Two nights later, Kaito Ryuu stood before a full-length mirror in a penthouse suite the system had secured for him. The skyline of Aryanagar glittered beyond the glass, but he wasn't admiring the view.
He adjusted the sleek black velvet mask covering his eyes. It wasn't just for show. Integrated into the inner lining were micro-receivers and pulse dampeners. His suit—dark, regal, and perfectly tailored—was embedded with flexible nanofiber mesh designed to hide biometric disruptors and interface nodes.
Tonight wasn't about fighting.
It was about infiltration.
System Notification:
COMPETITIVE ARENA MODE – ROUND 1 INITIATED
Mission: Infiltrate the Mahadev Masquerade. Influence the room. Leave a mark.
Risk: High
Reward: Passive Skill – Reputation Multiplier
Bonus Objective: Trigger a Rare Romance Thread
Kaito exhaled.
The Mahadev Masquerade was the black heart of Aryanagar's political elite. Beneath the cover of art auctions and luxury cocktails, real deals were forged—lobbyists, industrialists, foreign dignitaries, and the shadow architects of the city's old money system all mingled under masks.
No names. No cameras. No mercy.
---
Penthouse Elevator – Descent
"Status report," Kaito muttered, touching the discreet mic in his collar.
Lyra's voice buzzed into his earpiece, crisp and alert. "You're cleared. Drones are in place. Varma's men are present—three, in rotating watch. They're circling the east wings. Avoid at all costs."
"Understood."
"Also," she added, her tone softening, "You look stupidly hot."
Kaito smirked. "Flattery won't get you a raise."
"It'll get me a seat beside you on the escape route, if this goes to hell."
The elevator chimed. Kaito stepped out into the grand foyer of the Mahadev Club.
---
Masquerade Hall – 9:12 PM
The ballroom looked like a Renaissance painting infused with cyberpunk fantasy. Crystal chandeliers hovered in midair, suspended by invisible gravitational threads. The ceiling shimmered with artificial auroras. Velvet curtains hung like smoke along the walls.
Every guest wore a mask. Every smile was calculated.
Kaito entered, and the air changed. He felt it immediately—predators circling prey. A subtle shift in posture, eyes hidden behind designer disguises turning toward him.
He was being measured.
System Update:
Identify Key Influencer
Hint: They wear white.
Kaito's gaze swept the crowd. Gold, silver, crimson, obsidian… only one wore alabaster.
There.
A woman leaned against the balcony overlooking the sea. Her fox-shaped mask was bone-white, intricate, cold. No one approached her. No one dared.
Kaito made his move.
---
Balcony – Edge of Influence
"Nice view," he said, offering her a drink.
The woman took it wordlessly, eyes locked on the ocean. Her voice, when it came, was velvet over knives.
"Did you know the Mahadev Circle once funded a failed coup from this very building?"
Kaito raised an eyebrow. "I didn't. But sounds like they got their money's worth in headlines."
She turned to face him. Sharp gray eyes behind the mask. Silver hair tied into a crown braid.
"You're the boy who made the Neon Brew scandal trend. Who walked into Arjun Varma's territory like you owned it."
Kaito tilted his head. "I don't own the world. I just lease influence."
That made her laugh. Not a giggle—something darker, amused.
"You're not afraid of us?"
"I'm terrified," Kaito said. "Just not enough to back down."
There was a pause. Then she extended her hand.
"You can call me Foxglove."
System Triggered:
Rare Encounter: Foxglove
Type: Strategic NPC
Role: High-Level Political Agent / Romantic Thread Potential
Status: Intrigued
---
Secret Chamber – Within the Masquerade
Foxglove led him through a hidden door, past false walls, and into a soundproof chamber. Five others waited inside, masked and powerful.
"Gentlemen," Foxglove said smoothly, "the Ryuu boy has arrived."
A man with a jackal mask scoffed. "The one who plays billionaire in the media circus? Spare us."
Kaito didn't flinch. He reached into his coat and pulled out a holographic chip, tossing it onto the round table. A screen blinked open—real-time footage of Arjun Varma, red-faced and screaming.
"This is your problem," Kaito said. "The old guard moves slow. I don't. He lost Blue Tern because I baited him into a reaction."
Another figure, the Serpent Mask, leaned forward. "You baited a billionaire?"
Kaito nodded. "I offered visibility, then sold silence. Controlled opposition. All while the press thought I was buying sneakers."
Foxglove watched him, unreadable.
"I don't want your money," Kaito continued. "I want your blind spots. The places you can't reach anymore because you're too old, too visible."
A long pause.
Then slow claps from the Serpent. "Interesting."
---
System Event Triggered:
Strategic Duel Outcome: Success
You have influenced the Mahadev Circle's perspective.
Foxglove poured herself wine. "You're clever. But clever burns out fast in this room. What makes you think you'll last?"
Kaito turned to her fully. "Because I don't care if I belong. I care if I can bend this place to make room."
A new voice entered from the shadows.
An elderly woman in a peacock mask stepped forward. "He reminds me of Rishi Pranad, when he founded Phoenix Consortium. Let's test him."
She handed Kaito a sealed envelope.
"A secret auction opens tomorrow. Rare civic land—technically illegal. Outbid the shell companies. If you win, you earn our temporary respect."
System Special Quest:
Secret Auction: Old Temple Grounds
Reward: Passive Trait – Territory Lock
Bonus: Civic Influence Thread Unlocked
Failure: Reputation penalty with Mahadev Circle
---
Back at HQ – Midnight
Lyra was pacing.
"You got a secret land deal invitation?"
Kaito dropped the envelope on the desk. "Yeah. They're watching me now."
"What do they want from you?"
"To see if I'm real. Or just another hype train with a sponsorship deal."
Lyra studied him. "You're going to need me on this. More than ever."
Kaito looked at her and nodded.
"You're already on the board, Lyra."
System Update:
Lyra Relationship Thread Progression: 34% → 42%
Bond Trait Unlocked: Network Ghost – Lyra can create false data trails to obscure real deals.
---
Meanwhile – Varma Residence
Sandeep Varma smashed a glass against the wall.
"He got invited to the Masquerade? That child?"
Arjun Varma narrowed his eyes.
"He's not just noise. He's a wildfire."
Sandeep sneered. "Shall we buy out his team?"
"He's already got legal locks. And that girl—Lyra—wiped three of our tracking bots last week."
Arjun clenched his fists. "We go higher."
"Political?"
Arjun nodded. "We fund the anti-digital asset bill. Crush him with regulation."
---
The Next Day – Auction Grounds
Kaito walked into the underground auction chamber like a storm in a suit. Eyes followed him. Some mocking. Some intrigued.
But no one laughed when he began bidding.
With every raise, he pulled strings: press leaks, viral influencers, digital street art, investor podcasts. He wasn't using money.
He was using noise.
By the end, the other bidders were ghosts.
Kaito had claimed forbidden land with only words.
System Notice:
Auction Victory: Civic Land Secured
New Passive: Territory Lock (Level 1)
Land you win through influence cannot be bought out for 30 days.
Adds +5 to urban presence in all regions tied to that land.
---
System Dashboard – Kaito Ryuu
Wealth: ₹3.4 crore
Assets: Creative Mindz HQ, Blue Tern Holdings, Old Temple Grounds
Passives:
Auction Mastery (Level 1)
Reputation Multiplier (Level 1)
Territory Lock (Level 1)
System Module: Competitive Arena – Round 1 Complete
Romance Threads:
Lyra Kaneshi (42%)
Sanaya Verma (Bonded)
Seraphine (Pending)
Foxglove (Intrigued)
Rival: Arjun Varma – Aggressive Political Play Detected
Flex Points: 10/10
---
End of Chapter 8
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