Lucien LaRue's office was filled with excitement and anticipation. The tech division of LR Tech, one of the top tech companies in Arland, was buzzing with energy. Known for its cutting-edge technology and ambition to dominate the global market, LR Tech had set its sights on something—to humiliate Nova Tech and the Quick app.
Lucien sat at the head of a large, polished conference table, surrounded by his best developers, programmers, and analysts. A stack of documents detailing the stolen data from Nova Tech lay in front of them. They had been working tirelessly to decode, restore, and analyze the files Steven had provided. Everything seemed to be going according to plan.
One of the lead developers, Gregor, was hunched over his laptop, fingers flying across the keyboard as he oversaw the process. The data was pouring in—the backend code, the architecture, the unique algorithms, everything they needed to create their version of Quick.
"This is it," Gregor said, his voice brimming with excitement. "We're getting everything we need. With this data, we can build an app that blows Quick out of the water."
Lucien smirked, watching as the progress bar inched forward on the massive screen dominating the wall. "Not just blow them out of the water," he said, leaning back in his chair with a self-satisfied grin. "We'll humiliate them. We'll show the world what real innovation looks like."
The team chuckled, nodding in agreement. They had all been briefed on the plan; LR Tech would create a superior version of Quick, using Nova Tech's technology against them. It was the ultimate power move, a way for LR Tech to establish itself as the industry leader and take a huge slice of the market.
"The restoration is almost done," Gregor said, a glint of triumph in his eyes. "Just a few more seconds..."
The room fell silent as the final percentage ticked to 100%, and the screen flashed with the message:
[Data restoration complete.]
An applause broke out, and a few team members patted each other on the back. They were already imagining the headlines—how LR Tech had outpaced Nova Tech, creating a better, faster, and more intuitive version of Quick.
But as the files were finally decrypted and opened, something unexpected happened.
The screen went black for a split second, and a loading bar appeared with the title: "Welcome to Quick—But Not Quite!" in bright, neon letters.
Lucien's eyes narrowed. "What is this?" he asked, a hint of confusion. The developers exchanged puzzled glances as the loading bar filled. Suddenly, the screen cut to a video of Ethan grinning cheekily at the camera.
"Hello, my friends!" Ethan's voice boomed through the speakers, his tone mockingly cheerful. "I see you've taken a little peek at our precious data. I hope you're enjoying yourselves, but I have a small message for you."
The camera zoomed in on Ethan's face as he held up a sign that read: "Nice Try!" and flipped it over to reveal: "But You'll Get Nothing."
The screen then burst into a loop of ridiculous animations—cartoon pies flying across it, a dancing lobster doing the cha-cha, and sound effects of comical laughter echoing through the room.
The LR Tech team froze, their smiles dropping as they realized they had been tricked. Lucien's jaw clenched, and a vein in his forehead twitched as Ethan's image winked and waved goodbye, the screen filling with exaggerated fireworks and confetti.
"Wait, what is this?" Gregor said, furiously clicking around the screen as he tried to bypass the video. But no matter what he did, the video kept looping, each new scene more ridiculous than the last.
One segment showed Ethan wearing a chef's hat, pretending to cook a meal while juggling flaming pans with exaggerated sound effects. In another, Ethan held up a poorly drawn diagram of Quick's "secret" algorithms, which was nothing more than random doodles of food items and smiling emojis.
"Turn it off!" Lucien barked, his face turning a furious shade of red. "I don't want to see another second of this nonsense!"
Gregor frantically tried to close the window, but every attempt to stop the video made it worse. A loud honking noise blared from the speakers, and the screen flashed bright red: "Security Breach Detected—Say Goodbye to Your Data and...servers!"
Panic erupted as the team scrambled to shut down the system, but it was too late. The prank video was doing more than just annoying them—it triggered a fail-safe that started deleting every single file they had just painstakingly restored and corrupting their servers, too.
The data they thought they had stolen was vanishing before their eyes.
"No, no!" one of the junior developers cried, hands in his hair as he watched the files disintegrate into nothingness. A triumphant jingle played over the speakers, and a large cartoon image of Ethan's face appeared with a wink, holding a sign that read: "Better Luck Next Time!"
Lucien's fury reached a boiling point. He slammed his fist onto the table, echoing across the room. "Shut it down! Now!"
Gregor yanked the power cable from his laptop, and the screen finally went dark. The room was silent except for the developers' heavy breathing as they sat in shock, trying to process what had just happened.
Lucien's cold, furious glare swept across the team. "Find out what went wrong," he hissed, his voice low and dangerous. "I want to know how he did this. I want every trace of his meddling wiped from our system. Do you understand me?"
The developers nodded quickly, not daring to make eye contact. Lucien's calm demeanor had vanished, replaced by a barely controlled rage.
"Ethan Cole," Lucien muttered, his eyes narrowing. "You'll pay for this."
In the silence that followed, the only sound was the faint hum of the air conditioning, as if mocking their failed attempt to bring Nova Tech down. Lucien thought he was playing the game, but it quickly became clear that Ethan was already several steps ahead, toying with him from the start. Frustrated and humiliated, Lucien was determined to have his revenge. “I’ll kill you, Ethan Cole.”
***
The morning sun filtered through the large windows of Ethan's office at Nova Tech, casting soft rays across his sleek desk. It was early, and the office was still quiet, starkly contrasting the hum of activity filling the halls within the next few hours.
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Ethan sat in his chair, scrolling through reports and updates on his tablet. His mind was focused on the projects he had tasked David with forming smaller teams to handle. That was done before he went to the Nemesis’s headquarters. The teams were now working on several new apps and systems to expand Nova Tech's reach in various sectors.
Ethan's eyes landed on the first report: Task Swift. The app was designed to be a marketplace for freelance workers and businesses. It connected users with local professionals for one-time tasks, like hiring a handyman or a tech specialist.
It was simple but filled a niche in the market for reliable, vetted local service providers. The report showed promising progress—the interface was nearly finished, and the team was preparing to begin beta testing with a small group of users within the next few weeks.
He swiped to the next project: Park Easy, a real-time parking space finder for congested areas of Novan City. The app aimed to solve the city's most frustrating problem—parking.
Users could search for available parking spots, reserve them, and even pay through the app. The system would be integrated with city sensors and parking lot databases. Ethan liked the idea and saw its potential to become a critical utility for drivers.
Another project caught his eye: Home Chef, a meal-prep delivery service that delivers ingredients and recipes for healthy, customizable home-cooked meals.
It differed from the Quick, targeting people who wanted to cook at home but didn't have the time or knowledge to plan meals. The app offered step-by-step video tutorials, nutrition information, and suggestions for local vendors to source fresh ingredients.
“Wow. It is different when you have teams working on it,” Ethan said in amazement.
Still, he wondered if he was developing these apps himself and what kind of product would come out with his overly enhanced intelligence. Ethan had tasked the smaller teams with developing these systems to create an ecosystem of apps and services that catered to different aspects of everyday life.
His strategy was clear: build a network of practical, reliable apps that users would integrate into their daily routines. This, in turn, would elevate Nova Tech's reputation as a company that solved real-world problems with intuitive digital solutions.
“Then I can focus on researching the deep sea and outer space,” Ethan muttered before chuckling.
Since he had gotten the system, he felt that his life had been chaotic. He tried to find other interests. That was when he diligently studied to increase his Intelligence; he came across the wonders of the deep sea and outer space.
“Well, I need to settle all of this first and find Jordan.”
As he read the reports, Ethan felt satisfied. The development teams were efficient, and the apps were all progressing steadily.
The final report was on Fix It, a home-repair app that connected users with certified repair professionals. Much like Task Swift, it specifically focused on home repairs—plumbing, electrical work, HVAC maintenance, and general handyman services. The app would allow users to book appointments and see each contractor's certifications and customer reviews.
Ethan leaned back in his chair, pleased with the company's direction. These projects and Quick would establish Nova Tech as a versatile, user-focused brand. They weren't just focused on one service—they were branching out, solving everyday challenges for millions of people.
He made a few notes on his tablet, thinking about integrating marketing strategies for these apps and ensuring their success. As the team leaders prepared for their next round of meetings, Ethan knew today would be filled with more discussions on refining each product and aligning their launches.
Suddenly, there was a soft knock at his office door.
"Come in," Ethan called his eyes still on the screen.
The door opened, and Jessica stepped in, holding a fresh stack of documents. "Morning, Ethan," she said, her voice bright as she crossed the room. "I've got the latest updates from David and the marketing team. We're getting a lot of buzz about Quick from early leaks to the press."
Ethan smiled, his attention shifting from the reports to Jessica. "That's good to hear. Sit down and walk me through it."
Jessica sat across Ethan, spreading the documents she had brought to his desk. "As I said, the marketing team has started building buzz around Quick. Early press leaks have generated interest, especially among local food bloggers and influencers.”
“Sounds good,” Ethan responded.
Jessica nodded and added, “The idea of a localized food delivery service with curated, quality options resonates well. We've also contacted some popular restaurants in the city, getting their input on what they would want from a delivery platform like this."
Ethan nodded as he scanned through the documents. Everything was moving smoothly, but he knew the next steps would be critical.
Just as he was about to comment on the report, a soft chime rang in his ear, signaling a new system notification. A familiar blue window appeared in his vision.
=====
[New Mission: Quick’s Booster]
Objective: Help and increase the visibility of 20 struggling restaurants.
1. Improve their sales using Quick.
2. Ensure their dishes meet the required standards through testing and feedback.
3. Provide guidance on menu adjustments and help enhance their operations.
Reward:
1. 15,000 EXP
2. Master-tier to all business-related skills.
3. +100 to all attributes.
=====
Ethan paused for a moment as the weight of the mission sank in. He had initially thought the system would push him to focus on the high-end restaurants Jessica had already started contacting, but this mission had a different twist.
He wasn't just supposed to onboard popular or established eateries—he had to help struggling restaurants succeed through Quick. It wasn't just about bringing in big names but about proving the platform's value for businesses that needed it most.
Ethan closed the notification and returned his focus to Jessica, who was still discussing the early interest in mid to high-tier restaurants. Luckily, she did not suspect anything about Ethan’s odd behavior.
He nodded as she detailed the list of popular spots they were courting, but he was already shifting gears in the back of his mind. His new task wasn't just about attracting big names. He had to dig deeper.
As soon as Jessica paused to breathe, Ethan leaned forward, his gaze sharp. "Jessica, I appreciate the progress with the larger restaurants, but we need to change our focus a bit. I want us to target struggling restaurants—those that may be overlooked but have real potential."
Jessica frowned slightly, surprised. "Struggling restaurants? Are you sure? Getting the big names on board is important for credibility."
Ethan nodded. "I know. But this app can't just cater to the top-tier businesses. We must prove that Quick can help smaller restaurants thrive, especially those on the verge of closing down. It will be a big win for the platform if we can boost their visibility and increase their sales. We will be recognized as the app that helps everyone, not just the elite."
Jessica considered his words for a moment before nodding in agreement. "Alright, I see your point. It'll also help differentiate us from the bigger players in the market. I'll have the team to research and find restaurants that fit that profile."
Ethan glanced back at the system notification briefly. The mission also included improving the quality of food served at these restaurants. He would need to be hands-on, offering direct feedback on their dishes and helping them adjust their menus. The cooking skills would come in handy for that, and he'd be able to guide them on what would work best for their clientele.
"Also," Ethan added, "I want to personally visit these places. I'll need to assess their food under setup and see how Quick can help them grow. We need to understand their challenges and position ourselves as the solution."
Jessica made a few notes on her tablet and nodded. "Understood. I'll adjust the team's focus accordingly. We'll start identifying those restaurants today."
Just then, a notification appeared on Jessica's phone. She glanced at it and raised an eyebrow. "Oh, it's about Theodore Graves."
Ethan's attention shifted as Jessica explained, "We've just received confirmation. Theodore is available to meet today. I know you tasked me with handling the Ridge Rovers FC takeover, but since you're here, you might want to meet him yourself to finalize the deal."
Ethan considered it for a moment. Taking over Ridge Rovers FC was a major play for Nova Tech's expansion into sports and entertainment. While Jessica had been doing a stellar job managing the process, it made sense for him to be there for the final signatures.
"Let's do it," Ethan agreed. "I'll meet with Theodore and get everything signed."
Jessica nodded, already pulling up the meeting details on her tablet. "I'll confirm the appointment and have everything ready."