Destiny Turn

Chapter 3: The Unexpected Mentor

The night sky over New York was bleak, with dim streetlights casting long shadows on the hurried figures below. Cross had just returned from a delivery for Tony, his mind tense, knowing that Max wouldn't easily give up on his revenge. Before he could catch his breath, he received an urgent message from Mia.

"They know you're working for Tony," Mia said, her voice urgent. "If you're not careful, this time, they won't just be giving you a warning."

The Unexpected Encounter

In the darkness, Cross slipped through the alleys, trying to avoid Max. But he hadn't realized he was being followed. Suddenly, from a shadowy corner, Max and his gang emerged, blocking his path.

"No one told you I don’t forget grudges, did they?" Max sneered, his eyes filled with malice. Cross quickly realized he was surrounded.

"You work for Tony, so I have no problem ending this little game," Max continued, stepping closer.

Cross remained calm, searching for a way out. "If you lay a hand on me, Tony won’t let it slide," he said coolly. "Are you ready to go up against him?"

Max laughed and signaled his gang to advance. Just as a fight was about to break out, a deep voice rang out from behind them.

"This kid belongs to Tony. What do you think you're doing?"

The Mentor Appears

It was Marcus, a middle-aged man with sharp eyes, once one of Tony’s closest enforcers before stepping away from the underworld. His presence made Max and his gang hesitate.

"Unless you want bigger problems, I suggest you leave," Marcus said with authority.

Max hesitated before backing off, glaring at Cross one last time. As they disappeared into the night, Marcus turned to Cross.

"You’re reckless, kid. If you want to survive, you need to learn how to defend yourself."

Cross felt both relief and curiosity about Marcus. This man was not just strong but also seemed to understand the world he was trying to navigate. Marcus made him an offer: "I’ll teach you how to fight, how to think like a survivor. But in return, you listen to me and don’t pull any stupid moves."

Training with Marcus

In the weeks that followed, Cross met Marcus regularly at an old gym in a deserted warehouse. Marcus taught him how to fight—not just with strength but with intelligence.

"The strongest don’t always win," Marcus said while showing Cross how to dodge and counterattack. "Your mind is what will keep you alive."

But Marcus also warned him, "Tony isn’t someone you should trust blindly. He only keeps you around as long as you’re useful to him. Don’t let loyalty blind you."

A Tense Moment

One night, while training, a loud bang echoed through the warehouse doors. Max and his gang were back—this time, armed.

"Did you really think you could run forever, kid?" Max shouted, his eyes burning with rage.

The standoff between Cross and Max’s gang was more intense than ever. Marcus quickly guided Cross toward an escape route.

"Remember what I taught you, kid. Don’t let fear control you."

Cross took a deep breath, using his newfound agility and skills to fight back, with Marcus providing support from behind. Eventually, they managed to escape the warehouse, but Cross knew he couldn't keep living under constant threat.

Chapter 4: Rising from Poverty

After the encounter with Max, Cross was determined never to be overpowered again. Marcus’s lessons began to take effect—not just in fighting but in understanding that intelligence and seizing opportunities were the keys to survival.

Cross realized that simply working for Tony wouldn’t be enough. He wanted more. And so, he began searching for ways to build his own network.

First Steps into the Underground Business

One evening, while talking to Hai, Cross learned that a small gang was struggling financially after a conflict with Tony.

"If I were them, I’d find a way to make quick money," Hai said, unaware that Cross was already formulating a plan.

The next morning, Cross approached Rico, the leader of that struggling gang, at a small bar on the outskirts of the Bronx. Rico was initially skeptical.

"Who the hell are you to think I’d listen to you?" Rico challenged.

Cross smirked, confident. "I’m not here to ask for anything. I’m here to offer a solution. You need money, and I know how to get it without relying on Tony."

Rico laughed, but something about Cross’s confidence made him listen. Cross proposed a plan—smuggling cheap consumer goods through unofficial channels.

"I’m not saying we break the law," Cross said, his eyes sharp. "But I know how to make it look legal."

The First Success

Cross’s plan was quickly set into motion. With the help of Hai and Mia—who had a surprising knack for gathering information—he started building a customer network. Though small, the operation began generating profit for Rico, and with that, Cross started to gain recognition in the underworld.

The Looming Threat

However, success never came without consequences. Tony became suspicious when he heard that Rico was recovering financially.

"I think you know the rules here, Cross," Tony said in a meeting. "If I find out you’re doing something behind my back, don’t expect mercy."

Cross kept his composure. "I only do what you ask, nothing more." But inside, he knew he was walking a dangerous line. He needed to ensure Tony didn’t uncover his growing side business—at least not until he was strong enough to stand on his own.

A Critical Moment

One night, while overseeing a delivery, Cross noticed a group of unfamiliar men watching him. Max’s people. A sudden ambush unfolded in the dark. Using the skills Marcus had drilled into him, Cross fought his way out, but not without taking a hit. For the first time, he truly understood that success came at a steep price.

A New Cross

Returning from the fight, Cross saw the worry on Mia and Hai’s faces. He realized he was no longer just a nameless street kid surviving on scraps. He was on the path to becoming someone feared in the underworld.

"We can’t keep living like this," Mia said, her voice shaky. "What are you going to do next, Cross?"

Cross stared out the window at the cold, glittering city lights. "We’re not running anymore," he said, his voice steady and determined. "This time, I make the rules."