I Was Sent Into A Shitty Urban Novel

Lucious didn’t know what to expect when Mr. Weng called him at 6 a.m. with an invite to a jade stone market. But judging by the man’s excitement, it wasn’t just a casual trip.

"Bring yourself," Harrison Weng had said over the phone. "I’ve got a good feeling."

A good feeling, Lucious learned, usually meant someone else’s money getting thrown around.

The jade stone market was bustling. Rows of uncut stones—dull, crusted, hiding their value—lined the stalls like forgotten treasures. Rich men strolled with practiced indifference, flanked by assistants and ’experts’ with sharp eyes and sharper tongues.

Lucious wore the same beat-up sneakers he always did. A few curious stares followed him, especially when Harrison gestured him forward like an old friend.

At Harrison’s side was a man in a charcoal suit and thin gold glasses. He gave Lucious a once-over like he was scoping a discount bin.

"This is Lin. He’s one of the best evaluators I know," Harrison said proudly.

Lin barely nodded. "Hmph."

Lucious nodded back. "Nice to meet you."

The day started calmly—Lin giving commentary on stone after stone. He’d squint, hum, and make vague proclamations about texture and energy.

Lucious, meanwhile, wandered. Not aimlessly. He had a secret weapon.

The Fortune System hovered quietly in his vision, faint flickers of data running over the stones.