NOVEL NEXT Chapter 22 - Greedy, But It Warps Your Sense of Money
“One zero, two zeros, …? Did I miscount? One, two…”
I count the numbers repeatedly. This can’t be right, it’s absurd. Cold sweat won’t stop, and my face turns pale.
It must be, I’ve been deceived. I thought Mr. Tanaka was a good person. It’s disappointing, but there’s always a catch to a too-good-to-be-true story!
“Kenya, no matter how many times you count, it’s still 50 million.”
“Th-that’s not true! F-f-fifty million!?”
“The detailed calculations are as written here.”
The calculation method is as follows: The end price for the “King” gauntlet is 2.5 million yen each. Normally, it would be bought for half of that, but as a special favor, they’ll buy it for 1.5 million yen.
From that, the “Knight” gauntlets will be supplied to me at the same price they acquire them for, which is 50,000 yen, so ten of them would be 500,000 yen. Therefore, subtracting 500,000 yen from 1.5 million yen, the profit for each “King” gauntlet I deliver is 1 million yen.
I deliver 50 of these per month. So, 1 million yen × 50 units equals 50 million yen. This is my monthly income.
It’s unbelievable, right? I also think it’s unbelievable. This must be a scam. I can’t even convert this into beef bowls; how many bowls? How many days? With extra sauce?
“Actually, almost half will be taken by taxes and such, but still, isn’t it a sufficient income?”
“More than sufficient, it’s unbelievable. This amount… it’s 100 years of rent for my family.”
“I can’t quite grasp that comparison, but won’t this solve the issues of your sick mother and your sister’s college fees?”
“Yes, if this is true, I can’t thank you enough…”
Seeing my disbelief, Mr. Tanaka takes something out from a box he had prepared.
“And, here’s something else. Consider it an advance investment.”
“This, what is it?”
Mr. Tanaka almost stumbled at my exaggerated reaction. He took out what looked like a golden crown.
“This is the Crown of the Spirits. It’s a headgear that drops from the 30th floor onward.”
“You’re giving this to me? It looks very expensive…”
“No, it’s not that much. It’s rare, but it only increases intelligence, so only explorers seek it. It’s worth about 5 million yen. Try it on.”
(If 5 million yen is considered not much, my sense of money is getting warped.)
Mr. Tanaka handed me the crown. I equipped it, then took it off and inspected it closely.
—
Equipment Description
– Crown of the Spirits Lv1 B Rank Rarity ★★
Increases intelligence by 500. (Increases by 20 per level)
—
“Intelligence 500!? And it’s B Rank equipment!?”
“Yes, the 50 extra alchemy attempts will ensure that deliveries won’t hinder your growth.”
Mr. Tanaka had even considered that and prepared this equipment for me. I apologize for calling you a scammer. You truly are a fellow bean sprout lover. The bean sprout alliance is eternal and unbreakable.
Tears almost came to my eyes. Even though this is business, I can feel Mr. Tanaka’s warmth through this crown. There’s no need for him to be this considerate…
“Yes! With this, I can get stronger while making deliveries! Thank you so much!”
“Haha! Don’t worry about it, it’s business. Besides, didn’t I say you’re top-tier? I’ll grant most of your requests.”
Then, we finalized details like delivery dates and bank accounts.
“Now, about the Knight series, there are 500 units. You can’t carry that much. What will you do? Should we mail them?”
500 units… Even in my already cramped house, the floor would give out, and there’d be no place to sleep.
“Well, my house is only 10 tatami mats…”
“Haha, right. How about you move? Take this opportunity to find a new place as your guild headquarters. I can introduce you to a real estate agent I know.”
Since it was getting cramped, Kenya agreed that it was a good opportunity. With nothing else to decide there, we completed the contract and departed.
From next month, the money will be transferred, and deliveries will begin.
“Oh, Kenya!”
“Yes?”
Just as I stood up to leave the room, Mr. Tanaka stopped me, and I turned around.
“I always ask this of all the explorers I contract with.”
“What is it?”
Mr. Tanaka took a breath, and his previously jovial demeanor turned serious. He looked at me intently and asked,
“Why do you aim for the tower?”
A simple question. Why do I aim for that dangerous tower when there are safer jobs? Why do I aim for that sky-high tower of death?
Kenya thought.
For my sister, for my mother, for myself. Various feelings and purposes mingled.
To get closer to the girl I admire? To earn money and make life easier for my family? Because I love the thrilling world?
There might not be a single answer. Because…
Because I am greedy. So I answered honestly, turning my true feelings into words.
“To get everything… I guess.”
Hearing that, Mr. Tanaka, who had been serious, looked shocked. It was beyond his expectations. He probably expected a standard answer like “for my family,” “for excitement,” or “for money,” coming from a model student like me.
“Haha! What? To get everything? Haha!”
And Mr. Tanaka laughed. I puffed up my cheeks, pouting.
“No, excuse me, but that’s great. This is the first time I’ve heard such an answer. What a dream, what a…”
His words were so straightforward, yet laughable because they were…
“Greedy.”
Because they were words of pure desire.