The city had not forgiven Marcus Dumar overnight. Headlines still mocked him. Social media scrolled relentlessly with images of a fallen heir, tweets dissecting his every move, posts highlighting every scandal. Marc felt the weight of it all pressing against his chest, a tangible fog of public scrutiny. And yet, the SYSTEM pulsed softly, almost teasing him with its promise: opportunity within chaos.
> "[SYSTEM ACTIVE]"
"Day 2: Initiate reconnaissance and establish presence."
"Mission: Identify weak points in remaining assets."
"Reward: Intelligence +10 XP"
Marc walked the streets with purpose now, the city's gray buildings reflecting his determination back at him. Every passerby could be an observer. Every office window could hold spies. He was no longer just a man; he was a target, a player, and soon, a force to be reckoned with.
His first stop was a modest branch of the Dumar Group's retail operations — a storefront that had barely survived the financial collapse. The employees glanced at him warily. The manager, a middle-aged woman with tightly pulled hair, frowned.
"You're… Marcus Dumar?" she asked, disbelief tinged with fear.
"Yes," he replied calmly. "And I intend to restore what's rightfully ours. I need your help."
The SYSTEM pulsed, highlighting the manager's hesitancy.
> "[SYSTEM: Persuasion Skill Available — Level 1]"
Marc leaned forward, voice steady but compelling. "I will not let this collapse ruin anyone else. Work with me, and I promise we'll rebuild — together."
The manager exchanged looks with her staff. Finally, she nodded. "Very well. But any misstep, and we walk."
Marc allowed himself a small, calculated smile. Each victory, no matter how minor, would rebuild trust and reputation. These were the first bricks of his empire.
---
Next, he moved to the main office, scanning the records of past transactions. Corruption, embezzlement, and neglect were everywhere. The SYSTEM flagged patterns almost instinctively, nudging him toward opportunities and threats.
> "[SYSTEM: Mission Update]"
"Objective: Recover minor assets and neutralize local threats."
"Reward: Skill Unlock — Risk Assessment Level 1"
Hours passed. Marc worked tirelessly, cataloging, analyzing, and plotting. The SYSTEM provided subtle guidance, each notification like a whisper in his ear.
> "[SYSTEM ALERT]"
"Optional Mission: Retrieve sensitive ledger from archive."
"Reward: XP +20"
Marc glanced at Lucie, who had accompanied him quietly. "This one is risky," he said.
She folded her arms. "Since when have you avoided risk?"
He smirked. "Since never."
Together, they entered the dimly lit archive, rows of dusty ledgers stretching into darkness. The smell of old paper mixed with damp concrete. Every step was calculated, every sound magnified in the stillness.
"Careful," Lucie whispered. "One mistake, and we alert the whole building."
Marc nodded, reaching for the designated file. A flash of memory struck him — his previous life, moments of hesitation, the consequences of indecision. He pushed it aside, replacing doubt with focus.
> "[SYSTEM: Mission Complete — Archive Retrieval]"
"Reward: Risk Assessment Level 1 Unlocked"
With the ledger secured, Marc and Lucie left the archive, unnoticed. Another minor victory, but essential. Every recovered asset, every piece of data, was a step toward reclaiming the empire.
---
By evening, Marc sat in a small rented office, the city lights shimmering through the windows. He reviewed the day's progress. The SYSTEM displayed a series of metrics — influence, intelligence, loyalty — all slowly climbing. He allowed himself a brief moment of satisfaction, but it was fleeting. The real challenges were still ahead: the rival, Élian Valcourt, whose name appeared on every significant headline and whose strategy was as cold as it was brilliant.
> "[SYSTEM ALERT]"
"Next Mission: Identify and engage potential allies. Day 3 objective will increase difficulty."
Marc leaned back in his chair, the hum of the city below mixing with the soft blinking of the SYSTEM interface. He thought of the days ahead, of choices and consequences, of power and morality. The countdown was relentless. 365 days to rise or vanish.
He exhaled slowly. The void was calling, but he was no longer afraid. He was ready.
> "[SYSTEM NOTICE]"
"Day 2 Complete. Prepare for increased operational complexity tomorrow."
Marc's reflection stared back at him from the window — a man reborn, calculating, and already plotting the first moves of a campaign that would change everything.