The sky was clouded as dusk painted the capital in shades of fading gold. Hidden beneath the lively sounds of the evening bazaar, a storm was silently brewing within the walls of the Heaven's Crest Academy — the most secure institution in the entire kingdom.
Priyanshu sat atop the highest peak of the city, on a quiet cliff known only to the birds and madmen. His black robes danced gently with the wind, and the moon's reflection sparkled in his eyes.
[Main Mission: Infiltrate & Control the Academy Treasury]Reward: +1 Core Sector Control, +2000 Villain Points, Trait – "Coin of Corruption"]
He muttered under his breath, "Time to rip out the heart of the Academy's economy."
Inside the Treasury Hall – Heaven's Crest Academy
The Treasury wasn't a vault — it was a fortress.
Guarded by Three Formation Arrays, Two Elder-Class Cultivators, and Thirty Spiritual Guards, only someone with the Academy's Inner Token and blood recognition could step inside without getting shredded.
And yet…
Tonight, a shadow flickered past the first gate.
A figure cloaked in red robes, with a mocking smile behind a silver fox mask, gently stepped through the array's detection field—completely unbothered.
[Skill: Mirage Slip – Active][Effect: Bypass low to mid-tier detection arrays. Time Limit: 15 Minutes]
Mirage Monk, the Fifth Seat of the Dark Heaven Society, floated in like a ghost. But his confidence wasn't just skill-based — he held in his hand a tiny scroll infused with Priyanshu's aura: a one-time Villain Forged Emblem, forged with system assistance.
Meanwhile – In the Control Room
Two elders monitoring the treasury's spiritual formations suddenly frowned.
"There's… a fluctuation in the fourth quadrant."
"Probably a rat again," one yawned.
But the moment he dismissed it, a cold gust blew through the room — and their bodies froze.
Literally.
[Skill: Silent Ice Veil – Released by Moonshade Widow]
The Fourth Seat of the Society had taken position, disabling the inner alert system using a rare ice-type curse technique. Everything had gone dark for exactly 30 seconds.
Enough for the Monk to slip into the inner vault.
Back to the Cliff – Priyanshu's Mind Palace
Inside his mental realm, Priyanshu was watching everything through his [Shadow Web]. With every move, the Whispering Network silently whispered into his mind.
Progress: Vault Entry – 95%Obstacle: Soul-Linked Lock with Dual Key
"Expected," Priyanshu muttered. "Time for the backup."
He turned his gaze to the girl beside him — Ritika, the shy servant from the Academy who had once brought him tea in Chapter 8.
She now stood in a black robe, face nervous, but eyes burning with desire.
"Are… are you sure this will work?" she asked.
Priyanshu gave her a warm smile. "You were born inside the Academy. Your blood is of the line of Elders. You have one of the keys — even if you didn't know."
He handed her a small dagger.
"A drop of your blood, on this token. Nothing more. You do this, and the Academy will never be able to treat you like a disposable dog again."
Ritika's eyes welled up. She bit her finger and dropped the blood onto the silver coin.
[Coin Accepted – Soul Lock Disengaged: 50%]
In the vault, Mirage Monk felt the token in his hand glow. The giant lock twisted open with a soft click.
Inside the Vault
Glittering spirit stones, ancient pills, cultivation scrolls, and more lined the endless shelves. Gold and spiritual energy shimmered in the air like mist.
But Monk didn't touch anything recklessly.
He took out a jade sphere embedded with a system enchantment provided by Priyanshu.
[Item: Ghost Ledger][Effect: Copies all records, alters transactional traces, and places a financial leash on any treasury]
Within five minutes, the entire wealth map of the Academy had been duplicated — and rigged.
[SYSTEM ALERT: Mission Complete – Academy Treasury Infiltrated]Reward Gained: +2000 Villain PointsTrait Unlocked: Coin of Corruption (Passive)]
Trait: Coin of Corruption– All resource channels you manipulate now send 10% extra income to your secret coffers.– Automatically implants false numbers into enemy ledgers.
Back at the Cliff
Priyanshu stared at the new trait with glee.
"They'll never even know where their wealth is leaking from."
He turned to Ritika. "You've done well."
Her voice trembled, "Will… will I still be of use to you?"
He took her hand, gently but with authority. "From today, you are the Society's Financial Shadow. You'll monitor the flow of coins, act as my mouth inside the Academy, and deliver silent ruin to anyone who suspects us."
She blushed. "Yes, Master."
A faint [Harem Flag Raised] message blinked across his screen.
[New Harem Member Added: Ritika – Bond Level: 12%][Special Title: Financial Spy Princess (Unique)]
Later That Night – In the Academy Headmaster's Office
The old Headmaster yawned and opened a report on his desk.
"…Strange," he muttered, looking at the balance sheets. "Didn't we have 800,000 spirit stones? Why does it say 820,000?"
He shrugged.
"Must be a calculation error."
But deep beneath the Academy…
The Dark Heaven Society's secret treasury had just expanded by 20,000.
And no one even noticed.