advance/early chapters : p atreon.com/Ritesh_Jadhav0869
Standing outside Northgate's administrative building, Russell texted Misty and began calculating his options.
Heron Island was immediately eliminated. Nothing personal against the city, but a high-level cardmaker haven crawling with Diamond-ranks wasn't ideal for the Sixth Lord of a terrorist organization. Double agents needed shadows, not spotlights.
Seven-Star City and East-Haven offered similar prospects—Vice President positions with no superior strong enough to challenge him. If the Society needed something done, he'd have the authority to do it without oversight.
"But ultimately, the Society decides," he sighed, darkness clouding his eyes. No point speculating—time to see Misty.
Emerging from shadows in her office, Russell found Northgate's power broker waiting with practiced patience.
"My lord." Misty's smile radiated calculated deference toward the impossibly young Gold-rank before her.
He waved dismissively, pouring himself water. "Skip the theater. What does the Society want?"
Misty showed no offense at his tone. In their hierarchy, if he ordered her to bark like a dog on all fours, she'd ask what breed he preferred.
"The Society inquires about your training position selection, my lord."
Of course. Russell shared the three options.
Misty looked unsurprised. "The Society hopes you'll choose maximum autonomy."
Russell's mind raced. More autonomy meant more freedom for Society operations—but also more independence from their control. A double-edged sword both sides thought favored them.
"Our interests align, then." He wanted autonomy to resist Society control. They wanted it for operational freedom. Everyone won until someone lost.
"Seven-Star or East-Haven, then. Which benefits me more?"
Both coastal cities offered similar prospects—Seven-Star in the south, East-Haven in the north. After consideration, he chose East-Haven. Simple reason: closer to Northgate, where Hazel waited.
"East-Haven. Handle the arrangements."
Misty's smile turned awkward. "My lord, such matters exceed my authority. The Society requests your presence in New Metro before assuming your position." She paused meaningfully. "The President wishes to meet you."
Russell's expression didn't change, but internally he tensed. He hadn't seen Regent Jin since his "recruitment." All contact had been through intermediaries like Misty.
Finally ready for direct management?
"Understood. Contact protocol?"
"Simply return home, my lord. The President will find you."
Not walking into a trap, then. They wouldn't ask him to come if they suspected betrayal.
"Fine. Anything else?"
"Actually, yes." Misty stopped his departure. "Remember Kai? The Society assigns him as your... protection."
She rushed to clarify at his expression. "Not surveillance, my lord! They simply feel a newly promoted Gold-rank might need security."
"Heh." Russell's laugh held no warmth. Misty's throat constricted.
After an eternal pause: "Where is he?"
"I'll summon him immediately!"
Watching Misty frantically text, Russell's eyes flashed with killing intent. Kai complicates things. Need to lose this tail once I reach East-Haven.
Kai, 48, technically unemployed, currently reconsidering all life choices.
His assassination assignment had seemed straightforward—eliminate a Silver-rank cardmaker. Easy money. Then he'd discovered his target was his immediate superior in the Society. Only world-class bootlicking had saved his life, but ice remained thin.
When Russell reached Gold on television, Kai saw opportunity. He'd bankrupted himself bribing Misty to arrange this "bodyguard" position. Now, facing Lord Six, he wondered if bankruptcy was preferable to death.
Russell studied the nervously "honest" middle-aged man. "Fine. You can follow me."
Kai's relief was palpable. "Thank you, Lord! I'll do anything you command!"
"Anything?" Russell's eyes gleamed. "Get a sex change and debut as an idol. I've already chosen your stage name: Airy-chan. Profits fund Society operations."
Kai froze, unable to parse whether this was humor or horror.
Russell shrugged. "Joking. Probably."
Kai laughed nervously, unconsciously crossing his legs.
"Report to East-Haven. Wait for me there."
"Yes, Lord!"
Russell vanished. Kai and Misty exhaled simultaneously.
"Good luck," Misty patted his shoulder. "Airy-chan."
Kai's eye twitched. This gossip caused all my problems!
"Thank you for arranging this, Director Misty. Dinner sometime?"
BOOM!
In a New Metro alley, Russell watched Mikoto kick the vending machine with scientific precision.
"Too bitter." She handed him the oolong tea.
"It actually works!" Russell proclaimed dramatically. "I crown you Beverage Liberation Queen! The Russell household's drink budget is saved!"
"IDIOT! I'm not kicking vending machines all day!" She punched him, sparks flying, then delivered another calculated kick.
Thud.
Coconut soda rolled out. Mikoto's eyes sparkled as she popped the tab. Russell ruffled her hair; she slapped his hand away while her ears turned red.
"Tsundere is obsolete, you know."
"Shut up!"
"Perfect! Say it again, with more electricity!"
After reporting to Northgate, Russell was officially Vice President of East-Haven's Cardmaker Association. President Russell has a nice ring.
But first, New Metro. Regent Jin demanded an audience, and refusing wasn't an option. At least Blake was traveling—Russell couldn't imagine explaining this meeting to his teacher.
"Home again," he mused, viewing his original slum apartment. Just a few days here before East-Haven. No point finding better lodging.
"Preparation first." Since Jin's agenda remained mysterious, Russell backed up all Society intelligence onto an encrypted drive. With Mikoto the hacker securing it digitally, he buried it physically beneath his Northgate house. No thief would dare operate under Diamond-rank Hazel's nose.
"If I had Spirit King Resurrection now..." Being controlled gnawed at him constantly. "Patience." Soon he'd twist off Jin's head and use it for football practice.
That night, meditation broken by visitors.
An old man with hooked nose and calculating eyes. Beside him, a man in black—Five.
"Mr. President?" Russell recognized them immediately.
Jin's grin revealed nothing warm. "Our first face-to-face meeting, isn't it, Russell?"
"Yes." First direct contact since his "recruitment."
"Don't look so tense. You were quite bold in Soochow, impersonating Five."
Russell glanced at Five's expressionless face, forcing an embarrassed smile. "The Sect was hunting us. I needed credible cover."
Jin laughed—an unpleasant sound. "No blame. The Sect did overstep." His smile turned predatory. "Worried about surveillance? This house is sealed from all observation. Though even if exposed, I'm just a clone. You, however..."
Russell's heart hammered.
"Relax. You're too valuable to waste through exposure."
Madman. Jin clearly viewed the entire Society as disposable. With his Hermes card, he could rebuild organizations endlessly.
"Let's talk business." Five handed Russell an envelope.
Russell felt it—materials. "Thank you, Mr. President." A Shadowkhan spirited it away.
"You're going to East-Haven as Vice President. All Society assets there fall under your command. You'll receive a communication card for contact—Five handles routine assignments."
Jin's tone darkened. "Understand this: mission completion is secondary. If necessary, sacrifice the entire East-Haven branch to protect your identity. Your cover matters more than any operation."
Russell's stomach clenched. Jin's emphasis revealed volumes. I matter because I'm Blake's student. That's my value.
At least the contract's flaws remained undetected. Jin's absolute faith in contracts would be his downfall.
"That's all." Jin stood, face shadowed. "Don't disappoint me, Russell."
They vanished, leaving only a card behind.
[Kang Tao Intelligent Central Communication Tool • Sub-Unit]
Rank: Bronze (Gold)
Quality: Green
Category: Prop
Skill: [Communication] - Encrypted contact with Main Unit holder
So this is how Misty stays connected. Russell pocketed it without immediately checking for backdoors. If Jin was still watching, summoning Mikoto would be suspicious.
"Tomorrow, back in Northgate, we'll examine this properly."
Outside, Jin looked up at the dark window.
"Quite patient. We can proceed with confidence."
"Yes, sir," Five responded.
They disappeared into New Metro's shadows, leaving Russell to contemplate his precarious position between two worlds.
(End of Chapter)
300 , 500 , 1000 Each milestone will have 1 Bonus chapter.