The Rise of the Nine Dragons – Shadows Over Southeast Asia is an epic tale of a group of individuals facing the looming threat of a powerful organized crime syndicate, the Nine Dragons Syndicate, which holds a tight grip over the economy and politics of Southeast Asia. The story follows the journey of Bintang, a former journalist, and Sebastian, a time traveler, as they confront the cunning tactics and dark forces led by influential figures like Tian Hao and Yun Feng. 
Set against the vibrant backdrop of Jakarta and Indonesia's new capital (IKN), the core conflict revolves around political ambition, environmental crises, and economic manipulation. The tension arises as personal political agendas clash with the greater good, forcing Bintang and his team—comprising a former hacker, a diplomat, an environmental activist, and a conservation officer—to battle not just for justice but for the future of their land. Together, they face an enemy that wields not only power and wealth but also the ability to disrupt the natural balance.
At the same time, we have Heru, a character-driven by revenge and the pursuit of scientific advancements. His motivations create a tension-filled dynamic within the narrative, adding depth to the ongoing conflict between Bintang's team and the Nine Dragons.

The Rise of the Nine Dragons – Shadows Over Southeast Asia

Mei Ling sat at her father’s ancestral shrine, the incense smoke curling into the air, mixing with the distant noise of the bustling city. She had never truly cared for tradition, but she knew the power of symbols. Her family, once simple merchants, had taught her that those who mastered perception mastered the world. Mei was more than a merchant—she was a predator. 


The room felt like a relic of an old world, filled with artifacts of a simpler, more honorable time, but Mei Ling’s ambitions were far grander. 


Her rise within the Nine Dragons began not with violence, but with knowledge. Her education in biochemistry at Stanford was her ticket into the underworld—knowledge was a weapon, sharper than any blade. And the key to unlocking her dominance over the syndicate had come from an unexpected source. 


The Alchemist’s Gambit