Chapter 4 – The Whisper Behind the Code
The morning after his launch, Kael Veyron didn't wake up in his bed.
He hadn't slept.
His eyes, bloodshot and wired, were glued to the shimmering gold interface floating mid-air in his studio apartment. A soft hum filled the room—the faint, living resonance of the Goldfinger System. He had already made his first five-figure profit through lightning-fast arbitrage in rare digital assets overnight.
> Wealth Generated: $14,372.41
New Ability Unlocked: [Tier-1 Investment Insight] – Predict market trends with 60% accuracy. Cooldown: 4 hours.
New Mission Available. Accept?
Kael blinked. A new mission?
Before he could click, a notification slid in from the side.
> High-Risk Investment Opportunity Detected.
Buy-in: $5,000. Projected Return: 800% over 48 hours. Risk: Medium–High.
Would you like to analyze this investment using Tier-1 Insight?
Kael clicked YES.
Within seconds, a 3D model appeared, displaying a startup named NeuroCrypt: a biotech firm blending neuro-AI with decentralized memory storage. Still in stealth mode. But the system's interface highlighted anomalies in transaction histories—massive anonymous buys, backdoor access to regulatory clearance, and unseen tech patents.
> Success Probability: 83%.
Advised: Invest Now.
Kael smirked. "You don't have to tell me twice."
With a click, he dumped $5,000 into a crypto-secured share purchase.
He stood up, stretched, and muttered, "This system… it's not just money. It's pulling strings I didn't even know existed."
---
Later That Day – The Mysterious Girl
Kael was heading toward the tech marketplace to scout parts for expanding his backend network when he noticed her again—the mysterious girl with the auric eyes.
She leaned casually against a lamp post near Eastwood Square, seemingly uninterested in him. Her silver-blonde hair fluttered in the wind, but Kael noticed something others wouldn't: a ripple in the air around her, like a shimmering distortion—system code.
As Kael approached, the system pinged.
> Unidentified Energy Detected.
Subject is linked to anomaly core. Analyze subject?
"Analyze," Kael whispered.
> Analyzing…
[ERROR] – Subject data shielded. System classification: Echo-Type Construct. Warning: interaction may affect stability.
She turned.
"You've been staring, Mr. Veyron," she said in a cool, melodic voice.
Kael paused. "You know my name?"
Her lips curled into a faint smile. "Of course. I felt your awakening. The code… sings to me now."
Kael's heartbeat accelerated.
"Who are you?" he asked.
She tilted her head. "You may call me Eira. And I am here… because your system is far from ordinary. It was never meant to be awakened in this era."
A cold shiver passed through him.
"What do you mean?"
Eira stepped closer, her gaze piercing. "Goldfinger is not just a wealth system. It's a vault key. And every time you earn... you're getting closer to unlocking something the world buried."
Then, with a faint whisper, she vanished—dissolving into static.
Kael stood there stunned.
---
That Evening – The Rival Moves
Back at his apartment, Kael found Mira Lennox pacing with crossed arms and fiery eyes.
"You're trending, you know," she said, tossing her phone to him.
On the screen: Kael Veyron's ArcNexus Startup Breaks 10k Users in 24 Hours.
"Not bad for a guy who got laughed off stage, huh?" she said, clearly impressed.
"Didn't you laugh too?" he teased.
Her cheeks flushed. "Shut up. I came because I have a warning. Someone's not happy with your sudden rise."
She handed him a folder—physical, not digital.
Inside were screenshots, financial logs, and a leaked email thread. One name stood out in bold: Dorian Kaine—the CEO of a corporate empire that owned dozens of digital platforms.
Kael's hands clenched. Dorian was the man behind Ronan Vale—his humiliation puppetmaster.
Mira nodded. "He's already blacklisting you from all major ad exchanges. Shadowbanning your site. And rumor is… he's hiring data mercs."
> [Goldfinger System Alert]
Threat Level Raised. Initiating Side Mission: Defense Protocol.
Mission: Build an underground digital framework immune to surveillance.
Reward: Tier-2 Encryption Architecture + System Firewall Defense.
Kael's eyes narrowed. "Then let's play dirty."
---
That Night – An Unexpected Visit
Kael was working late, designing the encrypted neural cluster suggested by the system, when he heard a knock.
He opened the door—and there she was again.
Eira.
But this time, she looked… different. Her expression was softer. More human. She stepped inside without asking and walked around like she belonged.
"You used the system again, didn't you?" she said.
"Yes," Kael replied. "And I'm starting to think it's not just about money."
"It never was."
She turned to face him, her eyes glowing faintly.
"Every use of Goldfinger builds a signal. A beacon. You're calling something ancient back."
Kael felt a strange mix of excitement and fear. "And what happens when it answers?"
Eira stepped closer, standing just inches from him. "Then you'll need more than money or power. You'll need allies."
Her fingers gently brushed his chest, and Kael felt an intense warmth spread through him.
"You're different from the others who tried to wield this system," she whispered. "I can feel it. Maybe… just maybe… you'll survive."
For a moment, Kael felt like the world faded.
Then Eira leaned in, her lips grazing his ear.
"I'll help you… but my price is closeness. Don't keep secrets from me."
She kissed his cheek lightly before stepping away.
> [Harem Bond Formed: Eira – Code Echo Class]
Special Trait: Temporal Detection. Unlockable Skill: System Pulse Synchronization (Locked)
Kael's head was spinning. His enemies were mobilizing. Mysterious allies were emerging. And now, even the system hinted at a hidden history.
One thing was certain:
This was more than a rise to power. It was the beginning of a coded war.
---
End of Chapter 4