My Investment God System

~Active Skill> Eye Of Apollo ~

Channeling his mind to work, his pupils dilated. Soon, his irises started to change their color, gradually turning to the signature silver colour of the system. 

After he activated the skill, Maximus turned his sight to the horse carving in his right hand. And when he did so, his hand trembled and he almost dropped his jaw. 

~Object Acquired~

~The Ashen Halo~

~A rare fusion of obsidian and diamond gems imbedded inside a wooden horse carving. The item originated during 12,000 A. D and was hidden inside the horse carving to dispell interest from thieves.~

~Target Value~

~Horse Carving> $40~

~Tye Ashen Halo> $135,000~

The more he read, the more his eyes widened in shock. He just struck a legit antique piece from the least attractive artifact. 

"Who knew that the most hideous item in an antique shop would be the most valuable item of all" he said to himself. 

Maintaining his composure so as to not give up the impression that he just discovered something pricefull, Maximus pointed to another item available for sale to avoid the shop owner's suspicion. 

"Hey boss, what about this vase? How much is it?" 

"Oh this vase has a rich history. Produced by the craftsman in..." 

"Skip the bullshit story chief... $10 for the vase..." Maximus intentionally cut the vendor off. "My price is final, if you don't want to sell it then I will leave right now." 

"Wait a minute, how about $100?" The shop owner counter offered. 

"If you are that insincere, I will be leaving now..." Maximus replied and took conscious steps, showing the vendor that he was serious. 

"Alright! Alright! Wait a second! Jeez! Your are one tough customer..." The vendor waved his hands frantically in the air, stopping Maximus in his tracks. 

"Give me forty bucks and the vase is yours..." 

Maximus narrowed his eyes to a slit. "Twenty bucks... "

"Thirty bucks and it's yours..." The vendor countered again. 

"Twenty five bucks... "

"Thirty five bucks it yours chief... "

"Throw in this hideous horse carving as a freebie and you've got yourself a deal..." Maximus said with his palm open, inviting him for a hand shake as he dropped the horse carving on the counter. 

"Deal!" 

The vendor shook Maximus's hand with a firm grip and a smile on his face like he had sold a major stake holding company. 

~Business Deal Detected~

~Binding Vow has been sealed and host cannot go against the confines of the agreement~

Maximus handed the money to the vendor and the vendor in turn passed the pretty vase. 

Once the exchange was made, the vendor smiled inwardly. "What a fool! Paying thirty five dollars just for that counterfeit vase and a worthless wooden horse!" 

Meanwhile, Maximus was ecstatic inwardly as well. He had such great success just a few days of diving into this new business domain the system recommended. 

Maximus started making his way to the exist of the shop, admiring the pretty vase. "Although it's counterfeit, it would make a pretty gift for Lily..." He said to himself. 

If he could sell the Ashen Halo successfully at the valued price, he would become gain a reasonable amount of XP points in just a single day! 

"Wait a minute, how much did you charge the man for the horse carving? I'll double the price!" 

Right when Maximus was about to leave the place, a sweet feminine voice stopped him dead in his tracks.

As Maximus turned around, a sweet fragrance drifted through the air, instantly captivating him. He was stunned by the owner of the enchanting voice. 

She looked a bit younger than him, maybe three or four years younger, dark wool hair styled in a simple braid. The strands were tucked neatly behind her left ear, giving her a natural and almost bewitching beauty. 

But what truly made her stand out was her graceful elegance. Her small face seemed sculpted by a goddess, each feature meticulously crafted. Her thin, slightly arched eyebrows and sharp, delicate nose were like fine art, while her small lips seemed to tempt anyone who dared to look— All of this were housed by her beautiful chocolate-caramel skin that dazzled elegantly. 

She wore a sleek, rosey sun dress with red high heels, instantly becoming the center of attention in the crowded space. 

All eyes were in her. 

"Well? How much for the horse carving?" She repeated, her voice calm but insistent. 

The vendor, caught off guard, answered with a smug grin, "Ah, you're a tad too late. I sold the case to that young man over there, and the horse carving was a free gift."

Though he had no obligation, Maximus's body responded before he could think— an instinct triggered by the otherworldly woman standing before him. 

"Hey young man... I'm very interested in your horse carving. Could you do me a favor and sell it? Name your price." 

He innocent face and elegant tone were dangerously disarming. 

Even Maximus found himself mesmerized by her presence, struggling to tear his eyes away. 

If Maximus hadn't known the true value hidden in the carving, he might have handed it over for free. But now that he understood its worth, there was no way he would sell it below price. 

"How much do you think this horse carving is worth?" Maximus asked, locking eyes with her. 

"Five hundred dollars for your trouble?" She answered with a faint smile. 

"Five hundred?" Maximus chuckled, shaking his head. "That's far too low..."

He suspected she knew more than she let on. Otherwise, why approach him so directly? 

"You're quite a shrewd negotiator. Fine, no more games. I'll pay five thousand dollars for this poor craftsmanship. If you're not interested, I'll walk away." 

A murmur rippled through the people that were in the shop witnessing. 

Maximus scoffed, silencing the whispers with a single sound. 

"Even fifty thousand dollars isn't enough... Miss Valerie." 

She froze, eyes wide. "How do you know my name?" 

Maximus had just used his second charge of his skill, Eye Of Apollo. 

~Active Skill> Eye Of Apollo~

~Target acquired~

~Valerie Sawyer~

~Nineteen year old sole heir of the Sawyer Group. Specializes in jewelry, antiques and high fashion industries with a total of 300 companies spread across the globe.~

~Net Worth> 780 Million Dollars~

Valerie was visibly shocked. She hadn't expected this total stranger to know who she was. And his confidence told her he'd uncovered the carving's secret value. 

In that moment, Maximus became a mystery to her. 

"What's your name?" She asked. 

"Maximus Prime."