The morning sun spilled into the studio apartment through half-shuttered windows, casting golden lines across Kaito Ryuu's face. It had been the most peaceful sleep he'd had in years. No landlord banging the door for rent. No buzzing debt reminders. No fan clicking like it was dying.
His new studio might've been modest, but to him, it was a throne.
The phone vibrated against the nightstand.
> [ SYSTEM STATUS UPDATE: INVESTMENT REPORT AVAILABLE – ZELFIRE STOCK ]
ZELFIRE closed at +84.6% overnight.
₹5,000 → ₹9,230
Reward Unlocked: ₹100,000 Cash + Skill Fragment (Investment Instinct I)
Passive Acquired: Beginner's Gut – Tier 1
Grants a mild "tingle" sensation when approaching profitable financial opportunities.
Kaito nearly laughed aloud.
> Balance: ₹111,242
He was officially a six-figure man.
And it was only Day Two.
---
After a quick shower and a visit to a nearby tailor for some shirt adjustments, Kaito stepped out into the streets of Aryanagar again. He had a black button-down tucked under a sharp blazer, clean jeans, and a quiet smirk that said: I've already won today.
He passed by the school building he once hated—Aryanagar Central.
It was midmorning, and the school gate buzzed with ex-students hanging around for a reunion event. A small sign outside read:
> "Batch Meetup – Class of 20XX"
Kaito paused.
Dinesh was probably inside. Maybe even some of the other clowns who once laughed when he wore stitched-up shoes and borrowed uniforms.
He hadn't planned to stop by.
But fate had other plans.
---
[ SYSTEM PROMPT – SOCIAL DOMINANCE PATH UNLOCKED ]
> Optional Task: Appear at a location where your former identity is known. Disprove all assumptions.
Task: Attend your high school meetup in style.
Reward: Public Status Flag (F-Class → D-Class) + 1 Luxury Token
Bonus (Hidden): Trigger humiliation branch on specific targets.
Kaito chuckled. "Guess it's showtime."
He entered through the side gate, brushing past a stunned security guard who didn't stop him—his new aura made him look like someone important.
And in the courtyard? Familiar faces.
Dinesh. Kiran. Manav. Ananya.
People he hadn't seen in four years.
All talking. Laughing.
Until they saw him.
---
Silence spread like ripples in a pond.
A few girls turned, eyes widening. One even gasped softly.
"Is that… Kaito?!"
"Wait—Kaito Ryuu?!"
Dinesh's smile cracked. "No… no way. You were supposed to be dead broke!"
Kaito smiled as he walked across the courtyard slowly.
His Rolex caught the sun. His shoes made no sound. He radiated calm, money, and mystery.
> [ PASSIVE: Presence + Aura of Confidence triggered ]
Social Aggression Lowered
Curiosity & Envy Intensified
"Didn't expect to see you here, Dinesh," Kaito said casually. "Still rocking those fake Yeezys?"
A few people chuckled. Dinesh's face flushed.
"I… uh—just bought them last week. Original stuff."
"Sure," Kaito said, leaning closer. "You can always afford to look rich. Doesn't mean you are."
> [ Optional Task: Humiliate Former Bully – PART 2 ]
Destroy Dinesh's credibility in front of group.
Reward: Luxury Token + Title: "The Untouchable" (Social Cooldown Immunity x1)
Dinesh growled. "Who do you think you are now, huh?! You were the poor loser—"
Kaito turned to the group. "Let me ask you all something."
He pulled out his phone, flicked to his digital wallet, and held it up.
₹111,242
"Anyone else in the six-figure club this week? No? Just me?"
Silence.
Ananya, one of the girls who used to ignore him, blinked. "Wait… Kaito, what do you do now?"
Kaito gave a soft smile. "Investments. Smart ones."
He turned to Dinesh again. "And you?"
"I—I'm interning at my uncle's shop."
"Right," Kaito nodded. "So technically, still poor. Got it."
Laughter broke out.
Kaito walked away as Dinesh clenched his fists, fuming.
> [ TASK COMPLETE – Public Status Upgraded ]
Status: D-Class – Recognized as a rising figure in a localized circle
Luxury Token Acquired: 1
Title Unlocked: The Untouchable
Once per day, ignore all hate, gossip, or negativity in public social zones
---
Later that afternoon, Kaito visited Lexus Towers, a sleek luxury mall in the heart of Aryanagar, carrying a new goal.
> [ TASK: Flex Effect I – Spend Luxury Token ]
Visit a high-end store. Spend the token in front of impressed bystanders.
Reward: Vehicle Acquisition Pathway Unlocked + Affinity Points in Romance Web
He strolled into Voltraz, a boutique timepiece and accessories store known for rejecting walk-ins without appointment.
The moment he entered, the floor assistant—Supriya, her nametag read—stiffened.
"Sir, welcome. May I help—"
Kaito held up the Luxury Token on his system screen. It shimmered like a platinum coin made of code.
"Here to spend this," he said.
She stared. Blinked. Then smiled. "Right this way, Mr. Ryuu."
---
Ten minutes later, he stepped out wearing:
A graphene-inlaid designer watch (₹80,000)
Italian black leather wrist cuff
Signature scent from House of Noir
But that wasn't the real reward.
As he left the store, he passed a couple of women near the perfume section. One of them turned, caught his scent, and looked.
"Whoa," she whispered to her friend. "Who was that?"
> [ PASSIVE TRIGGERED: Presence + Scent Layered Impression ]
Romance Thread Unlocked: Sanaya Verma – Level 1
Occupation: Aspiring Fashion Student
Affinity: +10 (First Impression Crush)
Interest: High. Trust: Unknown.
Kaito kept walking, a slight grin tugging at his lips.
---
Back in the Apartment – Evening
Kaito returned to his studio and dropped into the beanbag chair he'd bought earlier.
A fresh alert awaited:
> [ SYSTEM UNLOCK: VEHICLE MODULE ]
You are now eligible for your first owned transport.
Task: Choose one of the following starter options:
A) Premium E-Scooter – Stylish, Compact, No License
B) Sedan (Used) – Mid-tier, Street Cred Boost
C) Mystery Choice – ??? (May be terrible. May be amazing.)
He grinned. "Let's gamble."
Mystery Choice.
The system hesitated for a moment.
> Confirmed. Retrieving…
You've acquired: "Phantom Glide" – Modified Electric Sports Bike (Prototype)
0 to 60 kmph in 3 seconds. Built-in holographic panel. AI-enhanced balance.
Market Value: ₹750,000
Kaito stared at the bike materializing in his system garage.
"…Holy hell."
> [ Task Complete – Vehicle Acquired ]
+25% Street Presence
+10% Public Envy
Title Acquired: "The Urban Phantom"
---
SYSTEM DASHBOARD: Kaito Ryuu
Attribute Value
Total Wealth ₹31,242 (Post expenses)
System Rank D-Class Taskmaster
Residence Studio Apartment (Zone 3A)
Buffs Aura of Confidence Lv.2
Appearance +15%, Charm +10%
Traits Presence, Homeowner, Vanity
Titles The Untouchable, Urban Phantom
Vehicles Phantom Glide (Prototype Bike)
Romance Threads Lyra Kaneshi, Sanaya Verma
Luxury Tokens 0
---
As Kaito stared out at the skyline from his balcony, his phone buzzed again.
> [ SYSTEM WARNING: A new contender has entered Aryanagar ]
Profile: Arjun Varma – Nepo Baby / Inherited Wealth / Likes Crushing New Money Players
Status: Target Class – D
Relationship: Rivalry Triggered
Kaito leaned forward.
"Oh? A nepo baby wants to play?"
He grinned and slid on his new watch.
"Let's give him a lesson in earned power."
---
End of Chapter 3
🡒 Next: Chapter 4 – Phantom Streets and Nepo Threats
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