The buzz of the city never ceased, but lately, something in the air felt heavier.
At the convenience store, Darren noticed a few new faces — sharp-eyed men in expensive suits, lingering just a little too long.
One afternoon, as he checked his phone, the system flashed an alert:
[Warning: Rival faction interest detected.]
[Suggested Action: Strengthen local alliances and secure assets.]
Darren's fingers tightened around his phone.
His recent investments and multiplier windfalls hadn't gone unnoticed.
Later, he met with Mrs. Keller, owner of the laundromat he'd invested in.
"I've been getting calls… offers I'm not sure about," she whispered.
Darren nodded slowly. "We'll protect your business. No one threatens our community."
The system offered a new mission:
[Mission: Host a community event to boost loyalty and awareness.]
Planning the event was a balancing act — money spent would trigger the multiplier, but he had to keep expenses reasonable.
Darren also quietly increased security around the café and repair shop, installing cameras and hiring trusted locals.
At home, he shared little of this tension.
Instead, he focused on his mother and Aria — fixing the heating system, buying fresh food, and helping Aria with her studies.
The system rewarded his careful balance:
[Expenditure Multiplier: 230x]
[Rebate Bonus Increased by 3%]
But the shadow of rivalry loomed.
Darren knew this was just the beginning.