Months had passed since Daniel's initial investments. The modest apartment still sheltered them, but a quiet confidence now filled the air. His portfolio had grown far beyond the initial seed money:
Korean stocks: 500 million KRW → over 1.2 billion KRW, steadily rising.
Bitcoin: 100 million KRW → over 500 million KRW, thanks to Daniel's foresight.
Investments in local startups and businesses: yielding both steady income and strategic connections, totaling around 200 million KRW.
In total, Daniel now controlled over 1.9 billion KRW at the age of ten—a fortune few adults could claim.
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Flashback – Meeting Lee Sang-hoon
Several months earlier, Daniel had arranged to meet Lee Sang-hoon, a retired prosecutor who had long clashed with the families of Daniel's school bullies.
Lee initially looked down at the ten-year-old boy. "You're ten years old. What could you possibly know about politics, law, or these people?"
Daniel's gaze was calm and unyielding. "I know more than you think."
Lee raised an eyebrow. "Do tell, then. Let's see what a ten-year-old has discovered."
Daniel opened a folder of documents and photos, each annotated meticulously. "These are the families of the students who bully me at school," he said. "I know their financial holdings, their political connections, the officials they've bribed, and the thugs who run their underground operations. I also know your history, your investigations, your opponents, and the cases you won and lost."
Lee's brow furrowed. "How… how do you know so much?"
"I observe. I calculate. I remember. Every public record, every business transaction, every newspaper, every rumor—they all form a web," Daniel said, flipping to pages showing detailed proofs of illegal activities: shady transactions, bribery receipts, under-the-table deals, and connections to violent thugs.
Lee's eyes widened. "You… this is… this is insane. Where did you get all this?"
Daniel's expression remained calm. "From observation, deduction, and careful documentation. I also know your past work, your investigations, even your personal details—the strategies you used, your strengths, weaknesses, and the people who still owe you favors. I know because I study everything, including you, because you are potentially useful to my plans."
Lee sat back, stunned, muttering, "A ten-year-old… he knows more than any junior investigator I've trained. And he knows me… everything…"
Daniel continued, "I know the bullies' families are not normal. They have money, political ties, and power. Even you and I together—"
Lee interrupted, shaking his head. "Money alone won't be enough. Their reach is long, and the thugs protecting them will come after anyone who threatens them. Even me."
Daniel's gaze hardened. "Just like I found you, there are others who oppose these families. Rival thugs, discontented factions—they all want power. We contact them, give them incentives, arrange meetings, and create a coalition. They won't know it's coming until it's too late."
Lee leaned back, clearly impressed despite himself. "For a ten-year-old… you think like a strategist, a prosecutor, and a businessman all in one. Incredible."
Daniel's faint smirk appeared. "Age doesn't matter. Action, planning, and execution do. And I have both the time and the resources."
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Wealth and Strategy
After leaving Lee's office, Daniel returned to the apartment. His mind shifted to his current wealth and empire-building:
Stocks: 1.2 billion KRW
Bitcoin: 500 million KRW
Startups & businesses: 200 million KRW
Total wealth: 1.9 billion KRW
With this, he could:
Secure strategic alliances with local businesses and rival factions.
Prepare a safe, luxurious home for his mother.
Continue martial and tactical training to ensure he could handle threats directly if necessary.
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Future Ambitions
That night, Daniel spoke with his mother. "Mom," he said softly, "we'll move to a proper home soon. A place where you'll never struggle again. Everything I've built—every investment, every alliance—is for us."
His mother smiled, tears in her eyes. "Daniel… you've done so much already. And… you're only ten…"
Daniel hugged her tightly, smirk crossing his lips. "Yes, Mom. This is only the beginning. Step by step, nothing will ever threaten us again. Nobody will ever control our lives or humiliate us again."
Outside, the quiet town glimmered under streetlights, unaware of the network of strategy, finance, and shadow alliances forming under the guidance of a ten-year-old boy already playing at the level of kings.
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🔥 End of Chapter 18 – Shadows and Strategy