...

After the call and text with his mother, Zastan leaned back in his chair, feeling the tension slowly dissipate. His mind began to settle, and with it came thoughts of his family. Though he had managed to ease his mother's concerns, there was still something nagging at him. He had been away for months, building an empire in Luminae, yet he'd done so little for them. The occasional money transfer wasn't enough; they deserved more.

"Darius," Zastan called, turning his attention to his right-hand man, who was going over the latest business reports. "I want to send something to my family—something big this time. Luxuries, expensive items, and some cash. It's time they start seeing the benefits of all this."

Darius looked up from his work, his face thoughtful. "It's a good idea, young master. But how do you want to handle it? A sudden influx of high-end gifts might still look a bit suspicious, especially after the conversation you had with your mother. We don't want to raise any alarms."

Zastan nodded, aware that Darius had a point. His family was beginning to trust the legitimacy of his success, but it would still be strange if he suddenly showered them with riches without a solid explanation. "You're right," Zastan said, thinking it through. "We need to do this carefully. I can't be directly involved—it'd be too obvious."

"That's exactly what I was thinking," Darius replied. "We can use the MK3s to handle everything, discreetly. I'll arrange for multiple units to be summoned in different areas of Luminae. They'll purchase everything on the list—luxuries, food, clothes, gadgets. And we'll make sure the cash is included. All of it will be delivered to your family without any trace linking back to you."

Zastan smiled, appreciating Darius's foresight. "Perfect. Just make sure it's not too much at once. I don't want them to feel overwhelmed or suspicious."

Darius leaned forward, pulling up the system interface. "I already have a plan for that. The MK3s will gather the goods over several locations, and we'll stagger the delivery. I'll make sure the shipments arrive over the course of a few days. And we'll use that card you mentioned—the one you had stashed in the alley. That way, there's no direct payment linked to you."

Zastan raised an eyebrow. "The card?"

Darius nodded. "Remember, you told me about that card you hid behind the brick in the alley a while back. I'll have one of the MK3s retrieve it and use it for the purchases. It keeps everything clean."

Zastan smirked. "Ah, right. The card. Good thinking."

Darius continued, "I'll summon an MK3 to retrieve the card first. Once it's in hand, we can summon more MK3s to do the shopping. They'll use the funds from the card to make the purchases and deliver everything."

"Sounds good. Just make sure it's done quietly," Zastan said. "And, Darius, don't forget to include everything. Wine, expensive food, luxury goods, and of course, some cash."

"I'll handle it," Darius assured him, his fingers already moving across the console to initiate the commands.

...

The first MK3 moved swiftly through the city, blending into the flow of pedestrians. It made its way to the narrow alley Darius had marked on the system map. The biochemicals, designed to appear entirely human, moved without drawing any attention, slipping into the secluded area between two buildings.

The MK3 crouched down, removing a loose brick from the wall. Behind the brick was a small compartment, just as Zastan had left it. The MK3 reached in, retrieving the card and carefully securing it before replacing the brick. The card, preloaded with a significant amount of cash, would now serve as the key to funding the entire operation.

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With the card in hand, the MK3 moved to its next task—shopping.

...

At Newport Mall, the other MK3s had already arrived, each one assigned to different stores within the massive luxury shopping complex. Their mission was clear: gather luxury items, essentials, and everything else on Zastan's list. One MK3 entered a high-end wine store, carefully selecting bottles of rare vintages known to cost thousands of dollars each. Another moved through a gourmet food market, selecting the finest cheeses, meats, and delicacies that would keep his parents' pantry stocked with the best for months.

Each MK3 operated independently, avoiding attention by moving efficiently and quietly. They used the card retrieved by the first MK3 for all purchases, ensuring no trail would lead back to Zastan.

One MK3 walked into an exclusive boutique, selecting designer clothes for his parents. Tailored suits, dresses, and shoes were packed into large shopping bags as the MK3 made the transaction. Meanwhile, another MK3 visited an electronics store, picking out the latest gadgets, tablets, and even gaming consoles for Zastan's little sister. There were limited-edition items, expensive watches, and toys that would make any young girl thrilled.

Everything was going smoothly, just as Darius had planned.

...

In the system command center, Darius monitored the operation, watching as the MK3s moved through their respective tasks. He tapped a few keys, issuing new commands as needed. "The card is working perfectly," he said, glancing over at Zastan. "The purchases are going through without a hitch."

Zastan leaned back in his chair, feeling more at ease. "Good. Make sure they also deliver some cash. I want my parents to have enough to live comfortably for a long time."

Darius nodded. "Already handled. I've allocated a portion of the card's balance to be withdrawn in cash and included with the goods. It'll be delivered with the final shipment."

Zastan smiled, satisfied. "Great work. I owe you for this."

Darius shook his head, smiling slightly. "No need. This is what I'm here for."

...

By the time the MK3s had finished their shopping spree, they had accumulated over $10 million in luxury goods. Every item was carefully packed and prepared for shipping. Fortunately, the mall offered shipping services for large purchases, and because of the high value of their transactions, the shipping was discounted. The first packages were scheduled to arrive at Zastan's family home within 24 hours, with the rest following over the next several days.

The MK3s moved quietly, coordinating through the system as they ensured the goods would arrive safely and without delay. They carried bags filled with watches, clothes, shoes, and gadgets, all of it carefully chosen to meet Zastan's specifications. From the finest wines to the most expensive toys, everything was set to be delivered to his family.

Darius watched the entire process unfold on the screen, occasionally tapping in commands to ensure everything stayed on track. "It's all arranged," he said finally. "Your family will receive everything over the next few days. No one will suspect a thing."

Zastan gave him a nod of appreciation. "Thanks, Darius. I'm glad we could get this done without raising any red flags."

Darius leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. "You're doing the right thing, young master. They'll appreciate it."

Zastan nodded, his mind already drifting toward the next task at hand. "Yeah, I hope so. It's been too long since I did something for them."

For a moment, Zastan allowed himself to enjoy the thought of his parents and sister receiving all the goods he had arranged for them. But then, another thought struck him—something he had almost forgotten.

"Darius," Zastan said, turning toward him again. "I just remembered. I'm not enrolled in college yet."

Darius raised an eyebrow. "College? You're planning to go now?"

Zastan nodded. "Yeah. My parents have always pushed for it, and I think it's about time I get it sorted out. There's less than a month before the school year starts, and I'm thinking about going to Starlight University. It's the top school in Luminae."

Darius smiled. "With your wealth and influence, I don't think it'll be a problem getting in."

"That's the plan," Zastan said. "My grades before weren't great, but with the money and connections I have now, I should be able to secure a spot. I'll enroll this week."

Darius nodded, a hint of approval in his expression. "Starlight University is a good choice. It'll give you access to some of the most powerful people in Luminae. Plus, it'll help balance your profile. It'll make your success look even more legitimate."

"Exactly," Zastan agreed. "I'll make sure everything is in place by the end of the week."

Darius smiled, knowing that Zastan was always thinking two steps ahead. "You'll be fine, young master. Between the business, the family, and now college, I'm sure you'll do great."

...