Chapter 7: The Thrill of the Comeback
The first trade Nate made after the biotech disaster was a modest one. He picked a well-established company, a safe choice that wasn't going to double his money overnight but also wasn't likely to implode. It was a small step, a calculated move to regain his footing. And when it worked—when the stock inched upward and his balance ticked slightly higher—it felt like a victory.
Nate built on that success, making trade after careful trade. Each time, he grew a little more confident. The memory of the sudden crash still lingered in the back of his mind, but now it served as a reminder to stay alert, to diversify, and to never put all his money into a single gamble. The system's voice continued to guide him, offering its calm, mechanical analysis. But now, Nate questioned it more. He would double-check the recommendations, research the companies, and weigh the risks himself.
By the end of the month, Nate's account balance had surpassed $15,000. It wasn't a huge number by Wall Street standards, but to him, it was everything. He had come back from a loss that could have shattered his confidence. And while the market had been his battlefield, his triumph came from something more than just picking the right stocks. It came from learning, adapting, and refusing to give up.
Late one evening, Nate sat in his room at the hostel, staring at his laptop screen. He had just closed another trade—a solid win that brought his balance close to $18,000. The system chimed in as always, providing a brief analysis of the market's movements. But this time, the voice followed up with something different.
[Milestone reached: $20,000 total earnings. Awarding user: A-rank weapons proficiency.]
Nate blinked at the message. He hadn't even hit $20,000 yet. "What do you mean, milestone reached?" he asked aloud. "I'm not there yet."
[Anticipated profits from current positions meet milestone threshold. New ability unlocked. Full integration will occur within 24 hours.]
He stared at the screen, his mind racing. Weapons proficiency? What did that even mean? Was the system implying that he'd suddenly know how to use a sword or a gun? The combat proficiency from his earlier milestone had already proven surprisingly real, but this… this was something else entirely.
Nate leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair. If the system was giving him abilities beyond just financial insight, where would it stop? Would he eventually become some kind of superhuman? And if so, what would that make him in the eyes of the world?
The next morning, Nate decided to test his new "proficiency." He didn't own a weapon—aside from a cheap pocketknife he carried for safety—but he figured he could find something to simulate it. After all, the combat proficiency had kicked in without him needing to train. Maybe this would work the same way.
He grabbed a broom handle from the hostel's cleaning supplies and headed for the park. It was still early, and the place was mostly empty. Finding a secluded spot near a cluster of trees, he took a deep breath and held the broom handle in both hands.
At first, he felt awkward and self-conscious, waving it around like a kid playing pirate. But then something changed. His grip shifted slightly, the movement coming naturally. Without thinking, he adjusted his stance, one foot sliding back, his shoulders turning. The broom handle felt lighter, more balanced. He swung it experimentally, and the motion was fluid—precise.
He tried a series of strikes, imagining invisible targets. Each movement flowed into the next, the broom handle snapping through the air with surprising speed. It wasn't perfect, but it felt right. His body knew what to do, even if his mind hadn't caught up yet.
"What the hell…" Nate muttered, staring at the makeshift weapon in his hands.
He wasn't an expert—at least not yet—but the foundation was there. The system's strange gifts were real, and they were growing stronger with every milestone. He lowered the broom handle and glanced around, his pulse quickening. If the system was making him more capable in combat, what did that mean for his future? Would he have to fight someone, or was this just another tool to help him protect himself?
The questions swirled in his mind as he walked back to the hostel. The city around him felt different now. The bustling streets, the towering skyscrapers, the constant rush of people—it all seemed sharper, more alive. For the first time, Nate felt like he wasn't just surviving in New York. He was thriving. And as he stepped into the flow of pedestrians, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was only just beginning to tap into the full extent of his potential.