“I didn’t think Kent had such persuasive powers.”“Oh, he’s full of surprises,”. (Catherine Kent)Catherine said, her voice tinged with affection.“Speaking of which, he’s been working late nights on his new game project. Did you know he’s with Nero Cat Game Studios now?”. (Catherine Kent)Mies nodded slowly.“I’m aware. It’s one of my private ventures.”Her eyes widened slightly in realization.“Of course. He found out about that when I mentioned it at dinner a few months ago. After that, it was relentless. He wouldn’t stop begging me to let him work there. He even made a PowerPoint presentation about why it was his dream job.”. (Catherine Kent)Mies chuckled lightly, shaking his head.“That sounds like Kent.”“It really does,”. (Catherine Kent)Catherine said, laughing along.“Eventually, I caved. I told him he could work from home. He’s happy as a clam now, locked in his little studio, designing characters and crafting storylines. Honestly, I don’t mind. It’s better than worrying a
“Any questions?”. (Ran Hyun Ok) she asked, her sharp gaze scanning the room. A junior manager raised his hand hesitantly.“Ms. Ran, should we expect any external pressures or inquiries during your absence?”Hyun Ok smiled faintly, a hint of reassurance in her otherwise steely demeanor.“That’s always a possibility, Mr. Han. But if you follow the protocols we’ve outlined, you’ll handle them just fine. Trust the system we’ve built.”. (Ran Hyun Ok)Her words carried the weight of confidence, and it was infectious. The room buzzed with renewed determination as tasks were delegated, and the team dispersed to execute her orders.An hour later, the conference room was empty, save for Hyun Ok. She sat at the long table, flipping through the notes her team had compiled. Everything was in order. The company would run smoothly in her absence.She leaned back in her chair, her fingers drumming lightly against the polished surface. Despite her calm exterior, her mind was alight with anticipation.
“You’re amazing, CEO Choi. And way prettier, too.”. (Hye Ran)Chae Ri couldn’t suppress a laugh at her assistant’s unabashed enthusiasm.“Thank you, Hye Ran. But it takes more than looks to get into the Inner Circle.”. (Choi Chae Ri)“Pfft. You’ll get there,”. (Hye Ran) Hye Ran said with a dismissive wave.“And when you do, I’ll make sure everyone knows you were destined for it.”. (Hye Ran)As Hye Ran chattered on, Chae Ri’s thoughts drifted. The Inner Circle wasn’t just a position—it was the pinnacle of power, influence, and respect within Virtue Financial International. Those who entered it were no longer mere CEOs; they became untouchable, their decisions shaping not just the company but the world.One day, Chae Ri vowed silently. One day, they’ll have no choice but to notice me.She straightened in her chair, her gaze sharpening.“Hye Ran,”. (Choi Chae Ri) she said, interrupting her assistant’s rambling.“Yes?”. (Hye Ran) Hye Ran replied, blinking wide-eyed at her boss.“Schedu
“[This is Mies Sai.]”. (Mies Sai)“Mr. Sai,”. (Choi Chae Ri) Chae Ri began, her tone steady but laced with determination.“This is Choi Chae Ri, CEO of VBC. I hope I’m not interrupting anything important.”. (Choi Chae Ri) “[Not at all,]”. (Mies Sai)Mies replied, his voice neutral but attentive.“[What can I do for you, Ms. Choi?]”. (Mies Sai)She took a deep breath.“I wanted to speak to you about the global expansion of Virtue Financial International. VBC has grown significantly under my leadership. We’re now a major player not just in Asia but across multiple continents. With the expansion underway, I believe VBC can play a crucial role in shaping the public narrative, countering negativity, and ensuring Virtue Financial maintains its image as a beacon of progress.”. (Choi Chae Ri) There was a pause on the other end of the line, and Chae Ri felt her heart race.“[I see,]”. (Mies Sai)Mies said finally.“[You’ve put a lot of thought into this.]”. (Mies Sai)“I have,”. (Choi Cha
“Well, congratulations, Chae Ri. You’ve certainly earned it.”. (Ran Hyun OK) Chae Ri’s chest puffed up with pride.“Thank you, Ran. It’s nice to be recognized, isn’t it?”. (Choi Chae Ri) Ran chuckled softly.“Oh, absolutely. Recognition is important.”. (Ran Hyun OK) With that, Chae Ri turned on her heel, her white heels clicking against the tarmac as she headed toward her own jet. Before boarding, she glanced back over her shoulder, waving dramatically.“Safe travels, Ran!”. (Choi Chae Ri) “Safe travels, Chae Ri,”. (Ran Hyun OK) Ran replied, her voice laced with amusement. As Chae Ri’s jet prepared for takeoff, Ran Hyun Ok leaned against her own aircraft, shaking her head with a laugh.“She really went all out for this,”. (Ran Hyun OK) she murmured to herself. Her assistant approached hesitantly.“Ma’am, is everything alright?” Ran straightened, her expression softening.“Yes. Everything’s fine. Actually, it’s... refreshing.”. (Ran Hyun OK) “Refreshing?”
“So,”. (Choi Jin Su)he began, his tone cautious but curious,“Why the sudden call to Virtuoso City? It’s rare for both Catherine Kent and Mies Sai to pull us out like this.”. (Choi Jin Su)Ran tilted her head slightly, her eyes still fixed on the horizon.“I don’t know,”. (Ran Hyun OK) she replied honestly.“Catherine didn’t share much, but her tone... it felt significant. Serious.”. (Ran Hyun OK) Kim Yeon Seo, seated beside Choi Jin Su, leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table.“Significant as in a crisis, or significant as in an opportunity?”. (Kim Yeon Seo)Ran turned to face them, her expression thoughtful.“If I had to guess, an opportunity. Catherine doesn’t call me out for trivial matters, and with Mies Sai there...”. (Ran Hyun OK) “...It’s big,”. (Choi Jin Su) Choi Jin Su finished, nodding.“Whenever the Big Boss is involved, it’s either monumental progress or monumental chaos.”. (Kim Yeon Seo)Kim chuckled softly, shaking her head.“Let’s hope it’s the former.
“Ran,”. (Catherine Kent) Catherine began, her gaze piercing.“You’ve done exceptional work in Korea. But now, we need you to step into a larger role. Mies and I have discussed this at length, and we’ve decided you’re the right person to take over a new global venture: Virtue Securities Management.”. (Catherine Kent)Ran’s expression hardened, her grip tightening on the glass. She set it down carefully before speaking.“Virtue Securities Management. A global venture. That’s... significant.”. (Ran Hyun OK) “It is,”. (Catherine Kent) Catherine said, her tone leaving no room for doubt.“This isn’t just about managing finances or markets. This is about control. Influence. Ensuring Virtue Financial International has the power to dictate terms on a global scale. And it requires someone who isn’t afraid to do what needs to be done.”. (Catherine Kent)Ran’s eyes narrowed slightly.“You mean someone who can handle the dirty work.”. (Ran Hyun OK) Catherine smiled faintly.“I mean someo
“You’ve done incredible things in Korea, Ran. You’ve proven time and again that you can handle pressure, make the hard calls, and come out stronger. But this...”. (Catherine Kent)She gestured subtly with her hand.“This is a different beast. And I won’t sugarcoat it. If you take this on, it will consume you. It will demand everything you have—and more.”. (Catherine Kent)Ran turned back to face her mentor, her gaze steady.“And if I don’t?”. (Ran Hyun OK) Catherine’s smile faded, replaced by a piercing look.“If you don’t, we’ll find someone else. But let me be clear—there aren’t many people I’d trust with this role. It has to be someone who understands what’s at stake. Someone who can navigate the shadows without losing sight of the light…above all, I suggested you….to Mies…So…”. (Catherine Kent)The room fell silent, the weight of Catherine’s words pressing down on them both.Finally, Ran spoke, her voice firm.“If I take this role, I’ll need full autonomy. No interference, no s
The project would take time—perhaps years—but its impact would begin in weeks.“Once the roads are in place,” Merrica said, entering her chamber with a report in hand, “we’ll be able to move goods faster, respond to crises quicker, and prepare for the second phase: economic zone development.”Helen took the report with a tired, but satisfied smile. “This… this they will see. This they will believe.”“And when they do,” Merrica said, “they’ll follow.”Late that night, as the wind howled against the palace windows, Helen stood in her private study, gazing out at the flickering torches lining the city streets. In her hand was a smooth, curved stone from the first road pile—just a plain stone, but to her, it was the beginning of a foundation.Her fingers closed around it as she whispered to herself, “Let this road lead us to a better kingdom.” And with that, the first steps into a new Hallerus had begun.The throne room had seen war plans, council betrayals, and royal declarations. But on
The ministers eagerly pointed out their favorite places from their student years.“Over there—that café served synthetic ice cream you have to try.”“That’s the district where I first saw a holographic opera.”“This is where I spent hours in the central library—eight floors of pure knowledge.”Helen listened with quiet amusement and growing wonder. These weren’t just stories. This was the future.They stopped first at a shopping promenade, where modern boutiques lined the plaza. Aeternum fashion—streamlined, elegant, tailored for form and comfort—was on full display.Helen tried on a pale blue dress lined with iridescent threads that shifted color slightly under different lighting. She admired herself in the mirror. Regal, yet free. She hadn’t felt this light in years.Merrica chuckled as she twirled slightly. “Careful. You’ll make the palace tailors obsolete.”Next came the Aeternum cuisine district. The aroma of spices, imported meats, baked delicacies and exotic fruit blends filled
Meerkat sipped from his flask; eyes gleaming. “Monster cores alone could offset our collective energy reliance on Aeternum’s hybrid reactors. If those dungeons are stabilized and regulated under UNA protocols, we’re looking at a resource boom.”Angela arched an eyebrow. “All that assumes stability. A kingdom can’t regulate dungeons if they can’t regulate their own court.”“Well,” Meerkat said with a shrug, “that’s what Merrica’s for, isn’t it?”They all laughed lightly—because it was true. The man’s reputation preceded him. Hallerus may have signed with a queen, but Merrica had built the bridge.Kaneda leaned forward. “It’s risky, but it’s a calculated risk. We’re not signing blind loyalty here. We’re watching. Evaluating. But make no mistake—if this works, Hallerus becomes the keystone of continental connectivity.”Redwall drummed his fingers on his knee. “I suppose that’s why we’re here. Not to clap at the signing. But to see if the queen is truly changed.”“She is,” Angela said qui
“And now, a major announcement: With the signing complete, Hallerus Kingdom is formally inducted into the United Nation Alliance as its thirty-first member. This marks a turning point—not only for Hallerus, but for the entire Central Continent.”“The UNA, now composed of thirty-one sovereign nations, officially becomes the largest unified alliance in the world’s history—its reach, economic power, and strategic cooperation unmatched by any prior coalition.”“Following this event, Aeternum has confirmed it will begin a nationwide rollout of its Super Stores, factories, and humanitarian infrastructure in Hallerus territory. In exchange, Hallerus will provide critical resources and cultural integration into the alliance structure.”“Public reaction is already beginning to surface—here in New City, spontaneous celebrations have begun in the multicultural districts where former Hallerians live. Meanwhile, markets across the UNA are surging in response to the stability this alliance signifie
“I don’t forget betrayal easily,” I said. “And Aeternum doesn’t forget pain lightly. What happened between us—it scarred people. People who trusted Hallerus. Soldiers who bled for your freedom. Civilians who saw us pulled out overnight.”“I know,” Helen said. “And I accept the cost.”“But,” I said, letting the word hang before softening my tone, “I do respect accountability.”Her eyes met mine. “Then we start again?”“We do,” I said, extending a hand.She took it. Her grip was firm.“We bury the hatchet,” I added. “But let’s be clear—this is not a return to old friendship. This is a new foundation. One built on lessons learned.”Helen nodded. “Agreed.”Merrica exhaled, satisfied. “It’s what both sides need.”I looked at Helen, voice calm. “You have a second chance now. Few leaders get that. Don’t waste it.”She nodded again, quietly this time. “I won’t.”“Good,” I said. “Because your people need you more than ever. Rule wisely. Rule well. Let this alliance be your legacy.”For the fir
“We’ll export more to Hallerus—especially food. You’ll need it. In return, we’ll import more raw ore and minerals. Your mining sector’s still decent, right?”“It is.”“Then let’s grow that. More volume, more jobs, more imports on both sides.”He beamed. “Thank you, my friend.”I smiled back. “You’ll find I don’t just use the whip.”“A carrot, then?”“Always. A balanced hand is how you keep control. Too much punishment, and you push people away. Too much reward, and they forget who they owe.”Merrica nodded slowly. “You’ve become a real ruler.”I stood, offering my hand again. “I became what this world needed.”He shook it. “And I’ll make sure Hallerus becomes what Aeternum can trust.”We stood in silence for a moment longer. The sound of cheering still floated in faintly from the streets below. Somewhere out there, Queen Helen was being paraded through New City—through a modern marvel built from vision and precision. Through a world she couldn’t have imagined a year ago.And now, she’
“They’re… happy to see us?” she asked, disbelief in her voice.Duke Merrica gave her a half-smile. “Some of them, yes. The others are watching. Judging. As they should.”One young woman in the crowd, her hair wrapped in Aeternum’s signature style, waved a small Hallerus flag and called out, “Welcome back! My family’s from Archenport—we’re with you!”Helen felt a warmth rise in her chest. Her lips curled, hesitant, but sincere. She lifted a gloved hand and waved back.Her ministers behind her smiled with relief. The people hadn’t forgotten them. Or maybe… maybe Aeternum’s citizens were willing to forgive, even if their leaders were not.Still, with each new marvel the city revealed, her pride took another small wound.Digital traffic signs shifted in real-time. Elevated walkways moved gently above the streets. Tall towers bore solar glass and climate control systems beyond her comprehension. Everything was clean. Efficient. Vibrant.Hallerus, by contrast, was still struggling to clear
“But that’s not all,” he said. “We’re not just building stores. We’re buying land.”Elijah’s eyes narrowed. “Land?”Andrea arched a brow. “Personal Aeternum-controlled territory?”“Exactly,” Mies said. “We’ll negotiate the purchase and designation of sovereign Aeternum land within Hallerus. Locations where we will build permanent structures—embassies, farms, factories. Property they can’t touch. Not legally. Not politically.”Andrea crossed her arms. “You want to turn this alliance into territorial leverage.”“I want security,” Mies said. “We trusted them once. And they betrayed us. This time, we own the pieces on the board. If they want access to food and prosperity, they give us something real in return. Soil.”Elijah nodded. “No oversight from their monarchy. No interference. Full extraterritorial jurisdiction.”Mies smiled. “Exactly. We build an Aeternum that lives inside their walls. One they can’t tear down without declaring war.”Andrea added, “And when we build those farms and
“We’re proud Aeternians now,” said one local organizer. “But we remember where we came from. If we can help fix the old home while serving the new one, why not?”In university lecture halls, students debated passionately.“Strategically, re-integrating Hallerus into Aeternum’s economic sphere is a no-brainer,” one economics major argued. “We’ll be able to shape their policies from within.”“But trust is a currency too,” another replied. “If we spend it on the wrong partner again, we might pay more than we think.”In a small park in the east district, a group of Aeternum veterans sat on a bench, medals on their coats, eyes on the screens showing news footage of Andrea’s visit.“You remember that street?” one said, pointing.“I remember clearing it house by house,” another replied. “They cheered us one day. Chased us out the next.”The youngest of them, silent until now, finally spoke.“We gave them peace once. Maybe it’s time to give them a future.”Silence followed. No one disagreed.