Note : Thank you TheLuchkyCode & Alatar_Black for the support

    _______

    Lassen sat in his office, surrounded by the bluish glow of holographic screens. Streams of information flowed rapidly—images of the destroyed base, televised debates, military analysis reports, and frantic social media comments. Everywhere, the same questions echoed: Who did this? And why?

    He crossed his arms and studied the panicked faces of politicians and experts flashing across the screens. Some spoke of a terrorist act, others speculated about a covert operation carried out by a state. One international news channel had even begun theorizing about a new clandestine organization emerging from the shadows.

    Satellite images looped endlessly, showing the smoking ruins of the enemy station. Analysts highlighted the precision and efficiency of the attack, calling it surgical and impossible to trace. But Lassen knew the confusion wouldn''t last forever. Every second that passed brought his enemies closer to the truth.

    The system suddenly interrupted his thoughts.

    [You''re officially the star of chaos. Maybe you should start signing autographs.]

    Lassen smirked coldly.

    "Not yet. But they''ll know my name soon enough."

    His gaze hardened as it swept across the screens in front of him. He knew it was time to act. Silence was no longer an option.

    "System, I want a full breakdown of global reactions. Analyze the data and project media trends for the next 24 hours."

    [Already done. Spoiler: they''re panicking. And some are starting to connect the dots.]

    "Expand."

    The holograms shifted to display dynamic charts and real-time projections.

    [Two neighboring states have called emergency councils. Macro has increased patrols near its borders, while Geria denies any involvement despite mounting evidence of their role in the initial attack. U.S. media speculate about a non-state actor, and multiple intelligence agencies are ramping up efforts to identify those responsible. Several keywords linked to the incident are already trending globally.]

    Lassen nodded. He expected attention to shift toward Macro, and he wasn''t about to let the world write his story for him.

    He stood and walked slowly toward the window, gazing at the sleeping city below. The glow of the streetlights drew geometric patterns on the glass, resembling the bars of an invisible prison.

    "I never wanted to play this game," he murmured to himself. "But they forced me into it."

    His fists clenched.

    "So I might as well be the one who controls the rules."

    He turned and activated a new command.

    "System, establish a secure channel and contact Hart."

    [The journalist? Oh, you''re really looking to stir things up.]

    "It''s not about what I want. It''s about what needs to be done."

    The system let out a confirming beep.

    [All right. The call is being prepared. You''re going to love the panic on his face when he sees your name pop up.]

    Lassen remained silent. Beneath the system''s sarcastic humor, he could feel the weight of the moment. Once he stepped into the light, there would be no turning back.

    He sat back down and watched as the lights on the screens shifted, reflecting the newly analyzed data. Media trends spiked, and satellite images of the ruins dominated the headlines.

    A secondary screen lit up, broadcasting an impromptu press conference. Geria''s spokesperson appeared tense, sweating under the harsh glare of the cameras.

    "We strongly condemn this barbaric act. The accusations against our nation are baseless and irresponsible."

    The system let out a sarcastic chime.

    [Is it just me, or does he look afraid of losing his job?]

    Lassen ignored the comment and continued analyzing the faces on the screen. Fear. Uncertainty. Desperation. Three emotions he knew well—and planned to exploit.

    His eyes narrowed as he issued one final command.

    "System, prepare the next phase."

    [Already running simulations.]

    Lassen leaned back, his expression cold and resolute.

    "Get ready, world," he murmured. "I''m about to rewrite the rules."

    ____

    "When and where?"

    "Here. My place. You know the address."

    Samuel hesitated.

    "And if this is a trap?"

    Lassen laughed again, but this time, there was a hint of menace beneath the amusement.

    "If it were a trap, you wouldn''t still be talking. Don''t worry, Samuel. I need you alive. After all, you''re my messenger."

    Samuel opened his mouth to ask another question, but the line cut off abruptly, leaving a heavy silence in its wake.

    He slowly set the phone down on his desk, staring at it as if expecting it to ring again.

    "What have I just agreed to...?" he murmured.

    Leaning back in his chair, he let his thoughts spiral. His instincts screamed that he''d just stepped into something far larger than he could control. But deep down, he knew he had no choice.

    "This is the story of a lifetime," he said aloud, as if trying to convince himself. "And I''m going to write it."

    ---

    A Few Hours Later...

    Samuel stood in front of Lassen''s luxurious villa. Adrian, ever the professional in his dark suit, waited at the entrance.

    "You''re expected," Adrian said, opening the door.

    Samuel stepped inside, his footsteps echoing through the vast hall. He was led straight to the office where Lassen awaited him.

    This time, Lassen wasn''t lounging in a chair with a book. He stood by the window, hands clasped behind his back, gazing out over the city.

    "You''re punctual," Lassen said without turning around.

    "I''m a journalist. It''s my job."

    Lassen finally turned, a faint smile playing on his lips.

    "And now it''s mine too. Sit down, Samuel. We have a lot to discuss."

    Samuel sat, pulling out his notebook and voice recorder.

    "Before we start, there''s something I need to know," he said. "Why take this risk now? Why reveal yourself when you could stay in the shadows?"

    Lassen leaned against the desk, his gaze suddenly heavier.

    "Because the shadows don''t protect me anymore. They already tried to kill me. And they''ll fail again. But this time, I want them to know who they''re facing."

    Samuel''s heart raced.

    "You''re declaring war?"

    Lassen smiled.

    "I''m not declaring anything. I''m finishing what they started."

    Samuel took a deep breath.

    "And what exactly are you planning to reveal? Your inventions? Your weapons? Your technology?"

    "Only what they need to know to think twice before acting. Not everything. Not yet."

    Samuel frowned.

    "And what about your identity? Will the world know who Mr. X really is?"

    Lassen stared at Samuel for a long moment before answering.

    "They''ll know enough to be afraid. But not enough to understand."

    Silence filled the room. Samuel knew he was moments away from capturing the biggest story of his career.

    Finally, Lassen broke the silence.

    "Get ready. This interview is going to shake the world."