The holographic numbers flickered… then locked in place.
10,000,000,000
Ten. Billion. Credits.
A heavy silence filled the hall — the kind of silence where even breathing felt too loud.
Shen Hao stared at the glowing digits like they were some ancient code he couldn't understand.
"…Is that—"
"Ten billion credits," Zerak confirmed with a rare grin.
The silence shattered.
"WHOOO!" Dren whooped, throwing both arms in the air.
Vira cracked a small, genuine smile.
"Not bad at all."
Ren Kael nodded once, calm as ever.
"A good haul."
The beast-man crossed his arms, his low chuckle rumbling.
"Good fight… better reward."
Even the masked man gave a slight nod.
And Shen Hao?
He just stood there… blinking like his brain had blue-screened.
"Ten… billion?"
Dren clapped a heavy hand on Shen Hao's shoulder.
"Welcome to the Hunter's Palace, rookie! You didn't think we risked our lives for free, did you?"
"…I'm rich?" Shen Hao whispered.
"Correction…" Dren grinned, "We're rich."
Before the excitement could sweep them away, Dren pulled something from his wrist pouch — a sleek, dark-gray watch with a thin glowing rim around its edge.
He held it out to Shen Hao.
"Here. This is for you."
Shen Hao took it carefully.
"A… watch?"
Dren nodded.
"Not just a watch. It's your mission link. Every assignment, every squad alert — you'll get it right here. You can call, send messages… even ping locations in real time."
Shen Hao turned it over in his hands, noting the sleek design.
"It's… nice."
"The important contacts are already loaded," Dren added.
"Us. The Hunter's Palace mission board. Emergency lines. All locked in."
"Also," Dren smirked, "this baby doubles as a credit vault. Your reward will be stored inside it — secured, encrypted, and synced to your identity."
Shen Hao blinked.
"…So I'm wearing my savings… like an accessory?"
Deran smirked and gave his shoulder a tap.
"Loot with style, rookie. It's the civilized way."
A few minutes later, they moved into a private side room — polished walls, sleek lights, and a massive circular table glowing softly in the center.
Zerak tapped on the console as seven screens popped up, each showing the same number.
1,428,571,428.57
"Your share. Each of you," Zerak announced, smirking. "And yes… it's already loaded onto your watches."
Dren gave a long, low whistle.
"Now that's a paycheck."
Vira crossed her arms.
"More than fair."
The beast-man gave a firm nod.
"Enough to buy a house… or ten."
Shen Hao stared at his watch, eyes wide as the green glow flickered.
"I actually get this much?"
Zerak gave him a look.
"You earned it."
The squad glanced at one another — a silent agreement passing between them.
A quiet brotherhood… sealed by blood, battle, and now, a whole lot of credits.
As the screens dimmed, the energy in the room shifted.
The excitement faded into something softer — a comfortable silence shared between people who'd fought side by side… and survived.
Dren stretched his arms overhead with a loud yawn.
"Well… I'd say that deserves a break."
Vira gave a faint smile.
"I wouldn't mind a quiet week for once."
Ren Kael nodded once, his arms crossed.
"I'll be training."
The beast-man gave a low chuckle.
"Training… and shopping."
The masked man didn't speak — just gave a slight nod, as if that said enough.
Shen Hao glanced around, feeling a strange twist in his chest.
He wasn't used to this — parting ways with people who actually wanted him around.
Dren walked up beside him, slapping a hand on his shoulder.
"Don't look so gloomy, rookie. The watch has us all linked. Missions, calls, alerts — you need us, you know where to find us."
Shen Hao lifted his wrist, glancing at the sleek device now blinking softly on his arm.
"Got it."
Dren grinned.
"Good. Now go buy yourself something decent… like a robe that doesn't look like you wrestled a bear in it."
Shen Hao smirked.
"No promises."
One by one, the team exchanged short goodbyes.
A nod here.
A fist bump there.
Even the masked man gave Shen Hao a small wave before slipping out the door.
And just like that… they each headed their separate ways.
Shen Hao stood alone for a moment, watching the door swing shut behind them.
He let out a slow breath.
"…Weird feeling."
Mo Han's voice echoed gently in his mind.
"You've built bonds. Cherish them."
Shen Hao smiled faintly.
"Didn't think I would… but yeah."
With a final glance at the empty room, Shen Hao stepped outside the Hunter's Palace.
The city stretched out before him — glowing, alive, buzzing with energy.
He glanced at his wrist.
His balance blinked softly back at him.
For the first time since arriving in this universe… he wasn't broke.
"Alright…" Shen Hao cracked his knuckles, grinning.
"Let's do some shopping."
He hit the marketplace with the energy of a man who'd just survived a near-death battle… and got paid over a billion for it.
The market streets of Void Gate City bustled with life — floating stalls, neon signs, vendors shouting prices in every language Shen Hao didn't understand, and holographic ads zipping through the air.
Shen Hao walked right into it, watch on his wrist, money burning a hole in his account.
First stop — Stabilizing Pills.
"Three hundred credits… per pill?"
The vendor, a tall alien with four eyes and a fancy robe, smiled politely.
"Top quality, sir. Guaranteed to keep your core from exploding."
Shen Hao stared at the price tag.
"…Exploding, huh? That's… reassuring."
He bought fifty.
Just in case.
Next stop — Qi Recovery Potions.
"One crate of fifty vials… ten million credits."
Shen Hao nearly choked.
"You robbing me or saving me?"
The merchant shrugged.
"Depends if you pass out in a fight or not."
"…Touché."
He bought two crates.
Weapon Maintenance Kits.
Because apparently, Lingfeng "liked feeling appreciated," even if he wasn't talking today.
Combat-grade Robes.
"You sure this doesn't make me look like a walking flag?"
"It's tactical crimson, sir. Intimidation factor."
"…I'll take two."
Emergency Medical Kits.
"One time use. Heals major wounds instantly… five million a pop."
Shen Hao stared at it.
"This better hug me goodnight too."
He bought five.
After six hours of walking, haggling, and watching his balance drop with every purchase…
Shen Hao finally slumped onto a bench near the plaza, his new bags stacked beside him.
He pulled up his watch, checked his balance…
1,328,571,428 credits remaining.
"…I spent a hundred million in one day."
Mo Han's voice chimed in calmly.
"You were economical."
Shen Hao shook his head.
"Things are expensive around here."
He stood up, stretching.
"Well… no more shopping for now. Time to hit that cultivation zone."
He tightened the straps on his new gear, adjusted his watch, and took a deep breath.
"Let's see if this was worth it."
With a grin, Shen Hao walked off toward his next challenge.