Year 9 – Late Summer, Crimson Mirage
The Crimson Mirage had changed.What began as a nightclub for nobles and rogues had become a pulsing heart of commerce. The mirrored floor that once reflected dancers now displayed floating symbols of light and code — shares, values, domains, and contracts written in blood runes and astral script.
At the center stood Ketsuraku, watching as his Red Code Dragon processed thousands of deals at once, its eyes flickering through streams of data like living fire. Luminous sat beside him at the raised platform, pen gliding across glowing parchment. Rosa leaned against a nearby pillar, scanning the crowd with the sharpness of a predator.
Luminous looked up from her notes."The Emperor's decree made it official. Astral Shares are now recognized currency across the Empire. Every domain can sell fragments of ownership for capital."Rosa smirked. "So now everyone wants a piece of everyone else. Perfect."
Ketsuraku smiled faintly. "That's the point. Power spreads through greed faster than it ever did through swords."
Nobles and merchants filled the floor, placing their hands against the mirrors. Each deal they made was projected into the air — flowing glyphs representing trade caravans, alchemy workshops, and airship routes. The hall's mirrored walls turned crimson as thousands of new contracts burned into the system.
[System Update]
New Feature – Mirage Stock Network (Tier I)
Enables the listing and trading of Astral Shares between realms
.Generates passive income from inter-domain commerce.
The Red Code Dragon circled the chandelier above, speaking through fragmented runes:
"Order matched. Alchemy Lab 7 transferred: thirty percent to House Seraphiel, forty to Van Helsing Consortium, remainder to private investors."
Luminous adjusted her monocle — a piece of enchanted glass displaying financial data like a second sight."These runes aren't just numbers," she whispered. "They're faith — the belief that tomorrow will still exist."Ketsuraku chuckled. "Then we sell belief by the hour."
Later that night, as the trading slowed, Rosa entered his private office. The noise of the exchange faded behind her."You've turned gambling into religion," she said."Not gambling," he replied. "Prediction. The closest mortals get to seeing the future."Rosa crossed her arms. "You're letting strangers own parts of your empire. What happens when they decide they own you?"Ketsuraku poured two glasses of crimson wine. "That's why we control the mirrors. They can buy, but they can't see where the reflection ends."
She took a sip, watching him carefully. "Good. Because I'm building my own network. The Veil is already moving beneath the Mirage. We'll make sure no one sees more than we allow."He raised his glass. "To control both the light and the shadow."Their glasses clinked, blood-red wine reflecting the mirrored ceiling like liquid fire.
The next morning, Luminous announced the day's first opening bell. Bells of glass chimed through the city as floating sigils projected above the Crimson Mirage — the first public stock market of the Astral Realm.
From the balconies, nobles cheered. In the alleys, thieves placed bets. Across the empire, commoners whispered of a new kind of power that didn't bleed — it traded.
Ketsuraku watched it all, hands clasped behind his back. The reflection of the Red Code Dragon shimmered in his eyes."This is only the beginning," he murmured. "We've turned ambition into currency. Let's see how long before the world itself is for sale."
[System Update]
Mirage Stock Network (Tier I) – Active
Passive Income: +800 Astral Coins per cycle
Market Influence: +12% Empire-Wide
Unlocked Subsystem – Investor Relations (Tier I)
[Skill Progression]
Finance level 1 – 33% Mastery
Silver Tongue level 1 – 59% Mastery
Nihility Magic level 1 – 34% Mastery
Outside, beneath the rising twin suns, a line of merchants, nobles, and adventurers stretched along the avenue, each carrying sealed chests and glowing ledgers.They had come to buy pieces of the future — and Ketsuraku was ready to sell it to them.