The Ginza shopping district was a playground for the elite, a place where a single watch cost more than Akira's entire neighborhood. Standing in front of a glass-walled boutique, Akira looked at his reflection: torn hoodie, dirt-smudged face, and shoes that were held together by prayer.
"Can I help you, kid? Or are you lost?" a clerk asked, her voice dripping with artificial politeness that really meant 'Get out before I call security.'
Akira didn't say a word. He reached into his bag and pulled out a stack of 10,000-yen bills, slamming them onto the counter. The clerk's eyes nearly popped out of her head.
[MISSION: THE LIFESTYLE UPGRADE — PROGRESS: 1,000,000/1,000,000 YEN] [MISSION COMPLETE!] [REWARD: +500 SHAMELESS POINTS & SYSTEM SHOP UNLOCKED.]
An hour later, a different person stepped out of the boutique. Akira was now draped in a slim-fit charcoal suit, a silk shirt unbuttoned just enough at the collar, and Italian leather boots that clicked sharply against the pavement. He looked like a young billionaire heir.
"Is that... Tokiwa?"
Akira froze. He turned to see a girl standing by a white sports car. She wasn't from his school. She was older, maybe twenty, with long silver hair and eyes that looked like they could see through a mountain. She was holding a tablet that flickered with data.
"You're the one who emptied 'The Gilded Cage' last night," she said, stepping closer. Her scent was expensive—sandalwood and mystery. "My father owns that casino. He's very... interested in how a high school brat cheated his best dealers without touching a single card."
[WARNING: NEW CHARACTER DETECTED — YUKI SAIONJI] [LEVEL: ???] [DANGER LEVEL: HIGH]
Akira felt the cold sweat return. Object Isolation had cost him points, and he was currently out in the open.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Akira lied, his hand drifting toward the watch in his pocket.
"Don't bother," Yuki smirked, pointing her tablet at him. "The cameras showed a glitch in the frame rate every time you won. It was only for a millisecond, but to a professional, it looks like you're teleporting. Or... stopping time."
Akira's heart stopped. She knew.
[SYSTEM SHOP NOTIFICATION: NEW ITEM AVAILABLE!] [ITEM: 'SILENCE IS GOLDEN' MASK — COST: 500 POINTS] [EFFECT: MASK YOUR BIO-SIGNALS AND FOG DIGITAL SURVEILLANCE.]
"Tell me, Akira-kun," Yuki whispered, leaning into his ear. "How would you like to use that 'talent' for something much bigger than a basement casino? Or should I just call the men with the silencers?"
Akira looked at the beautiful woman, then at the notification. His 800-chapter journey had just taken a very dangerous, very high-class turn.