GOD OF ALL SYSTEMS
Chapter 29 - 29: A Different Type of Person

Current Time 11:35 am

In one of the wealthy parts of Metro City, Dylan Ludwick's car steadily drove through the street, moving at 15 mph. Ludwick wore a gray suit and a blue necktie. Checking his watch for the time, Ludwick spoke to his driver and friend. "Ethan, stop at Old Billy's restaurant."

"Copy," Ethan replied as he pulled up next to a fancy building. From the building's exterior, one can immediately identify that it was a high-end place for the wealthy. Outside the building was a silver-plated signboard with the words "WILD CHEF'S" largely designed on it. And, like most buildings in Metro City, this building also had a golden letter K situated above it.

Ludwick's car steadily parked next to the restaurant when suddenly, a group of paparazzi swamped around the vehicle upon recognizing the brand and model of the car, which only King Tech can produce. Upon becoming aware of the swamp of paparazzi, Ludwick made a disappointed sigh as he spoke, "Alpha, please?" when the constant flashing from cameras suddenly ceased.

It was as if the cameras were affected by some kind of magnetic wave, which shut them down from working.

And while the paparazzi and crews were busy trying to make their cameras and electronics work again, Ludwick stepped from his vehicle as his figure slowly vanished into the luxurious building, leaving the desperate crew of paparazzi behind, and preventing them from questioning him about his previous announcement about the launch of a medical department.

Inside the fancy building, a group of waiters and waitresses stood by the door as they respectfully welcomed Dylan Ludwick. A fat, big-brained man stood in the center of the group of waiters and waitresses as he smiled at the incoming Ludwick. The fat man was an English man with gray hair, seeming to be in his late forties. Upon seeing Ludwick, the fat man smiled delightfully as he spoke with vigor.

"Mr. Ludwick, what a surprise! I didn't know you were coming; if I had been aware, I would have prepared a proper welcome for you. Nonetheless, I am pleased to have a man such as yourself in my humble restaurant. "The whole of Wild Chef is at your disposal while you are here as a guest. The fat man spoke as he slightly bowed in Ludwick's presence.

"Old Billy, thanks for the hospitality, but I won't be staying for long. "I believe I have a guest by the name of Natasha Page waiting for me," Ludwick replied as he mentioned the young journalist.

Listening to Ludwick's question, the fat man, old Billy, made a pondering gaze as he recalled something. "Ah yes, there is a lady that booked the fifty-fifth floor for the five hours, but surprisingly, she hasn't made any orders yet. "I was about to go attend to her when you arrived. Fat old Billy commented as he made a genuinely happy smile.

Listening to fat old Billy's words, especially after hearing "fifty-fifth floor" and "booked for five hours," Ludwick had a sudden realization, but he calmed himself as he spoke. "Old Billy, I will be going to that floor; please bring me my usual," Ludwick spoke as he began walking towards the transparent elevator.

"Of course, ribs and medium-cooked steak are coming right up, sir." Fat old Billy spoke as he enthusiastically clapped his hands and commanded, "Chop, chop, get to work, you lazy bums; those meals are not going to cook themselves!"

....

On the fifty-fifth floor, Natasha Page sat alone on the spacious floor as she checked her phone for the time; it was currently 11:41. Her hands seemed to be trembling, and her feet couldn't stop bouncing. Her table was empty, with only a glass of water and glass cups that seemed to have not even been touched.

Suddenly, the elevator bell rang, and as if the gates to hell opened on her, Natasha Page rose from her seat and stood with a face covered in worry and uncertainty. She tightly gripped her fingers into a fist, trying to calm herself from her obvious signs of forced depravity.

Ludwick stepped from the elevator and turned right. Upon seeing Natasha Page, Ludwick paused for at least two seconds as he swept his eyes across the fancy floor of expensive and rich items, all of which would sell for millions of British pounds, or at least hundreds of thousands of pounds. But with a casual arrangement of his coat sleeves, Ludwick resumed his walk as he approached Natasha Page.

"Hello, Miss Page. "We meet once again," Ludwick spoke, stretching his hand for a handshake.

Looking at Ludwick's outstretched arm, Natasha hesitated for a second before meeting Ludwick's handshake with hers. "Yes, Mr. Ludwick. "Thank you for seeing me. I apologize if I caused any discomfort. Natasha Page spoke confidently, but her sweaty palms couldn't go unnoticed by Ludwick.

"Please, it was my idea, so don't mention it," Ludwick said as he pulled up a chair and sat. Natasha also pulled the opposite chair as she sat before Ludwick. She then went for her handbag and brought out a recorder.

But the instant Natasha Page placed the recorder on the table, a mechanical sound echoed as she saw a transparent blue bubble envelope the entire floor. Like a thief caught in their mischief, Natasha Page expressed shock as she stared at Ludwick in despair. But before she could utter a word, Ludwick raised his finger, halting her.

Natasha Page sat quietly with a frightened expression as she tremblingly stared at Ludwick, her mind racing to countless conclusions as if someone were awaiting judgment day.

But as if her worry wasn't enough already, Natasha watched as Ludwick pulled out a gun and placed it on the table. Seeing the black-colored and technologically advanced pistol on the table, Natasha uncontrollably covered her mouth with both hands in despair as she instinctively leaned back.

Placing the gun on the table, Dylan Ludwick sat back, relaxed, as he stared at Natasha. He had an expressionless face and uncompromising gaze as he began talking: "First things first, Miss Page, I'm going to give you three minutes; in that time, tell me everything." "Attempt to deceive me, and you won't be leaving this restaurant alive, do you understand?"

"…!" Natasha Page hastily nodded in compliance, her heart racing even more as she stared at the gun on the table and the unwavering gaze plastered on Ludwick's face. She then slowly released her hands from her mouth as she began speaking, tears of pain, regret, sorrow, and shame all overcoming her.

"It all started when I went to visit my mother, who is comatose due to mana blockage... but there was a man already in her pod chamber. "He kidnapped and threatened to kill my mother if I didn't help him, and he said I only had three days or else my mother…" Natasha Page couldn't finish her sentence when she burst into tears. Her cry was loud and painful, yet desperate and abandoned.

"Why is this happening to me? What have I done to deserve such a life? My mother is in a coma, and I have been trying my best to barely pay the hospital bills, let alone save money for her treatment. But no matter how much I try; nothing seems to favor me! As if that wasn't enough, now my mother has been kidnapped, and I am being used to doing something immoral and unjust. "Why am I bearing all this?

Why?"

Natasha Page covered her face in shame as she unleashed all her accumulated pain and sorrow. Venting her frustration and misfortune. But she raised her head and wiped her tears as she stared at Ludwick with conviction.

"I understand that you must be disappointed in me for choosing to help them, even though I have no guarantee they will let me live." My mother could be dead as we speak, and my role of being the bait will end the moment they accomplish their mission. And you have every right to kill me here and now; after all, what difference would my disappearance make?"

"But before I die, I only wish Mr. Ludwick would grant me one request." And that is to avenge me and my mother; our deaths are as insignificant as drops of water in the ocean, and we will be forgotten anyway. But if I and my mother are to be sacrificed in the games of the wealthy and powerful, like chess pieces, it would give me great comfort if those responsible were to be severely punished.

I know I don't deserve such a promise, but as a fellow normal human, I wish you would grant me this favor, please.

Even if not in this life, I promise on my soul to repay you in the next." Natasha ended her speech as she anticipatingly stared at Ludwick, awaiting his response.

Ludwick sat composed as he listened to everything. After letting her finish her words, Ludwick leaned forward and grabbed the gun, causing Natasha Page to react with dejection as if accepting her fate. She frightenedly tightened her eyes, thinking Ludwick was about to shoot her. But what happened next left Natasha Page in shock.

"Please open your eyes, Miss Page," Ludwick said, his words causing Natasha to open her eyes. She saw the pistol was gone, and there was a glass-like iPad on the table. Seeing the electronic screen at first, Natasha was hesitant to look at it, but upon closer inspection, she noticed a live video being displayed on the screen.

Like a child grabbing their most beloved toy, Natasha Page desperately grabbed the screen as she bellowed simultaneously.

"Mother!" Natasha's voice echoed the floor as she tightly held the software screen as if it were something very precious to her. She then raised her head as she stared at Ludwick with utter admiration and kindness, almost one that could be considered the "love at first sight" look. Natasha couldn't help but unconsciously utter the word, "But how?"

Hearing Natasha's question, Ludwick relaxed as he began talking. "How" doesn't matter; what matters now is that your mother is safe, and you don't have to break your moral code anymore. I have also arranged for her treatment; she will be cured and awake in the next hour or less.

But that would have been the opposite if you had lied; I would have just spared your life and cared less about your misfortune. After all, this is just another petty assassination, something that my boss has anticipated from the very beginning.

You see, Miss Page, the man I work for is someone who wants every possible probability to be within his control, or at least have little to no effect on him or on the people and things he owns. If things don't go as he wants, then he never wanted that thing in the first place. So, something like a mere assassination shouldn't even be considered.

I only came here today to clarify some things with you, Miss Page. You accused my employer of manipulating Gates for profit, making Gates and the weapons against the monsters, all with the sole purpose of controlling the world.

You see, my employer doesn't even need to belittle himself with such petty tricks; if he wanted to rule the world, he could easily do so with or without the presence of Gates or King Technologies.

Miss Page, there are people you would fear because they can harm you and your loved ones, and there are those you fear because they can end you and the entire world; but there is one more type of person I would like to introduce you to, Miss Page, and those are the ones who have everything but want nothing at the same time.

Not only do they have the power to erase the world, they could even wipe out the galaxy, but the only thing preventing that is that they are too carefree and bored to even press the button.

Miss Page, my employer is that third party. You would think you are making a difference by making such accusations, but to my employer, you don't even exist, and I promise you this, he couldn't care any less. I'm not trying to discourage you as a journalist, Miss Page, but I must tell you the truth.

King Tech has nothing to hide; all our actions are pure and unsuspicious. And even if we did have something to hide, no one can force it out of us—not presidents, not nations, not the collective unions, not kings or emperors, and especially not you, Miss Page."

Ludwick said as he stood from his seat. He buttoned his coat as he continued. "As for those kidnappers, please ease your mind. My employer is a good and upstanding citizen and patriot of Metro City, and I assure you, he wouldn't let his fellow citizens get bullied. That's all I have to say. Thank you for your time.

Now, if you will excuse me, I have other matters to attend to. Also, don't worry about those assassins; they were already taken care of before I even entered this building. "Very well then, goodbye, Miss Page." Ludwick finished his sentence as he walked into the opened elevator, his figure disappearing from the floor.

"….." Silence occurred in the room for another thirty seconds when, suddenly, Natasha burst into tears. She tightly hugged the software screen as he bellowed in tears, her emotions mixed and scattered. She raised her head as she stared at the last place Ludwick stood before exiting the floor, and as if staring at Ludwick himself, Natasha closed her eyes and murmured to herself.

"…Thank you."