Matthew stared at the transaction confirmation on his screen.
For a long moment, he said nothing.
Then he exhaled—a long, unsteady breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
"It's real," he finally said. "The funds are in."
Across the table, Gabriel leaned forward, eyes sharp. "Two million & 30000"
Silence settled between them.
For weeks, XOR had lived minute to minute—press releases masking desperation, optimism stitched together with stubborn hope. Yet this wasn't a promise anymore. It was proof.
Matthew rubbed his face and laughed quietly. "I almost forgot what it feels like… not to be drowning."
Gabriel nodded. "Ethan didn't just invest. He moved the market."
Matthew's gaze hardened with resolve. "Then we owe him more than gratitude. We owe him results."
He straightened, the fatigue in his posture replaced by something firm—purpose.
"I'm not letting this company die," he said. "Not now. Not after this."
Gabriel smiled faintly. "Good. Because the next phase starts immediately."
Emails were drafted. Meetings scheduled. Engineers recalled.
For the first time in months, XOR wasn't reacting.
It was advancing.
Both had great sense of awe and now reverence to Neo Trading firm and the Ethan and investor they have yet to met.
" System Panel "
Host Name: Ethan Brown
Age: 11 years, 6 months
System: RO2
Experience Points: 855,590
Total Cash Balance:$138000
" Attributes " Strength: 91 Speed: 135 Endurance: 220 IQ: 148 Faith: 80 / 100 Aura Control: 12 / 100
Ethan stared at the number on his screen and smiled.
$3.77 million left.
Not a problem.
He closed his eyes and entered his mindscape.
"RO₂," he said, "I noticed an extra hundred experience points. What's that about?"
The system responded calmly.
"They are rewards for Danny."
Ethan blinked. "Danny? He was barely a minor villain."
"True," RO₂ replied. "But you didn't merely defeat him. You altered his path. Jacob survived and is now thriving. You changed multiple destinies."
A golden glow flashed briefly.
"This qualifies as a Triple‑S mission—perfect completion. Maximum rewards."
Ethan grinned. "Didn't know I was that good."
"You always were," RO₂ replied dryly.
Then the system asked, "How do you plan to secure the remaining $3.77 million?"
RO₂ suggested, "Why not short the oil conglomerate again? All‑in. Eliminate the enemy."
Ethan shook his head. "Not possible. Gordi has political backing, multiple investors, and a massive conglomerate behind him. If I push too hard, he'll eventually trace it back to me."
He continued, "Besides, my future knowledge isn't absolute anymore—maybe sixty to seventy percent accurate. Overcommitting would be gambling."
RO₂ paused, then nodded. "Logical. What's next?"
Ethan smiled. "Aegis."
At 2:00 PM, Ethan pulled $800,000 out of Aegis. Aegis was near a billion dollar firm a rarity in 1998. So this kind of pullout in day to day operation didnt caused any issues.
At 2:30 PM, the news broke.
Aegis expands into Africa, Dragon Network, and Savitan. Massive server acquisitions. New global outsourcing contracts.
The market exploded.
Within thirty minutes, Aegis surged 15%.
With 50× leverage, Ethan's $800,000 turned into $6 million.
He exited instantly.
By 3:00 PM, Ethan stood and spoke calmly to his secretary.
"Wire $3.77 million to XOR. Immediately."
Minutes later, Matthew and Gabriel received confirmation.
Silence followed.
Then disbelief.
They had expected delays. Negotiations. Risk.
Instead, the money arrived in full.
Matthew called immediately. "Ethan… this is unbelievable. Let's meet. We need to celebrate."
Ethan declined gently. "I need to stay out of the public eye for now. My team will represent me."
Matthew hesitated—but agreed.
Ownership documents were prepared. Ethan requested a digital transfer. Digital Transfer was still very knew and this time. However it was available for the ultra rich.
"It'll cost $50,000," Matthew warned.
"That's fine."
Within the hour, 35% of XOR officially transferred.
Before the call ended, Ethan spoke again.
"One more thing. I'll inject $1 million more into XOR—specifically for the luxury EV line and factory expansion."
Matthew and Gabriel were stunned.
They had found an investor.
A strategist.
A savior.
By evening, the contracts were signed, the capital injected, and XOR's future was secure.
At 6:00 PM, Ethan returned home.
He had skipped school today.
Host Name: Ethan Brown
Age: 11 years, 6 months
System: RO2
Experience Points: 855,590
Total Cash Balance:$2.318 Million
" Attributes " Strength: 91 Speed: 135 Endurance: 220 IQ: 148 Faith: 80 / 100 Aura Control: 12 / 100
The moment Ethan stepped inside, Robert's sharp gaze locked onto him.
"Ethan," Robert said coldly, "where were you yesterday? Your teacher called. You skipped school and came home late. And she says you've been distracted lately. What's going on?"
Before Ethan could respond, Martha rushed forward, worry written all over her face.
"Ethan, sweetheart… is something wrong?" she asked softly. "If anyone is bullying you, tell Mom. I'll help you."
Ethan blinked, momentarily stunned.
So this is what they think…
Inside his mind,RO2's amused laughter echoed.
"Your mother thinks you're bullied,"RO2 said.
"You? The one who's crushed empires and erased bloodline after bloodline?"
Ethan ignored him and refocused.
"I was with a friend," he said calmly. "Jonathan. His mom isn't well. I went to help."
Robert frowned. "Jonathan? The boy supported by the church?"
"Yes," Ethan nodded.
Robert hesitated—but accepted it. Still, Ethan knew Robert would verify it tomorrow.
Already handled.
Ethan had quietly arranged everything previously.
He had contacted security, ensuring Jonathan's mother received treatment—nearly $30,000 spent without hesitation. Jonathan was told only one thing:
"If anyone asks, say I helped you. Don't mention the money."
Jonathan, overwhelmed and grateful, agreed without question.
Late evening after dinner, Robert visited the church.
The priest confirmed everything—Jonathan had rushed to the neighboring town, his mother hospitalized. Ethan, according to the story, had helped tirelessly.
A lie.
But a necessary one.
Guilt washed over Robert on his way home.
The next morning, he clapped a hand on Ethan's shoulder. "You did good, son."
Martha smiled warmly. Sarah, barely nine, beamed.
"My brother is amazing!" she declared proudly.
Ethan felt something rare.
Peace.
He had slept late that night—his young body finally demanding rest. Even with centuries of experience carried across reincarnations, he was still eleven and physical had its limits.
Robert even offered, "Take today off too if you want."
Martha shot him a glare. "Ignore your father. Study hard. The future isn't guaranteed."
Ethan smiled.
Such good parents…
Then RO₂'s voice chimed softly in his mind.
" Reward Granted: +50 EXP "
" Achievement: Perfect Cover Maintained "
In his previous life, secrets like these had leaked.
People had learned too much.
An eleven‑year‑old running companies became a joke—and a target.
This time was different.
Power works best from the shadows.
Ethan looked out the window quietly.
He could tell them he had millions.
He could tell them he was reshaping industries.
But not yet.
Now… was still not the time.