In France, specifically in Paris.
In a large building with a logo reading "Power," yes, it was the headquarters of the luxury brand "Power."
A boy with red hair entered the building, but strangely, guards and even the employees working at Power showed him great respect, calling him "young master" or greeting him politely.
Yes, it was Hiroshi Girard, son of the famous CEO of the giant company Power.
-Bzzzzzz
As he walked, replying to the greetings from his father's employees, his phone vibrated in his pocket.
The caller's number was foreign, or more precisely, it was an American number with the pseudonym "HACKMASTER." He quickly picked up.
"Hey Daiki, what's up?"
[ Damn bastard, it's ready! ]
"Hehe, what would I do without you? HAHAHA, I can already smell the damn money."
[ Disgusting. But seriously, did you really have to do all that? ]
Who was Money Man? To put it simply: "Even if the world is post-apocalyptic, there will always be rich people." His business sense since his first life was disproportionate.
The day before, he had sent a digital business plan to Daiki, more specifically a plan to create a cryptocurrency called NeuraCoin. The plan outlined the necessary steps to launch the cryptocurrency: developing a secure and scalable blockchain, choosing a business model with minimal transaction fees and rewards for active users, and defining a launch strategy to attract the first users. The plan also included setting up an ICO (Initial Coin Offering) to raise funds while ensuring clear and transparent communication about the project to gain the trust of investors and users from the start.
It was a completely bold and innovative plan for the growing cryptocurrency market in France.
"Hmm, let's say I'm thinking long-term. First, we'll need a solid financial base, right?"
[ That's not entirely false... But how is this going to help you get into the academy? ]
"Don't worry about that, according to my calculations, it'll be sorted out today, as I already told you."
[ If you say so. Regarding the company, the budget is $150,000 for standard quality and $500,000 for superior quality. ]
"Hmmm... Alright, we'll opt for the best quality there is. I'll send 1 million dollars."
[ Okay, do it quickly. ]
Two 15-year-old boys just finished a conversation involving 1 million dollars as if it were pocket change.
Hiroshi hung up the phone and then walked into the grand lobby of the massive POWER building, dialing a number on his phone before making the call.
Beep beep.
[ Hm, my little boy finally decides to call his old father. ] The voice on the phone was charismatic and rough—it was the CEO of Power, the multi-millionaire.
"Don't say that, father. You know well that I'm busy with studies and everything."
[ Hahaha, you? Anyway, is it lucrative? ] His previously joyful tone disappeared, and in an instant, his voice became serious, as the conversation shifted 180 degrees.
But Hiroshi—no, Money Man—seemed rather cheerful.
As expected from a great businessman, he quickly understood why I was calling.
"Yes, clearly, but I first need investment."
[ How much are we talking about? ]
"At least 1 million dollars."
[ Hm, that shouldn't be too much of a problem. But... ]
"The plan needs to be solid, right? I've already sent it by email, you can check."
[ Hold on, I'll check. ]
It was as if two businessmen were discussing a new project. After 5 minutes of checking, the CEO of Power spoke.
[ Hahaha, kid, I have so many questions, but I'll ask the most important one: Do you think it's possible to get something out of an old lion like me? ]
With a mischievous smile, Hiroshi replied:
"Once, an old lion told me that there's nothing money can't buy."
[ Hahaha, that's true, but I think you've forgotten the rest of that quote: ...You just need to find the right merchant. ]
"I haven't forgotten that part, that's why I carefully chose the merchant."
[ Hahaha, with you, I never get bored! I assume you're at the company right now? As for the investment, the accountant will take care of it. ]
[ As for us, we need to talk seriously. ]
Alright, that's done. But the hardest part is yet to come, right? This old man won't be easy to handle. It's exciting!
In the United States, specifically in New York City.
"Daiki, we're leaving."
"Rest for a while. Being on screens all the time can be harmful, you know? Promise me."
"Yeah, yeah, I won't forget. I promise," said Daiki, crossing his fingers behind his back.
"And your lunch is on the table. See you tonight, my dear."
"Ah, yes, see you tonight, Mom, see you tonight, Dad."
Daiki's parents worked at the same company, so they went to work together and came home together. As the only child, Daiki was left alone at home.
A sinister smile appeared on his face.
"Alright, this time, this system will be completely destroyed."
He seemed to really enjoy himself. The one who had no trouble hacking into NASA's huge research base hadn't faced such an exciting cyber battle before.
After more than 5 hours, Daiki—no, HACKMASTER—let out a deep sigh and put his hands in buckets filled with ice that he had prepared before starting his computer work, knowing he would be close to overheating. During these more than 5 hours, his fingers never stopped typing on the keyboard for even a second.
This computer monster was creating a virus—no, not just any virus, but a nuclear-level cyber attack. A QH-level 1 virus using 5 regular computers.
QH (Quantum Hacking): is a cyber attack that uses the power of quantum computers to break through advanced security systems, such as encryptions, much faster and more efficiently than classical computers.
In this small room, a groundbreaking technological advancement had just taken place.
Normally, QH is a form of hacking that shouldn't even exist in our time, and even if it did, only the top administrators could somewhat use it with quantum computers. But HACKMASTER had just used it like a mathematical equation that required a set of formulas to solve.
This means that to compensate for the limitations of classical computers, Daiki developed a very complex algorithm that distributes the tasks of Quantum Hacking across 5 computers.
More than just talent, it was madness, but the result was enough to bring the current world of computing to its knees.
Daiki named this virus AVG: Atomic Virus Goodman.
Meanwhile, in the room that had been attacked by HACKMASTER earlier.
The black-clad man was sitting in a chair with a tense expression. The reason was simple—those who had attacked them had left no trace of their actions. Despite the efforts of hundreds of veteran hackers, they couldn't trace the hacker, as if what had happened was nothing more than a big joke.
– Wow, wow, what is this?
– Damn, the commands aren't working? A bug?
– You too?
– Wait, wait, I can't access anything anymore...
.
.
.
.
Loud exclamations began to echo throughout the room. How on earth was it possible that no one could access the computers simultaneously? Instinctively, they all understood that it was an attack... an attack on a completely different scale than the previous one.
Before they could even begin to understand the situation, one of the giant computer screens in the middle of the room displaying some random statistics changed.
Out of fear and surprise, they all froze. There was complete silence in the large computing room. The black-bearded man slowly approached the screen.
On the screen, the face of a boy who appeared to be in his teens was visible.
It can't be him, right?!