Chapter 155 Countdown
“Elbert, you’re a cyborg too?” Jacob choked out, his eyes wide with disbelief.
“More than an ordinary one,” Elbert corrected, a steely glint in his eyes.
With a crunch, the brass lighter in Elbert’s hand crumpled into a ball. He casually tossed it, the metal sphere transforming into a deadly projectile that shot through the air with a whistling sound. Hundreds of meters away, a hidden figure crumpled to the ground, the force of the impact echoing even from that distance.
Jacob stared, his blood freezing. This was beyond any cyborg capability he’d ever witnessed.
“Just as you can’t comprehend the true nature of a cyborg,” Elbert continued, his voice calm but laced with power, “you, as a cyborg, cannot fathom the kind of existence I am.”
Elbert smiled unnervingly as he turned back to Jacob. “You are outmatched, Jacob. Can you accept that?”
“I…” Jacob stammered, his mind reeling. He struggled to process the impossible scene that had just unfolded. Ten minutes ticked by, each second an eternity as he grappled with the implications.
The piercing sirens broke pulled him back to reality. He still couldn't grasp it; he’d encountered cyborgs before, but none possessed Elbert's terrifying power. The way he’d effortlessly dispatched that assassin… was beyond anything Jacob could have imagined.
'And the insight! The assassin had been so well-concealed, invisible to ordinary senses. Yet, Elbert had known. He’d known all along.' Jacob exclaimed inwardly.
Jacob, a veteran of the business world, understood one crucial thing: when facing an enemy you couldn't comprehend, retreat was the only option.
With a resigned sigh, he fished out a sleek, black ring from his pocket. “This,” he said in a heavy voice, “iIs a top-tier certification, reserved for the most powerful figures. Even I only have one recommendation.”
He pressed the ring into Elbert’s hand, not giving him a chance to refuse. “Consider it a gesture of… respect. Use it to bolster my reputation when you see fit.”
He knew Elbert wouldn't care for material possessions, but this ring… this held a different kind of weight. It was a peace offering; a symbol of submission.
With a bitter smile, Jacob pulled out his phone and began typing, his fingers moving with practiced ease. Two minutes later, he paused, his finger hovering over the send button.
“You promised,” he said with a voice barely a whisper, “no action against our companies… for now?”
“You have my word,” Elbert replied, his gaze fixed on the vast sky.
Silence emerged once more. They stood side by side, two figures dwarfed by the immense cityscape, each lost in their own thoughts. One marveling at the boundless potential of human progress, the other at the unfathomable depths of the young man beside him.
Below them, the city of Wavehaven buzzed with life. Citizens poured out of their homes, their eyes glued to the spectacle unfolding above. Traffic ground stopped as drivers craned their necks, mesmerized by the breathtaking display.
For one night, the world held its breath, united in awe and wonder. The performance stretched on for four glorious hours, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of all who witnessed it.
The next morning, the world awoke to a new reality. News outlets buzzed with the story, the internet ablaze with discussions. “Performance,” “Meta Platforms Company,” and “Creator” became the words on everyone’s lips.
Creator’s live performance; a watershed moment in history. Paul the Singer’s breathtaking performance, viewed by over a billion people worldwide. The magnificent Wavehaven sky, transformed into a canvas for the impossible.
Overnight, the Creator became a global phenomenon.
As for Meta Platforms Company, a single screenshot sent shockwaves through the internet:
Jacob: [Had a rooftop chat with Mr. Paul Three. Deeply impressed, I concede! Creator’s technological prowess far surpasses Meta Platforms Company. From now on, our company will take a humble stance and follow in their footsteps!]
“Follow in the Creator’s footsteps” became the phrase of the moment, a meme that spread like wildfire.
[Had the entirety of Meta Platforms Company surrendered?]
[Were they now subservient to the Creator? Or was there a deeper agreement, a strategic alliance in the works?]
Speculation ran rampant.
Only Jacob knew the truth. This was Elbert’s way; displaying power tempered with mercy, a message not just to Meta Platforms but to the entire tech industry.
At the center of it all stood Paul Three, the enigmatic figure who had captivated the world. However, last night wasn't just about the Creator. It had also marked the grand entrance of another player;Witness.
Witness, a company shrouded in mystery, had burst onto the scene with a series of bold investments. Three emerging internet companies were brought under the umbrella of the “Magic Gemini APP” section.
With Paul Three’s personal endorsement during the live performance, these companies saw their user base explode overnight, shattering all expectations. In one night, Witness had achieved what took other companies years to accomplish.
The world began to see the bigger picture. Creator, Gemini APP, Witness, investments… a perfectly calibrated machine, designed to reshape the very fabric of the internet.
And behind it all stood the enigmatic Paul Three, constantly redefining the boundaries of what was possible.
The rise of Witness sent shockwaves through the tech industry. Startups clamored for their attention, while established players trembled at their potential. The fear was palpable: at this rate, would there be any room left for anyone else?
Then, just as the tension reached its peak, a message appeared on Creator’s official page, from Paul Three himself:
Paul Three: [The needs of all users cannot be met by the Creator alone. This requires the collective effort of the entire industry. The next step for the Creator is to solidify our foundation. Once everything is ready, we will introduce new changes. We urge all internet companies to develop their technologies and prepare for market competition! Countdown: 1 year!]
One year; a grace period. A chance for the industry to adapt, innovate, and rise to the challenge.
The media praised Paul Three’s magnanimity, while the public eagerly awaited the next chapter. Countless internet companies sighed in relief, grateful for the opportunity to prove themselves.
Only Jacob truly understood that this wasn't generosity; this was Elbert setting boundaries, drawing a line in the sand for the weak to either rise above or be swept away.
Meanwhile, in a speeding luxury car, Alan, CEO of the FutureTech Group, scrolled through the news, his mind reeling from the events of the past 24 hours.
'Paul Three… a name that inspired both awe and envy.'
He looked at a picture of Elbert. The resemblance was… uncanny.
'They're both young, brilliant, and possess an aura of hidden strength. Had we made a grave mistake?' he thought; a wave of regret washed over him.
He had to fix this and make things right with Elbert. With newfound determination, he typed out a message:
Alan: [Elbert, I need to see you. We need to talk. Please.]
Five agonizing minutes passed before the reply came:
Elbert: [Okay.]
Relief flooded Alan. He was about to tell the driver to turn around when a deafening screech split the air. Metal collided with metal in a symphony of destruction as a cement truck slammed into their car, sending it spinning off the road.
The luxury car, once a symbol of wealth and power, crumpled like a tin can as it lay in a mangled heap on the roadside. Through the shattered windshield, Alan’s bloodied face stared vacantly, his fate uncertain.
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