Chapter 334: Counterplay

Words : 1671 Updated : Oct 7th, 2025

Dr. Zimmermann called the meeting back to order, and I could feel the shift in energy as everyone settled into their seats. The casual conversations of the recess gave way to the focused tension of high-stakes diplomacy. This was it—the moment where everything I’d been building toward would either succeed or catastrophically fail. "Before we were interrupted," I said, standing to address the room, "we were discussing a fundamental question about global governance. I’d like to return to that core issue: should I, Reynard Vale, be regarded as a viable candidate to challenge the current World President?" The directness of my approach seemed to catch some delegates off guard. Several shifted uncomfortably in their seats, while others leaned forward with renewed interest. I’d essentially forced up to speed up our decision regarding my own candidacy, which was either bold or suicidal. Valeska was the first to respond, rising gracefully from her seat. "The answer to that question," she said, her voice carrying easily through the room, "should be quite clear. We have the System. The System has granted the current World President the job of World President, which means he is the one chosen to rule. To suggest otherwise is to question the fundamental order that has governed our world for millennia." It was a classic appeal to tradition and authority, but delivered with the kind of confidence that made it sound like simple common sense. I could see several delegates nodding thoughtfully, as if she’d articulated something they’d been thinking but couldn’t quite put into words. Samuel cut in before I could respond. "With respect, President Valeska, that logic has a significant flaw. The System has blessed Mr. Vale with the unprecedented ability to hold multiple jobs simultaneously. Who’s to say that World President couldn’t be one of them in the near future?" "Because he doesn’t currently have it," Volkov interjected, his voice carrying the weight of economic authority. "We’re discussing present realities, not theoretical possibilities. Mr. Vale may have unique abilities, but he lacks the specific qualification that matters most." Dubois leaned forward, his diplomatic instincts clearly engaged. "But surely governmental support could facilitate that transition? If multiple nations endorsed his candidacy, the System might recognize the legitimacy of his claim to leadership." Chen spoke up from her position near the center of the room. "That’s entirely speculative. Such a process could take years to accomplish, assuming it’s even possible. We’re talking about overturning established governmental structures based on nothing more than hope and conjecture." Before the conversation could devolve further, Liang Mei’s voice cut through with the precision of someone accustomed to analyzing complex data. "Actually," she said, "my psychological profiling indicates that Mr. Vale demonstrates beyond abnormal growth patterns. He has achieved high ranks in seven different jobs in less than two years. That kind of advancement is unprecedented in recorded System history." "Which could mean he’s uniquely qualified," Samuel added, "or that there are factors we don’t understand at work." "Exactly my concern," Valeska replied smoothly. "Unknown factors should make us more cautious, not less." The debate continued for what felt like hours, with arguments flowing back and forth across the room. Some delegates remained silent, clearly trying to gauge which way the political winds were blowing before committing to a position. Others engaged passionately, their national interests and personal convictions driving them to take sides. But as I listened to the discussion, I realized something troubling: despite all the complex arguments being made, everyone was still operating within the same fundamental framework. They were debating the mechanics of System-based governance, not questioning whether that governance structure was inherently valid. Finally, I stood again. "The perspective you’re all taking," I said, cutting through the ongoing debate, "is completely wrong." The room fell silent. Several delegates looked genuinely confused, as if I’d just announced that gravity worked sideways. "What do you mean?" Chen asked, her information broker instincts clearly engaged. "You’re still depending entirely on the System," I said, activating Persuasive Argumentation. "All of you. Every argument, every justification, every concern. It all comes back to what the System has granted or hasn’t granted, what it recognizes or doesn’t recognize. But why should that be the only measure of legitimacy?" I could see the confusion spreading across faces throughout the room. The question seemed to genuinely perplex them, as if I’d asked why the sun should be hot or plants should grow. "Just two months before this meeting," I continued, "I encountered an S-Rank Hacker who called himself Hyena. The System had granted him incredibly high abilities. He could penetrate virtually any digital defense, manipulate information systems at will, and coordinate complex cyber operations across multiple networks simultaneously." I paused, making eye contact with various delegates around the room. "He was also a cruel man who kidnapped children and subjected them to horrific experiences. He conditioned people for his personal gains, destroyed lives without care, and showed absolutely no regard for human suffering. But according to your logic, his S-Rank status made him more worthy of authority than most of the people in this room." The point was landing. I could see it in the way several delegates shifted uncomfortably, in the thoughtful frowns appearing on faces that had been confident just moments before. "The same principle applies to our current World President," I pressed on. "He has allowed human experimentation to flourish unchecked. He has permitted systematic discrimination based on job rankings to become entrenched in our global society. He has presided over increasing inequality and social instability while doing nothing meaningful to address these problems. I mean the general populace wasn’t even aware that we had a World President to begin with!" Murmurs of agreement began spreading through the room. Even some of the delegates who had seemed firmly opposed to my candidacy were nodding thoughtfully. "The System grants abilities," I continued, "but it doesn’t grant wisdom, compassion, or moral authority. Those things come from character, from choices, from the willingness to put the common good above personal advantage. High rank doesn’t automatically equal good leadership." The momentum was building. I could feel it in the room’s energy, see it in the way conversations were starting to break out among previously silent delegates. For the first time since the meeting began, I felt like I might actually be winning. Then Valeska stood. "This argument goes against everything we have done for millennia," she said, and something in her voice was different. Not louder, not more forceful, but somehow more compelling in a way that bypassed rational analysis. Almost immediately, I saw heads beginning to nod around the room. Not the thoughtful consideration I’d been generating, but something more automatic, more instinctive. Delegates who had been agreeing with me just moments before were now looking at Valeska with expressions of dawning realization, as if she’d revealed some obvious truth they’d temporarily forgotten. My Instinct skill flared with warning. This wasn’t normal persuasion—this was something else entirely. "The System has been the foundation of our civilization," Valeska continued, her words seeming to resonate with unnatural authority. "It has provided stability, order, and progress for thousands of years. To abandon that foundation now would be the height of foolishness." More nods, more expressions of agreement. Even Dubois and Liang Mei were beginning to look uncertain, their previous support wavering under the influence of whatever technique Valeska was employing. This had to be her job title at work. She wasn’t actually countering any of my points or presenting compelling evidence against my position. But her words were having far more impact than normal Persuasive Speaking would allow. The room was being subtly manipulated, influenced by abilities that operated below the level of conscious awareness. I forced myself to stop listening to the specific content of what she was saying and focused entirely on my Instinct skill, using it to maintain mental clarity against whatever psychological conditioning she was employing. The effect was immediate. I could feel the subtle pressure that had been building in my mind ease somewhat. But maintaining that defense was taking concentration, and I needed to do more than just protect myself. I needed to counter her influence entirely. Time for the nuclear option. I open my System window and thought about using my Universal Reward Token, feeling its weight both mentally and symbolically. This was one of the most valuable items I possessed, capable of copying any previous reward I’ve ever had. I’d been saving it for exactly this kind of emergency. Use Universal Reward Token to advance Instinct from Level 8 to Level 9? The System’s confirmation appeared in my vision, and immediately I felt the upgrade take effect upon thinking the word yes. The difference between Level 8 and Level 9 was dramatic. Every advancement past Level 8 was beyond difficult to achieve, but the rewards were well worth it. My awareness sharpened, my ability to detect and resist mental influence strengthened exponentially. Now I could not only protect myself from Valeska’s manipulation but clearly perceive exactly how she was affecting others in the room. The job title she was using operated through subtle vocal modulations, micro-expressions, and what appeared to be some form of psychological conditioning that made her words bypass critical thinking entirely. But knowing how she was doing it wasn’t enough. I needed to match her technique. I activated my Copy skill and focused it on Valeska, specifically targeting her Persuasive Speaking. The System responded immediately: Skill Copied: Persuasive Speaking (Lv. 1) Note: Base skill level copied. Additional enhancements from job titles or other modifications not included. Level 1 would normally be almost useless against her Level 8 ability, but that wasn’t the point. I wasn’t planning to match her skill for skill—I was planning to do something that would make skill levels irrelevant entirely. I took a deep breath and made the decision that would either save this meeting or end my political career before it truly began. System, I thought with absolute determination, activate Full Profession Sync.

Chapter 334: Counterplay

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