The stifling heat mixed with the foul stench of rotting vegetables was practically suffocating in this corner of Greenwood Market. Alex wiped the sweat dripping from his forehead as he stacked the final sack of rice onto a wooden crate.“Lex, wrap it up. We’re closing early today,” Mr. David said, counting through a wad of crumpled bills from the day's sales.“Closing early? That’s not like you, Mr. It’s barely three in the afternoon. We usually wait until people get off work at five... Is something wrong?” Alex replied, his hands busy steadying the pile of sacks so it wouldn't collapse.“I’ve had a bad feeling since this morning. A bunch of tough-looking strangers have been loitering out front. We’d better head home before trouble starts.”“You’re worrying too much, Mr. If some drunk thugs show up, I’ll handle them. Besides, it’d be a waste to close now—late afternoon sales are usually pretty good to help cover your electric bill.”“Oh, Lex... muscles won't guarantee your safety arou

Damon sneered in disgust as he saw the name written on the transfer receipt—it was the very same dirt-poor laborer he had stomped into the ground just last night. The veins on his neck bulged as he fought to control his rage, utterly incredulous that his easy prey had slipped from his debt trap in the blink of an eye."Damn it! How dare that hobo play games with me!" Damon crumpled the pelunasan receipt until it tore to shreds."Mr. Damon, should we hunt him down now?" asked one of his henchmen, equally bewildered."Leave this old geezer be! We need to move to the market and smash their stalls to pieces this afternoon!"Outside the hospital, Alex narrowed his eyes as a warm golden light glowed in the corner of his retina, signaling that his City Reputation score had just increased for helping Mr. David. The light faded into a transparent virtual document in his mind, revealing a classified secret: Greenwood Market hadn't been bought by any developer at all. Instead, it was on the brin

That crazy move wasn't a complicated demand. Instead, it was a harsh slap in the face—a massive eleven-digit figure shining brightly from the tablet screen directly onto the former tyrant's face. Mr. Brandon’s arrogance instantly vanished the moment his greedy eyes realized that the poor laborer standing before him held the life and future of his company in his hands.“Th-that’s impossible.” Mr. Brandon turned pale. “Twenty billion? Impossible! There must be an error on this cheap tablet!”“Mr. Brandon, there is nothing wrong with our system,” Mr. Henderson said firmly. “Mr. Alex’s balance is one hundred percent real and guaranteed legitimate by headquarters.”Alex pulled the tablet back, his index finger tapping the screen a few times. “Is the account number for paying off the non-performing loan still the same as in the original document, Mr. Henderson?”“Yes, Mr. Alex. It goes directly into our bank’s account.”Mr. Brandon swallowed hard, his eyes bulging. “Wait a minute! What are

"I'm certainly not going to waste my energy dealing with a loan shark like you," Alex answered calmly, taking a step back into the shadow of a dilapidated wooden stall. His eyes were cold and completely devoid of panic. "Because in this world, money can always hire hands that are far more lethal."Damon spat forcefully onto the damp cobblestones, his bloodshot eyes widening as his face flushed with suppressed rage. "Cut the crap! Beat him to death! Don't leave a single stall standing today! Destroy everything he cares about!"Panic-stricken, Sammy immediately grabbed Alex's arm upon seeing over a dozen thugs wielding rusty iron pipes, heavy baseball bats, and cleavers. Sammy's fingers trembled against Alex's jacket. "Lex, we have to run right now!" Sammy said, frantically eyeing the narrow back alleys. "We can't win against them with our bare hands! They'll tear us apart!""Sam, stay right there! Don't move!" Alex's voice was firm—an unshakeable command that froze Sammy in his tracks.

Alex responded with a simple shake of his head. Leaving it to the police meant letting the file collect dust on a desk, whereas an enemy like Mr. Victor Sterling demanded a strike aimed squarely at his core.“The cops will be too slow, and Victor’s got too many people on his payroll.” Alex didn't shift his gaze.“So, what, you're going full vigilante?” Laura scoffed.“I'll handle this information my own way.”“Suit yourself. Just don't drag me into it when your head ends up on a spike.”“Relax. All I need you to do is drop me back off at the market.”“You really don't have a single drop of fear, do you? Victor’s probably sent every last one of his men out hunting for your head by now,” Laura grumbled, keeping her foot heavy on the gas pedal.“I'm giving them time to look for me. The more they panic, the more mistakes they'll make without even realizing it.” Alex sounded completely unfazed.“Better hope you've got nine lives, laborer,” she taunted.The black sedan tore through the late