GOD OF ALL SYSTEMS
Chapter 38 - 38: (Bonus Chapter) A Failed Mission

On an island two hundred miles from Metro City, there settled a technological utopia: there were tall and majestically built skyscrapers and towers piercing into the clouds. But upon closer observation, one would notice that these towers, buildings, and skyscrapers were levitating from the ground. This one fact adds to the magical scenery of this technological utopia.

Suddenly, from a distance, a technologically advanced helicopter approached from the sky at a steady pace. The helicopter had no propellers or flame boosters. The helicopter pierced through the clouds as it approached the utopia.

Within the helicopter, a group of men and women, a total of eight, sat comfortably with holographic screens displaying information about a certain company with the golden letter K as its symbol.

Among the group of eight elderly people, a woman seeming in her late forties sipped from a wine glass as she said, "Where exactly were we when King Technologies was created, and how were they able to become this powerful and influential in a matter of three years? Not even the companies in the United States can compete with them."

"I concur. King Tech has grown at such an astronomical rate that they have violated every business law or regulation. My country's intelligence report, states they have a complete and total monopoly over every industry on the planet, from security to technology, and now they are even intending to monopolize the medical industry too."

A man with a French accent said this while expressing frustration.

"I have an idea, guys. But it requires we go into this meeting as a team," a man wearing a U.S. flag pin said while adjusting his glasses.

"And let me guess, you are the leader of this master plan. How convenient that you Americans are also trying to be the head of everything." A tall Russian man, seeming to be in his late fifties, said as he scoffed at the American.

"Listen, King Tech at this point rules the world; the only thing keeping them in check is our combined powers. And God knows how long that will last. If you think Russia alone can convince them to agree with this new policy we are proposing, then be my guest. But we both know that is impossible."

The American man, in his early sixties, said. He then turned to the other six ministers and continued.

"If you agree to support the U.S. at the meeting, you and your countries will be well compensated. We might even throw in some arms deals and military contracts.

What do you guys say, you're in? I would need you, Prime Minister of England, the most; after all, King Tech is within Dasia, which is part of the United Kingdom."

The scene went silent as everyone exchanged glances. Some held pondering faces as they contemplated the words of the Secretary of Defence of the United States.

"I'm in." France was the first to chime in.

"I support you too." The Indian female joined.

Seeing two powerful nations agree, the others felt the pressure of being left out. Soon later, they also nodded their heads, agreeing with the alliance.

The Russian only scoffed as he said in Russian, "What a joke, blind leading the blind."

....

Dylan Ludwick and a group of twenty people were in a conference meeting in the tallest skyscraper, which seemed to be the most magnificently built.

"Thank you, Mr. Ludwick. And please extend our gratitude to your clients: their choosing to invest in Africa has been the greatest thing for us Africans.

Our education, medicine, and security have all been advanced thanks to your amazing technologies. We have also had a significant decrease in Gates because of your machines."

An African bald man said as he stood up and clapped his hands in gratitude.

"Please, Minister Okeye, I am only doing my client's bidding. It is my client's sole desire to assist those in need. Of course, it is maintained that those in need don't bite the hand that's feeding them." Dylan Ludwick spoke, his words causing the conference room to go silent and the minister to assume a helpless facial expression.

"Very well then, ladies and gentlemen, if there is nothing else, I suggest we continue to phase two.

My client has paid the debts of every African nation, plus interest. As much as I hate to say this, my client is now your creditor."

Ludwick's words sent a worrisome signal among the group as they exchanged faces in doubt.

"But, instead of asking for payment or resources, my client understands how you have been taken advantage of. So, on behalf of my client, I say to you one thing: Africa must undergo a change, and this change will be the greatest positive advancement for Africans."

The group exchanged games again in doubt, frowning and murmuring in their native tongues to each other. But the minister of Nigeria, Okeye, asked.

"And what exactly is this "greatest advancement," Mr. Ludwick?

The group focused on Ludwick anticipatingly, awaiting his reply.

Seeing the interested gazes of the room, Ludwick smiled with a pause, he then said.

"That change, is the birth of a new empire, the complete unification of Africa. And King Tech as your sponsor."

....

The group of eight ministers earlier was in an elevator; the elevator was a wide white platform that levitated within an anti-gravity force field.

The ministers expressed impressed faces as they observed their surroundings. Everything within the buildings was white, including the thousands of male and female employees standing on floating platforms with specialized personal working screens as it moved them around.

"Just who are the owners of King Tech?! All these technologies, genius inventions, and ethics are like a fantasy."

The Indian minister said this as he observed the scenery below.

"I heard their employees receive benefits befitting aristocrats themselves. Not only do they have health and medical benefits for them and their families, but they are also even paid 24/7 on the clock." The American secretary of defense said.

"That's quite a lot of money. Not even major global companies can compete with that."

The group chatted as they reached the highest floor of the skyscraper. But the moment they stepped from the elevator; the American secretary saw the group of Africans leaving on another elevator going down.

The Africans had excited and vibrant faces as they stepped on the elevator which went down.

The American secretary furrowed his eyebrows as he suspiciously stared at the absence of the Africans.

"Good day, Ministers. Mr. Ludwick expresses his hospitality, please step on these platforms, and kindly follow me."

An extremely beautiful young lady approached the group and spoke. The group of ministers followed her instructions as they left for the conference room.

....

Thirty minutes later

In the conference room, Ludwick sat across the group of eight ministers as he listened and read the documents provided to him. He maintained a calm demeanor as he read the documents.

"So, Mr. Ludwick, once you agree on the new terms and agreements of the new policy, everything will be set in motion effective immediately."

The American secretary spoke with his fingers crossed and his chin resting on them. He had a curious look in his eyes as he stared at Ludwick, anticipating a disagreement.

The other seven ministers sat silent as they also stared at the silent Ludwick, who hadn't spoken a word since the meeting began.

Done reading the files, Ludwick sat the papers on the table as he stared at the American secretary of defense. With a steady inhale, he spoke.

"So, you want us, King Tech, to disband our military assets, surrender thirty percent of our equity in other industries, share our knowledge of integrating mana with technology, and IPO our company? And all this is done for saving humanity?" Ludwick asked.

"Yes. Mr. Ludwick, King Tech not only has a monopoly over every industry in the world but even the Gates. You have a private army, one which not even all the nations combined can compete with, your technologies are becoming a threat to humanity. How can one feel safe when all the power is in the hands of one person, such is how tyranny is born.

And no longer ago, yesterday, I believe, you announced your ambitions for the medical industry. First, you control technologies, then weaponry and ammunitions, and now you also intend to monopolize the medical industry, just how ambitious is King Tech?"

The secretary spoke, expressing an emotion of frustration and indignance.

Ludwick remained calm as he looked at the other ministers and the prime minister of London.

"Mr. Prime Minister, do you perhaps share the same sentiment as the secretary?" Ludwick asked while looking at the prime minister.

The Prime Minister had an unconfident face at first as he stared at Ludwick. But upon turning and meeting eyes with the secretary, he suddenly regained a resolute face as he said.

"Ludwick, I understand this is a tough decision for you and King Tech, but you must also understand that we can't let King Tech grow any more powerful than it already is. As much as you claim to be helping humanity, wouldn't you be helping humanity even more by sharing the wealth and resources with everyone?"

Ludwick listened to the Prime Minister, while occasionally switching his gaze to the American secretary of defense. He expressed a slight smirk upon noticing that all the other ministers were also nodding their heads in agreeance with the Prime Minister's words.

Ludwick nodded understandably as he pushed the documents to the side, "I do understand the part of wanting to save humanity and the communist bullshit about spreading wealth and whatnot.

But what I want to understand, Ministers and Secretary, is that why do you also want to know the true owner of King Tech, otherwise, my clients? How is that anyway related to saving humanity?"

This question caused the ministers to lean back in awkwardness. They couldn't think of an answer, since even they felt unsure about what to say. But the American secretary leaned forward and replied, his words almost as if prepared to answer this very question.

"As someone managing a multi-trillion pounds company, I'd expect you to know the answer to such a basic question, Mr. Ludwick. Nevertheless, I will enlighten you:

When Gates appeared, and our earthly technologies were rendered useless in Gates and against monsters, our only ways were to be Awakened or chance upon a treasure found in Gates. It wasn't until a decade later before Awakened craftsmen appeared, who could make weapons that were effective in and out of Gates.

But out of nowhere, there is this company that not only makes technologies that can only be found in fictional movies but is also capable of integrating mana with technology. There are fifty-two knowledge-based awakened globally, and none was awakened with the knowledge to integrate mana with science.

This leaves us with few optional answers; the first is King Tech chanced upon an ancient technology and knowledge that it has been keeping secret from the world, and the second is King Tech might be owned by a demon, whose knowledge surpasses far that of humans and is using that knowledge to slowly conquer the world. And who knows what-

"Hahahah, haahahaha! Laughter!" Ludwick burst into laughter as he listened to the secretary, his laugh even interrupting him.

The American secretary and the other ministers exchanged confused faces as they stared at Ludwick in bafflement.

"Pardon me, secretary, but you are quite the jester. Ancient technology? Owned by a demon? Are you even hearing yourself speak? You sound like a paranoid child making up stories to gain attention. I know you guys are threatened and want to control King Tech, but at this point where you are even concocting bedtime stories, your desperation must be devouring you.

Since you guys have stated your intentions, now listen to mine."

"Let's ignore the fact that you have the entire United States intelligence sector in your ears right now listening and telling you what to do. You are quite delusional coming to my client's territory and demanding their properties and servitude.

Let's get one thing clear, ministers. As of twelve hours ago, Metro City was declared an independent state by the Kings of Dasia and England. As the primary owner and sovereign over this state, King Tech can have its army and weapons. So, you are not proposing your policy to a company, but to an entire nation."

Listening to Ludwick's words, the secretary of defense, the prime minister of England, and the other five ministers expressed shock and disbelief. Especially the secretary from the U.S.

He leaned back in disbelief of Ludwick knowing that he had a secret earpiece and the now shocking fact of King Tech being an independent sovereign state.

'What?! He knew I had an earpiece. But how? I'm certain Dylan Ludwick isn't Awakened, so how did he notice, could it be one of their technologies? And how come we didn't know King Tech became an independent state sovereign of Metro City?'

The Russian minister had a surprised but cautious expression as he stared at Ludwick. The secretary and English Prime Minister exchanged gazes of uncertainty, as did the other five ministers.

"Now that I have relayed the necessary message for those eavesdropping, how about we have some privacy," Ludwick spoke as he snapped his fingers.

...

Simultaneously at Area 51, the United States

- "Now that I have relayed the necessary message for those eavesdropping, how about we have some privacy."- Beep! Beep! Beep!

"L, we have lost coms with the Secretary. It seems our communication satellite was blocked from receiving any signals from Metro City!"

"L, we have also lost the vital signal of the Secretary, living status unknown as of five seconds ago!"

The massive screen displaying a camera view of Dylan Ludwick vanished from the scene, causing the men and women to be alert and quickly relay the information to their captain.

The person being reported to, L, sat in the dark, her face hidden from view, only her long red hair showed because of the bright screen after the camera video was cut off.

The woman remained silent as she was being reported to. Her figure seemed to be leaning on her left hand, unbothered by the alarming reports.

"King Tech… hmm."