Becoming A Tech Tycoon Begins With Regression

James Brock was your typical loan shark—well, as typical as a man who made a living off people’s blood and interests could be.

As the owner of Avance, he’d seen countless men grovel at his feet, their pride shattered and futures sold for scraps.

But today, the tables had turned. He was the one kneeling and trembling.

The man—no, monster—who now sat leisurely on James’ ornate leather chair dubbed his throne wasn’t someone new to him. After all, this wasn’t their first encounter.

The man didn’t look like much. Dressed in a simple black turtleneck and coat, the man sat with the lazy grace of someone who knew he owned the room. One leg crossed over the other and he definitely was younger than James.

But James knew exactly how dangerous he was, evident by the fact that James could hardly breathe in the man’s presence.

"Mr. Brock," the man said, calmly. "You didn’t honor our deal."

James tried to speak but only managed a dry croak.

"I thought you said Drake systems would be mine by the end of this week," the man continued, "but what is this I hear about it being acquired by another company?"

The final word dripped with disdain, as if it physically offended him to say it.

James swallowed hard, throat burning. "I—I tried b-but this OmniTech Corp came out of nowhere and paid all that Drake systems owed us."