Chapter Nine
"Ica, who is this guy?"
'That swift dodging. This guy can at least be a S rank hunter with those dodging skills alone. I must catch this rat for the guild.' Alex stared at Ren through the transparent doors while Monica clutched onto the coffee cup in her, tears running down her cheeks.
'M-Mr. E-Esper paid N-Neil's bills?' Short gasps left Monica's lips as strength left her knees, making her stumble as the coffee cup fell from her hands. 'No... How can the transaction go through? Mr. Esper is only an ordinary professor!'
Alex's arms instantly wrapped around Monica, supporting her. "Monica, are you okay?"
"Alex! We need to save Mr. Esper. That transaction won't go through. They'll beat him up."
Alex blinked at Monica before letting out a light laugh.
"You're wrong, Ica. That card he's hiding from everyone's sight is definitely from Golden Apex Bank. Their cards are only issued to individuals with a net worth exceeding one billion dollars. And that's just for the entry-level gold cards."
"That's impossible," Monica wiped her tears, trembling. "Ren's a professor. An assistant professor. On probation. He couldn't even pay his rent for three months after his girlfriend cheated on him. There are loan sharks after him, Alex!"
"I can bet you a hundred thousand dollars that it's the black card from Golden Apex Bank. Wanna bet?"
Monica's mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water. No words came out.
Alex smiled as she grabbed Monica's hand and led her into the lobby, hiding away from Ren's sight to watch the drama.
Inside the lobby, Doctor Harrison's face had drained of all color.
"What does it say, fuckers?!" He yelled, running out of patience as he rushed in the direction of the card reader, snatching it from the guard's hands.
The card reader displayed a single word in elegant script:
APPROVED
Total Amount: $4,422,000.00
Doctor Harrison counted the zeros. Once. Twice. Three times. His knees felt weak.
Mrs. Higgins, still on the floor, craned her neck to see the screen. When the numbers registered, her face went from bruised spite to ash-gray horror.
"That's... that's..." she stammered.
"Four million, four hundred twenty-two thousand dollars," Ren said cheerfully, snatching the card reader from Doctor Harrison's hand and turning it to show Mrs. Higgins. "See? No declined transaction. No con artist. Just a guy trying to pay a bill and getting harassed by an old woman in return."
Ren smiled down at her. "You were saying something about my clothes?"
Mrs. Higgins opened her mouth. Closed it. Opened it again. No sound emerged.
Doctor Harrison recovered first, his professional mask snapping back into place with visible effort. "Mrs. Higgins, you're fired. Effective immediately. Security, escort her out."
"But Doctor Harrison! I've worked here for thirty—"
"Did you not hear me?! Throw her out! Mr…" Doctor Harrison trailed off while Ren's eyes remained fixed on the woman being dragged out.
"Esper."
"M-Mr. E-Esper, this was all a misunderstanding. I assure you our hospital values-"
Ren interrupted Doctor Harrison, swiftly placing the black card in his old, worn wallet, stuffing it inside his pocket. "I don't care about your hospital values, Doctor Harrison. Ensure that Neil Young gets the best treatment. Because if I find out that you disrespected Neil Young or his guardian, Monica Young, I'll personally buy her the hospital and let her fire you. Am I clear?"
'I must not offend this person. H-he's definitely some tycoon that's hiding his identity. To blow four million on a four hundred thousand dollar bill while wearing those cheap clothes?! Truly terrifying.'
Doctor Harrison gulped down the lump in his throat and hid his trembling hands behind his back as he bowed to Ren. "Yes, Mr. Esper. I'll personally escort Mr. Young to the VIP room."
"Good. From now on, charge bills of Neil Young to my card with a thousand percent tip for you, Doctor Harrison. Don't. Disappoint. Me."
The words hung in the air like a guillotine blade.
Doctor Harrison bowed so deeply his forehead nearly touched his knees. "Never, Mr. Esper. Never. I shall treat the Young family as if they were my own. Better than my own!"
"See that you do." Ren turned away from the grovelling doctor, dismissing him completely.
The moment his back was turned, Doctor Harrison straightened, mopping his brow with a trembling hand.
His eyes caught the eye of a nearby nurse watching the drama and hissed, "What are you standing there for?! Get the presidential suite ready! Fresh flowers! Champagne! Wait, no—the boy is sick. Fruit! The most expensive fruit basket in the city! GO!"
The nurse scrambled away.
"Excuse me, Mr. Esper."
"Just go." Ren turned away from Doctor Harrison, a small smile playing on his lips.
'Four million on a four hundred thousand dollar bill. GREED really designed this system to make me look insane. But honestly? It was worth it just to see that old hag's face. Harass her, my foot.'
[Ping!]
[Tutorial Mission Progress: 4,422,000 / 500,000,000]
[Current Tipping Percentage: 1,000%]
[Remaining Balance: $495,578,000.00]
Ren's eyes widened slightly. 'Still have nearly five hundred million left? How the hell am I supposed to spend all that in three weeks? Maybe, I should just buy this hospital for Monica. What do you say, system?'
[Negative. The value of this hospital is eighty million. A thousand percent of it would be eight hundred million. The value exceeds the host's current budget.]
'Ugh. I thought at max it would be thirty.' Ren sighed as he ran his fingers through hairs. 'Well in that case, it makes sense why the hospital is so empty. Haizz… Anyway, my work here is done. Time to go.'
However, before Ren could take another step towards the hospital's automatic door, a pair of soft hands wrapped around his waist from behind, making him grin inwardly.
'About time. Who the fuck hides behind a lean pillar with a curvy body like this?'
"Thank you, Ren. Thank you so much."
Tears ran down Monica's cheeks as she pressed her body against Ren's waist tighter while Alex simply observed Ren with a smile on face.
"Miss Monica, can you let me go?" Ren groaned in pain as he felt his little brother harden again at Monica's touch.
Ren gently rubbed Monica's arms that were wrapped around his waist, gulping the lump in his throat as he whispered. "This is a public space."
"Ah! I-I am sorry!" Monica turned red in an instant as realisation dawned upon her.
'H-how dare I touch the body of a guy who can throw four million around just like that? Am I even worthy? Why are you so stupid Monica?!'
Monica groaned as she immediately let go of her grip as she bowed in front of Ren, making him rub the back of his neck in embarrassment.
"I'm so sorry, Mr. Esper!"
"Please don't do that. Especially when I am in need of a favour from you." Ren sighed, turning around to face Monica and Alex.
Monica straightened instantly, blinking in confusion.
"What's wrong, Mr. Esper?"