The heavy steel gates of Site Kappa slid shut behind them, sealing away the secrets of the nation's cyber defense. The hum of the secure facility faded, replaced by the natural sounds of the wind sweeping across the secluded military grounds.
General William Adams walked in silence for a moment, his boots crunching rhythmically on the gravel. He stopped near his armored SUV, signaling his guards to hang back.
He turned to Steven, his expression unreadable beneath the brim of his cap.
"Boy, the surprise you brought me this time was impressive," Adams began, his voice low but carrying a weight that demanded attention. "I even saw how you launched the Eclipse Note X01. That phone is truly a marvel of technology."
Steven opened his mouth to respond, but the General raised a hand.
"But I need to tell you something as someone who has seen the world and knows too much. I know very well the kind of things you've got right now. Thankfully, you haven't attracted too much attention yet, but if you keep stirring up storms the way you are, it won't be long before you end up on someone's hit list—or worse, dead."
Steven listened intently, his expression unreadable, though his mind began to race.
"I know you're an enigma," General Adams continued, his eyes narrowing as if dissecting Steven's very soul. "A year ago, you were just an average backbencher, and suddenly you've turned into a genius student. I don't know why you were acting dumb all that time or what made you decide to reveal your brilliance. Then, you transformed that small restaurant into a thriving business, opened a successful gaming company, and brought in that assistant of yours, Alex."
The General stepped closer. "His records are spotless—too spotless. Like he's always been there, yet I've never heard of him."
Steven raised an eyebrow but remained silent. The General wasn't done.
"And then," Adams went on, ticking off points on his fingers, "you mysteriously acquired three decent companies, launched the SmartSustain Project, and introduced Lisa, another one of your subordinates. She's just like Alex—clean records, but no history anyone can trace. Then there are four more people like them under your command."
The General let out a sharp exhale. "You've brought things into this world no one ever imagined—EvaOS with integrated AI, the Starion hypercar from Odin Industries that runs on electricity and fuel, offers luxury and performance, and even supports solar charging. That car alone could revolutionize the entire automobile industry. And then, you launched this smartphone and revealed yourself as majority shareholder of Griffin Tech a month ago. And now, you're suddenly a cybersecurity expert."
Adams stared at him, a mix of awe and suspicion in his gaze. "Do you even realize what kind of freak you are? Inhuman—that's what."
Steven smirked slightly, forcing a casual tone. "Aren't you keeping too many tabs on me?"
General Adams shot him a sharp look. "Boy, I've said it before, and I'll say it again. If you're dating my baby girl, I'm watching you."
Steven chuckled softly, but the General's expression didn't waver. The playfulness vanished from the air.
"I don't care where you come from or what you are," Adams said, his voice dropping an octave. "I've seen enough to judge people with just a look, and my judgment is pretty solid. I know you're a good kid, maybe too ambitious for your own good. But let me tell you this—you're weak."
The word hung in the air. Weak.
"Without a proper foundation, rising too high only means you'll fall harder. All these assets of yours didn't just fall into your lap by chance. It's as if someone powerful is backing you, working in the shadows to hand these things over to you."
Steven's smile faded instantly. A cold chill ran down his spine. The General's intuition was terrifyingly sharp. The "shadow power" Adams was referring to was, in fact, the System—an entity invisible to the world but visible to the instincts of a war veteran.
General Adams continued, his tone growing grave. "Honestly, I don't care who or what is behind you. I know there are forces in this world—some lurking in the shadows, others living in seclusion, a few roaming in the light, and even fewer who rise and survive. There are powerful old families that dominate the world, and even more powerful ancient sects and organizations that operate from the shadows or remain hidden."
He looked at the horizon. "Sometimes, people from these secluded forces step into the modern world, and with their skills and power, they shock everyone. But more often than not, they attract too much attention and become prey to the hyenas—those old families and shadowy forces waiting to pounce. You might be from one of these forces—I don't know. But if you try to climb too high without a solid foundation, you'll fall. And I don't want that, because you're with Veronica. Your downfall would also put her in danger."
Steven nodded slowly. The warning wasn't a threat; it was protection. His rapid rise had been built on the System's gifts, but socially and politically, he was a skyscraper built on sand. He had money and tech, but no deep-rooted alliances, no decades of favors, no "old money" respect.
"So, what should I do?" Steven asked after a moment of thought.
"Build a foundation," the General replied firmly. "Take some time. You're only eighteen. Gain experience, travel the world, and learn from it. Build networks and connections. Do whatever it takes to become stable and strong, but don't attract too much attention while you're at it."
He paused, a thoughtful look crossing his weathered face. "If you're completely lost, maybe start by helping Veronica grow her business. She has dreams, and if she becomes successful, you'll gain the support of the Adams family. Take her on trips—to France, Italy, the UK, anywhere. She will get knowledge and inspirations, and you will get to experience the world."
Adams gestured vaguely toward the direction of the institute. "You're studying at AIISA, the most unrestricted place there is. There are no attendance requirements, no mandatory lectures, no strict syllabus, or course restrictions. It's all about personal growth, yet you're wasting your time sitting on that campus. Why do you think, when you were acting all high and mighty there, no senior came to put you in your place?"
Steven blinked. He hadn't thought about that.
"They're all out there gaining real-world experience," Adams said bluntly. "The real monsters of AIISA aren't in the library. They're in boardrooms of Tokyo, labs of Berlin, and oil fields of Texas."
Steven absorbed the General's words, his mind racing through the possibilities. The advice was sound—he couldn't deny that. His meteoric ascent was fragile. If he wanted to sustain his empire, he needed to fortify his position with something real.
"Alright," Steven said after a pause, his voice steady. "I'll start working on it. I'll take Veronica on a few trips, help her with her business, and focus on building something more stable. But I can't promise I'll stay out of the spotlight entirely. Some things are already in motion."
General Adams studied him for a moment, his gaze sharp and calculating. "Fair enough. Just remember, boy, ambition is a double-edged sword. Wield it wisely, or it'll cut you down."
Steven nodded, his expression resolute. "I understand. Thank you for the advice, General."
The older man grunted, his stern demeanor softening slightly. "You're a smart kid. I just hope you're smart enough to listen."
Later that evening, back at his dorm room at AIISA, Steven sat in his study. The room was dark, lit only by the glow of his multiple monitors.
General Adams' words replayed in his mind. Shadowy forces. Hidden powers.
He knew better than anyone that those weren't just idle warnings. His Systems made him powerful, but they also made him an anomaly. And anomalies were usually targeted for elimination.
Suddenly, a chime broke the silence.
[Ding! System Quest Triggered.]
Steven sat up. He had been bombarded with quests lately—the 'Ten Talents' quest, the 'Silence the Noise' sub-quest. Now, another?
He opened the panel.
[Quest: Solid Foundation]
Objective 1: Help Veronica grow her dream business—her own fashion brand.
Objective 2: Recruit Veronica Bennett as part of your Talent Team.
Objective 3: Secure the full support and approval of the Adams Family.
Objective 4: Solidify your own foundation in the real world.
Reward: 5 Billion USD.
Steven stared at the screen. The System was aligning perfectly with Adams' advice.
"Fashion brand..." he muttered.
He pulled up a digital map of the world on his computer. His fingers traced lines across continents. Paris—the heart of haute couture. Milan—for craftsmanship. London—for avant-garde trends. Tokyo—for street style.
He began marking potential destinations. He also opened a new file: Project V.
Drafting plans to help Veronica expand her business was easy for him now. He could leverage his capital, his logistics networks from Odin Industries, and even market the product. But it had to be her journey. He would just provide the wind for her sails.
The next morning, the sunlight was gentle as it filtered through the windows of Le Petit Café, a cozy spot near the campus center known for its privacy.
Steven sat at a corner table, a cup of black coffee steaming in front of him. When the bell above the door chimed, he looked up.
Veronica walked in. She looked radiant in a simple beige trench coat, her hair tied back loosely. Her eyes lit up the moment she saw him.
"You're up early," she teased, sliding into the seat opposite him. "What's the occasion?"
Steven chuckled, leaning back. "Can't I just want to see my girlfriend?"
She laughed softly, the sound warming him more than the coffee ever could. "Of course, you can. But I know you, Steven. You're always up to something. That look in your eye... it's the 'I have a plan' look."
He leaned forward, his tone shifting from playful to serious. "I've been thinking about us—about our future."
Veronica paused, her smile softening into attentive curiosity.
"I had a long talk with your grandfather," Steven admitted. "He gave me a reality check. I realized... I've been running fast, but I haven't been building deep."
He reached across the table and took her hand. "I want to help you grow your business. Not just as an investor, but as a partner. I want to take you on trips—Paris, Milan, London. I want to show you the world, let you find your inspiration."
Veronica's eyes widened slightly.
"But more than that," Steven said, his voice firm, "I want to build something solid. Something that lasts. For both of us. General Adams was right—I need a foundation. And you... you've always been my anchor."
Veronica's expression melted. She squeezed his hand back, her thumb brushing over his knuckles.
"That means a lot to me, Steven," she whispered. "I've always believed in you, and I know you'll do great things. But hearing you say that... knowing you want to include my dreams in your big picture..."
She smiled, a fierce, loving determination in her eyes. "You don't have to do it all alone. We're a team, remember?"
"A team," Steven echoed.
He smiled. Together, they could face whatever shadowy forces lay ahead. And as Steven looked into her eyes, he knew that no matter how high he climbed, or how many enemies he made, Veronica would always be the one thing he couldn't afford to lose.
"So," Steven said, pulling out his tablet. "How do you feel about Paris in the spring?"