The days following the backlash against Lunar Entertainment were filled with a triumphant sense of victory. Reo watched Aika's popularity surge with each passing day. Brands lined up to sign her, endorsements flooded in, and the media couldn't get enough of her rise. The strategy had worked. Aika was no longer just a rising star—she was a global sensation, a brand in her own right, and the face of a new era of entertainment.
But despite the outward success, there was a quiet, unsettling undercurrent to everything. Reo knew better than to grow complacent. The game, he understood, was never static. Those who rested on their laurels would fall behind. And with the way things were unfolding, Reo had the distinct feeling that something bigger was approaching.
One evening, as he relaxed in his office overlooking the city skyline, Kaito entered, his expression serious.
"Reo," he began, his voice filled with an unusual urgency, "we've received a message. It's from someone who calls themselves Caius."
Reo frowned. "Caius? Who is that?"
Kaito handed over a small tablet. On the screen was a simple text message:
> "I see you've made your move. But remember, the game is much bigger than just you and Aika. Don't think you're the only one playing."
There was no signature, no way of identifying the sender. Reo studied the message for a moment before turning to Kaito.
"Do we know anything about this person? Or their intentions?" Reo asked, already bracing himself for whatever new storm was coming.
Kaito shook his head. "Nothing yet. We've been tracing the message, but the data is encrypted. It's like whoever this is… doesn't want to be found."
Reo felt a sharp chill. Caius. The name didn't ring any bells, but the message carried a weight that couldn't be ignored. Someone, somewhere, was watching him. And they weren't merely a passive observer—they were making a statement.
"Make no mistake," Reo said, his voice cold, "this isn't just a threat. It's a challenge. We'll play this game, but on our terms."
---
The following weeks were marked by an undercurrent of tension. Reo kept his focus on expanding Aika's brand and strengthening his influence. But behind the scenes, he was working harder than ever, trying to decipher the cryptic message. He dispatched his best operatives to search for any information on Caius and their potential involvement in the entertainment world.
As the investigation continued, another piece of the puzzle began to surface. Kaito brought him a report one evening detailing the emergence of a mysterious new company—one that had been operating quietly under the radar. It had no notable reputation but had recently started acquiring shares in several major media conglomerates.
"They're buying up key stocks," Kaito explained, pointing to the report. "It's not much right now, but they've been doing it discreetly, moving in the shadows. They're gaining influence."
Reo leaned in, studying the report. The company, Nexis Media, wasn't on anyone's radar. Their rise had been almost imperceptible, but the more Reo looked into it, the more it became clear. Nexis Media was being controlled by someone with vast resources. And the way they operated was eerily similar to how Reo had once started—quiet, efficient, and always one step ahead.
"We need to find out who's behind Nexis," Reo said, determination creeping into his voice. "If they're connected to Caius, they're a threat we can't ignore."
---
Days later, Reo found himself seated in a sleek conference room, flanked by his most trusted allies, as they reviewed the latest information on Nexis Media. The company's financials were sound, but there was no indication of how they were so quickly amassing power.
Just as Reo was about to voice his next strategy, his phone buzzed. It was a message from Kaito.
> "We found something. It's Caius—he's made a move."
Reo's heart skipped a beat as he read the message. Without hesitation, he instructed Kaito to meet him at his private office immediately.
When Kaito arrived, he wasted no time in speaking. "It's confirmed. Caius is real, and he's at the center of Nexis Media. He's the mastermind behind everything. But there's something else. Caius isn't just a business tycoon. He's—well, it's hard to believe, but we've traced some of his older dealings. He has ties to global power players, both in the entertainment industry and outside of it. He's connected to people who could change the world."
Reo stood up, feeling the weight of the information settle on his shoulders. "This is bigger than I thought."
"You're right," Kaito continued. "And we've just uncovered the biggest piece of the puzzle—Caius isn't just targeting Aika. He's aiming at everything you've built."
Reo clenched his jaw. The battle was no longer just about Aika's career. It was about his entire empire, the future he had carefully constructed, and the very foundation upon which his dreams were built.
"We'll go on the offensive," Reo said, his voice calm but steely. "We'll hit them where it hurts. Caius thinks he can outplay me? Let's see if he can keep up with me. It's time to show him who's truly in control."
---
The war had begun. But this time, it was not just a business battle. Reo understood that in this new game, there were no rules, no boundaries. If he wanted to keep his position as the world's most influential figure, he would have to take risks that no one else dared.
---