Kaya Odyssey: Mastering The Future

Chapter 20: Reflection and New Plans

Chapter 20: Reflection and New Plans

Kaya sat at his study desk, staring at the remaining balance in his savings account. $130—not a large amount, but enough to make him think about his next steps. He knew that this journey was far from over, and he had to be cautious with every move he made.

After the initial success in the game project and selling a few antique items, Kaya realized that he needed to define a clearer direction for his future. He felt a bit confused: should he focus entirely on game development, or continue exploring the world of antiques, which also seemed promising?

Kaya sighed deeply. He decided to take a walk around the flea market, where he often found interesting items. As he browsed, something caught his eye—a small antique, a simple wooden statue with a mysterious aura. The statue was about 30 cm tall, with delicate carvings depicting a warrior in traditional clothing. The old wood’s color and a thin layer of patina suggested that the statue was decades, maybe even hundreds of years old. Kaya could sense the elegance in the carving, as if the statue held a deep historical story.

"How much is it, sir?" Kaya asked the seller. The seller looked at the statue hesitantly before naming an affordable price of $10. Feeling confident in his instincts, Kaya decided to buy it.

After returning home, Kaya began researching the statue. He spent hours searching for information online, comparing the statue to references he found from various sources. The more he investigated, the more convinced he became that this wooden statue had significant historical value.

That night, after speaking with RetroWave, Kaya felt a bit more at ease. However, doubts about whether his decision was right or wrong continued to haunt him. “What if I’m wrong?” he thought. “What if this is just an old piece of wood that’s meaningless?” But he pushed those thoughts aside and decided to stick with his plan, despite the uncertainty in his heart.

The next day, Kaya spent some of his remaining money on transportation and access to a specialized library in the city, where he could gather more detailed information on antiques. After a full day of research, Kaya found references that further confirmed his belief that this wooden statue was a rare artifact.

It turned out the wooden statue originated from the late Qing Dynasty period in China, around the 19th century. The statue was believed to be part of the imperial palace collection looted during the Boxer Rebellion, a turbulent period in Chinese history. The statue supposedly represented a guardian warrior, carved to protect the royal family from harm. Kaya grew increasingly certain that this item had far more value than he had initially thought.

Armed with this information, Kaya decided that his next step was to reach out to a few antique collectors and prepare an online auction that could attract interest from various parties. But before that, he felt the need to reassess his steps and plan carefully.

As evening came, Kaya shared his discovery of the statue with his mother. His mother listened attentively, nodding and smiling from time to time. "You’ve always had a good instinct, Kaya," his mother said confidently. “But remember, no matter what happens, we’re always proud of you.” Kaya felt calmer after hearing those words.

Although his heart pounded with excitement, a bit of doubt crept into Kaya’s mind. However, he knew that this could be the turning point he needed, a big opportunity that could open doors to a brighter future. He decided to move forward with his plan cautiously, making sure that every step he took was well-calculated.

That night, Kaya sat again at his study desk, reflecting on what he had achieved so far and what he needed to do to reach his bigger goals in the future. He knew this was only the beginning, and every decision he made now would have a significant impact on the path ahead.