Doomsday Pillars

Chapter 18 - The 9 Dragons

Indonesia is a democratic country; the people elect the President, there are also the cabinet's members, also elected by the people to watch over the government. These are the politicians; they are divided into the presidential party and the opposition party; they are often in contradiction. During Alex's previous life, the president, the vice, and most cabinet members all died from the plague, so the country lost its central leadership. None of the surviving cabinet members was eligible or given the power to lead. Democracy is the best for peacetime, but in times like this, they are the worst.

Law enforcement took control. Indonesian law enforcement is divided into two big organization, the police force, and the army. The police force was in charge of handling domestic threat while the military handled foreign threats. There are no preparations for plague like this; finally, because of lack of central command and communication, each general set up their own survival base each, they became "king" in each of their regiments.

Last but not least were the rich and powerful nine dragons. This is the group of 9 families, who control nine big industries such as tobacco, real estate, oil, bank, pharmacy, technology, media, etc. These nine corporations control 90% of the country's economy; it could even be said that they control the government itself. Some of them also manage some part of the army and police force.. In Alex's previous life, they spent the first many years fighting among themselves, when they finally joined forces it was already too late.

In his previous life, Alex knew a few of the nine dragon families, and fought alongside them, but, at the moment they are strangers. Alex was currently thinking of a way to convince at least one of them to support him before the end of days.

In the city of Surabaya, east of Java. At night in one luxury real estate compound, a figure wearing black clothes could be seen jumping in from outside the wall. If someone could see this scene, they would be surprised as the walls are 4 meters high, and the guy seemed to jump past them quickly.

Of course, the guy was Alex.

"Reincarnated life, a mission to save the world, but why do I feel more like a thief each day..."

"What a mansion, this is not a house, this is a palace."

There were a few bodyguards all around the estate, but with his perception and agility, it's pretty easy for Alex to dodge them undetected.

"The dogs will be the tricky one; I should just jump up to the roof and crawl from the top."

Alex walked inside one of the rooms from a balcony, where he saw a man sitting in a wheelchair. The man was startled when he saw Alex.

"Mr. James, let me introduce myself. I am Alex."

"Please don't bother calling your guard, I don't want another cliche of hitting your guard to get your attention."

James Randall, the family head of Randall Family, one of the Nine Dragons. The Randall Family, like all the other families, got their fame and fortune from trading the country's natural resources; oil, plantation, and such, but his main business is in the medical sector. The Randall Family has the most hospitals and medical research centers all over the country. It could even be considered one of the best in all over the world.

James Randall was the most driven man he knew, in Alex's previous life, as the Randall Family was the best in medical expertise compared to all the other Nine Dragons, they were on friendly terms with him. James had become the family head since he was only 25 years old. His father died from a bone disease ten years ago. Since then James managed to lead the family into prominence, despite the threat of many wolves inside and outside the family.

The Randall Family were experts in medical science, but for him, it's become such a joke, his father and his grandfather died of the same bone disease, a biologic illness that became the family curse. Currently, even with his resources of hundreds of medical experts and thousands of studies, the family was still unable to find a cure. Five years ago the disease also started to affect James. What is the use of money and power if eventually humans can't escape death, and his death will come early. James thinks ten years at most, but there still was no breakthrough. This is his number one goal in life. And this will be Alex's way to gain favor with the Randalls.

James Randall thought for a little and responded.

"You managed to enter unnoticed, passed through my guards, despite them being an ex-special force. Even in my normal condition, I doubt I can escape, never mind with this wheelchair."

"What do you want?"

Alex responded:

"There is something that I need, and I am willing to trade it with something that will interest you."

"I doubt it; there's not much in this world that interests me anymore."

"What about a cure for your illness.. even better.. what about the secret of eternal life..?"

"Hahahahaha.. is this supposed to be a joke? Did my cousin send you?"

Alex took out a polished white stone and showed it to James.

"This is a spirit stone; you will be surprised of the wonders it could give. I will give you one to let your scientist and researchers study it.", James said.

"Don't play around with me."

Alex suddenly moved close to him, with such a speed James couldn't explain. Alex took another stone out and forced it into James' mouth.

"This one is for you to take this stone seriously."

"One of these stone won't be enough to cure your disease; I have plenty more. I believe you will be interested; I will find you again soon."

Alex left the other spirit stone on the table next to James and jumped out of the window. Alex quickly left the compound.

James wanted to call his guards to go after Alex, but he suddenly felt something change within his body, one spirit stone was enough to turn a low stage into a mid-stage mortal realm. It only took about 15 minutes for one spirit stone to work. An average person will suddenly have the speed and strength of an Olympic athlete. For James, he suddenly felt his body full of vigor; he could already feel both of his legs. He tried and was able to stand up for a few seconds.

"2 more spirit stones used, 26 left, almost half are already used. I hope it's worth it. I should give him some time to study the stone so I can exploit him better later."

"Although, even if he agrees to help me, I doubt it will be enough."

"If he's not interested, maybe I can sneak in again to take the spirit stone back."

The next morning, in the news, Alex heard something disturbing.