The deals Jhon had been working on were moving forward, but so were the attacks. Despite his countermeasures, more information was getting leaked, and it seemed as though a mole had burrowed deep into his organization.
Jhon sat in his office, scrolling through reports with a hardened gaze. His determination was fueled by his latest upgrade from the Fortune System: Cyber Counterintelligence—an ability that enhanced his detection skills for potential threats within his network.
[Fortune System Notification]
"New Mission: Identify and Neutralize Internal Threat."
Reward: 2500 Fortune Points
Bonus Skill: Deception Detection
Jhon wasted no time. With Cyber Counterintelligence at his disposal, he scanned recent logs and activities within his company. Patterns began to emerge, pointing to someone within the upper ranks who had suspicious access patterns.
A Face Behind the Mask
Jhon's investigations led him to a name he hadn't expected: Richard Thompson, one of his most trusted lieutenants. The betrayal stung, but Jhon's reaction was measured. Rather than immediately confronting Richard, he decided to dig deeper, leveraging his Fortune System skills to confirm his suspicions.
Richard had been with Jhon since the early days, working tirelessly to help him build the foundation of his empire. However, as the system dug into Richard's connections, it uncovered recent transactions and communications with one of Jhon's major competitors. The evidence was overwhelming.
[Fortune System Notification]
"Deception Detected: Richard Thompson – Intelligence Report Available."
Jhon's face hardened as he reviewed the data. Loyalty was non-negotiable, and Richard's betrayal was a clear line in the sand.
Jhon (to himself): "If you can't keep your loyalties straight, Richard, then there's no place for you here."
A Quiet Confrontation
Later that evening, Jhon called Richard to his office under the guise of discussing a new strategy. Richard entered, unaware that this meeting would be his last as part of Jhon's inner circle.
Richard: "You wanted to see me, Jhon?"
Jhon looked at him, his eyes cold and calculating.
Jhon: "I trusted you, Richard. I never expected to find you working with my enemies."
Richard's face paled, his composure slipping.
Richard: "Jhon, it's not what it looks like. I was trying to gather intel—helping you, not betraying you!"
But the Fortune System's analysis confirmed the truth. Jhon wasn't swayed by Richard's pleas.
Jhon: "Save your excuses. Your actions spoke louder than words."
A silence fell over the room, tense and final. Jhon dismissed him with a single gesture, already preparing a series of countermeasures to secure his company from further leaks. Richard's betrayal had been a stark reminder of the dangers he faced at this level, and he resolved to be even more vigilant in choosing his allies.
The Fall of Richard Thompson
By the next day, word had spread throughout the company that Richard had been removed from his position. The Fortune System had allowed Jhon to swiftly cover any potential losses from Richard's actions, ensuring his competitors gained no ground. But Jhon wasn't finished. Using his Cyber Counterintelligence and the information Richard had unknowingly provided, Jhon orchestrated a strategic move to undercut the rival corporation Richard had been aiding.
[Fortune System Notification]
"Mission Complete: Internal Threat Neutralized."
Reward Claimed: 2500 Fortune Points
Bonus Skill Unlocked: Deception Detection
Jhon felt the new skill's presence in his mind, a honed awareness that he could almost physically feel. He sensed he was becoming sharper, keener, and more formidable with each betrayal and battle.
The Endgame Begins
Despite his successes, a lingering unease gnawed at him. Evelyn Knight's words played over in his mind—"You and I could have a mutually beneficial arrangement." He knew she was waiting for a response, and he was keenly aware that alliances in this world were both necessary and dangerous.
Late one night, he finally messaged her, agreeing to meet. He knew he would need to be cautious, but he was intrigued by the possibilities an alliance with Evelyn could offer. As much as he had fought to get here on his own, he sensed that the stakes were rising beyond his ability to handle alone.
The Fortune System chimed once more, with an ominous message that felt more like a premonition than an alert:
[Fortune System Notification]
"New Objective: Consolidate Power Through Strategic Alliance with Evelyn Knight."
Reward: 5000 Fortune Points
Bonus: Unlock High-Level Negotiation Skills
As he closed the system notification, a fierce determination filled him. He knew that every step he took from this point on would bring him closer to his ultimate goal—but also closer to an inevitable clash with those who would stop at nothing to see him fall.