The Ghost Army had proven its reach. Pampanga, Cavite, Rizal — their grip on the cartel was slipping. But Miguel knew force alone could not reshape the nation. Armies could kill criminals; they could not govern.
The System seemed to echo his thoughts:
[New Task: Secure political leverage.]
[Objective: Identify and support a clean politician for future elections.]
[Reward: Political Influence Module — access to financial manipulation and media reach.]
Miguel sat alone in the dim light of the FOB, scanning files projected before him. The Ghost Army had hackers now, courtesy of the System's resources. Every database in the Philippines was open to him: Bureau of Customs, COMELEC, congressional records, private bank accounts.
He set his parameters carefully: no graft, no unexplained wealth, no ties to cartels or oligarchs. The search returned depressingly few results.
But one name stood out.
Rafael Villanueva — Congressman, age 39.
Reputation: Honest, reformist, outspoken against corruption.
Background: Former human rights lawyer, pro-poor legislation.
Enemies: Oligarch-backed legislators, local dynasties.
Weaknesses: Lacks money, lacks machinery, already under pressure from smear campaigns.
Miguel studied the man's photo: clean-cut, sharp eyes, but tired. The look of someone still fighting but beginning to doubt.
"This one," Miguel murmured. "A man with a spine, but not yet a machine."
The next night, Miguel left the FOB without soldiers. Just a plain sedan, tinted windows, and a silenced pistol in the glove compartment in case things turned ugly.
He drove to Quezon City, where Villanueva kept a modest townhouse instead of the mansions most politicians flaunted. The lights were on.
Miguel parked in shadow, pulled on his mask, and slipped across the street. A quiet knock on the door.
Moments later, Rafael Villanueva opened it himself, no security, just house clothes. His eyes widened as he froze at the masked figure.
"Who—"
"Quiet," Miguel said in a low voice. "I'm not here to harm you. I'm here because you're one of the few clean ones left."
Villanueva's voice was sharp. "Is this a threat?"
"No," Miguel said simply. "It's an offer."
They sat in Villanueva's study, blinds drawn, a single lamp between them. The congressman's hands were tense, gripping his glass of water.
Miguel leaned forward. "You know the system is rotten. You've fought it with words, but words are drowned by money, guns, dynasties. You will be buried unless someone tips the scale."
Villanueva's eyes narrowed. "And that someone is you?"
"I'm a ghost," Miguel said flatly. "I won't run for office. I won't stand on a stage. But I can clear the way for you. I can cut down the cartels, silence your enemies' dark money, and feed you support when the time comes."
The congressman scoffed. "And in return, what? I become your puppet?"
Miguel's voice hardened. "No. You stay clean. That's the point. The people need someone untouched, someone real. I'll work in the shadows, you'll stand in the light."
Villanueva studied him for a long time. His voice dropped to almost a whisper. "If half the rumors about the Ghost are true, you're already committing crimes. Why should I trust you?"
Miguel held his gaze through the mask. "Because I could have chosen anyone. I chose you."
That night, no agreement was signed, no oath was sworn. But something shifted. Villanueva didn't call the police. He didn't alert his party. Instead, he poured himself another drink and asked one question:
"What do you need me to do?"
Miguel stood, adjusting his mask. "Stay alive. Stay clean. The rest, I'll handle."
Back in the FOB, Miguel updated the System.
[Political ally identified: Rafael Villanueva.]
[Task progressing…]
The reward unlocked immediately:
[Political Influence Module Activated. Access granted to covert financial channels and media manipulation tools.]
On the map, a new symbol appeared beside Villanueva's face — a flickering light, small but steady.
For the first time, Miguel wasn't just hunting criminals. He was planting the seed of a new future.
But he also knew: in Philippine politics, clean men rarely stayed clean. If Villanueva fell, it would not only crush Miguel's plans — it would expose the Ghost to the nation.