The Genius System-Chapter 50: The Face of the Shadow

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Samuel Hart stepped out of Lassen’s villa, his thoughts swirling as he walked toward the black car waiting for him outside the gate. Adrian, ever composed and imposing in his dark suit, opened the rear door without a word. Samuel hesitated for a moment before climbing in.

The drive back to the city unfolded in heavy silence. Samuel’s eyes remained fixed on the leather bag resting on his lap. Inside, his recorder held not just the explosive interview but also the irrefutable evidence Lassen had provided—videos, intercepted communications, and thermal images. Data capable of plunging the world into chaos in an instant.

He took a deep breath, forcing himself to steady his nerves. His hands still trembled—not from fear, but from the lingering rush of adrenaline. He had just witnessed a veiled declaration of war, and he was now its messenger.

"Everything is about to change," he muttered under his breath.

Adrian glanced at him briefly through the rearview mirror.

"Prepare yourself. Once you release this story, there’s no going back."

Samuel looked up, meeting Adrian’s sharp gaze.

"You think I don’t know that? It’s my job."

Adrian shrugged slightly, but his expression remained hard.

"This isn’t just another article. What you have there could start a war—or stop one."

Samuel didn’t answer. Deep down, he knew Adrian was right.

---

In the Newsroom

Samuel pushed through the glass doors of the newsroom, his leather bag strapped tightly to his shoulder. The atmosphere inside was already electric. Satellite images of the destroyed base looped on the monitors, while journalists rushed around, gathering information and preparing emergency broadcasts.

"Hart! Finally!" called out his editor-in-chief, a weathered man in his fifties with deep lines etched across his face from years of pressure. "Tell me you’ve got something!"

Samuel set his bag on the desk and pulled out the recorder.

"I don’t just have something. I have everything."

The editor’s demeanor shifted instantly, his curiosity replaced by a more serious and almost nervous intensity.

"Explain."

Samuel opened his laptop, connected the recorder, and began uploading the files. Screens filled with images—thermal scans, intercepted communications, and most importantly, Lassen’s cold and deliberate interview.

The editor leaned in, eyes widening as he saw the armed squad infiltrating Lassen’s property. His expression darkened as Lassen’s voice filled the room, delivering statements that cut through the noise like a knife.

"You’re telling me… he admits it? He’s taking responsibility for this attack?"

"Not just responsibility," Samuel replied. "He’s explaining why—and warning that this is only the beginning."

The editor stepped back, running a hand nervously through his thinning hair.

"Do you have any idea what you’re sitting on, Hart? If we publish this, we’re lighting a match over a powder keg. Governments will lose their minds!"

"And if we don’t?" Samuel shot back. "They’ll make decisions based on lies, and the consequences could be even worse."

The editor folded his arms, trying to steady himself.

"You want to run this as is? No edits, no filters? Are you absolutely sure?"

"This is what Mr. X wants," Samuel said firmly. "And it’s what the world needs to hear."

The editor stared at him for a long moment before nodding reluctantly.

"Fine. But first, we send it through legal and alert upper management. This is way above our pay grade."

Samuel nodded, feeling the tension in the room thicken as he uploaded the files to the secure server. The progress bar inched forward, each second stretching painfully long.

---

One Hour Later

Samuel sat across from the network’s CEO, a man in a crisp gray suit whose stern expression revealed nothing as he read through the report.

"Are you certain about the source?" the CEO finally asked, his voice calm but heavy.

"I got it straight from the source himself."

The CEO slowly closed the file and looked up.

"You realize what you’re proposing? This isn’t a scandal or a political exposé. This is a declaration of war aired on live television."

"We have a duty to inform the public," Samuel said firmly.

"And what if it sparks a conflict? What if Geria retaliates?"

"They’ll respond regardless," Samuel replied. "But at least the world will know the truth about how it all started."

The CEO sighed, standing and pacing the room.

"Fine. But be ready—once this story breaks, there’s no going back."

---

Back at the Desk

Samuel returned to his workstation, organizing his notes and aligning the video sequences. The interview was raw, but he knew it had to remain untouched. Softening Lassen’s words or altering the tone would dilute its impact—and that wasn’t an option.

A colleague approached cautiously.

"So? Did they approve it?"

"Yes. We’re running it. No edits."

His colleague let out a low whistle.

"You might’ve just rewritten history, Hart."

Samuel didn’t smile. He simply focused on his screen, typing the opening lines of his article with deliberate precision. Every word mattered.

"The man known as Mr. X has broken his silence. In an exclusive interview, he admits responsibility for the devastating attack on Geria’s military base. But this is no ordinary confession. He reveals the reasons behind his actions—and warns that this is only the beginning."

He reread the text before hitting "Send."

In that moment, he knew the world would never be the same again.

---

The interview exploded across global networks. Lassen’s words, sharp and calculated, echoed in newsrooms, political offices, and homes. Clips circulated online, dissected by analysts and debated by politicians.

The image of the mysterious Mr. X, finally stepping out of the shadows, dominated every platform.

But as the world struggled to make sense of the revelation, Samuel knew one thing for certain—this was only the first move in a much larger game. And the pieces were already in motion.

In the streets, crowds gathered in front of giant screens replaying the interview on a loop. Some watched in silence, captivated by Lassen’s calm and controlled demeanor. Others shouted in fear, demanding immediate answers from their governments.

---

At the White House Situation Room, Washington D.C.

The President of the United States stood with his arms crossed, his gaze fixed on the screen, while his advisors murmured anxiously around him.

"And you’re certain it’s him?" the President asked, his voice tense.

"The technology used in the attack matches systems we’ve never seen before. No country has drones capable of what his did," a general responded firmly.

A senior advisor chimed in.

"But he claims it was self-defense. The evidence he presented is strong—Geria did make the first move."

The President cut him off sharply.

"It doesn’t matter. It’s not up to one man to decide to retaliate with total destruction. He acted like a nation, but he isn’t one."

"So what’s our next move?" another advisor asked hesitantly.

"Watch him. Monitor his movements, his communications—everything. And most importantly, figure out just how dangerous he really is."

---

At the United Nations Headquarters, Geneva

The UN Security Council was locked in an emergency session. Ambassadors from major powers exchanged accusations and threats.

"This man is a threat to global stability!" shouted the ambassador from Geria. "He must be treated as an international criminal!"

"A criminal?!" retorted the ambassador from the Kingdom of Macro. "Your country tried to assassinate him! You’re responsible for this escalation!"

The Council President slammed his gavel, demanding order.

"Silence! This is not the time for accusations or threats. We must evaluate the evidence before taking any action. But one thing is clear—this Lassen, or Mr. X, has shifted the balance of power. And we must respond before the situation spirals further out of control."

---

In the Streets of Paris

Protests erupted, filling the boulevards with chants and banners. Some hailed Lassen as a hero, comparing him to a vigilante bringing justice. Others condemned him as a madman and demanded his immediate arrest.

A young woman, interviewed by a reporter, declared:

"He exposed what governments have been hiding from us for years. He’s defending himself and proving that we can fight back against corruption and abuse of power."

An older man shouted angrily:

"He’s a tyrant! A lunatic who thinks he can impose his own laws! Today he attacks Geria—who’s next?!"

Society was divided, and the debates only grew louder.

---

At Geria’s Military Headquarters

The Minister of Defense stared at a screen displaying Lassen’s calm and composed interview. His fingers trembled slightly as he gripped the edge of the table.

"He must be eliminated," he muttered, his voice low but seething with anger.

"Sir, our agents found no usable traces. His team erased every bit of evidence and scrambled our networks," an officer reported.

"Then find something. Anything!" the minister snapped, sweeping papers off his desk. "He can’t get away with this!"

An analyst in the corner hesitated before speaking.

"But what if… what if he really is untouchable?"

The room fell into an uneasy silence.

---

At Lassen’s Villa

Lassen sat in his office, watching reactions pour in on his holographic screens. News channels ran special reports, dissecting every word he had spoken.

The system’s voice interrupted with its usual sarcasm.

[Congratulations. You’re officially the most feared and admired person on the planet.]

"I expected nothing less," Lassen replied, stretching in his chair.

[Governments are panicking. Activists are worshipping you. And Geria probably wants your head on a silver platter.]

"They’re welcome to try."

Lassen’s gaze shifted to the screens, where images of protests, debates, and conspiracy theories flooded social media. To some, he was a savior. To others, a monster.

Alex entered the room, visibly tense.

"They’re all talking about you. Nations are pushing for an emergency summit. Macro is already receiving pressure to explain its connection to you."

Lassen smirked.

"Good. Confusion is to our advantage."

Alex hesitated, his concern evident.

"And what if they decide to act together against us? You’re becoming too visible."

Lassen slowly turned to face him, his smile fading.

"That’s exactly what I want. Let them see me. Let them fear me. It’ll make them hesitate before pulling the trigger."

Alex nodded, though the worry didn’t leave his eyes.

"And what if someone doesn’t hesitate?"

Lassen raised a hand, and holographic simulations of counterattacks and defensive measures filled the screens.

"They won’t have time to regret it."

---

Across the World

The interview continued to dominate headlines. Protests intensified. Stock markets fluctuated wildly. Defense departments increased their alert levels. Secret meetings between world leaders were held behind closed doors.

But amidst the chaos, one thing became clear—Lassen had become more than a name.

He was now a symbol.

To some, a symbol of defiance and revolution.

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To others, a symbol of fear and uncontrollable power.

And as the world teetered on the edge of uncertainty, Lassen leaned back in his chair, his eyes fixed on the screens as the storm he had unleashed raged on.

"Let them watch," he murmured. "This is only the beginning."