The morning sun rose over Aryanagar like a spotlight aimed at the city's stage—and Kaito Ryuu stood dead center.
He wasn't the same man who'd begged for spare change behind a restaurant a week ago. Now, he was a growing name in business circles, a rising viral force—and a threat to the old money elite.
> [ SYSTEM UPDATE – New Path Unlocked: Strategic Warfare Mode ]
Engage in economic, social, or political strikes against rival NPCs. Success lowers their social standing, damages their assets, and increases your reputation and RP.
Risk Level: Moderate to High. Timing and precision required.
New Target Identified: Arjun Varma
Objective: Undermine Varma Group's minor public-facing company
Suggested Move: Acquire controlling interest in Varma subsidiary: Neon Brew Co.
Kaito narrowed his eyes at the holographic UI projected above his tablet.
> "I'm going to crack your foundation, Arjun. Not with fists... but with finance."
---
Creative Mindz HQ – Morning
Ravi arrived early, sleeves rolled up, carrying two laptops.
"Sir! Overnight impressions just crossed 25,000. ByteX re-verified your profile. That reputation firewall? Bulletproof."
"Good," Kaito replied, eyes scanning the report.
> Current RP: 52 (+7 overnight)
Passive Influence Bonus: +12%
Followers: 8.4k
"I've also got a list of micro-investors who hate the Varma family," Ravi added, tapping the screen. "If we partner with three of them, we might scrape together a silent majority stake in Neon Brew."
Kaito grinned.
"Let's make the call."
---
Meanwhile – Varma Towers, Aryanagar Central
Arjun Varma was not in a good mood.
He was seated in his father's 32nd-floor office, while Mr. Sandeep Varma—the patriarch—glared at a screen showing Kaito Ryuu's latest campaign.
> "You let some street-born bastard attack our reputation?" the elder Varma snarled.
"He's a nobody with a phone and a free video editor!"
Arjun muttered, "I've already shadowbanned him twice. Burned his fake image boost."
"And he's still rising," his father snapped. "If he gets investor backing, he could poison our public trust index."
> [ VARMA GROUP: PUBLIC IMAGE LEVEL – 88/100 → 82/100 ]
Warning: If it drops below 70, internal stockholders may question leadership.
"I'll shut him down. Permanently."
"You'll do nothing. Let the PR division handle that. You…" Sandeep tossed a folder at Arjun. "Go woo the governor's niece. That's how power's earned. Not by catfighting online."
Arjun seethed. Just you wait, Kaito.
---
Afternoon – Neon Brew Co. Stake Acquisition
Kaito sat inside a discreet investor club in Sector 9, meeting with three minor but influential stakeholders—Mrs. Farzana Sheikh, Mr. Nirav Balan, and a silent fintech firm director using a voice modulator.
He leaned forward, voice calm but firm.
"You three control 21% of Neon Brew. I already bought 4% yesterday. If you temporarily pool your votes with me under an anonymous holding trust, I can motion to freeze their advertising spend—crippling their summer campaign."
Farzana blinked. "That's war."
"It's chess. I won't ask again."
> [ SYSTEM ROLL: Influence Check – Success ]
Convincing Power: +18% (Title & RP Bonus)
Negotiation Skill (Lv.1): Auto-persuade triggered
Deal Signed.
> [ TASK COMPLETE – Strategic Strike Executed ]
Neon Brew's ad budget frozen. PR blackout imminent.
Rival Group Penalty: Varma Public Image -6
Kaito RP +12
New Title Unlocked: "Ghost Investor"
Can now operate anonymously in rival assets
Stealth Business Mode Enabled
---
Later That Day – Public Reaction
As news broke of Neon Brew's sudden halt in operations due to "internal reallocation of funds," online chatter spiked.
> "Varma Group pulling back? Recession fear?"
"Some say a micro-investor froze their own budget!"
"Yo did y'all see @kaitoryuu's smirk this morning? That man knows something."
Lyra messaged him two words on ByteX:
> "You struck first."
Kaito replied:
> "First of many."
---
Evening – Arya Gold Gym
For the first time in years, Kaito stepped into a gym not as a cleaner—but as a client.
His old t-shirt clung to his now-toned frame thanks to Body Upgrade: Lv. 2.
Machines parted like disciples. Trainers stared.
Someone whispered, "That's the guy from the billboard…"
> [ Passive Buff: Aura of Influence – Tier 1 Triggered ]
Local Reputation Impact: 2x
Hidden Trait Activated: Envy Detection – Nearby jealous NPCs revealed
One of them—Vikrant, a former schoolmate who once tripped Kaito into a puddle—pretended not to notice him.
Kaito smirked. "Nice to see you again, Vik. Still lifting girls' bags or just your ego?"
Vikrant turned red.
People chuckled.
> +1 Flex Point
+4 RP
Title Progress: "Urban Monarch" (38%)
---
Outside – Parking Lot, Sunset Glow
As Kaito walked out, engine roaring on his Phantom Glide, a sleek silver Mercedes blocked his exit.
The door opened. Sanaya stepped out.
She looked stunning—ripped jeans, green blouse, leather wristbands.
"I saw your name trending again," she said, walking up.
"You stalking me?"
"Maybe. Maybe I'm just curious if your glow-up comes with real depth."
"You want a tour of my rooftop or my bank account?"
She tilted her head, amused. "How about both?"
> [ Romance Thread: Sanaya – Level 2 → Level 3 ]
Affection: +12
Bonus Trigger: Mutual Interest Detected
Event Unlocked: "Taste of Real" – Share a genuine, non-wealth-based moment
Kaito nodded toward his bike. "Let's ditch the flash. Walk instead."
She smiled. "I like that."
---
Rooftop – 11:45 PM
Kaito and Sanaya sat on foldable chairs, sipping mango soda, the skyline glittering before them.
She leaned back. "So, Kaito… what do you really want out of all this?"
He thought for a long moment.
"Not revenge. Not anymore. I want to prove—not to them, but to the me who used to sleep on cardboard. That I was always worth something."
Sanaya said nothing.
Then, quietly, "I think you already did."
Their eyes met.
A heartbeat passed.
Then her phone buzzed. She checked it. Froze.
"…Uh. You better see this."
She handed it over.
---
BREAKING NEWS: Arjun Varma's secret party exposed – underage guests, illegal imports, anonymous tip leaked footage.
A blurry video of a mansion, wild partying, and illegal substances ran across the screen.
Kaito stared.
Then the system chimed.
> [ SYSTEM TASK UPDATE – Unknown Source Dealt Blow to Rival ]
Your rival Arjun has taken massive public damage
Reputation Impact: -19
Kaito's RP: +15
You did not initiate this. Would you like to investigate the source?
YES / NO
He tapped YES.
---
> Result: Unknown Ally Detected – CODE NAME: "Silver Echo"
Relationship: Neutral-Helpful
Motive: Unknown
May contact you soon.
Kaito leaned back, brow furrowed.
Looks like I'm not the only one hunting old money.
He smiled at Sanaya.
"You ever hear of phantom players?"
She raised a brow. "Like in chess?"
"No," he said. "Like in war."
---
SYSTEM DASHBOARD – Kaito Ryuu
Attribute Value
Wealth ₹27,800 (post ad deal & bonus)
Properties Studio Apt, Creative Mindz HQ
Staff Ravi (Ops), [HR Slot – LOCKED]
Reputation Points 82 (+15 bonus)
System Rank C-Class (82%)
Social Status C-Class (Trending)
Romance Threads Lyra (Rival Interest), Sanaya (Soft Trust)
New Feature Strategic Warfare Mode
Titles Ghost Investor, Climber, Urban Flame
Flex Points 6 / 10 (Next Title at 10)
Hidden Ally Silver Echo – Unknown Operative
---
End of Chapter 5 –