Legend: Cash Levels
Episode 21 — When Lies Bleed
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Cold Open — Cracks in the HUD
Miami mornings painted the glass walls gold. Legend stood on the balcony, blunt glowing, HUD flickering against his eyes.
[CASH FLOW | +$3,400 Deposited]
Balance: $230,540 → $233,940
Numbers stacked. But the HUD glitched, letters bleeding static.
[System Alert: Secret Shield — 100% Stress. Collapse imminent.]
[Silver Tongue Engaged: Lying Efficiency Increased.]
Legend exhaled smoke, calm. "Then I'll just talk my way out of the cracks."
Behind him, Miles shouted from the studio. "Bro! They want me for Rolling Loud Miami! This is huge!"
Salina leaned on the doorway, smiling. "Your brother's really about to be famous."
Legend smirked. "Then we move like kings."
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Scene 1 — Miles's Promoter Trap
At the promoter's office, the suits smiled fake-wide. "Kid's talented. But talent don't headline. We can make him global. For a price. Fifty percent cut, everything through us."
Miles froze. "Fifty percent? Hell no!"
The promoter leaned in. "Sign, or you don't touch this stage."
Legend leaned back in his chair, lighting up, voice silk. "You're charging rent on a house I already own. He's the act. You're just lights and sound."
The suits laughed. "And who are you?"
Legend snapped $5,000—Balance: $228,940—slid it across the table. "The man who makes sure this stage gets lit whether you're standing or not."
The suits hesitated. Miles looked at him, awe in his eyes.
HUD pulsed.
[Influence: Miles — Respect Deepened.]
The promoters backed down. "Fine. No cut. But you'll regret this."
Legend exhaled smoke. "Regret's free. Success costs."
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Scene 2 — Salina's Boiling Point
That night, rooftop bar. Salina sat close, eyes sharp, glass of wine swirling. "I'm not stupid, Legend. I see women looking. Some even staring too long. Do I need to worry?"
HUD screamed.
[Secret Shield Failing — Collapse Imminent.]
Legend cupped her face, voice low. "If I wanted them, I'd have them. I want you. Only you. That's not a secret, that's a fact."
Her suspicion softened, lips trembling. She kissed him hard, whispering, "Then never make me doubt again."
HUD pulsed green, stabilizing briefly.
[Suspicion Suppressed — Silver Tongue Success.]
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Scene 3 — Messy Heat
Later that week, after another Miami club run, a woman slid into his ear, whispering filth. Heat followed, tangled sheets, sweat on sweat.
The HUD flickered red.
[Secret Logged: Concealed.]
[Secret Shield Collapsing — Final Warning.]
Legend smirked after, lighting a blunt. "Everywhere I go, they want it. That's the cost."
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Scene 4 — Cross-City Trap
The 305 Syndicate tapped him again. Miami docks → Brooklyn delivery. High cash. High risk.
Halfway through, the trap sprung. Collector's agents weren't just watching — they blocked the whole route.
One stepped forward. "Legend. You can fight. You can bribe. But tonight, we just want to hear you admit it. That you lie to everyone around you."
Legend exhaled smoke, voice calm. "I don't lie. I protect. There's a difference."
They moved in. Guns. Blades.
Legend snapped $3,000—Balance: $225,940—scattered bills into the night. Men scrambled. He pumped $1,000 into Cash Knuckle, cracked ribs and jaws until the road cleared.
By dawn, crates delivered.
[Mission Complete: +$40,000] → Balance: $265,940
[Level Up: 24 → 25]
Hourly Income: $3,600/hr]
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Scene 5 — Collector Face-to-Face
On the return, in a dim Miami alley, he finally appeared. The Collector. Sharp suit, eyes like knives. Calm smile.
"You lie so smooth, you even convince yourself," the Collector said. "But every system breaks. Even yours."
Legend smirked. "Systems break. But I don't."
Collector stepped closer. "Your shield is gone. Next lie will cut you deeper than any blade."
HUD flared, cracking.
[Secret Shield: Broken.]
[Silver Tongue: Only Defense Active.]
The Collector leaned in, whispering, "When the truth comes, they'll bleed you themselves."
He vanished into the shadows.
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Scene 6 — Near Exposure
That night, Salina folded laundry, holding up a shirt that wasn't hers. Lipstick stain on the collar.
Her eyes narrowed. "Legend…?"
HUD screamed.
[Secret Shield Offline.]
[Silver Tongue Engaged.]
Legend stepped close, smooth, voice low. "Club girl brushed past me. Tried to push herself on me. You think I'd risk you for something that cheap?"
Her eyes softened, heart wavering. She dropped the shirt, kissed him, whispering, "Then I'll trust you. Always."
HUD pulsed green.
[Silver Tongue Success — Loyalty Maintained.]
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Closing Beat — Smooth Lies
Later, balcony smoke curling, Miles blasting beats, Salina asleep.
HUD glowed blood red.
[Secret Shield: Destroyed.]
[Silver Tongue — Primary Defense Active.]
Legend smirked at the ocean. "Let it all break. My mouthpiece richer than any bank."
[CASH FLOW | +$3,600 Deposited]
Balance: $269,540
He flicked ash into the wind. "Money talks. Secrets walk. And I stay lowkey forever."