---
Rain drummed against the windows of the Old Temple Grounds, now under the ownership of one Kaito Ryuu. Officially, the deed listed a shadow shell company. Unofficially, everyone who mattered already knew who pulled the strings.
Tonight, Kaito wasn't celebrating. He was strategizing.
"They're going to push regulations," Lyra said, brushing damp hair from her forehead. "Sandeep Varma filed a proposal under the Citizen Finance Purity Act. It's aimed at people like you."
"Let them push," Kaito replied, eyes on the flickering system dashboard hovering above the central table. "The more noise they make, the more allies I attract."
System Alert:
NEW QUEST BRANCH OPENED: Choose Your Ally
Option A: Partner with Shadow Syndicate – Gain access to black-market intelligence and underworld favors
Option B: Seek support from The Saint of Steel – Earn media-driven protection and civic goodwill
Bonus: Complete within 48 hours for Reputation Multiplier Tier 2
Kaito leaned back, arms crossed.
"Underground edge or public shield..."
Lyra studied him. "Foxglove might favor the Syndicate. Sanaya's crowd would push for the Saint."
He sighed. "I need both. But I can only choose one."
---
Location: Black Lotus Lounge – 10 PM
The Shadow Syndicate's emissary was exactly as Kaito imagined: elegant, dangerous, and faceless.
She went by Mireille.
"You made waves, Ryuu," she said, sipping blood-red wine. "But you're paddling in an ocean that drowns kings."
"I'd rather flood it."
Mireille's smile widened behind her veil. "We have data tunnels, laundering routes, and silent partners in six banks. You want the Syndicate? You get the whole storm."
Kaito's mind raced. Information. Blackmail. Rapid infiltration. But...
"What do you want in return?"
"Access to your system's passive mapping node. We want to see where the cracks form."
Kaito froze.
System Warning:
DANGER: Risk of System Exposure – Red Tier
His expression didn't change. But inside, alarms screamed.
"You already know I'm not normal. But I don't expose my spine to strangers."
Mireille's tone sharpened. "Then you won't survive the Syndicate's protection."
Kaito leaned in. "Then I'll survive without it."
He left before she could respond, coat swirling like smoke behind him.
---
Location: Harmony Forum Broadcast Center – 11 AM Next Day
The Saint of Steel was no preacher. She was Aryanagar's fiercest civic influencer. A martial-arts monk turned media queen. Her real name was Anita Das, and her voice could crash markets.
"You're flashy, but you're not wrong," she said, dressed in flowing urban robes. "The city needs disruption. But not blood."
"I don't spill blood," Kaito replied. "I just make it expensive to ignore."
She smiled. "Sponsor my next city cleanup campaign. Appear beside me on the reform board. Align yourself with the people, not just their trends."
They stood before a massive green-screen panel. Behind them, digital projections flashed Kaito's image beside floating slogans like "Tech for Truth" and "Modern Wealth, Moral Power."
"You have enemies," Anita continued, nodding to the screen. "Varma's lobbyists. Foreign capitalists. But public love? That's armor no weapon pierces."
System Alert:
OPTION SELECTED: SAINT OF STEEL ALLIANCE FORMED
Bonus Passive Unlocked: Civic Halo – Your name earns +10% credibility in public forums and media
Romance Thread Update: Anita Das – 12% Affinity
Later, backstage, Anita handed him a folded packet.
"These are reform drafts. Proposals that never made it past the gate. Revive even one, and you'll have activists marching behind you."
Kaito pocketed the folder. "I didn't expect this much trust."
"You didn't earn it yet," she said. "But I see who you're trying to become. And that matters."
Kaito left the studio with flashing lights in his eyes. Not from cameras. From consequences.
---
Creative Mindz HQ – Strategy Room
Ravi grinned. "We just got a call. A fintech startup wants to lease your new land for a demo cityblock concept. You're getting urban offers now."
Lyra tossed him a mock salute. "Urban prince, rising."
Kaito didn't smile. He stared at the holo-table, projecting simulation models of urban development.
System Update:
ASSET MAGNETISM Triggered – New opportunity: Urban AI Grid Prototype
Estimated Weekly Yield: ₹5.2 lakh
Kaito spoke slowly, choosing each word. "Start a new shell company. Call it AscendTech Urban. Let them lease from that."
Lyra blinked. "Why the extra layers?"
"Because when Varma hits next, it won't be subtle. I need to be fog—not stone."
She looked at him longer than usual.
"You're changing, Ryuu. More control. Less hesitation."
He met her eyes. "Every chapter demands a new version of me."
---
System Whisper:
Main Quest Progression: 21% → 26%
WARNING: Arjun Varma Initiating Covert Action
---
Meanwhile – Varma Estate, Private Office
Arjun stood before a model map of Aryanagar.
Sandeep Varma hovered near the bar, pouring whiskey. "He chose the Saint, not the Shadows. That gives us something."
"It gives us visibility," Arjun muttered. "He'll get media coverage. That's traceable. Track every IP, leak, social influencer. And prep the bill."
Sandeep raised a brow. "You're still pushing the Financial Purity Act?"
"No. I'm merging it with an anti-crypto trade clause. We'll call it citizen protection. Frame it like he's exploiting loopholes."
System Alert (Hidden Thread – Rival Faction):
Operation: Gilded Trap – Initiated by Arjun Varma
Objective: Destroy public trust in RRyu through legislative manipulation
Timer: 72h
---
Night – Rooftop Reflection
Kaito stood alone on the edge of his building, wind tugging at his coat.
Sanaya appeared beside him, carrying two cups of hot milk tea.
"You always brood like a TV villain after major decisions?" she teased.
"Sometimes. Helps the mood."
She handed him a cup. "I saw your interview. The Saint likes you."
"That's dangerous."
"Why?"
"Because now I owe the people, not just the mission."
She leaned against the railing. "That's how leaders are born."
Kaito looked out at the glowing city.
"I don't want to be a leader," he said quietly.
Sanaya smiled. "Then why are you already building a kingdom?"
---
System Dashboard – Kaito Ryuu
Wealth: ₹3.92 crore
Assets: Creative Mindz HQ, Blue Tern Holdings, Old Temple Grounds
Partnerships: Civic Alliance – Saint of Steel
Passives:
Auction Mastery (Lv.1)
Reputation Multiplier (Lv.1)
Territory Lock (Lv.1)
Civic Halo (Lv.1)
Romance Threads:
Lyra Kaneshi (42%)
Sanaya Verma (Bonded)
Seraphine (Pending)
Anita Das (12%)
Flex Points: 10/10
System Notice: Arjun Varma is preparing a media trap. Defensive plan recommended.
---
End of Chapter 9
---