Beneath an abandoned warehouse on the city's edge, Damon stood in silence.
Rusty pipes. Old walls. Dust everywhere.
"Perfect," he said.
Kai raised a brow. "For what?"
Damon turned slowly. "Our first fortress."
Check-In Location: Shadow Base Potential Site
Special Reward Unlocked: "Sanctuary Protocol" – Create a hidden, multi-layer facility under any acquired property
Base Construction Started: Black Core Alpha
– Floor 1: Combat Gym / Training Grounds
– Floor 2: Weapon Vault & Tactical Room
– Floor 3 (Locked): Server Room – Requires Zeke's expansion module
– Floor 4 (Hidden): Safe Room, Medical Station, Escape Tunnel
Bonus Skill: "Zone Mastery I" – You fight better, think clearer, and command with greater power in your own territory.
Zeke smiled as blueprints lit up across his tablet. "You really are trying to Ghost the game, huh?"
Damon smirked. "Nah. I'm gonna break it."
Meanwhile — Midtown Manhattan
In a skyscraper wrapped in chrome and class, Elijah Voss, billionaire investor and rumored shadow tycoon, watched footage of Damon buying up neglected properties and pulling power in multiple industries.
His assistant leaned in. "He's young. Dangerous. Untied."
Elijah grinned.
"Exactly how I like my investments."
Later — The Invitation
A black envelope arrived at Damon's penthouse.
No return label.
Just a silver seal with the initials "V.E.C."
Inside: a card with two words.
"Private Brunch. Come Alone."
"Voss Executive Circle."
Zeke's eyes widened. "That's invitation-only. Think Bilderberg, but real. Only the sharks get in."
Damon folded the card and slid it into his jacket.
"Then I guess it's feeding time."
Empire Update:
Black Core Alpha – 20% Complete
Passive Income: $400,000/month
Network Loyalty: Stable
Threat Detection: Moderate
Surveillance Range: 3 city zones
System Alert: You are now being observed by two unknown elite entities
Recommend strengthening internal loyalty and beginning ally recruitment in elite spaces
Love Interest Status Update:
– Nyah Rivera: 61% Affection / 40% Loyalty
– Unknown (Upcoming): College Arc Imminent — rival turned obsession.