Power alone wasn't enough.
Franko understood that better than anyone.
Power without money?
Useless.
Power without influence?
Temporary.
If he wanted to dominate again…
He needed both.
And fast.
The First Calculation
Franko sat on the edge of his bed, his phone in his hand.
Old model.
Slow.
But it didn't matter.
Information was still information.
He scrolled through dates.
Events.
Memories.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"I remember…" he muttered.
A small shift in the market.
Something most people ignored.
But he didn't.
Because in his last life…
That small shift became a massive opportunity.
A Future Only He Knows
Franko stood up.
"This is where it starts," he said.
No hesitation.
No delay.
He grabbed his jacket and stepped out.
The city moved like usual.
Busy.
Loud.
Unaware.
Perfect.
The Target: Money
Franko stopped in front of a small betting shop.
Nothing fancy.
But useful.
Very useful.
He walked in.
The smell of cheap air and tension filled the space.
Men sat around, watching screens.
Waiting.
Hoping.
Losing.
Franko smiled slightly.
"They never learn," he said quietly.
Not Gambling… Calculating
He stepped forward.
"I want to place a bet," he said.
The man behind the counter looked at him.
"How much?" he asked.
Franko paused.
Then said:
"Everything I have."
The man raised an eyebrow.
"You sure?"
Franko's eyes didn't change.
"I don't repeat myself."
The Difference
This wasn't luck.
This wasn't risk.
This was knowledge.
Franko already knew the outcome.
He had lived it.
Watched it happen.
Lost the chance once.
Not again.
Time Moves Slowly
Minutes passed.
Then—
The result came in.
Silence.
Then noise.
Loud.
Chaotic.
People shouting.
Cursing.
Celebrating.
But Franko…
Just stood there.
Calm.
Because he already knew.
First Gain
The man behind the counter stared at him.
"…You won," he said.
Franko nodded.
"I know."
The money was pushed toward him.
More than he came with.
Much more.
Not huge.
But enough.
A starting point.
Building the Base
Franko took the money.
Counted it once.
Then turned.
"This is just step one," he said.
Because he knew something else.
This wasn't the real move.
Just the beginning.
The Bigger Picture
Back outside, the city looked different.
Not because it changed.
But because now…
Franko was moving with purpose.
"With this…"
He looked at the money briefly.
"I can start."
Still Rising
His eyes sharpened.
Focused.
Dangerous.
"This time…"
His voice dropped.
"I won't climb slowly."
No patience for delay.
No waiting for chances.
He would take everything.
Faster.
Smarter.
Ruthless.
End of Chapter 4.