Chapter :-104
Arc 6: Rise of the Mogul
Chapter 9: The Ghost in the Shadows
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A Game of Predators
Kai Ashton knew he had rattled Nexus. But their response? Damien Cross.
The name alone was enough to put even the most powerful men on edge.
A corporate enforcer, a fixer, a man who operated in complete secrecy. No digital footprint. No paper trails. Just whispers and vanished competitors.
And now, he was coming for Kai.
Kai leaned back in his chair, flipping through the decrypted files Cassandra had handed him.
Financial sabotage. A smear campaign. Possible assassination attempts.
Nexus wasn't pulling punches.
Kai smirked. Neither would he.
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The First Strike
His phone buzzed. No caller ID.
He answered.
A distorted voice spoke: "You should have taken the warning."
Kai chuckled. "Damien, I was starting to think you wouldn't call."
A pause. Then, a low chuckle.
"You're bold," Damien said. "I like that. But boldness without caution? That's just stupidity."
Kai's smirk didn't waver. "So what's the play? You threaten me, I panic, and you wipe me off the map? Sorry, I don't scare easily."
Damien's voice remained calm. "Who said I was here to threaten you?"
A second later—the lights in Kai's penthouse flickered.
Kai's grin faded.
He tapped a button on his desk—security feed offline.
Another tap—backup systems disabled.
For the first time in a long time, Kai felt a spark of genuine excitement.
Someone had breached his fortress.
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The Silent Infiltrator
Kai rose to his feet, moving to the large window overlooking the city.
Then, he saw it.
A shadow moving on his balcony.
He turned, just as the glass shattered.
A figure in black landed inside—silent, precise.
Before Kai could react, the intruder moved, lightning fast.
Kai barely dodged as a blade slashed past him. A test strike.
Kai grinned. "So you like to get personal."
Damien Cross didn't answer. Instead, he lunged again.
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A Dance with Death
Kai ducked, twisting his body as the blade whistled past his throat.
This wasn't just a hired thug. Damien was trained—lethal.
Kai countered, grabbing the attacker's wrist, but Damien shifted, fluid as water, breaking free instantly.
A knife flashed—Kai barely stepped back in time.
But Kai wasn't just some businessman. He had trained for moments like this.
His foot shot forward—a brutal kick to Damien's ribs.
The enforcer staggered but recovered too quickly.
Kai wiped a trickle of blood from his lip. "Not bad."
Damien tilted his head. "You fight better than most of my targets."
Kai smirked. "And you're not the first assassin to try me."
Damien chuckled. "Then let's see how long you last."
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Checkmate Approaches
The fight continued—fast, brutal, calculated.
Kai blocked, countered, and adapted.
But Damien wasn't just an assassin—he was a strategist. He wasn't here to kill Kai outright.
He was testing him.
Then—a flash grenade hit the floor.
The explosion of light and sound sent Kai stumbling.
By the time his vision cleared—Damien was gone.
But a single note remained on his desk.
Kai picked it up.
It read:
"You're interesting. Let's see how much more fun we can have before I end you."
Kai exhaled, then grinned.
Damien Cross wasn't here to kill him.
Not yet.
This was a game.
And Kai?
He never lost.
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End of Chapter 9.