In the towering skyscrapers of Wall Street, Yu Jin Hyuk embarked on a journey driven by his pursuit of power and success. Young, ambitious, and armed with the belief that money could unlock his dreams, he dove deep into the heart of the financial world.
But as the days on Wall Street passed, Yu Jin Hyuk began to see the cracks in his aspirations. Money, though a formidable force, had its limitations. The corridors of power were tightly held by established giants, and the dream of challenging them seemed distant and impossible. The very system designed for financial growth had turned into a high-stakes gambling den. Disheartened, Yu Jin Hyuk began to question the true worth of his achievements.
Despite gaining wealth and fame, the frustration of facing these entrenched powers led him to withdraw from the relentless race by the age of 23. Seeking peace away from the chaotic world of finance, he chose a self-imposed exile. Yet, fate had a different plan. At 25, a tragic car accident abruptly ended the life of a once-promising young man.
However, death was not the end for Yu Jin Hyuk. Reborn in a new realm called World Terra, he found himself a part of the prestigious Han family in the Dragon Country. This new world resembled Earth in layout but had different geopolitical dynamics and belief systems.
World Terra spanned a vast landscape, divided into fewer than ten sovereign nations. Unlike Earth, it had no global religion. Instead, each influential family, including the powerful Han clan, embraced its unique belief system, and spiritual doctrines varied significantly among major lineages. Despite the grandeur and influence of these families, Terra lagged slightly behind Earth in technological advancement.
Han Xiao, as he was now known, struggled to contribute to the world's technological progress, lacking the technical expertise from his previous life. However, he quickly leveraged his knowledge of economics and the early adoption of computer technology to rise to prominence in Terra's financial world. Even with his success, his ambitions were stifled by the pervasive influence of social media.
While he managed to control the media within the Dragon Country, extending that control globally proved elusive. The economic system, much like Earth's, transformed into a high-stakes gamble, and people once again fell under the sway of social media manipulation. Han Xiao, who became the head of the Han family at the age of 25 and led the financial world for a significant period, saw his dreams remain unfulfilled.
Frustrated, Han Xiao lamented the repetition of Earth's history on Terra. The economic landscape had devolved into a den of speculation, and social media's influence continued to manipulate the masses. For him, the cycle of exploitation seemed endless.
These repeated failures became a lens through which Han Xiao viewed humanity. He grew cynical, blaming people for their perceived weaknesses and shortcomings. In his eyes, they were, as he put it, "dumb creatures," destined to be exploited. The bitterness of his experiences led him to a stark conclusion: exploiting others, curbing their freedoms, and inflicting suffering were not inherently wrong.
Han Xiao's new philosophy was simple: those who sided with him without question would prosper, while those who opposed him could only blame themselves. His view of power, influence, and human nature became deeply shaped by this perspective, leading him to navigate the world with calculated pragmatism.
Armed with the player system of Shelter 222, Han Xiao's mind began weaving a devious plan to assert dominance over both Terra and Luminara. His ambitions stretched beyond personal gain; he sought to shape both worlds according to his will. The intricacies of the player system revealed to him a tool with unprecedented potential. He saw it as a means not only to secure power and influence but to mold the very fabric of the realities he found himself in. Calculations filled his mind as he strategized every move, exploiting the vulnerabilities and opportunities presented by the unique dynamics of the player system.
Terra and Luminara, with their distinct geographies and geopolitical landscapes, became his chessboard. Han Xiao envisioned a grand game where he could manipulate players, events, and factions to orchestrate outcomes in his favor. His plan went beyond the shelter; it aimed to transcend the boundaries of both the virtual and the real, intertwining the fates of both worlds. With a blend of cunning and foresight, Han Xiao sought to position himself as the puppet master, pulling the strings that dictated the course of history. The player system, once a mysterious feature of Shelter 222, now transformed into a potent instrument of control in his hands.
As he embarked on this ambitious journey, Han Xiao's gaze extended beyond the shelter's confines. The vast landscapes of Terra and the echoes of Luminara's tumultuous history became the backdrop for his intricate plot. The stage was set, and Han Xiao, now both player and architect, prepared to unfold a narrative that would rewrite the destinies of two worlds in his image.
With a sly grin, Han Xiao issued a set of instructions to Tian, probing the limits of their newfound capabilities. He tasked Tian with investigating the possibility of remotely controlling computers that weren't connected to the internet. However, recognizing the potential limitations, he added a devious twist to the plan.
"If we can't control them directly, create a virus," Han Xiao directed with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Make it so potent that once it infects a computer connected to the internet, it will stay dormant as long as it's connected. But as soon as it gets disconnected for a specific duration, it triggers chaos. Think of it as a digital puppeteer pulling strings in the shadows."
Tian, processing the command, acknowledged the instructions.
Han Xiao continued with his devilish scheme. "The virus should be like a silent infiltrator—undetectable and unsolvable in Terra's technological landscape. If it infiltrates a system linked to missiles, let them dance to their own erratic tune. If it infiltrates defence systems, ensure they remain dormant. Let chaos reign in the digital realm."
After giving these instructions, Han Xiao tightened his backpack.
Noticing his movements, Tian, who was working on the computer, asked, "Master, are you leaving?" There were emotions in its voice, but it sounded pitiful.
"Mhm. It doesn't make sense for me to keep guarding here. It's better for me to do something else."
This so-called shelter was a barren place, with nothing to eat or drink. Han Xiao now had only half a palm-sized cake, half a bottle of water left, and the compressed biscuits and lollipops he had just bought with bonus points.
In the nearby survivor settlement, he had a modest hideout with some supplies and useful tools. For now, that would be his next destination.