7:15 A.M. – Downtown Seoul, Glass Heights Café
David Langford adjusted the cuffs on his tailored suit, his Rolex glinting in the morning sun. Across from him sat one of Korea's top venture capitalists—Min Joon.
The café was closed to the public. Private meeting. Always was.
"I want full-spectrum scans of any rising names in the fintech or underground markets," David said, swirling his espresso. "Anyone who could disrupt our structure."
Min Joon frowned. "Is this about the hacker?"
"No. This is about ghosts. Ghosts who think they can rise from nothing and touch me."
His phone buzzed.
[Transaction Alert: 30 Million KRW transfer – From: Elijah Crane Investments.]
David's jaw tensed.
Who the hell is Elijah Crane…?
📍Meanwhile – Park Royal Tower, Penthouse 43F
Ethan leaned back in his leather chair, the floor-to-ceiling windows painting him in gold. The penthouse was his now—paid in full through a shell company his System generated. The name?
Crane Dominion Holdings.
"System," Ethan whispered, "bring up today's investment dashboard."
[Daily Yield – ₩5,420,000 (~$4,000)]
[Alias Reputation Level: Mid-Tier – Elijah Crane now publicly listed among Seoul's Top 50 Young Investors]
[New Skill Unlock – "Network Seed"]
Creates subtle opportunities for elite figures to notice and approach you. Cost: 2 Power Points.
He bought it.
Seconds later, Ethan received a text:
From: Min Joon
"Heard about you from a mutual friend. Crane Dominion. Impressive. Want to grab dinner?"
He smirked.
The system didn't just give him power.
It planted him in the world's bloodstream.
📍Lila's Apartment – Noon
Lila scrolled through social media, eyes locking onto a trending video.
"Top 10 Rising Moguls in Asia – #6: Elijah Crane"
The thumbnail was a man standing at a podium in a suit, but the camera angle never revealed his face fully. Still, something about his posture… his presence…
She froze.
Her thumb hovered.
She played the clip.
"Mr. Crane, how did you grow so fast without any background?"
A distorted voice answered, calm and chilling:
"I've always been here. I just waited for the right moment."
Her heart raced.
Why does that sound like Ethan…?
She shook the thought off.
No. Ethan was weak.
Ethan was broke.
Ethan was nothing.
But doubt… was a seed.
And it had just been planted.
📍Joey's Hideout – 2 A.M.
Three of his men were hospitalized.
Not from a shootout.
From a cyberattack that made their phones explode while in use. One of them had third-degree burns. Another had his car hacked—crashed straight into a pole.
Joey stared at the screen.
A video. A message.
"You built your kingdom on blood and lies. I'll erase you without ever lifting a finger. – E.C."
His hands shook.
"Find this Elijah Crane."
📍Ethan's System Panel
[New Perk Unlocked: Phantom CEO]
– Can control multiple companies through anonymous proxies. Gain income, influence, and avoid media exposure.
[Total Net Worth: ₩16.8 Billion (~$12.5 Million USD)]
"Next phase," Ethan said.
"I become untouchable."
He stood and walked toward the mirrored wall of his penthouse, staring at the city below.
"Joey's scared. Lila's suspicious. David's watching."
He smiled darkly.
"Let's see who breaks first."