The Extra Wants Control

Fast-food joints, with menus boasting delicacies previously unheard of, tantalized taste buds, while a revolutionary banking system streamlined transactions, a concept that seemed like magic to many. People\'s eyes wide with wonder, explored the endless rows of meticulously curated shops, their wallets tingling with the promise of innovative gadgets and unheard-of services.

The hospitality was legendary. Every visitor was treated with warmth and respect, the Babel staff anticipating their needs before they even arose. The nobles of neighboring area and even outside of the Region, initially skeptical of the upstart business, changed their mindset quickly and Babel found itself bombarded with letters.

Some were brazen attempts at acquisition, demanding a piece of this lucrative paradise. Others carried a more diplomatic tone, filled with invitations to meet the owner of Babel.

And then came Kurrent, the app that promised to revolutionize communication. Confusion rippled through the human populace at first. What purpose did this novel technology serve? The answer came swiftly, a news bulletin flashing on the Babel account. The assassination attempt, it declared, was a malicious lie. Pictures of the Kensington heir, alive and well, dispelled any lingering doubts.

An official statement from Lord Kensington himself echoed the sentiment, condemning the fabricated news.

But Kurrent offered more than dispelling rumors. It was a portal to a new world. Tutorials explained its features – chat rooms abuzz with conversation, video calls bridging the physical distance, and photo sharing opening a window into each other\'s lives all in one app.

Beautiful women, emboldened by this novel platform, documented their days in Babel, showcasing its wonders and their own adventures. Soon, adventurers joined in, sharing their experiences within the city\'s walls.

The bait was irresistible. The popularity of Babel surged, fueled by Konnekt\'s explosive debut. Downloads skyrocketed, especially in the Rutherford Region. Babel, sensing a golden opportunity, offered sponsorships to anyone willing to sing its praises. The strategy proved brilliant. As many applied and showcased their lives.

Female nobility, no longer confined by geographical limitations, now had a platform to flaunt their opulent lifestyles on a global stage and they wouldn\'t miss the chance.

Kurrent, tapping into a desire for connection and prestige, became an instant hit. Within a day, the app boasted a vast user base.

*********************

The tension in the conference room crackled like static electricity. Keller, her brow furrowed in a thundercloud, slammed a stack of reports on the table. Amber, the strategist, remained calm on the surface, but her hand tapped a nervous rhythm against the armrest. Mavis, eyes narrowed like a predator, leaned back in her chair.

Inside Keller\'s mind, a storm raged. "Null," she thought, her jaw clenching. "To think that Babel, this supposed utopia, was theirs all along." A sardonic chuckle escaped her lips. "Of course, the cunning little weasel would take negative publicity and use it as a springboard for advertising. And those models flaunting their lifestyles on this app? His own people, starting the trend."

Her internal monologue spiraled. "He even managed to bribe Kensington into a public statement! How far ahead is he thinking?" The growing picture of Ray\'s plans sent shivers down her spine. "And that\'s not all. I can tell that he wants to control the economy with this banking system and Babel retail shops. And no one will even notice it happening!"

The realization hit her like a punch to the gut. "He\'s using these models to constantly advertise Babel, effectively shutting down any potential copycats in the future. \'We were here first,\' he\'s basically saying, \'and that makes us the most legitimate.\'"

One last detail gnawed at her. "And what\'s with that Dark Elf lackey of his? How did he get his hands on a dark elf? As a matter of fact how did she live to adulthood? What\'s this place and who\'s that man."

Breaking the oppressive silence, Amber cleared her throat. "Miss Keller, which areas do you propose for building Babel branches? I have some ideas in mind, but I value your input."

Keller forced a smile, her voice tight. "Branches, huh? Small, functional subsidiaries in every city and town across the Rutherford Region first. We have a large customer base here."

"That was already the plan," Amber replied, her voice lacking warmth. "What I\'m asking is which nobles are most likely to be receptive. We need to start strategically."

Keller narrowed her eyes. "Stonegate\'s Lord seems perfectly compliant. Why not do the same with the others?"

Mavis, ever the pragmatist, cut in. "Too suspicious, Keller. Controlling one or two nobles is manageable. But if their behavior suddenly shifts, someone will notice. That\'s why we need you and your network to identify the most receptive ones."

Keller sighed, a flicker of frustration crossing her features. "I understand. I\'ll prepare a ranking based on their political leanings and openness to… new ventures."

As silence descended once more, Amber pinched the bridge of her nose. "Logistics..." she muttered, a hint of despair creeping into her voice. "We need more manpower."

A holographic projection flickered to life in the center of the conference room, revealing Ray. He stood shirtless, his black hair plastered to his forehead with sweat, a testament to a strenuous workout.

"Alright, everyone," he began, his voice booming through the room. "Listen up, I\'ve got some big plans in motion."

A collective stir rippled through the group. Keller\'s brows furrowed further. This was not the first time Ray\'s sudden announcements left her bewildered.

Ray, oblivious to her internal turmoil, continued. "Stonegate is about to get a major upgrade. Babel will be the cornerstone, but I\'m thinking bigger! A bustling metropolis."

He gestured towards a holographic blueprint that materialized beside him. "We\'ll leverage Viktor\'s influence as Dawn\'s Guild Master and the his future position as Count," he said. "Together, we\'ll expand strategically."

His eyes swept across the room, landing on specific individuals who teleported into the room. "Harvey and Mordecai, I\'ve given you some architectural and engineering blueprints. Time to put those brains of yours to work. Amber, you\'ll handle the business side of things – making Babel an economic powerhouse. Also remember the transportation and delivery venture."

Ray\'s gaze then fell on Keller, a steely glint in his eyes. "Keller, you\'ll report directly to Mavis. Your job – Null\'s expansion. Take those advertised missions and covert commissions, turn them into a brand. Give Null a name, a reputation."

He finished with a flourish, a hint of mania creeping into his voice. "And Eric, you\'re in charge of recruitment. We need more muscle, more minds. Money is no object, remember?"

He continued,"The others continue honing our military might. Don\'t hold back, I can afford it. I\'ll be popping by to check on progress or give further instructions."

A stunned silence filled the room. Keller\'s mind reeled." An army? Eric? Mordecai? Harvey? Were there other people I hadn\'t met?

That means he didn\'t bring everything while fighting Gorgon? Why can\'t I tell what he\'s planning?"

Mavis and Amber, however, bowed their heads in unison. "Understood, Master," they chorused, their voices devoid of any emotion.

****************

Neveah deactivated the disguise, the shirtless Ray dissolving back into his youthful features. With a sigh of relief, he stretched, the tension of leadership momentarily melting away. "That should take care of Babel\'s immediate concerns," he muttered, the weight of responsibility settling back on his shoulders as he remembered about school. "Absenteeism without permission...

Aqua, that annoying teacher is going to have my head."

He walked to his apartment and nearly collided with Luke barreling out of his own unit. The boy\'s eyes widened in recognition, a wide grin splitting his face as he launched into a frantic greeting. "Boss! Where have you been? The teachers were pissed, well not all some didn\'t even care like miss Eliana and the potions class professor, but one was especially mad, Madam Aqua!

She was fuming mad about your absence, and guess what? She assigned a group project! You\'re partnered with the Elven Princess, Lara!"

Neveah winced internally. Luke, in his boundless enthusiasm, continued to chatter, bombarding him with details about missed classes, the new Kurrent app that was all the rage among students, and a dozen other inconsequential updates. By the time Luke finally paused for breath, Neveah felt like he\'d been subjected to a verbal hurricane.

"Luke..." he began, only for Luke to wave goodbye and dash off, leaving him speechless.

"He reminds me way too much of Jason," Neveah sighed, shaking his head to clear his thoughts.

Heaving another sigh, Neveah unlocked his apartment door, the weight of his dual identities pressing down on him. "First, I need to contact Lara," he muttered, the prospect filling him with a sense of dread but mostly annoyance. "Another woman I hoped to avoid meeting this soon."