By now, my life had settled into a strange rhythm. Not exactly normal, but normal for someone who:
Runs a Shadow Network of traders, mages, and minor officials.
Moves arms, magical artifacts, and experimental tech through colonial India.
Gains XP from persuasion, storycraft, and mini-heists.
Occasionally blows up crates with experimental ammo… just because.
[Quest Update: Build Your Underworld Enterprise]
Objective: Expand trade, establish hidden bases, secure magical and technological assets.
Reward: +500 XP, Unlock: Full Operations HQ
I leaned back in my cot at the main safehouse. The crates of rifles, pistols, and magical amplifiers stacked neatly like inventory boxes in an RPG HUD.
Level: 8
Storycraft: Lv.5
Oratory AoE: Lv.3
Silver Tongue: Lv.2
Mana: 35/35
Reputation: Traders +35, Mages +30, Underworld +50, Patriotism +15
Not bad for a guy who got stabbed in 2025 and woke up in 1920.
Consolidating the Network
Raghav, the secretive British official, handled discreet transportation. Dinesh coordinated traders. Priya tinkered with magical tech. Ravi continued amplifying minor spells and keeping the crates magically invisible when necessary.
I smiled. The network wasn't just functional—it was self-sustaining. Each node supported the others, like a game's efficient skill tree.
[Quest Complete: Build Your Underworld Enterprise]
Reward: +500 XP
Unlock: Hidden Warehouse HQ (Base of Operations)
The hidden HQ was a marvel:
Arcane wards protecting it from magical detection.
Hidden rooms for storage of tech, arms, and artifacts.
Secret entrances, traps for the unwary, and a tavern-style meeting room for allies.
I walked the halls like a king inspecting his empire. Level 8, small business empire, loyal network, and a patriot's heart driving every decision.
Quest: Mentor the Network
System pinged:
[Side Quest: Train Your Network]
Objective: Improve efficiency of allies' magical and technological skills.
Reward: +200 XP, Unlock: Advanced Operations
I spent nights training traders to spot magical contraband, mages to detect surveillance, and officials to protect shipments from curious eyes.
+10 XP per Training Session
Ravi: Mana Efficiency +5%
Dinesh: Logistics +10%
Priya: Arcane Device Crafting +15%
By the end of the week, the HQ hummed with efficiency. Crates moved seamlessly. Spells worked without leaks. No British patrols dared touch our shipments.
[Level Up! → Level 9]
Skill Points: 2
Options: Storycraft Lv.6 or Oratory AoE Lv.4
I smiled. Empire-building wasn't glamorous—but XP, loot, and influence made it addictively fun.
Hidden Message
One evening, the Arcane Token pulsed unnaturally. I placed it on the table. Runic light formed a map, faintly glowing beneath my HUD.
[Arcane Token Activated: Hidden World Detected]
Hint: Underground arcane society exists beneath the city. Requires courage, skill, and discretion to enter.
New Quest: Enter the Hidden Arcane World
My pulse quickened. The network could handle logistics, arms, and tech. But magic? Ancient, secret magic? This was next-level content.
I leaned back. "Level 9… and the hidden dungeon unlocks. This is going to be fun."
[System Notification: Epic Tier Quest Unlocked]
Objective: Discover and enter the hidden arcane world.
Reward: ???