God-Level Tycoon: Rise of the Nobody

The Offer He Couldn’t Refuse

The rain poured relentlessly over Ravenwood City, washing the streets in silver reflections. Ethan sat alone in his penthouse study, his eyes fixed on the holographic system panel floating before him.

[System Notification: Mission Complete – "Dominate the Underground Auction"]Reward Unlocked: Wealth Enhancement Trait – Tier 3Additional Reward: New Feature Activated – "Influence Network"

Ethan’s lips curved into a thin smile. Tier 3 meant his assets would now generate exponential returns, and the "Influence Network" could link him to every major player in politics, business, and even the shadows. He could now pull strings instead of breaking bones—and in Ravenwood, that was real power.

But there was a catch.

[Warning: The Influence Network will attract attention from high-level entities. Proceed with caution.]

“High-level entities…” Ethan muttered under his breath. “Just how high are we talking?”

He didn’t have to wait long for an answer.

A soft chime echoed in the room—ding. The encrypted line on his private comm tablet lit up. No name, no number, just a crimson symbol: a coiled dragon eating its tail.

Ethan’s instincts screamed. Only one organization in the world used that seal. The Ouroboros Syndicate.

He tapped the answer key.

“Mr. Cross,” a voice as smooth as silk but cold as steel spoke. “You’ve been making a lot of noise lately. Impressive noise.”

“Depends who’s listening,” Ethan replied, leaning back in his chair.

“We listen to everything. Which is why I’m calling to make you an offer—one you can’t refuse. Join us, and we’ll give you access to resources that make your system rewards look like pocket change.”

Ethan’s grip on his glass tightened. “And if I say no?”

The voice chuckled, low and dangerous. “Then we send someone to collect your… potential. One way or another.”

Before Ethan could respond, the call cut off.

Silence filled the room. The system’s interface shimmered.

[New Mission Unlocked: "Survive the Ouroboros"]Objective: Avoid elimination or subjugation within 72 hoursReward: Power Expansion Trait – Tier 4] Failure: Permanent System Shutdown

Ethan’s pulse quickened. This wasn’t a challenge. It was a declaration of war.

Somewhere below, a faint hum began—a drone’s rotor slicing through the night air. He stepped toward the window just in time to see a black, unmarked craft hovering outside his building.

Its side hatch slid open. A figure in a sleek, armored exosuit stepped out, dropping toward the balcony with deadly precision.

Ethan’s eyes narrowed. “So… they’re not wasting time.”

The glass shattered—

Ethan stood in the middle of the boardroom, his gaze sweeping over the faces of the executives gathered around the massive glass table. Half of them were watching him with barely disguised contempt; the other half were watching with the kind of cautious curiosity reserved for predators observing another predator.

The air smelled faintly of expensive coffee, leather chairs, and tension. Outside, the city skyline glittered in the afternoon light, but inside this room, it was a different kind of battlefield.

Ding!

System Notification: New Mission: Secure a partnership with Morrison Industries. Reward: Skill Upgrade – Negotiator’s Aura (Silver Rank). Failure Penalty: Lose 20% of current net worth.

Ethan’s lips curled slightly. Morrison Industries was one of the most cutthroat corporations in the region, led by a man who didn’t believe in mercy—Graham Morrison. The kind of man who’d crush you just to watch you break.

And now, the system wanted Ethan to make him a partner.

A few days ago, that might have been impossible. But Ethan was no longer the man who delivered food in the rain.

“Mr. Cross,” Graham said finally, leaning back in his chair. His voice was deep, slow, and soaked in arrogance. “You’ve got thirty seconds. Impress me.”

Thirty seconds? Ethan almost laughed. He didn’t need that much.

“I’m not here to impress you, Mr. Morrison,” Ethan said smoothly, taking a seat without being offered one. “I’m here to give you the kind of deal that will make your competitors bankrupt and your investors worship you.”

That got his attention. Several executives shifted in their seats. Graham raised an eyebrow. “Go on.”

Ethan tapped his watch, projecting a holographic screen onto the table. Detailed figures, projections, and confidential market data lit up the air.

“This,” Ethan said, “is the acquisition blueprint for Blackline Tech. They’re about to unveil a prototype that will disrupt the entire AI logistics market. I can get you the controlling shares before their launch—without the media or your rivals finding out.”

Graham studied him for a long, silent moment. “And what do you want in return?”

“Fifty-one percent control of the merged entity.”

The room went still. One executive choked on his coffee. Someone whispered, “Insane.”

Graham chuckled—low, dangerous. “You’ve got nerve, Cross. I like that. But nerve doesn’t close deals. Proof does.”

Ethan slid a small black drive across the table. “That’s the proof. Access codes. Legal backdoors. Insider analytics. You’ll know within five minutes if I’m bluffing.”

Graham’s eyes darkened. He plugged the drive into his tablet. As the data loaded, his expression shifted from skepticism to cold calculation.

Finally, he set the tablet down and leaned forward. “You’re playing a dangerous game, Cross.”

Ethan smiled faintly. “That’s the only kind worth playing.”

Ding!

System Update: Mission Complete. Reward Unlocked – Negotiator’s Aura (Silver Rank). Passive Effect: +50% Persuasion Success in High-Stakes Deals.

Ethan felt the change instantly—a subtle but undeniable shift in his presence. Every word he spoke now carried more weight, every look more influence.

“Very well,” Graham said at last. “We have a deal.”

They shook hands. Cameras flashed. The executives clapped—some genuinely, some begrudgingly.

As Ethan left the building, a black SUV pulled up beside him. The rear window slid down, revealing a man in a dark suit with a scar across his jaw.

“Mr. Cross,” the man said quietly, “your activities have caught the attention of… certain people. They’d like to have a word.”

Ethan’s eyes narrowed. “And if I’m not interested?”

The man smiled without warmth. “You don’t have a choice.”

The SUV door opened.

Ethan knew the system had just set him up for the next move. And whatever was coming… it wasn’t going to be business as usual.