Rebirth Of The Tycoon: I Shall Dominate The World

The morning light filtered through my curtains, casting long shadows across the room. My mind was still spinning from the revelations of the night before, and I barely noticed the faint shimmer of light in the corner until a familiar voice echoed in my head.

"Congratulations, Horus," Hathor's serene voice chimed, her tone laced with pride. "You've completed your main mission."

I was about to tell her to still call me William, but if that name is more comfortable for her than I'll let her call me by that name.

I sat up in bed, startled. "Completed? What do you mean?"

"Your initial goal was to amass $200,000 within a year," she explained. "Not only have you achieved it, but you've surpassed it by an impressive margin. You now have $300,000 in your account."

I blinked in disbelief. I hadn't even kept track of the exact figures lately, too consumed by Cassandra's schemes and Selena's betrayal—or loyalty, depending on how you looked at it.

"And now?" I asked, my voice hesitant.

"Now, the side mission to upgrade your system is unlocked," Hathor continued. "For exceeding the goal by $100,000, you've earned bonus rewards: a high-rank bronze box, a mystery ability, and an additional $200,000."

My breath hitched. "Additional $200,000? You mean..."

"Yes," Hathor confirmed, a hint of amusement in her voice. "Your total balance now stands at $500,000."

A rush of adrenaline coursed through me, but it was tempered by the nagging weight of everything else happening around me. "What's the catch?" I asked cautiously.

"No catch," she said simply. "But this is only the beginning. The side mission will challenge you in ways you've never imagined. Are you ready?"

I took a deep breath. "I'm as ready as I'll ever be."

With Hathor's words still ringing in my ears, I spent the rest of the morning reviewing everything I knew about Cassandra. She had to be someone I knew from my previous life—someone who understood my every move, my every weakness.

I closed my eyes and let my mind drift back, searching through fragmented memories of my past life as vice-president of Orthrus Inc.

Orthrus Inc. had been a powerhouse in the corporate world, a company that thrived on ruthless efficiency and cunning strategies. I remembered the long hours spent in boardrooms, the high-stakes negotiations, and the constant battle for dominance in a world where trust was a luxury few could afford.

And then there was her.

I remembered the first time I saw Cassandra—though back then, she wasn't Cassandra. She was Claire Ashton, one of the youngest and most brilliant analysts Orthrus Inc. had ever hired. Claire had a knack for seeing patterns where others saw chaos, a talent that made her invaluable—and dangerous.

Claire had been more than a colleague; she had been a confidante, someone who seemed to understand me on a level no one else could. But there was always an edge to her, a sense that she was playing a game only she knew the rules to.

One memory stood out: a late-night conversation in the dimly lit office, long after everyone else had gone home.

"You know, William," she had said, her voice soft but laced with something I couldn't quite place, "power isn't about control. It's about influence. It's about knowing how to pull the right strings to make people dance to your tune."

I had laughed it off at the time, too naive to see the warning in her words. But now, looking back, it all made sense.

As the memories flooded back, a chill ran down my spine. Claire—Cassandra—had been playing this game long before I even realized I was a piece on the board.

But why? Why go to such lengths to orchestrate this elaborate game? What was her end goal?

"Hathor," I called out, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me.

"Yes, Horus?"

"Is there any way to confirm if Cassandra is Claire Ashton?"

Hathor was silent for a moment before replying. "There is a way, but it will require accessing deeper layers of your past memories. It's a risky process and could leave you vulnerable for a time."

"I'll take the risk," I said firmly. "I need to know."

Hathor's presence seemed to grow stronger, enveloping me in a warm, golden light. "Very well," she said. "But remember, this is only the beginning. The mastermind is playing a long game, and uncovering her identity is just one piece of the puzzle."

As the light grew brighter, I felt myself being pulled deeper into my own mind, the fragments of my past life coming together like pieces of a shattered mirror.

In the distance, I heard Hathor's voice, faint but clear: "The side mission has begun. Unravel the truth, Horus. And prepare for what comes next."

 Congratulation on completion of your main mission! You can now upgrade the system to the next level by completing the following mission!

Side Mission: Uncover the truth! Find out the whereabout of Cassandra and confront her!

Rewards: The system will level up to level 2 and the user will have access to Silver-rank items and new skills

Punishment: None

The golden light around me faded, leaving behind a soft hum of energy that seemed to pulse through the room. Hathor's voice broke the silence.

"Before you delve further into the mysteries of your past, it's time to claim your rewards, Horus. You've earned them."

I exhaled slowly, the weight of everything momentarily easing as I focused on what lay ahead. "Let's do this."

Hathor's golden figure materialized before me, her hands outstretched. A shimmering box appeared between us, its surface glowing faintly with an intricate bronze pattern.

"This is your high-rank bronze box," Hathor said. "It contains tools and resources that will aid you in the challenges ahead."

I reached out, the box feeling warm against my fingertips. As I opened it, a bright light spilled out, revealing its contents:

Item: Shadow Veil – A cloak-like artifact that could render the wearer invisible for up to 10 minutes, perfect for escaping tight situations or gathering information unnoticed.

New Skill: Persuasion Mastery (Level 2) – gain a level 2 ability to sway others, making it nearly impossible for anyone to resist my words.

Blueprint: Memory Codex – A detailed guide to creating a device capable of unlocking suppressed memories.

I marveled at the items, each one seeming more valuable than the last.

"Now for your mystery ability," Hathor said, her tone carrying a hint of anticipation. "Close your eyes and focus."

I did as she instructed, feeling a rush of energy surge through me. Images and sensations flashed in my mind—a stormy sky, the sound of waves crashing, and a deep, commanding voice. When I opened my eyes, Hathor was smiling.

"You've unlocked Echo of the Storm," she said. "An ability that lets you mimic the voice and aura of anyone you've met. It's not just imitation; it's a psychological weapon, capable of unsettling your enemies or winning over allies."

The possibilities raced through my mind.

With a simple gesture, Hathor transferred the additional $200,000 into my account. The sight of the updated balance—half a million dollars—made my breath catch. It was surreal, but I couldn't let the numbers distract me.

"Anything else?" I asked, already knowing the answer.

Hathor nodded. "You still have one spin of the roulette. Are you ready?"

The room shifted, and a large, glowing roulette wheel appeared before me. Its sections gleamed with vibrant colors, each one labeled with enticing rewards: rare artifacts, powerful abilities, mystery items, and even monetary bonuses.

"Spin it," Hathor said with a smile.

I stepped forward and gripped the golden lever, giving it a firm pull. The wheel spun with a hypnotic rhythm, the clinking sound filling the air. My heart pounded as the wheel began to slow, the pointer hovering between a shimmering purple and a radiant gold section.

Finally, it clicked into place on the purple section labeled "Astral Shard."

Hathor's eyes lit up. "An excellent reward. The Astral Shard allows you to connect with the spiritual plane, granting brief glimpses into the minds and motives of others. Use it wisely, as its power is limited to three uses."

As the wheel disappeared, I found myself sitting on my bed, the weight of the rewards sinking in. Each one felt like a piece of a larger puzzle, tools that could help me not only uncover Cassandra's identity but also navigate the web of intrigue she had spun around me.

But with each gain came greater responsibility. Hathor's words echoed in my mind: "This is only the beginning."

I glanced at my phone, the faintest smile crossing my lips. Selena's name lingered on my screen, a reminder of the emotional storm brewing alongside the chaos of my mission.

With all of the new tools at my disposal and more questions than ever, I knew one thing for certain: the game wasn't over. In fact, it was only just beginning.