Smoke curled from the destroyed servers.
Charles leaned against the cold steel of the control column, drenched in sweat. The room hummed, empty of sirens now, hollow in its silence.
But nothing about it felt like victory.
Specter stood a few feet away, arms crossed, observing him not with pride, but curiosity. He tilted his head like a scientist examining a subject that exceeded expectations.
"You erased the clone," Specter said, "but the imprint remains."
Charles's eyes lifted, heavy with fatigue. "What do you mean?"
Specter raised a hand—and the nearby screen blinked on.
---
## Two Histories, One Man
> [System Broadcast Log: Identity Conflict Resolved – Result: Merge Layer Activated]
On screen, news anchors discussed him with a split tone—some called him visionary, others corrupt. Every system user had received a different memory of Charles: the ruthless mogul… or the rebellious hero.
A split brand.
A man fractured in the public's mind.
