[The Pantheon - 108th Floor Executive Suite]
The sun was setting, casting long orange shadows across the massive office.
Out of the 10,000 people who swarmed the lobby, only three stood in front of Alex's desk. The "Gauntlet" had filtered out everyone else.
A shivering young woman in a cheap hoodie (She looked like she hadn't slept in a week).
A nervous older man clutching a briefcase (Former CFO of a bankrupt airline).
Marcus.
Marcus was perfect. He wore a bespoke Tom Ford suit that fit his broad shoulders perfectly. His jawline was sharp, his posture was military-straight, and his resume—printed on heavy cream paper—lay on Alex's desk.
"Harvard Business School, Summa Cum Laude," Alex read the resume, leaning back in his chair. "Former VP of Operations at Global Tech. Speak six languages. And you solved my algorithm in 14 seconds."
Marcus smiled. It was a practiced, charming smile.
"I like to be efficient, Sir," Marcus said, his voice smooth as silk. "I believe The Pantheon needs a steady hand to guide its expansion. I am ready to serve."
Alex nodded slowly. He tapped the desk.
"You look perfect, Marcus. Too perfect."
"Sir?" Marcus tilted his head slightly.
"Dawn," Alex said. "Scan him."
[God's Eye Active] [Target: 'Marcus Vance' (Alias)] [Real Name: Agent K-9] [Affiliation: The Serpent Group (Industrial Espionage Division).] [Mission: Infiltrate Pantheon, upload virus to DAWN, steal infinite funding secrets.] [Danger Level: High. Concealed Weapon: Ceramic Needle in left cuff.]
Alex sighed. He looked disappointed.
"The Serpent Group?" Alex asked casually. "I thought they only hired professionals."
The smile vanished from Marcus's face instantly. His eyes went cold.
"I don't know what you're talking about, Sir. I am a businessman."
"You are a liar," Alex stood up. "Your real name is K-9. You were trained in a black site in Venezuela. And you have a poisoned needle in your left sleeve because you planned to paralyze me if the interview went wrong."
The other two candidates gasped and stepped away from Marcus.
Marcus didn't panic. He realized his cover was blown. The charm evaporated, replaced by the dead stare of a killer.
"How?" Marcus whispered. "My file is erased. Not even the CIA can find me."
"I own the sky, Marcus," Alex walked around the desk. "Did you think you could wear a mask in my house?"
CLICK.
In a blur of motion, Marcus flicked his wrist. A thin, transparent needle shot out of his sleeve, aimed directly at Alex's neck.
"Die!" Marcus hissed.
CLANG.
Alex didn't dodge. He didn't blink. He simply raised his hand and caught the needle between his thumb and index finger.
[Titan Body: Skin Hardening Active.]
The needle snapped.
Marcus froze. He stared at Alex's hand. That needle was moving at 200 miles per hour. Catching it was impossible.
"Rude," Alex said.
SMACK.
Alex backhanded Marcus across the face.
It wasn't a normal slap. It was a Titan Slap.
Marcus spun in the air like a ragdoll. He flew twenty feet across the room and smashed into the glass wall, spiderwebbing the reinforced pane. He slid to the floor, unconscious, his perfect jaw unhinged.
The room was dead silent.
The shivering girl in the hoodie let out a squeak of terror.
Alex wiped his hand with a silk handkerchief.
"Luna," Alex called out. "Take the trash out. Send him back to the Serpent Group with a note."
"What should the note say, Master?" Luna stepped out of the shadows, looking bored.
"Tell them," Alex sat back down. "Next time, send an army. Spies are boring."
Luna dragged the unconscious body out by the leg.
Alex turned to the two remaining candidates. They were shaking. The older man looked like he was about to have a heart attack.
"Now," Alex smiled warmly. "Who wants the job?"
The girl in the hoodie raised a trembling hand.
"I... I do," she stammered. "But I don't have a suit."
"Dawn," Alex commanded. "Scan her."
[Target: Emily Chen] [IQ: 180] [Status: Desperate. Homeless. Hacker 'Ghost_Rabbit'.] [Loyalty Potential: 95% (If fed and paid).]
"You're hired," Alex said. "Go to the finance department. Your first task is to manage my tax haven accounts. Don't steal, or I'll know."
Emily nodded frantically. "Yes, Sir! Thank you, Sir!"
Alex looked out the window at the city lights.
"One spy down," Alex muttered. "But if the Serpent Group is involved, the Corporate Wars have officially started."