C3

"Hey, Kain, you've been avoiding me lately. If you don't come over and help me beat that video game, you'll lose the best trader you've got!" Carl Shelton playfully slung his arm around Kain's neck, trying to guilt-trip him into hanging out.

Carl's father was a well-known stockbroker on Wall Street. Growing up with a father immersed in trading, Carl had become skilled in navigating the stock market. Kain, aware of his talent, had entrusted him with some of his money. Carl, with his father's connections, had helped him open a stock account far quicker than Kain could have managed on his own. Now, Carl followed Kain's instructions and handled trades, and both had profited handsomely from it.

Carl, cautious by nature, had only invested modest amounts because of his father's constant warnings about the unpredictability of the stock market. Kain, on the other hand, was more daring, and as a result, his returns were far greater. Although Carl didn't manage most of Kain's funds anymore, the million or so dollars Kain had entrusted him with was still significant.

"I'm not avoiding you, Carl. I just think you need something more than the game." Kain pulled out a stack of study materials from his bag, marked with his own handwritten notes. He had been using them to prepare for school exams.

Carl flipped through the pages, his eyes widening at the extensive notes. "Kain, I'm not aiming for Columbia University or anything! You know I'm not the studious type."

Kain shot him a serious look. "You saying you don't need this? Look at these notes, man! Do you know how long it took me to prepare this for you?"

Carl gave an apologetic grin. "Bro, you know me. I'd be sent straight to the ICU if I tried to study all this." He could see how much effort Kain had put into compiling the material, but studying was the last thing on Carl's mind.

"Forget it. Maybe I misjudged your dedication to academics," Kain said, brushing it off. "But I do need your help with something."

Carl, always quick to help when it didn't involve schoolwork, jumped at the chance. "Anything, man. You know I've got your back."

Kain smiled. "I need you to find me a warehouse, something with good security. Also, track down a reliable supermarket supplier. I might need it soon."

Carl raised an eyebrow. "You opening a supermarket now? Dude, this isn't a smart move. You're going to ditch our Wall Street Lightning Group?"

Kain rolled his eyes. "There is no Lightning Group, Carl. And I'm not opening a supermarket. Just do this for me, alright?"

With that, Kain ended their conversation as it was nearly time for class. His days at school had become more relaxed since he was one of the top students. As long as he didn't disrupt anyone or break any laws, the teachers left him alone. After all, a kid already accepted into Columbia University wasn't someone they worried about.

But Kain was growing tired of school. It felt like a waste of time when there was so much more to learn, especially with his recent acquisition of the trading system. The thought of spending another four or five years stuck in a classroom, waiting to use the system's potential, made him impatient. It was like being a game fan holding a brand-new game but being told to practice skills before playing. He simply couldn't wait.

A few days later, Kain arrived at his parents' unused house. The place was large but isolated, which made it perfect for what he had planned. When night fell, a minivan pulled up in front of the house. After flashing the headlights three times as a signal, Kain opened the garage door to let the vehicle inside.

"All your stuff is here. Bullets in the boxes, firearms and rocket launchers in the cases. Once I leave, I don't know you, and I never sold you anything," the owner of the gun shop grumbled as he helped unload the goods.

Kain inspected everything closely. Pistols, rifles, submachine guns — all in pristine condition. He had experience with guns, but the rocket launcher was new territory. He hefted it once, just to feel the weight. Everything seemed perfect.

"No problems here, boss. Pleasure doing business with you," Kain said, handing over the remaining balance to the gun shop owner.

"Call me George," the man said, pocketing the cash. "Next time you come, you'll get a fair price. I don't cheat my regulars."

As George drove off into the night, Kain began organizing the firearms and ammunition. He loaded all the clips and carefully stored the weapons in the system's space inventory. The trading system's space was vast, allowing him to store large quantities of goods. The sheer convenience of being able to summon or stow weapons in the blink of an eye brought a satisfied smile to his face.

"Now, let's search for the first trading world," Kain muttered to himself, eager to see what lay ahead.

The system's panel blinked to life, displaying a chaotic whirl of stars and lights. After a few moments, a bright star materialized on the screen, indicating the target world. Kain tapped the starlight, and a scene unfolded before his eyes.

It was a battlefield, unlike any he had ever seen. Instead of guns, the fighters used strange hand signs to manipulate elements—fire, water, wind, and lightning. Some hurled shuriken and kunai, while others engaged in hand-to-hand combat. In another part of the world, civilians went about their daily lives, shopping in markets, and traders laughed together in izakayas.

"This is the world of shinobi," Kain murmured, intrigued by the strange yet familiar imagery.

A thrill of excitement coursed through him. This was the first world the system had located, and he was about to step into it, armed with weapons from Earth. The thought of what opportunities—and dangers—awaited him made his heart race. But he was ready.

Danger and opportunity coexisted, and Kain was determined to make the most of both.