Volume 5: Wall Street Rises Again
Volume Summary: Jack returns to Wall Street, only to find that things are far more complex than he imagined. Richard's remaining influence still lingers, and a far greater conspiracy awaits him. He must proceed with extreme caution if he is to eliminate these threats and restore order to Wall Street.
Chapter 3: A New Ally
Jack pulled Kevin along until they reached the depths of a narrow alleyway. The place was cluttered with broken cardboard boxes and overflowing trash bins, the air thick with a nauseating stench. Kevin leaned against the wall, gasping for breath, sweat pouring down his face.
"Jack… those guys… were they trying to kill us?" Kevin's voice trembled, raw with fear.
Jack's expression darkened as he scanned their surroundings for any signs of danger. Then he nodded grimly. "Yes. Richard won't let me return to Wall Street alive. And he certainly won't allow me to dig into his past."
Kevin swallowed hard. "Then… what do we do now? Should we call the police? Or tell them about Richard's plans?"
Jack shook his head, frustration flashing in his eyes. "No good. Richard has deep connections in this city. Even if we go to the police, they might not believe us—or worse, they could turn against us."
Kevin's face turned even paler, panic rising in his chest. "So… so we're just going to wait here to die?"
Jack took a deep breath, clenched his fists, and spoke with unwavering resolve. "Absolutely not. We can't afford to sit back and wait. We need to fight back—but first, we need help."
"Help?" Kevin asked, bewildered. "Who could possibly help us? We're completely on our own!"
Jack fell silent for a moment, his mind racing through memories of his time surviving in the underworld of New York—the people he'd met, the hidden networks of power and information. There was one person who might be able to assist them.
"There's someone who might be able to help," Jack said slowly, a flicker of hope lighting his eyes. "A friend I met during my time on the streets—her name is Lily."
Kevin frowned. "Lily? Who is she? How can she help us?"
"She's a broker of secrets—a skilled informant. She knows every corner of New York's underground world and has access to countless hidden truths. She's also loyal, as long as we can offer her the right price."
Jack remembered Lily's small frame and sharp, intelligent eyes. During his darkest days, she had helped him more than once—providing food, shelter, and critical information. In a world of betrayal, she had been one of the few lights of trust.
"How do we find her?" Kevin asked urgently. "Where is she now?"
"It'll take some time," Jack replied. "I know she frequents a place called the Black Market—it's a hub for illegal dealings and information trading. That's where we have to go."
"The Black Market?" Kevin's voice wavered. "That sounds dangerous."
"It is," Jack admitted. "But we don't have a choice. If we want to escape Richard's men and uncover his true intentions, we have to take the risk."
Without hesitation, Jack led Kevin out of the alley, heading toward the lower districts of the city. They avoided crowded areas, careful not to draw attention.
As they moved forward, Jack remained hyper-aware of his surroundings. He knew Richard's men would be searching relentlessly. One mistake could cost them everything.
After hours of cautious travel, they finally arrived in the Lower District. The area was run-down, the streets filled with the stench of garbage and sewage. Homeless figures huddled in doorways, while shadowy gang members loitered under flickering streetlights.
Kevin stayed close behind Jack, visibly shaken. "Jack… this place… it's terrifying."
"Stay calm, Kevin," Jack reassured him. "We're almost there. Once we find Lily, we'll have a better chance at staying safe."
They pressed on toward the Black Market, moving carefully through the maze of crumbling buildings.
The market was located inside an abandoned warehouse. From the outside, it bore no sign or marker—only a few ragged homeless men lingered near the entrance.
Jack inhaled deeply and stepped inside, motioning for Kevin to follow.
Inside, the air was damp and heavy with smoke, alcohol, and sweat. The dimly lit space was packed with shady figures engaged in whispered conversations and secret deals.
Jack and Kevin weaved through the crowd, scanning the room for Lily.
"Lily!" Jack called softly, but the noise drowned him out.
He tried again, louder this time. "Lily!"
Suddenly, a clear voice rang out from behind him. "Jack? Is that really you?"
Jack spun around to see a young woman in a black leather jacket and baseball cap standing before him. Her slender frame belied the sharpness in her eyes—intelligent, cunning, and alert.
"Lily!" Jack exclaimed, a rare smile breaking across his face.
"It is you!" Lily grinned and gave him a quick hug. "I thought I'd never see you again."
"I'm back," Jack said. "And I need your help."
Lily's smile faded slightly, replaced by a look of seriousness. "I heard you've stirred up trouble on Wall Street. Richard Black, right?"
Jack nodded solemnly. "His men tried to kill me today. I need you to find out everything you can about his movements—and the people pulling the strings behind him."
Lily didn't hesitate. "Consider it done. But you know how I work—payment comes first."
Jack smirked and handed her a thick stack of cash from his pocket.
Lily weighed the bundle in her hand, then smiled approvingly. "This'll do nicely. You'll have all the intel in three days."
"Thanks, Lily," Jack said sincerely. "You have no idea how much this means to us."
"No problem," she shrugged. "We're friends. But Jack…" Her tone turned serious. "Be careful. Richard Black isn't just dangerous—he's ruthless. He'll stop at nothing to get what he wants."
"I know," Jack replied, his eyes burning with determination. "And he's going to pay for everything."
With Lily's help secured, Jack and Kevin finally had a foothold in their fight against Richard. For the first time since returning, they had a real chance—not just to survive, but to strike back.
But they both knew this was only the beginning. A brutal battle lay ahead, and they would have to tread carefully to defeat such a powerful enemy.
The war for Wall Street had officially begun.