Ray came out of Rick's workshop, his steps slow and uncertain as if walking in a daze. The world around him seemed distant and muffled, as if he was caught between disbelief and a whirlwind of thoughts. He couldn't quite believe what had just happened. He thought he was gaining a backer, someone who would champion his vision—but instead, that backer had become his subordinate. And then, out of the blue, that subordinate had done something extraordinary, something that accelerated his plans beyond his wildest expectations.
Around him, signs of progress were quietly emerging: transportation networks were being built, and new innovations were rolling into this world. Yet, amidst all this, one crucial thing was still missing—his internet. The network was there, humming quietly beneath the surface, but no screens had been crafted yet to deliver it to the people. The invisible web he envisioned was still incomplete.
His mind kept spinning with the endless technical puzzles. The system showed only 2/3 completion, and his concern gnawed at him. Would the network be strong enough? Could it carry the weight of everything he planned? Servers to host websites, routers to route packets, protocols to ensure smooth communication, and the DNS to translate names into addresses—so many pieces yet to be built from scratch.
He wanted to launch immediately, but then a creeping doubt settled in. After the internet was built, who would use it? Who would stream content and share information? Who would even know how to access it? The strangers out there were unknown variables. No, he decided, it had to start with people he knew—people he trusted. His own business. His advertisement. His own goals.
Lost in these thoughts, Ray wandered, his gaze unfocused, until suddenly, a presence slipped beside him—quiet, familiar. Without noticing, he kept walking until a sudden flick on the back of his head jolted him out of his reverie.
"Hey! What are you doing, walking around like a ghost?" the voice teased.
Ray turned, blinking away the daze. There stood his mother, a knowing smile playing at the corners of her mouth. Relief and warmth blossomed in his chest, and he smiled back, pulling her into a tight hug.
Diana, his mother, crouched down to meet him eye to eye, wrapping her arms around him. "Why are you walking in a daze, son?" she asked gently, concern threading through her words.
Ray's lips curled into a mischievous grin. "Something amazingly shocking happened," he said, barely able to contain his excitement.
Diana chuckled softly, rising to her feet and taking his hand as they began to walk. "What could be so wonderful that it makes you lose your mind like this?"
Ray laughed, shaking his head at her tone. "The crazy thing is… I've become the guild master of the Inventor Guild."
The news hit Diana like a thunderclap. For a long moment, she was dazed, staring at him as if to make sure she'd heard right. The truth was, she fully believed him—because she'd always known how incredible her son was.
Ray laughed at her stunned expression, his heart swelling with pride. Diana blinked away the daze, a faint blush coloring her cheeks at how deeply she'd reacted. She chuckled, the warmth returning to her eyes.
"So, have you finished recruiting people for your grand plan?" she asked.
Ray shook his head. "Not even close. I need thousands—servants, cleaners, warriors. But loyalty is key. Every person must be tested for spies, for true allegiance. You should come with me, Mother."
He pulled a sleek mini tower from his matrix and held it out. "I need to position these towers far and wide, extending the network's reach. Once they're all in place, we can start advertising—after the houses and shops are built, of course."
Diana followed Ray closely, her curiosity and pride growing with each step. Together, under the cloak of disguises, they began to recruit workers—sometimes relying on Ray's sharp gaze to pick out gems of talent. Wristwatches branded with his insignia were handed out to nobles and commoners alike, binding them to his cause.
He had already tasked workers with building homes on the land he owned, preparing for bigger projects.
Among those Ray found were triplets—teenagers overlooked by the academy for being poor, unremarkable, and unable to cultivate properly. But Ray saw something else. Their cultivation speed defied all expectations. He devised a three-way cultivation technique to synchronize their efforts.
That day, for the first time in their lives, Max, Leo, and Ben succeeded in cultivating a full cycle. Tears welled in their eyes—tears born of relief, hope, and the weight of years spent being doubted. Even their kind families had given up on their dreams, leaving them with guilt and frustration.
They had tried time and again, but something always blocked their path. Their desire to grow stronger was driven by a need to protect those they loved, yet they had been trapped by invisible walls. Then Ray appeared like a beacon, offering them a new chance. They swore loyalty to him on the spot and asked only one thing in return—the safety of their family within Ray's growing land.
Ray nodded, promising resources, support, and protection.
These triplets became his personal shadow guards, the first among many who pledged loyalty. The rest formed the shadow army, charged with building their network, creating a vast information center that would be the backbone of his vision.
Diana asked, voice filled with awe, "What is your plan, Ray?"
With a steady, determined gaze, Ray answered, "Guild tower, theaters, information centers, auction houses, workshops, shops… homes for all the people who work for me. A city, really."
Diana's breath caught, stunned by the magnitude of his ambition. Ray, however, knew there was still a long road ahead. Many challenges to overcome, many innovations to invent. He hoped with everything in him that he could finish before he had to leave for the academy.
For now, though, his city was beginning to take shape—one tower, one brick, one loyal soul at a time.