Chapter 10: Planting the Seeds of Chaos

Back at Skyline Tower, I stood in the command center, a room dominated by holographic projections, glowing screens, and a team of my most trusted operatives. The container of energy material from the Black Lotus Corporation sat securely in the vault beneath my feet.

Eleanor paced nearby, her nerves still raw from our Arctic escapade. "You know, Lin, the Black Lotus Corporation won't take this lightly. They'll come for you."

I smirked, pouring myself a glass of whiskey. "Let them come. I've been waiting for a worthy challenge."

She frowned. "You're too cocky for your own good."

"Cocky is part of my charm," I replied, raising my glass to her. "But don't worry, Eleanor. The System and I are already two steps ahead."

> Host, intelligence suggests the Black Lotus Corporation is mobilizing its forces. Their resources are vast, but their leadership is fractured. Use this opportunity to sow chaos and weaken them further.

Eleanor crossed her arms, watching me closely. "And how exactly do you plan to 'sow chaos'? They're not some second-rate company you can outmaneuver with a flashy marketing stunt."

I downed the whiskey and set the glass aside. "No, but they're still human. Greed, fear, ambition—they're all vulnerabilities I can exploit."

> Host, the Black Lotus Corporation's board of directors has long-standing internal conflicts. Amplifying these tensions will destabilize their operations. Use psychological warfare to pit them against each other.

I leaned forward, intrigued. "Psychological warfare, huh? Now that's more my style. How do we start?"

> Begin by targeting their financial assets. The Black Lotus Corporation's offshore accounts can be compromised through strategic cyberattacks, forcing them to accuse each other of sabotage. Simultaneously, leak sensitive information to their competitors to escalate external pressure.

Eleanor's eyes widened. "You're talking about a full-scale assault on their financial network. That's dangerous."

"Dangerous is how I live," I said with a grin. "System, initiate the plan."

> Affirmative. Deploying digital infiltrators. Host is advised to prepare for retaliation.

The next few days were a whirlwind of calculated chaos. The System's cyberattacks disrupted the Black Lotus Corporation's offshore accounts, freezing billions in assets. Anonymous leaks to the media exposed questionable dealings, sparking outrage and investigations.

Eleanor watched in awe as the corporation's carefully constructed empire began to crumble. "This is insane," she muttered, scrolling through news reports. "They're turning on each other."

I leaned back in my chair, satisfied. "That's the beauty of power, Eleanor. The stronger they think they are, the harder they fall when the foundation cracks."

> Host, the Black Lotus Corporation's CEO, Damien Zhao, has called for an emergency meeting with his board of directors. Tensions are at an all-time high. Suggest launching a direct strike during their meeting to deliver the final blow.

I smirked. "Now we're talking. Where's the meeting being held?"

> In their Shanghai headquarters, tomorrow evening. Security will be heightened, but the meeting will provide a rare opportunity to confront their leadership directly.

Eleanor's expression turned serious. "Are you really planning to walk into their headquarters? That's a suicide mission."

"Not if it's done right," I said, standing. "And besides, I've got you and the System. What could go wrong?"

She sighed. "You're impossible."

The next evening, under the cover of darkness, I arrived in Shanghai. The Black Lotus Corporation's headquarters was a towering monolith of steel and glass, its presence dominating the skyline.

"System," I said as I approached the building, "what's the quickest way in?"

> Host, the facility's primary entrance is heavily guarded. Suggest entering through the maintenance tunnels below. Security systems have been temporarily disabled.

"Understood," I muttered, slipping into an unmarked vehicle parked near the service entrance. Eleanor sat beside me, checking her equipment.

"I still think this is a bad idea," she said.

"Noted," I replied, stepping out of the car. "But bad ideas are my specialty."

We made our way through the tunnels, emerging inside the building's lower levels. The System guided us through the labyrinthine corridors, avoiding security patrols and cameras.

> Host, the boardroom is on the 42nd floor. Elevators are monitored, but stairwell access is clear.

"Forty-two floors?" Eleanor groaned. "You owe me for this."

"I'll buy you dinner," I said with a grin, starting up the stairs.

By the time we reached the 42nd floor, my adrenaline was pumping. The boardroom doors were just ahead, guarded by two armed men.

"Leave them to me," I whispered, motioning for Eleanor to stay back.

Moving quickly, I disarmed the first guard with a swift strike to the wrist, sending his weapon clattering to the ground. The second guard barely had time to react before I knocked him out cold.

Eleanor stared at me, impressed despite herself. "You're scarily good at this."

"Flattery will get you everywhere," I said, opening the door.

Inside, the boardroom erupted into chaos as I stepped in, my presence commanding attention. Damien Zhao, a tall, imposing man with sharp features, rose from his seat, his expression a mix of anger and confusion.

"Who the hell are you?" he demanded.

I smirked, taking a seat at the head of the table. "Lin Feng. And I'm here to give you a choice: step aside, or be destroyed."

His face darkened. "You have no idea who you're messing with."

"Oh, I know exactly who I'm messing with," I said, leaning forward. "And I also know your empire is crumbling. Your accounts are frozen, your board is at each other's throats, and your secrets are plastered all over the news. Face it, Damien—you've already lost."

The room fell silent as my words sank in.

Damien clenched his fists, his voice low and dangerous. "You think you can just walk in here and take everything I've built?"

"Yes," I said simply.

> Host, security reinforcements are en route. Suggest extracting the board members and leveraging their knowledge to dismantle the corporation from within.

I rose from my seat, addressing the board. "This is your chance to switch sides. Work with me, and I'll ensure your survival. Stay with Damien, and you'll go down with him."

The board members exchanged nervous glances. One by one, they began to stand, moving toward me.

Damien's face twisted with rage. "You traitorous cowards!"

I turned to Eleanor. "Time to go."

As we left the boardroom, the sound of alarms echoed through the building. The System's voice rang in my mind.

> Mission successful. Host has secured critical assets and weakened the Black Lotus Corporation. Further actions will ensure total domination.

I couldn't help but grin. The pieces were falling into place, and the world was mine for the taking.