mesbooks Chapter 296 System Upgrade, The Ultimate Goal for Global Screens
Chapter 296 System Upgrade, The Ultimate Goal for Global Screens
Chapter 296 System Upgrade, The Ultimate Goal for Global Screens (17/71)
The second half of 1997 was a harsh winter for the whole of Asia, but for Kitahara Shin, it brought an unprecedented windfall.
The Asian financial crisis, triggered by international financial giants like George Soros, ripped apart the economic defenses of many Southeast Asian countries in just a few months, like a devastating hurricane. The Thai railway stock plummeted, the South Korean won collapsed, and countless companies worth hundreds of billions vanished overnight.
Meanwhile, Kitahara Shin, who had been secretly making arrangements since the beginning of the year, was sitting in his top-floor office at the Kitahara Foundation headquarters in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, calmly reviewing the top-secret financial statements submitted by Sasaki.
Kitahara Shin's initial investment of two billion US dollars, secretly made through hundreds of offshore shell funds, was like a bloodthirsty whale hidden in the deep sea during this short-selling frenzy, using high leverage to precisely time the currency crash.
"President, the first and second phases of the operation are complete." Sasaki's voice trembled slightly with excitement. "After deducting all bridge loan interest and under-the-table costs, our net profit in the overseas funding pool has reached $1.2 billion!"
$1.2 billion in net cash profit!
In 1997, this enormous sum of cash, converted into Japanese yen, amounted to over 140 billion yen, enough to buy several landmark office buildings in Tokyo's prime business district. This financial crisis not only allowed him to recoup all the losses incurred during the Kobe earthquake, but also more than doubled the total assets of the Kitahara Group, which were already incredibly large.
Just as Sasaki respectfully withdrew, leaving only Kitahara Shin in the large office.
A long-lost, crisp mechanical voice suddenly echoed from the depths of his mind.
"Ding! It has been detected that the host's net worth and real-world transnational influence have exceeded the intercontinental threshold, meeting the advancement requirements."
"The equipment inventory system has officially launched its 2.0 version upgrade!"
Kitahara Shin paused slightly, his hand holding the coffee cup momentarily, a sharp glint flashing in his deep eyes. He immediately closed his eyes, immersing his consciousness in the system panel in his mind.
The interface, which originally had only a few individual equipment slots, is now undergoing a dramatic transformation. After a dazzling flash of light, in addition to the original [Personal Equipped Equipment Slots], three huge grooves emitting a dark golden light have been added to the top of the panel.
"Upgrade complete. The system has unlocked a new feature module: [Macro Foundation Equipment Slot]."
"Note: As the host's social status rises, acting is no longer limited to personal costumes and props. From now on, the top commercial resources controlled by the host (such as multinational luxury brands, top special effects companies, private island sets, etc.) can all be materialized into macro-level foundational equipment. Once equipped, it will give the entire crew a quality boost akin to a dimensional reduction attack, comprehensively enhancing the epic feel and expressiveness of the film."
Immediately afterwards, the system's notification tone became incredibly solemn, as if a grand symphony of destiny was playing in my mind.
"The host has been detected to have completely dominated Asian capital and entertainment industries, triggering the ultimate main quest: [The Ruler of the Global Screen]."
"Mission Objective: Break the long-standing absolute monopoly of Europe and America on the world film industry. The host must personally take the lead role and create a blockbuster film that sweeps the global box office at the turn of the millennium, winning the Academy Award for Best Actor and other top global acting honors!"
Mission Reward: Unlock the ultimate level of god-tier rule-based equipment and create an indelible legend in film history.
Kitahara Shin slowly opened his eyes, looking at the bustling Tokyo metropolitan area outside the floor-to-ceiling window, a highly confident smile curving his lips.
It turned out to be the case.
What is $1.2 billion? What is the title of Asia's richest man? For a cheater with an Oscar-winning equipment slot, all this real-world money and status is essentially just "initial game gold" accumulated to reach the pinnacle of the world film industry and forge ultimate divine gear.
"The world's dominant force on the silver screen—the Oscars?" Kitahara Shin took a small sip of his coffee. "I'll take that goal."
Now that the system has pointed out the way, the next step is to transform these newly earned funds into top-tier resources in the macro equipment inventory.
That afternoon, Kitahara Shin ended the conglomerate's meeting early. It was because one of the jealous women in his vast harem seemed to be in a bad mood lately.
In the spacious and luxurious lounge, Rie Miyazawa sat on a leather sofa, holding a fashion magazine, her red lips slightly pouting. Beside her, the gentle and elegant Nanako Matsushima held a cup of freshly brewed black tea, smiling and comforting her.
"Nobu-kun's head is full of those young male actors lately," Rie Miyazawa complained resentfully as she put down her magazine as Kitahara Shin walked in. "When we filmed 'Dragon Zakura,' you made me play a delinquent girl who got scolded by you all the time. Now I'm an award-winning actress, when will we be able to film a proper romantic drama together again? The audience is starting to think of me as a comedian."
Seeing Rie's adorable appearance, Kitahara Shin chuckled. He walked over and sat down between the two beauties, reaching out to pinch Rie's delicate cheek.
"I have indeed neglected you two lately." Kitahara Shin casually pulled Nanako into his arms as well. "Since we don't have anything to do today, and I just earned a lot of pocket money overseas, let's go. I'll take you two to Ginza. Pick whatever you want to buy."
Upon hearing that they were going on a shopping spree in Ginza, Rie Miyazawa's eyes lit up instantly, and Nanako smiled gently as well.
Half an hour later, several black bulletproof luxury cars discreetly pulled up in the heart of Ginza's most bustling commercial street.
When Kitahara Shin led the two female celebrities into the sprawling Chanel flagship store, the entire store manager and all the senior sales associates lined up at the entrance and bowed at a 90-degree angle to greet them. The store immediately put up a "Temporarily Closed" sign and provided the highest level of clearance service.
"Bring me this seasonal haute couture evening gown, and that set of ruby jewelry over there, let me try them on." Rie Miyazawa immediately displayed the aura of a female celebrity.
The sales assistants carefully accompanied Rie into the enormous VIP fitting room. Meanwhile, Kitahara Shin sat on a velvet sofa outside, sipping top-quality champagne, his gaze sweeping over the luxurious garments in the store.
Looking at these luxury goods, and combined with the newly unlocked [Macroeconomic Foundation Equipment Slot], Kitahara Shin instantly conceived a perfect plan to integrate business and entertainment.
Asia is currently mired in the financial crisis, and the stock prices of many luxury brand parent companies have plummeted. In the future, giants like LVMH and Hermès will grow into formidable entities with market capitalizations of hundreds of billions of euros.
"When we get back, I'll have Sasaki set up a dedicated investment fund in Europe to aggressively acquire shares in these top luxury goods groups," Kitahara Shin secretly plotted.
This is not just about buying at the bottom of the financial market. Once he controls these luxury giants, they will directly transform into the "Global Top Luxury Fashion Library" in his macro-equipment. When he prepares to shoot a global blockbuster vying for an Oscar, all the custom-made clothing and jewelry can be transformed into the highest-level glamour and quality equipment, directly delivering a visually devastating blow to Hollywood.
A faint, pleasant fragrance suddenly wafted into his nostrils.
Nanako, who had been quietly drinking tea, suddenly leaned against Kitahara Shin's chest with a soft, yielding motion, taking advantage of the sales assistants' attention being focused on the fitting room. Her eyes, which seemed to speak volumes, were filled with a hazy, watery light, and her warm breath gently brushed against Kitahara Shin's ear.
"Shin-kun, what are you thinking about so intently?" Nanako lowered her voice, and her soft red lips boldly planted a light kiss on Kitahara Shin's cheek.
Kitahara Shin took the opportunity to put his arm around her slender waist, and was about to lower his head to respond.
With a whoosh.
The heavy velvet curtains of the VIP fitting room were suddenly pulled open. Rie Miyazawa, dressed in a stunning black haute couture gown, was about to come out to show off when she immediately spotted the two people pressed tightly together on the sofa.
"Oh!" Rie was taken aback at first, then immediately put her hands on her hips and said coquettishly, "So that's why Nanako didn't come in to help me pick out clothes! She was secretly getting intimate with Shin-kun here! You two were cheating on me!"
Despite being caught red-handed, Nanako remained calm and sat up straight. She looked at the sulking Rie and chuckled, "Rie, you've been in the fitting room for so long, of course I had to take care of Shin-kun for you."
Watching the two stunning beauties, each with their own distinct charm, vying for his attention, Kitahara Shin shook his head and smiled.
He stood up, walked over to Rie, and looked her up and down. "Alright, stop being jealous. Manager, pack up all the clothes, jewelry, and those new bags that Rie tried on. Pick out the best one of the same size for Nanako too. Send the bill to the Kitahara Group."
Hearing this domineering statement brimming with financial power, Rie cheered and pounced on Kitahara Shin, giving him a big kiss on the other cheek before happily continuing her scavenging spree.
As night fell, after finishing their shopping spree and enjoying dinner at a secluded French restaurant, Kitahara Shin took a stroll through the streets of Tokyo with a slightly tipsy Nanako and Rie to digest their meal.
As they passed by a high-end custom-made wedding dress shop with elegant decor, the three of them stopped in their tracks.
In the shop window, several pure white wedding dresses, hand-sewn and adorned with countless tiny rhinestones, radiated a dreamlike glow. Nanako and Rie were completely captivated, their eyes revealing the purest longing of women.
The two exchanged a glance and then took Kitahara Shin's arm from either side.
"Nobu-kun—" Rie's voice trembled slightly.
"I know that with your current status, it's difficult for us to have a normal family," Nanako said, looking intently at Kitahara Shin. "But you must make us all happy."
Kitahara Shin embraced the two women tightly, his tone filled with unwavering confidence: "Don't worry. One day, I will let you wear wedding dresses ten thousand times more beautiful than these, openly and legitimately."
After spending time with his confidante, Kitahara Shin began a period of retaliatory spending in the following days, accumulating resources for his new goal.
For Shin Kitahara, who has $1.2 billion in cash at his disposal, his spending list is entirely geared towards filling up his "macroeconomic foundation equipment bar".
He instructed his team of butlers to travel to top auction houses in Europe. Monet's original Water Lilies and top-tier Ming and Qing dynasty imperial porcelain, long lost overseas, were snapped up by his agents at exorbitant prices and transported into his private vault. Upon acquiring these priceless treasures, the system panel immediately displayed the special equipment attribute "[Historical Weight]", ready to infuse epic films with a genuine sense of history.
When it comes to cars, Kitahara Shin showed no mercy. He bought an entire bomb-raid shelter-sized garage and airlifted over a dozen rare, classic vintage cars, including a Ferrari 250 and a first-generation Porsche classic. These mechanical beasts were accurately identified by the system as [God-level Vehicle Reserve], ready to transform into the most ferocious chase weapons in future movies at any time.
In addition to these, Kitahara Shin also purchased a stunning private island in the South Pacific. A custom-built luxury yacht, 60 meters long, and a brand-new Gulfstream private jet are also on firm order.
This is not only a secluded vacation paradise, but also equipment that will be recognized by the system as a "top-tier real-life film set" in the future, free from external interference.
In this financial baptism, Kitahara Shin transformed all his wealth into the most powerful ammunition to challenge the global dominance of the silver screen.
A truly epic Oscar-worthy drama that belongs to him is about to begin.
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