[April 15th, 2024]
"We can make the key ourselves," Aiden said casually.
Rey blinked. "Make it? How? We don't have—oh… right."
Aiden smirked. "Now you remember. You really are something, kid, keeping people like us around."
Zero, silent until now, drifted forward. Her liquid body slid into the lock, writhing inside like a serpent hunting its prey. Moments later, she emerged, reshaping her body into a precise outline.
"This is the structure you need."
"Got it. Let me try."
Rey channeled his mana, pushing it toward Zero and into his [Item Creation] orb. The flow was clumsy, jagged—unstable. The ability refused to start.
Aiden sighed. "Tch. Amateur. Watch and learn."
He reached out, smoothing the mana flow with sharp precision. The unstable stream stabilized, glowing faintly, and the [Item Creation] ability finally clicked into place.
Light flickered. A key began forming from raw mana. By the time it solidified in Rey's palm, sweat beaded on his forehead.
"That… took more out of me than last time," he muttered.
"Because you were wasting mana like a broken faucet," Aiden explained. "Use it wrong, you burn through reserves faster."
Rey nodded grimly. Lesson learned.
He turned the key and twisted the lock.
The box creaked open.
Instead of glittering jewels or piles of cash, a single card rested atop a folded letter.
Victor's shoulders slumped. "That's it? Just a card? What a rip-off."
Rey frowned, studying it. Then recognition hit him.
"This isn't just a card. It's an old anonymous monetary exchange card."
The others stared blankly. Rey continued.
"It lets you transfer money without revealing your identity. Outdated now, but black markets still use it. Thing is… if someone has the card and the code, the money's theirs. No protection. That's why they got discontinued."
Victor froze mid-step. "Wait—so you're saying there might be money on it?"
"Possibly. Or Jacob already emptied it. Let me check this letter first."
He unfolded the paper. The handwriting was sharp, threatening. Rey read it aloud.
~~
We have sent the money for the resources. Deliver this month's stock to the agreed location. Fail, and you will become part of the resources yourself. The master has no patience for mistakes. Others wait in line to take your place. Destroy this letter after reading it.
Location: East Gate, Dragon Kingdom border. The money is inside the card. Code: 2901.
Do not attempt to trace us. If you do, you won't live long enough to regret it.
~~
Rey's lips curved. "Well, that saves me the trouble."
He tore the letter into shreds and tossed them into the bin.
Booting up his computer, he navigated to the bank portal printed on the card. Entering the number and code, he waited, heart pounding as the screen loaded.
Then the balance appeared.
__
Bank Balance: 100,854 DracinsConversion: 10,085,400 Dragon Points
Recent Activity: +100,000 Dracins (April 9th, 2024)
__
Rey's jaw dropped. "Oh my god…"
His vision blurred, body swaying before he collapsed.
"Kid?!" Aiden crouched beside him, shaking him lightly. Rey was still mumbling, eyes half-closed.
"So much money… so, so much…"
Victor laughed. "He's lost his mind already. Pathetic."
Minutes later, Rey snapped awake, clutching his card like treasure. "Wait—so I'm a millionaire now?"
Aiden shrugged. "Congratulations."
Rey's stomach growled like a beast in a cage. He winced.
"…Food first. Thinking later."
He reached for the door but paused at Aiden's smirk.
"Why not use the window?"
Rey blinked. "You know what? You're right."
He vaulted out, landing in a dramatic crouch. Pain shot through his knee.
"Argh! Never doing that again!"
"Serves you right," Aiden mocked.
The ache faded in seconds. Rey's eyes widened. "Healing this fast? Don't tell me… vampire powers?"
Victor puffed his chest. "Correct. Once, I tore out the heart of a vampire god. That's how you inherited this trait."
Rey stared, awestruck. "You… killed a vampire god? What about dragons? Did you slay those too?"
Victor smirked. "Let me tell you about the time I crushed an empire for love—"
Aiden groaned. "Here we go."
A few minutes later, they reached the convenience store.
Victor was still recounting his glory days while Rey listened like a fan at a concert.
Inside, Leo waved from behind the counter. "Yo, Rey! Stocking up? Didn't your mom cook today?"
"Just… hungry," Rey muttered, already grabbing noodles, rice balls, mango juice, and a pastry.
Leo laughed. "Looks like you won the lottery. Buying for your friends too?"
Rey ignored him, dumping everything onto the counter. "Just me."
Leo tallied the bill. "One-seventy Dragon Points after discount. You're lucky I like you, bro."
Rey swiped the card without argument. The machine beeped, spitting out the robotic, "Thank you for shopping with us."
He left, steaming noodles tucked into his inventory, and sprinted home.
Three minutes later, the noodles were ready. He ate everything—the rice balls, the noodles, the pastry—and leaned back, finally full.
Curiosity tugged at him. He checked his balance again.
__
Bank Balance: 100,852 DracinsConversion: 10,085,230 Dragon Points
Recent Activity: -170 Dragon Points
__
Rey grinned like a fool. "Still rich."
Sleep tugged at him at last. Whether it would come peacefully—that was another story.
-To Be Continued-