After hearing everything, the younger gang members were basically certain that if they really followed through with this, they would have to transform from idle street punks into model citizens who excelled in morals, intelligence, physical fitness, aesthetics, and labor.
"But how are we supposed to make a living in the future...?"
One of the guys, who came from a poor family, asked with concern.
Ever since he'd joined the gang, his life had gotten better and more comfortable.
Now that he was expected to become an all-around good guy, didn't that mean he'd have to go back to the tough life he had before?
"Don't worry, that's exactly what I was going to talk about next."
Grog glanced at the person who had spoken—he recognized him as one of his more financially struggling subordinates.
"From now on, we'll be working for Boss Nathan. We'll be in charge of selling and distributing Dynamax Candies, and we'll earn a 3% commission from each sale."
As he said this, Grog's face turned a little red from excitement.
This was 3% profit, after all.
Compared to a fixed salary, that 3% commission was on a whole different level.
Besides, he had heard the unit price of Dynamax Candy directly from Nathan—21,000 PokéCoins per piece.
Which meant that for each candy sold, they'd earn 630 PokéCoins.
That might not seem like a lot per sale, but this was Dynamax Candy.
It was the kind of item people would line up to buy in droves.
Once they officially started selling it, they might not even have to market it—people would come knocking down their door to buy it.
Think about it: how many people are in the world? Billions!
Even if just 1% of them wanted to buy Dynamax Candy, that would still be enough for them to earn millions.
That would be years' worth of income in one go.
Only now did Grog realize how far off he really was from the true upper echelons.
Even though he ran an underground battle arena, when compared to Nathan's business, it was like picking up coins off the street versus picking up stacks of cash inside a bank.
Totally different leagues.
After informing his crew of the price and effect of Dynamax Candy, all of his men saw a bright future ahead of them.
Meanwhile, Nathan quietly left while Grog and his crew were still reeling with excitement.
…
The next morning, just as Nathan had woken up and hadn't even had breakfast yet, he received a phone call.
"Hello, who is this?"
"Nathan, it's Yue."
Yue? Nathan had to think for a moment to remember who she was.
But why was she calling him now? Could it be that Chad woke up and wanted revenge?
"What's up? Something going on?"
"Well… I'd like to invite you to my wedding. It's tomorrow."
Yue dropped the bombshell.
What the—?! A wedding?! Don't tell me it's with Chad?
But there hasn't even been any time for a normal relationship progression.
Shouldn't you date first, get to know each other better, meet the families, then maybe talk about marriage?
From start to finish, it hasn't even been two weeks!
Nathan looked at the calendar by his bed. "Figures. Just my luck today."
"This isn't good news. It's a cosmic joke on me," Nathan muttered to himself.
"Huh? What did you say?"
Yue didn't catch his mumbling and asked again.
"Oh, nothing. Where's the venue? I'll come tomorrow."
After thinking it over, Nathan realized he didn't have any major plans.
He'd deal with the Black Sky Gang tonight, head over to the wedding tomorrow, and on the way back, swing by the Wandering Mountains. Perfect itinerary.
Nathan truly admired his own trip planning skills.
"Really?! Can you come a bit earlier tomorrow? I was hoping you could be Chad's best man."
Yue sounded genuinely excited. Before making the call, she was worried that Nathan might not show up because of Chad.
Now it seemed like Nathan wasn't taking any of it to heart.
"Sure, if I wrap up my stuff tonight, I'll head over early. If I make it in time, I don't mind being the best man—but you've gotta hook me up with a bridesmaid~"
Nathan chuckled.
With how warmly Yue had invited him, Nathan couldn't bring himself to say no.
Of course, he definitely wasn't doing this for the bridesmaids or anything.
He just didn't want to see Chad go without a best man.
Yeah. That was it. Totally.
"Don't worry. You'll be the only best man. As for bridesmaids~~ you'll see tomorrow."
Yue even left a little suspense and didn't tell him anything specific.
But in Nathan's mind, a scene was already playing out: him being surrounded by a whole crowd of bridesmaids.
…
After hanging up, Nathan opened his laptop and made a video call to Evelyn.
The call connected quickly.
"Holy crap!"
Nathan was shocked by the black masked, shiny face on the screen.
He even knocked over his chair in fright.
"Never seen a beautiful woman with a face mask in the morning before?"
Evelyn, in the middle of a skincare routine, rolled her eyes at Nathan's reaction.
Nathan let out a long breath.
"I have—just wasn't expecting it, that's all."
He awkwardly explained himself.
"So? What's so important that you're calling me first thing in the morning?"
Evelyn asked.
"Interested in a huge business deal?"
Nathan asked, like someone trying to lure a kid into buying candy.
The money from the studio and Nathan's own dried-up wallet simply weren't enough to produce and distribute the Dynamax Candy.
Every time he made some money, the system would drain him dry.
Left with no choice, Nathan decided to find a rich lady to invest.
"How big of a deal? Don't you already have money? Why come to me for investment?"
Evelyn owned shares in the studio and knew roughly how much Nathan had.
But she seriously underestimated his spending speed.
Forget one billion, even ten billion would disappear the moment Nathan got his hands on it.
The system was like an unbeatable vacuum cleaner. Every time it refreshed the shop, it would perfectly match his bank balance to clean him out.
"Not too big. I've got the formula for Dynamax Candy and want to expand the business globally."
Nathan said calmly, as if it were no big deal.
"Oh, Dynamax Candy huh… Dynamax Candy?!"
One second Evelyn was gently patting her face; the next she ripped off her mask and stared at her screen in shock.
"Be honest. Do you have a secret world-class research lab?"
She glared at Nathan, interrogating him.
The Pokeblocks were already a big deal.
Now he suddenly had a formula for Dynamax Candy too?
If Nathan told her there wasn't some world-class lab behind him, she'd start suspecting he'd robbed one instead.
Even releasing just one of these items could make a person rich. But Nathan already had two.
"Ahem, no… I just happen to have the formula and need some funding. Interested in investing?"
Nathan coughed awkwardly. He couldn't exactly say he bought it from a system, so he gave a vague answer.
"Send me the location. I'll be there in two hours."
Evelyn said decisively.
Nathan had shocked her far too many times already.
Dynamax Candy, for crying out loud.
After giving her the address, Evelyn ended the call.
Two hours later, a private jet landed at Grace City Airport, and Evelyn stepped off.
Nathan had been waiting outside well in advance.
He wasn't trying to flatter her or anything—it was purely out of courtesy.
Yes, just being polite. Totally not trying to curry favor over some petty investment.
He kept telling himself that.
As soon as Evelyn exited the airport, her aura filled the space.
Several bodyguards in suits and two female assistants accompanied her—truly an impressive scene.
"Come on, let's go somewhere quiet to talk."
Evelyn spotted Nathan and walked directly over to him.
About ten minutes later, the two of them arrived at the largest hotel in Grace City.
After booking a presidential suite, they began the business discussion.
As the party seeking investment, Nathan was—as always—very polite.
"I'm really curious—where do you actually get these formulas from?"
Evelyn asked once they were in the room.
"Trade secret, sorry~"
Nathan replied with a half-joking smile.
Even after being asked again, Nathan chose to keep it confidential.
Evelyn had gotten used to this attitude by now.
This wasn't the first time he'd been like this.
"So what kind of cooperation are you proposing this time?"
Evelyn asked, laying back tiredly on the sofa.
Flying over early in the morning had left her exhausted.
(End of Chapter)