extra, and he had earned it by making a simple deal.
This is real.
He clenched his fists. If he could turn $2 into $4 in a few minutes, then what could he do with $10? $100? $1,000?
[New Mission Unlocked!]
Mission: Grow your current funds to $50 within three days.
Reward: Unlock Stock Market Feature
Time Limit: 72 Hours
Nathan sucked in a breath. Fifty dollars in three days? That wasn't impossible, but it wouldn't be easy either.
Looking for the Next Move
During lunch, Nathan and Eli sat outside on the bleachers, watching students pass by. Eli noticed the deep focus on Nathan's face.
"Okay, I know that look," Eli said. "What's on your mind?"
Nathan hesitated. He couldn't tell Eli about the system—not yet, at least.
"I'm trying to make some extra cash," Nathan said. "I started with two bucks yesterday and doubled it. Now I need to turn that into fifty."
Eli raised an eyebrow. "Let me guess—you're planning to sell something?"
Nathan nodded. "But it has to be fast and profitable."
Eli thought for a moment before pointing toward a group of students near the parking lot. "See those guys? They're sneakerheads. Some of them flip shoes online for double or triple the price."
Nathan's eyes lit up. Reselling.
"I can't afford sneakers yet, but what if I start smaller?" he muttered, thinking. Then, it hit him.
Flipping Small for Big Profits
After school, Nathan went straight to a dollar store.
He walked through the aisles, looking for cheap products that people might pay more for. Then, he saw them—phone chargers and earphones.
Students lost or broke their chargers all the time. If he could sell these for a little more than he bought them, he could turn a profit.
Nathan grabbed five chargers at $2 each and five earphones at $2 each—spending $20 total. He still had $4.25 left, plus the system's $10 credit, but he wanted to reinvest everything.
The next day at school, he approached a classmate who was complaining about his broken charger.
"Need a new one?" Nathan asked, pulling a charger from his backpack.
The student raised an eyebrow. "How much?"
"$5."
The guy hesitated, but then sighed. "Fine. I need one anyway."
Nathan took the cash, and before lunchtime, he had sold three more chargers and two earphones.
[Ding!]
[Balance: $45.25]
Nathan grinned. He was so close to hitting $50—and it hadn't even been a full day yet.
A Rival Appears
As Nathan was making another sale, a voice cut in.
"Hey, dude. You selling stuff?"
Nathan turned and saw a tall guy with slicked-back hair and an expensive watch—Jordan Lively, the real estate investor's son.
"Yeah. Why?" Nathan asked, keeping his tone neutral.
Jordan smirked. "Because I do too. And I don't like competition."
Nathan's eyes narrowed. So this guy is a reseller too?
Jordan crossed his arms. "Here's the deal—either you stop selling, or we make this a real game. Let's see who makes the most money by next week."
Nathan's heart raced. A challenge?
He grinned. "Game on."