Chapter 5: The First Checkmate
Rain splattered across the neon-lit windows of the café where Kael Veyron sat, drumming his fingers against the table. The atmosphere buzzed with caffeine and conversation, but his mind was elsewhere—calculating, scheming, evolving.
The system interface hovered before him like a ghostly terminal:
[Goldfinger System: New Module Unlocked]
→ Strategic Assets Panel Activated
Gain leverage over rivals via assets, alliances, and information warfare.
First Objective: Cripple Dorian Kaine's Credit Score.
Reward: "Financial Predator" Passive Skill.
Kael's lips curled into a dangerous smile. "It's time to turn the tides."
Scene 1: Counterattack Initiated
That afternoon, Kael orchestrated his plan from a hidden co-working space leased under a shell company—funded entirely by his first system profit.
"Drop the packet," he told Mira, handing her a flash drive labeled Project Kraken.
Inside it: a comprehensive report of Dorian Kaine's shady dealings—fraud, under-the-table investments, leaked test scores—compiled using the Goldfinger System's Network Siphon skill.
Mira's eyes widened. "This… this could ruin him."
"That's the idea," Kael said, his voice hard and calm. "Send it to these three addresses—local media, academic ethics board, and the student council president."
She paused, biting her lip. "Won't they trace it back?"
"They'll trace it to a ghost company that doesn't exist anymore. I learned from the best—Goldfinger."
[Quest Update: Sabotage the Serpent – Phase 1 Complete]
→ Dorian Kaine's Public Reputation: -34%
→ Next Target: Asset Seizure
Unlocking passive skill: Financial Predator
Scene 2: A New Threat Emerges
That night, Kael returned to his apartment—now slightly upgraded and guarded by a discreet surveillance system. He poured himself tea when his phone vibrated violently.
Unknown number. A text appeared:
"He's not the only snake in your garden. Watch your steps, Goldfinger."
Kael's heartbeat slowed. Not out of fear, but anticipation.
[System Alert]
→ Entity "Observer-17" has pinged your coordinates.
Danger Level: Unclassified.
Suggestion: Investigate or evade.
He leaned back, eyes narrowing. "So someone else knows."
His system interface shifted unexpectedly, glitching for a second. Then a new tab appeared:
[System Mission: The Eyes Behind the Mirror]
Investigate the anomaly tailing your financial activities.
Warning: Possible connection to Source Code anomalies.
Scene 3: The Red-Eyed Girl
Kael's investigation began with a return to the campus code shop—where his humiliation had first unfolded. The place was quieter now, almost abandoned, until he spotted her.
A girl with long crimson-black hair, dressed in a dark student coat, stood by the server racks, her eyes glowing faintly red as if reflecting unseen light. Her presence froze time—or at least, Kael felt like it did.
She turned and smirked. "So you're the anomaly. The one that bends code and coin alike."
Kael's system lit up violently.
[Warning: Unstable Signature Detected]
→ User matches temporal-class distortion.
→ Potential Origin: Source Echo Layer-2
"Who are you?" Kael asked, stepping closer, tone measured.
"I'm Eira's sister," she said cryptically. "And your system is incomplete."
She walked past him, brushing shoulders deliberately. "Fix it… before it breaks you."
He turned, but she was gone.
Scene 4: Ecchi Crossfire
Back at his flat, Kael barely had time to process the cryptic encounter when Mira burst into his room—drenched, flushed, wearing a soaked blouse that clung scandalously.
"T-they were following me!" she gasped. "Your plan—it worked. But someone's watching me too!"
Kael helped her towel off, eyes inadvertently meeting places he tried to ignore. She noticed and smirked. "Don't act innocent. You gave me that system perk that boosted my luck… including social luck."
"You're still wet," he said, clearing his throat.
"Oh?" she tilted her head. "You're welcome to help dry me off, boss."
Before Kael could respond, the system chimed:
[Relationship Progress: Mira – 39%]
New Perk Unlocked: Assistant's Intuition
Mira now gains hints of future business or personal threats.
Scene 5: Cliffhanger—Checkmate Begins
The next morning, the campus exploded in scandal. News articles of Dorian's illegal manipulations spread like wildfire. The student council froze his leadership privileges, and companies began pulling their internships.
Kael walked calmly through the halls, watched by dozens—but feared, not mocked.
Dorian caught up with him at the library steps. His face pale. His composure cracked.
"You did this…"
Kael stopped, leaned forward slightly, and whispered:
"I haven't even started."
Suddenly, his system buzzed:
[ALERT: A new financial system signature has appeared within 500 meters.]
→ Signature Class: Sovereign Level
→ User Identity: [UNKNOWN]
Kael turned—and saw a handsome man in a sharp blue blazer smirking at him. His eyes shimmered with the same interface glow.
[Chapter End]