Beneath the Mask

Hundreds of years ago, the planet of which the human race resides, was called "Earth."

However, one woman changed that.

Her name, was "Nike Valus Fortuno," but most people know her as "The Goddess of Victory."

Through financial efforts alone, Nike had taken over the planet. She bought out the strongest of generals, the most important of leaders, and eventually the planet itself. One would expect this to be where she stopped, where she allowed herself to die in peace, surrounded by her long accumulated material possessions. But no, it was simply the beginning of her long thought out plan.

Her first order of business was changing the planet's name:

"Humans have long since dubbed this world 'Earth,' but I shall no longer allow this! The disgusting collective known as humanity... has forsaken this once beautiful planet! We may no longer call this place 'Earth.' For, it has become something different!"

This speech could be considered humanity's turning point, and it brought the world together in ways that shouldn't have been possible. Of course, Nike's declaration didn't end there.

"One day, when we fix the problems we have caused, Earth shall come back! Until then, welcome to Trapidia!"

Trapidia, previously known as Earth, was born. Nike had owned and changed the world through the power of money alone. That day is now celebrated as the beginning of "year one." There is not a single human who doesn't know her name, not a single animal who wasn't influenced by her actions, and not a single plant that hadn't been saved by her words.

As a result of Nike's operation, humans have gone through multiple technological revolutions. Things thought to be nearly impossible, have been found possible. Previously unbreakable scientific laws have been found to be breakable.

Terraforming technology has changed the very shape of the planet, for the reason: "We no longer live on Earth." Countries around the world have disabled and disposed of their nuclear weaponry, for the reason: "War will only result in Nike's wrath." And the use of bio-degradable metal has been popularized, for the reason: "We must remain clean, in order to bring Earth back."

Humanity has finally begun working with one another, and the results have been astonishing.

Of course, not all is good. Rebel groups that do not support Nike's objective have sprouted up all around Trapidia. The underworld has continued to participate in drug, slave, and organ trades. And, behind the scenes, people whose evil knows no bounds are controlling the world.

One family has continued to thrive throughout all of this. Nike Valus Fortuno's descendants, known as the "Fortuno Family," have only risen through both the good and bad times. Their base of operations is the Fortuno Tower, in Cunia City.

Cunia City is only one small city on Trapidia's main continent, but it could be considered the most important. Humans have collectively dubbed it "the city of dreams."

Of course, not everyone believes it so.

Damien Valus Fortuno was born and raised in Cunia City, the so-called "city of dreams."

Having been raised in the extremely wealthy Fortuno family, he grew up with virtually no challenges. That, on top of the fact that he is descendant to the Goddess of Victory, he naturally became very arrogant with time.

Although arrogant, he had never been incapable. From ages ten to eleven, with the help of the Fortuno family's education, he already had a grasp on multiple advanced mathematic and scientific subjects. Of course, the Fortuno family is a family of businessmen, so this education was just his foundation.

Damien is heir to the prestigious Fortuno family. This means that he had to go through the relevant management training, so that he could become a worthy successor, a worthy family head. At ages twelve to fourteen, Damien was given ownership of multiple Fortuno businesses. At ages fifteen to sixteen, he was forced to bring those businesses to the next level, lest he lost his position as heir.

And now, Damien is seventeen years old. Until now, although he worked hard, his arrogance remained unchanged. He would spend the money given to him by the family on useless things, play with people of the opposite gender, and bully those he believed to be lesser than him. The young Fortuno Heir could be likened to the arrogant young masters you see in novels.

He had finally gone too far in his actions, and is now facing the consequences.

"Damien, that's enough! Leave Fortuno Tower immediately!"

"But, father! I'm the heir! Why would you kick me out?!"

Damien is currently being forced out of his home, and kicked out of his family. Or, rather, the Fortuno Tower. This tower is said to be the foundation of the Fortuno family, and is also the one place Damien isn't willing to leave.

"You are no longer the heir! Mistake after mistake, conflict after conflict... do you think I don't see you wasting your life away?!"

Talon Valus Fortuno. Damien's father, and current head of the Fortuno family. There is nothing he detests more than someone who wastes time. Of course, this never stopped Damien from doing so.

"But-!"

"Enough! I can't believe I produced such a useless son! Even my final orders as your father are to be ignored?! The Fortuno family has no room for prodigal scum!"

This sentence was all it took. Damien broke down, not even allowing himself time to introspect. He was heartbroken. Sure, he played with a few ladies. Sure, he spent his allowance on material possessions. And sure, he got into fights often. But, hadn't he been a proper heir? He learned everything the family threw at him, he did everything the family asked of him, and he even brought success to some of the family's less important businesses!

Still, the family wanted him to leave, and so he shall.

"Yes, father."

Damien turned around, refusing to face his father, and left.

Damien wasn't simply exiting the Fortuno Tower. He was leaving behind his family, his friends, and his background. Just like that. But, it wouldn't be the end. In fact, it was a new beginning.

'Fine, you no longer need me to be the heir to this forsaken family?'—Damien's mouth curled into a smile—'Then I'll destroy it! I'll destroy the Fortuno family, the Fortuno Tower, and that disgusting man!'

Damien thought it to be petty, sure. But, the family that encouraged his irresponsibility was now kicking him out for it?

He could only respond in kind.

'I'll make them pay in blood! No, I'll make them pay in something of much higher value than blood.'

Taking out his wallet, Damien continued: 'Money!'

[Suitable Host detected.]

[Calibrating Host physique to allow for physical compatibility with System...]

[Calibration complete...]

[Host has been chosen by the "Economics System."]

"What...?"