The Arrogance of Power
Kael Ravencroft did not calm down.
He retaliated.
Crushing a Minor Ant
Three days later.
Chairman Holtz's company collapsed overnight.
Overseas accounts frozen Supply chains severed Key partners withdrawing simultaneously
The stock didn't fall.
It imploded.
By noon, Holtz was finished.
By evening—
Kael Ravencroft personally walked into what remained of Holtz's office.
The room smelled of panic.
Holtz looked up, face pale.
"…You," he whispered.
Kael stood straight, eyes cold, lips curved faintly upward.
"Next time," Kael said calmly,
"don't dare to look down on me."
Holtz's hands trembled.
"You—you did this?"
Kael didn't answer.
He turned around and walked out.
Satisfied.
Victorious.
The Part Kael Didn't Know
As the elevator doors closed—
A red light blinked quietly in the corner of the hallway.
A recording device.
Perfect angle.
Perfect audio.
Elsewhere—
Alex watched the footage in silence.
"…How generous of you," he murmured.
He leaned back and spoke calmly.
"Red Queen."
Red Queen:
Yes, Master.
"Store the video," Alex ordered.
"And start digging."
Understood.
"I want everything," Alex continued.
"Illegal dealings. Money laundering. Proxy companies. Offshore accounts."
A pause.
Then—
Yes, Master.
Alex smiled faintly.
Kael had just handed him a knife.
Invitation to Fate
Kael stepped into his car.
The moment the door shut—
His phone vibrated.
He glanced down.
Invitation Received: Aetherfall Grand Auction
Date: One month later.
Kael's eyes lit up.
"…Perfect."
Greed Awakens
As the car moved, Kael leaned back and began planning.
First—
Lunaria.
"She already likes me," Kael thought confidently.
"I just need to deepen it."
Save her.
Support her.
Stand beside her.
Soon—
Make it official.
Then—
The auction.
His mind drifted naturally to three items.
The Land
Cheap price.
Hidden value.
A future mine worth 150 billion.
Kael's lips curled.
"This will be mine."
The Unknown-Origin Egg
Rare.
Mysterious.
Strong aura.
Kael didn't know why—
But he wanted it.
The Recipe
Cosmetic Pokémon formula.
Fast money.
Fast fame.
Another stepping stone.
As for the rest of the items—
Kael didn't even bother remembering them.
Irrelevant.
The Protagonist's Confidence
Kael closed his eyes, satisfied.
Chairman Holtz was gone.
His reputation was recovering.
Lunaria was leaning on him.
The auction awaited.
Everything—
Was back on track.
Or so he believed.
Elsewhere — The Web Tightens
Alex closed the video file.
Another window opened beside it.
Lines of data began populating rapidly.
Illegal transfers.
Dead intermediaries.
Falsified ownerships.
"…Good," Alex said quietly.
Kirlia floated beside him, eyes bright.
"Slowly," Alex murmured.
"No need to rush."
Outside—
The city lights glowed peacefully.
Unaware that one man was walking straight into a perfectly prepared trap.