Once their partnership was finalized, Lin Mei returned to her dimly lit apartment, a faint glow from her computer screen casting shadows across the room as she powered it on. She took a deep breath, rolled her shoulders, and got to work, her fingers flying over the keys. Ren's request was no small task.
The first step was to bypass the bank's multi-layered security systems—a labyrinth of encrypted firewalls and access points designed to keep intruders out. Lin worked with intense focus, her mind dissecting each security measure like a seasoned surgeon. Each layer she peeled back brought her closer to the heart of Zenith Bank's digital vault.
Once inside, Lin navigated to the bank's core system, her fingers deftly moving across the keyboard as she altered its records. She carefully replaced the existing ownership information with Ren Inoue's name, forging a history that would seem irrefutably authentic to anyone who examined it.
To make this undetectable, she crafted a fake digital trail, embedding records that showed Ren had gradually acquired ownership over the past few years through steady investments. She meticulously altered shareholder data, making it appear as though all shares now belonged to him alone. Finally, she created a custom ID within the system, coded specifically to identify Ren as the owner whenever scanned—a silent signature of his newfound authority.
Hours slipped by unnoticed until, with a final keystroke, she leaned back and exhaled, stretching her tired arms. It was now past 1:00 a.m., and the project had consumed over five hours. "I'm so tired after all of that," she muttered, her voice barely a whisper. After a moment's pause, she tapped into the EliteHackers Guild platform, leaving a message to let Ren know the job was complete.
The next morning, Ren awoke to the notification, his heart racing with excitement as he read her message. He quickly typed a reply, "Thank you, Miss Golden Raven. We may need to work together again in the future, but for now, I deeply appreciate your help. I'll reach out if more opportunities arise outside of this partnership."
Lin saw the message pop up while she was casually doing her nails in her room. Glancing at her screen, she smirked and thought to herself, Working together again, huh? That depends on how capable he turns out to be.
After receiving his ID from Lin Mei, Ren dressed in a sharp suit, determined to make a good impression on his first day at his new company. Zenith Bank was an hour and a half away, so he walked to the bus stop by his house and waited ten minutes for the next one. The bus ride was long, but he used the time to mentally prepare for the transition from the digital world of hacking to the corporate realm of his new acquisition.
When he finally arrived, he made his way straight to Zenith Bank's premium service counter. The atmosphere here felt casual, almost too relaxed for a bank that managed half of the world's currency. Behind the counter, a young woman was immersed in a game on her phone. Ren cleared his throat, catching her attention.
"Could you scan this ID in the system, please?" he asked.
Without even looking up, she replied dismissively, "This area is for premium clients only. Go to the regular counter."
Ren was taken aback, not expecting such disrespect. "Excuse me, but shouldn't—"
"Can you just go?" she interrupted, still fixated on her game. Frustrated, he watched her play until she eventually lost, and she slammed her phone down, clearly annoyed.
"Listen here," she sneered. "Leave now, or I'll call security. We don't tolerate disturbances here."
That was the last straw. Ren, holding his composure, approached the manager's office and explained the situation. Yuki Aihara, the manager, listened carefully and sighed, admitting he had received several complaints about her in the past but had been forced to ignore them due to her brother's connections to one of the company's shareholders. But hearing it directly from Ren gave him the resolve to act.
Yuki walked to her desk, his tone firm. "Ayane, this behavior is unacceptable. You're dismissed."
She barely looked up, muttering, "You're so annoying. Go away." She smirked, reminding him of her brother's influence. Before Yuki could respond, Ren stepped forward.
"Yuki, let's get my ID scanned," Ren said calmly. As Yuki entered the ID information into the system, his eyes widened, his face turning pale as he registered the screen. Realization dawned on him.
Yuki immediately bowed, head lowered respectfully, and announced in a voice that echoed through the hall, "OWNER, WELCOME TO THE BANK! I APOLOGIZE FOR THIS UNSIGHTLY BEHAVIOR."
Ren, slightly embarrassed by the display, whispered, "Let's keep it discreet."
"My apologies, boss," Yuki replied, returning to a quieter, respectful tone. "Please rest assured, she won't be a problem here anymore."
As Ayane stammered, pleading for a second chance, Ren met her gaze calmly, yet firmly. He was kind, but he wouldn't compromise the integrity of his business. "We're moving forward," he said, watching her walk out, ensuring Zenith Bank's professionalism would no longer be marred by her presence.
Shortly after Yuki apologized for the incident, Ren's eyes narrowed, noticing something amiss. He turned to Yuki, his gaze steely. "Take me to the vault. I need funds—immediately."
Yuki blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "Yes, boss, but… may I ask why?"
Ren's expression hardened, his voice curt. "Don't ask questions you don't need to know the answers to. Just follow my orders."
Yuki straightened, his face flushing with embarrassment. "I'm sorry, boss," he replied quickly, his voice louder than intended, betraying his nerves.
They moved briskly toward the security office, footsteps echoing in the quiet halls, until they reached an elevator reserved exclusively for top executives. Ren scanned his ID, and the elevator panel lit up, revealing a row of hidden buttons marked with cryptic symbols. Ren and Yuki exchanged a stunned glance as they registered the unusual sight.
"I'd heard rumors about this," Yuki murmured, half to himself. "But I didn't think it was real. This is… incredible."
Ren pressed the button for the floor rumored to house the bank's deepest assets. The elevator whirred to life, descending in silence, thick with anticipation. When the doors slid open, they were met by a gleaming, fortified entrance. The massive vault door loomed, cold and unyielding under the low-lit hallway lights. Ren approached the scanner, swiped his ID again, and watched as the vault door released with a hiss, slowly parting.
Inside, the room was lined with vaults, cabinets, and safety deposits, all meticulously secured. At its center was a streamlined console embedded into the floor, with a single card slot—clearly installed for swift, high-volume transactions. This, Ren realized, had been the previous owner's hidden method for discreet dealings. With purposeful calm, Ren inserted a blank card into the slot, entering the sum he needed: 400 billion.
The console hummed, and the card's surface pulsed faintly as the transaction loaded. When Ren removed the card, it felt surprisingly weighted, heavy with the magnitude of the funds it represented. He glanced at Yuki, who was watching in awed silence.
Pocketing the card, Ren felt a rush of purpose. As they left the vault, Ren's mind was already calculating his next moves, the possibilities unfolding before him. His six-day project to construct a super base was officially underway, and now, with the resources secured, he could finally set his plans into motion.
After leaving the bank, Ren wasted no time and contacted Golden Raven on the EliteHackers Guild Forums.
Ren: Hey Golden Raven, it's Ren. I reached out to discuss building a super base, but I need your help finding both the right materials and people. Can you give me some pointers?
About an hour later, Golden Raven replied, remembering their previous collaboration. She considered the potential benefits if she enlisted Ren's aid in future operations.
Golden Raven: Ren, great to hear from you! Building a super base? Sounds ambitious. What kind of materials are you looking for?
Ren: Everything essential: high-tech gadgets, advanced weaponry, maybe some AI tech—the high-grade stuff. But more than that, I need a specialized team. I'm talking about a Cyber Architect to secure our systems, a Biochemist for enhancements, and a Logistics Savant to keep us efficient. I need a Mechanical Engineer for defensive upgrades, a Quantum Programmer for AI, a Combat Strategist, an Underworld Broker for the black market, an Espionage Expert for intel, an Energy Specialist for sustainable power, and even a PsyOps Analyst to stay a step ahead of any threats.
Golden Raven: That's a tall order, but I think I can help. What kind of budget are we talking?
Ren: Money's no object—I'm ready to go all in. You'd know that, though, considering you were the one who gave me the bank.
Golden Raven: Right, that little favor! Just try not to burn through it all at once, alright? I'll gather a list of top suppliers and talent and get back to you soon.
Ren: Perfect. I owe you one.
Satisfied, Ren closed his laptop and started searching for land. Then, he glanced at an old book he'd received from a mysterious old man. He opened it, and the word "Aqualon" glowed on the page, confusing him—he'd never heard of such a place. Moments later, more words lit up: "200,000 miles east in the Sea of Jinshu." Ren pondered this, suspecting the book was trying to guide him.
Determined, Ren traveled to a custom motorcycle shop and soon spotted his ideal ride: a matte black bike with a sleek carbon fiber frame, angular lines, and a low-slung seat. The futuristic visor on the helmet displayed navigation info, blending advanced tech with a stealthy, powerful look. The shop owner, sensing Ren's interest, began listing its specs.
"This bike comes with a Hyper-Torque Engine, reaching up to 220 mph, and a Smart Control System featuring real-time AI navigation, route optimization, and augmented reality on the helmet visor. Security includes a biometric lock and GPS tracking—only authorized users can start it."
Ren was sold, asking for the price. The seller, unfazed, replied, "150 million." Without hesitation, Ren paid upfront. After an hour of finalizing paperwork, Ren drove home on his new Shadow Hawk, beaming as he rode.
Once home, he cooked himself some pancakes with powdered sugar and settled in to watch Fables of the Forgotten. Midway through his meal, his phone buzzed. After finishing, he checked it to find a message from Golden Raven:
Golden Raven: I found some people you'll need. First, there's Riku Sato—a five-star Mechanical Engineer, age 47. He'll work for a million a year and wants to bring his wife and daughter if he relocates.
Ren quickly decided to hire Riku, instructing Golden Raven to send him the funds.
Ren: Thanks, Golden Raven. Let Riku know he should be ready at any time.
Suddenly, Ren felt an unusual warmth in his chest. Impulsively, he messaged Riku:
Ren: Be ready with your family—I'm taking you somewhere.
Golden Raven, sensing something off, messaged him.
Golden Raven: What's going on?
Ren: Just be ready with your family at the meeting point as soon as possible.
The book began to glow again, and Ren felt a strange compulsion. He grabbed his essentials, mounted his Shadow Hawk, and sped off to the rendezvous. Arriving within minutes, he waited at a small café until Golden Raven arrived with her family.
Ren approached her and asked, "You're the Lin family?"
Golden Raven nodded. "Yes, you can call me Lin Mei. This is my father, Lin Haoran; my mother, Lin Jiaxue; and my younger sister, Lin Xinyi."
Nervously, Ren introduced himself. "H-hello, I'm Ren."
Lin Haoran, direct as ever, interrupted. "My daughter said you knew something dangerous was coming and that you'd take us somewhere safe. Care to elaborate?"
Ren hesitated, not fully understanding why he felt this urgency, but he didn't show his confusion. "I've arranged everything. Pack up, and we'll take a day trip."
Together, they drove eastward, rented the fastest speedboat available—a sleek, AI-controlled 10,000 mph craft—and set off toward the open sea. As the AI took over, guiding them toward their destination, the group settled into the boat's cabins, sleeping soundly as they sped toward the unknown island waiting on the horizon.