Blackline International Summit – Day 40 – 11:58 AM
The world's eyes were fixed on Seoul.
Every major news outlet, investor, and elite family had sent a representative to the most exclusive financial summit on the planet—Blackline International, hosted by a man no one had ever seen.
Whispers flooded the air.
"The mystery founder of Crane Dominion…""He's never shown his face.""Is he real? Or a myth?"
In the center of the summit hall, a marble platform rose.
And then—he appeared.
Tailored black suit. Jet-black gloves. Hair sleeked back. And a face no one could mistake if they had ever truly known him.
"Ladies and gentlemen," the host stammered into the mic, voice trembling, "may I introduce… the world's youngest self-made trillionaire—Elijah Crane."
Gasps echoed. A few phones dropped. Flashes fired.
But in one dark corner of the room, Lila Kim stood frozen—uninvited, hidden in a trench coat and sunglasses. She had come to find answers.
Instead, she found the man she broke—reborn into someone untouchable.
📍 Main Stage
Ethan scanned the crowd as he stepped to the podium.
His eyes passed over CEOs, moguls, diplomats—every face that had once ignored or mocked him.
Then… he saw her.
Lila.
One second of eye contact.
But it felt like eternity.
He didn't flinch. Didn't smile.Didn't acknowledge her any more than a fallen leaf in the wind.
"Let this summit mark the beginning of a new economy," Ethan spoke into the mic, voice rich with precision."One where power is no longer inherited. It's designed. Forged. Earned.""And I've earned everything."
Applause thundered. Cameras rolled.
Lila backed into the wall, heart racing.
He wasn't hiding anymore.
And the moment he saw her, he didn't rage.He didn't smirk.He simply moved on.
He's already past me, she realized.And I'm still stuck in the ruins.
📍 Post-Summit – Crane Dominion Penthouse
VERA chimed in.
"Lila Kim fled the summit after your speech. She attempted to call David Mercer. Call failed. GPS shows him leaving the country."
"Let him run," Ethan said. "He's next."
He removed his gloves, placed them neatly beside his watch, and poured a glass of midnight-black wine.
"I want the world to know my face now. Let her wake up to it."
📍 System Update
Quest Completed: "Public Revelation"– Reputation: Global– Lila Kim: Morale -70%– Public standing: Collapsing– David Mercer: Marked for Phase 3Reward: Passive Trait Unlocked – "Apex Presence"
When you speak, powerful people listen. Influence +40% in any negotiation.
Next Phase Unlocked:"Break the Prince."
Thank you BoxyFunny for the Power Stone