Chapter 8: 2 months
[Emiya's POV]
"398... 399...400—ahh," I groaned, finishing the last push-up with a sharp exhale.
I had been pushing my limits every day, working to understand and adapt to Spider-Man's level of strength. My daily training regimen, which I started a month and two weeks ago, had led me to several important realizations. Chief among them was that my strength was immense. I wasn't just strong—I was confident I could take on Killer Croc and come out on top.
But strength alone wasn't enough. I wasn't just focusing on raw power. I'd been running simulations of various fighting styles, from boxing to kung fu, analyzing and internalizing their techniques. Understanding these styles wasn't just about knowing how to fight—it was about mastering adaptability, control, and precision in combat.
I had only completed the Iron Spider suit so far. Movement and strength were its primary components, designed to enhance agility and power beyond human limits.
"Status,"
The number appeared, floating in my mental interface. It was more than enough for another gacha pull. The prospect of a new reward was tempting, but I couldn't ignore my frustration. I'd tried the gacha several times before, only to end up with a series of useless items—Rick's sock, Reed's cup, and other trash that mocked my efforts. So far, the system had been a disappointment.
What I really needed was something groundbreaking: the Super Soldier Serum from Captain America or enhancements from the Spartan Program in Halo. With those, I could finally kickstart my super-soldier program. The plan was ambitious but clear—begin by destabilizing smaller governments in Africa, then steadily expand my influence until I had the world in my grasp.
But there was another, more pressing issue I couldn't ignore—magic. It was an unpredictable force, one I didn't fully understand, and it remained my greatest weakness. If I was going to succeed, I needed to study it, learn its mechanics, and, most importantly, develop a way to counter it.
"Dammit," I muttered, clenching my fists. "I really want Doom's template. That would solve all my magic problems in one go."
For now, I should check on Emma. I'd hold off on using the gacha until I had 1,200 social points. With two pulls, I'd double my chances of getting what I truly desired.
I stood up from the spot on the floor where I'd been sitting, stretching briefly before heading toward the table where I'd left my phone. Picking it up, I decided it was time to check on Emma's progress. She was in charge of running the business, and I needed to ensure everything was going smoothly.
Stark Industries was a critical pillar of my overall plan. If something went wrong—anything—it could set me back significantly. I couldn't afford that kind of risk.
With that in mind, I decided to contact Emma and the information get an update on industries.
[Emma's POV]
"Today on the show, we have Emma Frost, CEO of one of the fastest-growing companies, Stark Industries. In just one month, the company has earned 500 million dollars in revenue and expanded from a single building in Star City to a multinational corporation!" the interviewer announced with infectious enthusiasm. Her voice brimmed with excitement, but her eyes betrayed a flicker of suspicion.
I was sitting in the Daily Planet, the famous workplace of Superman and his wife, Lois Lane. Being here wasn't just about publicity it was about completing two critical objectives.
The first was to acquire Kryptonite, Superman's greatest weakness. The radioactive mineral from his home planet, Krypton, was notoriously hard to procure without exposing my identity or spending a fortune. The second was simpler but no less important I wanted to assess Lois Lane. Her reputation as a world-class investigative journalist preceded her, and I needed to see for myself just how sharp she truly was.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Frost," Lois said, extending her hand with a professional smile.
"The pleasure is all mine," I replied smoothly, grasping her hand firmly. "After all, I'm standing before the woman who has uncovered some of the world's darkest secrets."
"Shall we get started with the interview, Miss Frost?"
"Of course," I replied with a gracious nod. "But please, call me Emma."
"Only if you call me Lois," she countered with a grin, sliding into the seat across from me.
She wasted no time diving in. "My first question, Emma how were you able to expand your company so quickly? Just a month ago, Stark Industries was a single building with one game. Now it's a multinational corporation, producing everything from mobile games to PC titles. And if that's not enough, you're launching your own console as well. How did you make it happen so fast?"
'Straight to the point,' I thought, impressed by her directness.
Keeping my composure and a calm, professional demeanor, I began formulating my response, making sure to choose my words with care.
"It's all about timing and hard work," I answered with a confident smile. "Without them, no one can succeed. I invested my effort and my time, and now, here I am."
The interview continued, with Lois seamlessly navigating between topics. Sometimes she focused on business our strategies, expansions, and challenges while other times, she delved into more subjective areas, like my opinions on superheroes and societal trends. I kept my answers short and tailored to what any average person might say, carefully maintaining the image of a grounded, relatable woman with a knack for business.
However, not all her questions were so simple. One, in particular, threw me off balance. She asked about a recent offer from Lex Corp a bid to purchase Stark Industries, which I had firmly declined. My smile remained steady, but my mind raced. Only a select few within my inner circle knew about that offer.
'How did she get this information?' I wondered, keeping my composure. Was there a leak within my company? Or worse, had someone managed to breach our systems?
My system wasn't as robust as my boss's, but it was strong enough to fend off ordinary hackers. Then again, this wasn't just any world it was DC. Hackers here weren't always "ordinary."
As Lois wrapped up, she extended her hand again, her expression still professional yet unreadable. "Thank you for the interview, Emma."
"The pleasure was mine, Lois," I replied, shaking her hand firmly.
Walking out of the Daily Planet, my mind churned with plans. First, I needed to recheck the background of everyone on my team. Next, I had to reinforce our cybersecurity measures. I couldn't afford to take any risks. Stark Industries was critical to boss overall strategy, and any compromise here could derail everything.
[A Few Minutes Later]
As I opened the door to my hotel room, I immediately noticed someone sitting casually in the armchair by the window. A smile tugged at my lips as recognition dawned.
"Took you long enough," I said, closing the door behind me and moving toward another chair to sit across from him.
He smirked, his confidence practically radiating from him. "Yeah, I've been keeping tabs on what you've accomplished these past few days. Gotta say, I'm impressed with myself."
I blinked, then narrowed my eyes, irritation flaring. "Excuse me? You're impressed with yourself? I'm the one who did all the work! I built everything from scratch, and you're setting here there taking the credit?" My tone sharpened, anger lacing every word.
He chuckled, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Whoa, whoa calm down! You get angry so fast. I was just joking." His grin softened as he leaned forward slightly. "But seriously, you looked worried when you came in. What's wrong?"
Letting out a sigh, I began explaining everything the potential security breach, the leaked LexCorp offer, and the steps I planned to take to fix it all. He listened intently, his expression thoughtful as I finished.
"No problem," he said confidently, leaning back in his chair. "We'll track down the mole and the source of the leak. It won't take long."
"And then?" I asked, curious about his next move.
"And after that," he said, standing up and flashing a sly smile, "we move to the next stage."
I raised an eyebrow. "Which is?"
He turned toward the window, his grin widening. "Obviously, my debut as a superhero."
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