Chapter 29.5 – Money For Nothing (Tycoon Ending) ☘️
‘Guide, don’t try and persuade me otherwise. This is the route we’re taking.’
I’ve pondered on this decision for longer than I should really, but my mind is now set. This is akin to winning the lottery and all I have to do is go solo for it to happen, the choice is easy.
[If this ends with Sera being eaten due to greed, then there is only one person to blame.]
‘Things will be fine, I’m sure of it. People taste yucky to dragon anyway, right?’
[This guide misspoke… Sera will be torn apart instead.]
Plucking up the confidence to face the lizards, both Lena and her father look to me with anticipation. I’m sure I’ll be over to get over that guilt I’m feeling quick enough.
“I accept.”
“You stand against a being capable of squashing you like an insect, yet you dare def-… what? You accept!?!”
“You’re seriously selling me out, Sera!? What the fuck!?”
Both the dragons practically unhinge their jaws from my decision. Lena looks mentally hurt to her very core, yet her father somehow seems just as confused.
“This is just a reward for returning your daughter safety back to you, right? If leaving is part of the deal, then what’s the problem?”
…
Again, both really haven’t got a clue what to do. Look, I do like Lena and all, my preference is always going to be a gigantic pit of gold. I could probably buy my own dragon with all that wealth!
“Hmph… maybe I took this too far. Forget it elf, take as much as you can. Then, begone!”
[Sigh… if we’re going to do this, better get this done as fast as possible, Sera. It’s still possible you may end up in pieces.]
Nothing more needing to be said, I start piling into the gold, making sure to absorb as much as possible. Essentially hugging my way into the gold, huge chunks of it are gone within seconds!
A few minutes pass and with the pit now reduced to a measly tenth of what was left, I probably should leave some just to be on the safe side. Besides, I’m not sure I’ll be able to get back out of this pit without something to climb on.
[☐☐☐☐☐☐☒☒☒☒☒☒c obtained.]
‘Erm… Guide? Should it be doing that?
[Systems aren’t designed for limitless wealth, Sera, give it some time to count it up. 1 coin made from pure gold is equivalent to 1000c, so if all of this is gold, it could take days for the counter to update.]
Both dragons still not able to comprehend what’s going on, tears fill the terrifying dragon’s eyes when he realizes the aftermath of our deal.
“T-T-That took me o-over a thousand y-years to fill! L-Life is no l-longer worth l-living!”
“Did you really have to take that much, Sera!? He’s actually crying now!”
Having to comfort her gigantic father by being bear hugged and drowned in a river of crocodile tears, Lena would rather be anywhere else right now. Am I supposed to feel guilty for calling this bluff? Because I don’t.
“Heh, I can put some back if you wan-”
“N-NO! You’ve t-tainted it with your g-greed, mortal! Please… p-please just leave us a-alone…”
__________
‘Heh… guess it’s finally updated. Slightly bittersweet considering the current situation.’
| [STATUS] | |||||
| [Name: Sera] | [Species: Elf] | [Level: 12] | [EXP: 717/780] | ||
| [Age: 22] | [Gender: Female] | [Skill Point/s: 4] | [Upgrade/s: 1] | ||
| [Health][Dehydrated] | [38/195] [-4/h] | [Stamina] [Starving] | [41/125] [-2/h] | [Magic] | [105/105] |
Spoiler Selected Titles Beginners Odyssey: Intelligence gains are now doubled (x2) [collapse]
| [STATS] | Spoiler Extra bonuses from P.I.S.S.E.D. PER: 5% Archery Damage 1% Critical Chance INT: +5 Magic -1% Spell Costs SPE: +5 Stamina 1% Bartering STR: 5% Two-Handed Damage +1 Carry Weight END: +5 Health 1% Armour Resistance DEX: 10% One-Handed Damage 2% Movement Speed [collapse]
| |||
| [Perception: 7] [-50%] | [Intelligence: 8] [-50%] | [Speechcraft: 8] [-50%] | |||
| [Strength: 7] [-50%] | [Endurance: 9] [-50%] | [Dexterity: 10] [-50%] | |||
Step… step… step… crash! Lugging my depleted body against a small boulder, I’m not sure how much further I can go on. On foot, the journey to Britany should’ve taken three days if the map I’ve got is anything to go by.
Yet, the brilliance of my map doesn’t account for mountains and cracked off sections of the Abyss. Trying to ration a week’s worth of two partially filled waterskins has proved impossible, the one consistent I could always rely on out here in the wastes was speed. Without Lena, my survival preparations are severely lacking inside a wasteland.
My body has been shutting down for days and today might be the last. Everything hurts, the hunger gnaws, I can deal with that though. It’s the undying thirst that is destroying me, what I would do for a single mouthful of water in unhinged. In rainfall out here really that uncommon?
“*Stomach growling*… gonna close my eyes for a bit. Heh… there’s an ironic lesson in here about greed…”
Still prompt up on the rock… I think I’m done. It’s just so hot and I’m everything is spinning so quickly, not sure I can even sweat anymore. Five minutes… then I’ll get back up.
…
…
…
Not a peep or sound is to be heard in The Farlands. A few hours pass… nothing changes.
‘Huh? Is someone there?’
Footsteps! I can definitely hear footsteps behind me! Are they human? Animal? Wolves!? I’ll fight and drink their blood if I have to! I’m not sure I can move, fuck! I’m going to be eaten alive, aren’t I!?
With a consciousness rapidly fading again, I only have the strength to tilt my head slightly. With that, everything goes dark…
“Woah… nice and slowly, elf. Your mind may be good, but you were out for a few weeks. Take things like a snail for now.”After spending far too long dozing in and out of consciousness, I find myself at a local clinic in Britany no less. With no idea how I’ve ended up here, there’s only one thing on my mind. Answers.
“Thanks doc… you any idea who dropped me off?”
“Haven’t a clue, I’m afraid. Apparently, a couple of hooded figures dumped you in the town, then left without saying a thing. No one got a glimpse of their faces.”
‘Eh, I can’t even remember what they looked like. Did one of them have orange hair? White? Pink?’
Several days of recovery pass and soon enough, I’m finally back on my feet. During this time, me and the doc discussed a magnitude of things, mostly regarding the state of this town instead of my actual health. I stopped asking questions once I learned how comatose patients are fed and watered in a medieval world. It may be common practise, that still doesn’t make it any better.
Regardless of any soreness, I’m now as fit as a fiddle! With the world as my oyster, it’s finally time to get shopping.
‘Now… how does one spend the entire GDP of a country in the backend of nowhere?’
To start with, the first job is to pay off my debt to the small-town doctor. Ten thousand is a fair price, right? It’s expensive, sure, but it’s not like I’m living in a capitalistic state designed to make profit. Just think of those poor healthcare CEOs that aren’t making billionaires a year! Someone should really take a “shot” bringing them down a level… too soon?
The doc tried to turn the money down, I still left it there. From that brief act of charity, the goal was set. Billionaires always have terrible reputations, so what if I do better? It wouldn’t be hard.
With the wind in my hair and the brown grass under my boots, it was time to get started. Once a hood and a mask were obtained, a huge anonymous donation was left to the council for the soul purpose of making people’s lives better.
And thankfully, they did the work of the people and distributed it evenly. People struggling to make ends meet would be guaranteed three meals day, product would be imported from far away to give the labourers better stock. Even the soil quality improves as books were brought in from far away to help farmers struggling in the hostile conditions.
Little by little, the standard of living was rising. Several months of handouts passed and not a single person was homeless or hungry, a utopia of sorts all supplied by yours truly.
Yet, in spite of all the charity flowing inside the town, they place didn’t really grow. If anything, people were too comfortable and started leaving the town for better opportunities. Those that stayed were becoming too reliant on the wealth and in their droves stopped working.
“An entire gold coin for a loaf of bread!?! That was a silver a week ago!”
“Hey, don’t like it, don’t pay! I’ve decided my time is far more valuable, so if you want me to make bread, this is what you pay!”
“*Grumble*… I’ll take that and a pastry then.”
“That’ll be four gold coins, please! Have a lovely day!”
‘Heh… think I’d rather starve than pay those prices.’
I had royally screwed up the economy as well, even the local bakery had started charging thousands for simple goods. With prices this inflated, no one in their right minds would visit and caravans would cease trading. This utopia was quickly ripping apart at the seams, things needed a change.
So, I made that change happen. This experiment grew boring long ago and the good deed route was failing. The next choice was obvious.
‘Eh, who really benefits from charity anyways…’
__________
Welcome to the new and improved Britany! In just three short years, our fortunes had shifted massively! Businesses crowded with customers, caravans flock from the kingdom and the demonic lands. We even have a standard of living fifty years more advanced than anything nearby. Things were looking up; the place was quickly becoming a jewel in the unfortunate shithole of The Farlands.
The good deed approach wasn’t doing anything for me so it only made sense to do the opposite. It wasn’t long before Britany was owned by a secretive lord and under said lordship, people worked or they didn’t eat. I had tried communism without corruption and failed, now overwhelming capitalism is the goal!
All that money previously donated would go into investments and businesses instead, with the soul goal of expansion rather than profit. The entire area was a constant building site, hardhats were always in fashion with some specialist shops creating them for newborns.
Money was also being wasted on some less than sincere adventures. Hotels and manors for the ultra-wealthy that would remain always empty, legalized stores that dealt with products like opium and marijuana. Heck, the odd brothel or two was built… that I refuse to admit visiting on occasions.
At some point, the idea to create a theme park with the sole goal of a roller coaster came up on the agenda. I’m not kidding, the idea came to me in a dream about an old simulation game.
Attached to a pulley system, the ride didn’t exactly work and was more a gimmick. Still though, the dream was realized and the rest of the park was successful. It’s just unfortunate because I really wanted a coaster that would shoot people off into the sky…
‘All this, practically an entire city under my thumb. Kingdom building is a bit boring though.’
Once you’re at the very top able to look down at the common rabble, what do you do next? Bringing happiness to people wasn’t doing anything for me, the same thing applies to corporate greed. I’d tried chaotic good and lawful evil, what next? Could a mix up work? Lawful good sounds like it could put an insomniac to sleep though.
…
‘Might as well give it a try… what’s the worst that can happen…’
__________
“My lady, the deal was successful. All you have to do is sign the contract and over a hundred shipments will be sent.”
“We’ve put extra effort in to make sure the product is as defective as possible, just as requested.”
As I sit in a manner fit for a king with a couple of assistants kneeling on the ground, the urge to suppress a grin is overwhelming. The mask is unnecessary, yet so necessary when you understand the point of keeping up appearances.
Next on the boredom agenda was to create an organization that worked in the shadows. No, not like that man bat or that shadow kid Cid. Chaotic evil was the idea and we only have one goal in mind… inconvenience. Killing and terrorism is obviously too far, I still wanted people to suffer to an extent though.
Products like paper straws, misleading sandwiches only filled in the middle with extra crust, shoes that would get squeakier the longer they’re worn, our intent was simple yet effective. Do as little physical damage as possible, yet make products that would drive people insane!
We’d produce paper designed for extra cuts, teabags that would always split, socks that would feel wet, mandatory tips over twenty-five percent, added delivery fees upon delivery. Some other ideas include thin toilet paper that won’t rip, uncomfortable chairs that would correct posture, standing desks slightly too short, and tape measures that would be incorrect.
The best for last… we’d go around spreading the word and ideals of Seraphim… door to door. When you’ve got more money than sense, what else is there to do other than piss people off?
No one questioned the mind of the brilliant investor who had been so successful before. Sure, we’d get bad reviews, but some trust remained. What pushed things over the edge was the preaching, no one likes being woken up at six in the morning to be persuaded to join a cult.
You see, you can work people to death and ban words like union, or raise prices for eggs and people won’t do a thing. It’s the pettiness of inconvenience that really drives a soul insane, one push too far and then everything bottled up explodes.
Our reputation quickly fell to shatters after the preaching, but I was loving it. We’d buy off any competitors, monopolizing the market for any product we’d make, then force our shoddy work down people’s throats! The sweetness of inconvenience was better than anything I had done before.
It was inevitable people would grow restless eventually. However, what none of us expected was the response. Not even three months of inconvenience was enough for a rebellion…
“How dare you make me pay a subscription for a fireplace I bought!”
“Yeah, I’m not giving away my personal information just so I can use my new pickaxe!”
“Burn that annoying witch who makes us sign terms and conditions for using the bloody town well!”
Torches and pitchforks surrounded our headquarters, an entire city filled with anarchy all aiming for my neck! Even a small pyre with a pillar was set up in the middle of the mob, I could see it all from my window.
‘Heh, better not wait around to see what happens next. The people have spoken.’
The choice was simple, regroup and recover. They only wanted my head so one final act of annoyance, they wouldn’t get it!
Sneaking behind an old bookshelf in my office, then down a passageway, this escape passage was created long ago for the sole purpose of high tailing it when things get rough. Boy, was this the correct decision…
But wait, my maids and assistants block the escape tunnel with a dozen protestors! All holding pitchforks, I can’t get past!
“I’m sorry, my lady. We’ve made so many people unhappy, something had to be done.”
“Do you know how many contracts I’ve had to make long and tedious!? My own husband reminds me of the no assignment clause!”
‘The betrayal! What’s the play here? Surrender and I’ll burn, fight this crowd and I’ll die?’
Sure, there could be a decent chance I survive against these civilians who know nothing of combat especially with my custom-made gear. This suit in particular was made from a renowned dwarven smithy and this blade has a burning enchantment on it. Realistically, my odds are good especially in a narrow cave like this.
| [EQUIPPED] | |||||||
| [Name] | [Effect] | [Quality] | [Weight] | [Name] | [Effect] | [Quality] | [Weight] |
| [Adventurer's Backpack] | 0% res | [N/A] | 2 | [Ornate Sabre] [Burning] | 150 dmg [50] | [Exquisite] | 1.5 |
| [Tycoon's Suit] | 10% res | [Exquisite] | 0.5 | [Tycoon's Gloves] | 5% res | [Exquisite] | 0.5 |
| [Tycoon's Boots] | 5% res | [Exquisite] | 0.5 | [Tycoon's Mask] | 5% res | [Exquisite] | 0.5 |
The solution is obvious though.
“Sure, you could enact justice upon me and it would feel great. Wouldn’t a thousand gold coins each feel better though?”
…
“Two thousand? Three? I’ll let you decide for yourself.”
Seeing all the eyebrows raise in unison, the second I decide to throw hundreds of coins to the ground, all ahead abandon their principals and dive to the floor.
‘Figures, people are so easily manipulated.’
With that encounter avoided, my escape was settled. The end of this tunnel leads out west so the wasteland awaits…
__________
Step… step… step…
‘Huh, slightly nostalgic roaming out here. Wonder what Lena is up to?’
The vast emptiness and brown of The Farlands once again hits me with its emptiness, yet this time I have a backpack literally filled with supplies that’ll last weeks. With the demonic lands in sight and one bridge to cross in the northwest, all that’s left to do… is walk a lonely road.
Strangely, an unsettling feeling hits my gut when a lonesome rock stands out in the open. This can’t be the same place I nearly died at all those years ago, right?
A chill rattles my spine when I see something poking out from behind it though. Spread out with torn and tattered clothes is a elven skeleton, but the corpse isn't what bothers.
The problem lies with her appearance. Those torn clothes, they're unsettlingly similar to something I’ve worn before. The hair also flows like a crimson waterfall. They even rest in the position I collapsed in!
‘What in the ever-loving fuck is going on…’