Zack N’golo was the Executive Director of GAIA Corp, a man driven by ambition who had only one objective: maximize profits while avoiding risky investnts.
But he was also a man consud by greed.
Zack was a very charming man with an impeccably polished appearance. His light dark complexion attracted a great deal of female attention, and his carefully grood hair only reinforced the image of a distinguished gentleman. Even his build reflected refinent and confidence.
As Mamadou’s childhood friend, he had been invited to join GAIA Corp when its foundations were first laid. Since he was exceptionally eloquent—or rather, soone who could easily approach and persuade people—Mamadou entrusted him with many responsibilities, and Zack eventually obtained a very high-ranking position.
But a man like Zack could never be satisfied with that.
Even with such a prestigious position, he wanted to climb higher.
Even if it ant pushing others down.
Zack strongly disliked Mamadou’s policies, but on his own, he could not bring him down. Although he had contributed greatly to the company, GAIA Corp was sothing Mamadou had largely built by himself. Even from an administrative standpoint, Zack found it extrely difficult to identify any weaknesses.
Still, he refused to be discouraged and continued plotting behind Mamadou’s back.
He was currently holding an unofficial eting with one of GAIA Corp’s shareholders.
The two n had t in an extrely luxurious restaurant.
Still dressed in a black suit, Zack raised a glass of wine to his lips and took a sip while the man sitting across from him observed him calmly.
He set the glass down and spoke in a composed tone. The confidence radiating from him was so convincing that it could make almost any nonsense sound believable. That was the kind of presence Zack possessed.
"Mr. Oneel, I assure you that things are progressing. Thanks to you, an opportunity has presented itself. I appreciate all your help up until now. That man is a fool. He has dug his own grave."
Oneel Winseberg did not hold his companion in particularly high regard.
To him, Zack was simply another scavenger in the jungle.
That was precisely why he remained cautious.
Except for a blind fool like Mamadou, Zack’s ambition was painfully obvious.
Although he had been the one to bring the plan to the table, Oneel had no intention of getting carried away by Zack’s actions.
Of course, the plan only worked because Oneel personally knew both Mamadou and Zack, sothing the two n had long forgotten due to outside influences and the passage of ti.
"Even if we proceed with the plan, I doubt he’ll surrender so easily. Why are you in such a hurry? If you stir the fish, the water may beco muddy."
A mocking smile appeared on Zack’s face.
He cut into the fish on his plate with a sharp motion.
"A troubled fish doesn’t stir the water, Mr. Oneel."
Oneel smiled, though inwardly he was sowhat surprised.
He had not expected Zack to go this far.
After all, Mamadou had been his friend.
But that wasn’t what surprised him the most.
What fascinated him was how easily a person’s life could beco a ga piece.
"I see. Remarkable, Mr. Zack. If you present it that way, then we can proceed with the second phase of the plan. It’s a pleasure doing business with you, CEO Zack."
The two n laughed.
If Zack was determined to dispose of his friend with his own hands, Oneel would gladly provide the weapon, so long as he was not the one getting his hands dirty.
Mamadou was also a thorn in the side of several other shareholders.
He had founded GAIA Corp and owned a substantial portion of the company, which left major shareholders such as Oneel with very little influence over the company’s direction.
GAIA Corp dominated the artificial intelligence market.
Six years earlier, the company had expanded into the video ga industry.
Things had gone well until Mamadou decided to launch PANGEA, an advanced virtual reality ga.
The resources allocated to that childhood dream were a bottomless pit.
Although the consequences had not yet beco visible, many shareholders feared losing everything.
With that decision, Mamadou had dug his own grave.
A project of such magnitude naturally ca with countless challenges.
After forming an alliance with Zack, Oneel had begun manipulating public opinion, gradually cornering Mamadou.
People rarely understood the real issues.
They only understood what they were told.
If enough people were told that artificial intelligence was dangerous, then regardless of its actual risks or benefits, public perception would inevitably shift.
The two n had exploited that fact and launched a propaganda campaign.
They knew there would always be people willing to play PANGEA.
That had never been the objective.
Their goal was simply to corner Mamadou.
The dia pressure placed upon him beca imnse.
Scandals erupted here and there.
Investnts fluctuated.
So investors withdrew.
Yet Mamadou stubbornly refused to abandon the project.
Ironically, that only benefited Zack and Oneel.
Now the final solution they had chosen had already been set into motion.
With Zack’s decision, Oneel believed it would beco much easier to shelve the project permanently and provide consurs with a low-quality product instead.
With that thought in mind, the eting between the two n ca to an end.
---
Wearing a silk robe, Zack sat in a luxurious penthouse, lounging on a sofa while sipping a cocktail.
His phone suddenly vibrated.
He picked it up.
A ssage from an unknown number had arrived.
At first glance, it appeared to be an advertisent.
Zack stood up and walked to a nearby wardrobe.
Inside were five computers and six phones.
He grabbed one of the computers and returned to his seat before imdiately powering up one of the disposable machines he kept for special occasions.
The computer was not entirely under his control.
Information automatically began loading.
Monts later, an application appeared on the desktop.
He opened it.
Inside were photographs of Mamadou’s corpse.
Zack imdiately understood.
Mamadou had just died.
The efficiency of the people recomnded by Oneel was terrifying.
At that mont, Zack decided to increase his personal security.
Unlike Mamadou, who preferred handling everything himself, Zack intended to surround himself with heavily ard guards.
Zack smiled.
He finished the cocktail in his hand.
"Finally... this is the beginning of an empire."
And from his perspective, it truly was.
What he did not know was that no empire lasted forever.
That was the beauty of the ga.
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