Emir sat at his desk that evening, the soft hum of his laptop the only sound in the room. His expenses for the week were listed in meticulous detail on a spreadsheet. He smirked as he reviewed the numbers, each one a step closer to his dream.
Land Acquisition Cost: 120 million credits
Cashback Earned: 12 billion credits
Net Worth: 14.3 billion credits (up from 2.3 billion last week)
Funds Needed for Empire's First Phase: 100 billion credits
Progress: 14%
"Not bad for one week," Emir muttered. Yet, the gap between his current progress and the end goal was daunting. To make the 8th Wonder of the World a reality, he needed to ramp up his spending and investments.
---
A Surprise Revelation
The next morning, as Emir finalized the land deal, Nabil dropped by his apartment. Dressed in his usual sharp suit and with his ever-present smirk, Nabil looked like a man who thrived on chaos.
"You've got yourself a prime piece of land, my friend," Nabil said, tossing a stack of documents onto Emir's coffee table. "But you're not the only one eyeing that area."
Emir arched a brow. "Competition?"
"More like vultures," Nabil replied. "Rumor has it there's a group buying up plots around the city. They're discreet, but their influence is growing."
Emir leaned back in his chair, feigning disinterest, though his mind raced. Could these so-called buyers be connected to the false power claimants?
---
A Vision of Grandeur
After Nabil left, Emir visited the newly acquired plot of land. Standing in the middle of the empty space, he closed his eyes and imagined the towering structure that would one day rise from the ground.
The 8th Wonder of the World wasn't just a building—it was a statement. A beacon of innovation and opulence that would make the city, and eventually the world, take notice.
His skill tree appeared again, shimmering with a faint glow. The branch labeled "Visionary's Foundation" flickered, teasing him with its potential. The skill would allow him to identify the most profitable ventures and partnerships, streamlining his journey to his empire's completion.
But the cost was steep: another 100 million credits.
"Everything has a price," Emir muttered, his fingers curling into fists. "And I'm willing to pay it."
---
A Subtle Rival
As Emir walked away, a shadowy figure watched from a distance.
---
Investments and Expansions
To accelerate his progress, Emir turned his attention to high-return investments. Technology startups, green energy projects, and emerging markets became his playground. With each deal he struck, his cashback rewards grew exponentially.
One memorable negotiation involved a startup developing AI-powered drones. The CEO, a quirky young man named Zak "Gadget" Malik, was a whirlwind of energy, rattling off technical jargon faster than Emir could process.
"Look, Zak," Emir interrupted, holding up a hand. "I don't need to know how your drones work. I just need to know they'll make money."
Zak blinked, then broke into a grin. "Oh, they'll make money. Enough to buy a small country."
"Good," Emir said, shaking his hand. "Let's make it happen."
The deal closed at 50 million credits, earning Emir a tidy 5 billion in cashback.
---
Current Financials:
Total Spent: 170 million credits
Cashback Earned: 17 billion credits
Net Worth: 31.3 billion credits
Progress: 31%
---
The Illusion of Superpowers
As Emir's empire grew, so did the rumors of others possessing supernatural abilities. One particularly ridiculous story involved a man claiming to control the weather after purchasing a "storm stone" at an auction.
The news anchor breathlessly reported the tale, showing clips of the man waving the stone in the air as clouds gathered ominously.
"Storm stone?" Emir laughed, nearly spilling his coffee. "What's next, a pebble of invincibility?"
Yet, these stories served Emir well. They kept the public distracted, ensuring no one suspected the real source of his success.
---
A Moment of Reflection
Late that night, Emir stood on the balcony of his apartment, staring out at the city lights. His journey was far from over, but he was making progress.
The skill tree flickered again, a new branch catching his attention: "Architect's Resolve." It promised to reduce the cost of future empire-building endeavors, making each step slightly easier.
The price was another 100 million credits.
"Looks like you want me to keep spending," Emir murmured. "Don't worry—I'll deliver."
As he gazed at the skyline, a faint smile tugged at his lips. The world was full of illusions, but he was building something real. Something extraordinary. And no one—not the shadow buyers, not the false prophets—would stand in his way.
---
On a nearby rooftop, a faint silhouette stood watching Emir.