Pop, pop, pop...

Glug, glug, glug—

The sound of chilled soda cans opening echoed through the living room.

From the bathroom, the faint sound of running water could be heard.

Shen Miaomiao downed two cans of ice-cold water in one go, pressed the chilled soda against her flushed cheeks, then walked to the window and opened it, letting the late autumn breeze cool her down.

Meanwhile, in the bathroom, the cold water cascaded over Gu Sheng's head, extinguishing the fiery heat coursing through his body.

It was the cusp of late autumn, nearly winter.

Yet both of them acted as if their temperatures had spiked—one cooling off with wind, the other with water.

In the depths of the autumn night, two souls that had nearly lost control gradually regained their composure.

Energy is conserved.

Since that blazing impulse hadn't been released in the crisp autumn night, Komera would now have to bear the brunt of that pent-up passion.

The next day!

Golden Wind's first-ever promotional campaign kicked off with a bang!

In Huaguo:

A massive "SEKIRO" banner unfurled atop Binjiang Tech Tower, the landmark CBD's highest point.

Outside Shenzhen's XunTeng Gaming Building, a towering concept poster dozens of meters long hung prominently.

At Yiyou's headquarters in Zhongjing, alternating flags of the Yiyou X2 and "Sekiro" dazzled the eyes.

And beyond:

At Seoul's Dongdaemun shopping district, Golden Wind's logo on the left and Sekiro's poster on the right greeted the bustling crowds.

On Kuala Lumpur's smart rail, packed with tourists, Sekiro's trailer played on loop on the small screens inside the cabins.

At Bangkok's Siam Paragon, the elevator doors closed to reveal Sekiro's poster forming a complete image.

From London's subway billboards to the cruise ships passing Sydney Opera House, even the banners trailing behind Florida's gliders—

Sekiro and Golden Wind's promotions appeared in increasingly creative ways.

Golden Wind, using Huaguo as its base, adopted an encirclement strategy across Asia, yielding Neon to Komera while saturating other Asian markets with cost-effective promotions.

Meanwhile, from Europe to the United States, they squeezed out "Torii Gate's" global presence as much as possible.

In no time, the promotional team led by Moriya Tetsuya found themselves overwhelmed by the combined efforts of Gu Sheng and Shen Miaomiao.

As they say, business is war—and promotional spots are the battlefields.

Golden Wind knew full well their influence and connections in Neon paled compared to Komera's.

So instead of fighting for Neon, they went all-out attacking Komera's overseas strongholds.

Steady as a mountain, fierce as fire!

Golden Wind's previous lack of promotions wasn't due to inability—they simply hadn't wanted to.

But this time?

They were going all in!

And this time—

It was Shen Miaomiao, sole heir of global asset conglomerate Shen Wanlin, promoting her own company's product!

Even if people didn't respect the monk, they'd respect the temple. No one connected to Shen Capital—whether subsidiaries or partners—would dare slight the Shen family's young mistress.

What's more, Golden Wind now stood flanked by Huaguo's two largest gaming conglomerates, backed by the CDEA and even official endorsement!

Once they decided to promote, it was like a rainbow piercing the sun or a dragon surging from the sea!

The gaming world was turned upside down, leaving everyone stunned!

Their scattered, unpredictable attacks left Moriya reeling, utterly overwhelmed.

"We can't let Golden Wind keep promoting like this," Koizumi Kazuo frowned during the strategy meeting, looking at Chairman Uekoe Kagemasa.

"Right now, we've fortified our position in Neon. But if this continues, we'll be left with nothing but our home turf!"

Uekoe knew Koizumi was right.

He too was deeply troubled.

Who could've guessed that Golden Wind, usually indifferent to promotions, would suddenly go berserk?

Just last night, seeing that photo of a glider towing Golden Wind's banner over Florida had made him blurt out, "This is insane."

Their overseas footholds were falling one after another.

Anxious, Uekoe turned to Moriya:

"Executive Moriya, the gaming festival starts in just over a week.

Given Golden Wind's offensive, what should we do next?"

All eyes turned to Moriya Tetsuya.

After a thoughtful pause, he spoke:

"Hold our ground."

"Hold our ground?!" Koizumi exclaimed.

"Executive Moriya! You're saying... we just watch them chip away at our overseas promotions?"

"Yes," Moriya nodded.

"Because the festival will ultimately be held in Neon. Higashitsu is the battleground we must fight for.

If we divert energy to counter their overseas moves, our home defenses will weaken.

Komera may be influential in Neon, but not enough to dominate completely.

If we slack off, Golden Wind could exploit that opening.

After all... Golden Wind isn't our only enemy now..."

Here, Moriya sighed softly.

"We're up against the combined forces of Golden Wind, Yiyou, and XunTeng.

And behind them stands the even more colossal Shen Capital.

Though Shen Capital hasn't intervened directly, its sheer influence alone benefits Golden Wind immensely."

Moriya saw this promotional war with crystal clarity.

Truthfully, as he said:

Against Golden Wind alone, Komera could crush them effortlessly.

The real problem?

The sheer number of people, companies, and organizations backing Golden Wind!

In terms of scale, Komera might not lose to this "Golden Alliance."

But damn it—this alliance's reach is terrifyingly vast!

It feels like every industry, every corner of the globe has someone willing to help Golden Wind, someone willing to do Young Mistress Shen a favor!

That's what's truly frightening!

She could even commandeer planes in the US, subways in London, and light rails in Kuala Lumpur—using their ad space to promote Sekiro!

All underhanded tactics!

As the saying goes, you can't make bricks without straw.

Moriya had done his absolute best.

But alas—he didn't have a powerful father!

Still!

Though Moriya sighed repeatedly, he wasn't completely helpless.

After all, both companies were game developers.

No matter how outrageous, complex, or awe-inspiring the promotions, no matter how wide their reach—

Ultimately, everything would come back to the games, back to Neon, back to Higashitsu, back to this festival.

In just under ten days, players and media worldwide would converge on Neon.

If they could firmly maintain Torii Gate's promotional dominance in Higashitsu, Golden Wind couldn't possibly overwhelm them.

Rest while waiting, hold their ground—

That was Moriya's strategy.

Yet!

Koizumi couldn't accept this.

To him, both companies' 3S-tier titles were global releases.

With their overseas promotions now ablaze, Sekiro's global buzz was skyrocketing!

At this rate, in ten days, they'd be left with only Neon!

Uekoe shared this concern, though his perspective was higher—

He had to answer to the board and investors.

Ever since the Silent Hill debacle, they'd viewed him with increasing skepticism.

This time, after spending so much, mobilizing so many, finally expanding Torii Gate's promotions globally from their Neon base—

Only to retreat now?

Fall back to Neon?

How would they explain the wasted expenses?

Spending big for small gains, their overseas promotions in shambles?

After all that effort, the final result would be... dominating promotions in Neon?

Did that really require millions of dollars?

Koizumi refused to retreat.

Uekoe couldn't retreat.

Moriya wanted to retreat but found no support.

Thus, Komera's counteroffensive in overseas markets began.

The two sides clashed fiercely.

Within just five days, the outcome was clear:

Golden Wind's overseas promotions dwindled and contracted.

Komera regained the upper hand.

When the news arrived:

From Uekoe to Koizumi, the entire company celebrated triumphantly, morale soaring.

Everyone stood tall, ready for the upcoming Higashitsu Gaming Festival!

Only one man couldn't smile...

...

That night.

Moriya tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

Lying on his futon, he felt only unease.

His phone lifted and lowered repeatedly.

Finally, near dawn, he made up his mind.

Sitting up, he dialed a number.

Ring—

After a few rings, a man's voice answered:

"Good evening, Moriya-san. What brings your call so late?"

Indeed.

The man on the other end was Gu Sheng.

"Ah..." Moriya sighed, hesitating.

"Apologies, Mr. Gu, for disturbing you so late. It's terribly rude."

"No worries," came the rustling sound of Gu Sheng sitting up.

"What's the matter?"

"Mmm—"

After a pause, Moriya spoke haltingly:

"All our recent promotional suppression, including this overseas market fight—it was all my planning.

I hope Mr. Gu won't... take it too personally."

His voice was low, filled with guilt.

But Gu Sheng, having anticipated this, wasn't angry. He just chuckled:

"Doing your job, Moriya-san. Do I seem like someone who can't separate business from personal?"

Hearing this, Moriya froze.

Then suddenly laughed:

"Right, someone as broad-minded as Mr. Gu wouldn't hold it against me."

A brief silence followed.

Then Moriya continued:

"This call... is actually to make an... unreasonable request. I hope Mr. Gu can enlighten me.

Of course, if it's inconvenient, you're free to refuse."

Gu Sheng laughed softly:

"Go ahead, Moriya-san."

Another hesitation.

Then Moriya asked:

"Your overseas promotions shrinking—was that intentional?"

A pause.

Gu Sheng's voice replied:

"Yes."

Silence.

A long silence.

Moriya Tetsuya closed his eyes, taking a deep breath.

Strangely, upon hearing the answer, his anxious heart finally settled.

After all, in just three days—

The Higashitsu Gaming Festival would begin.

The promotional war between Torii Gate and Sekiro was already decided, unchangeable now.

"Alright..."

Moriya's emotions were complex—unsure whether to laugh or sigh. He shook his head:

"Including Higashitsu?"

The question seemed abrupt, nonsensical to most.

But Gu Sheng understood.

He opened his mouth but didn't answer directly:

"When you pass Ginza tomorrow on your way to work, take a look. It should be quite noticeable."

"...Alright, alright..."

Moriya nodded.

"Then... I won't disturb you further. Goodnight, Mr. Gu."

"Goodnight, Moriya-san," Gu Sheng replied before hanging up.

"See you in two days."

The moon set, the sun rose.

The morning mist hadn't yet dispersed.

The streets were sparsely populated, the morning rush yet to begin.

Through the hazy autumn fog, a silver Lexus glided silently.

Moriya gripped the steering wheel, turning onto a side road.

Across the nearly empty street stood rows of magnificent buildings.

At the corner, occupying the prime spot in Ginza's most luxurious district—the heart of Neon's commerce—stood the Mitsukoshi Department Store.

Now, on its massive side-facing billboard, workers were busy.

The original jewelry ad was being replaced.

A giant promotional poster waited to be unfurled.

The autumn morning mist was chilly.

Moriya lit a cigarette, tightening his overcoat.

Above, the workers began their countdown—

"Ichi! Ni! San!"

As the final number faded into the mist—

A colossal banner unfurled, displayed on the most prominent spot in all of Neon's busiest district—

A man in coarse yellow-brown robes knelt amidst swirling red maple leaves, hands resting on his sword.

His face was sharply defined, eyes deep and resolute.

The katana gleamed coldly; his mechanical left arm intricate.

To the right, the main and sub-titles stood out boldly—

[SEKIRO]

[Shadows Die Twice]

Moriya Tetsuya gazed at the massive poster in silence.

Then, he shook his head with a laugh—

One of resignation, bitterness, and unavoidable defeat.

His worst fear had come to pass...

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com