"From Broke to Baller: Thanks, System?"

As the weeks went by, Jin's life seemed to accelerate. His trading group was growing, albeit slowly. He had created an anonymous space where people could join, share tips, and improve their strategies—though his role was always in the background, never fully revealed. He was happy with this level of anonymity for now, but deep inside, he could feel the weight of the growing success. More people were starting to take notice, and he was no longer just a quiet observer in the background. He was becoming a force.

One day, after class, Jin received a message from Yssa.

Yssa: "I heard you're buying more real estate. Are you turning into a full-blown businessman behind our backs?"

Jin laughed at the message, shaking his head. The last thing he needed was for his friends to think he was some corporate mogul.

Jin: "I don't know about full-blown, but it's just some small stuff. Nothing big, don't worry."

Still, he couldn't shake the feeling that Yssa, especially, was getting more suspicious about his actions. It was harder to keep his secrets now, especially with the resort almost finished. The project would soon be a reality, and he was already planning how he would manage it from the shadows.

Trading Group Dynamics:

The anonymous trading group was becoming more and more active. Jin's Intermediate Trading Skills had made him a more successful trader, and as a result, the group members were starting to depend on him for guidance. There were a few successful trades, but others were getting overzealous, risking too much.

Jin had to be careful. While he didn't mind teaching people, he had always been against blind following. He had warned his group several times, but the risk-taking was escalating.

One member in particular, Rael, had started to rise in prominence in the group, gaining attention with some bold trades that seemed to pay off.

Rael: "Jin, I think you're holding us back. We could be making so much more if we just took more risks. You've got to step up and lead us into the big leagues."

Jin wasn't sure how to react. While Rael's advice could be tempting, Jin had always stuck to his disciplined approach. High risk meant high reward, but also high failure. He was starting to understand that some people only saw the outcome, not the process.

He decided to reply, but carefully.

Jin: "I'm not about to rush things. If you want to take risks, fine, but remember to be prepared to handle the fallout. Don't expect me to be there to clean up after you."

The message sent a ripple through the group, and for a moment, the conversation halted. Jin had made his stance clear. He was focused on long-term success, not short-term glory.

The Family Conversation:

That evening, after dinner, Jin sat down with his family. His parents were in their usual spots at the table, his younger siblings chatting animatedly about their schoolwork. Jin, however, was distracted. His mind kept drifting to the resort, which was nearing completion. He needed to tell his family, especially his parents, about his growing business ventures. It was time.

His father looked up from his bowl of rice. "Jin, you've been quiet lately. What's going on?"

Jin looked around the table, his heart racing for a moment. It wasn't that he didn't trust them, but he had kept his financial activities hidden for so long that it felt unnatural to suddenly reveal everything.

He cleared his throat, shifting in his seat. "Actually, I've been working on something. It's not a big deal, but I've bought a piece of property. It's a resort just near here. I've been renovating it."

His mother's eyes widened in surprise, while his father raised an eyebrow. "A resort? What kind of resort?"

Jin explained briefly, trying to downplay it. "It's just a small place. Nothing fancy. But I thought it might help the family in the long run, you know? A steady income source, something to fall back on."

His father leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. "That's good, Jin. But remember, don't put everything into one basket. Make sure you've thought it through."

Jin nodded, taking his father's advice to heart. His father wasn't wrong—diversification was key, and even though the resort was a big step, Jin needed to be careful not to rely too heavily on it.

Unexpected Opportunity:

The next day, Jin received an unexpected message. It was from an unknown number. His curiosity piqued, he opened it.

Unknown: "Hey, are you Jin Cortez? I've been following your trading group for a while, and I think we might be able to collaborate on something big. Interested?"

Jin stared at the message for a long time. His first instinct was to ignore it. It could be a scam, or someone looking to take advantage of him. But something in the tone of the message seemed different. The sender wasn't asking for a handout—they were proposing a partnership.

He decided to reply, carefully.

Jin: "Who is this? And what kind of collaboration are we talking about?"

The reply came almost instantly.

Unknown: "I'm someone who's been in the game for a while. I've got connections in the real estate market, and I'm looking to expand. If you're interested, I think we could both benefit from this. I can't reveal too much yet, but think about it. We could make a lot of money together."

Jin felt a flicker of excitement in his chest, but he tamped it down quickly. He didn't trust easily. Still, the real estate angle was intriguing. He was already involved in property, and this could be the boost he needed to take things to the next level.

End of Chapter 36