Chereads / The Giga Chad Chronicles: Rising in a Reverse World / Chapter 16 - The Storm Beneath the Mask

Chapter 16 - The Storm Beneath the Mask

The roaring engines of Hiroshi Von Drakrion's customized Midnight Phantom, a sleek, jet-black hypercar, echoed through the neon-lit streets of the capital. The vehicle was a marvel of modern technology—equipped with self-driving AI, reinforced plating, and an engine powerful enough to leave any other car in the dust.

Beside him sat Selene Arkwright, her silver hair reflecting the ambient glow of the city's holographic billboards. She held a tablet displaying the schematics of the mysterious Project Aether, the weapon Hiroshi's enemies had been developing.

"We need to act fast," Selene said, scrolling through encrypted data. "From what I gathered, Adrian's family is preparing to move their prototype to a secure location outside the capital. If that happens, we'll lose our chance to intercept it."

Hiroshi's fingers tightened around the steering wheel. "Then we strike tonight."

Selene smirked. "That's the spirit."

Just as Hiroshi prepared to respond, a voice crackled through his earpiece—his sister, Rosalyn.

"Hiro, are you out joyriding again, or do you actually have a plan this time?"

"Relax, sis," Hiroshi replied smoothly. "I always have a plan. I just prefer to improvise."

Rosalyn sighed. "Be careful. You're playing with fire, and if Adrian's family realizes you're onto them, they won't hesitate to retaliate. Drakmaris may be a matriarchal society, but the power you wield as a Von Drakrion makes you a threat."

Hiroshi chuckled. "Then let's make sure they have a reason to be scared."

Rosalyn's tone softened. "Just… don't get yourself killed, idiot. Mother would never let me hear the end of it."

With that, the line went dead.

Selene raised an eyebrow. "Your sister really dotes on you, doesn't she?"

Hiroshi smirked. "She just knows I'm too good to die young."

Selene rolled her eyes. "Let's hope you're right."

Fan Club Frenzy – Academy Mayhem

The next morning at Drakmaris Academy, Hiroshi's arrival was met with its usual spectacle. His fan club, led by the ever-determined Lady Camilla, had prepared an extravagant welcome at the academy entrance.

A giant holographic banner flashed:

"WELCOME, OUR RADIANT LORD HIROSHI!"

A line of noblewomen dressed in matching uniforms held out fresh bouquets of rare flowers, their faces flushed with excitement. Some had even composed poetry in his honor.

"Lord Hiroshi!" Camilla beamed, rushing up to him. "We've missed you! You've been so busy lately, and we were worried!"

Before Hiroshi could respond, another noblewoman, Lady Iris Fontaine, dramatically stepped forward. "Lord Hiroshi, we prepared a song in your honor! Please, allow us to perform!"

Selene, who had been standing beside Hiroshi, leaned over and whispered, "You know, if you ever need an escape plan, I have a few smoke grenades in my bag."

Hiroshi sighed. "Tempting, but let's not cause an international incident."

Camilla was practically glowing. "Lord Hiroshi, are you free this evening? We're hosting a private gala in your honor—"

A new voice interrupted. "I believe Lord Hiroshi has more important things to focus on than entertaining your delusions, Camilla."

The crowd parted as Seraphina DeLacroix, the famed actress and socialite, strode forward, her crimson hair cascading over her shoulders. She wore a designer dress that accentuated her flawless figure, her piercing green eyes locked onto Hiroshi.

Camilla huffed. "And why should you have a say in Lord Hiroshi's affairs, Seraphina?"

Seraphina smirked. "Because unlike you, I actually matter."

Tension crackled in the air. Hiroshi rubbed his temples. "Ladies, please. There's enough of me to go around."

Selene snorted. "You really enjoy feeding their delusions, don't you?"

Hiroshi just grinned.

The Warehouse Raid

That night, Hiroshi and Selene infiltrated a hidden warehouse on the outskirts of the capital, where the Project Aether prototype was being stored before transport.

Dressed in tactical gear, Hiroshi adjusted his earpiece. "Rosalyn, we're in position."

"Good," Rosalyn's voice responded. "Your window is small. Get in, get the data, and get out."

The warehouse was heavily guarded. Elite Aegis Enforcers, the most advanced private security force in the kingdom, patrolled the perimeter. Their exosuits glowed with faint blue energy, equipped with plasma rifles and neural-link combat helmets.

"This won't be easy," Selene whispered.

Hiroshi smirked. "It never is."

Using his Von Drakrion hacking module, Hiroshi disabled the external security grid. Selene and he slipped inside undetected.

Rows of high-tech containers lined the facility, each marked with encrypted codes. But in the center of the warehouse stood Project Aether—a sleek, humanoid combat drone with black armor, glowing red optics, and cutting-edge energy weaponry.

Selene's breath hitched. "That's not a prototype. That's a finished weapon."

Before they could react, alarms blared. The warehouse flooded with enforcers, their rifles raised.

"We're out of time," Hiroshi muttered.

Selene smirked. "Then let's make this interesting."

In a blur, she tossed a nano-explosive at the nearest guards. The detonation sent them scattering. Hiroshi activated his combat gauntlets, deflecting plasma rounds with precision.

They fought their way through the facility, dodging gunfire, disabling security drones, and grabbing vital data files.

As they reached the exit, Hiroshi spotted Adrian Greaves, standing atop a catwalk, watching the chaos with an amused smirk.

"You're playing a dangerous game, Von Drakrion," Adrian called. "But it's only just beginning."

Hiroshi grinned. "Then I guess I should start winning."

With that, Hiroshi and Selene leaped into Hiroshi's Midnight Phantom, tires screeching as they sped into the night, the warehouse behind them engulfed in flames.

The Aftermath – A Shocking Revelation

Back at the Von Drakrion estate, Rosalyn reviewed the stolen data. Her expression darkened.

"This is worse than we thought," she said, looking at Hiroshi. "Project Aether wasn't just meant to destabilize noble families."

Hiroshi frowned. "Then what's the real goal?"

Rosalyn turned the tablet toward him.

"They're planning a coup against the Queen."

Hiroshi's blood ran cold.

End of Chapter 16.