The morning city glimmered like a jewel dusted with ambition. Skyscrapers stabbed the clouds, cars hummed through streets like veins carrying life, and on every billboard—Jackim's companies glowed in bright letters: BragTech Global Holdings.
Hotels, tech apps, car dealerships, investment firms—his empire was no longer a rumor. It was a storm.
But storms attract lightning.
Somewhere in a glass tower thirty stories high, a man watched Jackim's face on the news, a sharp smile curving his lips. Victor Han — chairman of The Wheel Conglomerate, billionaire, ruthless, charming, the kind of man whose handshake could buy or bury you.
He leaned forward, his voice like silk wrapped around a blade.
"So… the little boy from Sue City thinks he's a king now."
Behind him stood five board members—men and women who controlled half the region's wealth. They stood straight, silent, fearful. Victor's calmness was more terrifying than anger.
"Sir," one of them said carefully, "BragTech is expanding faster than projections. Their market share in tech and media has crossed thirty percent. The press calls him The Phantom Billionaire."
Victor's eyes glinted. "Phantom, huh? Cute name for a boy playing adult games."
Another executive spoke. "His company's stocks have drawn massive youth investments. He has charisma—his image is clean, inspiring. People are calling him a self-made prodigy."
Victor's smile vanished. "Self-made? There's no such thing. Someone always pays the price."
He stood up slowly. "He wants war? Fine. We'll give him one. Bring me every influencer, journalist, and media house willing to burn for a paycheck."
The next morning, the internet exploded.
"BragTech Billionaire Exposed!"
"Jackim's Fortune: Built on Lies?"
"Former Girlfriend Reveals His True Character!"
Headlines screamed across social media. Fake interviews, edited photos, and deepfake videos flooded the feeds. Some showed Jackim partying with criminals, others faked voice recordings of him insulting fans.
Lina threw her phone across the room. "This is nonsense! They're lying about him!"
Ariana slammed her laptop shut. "It's The Wheel. No one else has that kind of reach."
Meanwhile, Kelvin barged into Jackim's office, furious. "Bro, you've gone viral for the wrong reasons. Half the country thinks you're some scammer with a secret cult!"
Jackim didn't look up from his desk. "Good. That means they're scared."
Kelvin blinked. "You're not mad?"
Jackim smiled faintly. "I'm entertained."
Kelvin dropped into the chair. "Man, only you could treat a nationwide smear campaign like a Netflix episode."
Jackim leaned back, his tone calm but eyes sharp. "You know what they don't understand about me, Kelvin?"
"What?"
"I own my story. They can write all the lies they want—but by the time they finish, I'll own the pen."
The System's faint hum echoed in his head.
> [NEW TASK: Brag about owning every news outlet in the city.]
[Reward: Secret Acquisition Rights – 8 Major Media Firms.]
Jackim chuckled softly. "You hear that, System? They're handing me the gun and asking me to smile for the camera."
Kelvin frowned. "What now?"
"Now," Jackim said, standing up, "we make the news."
By afternoon, a press conference was announced at BragTech's headquarters. Cameras, reporters, and online influencers gathered, eager to see the "boy billionaire" defend himself.
Rumors said he'd cry, beg, apologize.
They didn't know Jackim.
He stepped onto the stage in a black suit and silver tie, confidence radiating off him like heat. The crowd hushed instantly. The lights reflected off his calm face — not defensive, not arrogant — just… unbothered.
He adjusted the mic. "Good afternoon. I've seen the news. Very creative stuff. I especially liked the one where they said I own a pet tiger named Wi-Fi."
Laughter rippled through the room.
He smiled slightly. "Now, I could spend hours denying rumors, explaining myself, and giving long speeches about integrity and transparency. But honestly? That's boring."
A reporter shouted, "Are you saying you don't care about these allegations?"
Jackim's eyes met hers. "I care about the truth. I just don't care about the noise."
Another voice yelled, "Mr. Ochieng, how do you respond to accusations that BragTech manipulated government contracts?"
Jackim raised a brow. "Easy. By buying your company."
The crowd erupted in gasps and laughter. Reporters whispered to each other, unsure if it was a joke.
He smiled wider. "Yes, you heard me. From today onward, BragTech has officially acquired your media group—along with seven others. Effective immediately, all your newsrooms will be under BragTech Media Holdings."
Chaos.
Flashes exploded. People shouted questions. Jackim just adjusted his tie, calm as a saint at a riot.
"Now," he continued, "you can keep spreading rumors if you want. But make sure to get your paycheck from me first."
Kelvin, watching from backstage, nearly choked on his coffee. "This guy just flexed on the entire press conference!"
Meanwhile, online—everything flipped. The same outlets that had dragged him an hour ago now published glowing praise.
"BragTech CEO Owns The Media Game!"
"From Victim to Visionary: How Jackim Ochieng Outsmarted The Wheel!"
Victor Han smashed his whiskey glass when he saw the headlines. "Who gave him the capital to pull that off?!"
His assistant stammered, "We're… not sure, sir. The acquisitions were processed through multiple shell companies. It's like he predicted our move."
Victor's voice turned cold. "He's not playing anymore. He's learning."
That night, Jackim stood on the balcony of his villa, looking down at the city. Rain began to fall, gentle at first. The lights blurred in the wet streets, the world shimmering like a reflection of his thoughts.
Kelvin joined him, carrying two mugs of coffee. "You really just bought the news."
Jackim smirked. "I didn't buy the news, Kelvin. I bought the truth."
Kelvin chuckled, handing him a cup. "Bro, you're like a poetic villain."
Jackim took a sip. "Villains are just heroes who stopped explaining themselves."
Kelvin leaned on the railing. "Victor Han won't stop. You humiliated him."
"I didn't humiliate him," Jackim said softly. "I reminded him what fear feels like."
The rain thickened, tapping softly against the metal railing. The two stood in silence, the city stretching endlessly before them.
After a moment, Kelvin spoke again. "You know what's funny? You're richer than everyone I know, but you still wear the same wristwatch you had in college."
Jackim glanced at it — an old silver watch, scratched but still ticking. "Because this one reminds me why I started. When I was broke, it kept time for dreams I couldn't afford."
Kelvin nodded, quiet. "You ever think about taking a break?"
Jackim smiled faintly. "Breaks are for people who've reached the finish line. I'm still running."
The System flickered faintly before his eyes.
> [MISSION COMPLETE.]
[Reward: Secret Acquisition Rights Granted.]
[Bonus: Public Reputation +35%. Fear Index Among Rivals Increased.]
> [NEW SIDE QUEST: 'The Wheel's Bloodline'—Uncover the Hidden Ties Between Victor Han and Your Family.]
Jackim's eyes narrowed. "Bloodline?"
Kelvin noticed the shift in his expression. "You good?"
Jackim nodded slowly. "Yeah. Just… thinking."
Kelvin stretched. "Thinking about how to brag next?"
Jackim chuckled. "Something like that."
Across the city, The Wheel's boardroom was in chaos. Executives argued, shouting over each other.
Victor sat at the head of the table, silent, tapping his ring on the glass. The sound was enough to shut everyone up.
"Do you know why I hate losing?" he asked softly.
No one dared answer.
"Because every time someone wins against me, I lose a piece of control. And control, gentlemen, is everything."
He turned to his top strategist. "Find out everything about this boy. His parents, his childhood, his connections. Dig into his DNA if you have to."
"Yes, sir."
Victor looked out the window, eyes burning with restrained fury. "He wants to play the game of kings? Fine. But he'll learn that kings bleed too."
Back at the villa, Jackim was reviewing new plans for BragTech Media's upcoming charity gala. He planned to turn the public's attention from scandal to inspiration—an event for underprivileged students.
Lina walked in carrying folders. "You're still working? You literally fought a media war this morning."
Jackim smiled without looking up. "Wars build empires. Empires need paperwork."
She sighed, sitting across from him. "You could at least pretend to be human sometimes."
He finally looked up, his eyes softening. "I'm only this inhuman because the world made me that way."
Lina hesitated. "You ever wish things had gone differently? If none of this System, fame, or Wheel stuff happened?"
Jackim looked thoughtful. "Maybe. But then I wouldn't have known who I really am."
"And who's that?"
He smiled faintly. "A man who brags better than fate."
She laughed through the tears she didn't want to show. "You're impossible."
"Good," he said softly. "Because possible people don't change the world."
They sat there for a long time — the billionaire and the girl who once thought he'd never make it — both realizing the strange beauty of survival.
Outside, thunder rumbled faintly, like applause from the heavens.
And somewhere across the skyline, Victor Han watched from his penthouse, whispering to the darkness.
"This isn't over, Jackim. The Wheel always turns."
> [SYSTEM LOG: Mission Completed – "The Wheel's Countermove."] [Empire Strength: 18%]