The next three days passed under a tense, invisible cloud.
Sue City looked the same — glass towers reflecting the sun, students rushing through campus, traffic humming like always — yet something beneath it had shifted. Jackim could feel it every time he stepped outside.
Eyes. Watching. Measuring.
The System's silent hum never stopped. Data flickered behind his vision when he blinked — threads of encrypted code weaving a web around the name: THE WHEEL.
Kelvin leaned over the laptop in the villa's study, frustration written all over his face. "I've searched everything, bro. Nothing. No registered business, no news report, not even gossip. It's like this 'Wheel' doesn't exist."
Jackim stood behind him, arms folded. "That's because it doesn't — not legally. They exist behind fronts."
He tapped the desk, voice low and sharp. "Hotels. Car dealerships. Construction firms. All legit on paper. But they're just masks. The real operation is underground — black money, influence trading, and silence."
Kelvin whistled. "And they sent hitmen after you? What did you even do to piss them off?"
Jackim smiled faintly. "I existed."
A soft chime echoed in his mind.
> [System Quest: Investigate The Wheel Organization – Progress: 18%.]
[Hint: Key information lies within Sue City University's Board of Trustees.]
[Reward upon completion: 1,000,000 USD + Hidden Skill.]
Jackim frowned. "The university?"
Kelvin blinked. "Wait… are you saying some of our lecturers or board members are in on it?"
Jackim's eyes hardened. "More than that. They might be The Wheel."
The next day, he dressed differently — sleek black shirt, fitted trousers, a faint scent of cedar and steel cologne. Nothing flashy, but the kind of quiet confidence that made people move aside when he walked by.
Kelvin met him outside the Chancellor's building. "What's the plan?"
"Observe first," Jackim said. "Then decide whether to act or disappear."
He slipped an access card into the reader — one the System had somehow generated overnight.
> [Temporary Permission: Administrative Access Granted – Valid 6 hours.]
They entered a corridor lined with portraits of university founders. The air smelled of leather polish and money. Through the half-open boardroom door, muffled voices drifted out.
"…our new investor from The Wheel branch is arriving next week. Make sure the files are ready."
That voice — Jackim recognized it instantly — Professor Hill, head of finance, the same man who once sneered at him for being "too broke to afford ambition."
Another voice, deeper, replied, "The boy, Jackim Ochieng, is becoming a nuisance. His name's all over the media. If he keeps climbing, he'll attract outside investors we don't control."
Professor Hill snorted. "He's just a lucky fool. Fame fades."
Jackim's jaw clenched. He looked through the glass reflection — not moving, not breathing. The shadows of the men inside flickered under the golden light.
> [System Notification: Host has uncovered secondary Wheel cell. Progress 43%.]
Kelvin leaned closer and whispered, "We should record this."
Jackim shook his head. "No. Not yet. Let them think they're safe. A cornered snake bites harder."
They slipped out silently before anyone noticed.
Back at the villa, Kelvin paced nervously. "So what now? We know they're here, but we don't have proof."
Jackim opened his laptop, face calm. "Proof is easy when you have the right tools."
He summoned the System window mentally.
> [Request: Decrypt Sue City University Internal Network.]
[Permission Granted.]
[Running deep scan… 12%, 45%, 87%...]
[Hidden Folder Located – Code Name: WHEEL/SU01.]
Lines of data scrolled across the screen — payment transfers, property purchases, untraceable accounts tied to "Phantom Holdings Ltd." All linked back to three board members and one outside financier.
Kelvin's mouth dropped. "Holy hell… that's millions. No, billions."
Jackim's tone was cold. "And they're laundering it through scholarships, research grants, and student housing projects."
> [New Sub-Task: Leak The Wheel's local accounts without exposing Host identity.]
[Reward: $500,000 + System Skill Upgrade (Stealth Lv.1 → Lv.2).]
Jackim smirked. "Perfect."
That night, under an alias, he uploaded the encrypted documents to a global transparency site. Within hours, it hit headlines across forums and media channels:
> "Anonymous Leak Exposes Sue City University Corruption Ring."
"Millions in Ghost Investments Linked to Secret Organization."
Chaos followed. Board meetings were cancelled, police stormed offices, and reporters camped at the campus gate.
Kelvin laughed in disbelief. "You just started a storm!"
Jackim leaned against the window, watching the city lights flicker. "Storms wash filth away."
> [Quest Progress: 65%. Hidden Skill partially unlocked – Cyber Manipulation Lv.1.]
The new data shimmered before his eyes — now he could manipulate digital footprints like threads. Delete, trace, rewire. A digital ghost.
The next day, a black envelope appeared under the villa gate.
Inside — a silver coin engraved with seven spokes.
The Wheel's mark.
On the back, handwritten words in blood-red ink:
> "Stay out of our business, or you'll lose more than money."
Kelvin cursed. "Bro, they're threatening you again!"
Jackim looked at the coin quietly. Then he flicked it across the table — it clinked and spun, stopping upright.
> "Let them try."
He was done being hunted.
That evening, his phone buzzed — a message from an unknown number.
> "Mr. Ochieng, this is Officer Arlene Voss. We've uncovered new information about the men who attacked you. Meet me at the old port warehouse, 9 p.m. Come alone."
Kelvin frowned. "Bro, that sounds sketchy."
Jackim's eyes narrowed. "It's supposed to."
He checked his watch — 8:46 p.m.
The night was heavy, the port silent except for distant waves crashing against steel. The warehouse loomed like a dying beast.
He walked in slowly, senses razor-sharp.
No one in sight. Just empty crates and echoing footsteps.
Then — movement. A voice behind him.
"Impressive reflexes."
He turned. Detective Arlene stepped out of the shadows, wearing the same gray suit, hair tied back neatly.
"You came," she said with a small smile. "Good. I wanted to see if you're as brave as they say."
Jackim's gaze was unreadable. "Or stupid enough to walk into a trap."
Her smile faded slightly. "Relax. If I wanted you dead, you'd already be bleeding. I'm here because I know about them — The Wheel."
He didn't flinch. "Then talk."
She stepped closer. "They're older than this city. They own everything from real estate to politicians. Even some cops are on their payroll. You humiliated one of their local financiers by leaking those files. Now they've placed a bounty on you."
Jackim's voice was low. "How much?"
She met his eyes. "Five million dollars. Dead or alive."
Silence. Only the waves breaking in the distance.
Jackim tilted his head slightly. "Then I should charge them interest."
Arlene blinked, caught off guard — then laughed softly. "You're either fearless or insane."
"Maybe both."
She stepped closer, her tone dropping. "Listen to me, Jackim. I can help you. But I need proof. If you give me something big enough to bring their heads down, I'll make sure you walk away clean."
The System's voice whispered in his mind:
> [New Side Mission: Trust or Trap – Determine Arlene Voss's true alignment.]
[Reward: Hidden Contact + System Upgrade Slot.]
He studied her face — steady eyes, steady breath. No lies detectable, but something underneath… unreadable.
"Maybe," he said finally, "I'll think about it."
He walked past her, his footsteps echoing in the dark. As he reached the door, her voice followed him.
> "Be careful, Jackim. The Wheel never forgives twice."
Later that night, back at the villa, Kelvin was pacing again.
"So, what's the verdict? Trust her?"
Jackim shook his head. "Not yet. The Wheel's too deep. She might be part of the same machine."
He looked out the window again, toward the city skyline burning gold against the black night.
> [System Notification: Quest 92% Complete.]
[Final Objective: Identify The Wheel's Local Commander.]
Jackim smiled faintly. "We're close."
Kelvin sighed. "Close to what?"
He turned, eyes gleaming with calm fire. "The man pulling the strings."
Just before dawn, as the first light crept through the horizon, the System chimed one last time.
> [Target Identified: Local Wheel Commander – Bryan Colt.]
[Status: Active Threat. Location: Acacia Hotel Penthouse.]
Jackim froze.
Bryan. The same spoiled rich heir who had mocked him, schemed against him, and hired assassins to destroy him. He was The Wheel's local link all along.
Kelvin's voice broke the silence. "Bro… that guy again? You mean Bryan's behind all this?!"
Jackim's tone was quiet, but his words carried steel.
"He wanted war. Now he'll get one."
He picked up his jacket, slipped the silver coin into his pocket, and walked toward the door.
Kelvin stared after him. "Where are you going?"
Jackim didn't look back. "To end the game he started."
The door shut softly, leaving nothing but silence — and the faint hum of the System awakening deeper, stronger than ever before.