『SYSTEM EVOLUTION NOTICE』
[Current Role: Pawn
Evolution Candidate: Bishop]
"A Pawn walks straight, but a Bishop moves diagonally—cutting across the board, unseen."
Analyzing path…
Cunning detected. Strategic deviation logged. Influence rising beyond initial design.
— 4 key figures influenced
— Emotional control: Subtle / Manipulative
— Network reach: Mid-tier / Underworld
Access Granted
«BISHOP CLASS UNLOCKED»
» Role Perk: Veiled Authority
Exert control indirectly. Influence increases when acting from the shadows or using intermediaries.
» Passive: Diagonal Control
+30% success rate when resolving conflicts through misdirection, seduction, blackmail, or psychological leverage.
Warnings:
– Actions will become harder to trace, but harder to justify.
– Allies may grow suspicious.
– Moral ambiguity intensifies.
– Lower pieces may no longer trust your true motives.
Bonus Granted Upon Acceptance:
→ +$500,000 [Source: System-sanctioned Manipulation Pool]
Funds transferred instantly. Use with discretion.
Do you accept the evolution?
[YES] — Step off the straight path. Begin the diagonal game.
[NO] — Remain a Pawn, for now.
He stared at the new notification the system displayed in his view on the phone screen.
"What are the odds? She just requested for a $200k bill and I just got twice the amount along with a level-up."
He smiled as he responded, "Yes," to the notification.
Then new words got inscribed on the phone screen.
『SYSTEM UPGRADE COMPLETE』
Role Evolution: Pawn → Bishop
Level Up Achieved: +1
New Title Unlocked: The Diagonal Strategist
"You no longer walk the line. You bend it."
System Synchronizing...
Compiling traits, recalibrating influence protocols...
New Skills & Traits Acquired:
[Skill: Veiled Authority (Active)]
Exert influence from the shadows.
— Actions taken through proxies, whispers, or manipulations have a higher chance of success.
— +40% effectiveness in shadow negotiations and underworld dealings.
[Passive: Diagonal Control]
Misdirection is your weapon. Leverage is your blade.
— +30% success rate when resolving conflicts through seduction, psychological pressure, blackmail, or misdirection.
— Reputation will shift depending on method: admired or feared.
Previous Traits Retained:
[Trait: Predictive Combat Reflexes (Passive)]
— Your body reacts to danger before your mind registers it.
— Gain a pre-emptive edge in close encounters or surprise attacks.
[Skill: Charisma Boost (Limited Use)]
— Your words charm, bend, and disarm.
— Temporarily boosts persuasion and deception.
— Uses remaining today: 2
Miscellaneous Bonuses:
→ +1 Influence Node (May deploy one loyal intermediary NPC)
→ Underworld Access: Tier II (New contacts unlocked)
→ +$500,000 [System-sanctioned Manipulation Pool] – Discreet fund now available in alias account.
He stared at the notification, a smile tugging at the side of his lips, and as usual, he received an alert notification from his bank.
[Account owner: Liam A. Maddox
Account number: 8065**
Type: Savings account
Transfer type: Credit
Amount: +$500,000
Current balance: $680,000
Thanks for banking with us]
"I think I might rethink my decision about her request. I mean, if there's any place that makes money easily, it's nightclubs and casinos."
He walked over to the couch and sat.
"If I invest in her business, even a 10% share in that would really be a big cashout. Except... these places are also targeted a lot, which might make me incur a loss."
He pulled out his phone and dialed Mary's number to call her back.
"It's best to speak with her myself."
It didn't take a second for Mary to answer the call. She sounded enthusiastic over the phone.
"Liam, did you rethink your decision? Are you going to help my friend?"
He paused for a while before he answered,
"I haven't answered that yet, but yes, I did rethink it. But I'll first have to have a discussion with this your friend—on personal questions."
"Great! I'll get you two together right this moment. Come to this address I'll email to you right now, she'll be there waiting for you."
"Alright, email me the address and I'll be there by sunset."
She chuckled over the phone,
"You know, I think we would make a really good couple again. You can also rethink that if you're not on a tight schedule," she said before she ended the call.
Liam stared at her caller ID for a long while.
"I wonder what she gains from this agreement. She seems too eager for someone who just wants her friend to be helped out."
"But all the same, this is business-related, and that means I have to be sharp and play my cards right while avoiding being double-crossed by anyone, including close ones."
He turned off the screen of the phone and dropped it on the bed. Then a notification popped up—an email with the address she requested him to be at.
He picked up the phone and stared at the address. It was at the Golden-Eye Casino.
"Didn't know her friend was the owner of one of the biggest casinos in the city."
The Golden-Eye wasn't just one of the biggest casinos in the city — it was the crown jewel. Known for its luxury, nonstop action, and massive payouts, it attracted everyone from celebrities and business tycoons to underground high rollers.
Night after night, its floors buzzed with life, its lights never dimmed, and money flowed like water. If there was one place where fortunes could be made or lost in seconds, it was here. The Golden-Eye wasn't just a casino — it was a legend.
"I guess investing in this isn't such a bad idea. The probability of incurring a loss in a casino like this is almost zero. Though... you shouldn't always test fate."
He dropped the phone back on the bed and drifted to his laptop.
"But why would someone of such status be looking for someone to help her out? A business like this should be earning her millions on a daily, without so much attention."
"But it's unmistakably one of the biggest casinos in the city, which means her minimum earnings shouldn't be less than a million dollars per week, which should cover for any losses made... and why just $200k?"
So many thoughts drifted into his mind as he thought about it, but as usual, none of them could be answered by the one curious about them.
Now he was eager to meet the owner of such an empire — but until sunset, he just wanted to take a day off and relax with his games.