New Dexter City, the busiest metropolis in the world, stands as the largest global economic hub. Here, fashion thrives as the second best on the planet, while various industrial sectors establish their headquarters, drawn by the local government's incredibly favorable support—tax incentives, flexible regulations, and access to top talent.
Three business giants dominate this city, but the most striking in terms of market power is Arclain Group Inc., a parent conglomerate controlling subsidiaries across diverse fields. They dominate healthcare, finance, insurance, advanced technology, electronics, real estate, fast-food restaurants, and even heavy industries like defense, aerospace, maritime, and shipbuilding, plus security. Nothing can match their grip—some markets are even fully monopolized, leaving other giant rivals with no room to breathe.
Unlike the other two conglomerates led by elderly men, Arclain Group is owned by a young man around 35 years old. Many underestimate him: "How can someone that age manage such a massive empire? His experience must be minimal; it's bound to fall apart." But the reality? Arclain Group has skyrocketed, its influence spreading worldwide, growing stronger and unshakable.
Zeyden Vorath Arclain, 35 years old. Born as the sole heir to the Arclain dynasty, Zeyden grew up amid unimaginable luxury, but also crushing pressure. At age 5, his life changed forever. His father, a brilliant executive but an alcoholic, and his mother, a beautiful yet fragile socialite, died in a mysterious car accident that was later revealed to be an engineered murder by business rivals. Losing both parents at once left young Zeyden in profound loneliness, abandoned in the grand Arclain family mansion, surrounded only by strict nannies and private tutors.
His grandfather, Vorath Arclain, the founder of Arclain Group, saw great potential in his orphaned grandson. Vorath, a ruthless visionary who built the empire from scratch after World War III, took full control of Zeyden's education. From age 7, Zeyden was trained with military discipline: advanced math lessons, business strategy, foreign languages (he's fluent in six), martial arts, and even manipulative psychology to read opponents. "This world isn't for the weak," Vorath always said. Zeyden was forced to wake at 4 a.m. for physical training, study until late at night, and be tested with real business simulations—like managing small funds for stock investments, where failure meant punishments like skipping dinner.
Zeyden's talent was extraordinary; he graduated high school at 14, earned a bachelor's degree from MIT in engineering and economics at 18, and got an MBA from Harvard two years later. But his youth wasn't without rebellion. On campus, Zeyden was known as a genius playboy: he'd win hackathons while sleeping with female professors for access to secret data, or manipulate classmates for group projects. One major incident: at 19, he got involved in a scandal with a senator's daughter, which ended with the girl threatening suicide after Zeyden dumped her. Vorath covered it up with money, but it shaped Zeyden—teaching him that power could buy anything, including silence.
At 22, Zeyden joined Arclain Group as a junior executive, but Vorath gave him no breaks. He was thrown into a small, near-bankrupt subsidiary in the tech sector, with orders: "Build it or burn it." Zeyden worked like a madman—18 hours a day, firing half the staff, recruiting new talent, and making aggressive acquisitions. In three years, it turned into a multinational with billions in valuation. But the process was dirty: Zeyden didn't hesitate to blackmail suppliers, exploit insider trading, or even sleep with competitors' wives to steal trade secrets. "Business is war," he always said.
That's when, at 25, the aging Vorath passed full control of Arclain Group to him. As the direct grandson, Zeyden held 85% majority shares, making him Chairman and CEO. The transition wasn't smooth; there was rebellion from the old board of directors who doubted his age. Zeyden responded ruthlessly: firing them all, replacing them with loyalists, and proving himself with brutal global expansion—buying out rivals, monopolizing markets, and lobbying governments for favorable regulations.
Anyone who hears the name Zeyden thinks of two things: a super handsome bastard of a man, and an unmatched genius. Despite being blessed with above-average advantages, his reputation as a bastard comes from his legendary arrogance. Rumors spread widely in society: even with a wife of unmatched beauty at home, Zeyden loves fucking women from all backgrounds. Married women, widows, employee interns, female officials, wives of high-ranking officials—he's even rumored to have had an affair with the beloved wife of the most influential army general in the country.
He also routinely "plays" with the wives or girlfriends of his own employees, seducing them with sweet temptations, subtle threats, or promises of job security for their husbands. As a result, many big shots from various circles hate him to the core, thirsty for blood to take him down. But Zeyden's contributions to the national economy are too massive—billions in taxes, thousands of jobs—so they can't attack openly.
Odorless and colorless poisons, engineered fatal accidents, professional hitmen, even intricate sabotages—all clean assassination methods have been tried. But Zeyden always survives, thanks to his vigilance like a wild animal's instinct.
At the southern edge of New Dexter, a 556-hectare expanse with lush green forests, colorful flower fields, a natural lake with turquoise water, and white sandy beaches, is Arclain Group's private property. On a strategic flat area stands the headquarters complex: unique and majestic buildings blending futuristic architecture with natural elements.
This area houses about 45,000 employees across over 200 buildings, equipped with complete modern facilities to support work and personal life. There are playgrounds, malls, entertainment arenas, advanced gyms, even health clinics—all designed to enhance quality of life. Arclain Group truly prioritizes employee welfare, which is why top talents from around the world compete to join.
On this bright day, employees should be working with burning enthusiasm. But a gloomy atmosphere blankets the complex: somber faces, anxious whispers. Bad news spreads fast—the helicopter carrying their CEO crashed in the hills not far from headquarters.
Employees are terrified: if Zeyden dies, the company's perfect stability will collapse, shattering the dreams of prosperous lives they've built. Not just them; shareholders, local to central governments, all worry on a larger scale. They don't care about Zeyden as a regular human—only his status, his achievements, that affect their wealth and power.
In that remote valley, black smoke billows high into the sky. The helicopter wreckage is utterly destroyed, still devoured by fierce red flames. Mangled bodies are scattered around, the stench of blood and burning metal piercing the air. But strangely, one figure lies unconscious, a bit away from the center of destruction.
It seems, as the helicopter plummeted, he was thrown out—and miraculously, his body is still intact, though battered.
Fresh red blood trickles from his mouth, his platinum blonde hair matted with thick blood, his black suit torn to shreds, the white shirt underneath soaked in blood. His smooth, snow-white skin now covered in gaping wounds, deep gashes still oozing blood.
This unconscious man is Zeyden Vorath Arclain. From his condition, it's impossible he'd wake up—too much blood loss, fresh trauma injuries.
But suddenly, his eyelids tremble for a few seconds. Then, his bright crimson eyes—beautiful and intimidating—open wide, staring at the hellish scene before him.
"Huh, where the hell am I? Why's there a crashed helicopter right in front of me?!!... Arghhh—it hurts!!" He shouts spontaneously, trying to get up in shock. Unfortunately, the severe injuries on his body only respond with burning pain, forcing him to grimace in agony.