( BONUS CHAPTER )
Morning light pierced through grimy windows as Russell opened his eyes in his New Metro slum apartment.
"Looks like they bought it."
Surveying the decrepit room one last time, relief washed over him. Last night's pressure facing Regent Jin had been suffocating. At least the contract's flaws remained undetected.
Yet Jin's casual madness gnawed at Russell's mind. Nobody knows what a lunatic is thinking.
Dealing with such a boss was worst-case scenario. Given choice, he'd prefer someone predictable, someone like the late Itsuki—ruthless but rational.
"Time to return to Northgate."
Nothing keeping him in New Metro now.
The room fell silent, resuming months of abandonment.
Northgate
"Mikoto, check this phone for surprises."
Russell tossed her the smartphone from the Society. Fresh from securing his intelligence backup, he could finally examine Jin's "gift" properly.
He'd wanted to check immediately last night but decided against provoking the Society unnecessarily. Here in Northgate, under Hazel's protective umbrella, he could investigate freely.
The petite brunette channeled electricity through the device. "Definitely compromised. Multiple surveillance functions embedded."
"I've blocked them, but they'd notice if I tried reverse infiltration, so I won't dig deeper."
Russell shrugged. "Not planning to hack them anyway. Just need the surveillance neutered."
"Already done. I'm feeding them false data instead. They'll receive whatever narrative I construct."
Russell's eyes gleamed. "Perfect."
The phone's interface was deliberately minimal. One app: [Libra Limited Company Internal Communication Software v5.1 Test Version]
Inside: contacts and messages. Nothing else.
His profile showed only "6" as username and avatar. Non-editable.
Contacts listed Jin (12345), Misty, and Kai. The Society's entire command structure, encrypted in a civilian device.
"No wonder the Association never cracked their communications."
Russell pocketed the phone, then frowned. If they have this for surveillance, what's Kai's real purpose?
"I'll ask him directly. The contract forces truth."
Though Jin probably expects such probing.
Rising to leave, he noticed Mikoto watching him quietly.
"There'll be a gift for you later. Look forward to it."
BOOM!
"STUPID! I'm not looking forward to anything!"
Her lightning-charged punch barely stung. Russell had gifts planned for all his cards—rewards for their loyalty through his rise.
"Senior Sister, I'm heading out. I'll visit when I can."
Hazel stared at the young man before her—so different from the desperate boy six months ago. Words formed and died on her lips.
Finally: "Safe travels."
Russell nodded. "Take care, Senior Sister."
He vanished into shadows, leaving Hazel alone with her unspoken thoughts.
Her sigh echoed in empty air.
Russell took the train to East-Haven—the local Association insisted on arranging a proper welcome. Shadowkhan travel would complicate their ceremony.
"Now arriving: East-Haven. Final stop. Please gather your belongings."
The announcement pulled him from meditation. Even in this smaller city, recognition was immediate. National championship fame followed everywhere.
After escaping the crowds, Russell extended his mental perception, searching for his reception committee.
Then frowned. Seriously? A honey trap already?
A young woman stumbled toward him with theatrical precision. Russell sidestepped, catching her elbow to prevent an "accidental" fall.
"Are you okay?"
She ignored him, whirling on a young man behind her. "I told you—not interested!"
Grabbing Russell's arm possessively: "See? This is my boyfriend!"
Russell extracted his arm immediately.
The young man sputtered, "Ziying, stop joking! That's obviously some random—"
His words died as recognition dawned. Face paling to corpse-white, he managed a horrified smile.
"Z-Ziying, stop playing around. Don't bother this... gentleman."
Russell tilted his head. "You know who I am?"
Not as national champion, but as incoming Vice President.
'Ziying' turned, studying Russell properly for the first time.
"Oh! It's you!" She covered her mouth in practiced surprise.
Russell finally registered her appearance—an uncanny blend of Nancy's innocence and Hazel's mature beauty.
"Nancy? Senior Sister?"
Interesting casting choice.
A group of middle-aged officials approached rapidly.
"President Luo! President Luo!"
The lead man extended his hand. "President Luo, finally! I'm Sima Huai, President of East-Haven's Cardmaker Association."
Russell shook it firmly. "President Sima, I've heard much about you."
Sima smiled thinly. "I doubt you knew my name before today."
"But I've certainly heard of you, President Luo."
Undermining me already? Russell filed the subtle insult away. Intentional or not would become clear soon.
A square-faced man in the group suddenly barked, "Aze! What are you doing here!?"
The young man—Aze—wilted. "Dad, Ziying and I were just... arguing..."
"Worthless son!" The man turned to Russell with an apologetic smile. "President Luo, I'm Lu Yan, Director of the Secret Realm Office. Apologies for my son's disturbance."
Russell adopted a paternal tone despite his appearance. "Children will be children, Director Lu. Don't be too harsh—look how terrified he is."
No one found his condescension odd. Power aged you in ways time couldn't.
Sima intervened smoothly. "Let's move on. President Luo, we've prepared a welcoming banquet. Would you honor us?"
"Lead the way."
As they departed, Ziying gazed after Russell with calculated stars in her eyes. "That's THE Russell? The national champion?"
"He's taking a position here?"
She turned to Aze accusingly. "Why didn't you tell me?"
Aze's internal monologue: It's over. I've already lost. No NTR plotlines, please!
Aloud: "Russell is our new Vice President. Father told me days ago but swore me to secrecy."
"Vice President..." Ziying's eyes sparkled with ambition.
The banquet proceeded smoothly—surface courtesy masking underwater currents. After seeing off his new "colleagues," Russell found a hotel for the night.
Summoning Mikoto, electromagnetic waves swept the room. She shook her head—no surveillance.
"East-Haven's waters run deep," Russell mused from the bed.
Today's orchestrated encounter was almost insultingly obvious. The honey trap using someone resembling both Nancy and Hazel? Creative, but transparent.
"Coincidence? No. Long-term planning? Impossible—I just chose East-Haven."
"So they had assets prepared for all three cities?"
Through elimination: Not the Association (Blake's student). Not the Society (just met Jin).
"The Court? Or another faction entirely?"
He thought of Nandu's Wu family. After his national competition performance, similar families might seek to either eliminate or recruit him.
Since killing him was impossible, seduction remained.
False honey trap: Half-naked desperation.
Real honey trap: "Hello Teacher Luo, I'm an innocent student."
Russell snorted. With Mikoto's cuteness, Unohana's maturity, and easy access to Nancy or Hazel, why would he need complications?
"Whoever planned this has pig brains."
Did they think I'm some tragedy-porn protagonist?
"Lu Yan though—ruthless. Using his own son as bait."
The Association's structure was clear now:
President Sima Huai (strongest)
Lu Yan, Secret Realm Director
Zeng Bo, Public Security Director
Yu Hengrui, HR Director
All Gold-rank, but only Sima felt genuinely dangerous.
Sima Huai's Residence
"Your assessment, President?" Lu Yan asked nervously.
Sima didn't look up from his book. "Just a rookie. You performed admirably. Russell suspects nothing."
"Your son?"
"I've researched Russell. He won't bother with the boy unless provoked. Besides, we needed Aze to naturally introduce Ziying."
Lu Yan remained uncomfortable. Russell's mental pressure exceeded normal Gold-rank parameters.
"Relax," Sima continued. "Genius or not, how strong can his first Gold card be? He just broke through. Purple quality? Gold? Even Gold quality takes time to master."
"Remember how long WE took to create our first Gold cards?"
Lu Yan exhaled. "You're right. I'm overthinking."
"I'll manage Ziying carefully. We'll have Russell allied soon."
"Good. Handle it."
Russell's New Villa - Day Two
The Association gave Russell a day to settle in—Vice Presidents shouldn't live in hotels.
Money and status expedited purchase of a remote single-family villa. After Shadowkhan arranged furniture, Russell messaged his unwanted bodyguard.
[Russell: Come see me.]
Minutes later, Kai stood before him, sweating.
"Sixth Master."
Russell studied him silently until perspiration beaded on Kai's forehead.
"Why did you follow me to East-Haven?"
Kai blinked, then contract-compelled honesty poured out. He'd been a Gold-rank slacker in Nandu because he'd accidentally killed an Association executive's son years ago. Following Russell was his desperate attempt at redemption through service.
Silence is Cambridge tonight.
Russell rubbed his temples. "I summoned you for instructions."
"Yes, Master?"
"Gather all Silver-rank and above Society members in East-Haven. Bring them here."
"Immediately!"
As Kai vanished, Russell opened the envelope from Jin, examining the materials within.
Time to prepare his next card.
(End of Chapter)
300 , 500 , 1000 Each milestone will have 1 Bonus chapter.