Kai Zhang adjusted his suit in front of the mirror. Sleek black tie, confident grin, watch synced to spiritual market trends — he looked every bit the young financial genius reborn to dominate the world.
His system window flickered beside him.
> [Countdown to Lucien Voss Collapse: 82 Days]
Opportunity Today: Public Bidding for EtherCore Patent.
He smirked. In his last life, Voss International arrogantly dismissed the EtherCore energy grid project. That mistake cost them market dominance.
But this time, I'll grab it before he even blinks.
Kai picked up his documents and walked out, unaware that the devil had already moved.
---
Two hours later — Hall of Capital Investments, Sector 9
The bidding war was vicious.
Big names, powerful companies, and two shadow guilds had shown up. At the center of it all stood Kai Zhang, calmly watching his prey.
"10 million," Kai offered.
Gasps.
"Ten-point-five," another company countered.
Kai glanced at the room. Let them raise it. I'll shatter them when I drop the future projection algorithm.
Then—
"Twenty-five million."
The voice was calm. Cold. Absolute.
Everyone turned.
Lucien Voss walked in, flanked by two men in dark suits. His presence was suffocating, and his gaze locked straight on Kai.
Kai's eyes widened. He's not supposed to be here!
Lucien sat slowly.
"No one here knows what this patent is truly worth. Not even you, boy."
Kai shot up. "You're just panicking, Voss. You know your days are numbered. This is a bluff."
Lucien chuckled.
"Cute. You came here to play chess while I've already lit the board on fire."
---
> [System Notice: You have crushed a plotline event.]
Kai Zhang's Destiny Value: -3,000
Luck Transferred: +3,000
New Trait Unlocked: Market Predator – All business deals against protagonists receive +30% success rate.
Kai Zhang's Favorability toward you: -100
Hatred Level: Unstable
---
Kai stormed out of the building, veins pulsing. His fists trembled as he accessed his system.
> [ERROR: Fate Node Disrupted]
[Warning: Timeline deviation detected. Success rate: 64% → 41%]
"No," he growled. "No, no, no!"
Lucien Voss was supposed to be a stepping stone. Not a wall. Not a hunter.
---
Back in the penthouse…
Lucien poured himself a drink, watching the city lights shimmer through the glass.
> [New Mission Unlocked – Humiliate a Chosen One Publicly.]
Reward: Ability – False Fortune (Temporarily corrupts the luck of any protagonist within 10 meters.)
"I don't just want to beat them," he muttered. "I want to take everything that fate promised them… and burn it in front of their eyes."
The first piece had fallen. And he was just getting started.
---