Chapter 4: The Departure
Five years has passed, and its the year 2010. The orphanage that once felt like both a refuge and a battleground had become too small for Choi Jae-Hyun. Now standing on the cusp of his 15th year, the boy who had been lost in pain and tragedy had transformed into something far more dangerous—a young man on the verge of becoming a ruler. The courtyard behind the orphanage, once filled with the laughter of children and Jae-Hyun's relentless training, was silent in the dawn light.
At just 15 years old, he had already secured his first million dollars through a calculated move—buying the winning lottery ticket with his knowledge of future events.
Jae-Hyun stood at its edge, gazing out at the horizon. His body, honed through years of disciplined combat and physical training, had grown into something extraordinary.
Standing just shy of six feet, his frame was lean and powerful, muscles taut from countless hours of honing his skills. His once soft features had hardened, a sharp jawline now framing a face that exuded confidence and control.
His dark hair, which had grown longer, framed his eyes—a pair of calculating, cold orbs that seemed to see through everything and everyone.
The indifference that came with his Monarch Indifference trait was etched into his every expression, an unshakeable calm that made him seem far older than his years.
There was something predatory about him now, a quiet power in the way he moved. Jae-Hyun's reflexes were razor-sharp, his body always coiled, ready to strike.
The combat skills he had inherited from Daniel Park had evolved into a dangerous blend of speed, precision, and raw strength. He moved with a fluidity that made his actions almost impossible to predict, an assassin's grace coupled with the ferocity of a warrior.
His eyes, however, were what stood out the most. They gleamed with a deadly intellect, a sharpness that had only grown more acute with each passing year. Behind those eyes was a mind that had read and absorbed every book on strategy and power he could get his hands on.
The Art of War, The 48 Laws of Power, The Prince—all of them had shaped his thinking, molding him into a tactician who saw the world as a board of pieces to be moved, manipulated, or destroyed.
As he stood there, the wind tugging at his coat, Jae-Hyun clenched his fists and took in a deep breath. Today was the day he would leave this place. He had outgrown it.
The orphanage, with its worn-down walls and faint echoes of his childhood, no longer had anything to offer him. He had spent the last five years building himself into a force to be reckoned with, gathering knowledge, training his body, and mastering the gifts bestowed upon him through his reincarnation.
Now, it was time to start building his empire.
Jae-Hyun had planned everything down to the last detail. His destination, the United States, where the opportunities were endless, and the real power players resided.
He had studied America carefully, understanding its economic and political landscape with the precision of a chess master. New York would be his first stop—a global hub of finance and influence. From there, he would begin recruiting allies and establishing his foothold in industries that would soon undergo massive transformations. He had mapped out the next decade of technological advancements and market shifts, using his knowledge to position himself at the center of it all.
The years of manipulating the orphanage staff and children had been mere practice. His real work would begin now. His plans were grand, but they had been meticulously crafted. He had no intention of merely surviving. He intended to thrive, to rise above even his father's legacy, and to claim control over every piece of the game.
The flight was in a few hours, and Jae-Hyun was ready. He felt no fear, no anxiety—only cold determination. The Monarch Indifference granted him an emotional detachment that allowed him to remain calm and focused, no matter the stakes. His plans were meticulous, and his talent for strategy had only sharpened over the years. He knew the power players he would meet, the deals he would make, and the enemies he would have to eliminate. This wasn't just a journey; it was the first step toward an empire.
And It begins now