"Ring!"
En route to the CrystalSky Club, Noah engaged his System panel. Since he had previously accumulated PS and had just gained more. With a total of 160 PS, Noah attempted to utilize them.
[Username = Noah Evans]
[Experience (E) = 50]
[Mentality (M) = 20]
[Vitality (V) = 15]
[Sense (S) = 10]
[Intuition (I) = 2]
[Special Skills (SS) = -]
[Points (P) = 160]
[Special Points (SP) = ?]
[Level (L) = 1]
[Minimum Monthly Expenditure (MME) = 34,998,992]
Noah viewed the status Bars within his panel and noticed his Sense and Intuition Bars were exceedingly low.
"Could it be, trading PS for Sense and Intuition will make me smarter?" he pondered.
Without hesitation, Noah clicked on his Intuition bar. However, things did not go as he thought. To raise the Intuition Level required a hundred System Points for just one Intuition Level increase.
"Quite expensive."
Choosing to delay, Noah examined the Sense Bar next. The requirement was the same. A hundred SP were needed to elevate a single level of either the Sense or Intuition Bar.
Noah appeared contemplative for a moment. He attempted to decide which of the two Bars to enhance.
He did so to experience the change within himself and to discover the extent of its effect after enhancing one on his System.
"Ah, this one. I need assistance if I must make fast decisions."
Noah opted to increase his Intuition Level.
[Ding...!]
Noah's brows furrowed slightly. His Intuition Bar instantly reflected the change, now at level three. Yet, he felt nothing.
"What's this? Did I just waste my System Points?"
Disappointed by the absence of sensation, Noah decided he would later try raising other levels to see what happens.
At the CrystalSky, Noah was awaited by Alice and some individuals. However, only two of them were to be formally introduced by Alice to Noah. Both were men in their late forties.
"Noah, these are Mister Antonius and Mister Alex. These gentlemen were confidants of my father during his lifetime."
Noah introduced himself appropriately to them, still uncertain as to why Alice was introducing these two individuals to him.
"Mr. Evans, a pleasure to meet you. If what Miss Alice says is true, I am quite keen to collaborate."
"Yes, Mr. Evans. As Antonius stated, I am also greatly interested."
It was in this moment that Noah felt his intuition at work. He could somewhat read the characters of Antonius and Alex simply through their manners of introduction and the commencement of conversation.
"Misters Antonius and Alex, it's nice to meet you both. However, I have no interest in affiliating with those who don't trust me."
Both men's eyes widened as Noah bluntly stated that. Alice nearly choked on her newly-swallowed wine.
"Noah, I've informed them of your conditions. You can trust them."
Noah smiled at hearing Alice, yet he shook his head.
"Miss Alice, I trust them. But I said I'm not interested in associating with those who don't trust me. Those are two different things, aren't they?"
Alice, Antonius, and Alex all appeared shocked by Noah's words.
However, as Alice was about to explain, Noah interjected.
"It's fine, Miss Alice, it's understandable they don't trust me. Even you are still somewhat doubtful, isn't that so?"
When Noah remarked this, he saw the three of them exchange glances. He simply smirked and nodded.
"Alright. You know my terms. Now, tell me what will make you trust me. Then I shall prove it." Noah challenged.
It was only normal for them to have some distrust toward him. Noah was but a twenty-year-old university student.
Had he come from an extremely wealthy family, things would have been easier for them.
Nonetheless, Noah could not – would not – back down now. To claim power, he had to start his own network. And he decided to begin with the three before him.
"Mr. Evans, what you desire carries a cost, and it's not a cheap one. To initiate your own network, you must possess numerous resources. For example—"
"Mister Antonius, if you're imparting too much right now, you're essentially lecturing me, and I don't require it. Tell me, what will make you believe. Then, let's discuss the technicalities."
Antonius and Alex felt a slight affront. After all, before them stood merely a lad ignorant of the world's vastness.
To slightly challenge the youth's overbearing self-confidence, Antonius retorted.
"Young man. Even though Alice introduced you to us, Alex and I don't work cheaply. To make us believe, you must demonstrate the strength of your financial resources. And we'll see what we can accomplish with that."
Alice grew a tad anxious. She only wished to aid Noah in launching his own network. Who could have predicted Noah's challenge to be so fiercely serious to the two who roamed the cruel world?
Instead of feeling discouraged, Noah maintained his unwavering self-assurance.
"Tell me, what's the limit that your accounts can hold before the financial authorities scrutinize the sources of your funds."
"Do you dare us, Young Man?" Antonius asked, agitated. "If that's your wish. But never mind that extent. Transfer ten million dollars to each of us, and we shall see what transpires."
Noah nodded and produced his mobile phone without hesitation. "Alright, provide your account numbers."
The men provided their individual account information. They had no intention of exploiting Noah.
They simply required solid proof to support the network Noah envisioned. Otherwise, it seemed a waste of their time.
[Ding...!]
When Noah heard the chime in his head, shortly thereafter, Antonius and Alex were notified on their mobile phones.
Antonius's eyes bulged upon seeing the figure displayed on his phone, followed by Alex who exhibited a similar response.
Before they could react, Noah spoke up again.
"Now we'll see. Are you worthy to work for me? I'll only give you a week. If you can't manage, forget all this. Return to your lives."
With those words, Noah promptly departed. Meanwhile, Antonius and Alex remained fixated on their phone screens, frozen in place.
Alice was at a loss over the events. She simply watched Noah leave and then turned to the two men, her father's confidants.
"What just happened?" Alice inquired.
But, since they gave no answer, Alice stood and peered at the screens of the two men who were seated beside one another. She too, became rooted to the spot.
Noah had just transferred half a billion dollars to each of their accounts.
"Alice, this young man... He's dangerous!" Antonius exclaimed.
Meanwhile, Alex found himself unable to voice a single word.
Soon after, Alice received a notification on her own phone. When she looked, her heart pounded violently against her chest.
"Miss Alice. I've provided starting capital for each of you. You have one week. Don't contact me if you deem yourselves incapable. Take the money and live in peace."
"Yes. He is indeed dangerous," Alice muttered to herself.
***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***
Updated 209 Episodes
Download
Like this story? Download the app to keep your reading history.
Comments
Sourabh Goel
no pain no gain 💪
2024-06-13
2