Chapter 8 - From Shadow to Spotlight

📍 8:30 A.M. – Crane Dominion Holdings – Strategy War Room

Ethan stared at the digital war map displayed on the wall—dots, lines, nodes representing financial leaks, social networks, and weak links. His team worked silently, typing, analyzing, strategizing.

[System Report – Alias Reputation Rising: Now Top 30 in Asia]

[Available Power Points: 6]

[New Skills Unlocked: Network Seed II (3 PP), Reputation Whisper I (2 PP)]

He paused the report, then swiped:

[Purchase: Network Seed II] ✅

[Purchase: Reputation Whisper I] ✅

He leaned forward, unlocking new menus:

– Network Seed II: Creates plausible rumors or investment opportunities that attract elite figures.

– Reputation Whisper I: Sends subtle praise or doubt through media influencers.

He tapped "Activate Seed": a soft hum pulsed through the AI system, and a new mission popped up:

[Quest: Attract Langford's Inner Circle – Seed Rumor 'Elijah Crane exploring hostile takeover of Langford Holdings']

[Reward: 100 PP + unlock 'Public Persona Skillset']

He nodded.

"Let's plant it."

📍 12:15 P.M. – Langford Holdings – Executive Lounge

David Langford paced like a coiled spring. His assistant updated him on whispered rumors:

"Sir… there's a buzz that the mysterious Elijah Crane may buy Langford Holdings."

David's eyes narrowed.

"Where from?"

"Insiders say: the Thai Venture Market, credible network figures… but unverifiable."

David stared out the window.

He'd fought off every competitor.

Except one he couldn't see.

📍 Crane Dominion – Afternoon

Ethan reviewed his Social Media Monitoring Dashboard. Tweets, chat threads, forums—buzzed with speculation:

"Elijah Crane linked to secret funding round for Deukjin rival."

"Insider says he's planning takeover on Langford's flagship electronics."

"Is Crane the next Korean tech king? Or is this the calm before a storm?"

Ethan smiled.

They're listening.

He clicked another menu to launch "Reputation Whisper I":

Automated but precisely targeted messages to finance accounts, influencers, and media.

Soon, coordinated whispers were planted:

"Crane is legit."

"He's worth watching."

"He's not just wealthy—he's engineered."

📍 7:45 P.M. – Exclusive Charity Gala – Seoul City Hall

An elegant event. The city's elite in tuxedos and silk gowns. Lila attended with David.

A hush spread through the room when Elijah Crane arrived: tall, flawless suit, magnetic aura, silent but intense.

Photographers snapped. Cameras clicked. Every eye followed him.

Ethan didn't speak. He let the whispers speak. Every whisper he seeded was being amplified through media, attendees, and backstage chatter.

David stiffened.

Lila froze.

Whispers turned to murmurs:

"That's Crane."

"He wasn't here last year."

"How does he know so many insiders?"

Ethan drifted through the crowd, pale blue eyes scanning—not for applause, but targets.

He felt the System hum.

[Public Persona Skillset Unlocked – Level I]

– Aura of Influence: Basic ability to draw attention without speaking.

– Selective Media Cloak: Manage image while revealing just enough to intrigue.

– Auto-Investor Contracts: Anonymous investors can begin private dialogue.

He nodded to an aide.

"Start private chats."

"Yes, sir."

📍 Backstage Lounge

David finally approached him cautiously, drink in hand.

David: "Mr. Crane. I wasn't expecting… you."

Ethan (cool): "I don't expect anything, Mr. Langford. I prefer results."

Lila hovered nearby, face pale but composed.

David cleared throat.

"Your interest in Deukjin—are you trying to drive up price before backing off?"

A veiled negotiation.

Ethan tilted his head.

"Or gauging your response."

Ethan: "Let's just say I'm exploring opportunities."

David: nods slightly. "Well, let's see what you bring to the table."

Lila looked at Ethan. In those icy-blue eyes, she saw exactly who he was now—not the broken boy.

Anger, regret… and fear.

📍 11:30 P.M. – Ethan's Penthouse

The gala lights glowed far below. Ethan reviewed new stats on his System panel:

[Net Worth: ₩42 Billion (~$30 Million)]

[Power Points Remaining: 4]

[Alias Reputation: Top 20 Influencers – "Anonymous Billionaire With Edge"]

[Quests Completed: Rumor Seeded, Public Persona Activated, Deukjin Rumor Confirmed]

A new message popped:

[New Skill Available: Asset Proxy Network – Cost: 4 PP]

Allow for holding stakes in companies without exposure.

Passive influence on board decisions.

He paused.

Choose ambition or wait.

He bought it.

He smiled.

Tomorrow, this world learns who owns the whispers.