Weapon seller in the world of magic-Chapter 825

After ending the call with her brother, Elena didn't linger in her thoughts for long. She dialed Hou Liang next.

Ever since she went to Cross Academy, the two of them had kept in steady contact, exchanging updates and ideas whenever time allowed.

While she was away, she had already instructed her financial manager, Qiao Yu, to step in and coordinate with Hou Liang, providing the initial capital needed to bring their gaming company to life.

Qiao Yu's reports were thorough, as always.

Hou Liang's close friend, Wu Chen, turned out to be an accountant by profession, someone with a sharp head for numbers and a cautious temperament.

After some discussion, it was unanimously decided that Wu Chen would serve as the company's CFO, directly liaising with Qiao Yu on all financial matters to ensure transparency and stability.

The internal structure of the company quickly took shape.

Hou Liang would act as CEO, the visible leader and spokesperson, since he was the core game developer and the soul behind their first project.

Elena, on the other hand, would hold the titles of President and Owner. It was a division of roles that suited all of them.

Hou Liang focused on creation. Wu Chen guarded the numbers. Elena stood behind the scenes, supplying capital, manpower, connections, and resources.

She deliberately stayed out of the actual game development process. That world belonged to Hou Liang.

Her responsibility lay elsewhere. With her skills as a hacker far surpassing those of the team, she became the final line of defense for the company's systems. As long as she was there, no one was breaking in unnoticed.

Progress came quickly.

Development went smoothly, and before long, the company moved into its own small headquarters inside a commercial building.

It was modest, almost cramped, but Elena saw it as a temporary shell rather than a limitation. She was already keeping an eye out for a property they could eventually own outright, a real home for the company's future growth.

In a few days, she planned to meet Hou Liang and Wu Chen in person to officially register the company.

"So," Elena asked during one of their calls, her tone light but curious, "have you thought of a name for the company yet?"

Hou Liang hesitated. "Are you sure you don't want to name it yourself?"

"It's not that I don't want to," she replied with a small laugh. "I just think it makes more sense if you do. It's your game."

There was a pause, followed by a steady breath on the other end of the line. "I've thought of one," he said at last.

"What is it?"

"Adventures, Tactics, Objectives, and Missions. Or simply: ATOM."

"Oh." Her eyebrows lifted slightly at the creativity, then she nodded. "Not bad."

"Not bad?" another voice suddenly burst into the call, loud and indignant. Wu Chen had clearly been listening nearby. "I have a way better idea, and this guy rejected it outright! I want to smack him with my mighty slippers. Zero imagination!"

Elena couldn't help but chuckle. "What's your suggestion?"

"Planet Apes!" Wu Chen declared proudly. "Way more memorable than A.T.O.M, right, boss?"

She blinked, then answered decisively, "Alright, it's settled. The company name will be A.T.O.M. I'll call you again in a few days so we can register it."

"Understood," Hou Liang replied without hesitation.

"Hey, wait, what about I Eat Monkeys, I didn't even get to finish explaining the concept…"

She hung up before he could continue.

After that, Elena made another round of calls, this time laying the groundwork for her other upcoming venture, Keen To Care (KTC). There were contracts to prepare, teams to assemble, and long-term strategies to outline. It would take time, but the foundations were being laid, and she was satisfied with the pace.

*

Bright Summit Entertainment Company buzzed with unusual energy that day.

Ever since Elena announced her return on social media, fans and reporters had been camping outside the building, hoping to catch even a glimpse of her. Cameras waited like patient predators.

Disguised in baggy sweats and a hoodie, Elena slipped inside with Simon, Song Yuqing, and another bodyguard. Simon, unfortunately, was already a familiar face to many fans, so everyone stayed alert as they moved quickly through side entrances and private corridors.

Thankfully, no one recognized Elena in her current state. The group made it safely into Cai Jun's office.

"Elena!" Cai Jun exclaimed the moment she saw her. "You're finally back. I was worried sick." She looked her up and down, relief flooding her expression. "Good. You look healthy. Sit, sit."

They settled in, catching up briefly before moving straight to business. Elena's immediate priority was promoting her upcoming soundtrack album. Her schedule filled rapidly, with one key appearance already confirmed. She will perform this Friday on MusicFest Tonight.

Just as they were discussing details, raised voices echoed from outside the office. Song Yuqing stood and peeked through the door. Her colleague was struggling to keep a group of young men from barging in.

Cai Jun frowned, instantly recognizing the voices. She strode over and flung the door open. "Why are you here so early? Our meeting isn't for another hour!"

"Big Sis Jun, you're always telling us not to be late," a charming male voice replied smoothly. "Now we're early, and you're still unhappy. You're impossible to please."

Four young men swept into the office, full of energy and unapologetic confidence. Song Yuqing moved to block them, but Elena raised a hand, signaling it was fine.

Their eyes landed on her almost simultaneously.

"Wait… is that Elena Zhang?"

"It's really her!"

"I'm meeting my goddess in person!"

The quietest of the four stepped forward. With several piercings in his ears and one on his nose, he calmly picked up a black marker from Cai Jun's desk, handed it to Elena, then turned around and squatted in front of her.

"I'm a fan," he said simply. "Please sign."

"Of course," Elena replied without missing a beat. She signed his white shirt.

The others immediately crowded in, demanding autographs of their own. One sacrificed his shirt, the others grabbed paper from the desk, and Elena obliged them all with amused patience.

Cai Jun rubbed her temples. "Sorry about this. They're the new artists assigned to me. Your juniors."

"Please take care of us, Senior Elena!"

"You're even prettier in person!"

"Behave," Cai Jun snapped. "Or I'll kick you out."

She then formally introduced them. They were Pandemonium, a rising rock band under Bright Summit.

Blaze, the vocalist, was expressive and theatrical, his background as a former child actor evident in every gesture.

Eros, the lead guitarist, was dangerously captivating, blending softness and intensity in a way that defied easy labels.

Night, the bassist, was quiet and brooding, radiating an aura that drew attention without effort.

Thunder, the drummer, was the youngest at eighteen, small in stature but bursting with energy and an infectious grin.

All four worked as models, but music was their true passion.

"They'll also be performing at MusicFest Tonight this Friday," Cai Jun told Elena. "Behave yourselves and learn from your seniors."

"Goddess Elena is performing too?" Blaze exclaimed. "This is going to be legendary!"

After a bit more chatter, Elena and her group finally left. Inside the executive van, she found herself thinking about the band. Though she was their senior in the industry, they were close in age. Thunder aside, the others were even slightly older than her.

"Simon," she said suddenly, "get me all of Pandemonium's music."

"No need, boss." He grinned and handed her his phone. "Already have their debut album. I'm a fan. They're all ridiculously hot, especially Eros."

She ignored the commentary and listened carefully to every track. When she finished, she handed the phone back, thoughtful.

"Not bad," she said. "Strong vocals, distinctive tone. Good musicality. The lyrics are the strongest part. Their playing is a bit rough, scattered, but emotionally honest. A band with real potential."

As the city lights slid past the windows, Elena sank into thought, already imagining possibilities that stretched far beyond what anyone else could see.

Eros, the lead guitarist, was dangerously captivating, blending softness and intensity in a way that defied easy labels.

Night, the bassist, was quiet and brooding, radiating an aura that drew attention without effort.

Thunder, the drummer, was the youngest at eighteen, small in stature but bursting with energy and an infectious grin.

All four worked as models, but music was their true passion.

"They'll also be performing at MusicFest Tonight this Friday," Cai Jun told Elena. "Behave yourselves and learn from your seniors."

"Goddess Elena is performing too?" Blaze exclaimed. "This is going to be legendary!"

After a bit more chatter, Elena and her group finally left. Inside the executive van, she found herself thinking about the band. Though she was their senior in the industry, they were close in age. Thunder aside, the others were even slightly older than her.

"Simon," she said suddenly, "get me all of Pandemonium's music."