Ren Kaito had never stepped foot inside a five-star restaurant. He had never worn a suit tailored to his form. But now, under the sparkling chandeliers of Aurum Sky Lounge, with high society buzzing all around him, he sat like he belonged.
And in truth…
He did.
The rumor had taken root—"Ren is the secret heir of a multi-billion-dollar company." It started as a joke, whispered by a jealous classmate after Ren had been seen talking to the prettiest girl in class. The System absorbed it. The next morning, Ren awoke to a new bank account under his name.
Balance: ¥230,000,000.
And the whisper echoed again in his mind:
[Rumor recognized: "He's the heir of a billionaire." Confirmed.]
His dorm room changed. His phone upgraded. His status in the university quietly evolved.
No one dared question how.
Because the moment one student spoke up, ten more whispered about how it was probably true.
And truth was irrelevant.
In his case… belief was enough.
Now, seated in front of a golden-stemmed wine glass, Ren listened with a passive expression as the university's rich kids tried to include him.
"Ren, I didn't know you were into luxury imports. My dad owns a shipping firm, I could connect you," said Takashi, a typical rich kid who had never spoken to him before.
"Oh please, Takashi, Ren's not into such small fish," Aiko giggled from the other side, sipping her cocktail. "His family is practically shadow royalty. I heard his uncle owns a stake in New World Bank."
Ren gave a small smile, saying nothing. His silence was his weapon now.
Silence allowed the lies to grow.
[New rumor registered: "He's connected to global banking families." Status: Forming.]
The system pulsed faintly in his mind.
After the dinner, Ren stepped into the night city—neon lights painting the skyline in blues and reds. He walked alone. Not because he had no company, but because he chose to.
The first girl to cling to him had been Miyako, the class goddess—long legs, smooth black hair, and a reputation for rejecting every man who tried. She had once laughed when someone suggested Ren liked her.
But a few whispers later?
"She's been staring at Ren a lot."
"I heard she gave him her number."
"I think she's already his girlfriend."
The moment those rumors took shape, her behavior changed. The System twisted fate subtly. She grew intrigued. Curious. Then obsessed.
She walked beside him now, like it was normal.
"Ren… do you like this place?" she asked, pointing to a luxury boutique.
He turned to her slowly. "Why ask?"
Miyako blushed, her eyes lowering. "I was thinking… maybe I could buy you something?"
A few weeks ago, the idea would've been laughable.
But now?
[New rumor detected: "He manipulates women without effort."]
[Trait awakened: Irresistible Aura (Tier 1).]
Ren nodded slightly. "Buy me something. Prove you're useful."
She smiled, almost relieved to be ordered. The twisted logic of the System made sure the lies became truths—and the truths rewrote the world.
Later that night, Ren sat in his penthouse apartment—one that had appeared suddenly in his System-assigned assets. He looked down at the city, wine in hand, while soft piano music played in the background.
He opened his System menu.
[RUMOR SYSTEM v1.0]
— Rumors Detected: 41
— Confirmed Rumors: 7
— Influence Level: Bronze Grade
— Current Title: Whispered Heir
— Active Traits: Wealth Aura, Irresistible Aura, Cold Mindset
— Passive Effect: All lies about you begin forming reality threads.
He stared at the "Influence Level."
Bronze Grade.
Still weak. But growing.
Tomorrow, he'd make it rise. He'd plant the next lie himself.
The next morning, Ren walked into campus with Miyako on his arm, dressed in designer black. Every eye turned. Envy boiled. Jealousy sparked. And hatred whispered.
"Who the hell does he think he is?"
"Probably blackmailing someone…"
"Maybe he's part of the Yakuza."
"He's too calm… definitely hiding something."
Ren's eyes gleamed.
Perfect.
[Rumor detected: "He's a criminal mastermind."]
[Thread forming: Underworld Ties.]
In the shadows, as he passed by a group of gossiping elites, one girl whispered to another:
"Ren Kaito? He's not just rich… I think he's dangerous."
Ren stopped walking, tilted his head, and gave her the faintest smile.
She went pale.
And so it began.
He would not be a hero.
He would not be fair.
He would not be kind.
He would become the man they feared.
He would become the villain they created.
And in doing so, he would rise above them all.
End of Chapter 2