Kaito Ryuu stood before the floor-to-ceiling window of Creative Mindz HQ, the city glittering beneath him like a circuit board humming with secrets. His fingers tapped against a hot mug of black coffee, untouched. Numbers scrolled across his glass display, revenues rising, stocks shifting, public sentiment climbing.
But it wasn't enough.
"I need ground. Land. Walls. Something real."
Behind him, Ravi leaned over the console with an energy drink in one hand and a tablet in the other. "Boss, you literally own a startup headquarters."
"Leased," Kaito corrected. "Owned by Arjun's cousin before we snatched it with system help. What I need now is unbreakable leverage. Something that can't be snatched back."
Sanaya entered, a notepad in hand and attitude on her lips. "And here I thought you were chasing dreams, not deeds."
Kaito smirked. "Why not both?"
---
[ SYSTEM FEATURE UNLOCKED – PROPERTY SCAN (Lv. 1) ]
> Function: Locate undervalued or distressed properties with high influence yield
Cooldown: 72 hours
Bonus Synergy: Activates Asset Magnetism effect
> [ New Quest: Build the First Fortress ]
Objective: Acquire, renovate, and brand your first luxury property
Reward: Passive Income Node + RP + Public Class Upgrade
---
Using his system's new overlay, Kaito zoomed into Aryanagar's east district—less shiny than downtown but ripe with opportunity. Three markers blinked yellow. One, however, pulsed red-gold.
PROPERTY: Old Horizon Heights – Top Floor Penthouse + Rooftop
Status: Delinquent Taxes, Bank Repossession Imminent
Estimated Market Value: ₹170,000
Auction Price: Starting ₹99,000
Hidden Perk: Private elevator, skyline view, rooftop helipad padlocked but functional
He grinned. "Found it."
---
The Auction Hustle
The building's interior was faded glory: marble cracked in corners, elevators stalling mid-floor. But Kaito didn't care. He entered the small auction room like a CEO entering a battlefield. Clean black suit, silver cufflinks shaped like phoenix wings, and the signature confidence that now trailed him like cologne.
Dozens of agents whispered when they recognized him. The boy from the trending reformist videos. The man who punked Neon Brew. The influencer who flexed with real cash.
The bidding began.
"Lot 12. Horizon Heights Penthouse. Starting at ₹99,000. Do I hear a hundred?"
"₹100,000," a voice snapped. Female, sharp, confident. The woman wore emeralds and a high-collared business suit—bank-backed muscle, no doubt.
Kaito raised a finger. "₹115,000."
Gasps. He saw smartphones flash. Media presence.
"₹125,000," she countered.
Ravi leaned over, whispering, "Do we even have that?"
Kaito's lips curled. "We do now."
---
[ SYSTEM STUNT: PROMISE OF PURPOSE ]
> Declare a bold civic vision in public.
Gain media traction + temporary loan clearance via Reputation Pool.
Outcome: +₹50,000 Flex Credit usable for asset acquisition.
Cooldown: 1 week
Kaito rose from his seat, voice steady and loud.
"If I win this bid, I'll open the rooftop to monthly startup expos. Let innovation rise from concrete."
Cameras clicked. The auctioneer smiled. "Any higher offers?"
Silence.
"Sold! Horizon Heights goes to Mr. Ryuu. ₹130,000!"
---
The Renovation Arc
The following week was a montage of activity. Ravi took charge of wiring and digital infrastructure. Sanaya handpicked interior designers, choosing obsidian floors, modular walls, and mirror-light displays that gave the space the feel of a digital palace.
Kaito oversaw the branding: Ryuunest.
A private sky-hub for operations, networking, and—on occasion—parties. It wasn't just an HQ. It was a power symbol.
> [ SYSTEM PASSIVE GAINED – Fortress Flag (Lv. 1) ]
Effect: All activities performed within your base gain +5% efficiency
Bonus: Monthly Passive Income: ₹6,000 from rooftop event hosting
Sanaya watched as a drone dropped off the final light installation. "You realize this is how cult leaders start."
Kaito winked. "I'll settle for tech messiah."
---
The Grand Opening
Invites went out to influencers, journalists, and low-level angel investors. Within 48 hours, 63 RSVPs confirmed.
Lyra arrived first, dressed in a sharp leather jacket over a deep-blue crop top. She tossed Kaito a memory drive before pouring herself a glass of white wine.
"On that drive: evidence that Arjun's been using a front foundation to funnel illegal crypto art."
Kaito caught it. "More dirt."
"No. A buried landmine. You choose whether it explodes."
> [ Strategic Asset Acquired: Red Drive – Crypto Artshell Scandal ]
Option A: Leak to Media – +RP
Option B: Sell to Political Rival – Influence Favor
Option C: Save for Final Blow – Stacks with other drives
Sanaya handed him a guest list update. "Oh, and ChinkiBoss confirmed."
Kaito blinked. "The fashion queen of Aryanagar?"
"Yup. You're officially influencer royalty."
---
A New Look
Kaito Ryuu stepped out in a SmokeThreads limited-edition matte tuxedo fused with kinetic threadwork—custom-lit patterns that danced as he moved. The Ryuuline logo gleamed on his lapel, his own fashion line just weeks from launch.
At the rooftop party, drones hovered to livestream the ambiance: soft synth music, neon tables, trays of micro-delicacies. In the background, the Aryanagar skyline pulsed like a heartbeat.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Kaito said into the mic, "tonight isn't about me. It's about us. Young, loud, and unowned."
> [ SYSTEM ALERT – MASSIVE SENTIMENT SURGE ]
RP: +38
Flex Points: +6
Romance Thread Update:
– Sanaya: 81% (Admiration Triggered)
– Lyra: 46% (Protective Instinct Triggered)
---
Later that night, as the party slowed, Sanaya found Kaito alone by the edge of the rooftop.
"Don't take this the wrong way," she said softly, "but I don't think you're doing this for revenge anymore."
He looked at her.
"No. I'm doing it to prove something."
"To them?"
"To myself."
She reached up, brushed a stray hair behind his ear. "Then maybe you should finally let yourself enjoy the win."
He turned to her. "Are you saying that as my brand manager or…?"
Sanaya leaned in.
"I'm saying it as someone who doesn't want to see you burn just to shine."
---
Meanwhile: The Other Side
Arjun Varma stood before a glowing screen, watching footage of the party.
"He's consolidated power."
His assistant nodded. "He has his own fortress now. Branded. Stable. Influential."
Arjun frowned. "Then it's time for phase two."
He opened a vault. Inside: a cold, humming device labeled:
> PRAXIS NODE – SYSTEM SEED
> [ WARNING: Forbidden AI Integration Protocol Active ]
---
SYSTEM DASHBOARD: Kaito Ryuu
Attribute Value
Wealth ₹18,000 (after renovations)
Properties Creative Mindz HQ, Ryuunest Penthouse
Vehicles Phantom Glide
Staff Ravi, Sanaya, Lyra
Flex Points 34/35
RP 256
Public Sentiment A-Class
Romance Threads Sanaya (81%), Lyra (46%)
Style Trait Fortress Flag, Style Over Substance
Strategic Assets Red Crypto Drive, Media Favor Tokens
Hidden Threads Silver Echo (Dormant), Praxis (Rival)
---
End of Chapter 15