My name is Eisen Kim, and I am the firstborn son of the noble House of Valtorin.

But that's not who I used to be.

I was once known as Lee Jung-ho, the Minister of Finance of South Korea. I had a life, a career, and a purpose. But that was before the assassination.

Before the bullet tore through my chest and left me dying on the stage.

I don't remember much of what happened after that. But I do know that I'm not in South Korea anymore. I'm not even in the same world.

And yet, despite the unfamiliar surroundings and the strange, new name, I feel... different. I feel like I've been given a second chance.

But why?

And for what purpose?

I remember the sound of my own voice, echoing through the crowded auditorium. I was on fire, passionate about the need for economic reform and an end to corruption. As the Minister of Finance, I had dedicated my life to creating a better future for our country.

But not everyone shared my vision.

As I scanned the sea of faces, I noticed a group of protesters in the back, their banners and signs a blur of color and anger. I also saw the opposition politicians, their faces twisted in scowls and skepticism.

And then, I saw him.

A lone figure, standing at the edge of the crowd. His eyes locked onto mine, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. Something about him seemed... off.

But I didn't have time to react.

A sudden movement, a flash of steel, and I felt a searing pain in my chest. I stumbled backwards, my eyes wide with shock and fear.

No... this can't be happening.

I tried to speak, to call out for help, but my voice was barely a whisper. I felt my strength fading, my vision blurring.

And then, everything went black.

I remember thinking, This is it. This is the end.

But it wasn't.

Something strange happened. I felt myself being pulled apart and put back together again. It was a sensation unlike anything I'd ever experienced.

And when I finally came to, I was... different.

I was lying in a crib, surrounded by strange, unfamiliar faces. I tried to speak, but all that came out was a baby's wail.

What... what was happening to me?

I looked around, trying to take it all in. The room was ornate, with intricate carvings and expensive-looking furniture. But it was the people who really caught my attention.

They were all dressed in formal, old-fashioned clothing, and they spoke in a language I couldn't understand. I felt a wave of panic wash over me.

Where was I? What had happened to me?

And then, it hit me.

I wasn't myself anymore.

I was someone else.

Someone new.

As I lay in the crib, I couldn't help but feel a sense of disorientation. Everything was so different from what I was used to. The clothes, the furniture, even the language spoken by the people around me.

Just then, a man with a kind face and a strong jawline picked me up from the crib. I instinctively knew that he was my father. There was something about the way he held me, the way he smiled at me, that felt... familiar.

"My dear Kaidën," he whispered, his voice low and soothing. "Welcome to the world."

Kaidën. That was my new name, I realized. Not Lee Jung-ho, but Kaidën, kaidën Valtorin

I looked up at my father, trying to take in every detail of his face. He was a tall, imposing figure with broad shoulders and piercing blue eyes. His hair was dark and styled in a manner that was unfamiliar to me.

As I gazed up at him, a woman with long, curly brown hair and a warm smile approached us. She reached out a hand and gently stroked my cheek.

"Our little Kaidën," she cooed. "You're finally home."

I realized that this must be my mother. She had a kind face and a gentle touch, and I felt a sense of comfort in her presence.

As I looked up at my parents, I knew that I had a lot to learn about this new world and my place in it. But for now, I was just happy to be alive.

And to have a second chance.

In a distant, dimly lit chamber, a hooded figure sat across from a middle-aged noble, Lord Ravenswood. The air was thick with the scent of old parchment and decay.

"...and so, you see, Lord Ravenswood," the hooded figure spoke in a low, gravelly voice, "the key to dismantling House Valtorin's growing influence lies in their financial vulnerabilities."

Lord Ravenswood nodded, his eyes gleaming with intrigue. "I've studied their ledgers, and I must say, their financial situation is... precarious."

The hooded figure leaned forward, its presence seeming to fill the room. "Precarious, indeed. And with the right pressure, we can push them into outright desperation."

Lord Ravenswood smiled, a cold, calculating glint in his eye. "I've already begun to quietly manipulate their trade agreements, subtly driving up their costs and eroding their profit margins."

The hooded figure nodded, its face hidden in the shadows. "Excellent work, Lord Ravenswood. With this plan in motion, I estimate it will take approximately five years for House Valtorin to become irreparably entangled in debt."

Lord Ravenswood chuckled, a dry, mirthless sound. "And once they're drowning in their own financial mismanagement, we'll be poised to strike the final blow."

The hooded figure leaned back, its presence seeming to recede into the shadows. "Patience, Lord Ravenswood. The downfall of House Valtorin will be a masterpiece of subtle manipulation. And when the time is right, we'll unleash the full fury of our plan."

As the hooded figure's words faded into the darkness, Lord Ravenswood smiled, his eyes burning with anticipation. The game was afoot, and House Valtorin would soon find itself caught in a web of financial deceit and destruction.