Apocalypse Trade Monopoly
Chapter 52: : Playing the Right Hand

Chapter 52: : Playing the Right Hand

The Shifter’s eyes narrowed. "That so?"

Lucas nodded casually. "Mm. But it’s cute that you thought otherwise."

The Shifter exhaled sharply, expression cooling. "You really think you can hold onto it? You might’ve carved out a nice little empire in the lower levels, Bai, but Level One isn’t so forgiving."

Lucas grinned, all sharp amusement. "Neither am I."

The Shifter leaned back, studying him. "So this is what you came here for? To show your teeth?"

Lucas chuckled. "No. I came here to remind you that I have teeth."

The Shifter’s grin was gone.

Ava watched as he leaned back, eyes flicking over Lucas like he was seeing him for the first time.

Because Lucas Bai wasn’t supposed to be a problem.

He wasn’t supposed to be a player.

Yet here he was, smiling like he already owned the board.

The Shifter exhaled, slow and measured. "You’re making enemies, Bai."

Lucas tilted his head. "So are you."

The room went still.

Ava felt it immediately. The way Lucas’s words weren’t just a statement—they were a fact.

And the Shifter? He knew it.

"Interesting theory," the Shifter muttered. "Care to elaborate?"

Lucas chuckled, stepping forward again—casual, unbothered, like they weren’t in a room full of people who could tear into him in seconds.

"Tell me something," Lucas murmured. "Who’s really in charge here?"

The Shifter’s fingers twitched.

Lucas grinned, golden eyes gleaming. "Because from where I’m standing? It sure as hell isn’t you."

Ava caught the flicker of something dangerous in the Shifter’s gaze.

But he didn’t lash out.

Which meant Lucas had hit a nerve.

The Shifter exhaled sharply. "You talk big, Bai. But this isn’t your world anymore."

Lucas chuckled. "That’s the problem with people like you."

He leaned in slightly, voice dropping to a whisper.

"You think I ever left."

Ava watched as the Shifter’s jaw tightened, his composure finally cracking.

Because Lucas Bai wasn’t just here to negotiate.

He was here to remind them that they weren’t the only ones pulling the strings.

Lucas didn’t break eye contact. Didn’t blink.

The Shifter was still, jaw tight, calculating.

And Lucas? He smiled.

"I’ll tell you what your best move is."

The room stayed quiet.

Ava watched as Lucas slowly reached into his pocket, pulling out a small computer chip—

Old. Unassuming. But valuable.

Lucas held it between two fingers, tilting his head. "You cooperate with me."

The Shifter snorted. "And why the hell would I do that?"

Lucas smirked. "Because it’s the only option that keeps you breathing."

Ava felt the air shift.

The Shifter’s gaze flicked down to the chip. His nostrils flared slightly.

"What is that?"

Lucas tossed it lightly onto the table between them.

It landed with a soft clink.

Lucas stepped back, hands in his pockets, still grinning. "A favor."

The Shifter narrowed his eyes but picked it up. Turned it over. Studied it.

And then—his pupils shrank.

Ava caught it immediately. That recognition. That sharp, involuntary inhale.

The Shifter knew exactly what he was holding.

Lucas chuckled, watching the realization settle. "I see we understand each other."

The Shifter’s fingers tightened around the chip. His throat bobbed once.

He exhaled slowly. "What do you want?"

Lucas grinned. "Now we’re talking."

Ava stayed silent, but her pulse was steady.

Because whatever was on that chip?

It had just changed the game.

The Shifter’s fingers curled tightly around the chip. His breathing was steady—but Ava saw it.

The tension in his jaw. The way his entire body had gone still.

Lucas Bai had him.

And he knew it.

Lucas tilted his head, golden eyes gleaming. "Now, let’s talk terms."

The Shifter exhaled slowly, still staring at the chip. "Where did you get this?"

Lucas chuckled. "That’s the wrong question."

The Shifter’s eyes flicked up, sharp, wary. "And what’s the right question?"

Lucas smiled, all teeth. "What happens if you don’t listen?"

Ava felt the air tighten.

Because this wasn’t just a deal.

This was a leash.He had just realized who was holding it.

A long pause.

Then—finally—

"What do you want?"

Lucas grinned. "Cooperation."

The Shifter’s nostrils flared. "You want me to work for you?"

Lucas sighed dramatically. "Work with me."

The Shifter gritted his teeth. "And if I say no?"

Lucas smirked, stepping back. "Then I walk out of here."

A beat of silence.

"And?"

Lucas tilted his head. "And you find out how many other people are willing to pay for what’s on that chip."

Ava watched as the Shifter went completely still.

Because there it was.

The truth. The choice.

Lucas Bai wasn’t just offering a deal.

He was offering survival.

The Shifter closed his eyes for a brief moment. Then—he exhaled sharply. "Fine."

Lucas grinned, clapping his hands together. "See? That wasn’t so hard."

The Shifter still held the chip, fingers tightening like he was gripping a loaded weapon.

Tension crackled in the air—too thick, too unstable.

Lucas had won the conversation.

But not everyone in the room was ready to accept that.

Ava felt it before it happened.

The subtle weight shift. The way one of the guards by the door tensed, hand drifting toward his side.

Her system pinged instantly.

[THREAT DETECTED]

[HOSTILE INTENT: 92%]

[RECOMMENDED ACTION: MOVE]

Ava moved.

The guard lunged forward—hand going for a concealed weapon—

But Ava was faster.

She pivoted, slammed her elbow into his wrist—forcing the gun free—then twisted sharply, driving his weight off balance.

The gun clattered to the floor.

Ava shoved him back, heart hammering. "Seriously?"

Then—chaos.

Another Shifter moved. Not for her.

For Lucas.

Lucas barely sighed before shifting his weight—ducking under the first swing, catching the second attack with a brutal twist of the wrist.

Something snapped.

The Shifter yelped, staggering back, clutching his hand.

Lucas tilted his head, golden eyes flashing. "Are we really doing this?"

Two more guards moved in.

Ava cursed, stepping up beside him, hands already tightening into fists.

The Shifter with the chip exhaled sharply. "Enough!"

Everything froze.

The guards hesitated.

The Shifter stood, shoulders squared, gaze cold.

"I said enough."

Lucas smirked, but his posture didn’t relax.

Ava exhaled sharply, feeling the adrenaline start to settle.

The Shifter tossed the chip in the air once—catching it easily. "You got what you wanted, Bai."

Lucas chuckled. "I usually do."

The Shifter’s jaw tightened. "Then take your girl and get out."

Lucas grinned, flashing a wink at Ava. "See, Beauty? Told you this would be fun."

Ava rolled her eyes. "Next time, I pick the meeting spot."

Lucas laughed, stepping toward the exit. "Deal."

Ava followed, pulse still steady, still alert.

Because this wasn’t over.

Lucas Bai had won the round.

The moment they stepped outside, Lucas sighed.

Ava glanced at him, narrowing her eyes. "What?"

Lucas tilted his head slightly, like he was listening to something only he could hear. Then, without breaking stride—

"We’re about to be ambushed."

Ava stiffened. "How do you know?"

Lucas grinned, golden eyes gleaming. "Because if I were them, I wouldn’t let us walk away this easy."

Ava’s stomach tightened. "And you’re just telling me now?"

Lucas shrugged. "I didn’t want to ruin the moment."

Ava swore under her breath, scanning their surroundings.

They were moving through a side sector now, the dim alleys between Level One’s polished buildings.

Shadows stretched long against the walls. Too many blind spots. Too many exits blocked by silent figures waiting just out of sight.

Her system pulsed.

[THREAT DETECTED]

[AMBUSH FORMATION: 3 SIDES]

[ESCAPE ROUTES: LIMITED]

Ava exhaled sharply. "Numbers?"

Lucas grinned wider. "Eight. Maybe more. They think that’s enough."

Ava rolled her shoulders. "Is it?"

Lucas laughed, hands still tucked lazily in his pockets. "Not even close."

Then—he turned down the alley anyway.

Ava sighed. "Unbelievable."

Because Lucas Bai wasn’t avoiding the fight.

He was walking straight into it.

A figure dropped from above, knife flashing—

Lucas moved first.

A blur of motion—too fast, too precise.

His hand shot up, catching the attacker mid-air, fingers locking around their throat.

A sickening crack.

The body went limp before it even hit the ground.

Ava stiffened. "Bai—"

But Lucas was already moving.

The alley exploded into chaos.

Figures rushed from the shadows—knives, clubs, weapons stripped straight from Level One’s black market.

Useless.

Lucas ducked under a swing, drove his elbow into one attacker’s ribs—bone crunched—before smoothly disarming another.

The stolen pistol barely had time to be raised before Lucas crushed the entire trigger assembly in his bare hand.

Metal groaned, folding under his fingers like paper.

Ava’s Blueprint System pulsed frantically.

[SCAN IN PROGRESS...]

[WARNING: POWER OUTPUT SPIKING]

[COMBAT EFFICIENCY: 99%]

[WEAPON DESTRUCTION RATE: 100%]

Ava gritted her teeth. "Bai, you’re breaking your own damn gear!"

Lucas snapped another knife in half between his fingers. "And?"

Ava swore, dodging a swing from behind.

Lucas didn’t even look as he caught the attacker by the wrist, twisted—

And ripped their arm from its socket.

The scream barely lasted a second before Lucas crushed their windpipe.

The remaining attackers hesitated.

Lucas exhaled, rolling his shoulders, stepping over the bodies without a second glance.

Golden eyes gleaming. Dangerous.

"That all?"

Ava sighed, stepping over a corpse. "You really can’t take anything slow, can you?"

Lucas grinned. "Not when they make it this easy."

The last remaining attacker dropped his weapon and ran.

Lucas let him.

Ava arched a brow. "Feeling merciful?"

Lucas chuckled. "No. I just want him to spread the message."

Ava exhaled sharply. "That you’re insane?"

Lucas smirked, stepping out of the alley, golden eyes gleaming. "That I’m inevitable."