The morning sun glimmered over the city, casting long golden streaks across cracked asphalt. Daniel ran through the streets, small legs pumping with disciplined power, arms swinging with precision. Sweat dripped down his brow, but his mind was sharper than ever.
Stronger than yesterday… but still not enough, he thought. His body had grown leaner, faster, more resilient—but he was still ten years old. The gangsters and thugs of his neighborhood were men forged by years of fighting, and even with all his knowledge, strategy, and cunning, he could not face them directly. Patience. Observation. Calculation. That is my weapon.
He pushed through martial drills, practicing strikes, blocks, and movements he had memorized from countless hours of training. Every motion was precise, every reaction faster than thought. Knives and wooden swords became extensions of his body, each swing rehearsed and perfected.
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Growing Wealth
Evenings were spent reviewing his accounts with meticulous care:
Korean stocks: 1.5 billion KRW
Bitcoin: 750 million KRW
Local startups and investments: 300 million KRW
Net worth: 2.55 billion KRW.
Daniel allowed himself a faint, satisfied smile. Wealth is leverage. Power. Influence. Every won I control is a step toward safety, a step toward control.
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Buying the Dream Land
Later that day, Daniel took his mother to a plot of land by the river, golden sunlight sparkling on the water.
His mother's eyes widened. "Daniel… this… this is beautiful…"
Daniel smiled, his usual cold calculation replaced by an innocent calm. "Yes, mother. This will be our home. Spacious, safe… somewhere we can live without worry. You'll never have to struggle like before."
She clutched his hand, eyes misty. "Daniel… you've done so much already. How… how did we ever get so lucky?"
Daniel's smile softened, gentle as a summer breeze. "We worked for it. Step by step. This land is just the beginning. I want to build something perfect for you—a home where we can be happy."
He walked the plot, eyes bright with imagination. "We'll have large windows overlooking the river, a kitchen where you can cook comfortably, a garden where we can grow vegetables… maybe even a small pond here. Every room… I want it to be just right. For you."
His mother smiled, tears sliding down her cheeks. "You're thinking of everything, Daniel… even a child's imagination feels wiser than mine sometimes."
Daniel's smile grew faintly mischievous. "That's because it isn't just imagination. It's planning. Step by step, we'll make it happen."
The land was purchased that day, and Daniel began planning each detail meticulously: walls, windows, garden layout, even security measures—every aspect a balance between beauty, comfort, and protection.
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Strategic Call with Mister Lee
That evening, Daniel dialed Mister Lee, his voice calm yet razor-sharp.
"Mister Lee, listen carefully," Daniel said, his tone commanding yet precise. "Every faction member is ready. Every preparation is complete. Timing is perfect. Tomorrow, the plan begins."
Mister Lee's voice was cautious. "Daniel… are you sure? Some people will underestimate you. Some might even back out. Are you ready for all of this?"
Daniel's lips curved into a small, cruel smile. "I don't care if they underestimate me. Every pawn, every shadow, every move has been calculated. Those who oppose us will crumble quietly, irreversibly. Tomorrow… we strike. Do not falter. Understand?"
Mister Lee exhaled slowly, a mixture of awe and apprehension. "Understood. You really have thought of everything."
"I have," Daniel replied coldly. "And if anyone doubts it… they will learn the hard way."
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Closing Thoughts
That night, Daniel sat quietly in his room, stretching and reviewing his plans. He felt the fire of anticipation in his chest. Strength was growing in his body, but his mind knew the limits of youth. Patience, strategy, and calculated precision were his true weapons.
Outside, the city slept, unaware of the storm about to descend. Inside, a ten-year-old boy envisioned the future: a safe home for his mother, a carefully orchestrated empire, and a first strike that would shake his enemies to the core.
Tomorrow, everything begins. Every brick, every shadow, every alliance… every move has been calculated. And no one—neither thug nor bully—will ever humiliate us again.
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🔥 End of Chapter 20 – The First Strike
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