chapter 152 planning

Mark exhaled through his nose, shaking his head. This was too much. Way too much.

His gaze flickered across the room—Liz still red, Daniel looking like he was ready to kill, Ana practically bouncing with excitement, and Celeste… just enjoying the drama.

Yeah. He needed to talk to Mist Low. Alone.

Mark's voice cut through the tension.

"Mist. Come with me."

Mist Low, who had just reappeared on the other side of the room, arched an eyebrow. "Oh? Now this is interesting." He smirked. "I'm not usually the one getting pulled aside after a scandal. Should I be worried?"

Mark's expression didn't change. "Now."

Mist Low chuckled, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Fine, fine. No need to be so serious." He shot a wink at Liz. "I'll be right back, darling."

Liz grabbed a pillow and threw it at him.

Mist dodged effortlessly, laughing as he followed Mark out of the room.

As soon as they were in the hallway, away from prying eyes, Mark turned on him.

"You're messing with her on purpose."

Mist Low smirked. "Of course I am."

Mark crossed his arms. "Why?"

Mist tilted his head, considering. Then, he shrugged. "Because it's fun."

Mark's eye twitched. "You realize Daniel's going to stab you one of these days, right?"

Mist Low chuckled. "If he can catch me."

Mark ran a hand down his face. "Dude."

Mist sighed dramatically. "Mark, Mark, Mark… you're overthinking it. It's just harmless fun."

Mark's gaze sharpened. "Is it?"

Mist Low's smirk faltered just slightly.

Mark leaned in. "You're a Trickster. You don't do things without a reason." His voice was calm, but his eyes were cold. "So, tell me. What's the real game here?"

For the first time, Mist Low didn't answer immediately. Instead, he studied Mark, his smirk fading into something more unreadable.

Then, he chuckled softly. "Heh… now that's a good question."

Mark narrowed his eyes. "And?"

Mist Low grinned. "Let's just say… I'm setting the board."

Mark's stomach twisted. He wasn't sure he liked that answer.

The morning sun filtered through the windows as Mark and Mist Low walked down the street. The city was alive with people starting their day—vendors setting up stalls, delivery bikes weaving through traffic, and the faint sound of morning news playing from a nearby café.

Mark, still slightly groggy from waking up, wasn't in the mood for games.

Mist Low, on the other hand, looked as fresh as ever, hands in his pockets, a smirk already in place.

"You know," Mist Low said, stretching, "when you dragged me out first thing in the morning, I thought we were going somewhere exciting. Instead, we're just walking?"

Mark ignored him, his mind still replaying their last conversation. Mist was planning something. He just didn't know what.

"Where are we even going?" Mist Low asked lazily.

"Breakfast," Mark said shortly.

Mist Low raised an eyebrow. "Oh? A breakfast date? Mark, if you wanted to spoil me, you should've said so earlier."

Mark side-eyed him. "Shut up."

Mist Low chuckled, clearly enjoying himself.

They arrived at a small café—a quiet, local spot with outdoor seating. Mark ordered coffee and a simple meal, while Mist Low, of course, ordered something ridiculous—a massive stack of pancakes with extra syrup and whipped cream.

Mark stared at his plate, then at Mist Low's. "…You're a child."

Mist Low, already taking a bite, grinned. "A well-fed child."

Mark sighed, stirring his coffee. "Enough screwing around. I want answers."

Mist Low raised an eyebrow. "Wow. Straight to business, huh?" He leaned back, tapping his fork against his plate. "Fine, Mark. What exactly do you want to know?"

Mark's fingers tightened around his cup. "What are you planning? In the game, in real life—you don't do things randomly."

Mist Low's smirk faltered just slightly.

He exhaled, tapping the table thoughtfully. "You always were the sharp one." He set his fork down, eyes gleaming with something unreadable.

"Let's just say," Mist Low said, grinning again, "I have a long-term investment."

Mark's stomach twisted.

He knew that look.

Mist Low was about to make things a whole lot more complicated.

Mark's Big Purchase

Mark leaned back in his chair, swirling the last of his coffee. "Alright, enough dodging. I've got 20 million credits, and I'm getting my own place. So, Mist—where's the best spot?"

Mist Low paused mid-bite, then slowly lowered his fork. His lips curled into a lazy smirk. "Oh? You're finally taking the leap?"

Mark shrugged. "Sick of renting. I want my own place."

Mist Low tapped his chin, thinking. "Well, well, well. Big decisions, big money. Good thing you came to me."

Mark rolled his eyes. "You gonna tell me or just stroke your own ego?"

Mist Low laughed. "Alright, listen up." He leaned forward, fingers lacing together.

"There are three prime locations that fit your budget—and your personality."

Option 1: Skyview Tower (High-Tech Penthouse, 18M-20M Credits)

Location: Upper City District, luxury skyscraper.

Features: Ultra-modern, high security, full automation. Comes with AI assistants, private elevator access, and a view that makes you feel like a king.

Pros: Privacy, prestige, and security. Perfect for someone who wants to live in style.

Cons: Too sleek, too controlled. Feels a little like living in a corporate showroom.

Mist Low smirked. "You'll feel like a VIP here. But let's be real, Mark—you don't like feeling boxed in."

Option 2: Blacklight District Loft (Underground Hacker Haven, 12M-15M Credits)

Location: Hidden in the neon-lit underbelly of the city, filled with hackers, mercenaries, and tech dealers.

Features: A massive open-layout loft with reinforced security, black-market connections, and access to the best underground tech.

Pros: Secluded, custom-friendly, and perfect for someone who doesn't like the spotlight.

Cons: Shady neighbors, constant noise, and the risk of getting dragged into underworld politics.

Mist Low chuckled. "If you like a place where people mind their own business, this is it. But let's be real—you'd probably end up involved in something messy."

Option 3: The Mirage Estate (Hidden Luxury Mansion, 20M Credits)

Location: A private island estate on the city outskirts. Comes with its own security, transport, and nobody bothers you unless you want them to.

Features: Expansive property, private docks, high-tech defenses, and the ability to disappear when needed.

Pros: Absolute freedom. No landlords, no nosy neighbors, just you and your own domain.

Cons: Expensive upkeep. And if something goes wrong, you're on your own.

Mist Low leaned back. "So, what's it gonna be, Mark? You want to be the king of the sky, the ghost in the underground, or the ruler of your own private paradise?"