...
"Any news?" Zastan asked, keeping his voice low.
"Yes, Young Master," Darius responded. "I found a warehouse. After some negotiation, it's going to cost $12 per square foot per year. The size is 75,000 square feet, so that'll be $900,000 per year, with a deposit of $100,000 required upfront."
Zastan chewed thoughtfully, considering the numbers. "Sounds reasonable. What else?"
"After renting this, young master. You can just redeem the weapons here safely." Darius added.
Zastan nodded to himself, liking the sound of that. "Alright, go ahead. Also, get the ore purification machines. They don't need to be too large, just enough for the gold refining."
"Understood," Darius said, his tone confident. "I realized your plan, young master. You'll be using the system to convert the iron from the mine into pure metal, right?"
"Exactly," Zastan confirmed. "Just make sure the machine can melt the pure iron, cast it into molds, and handle the cooling process. I want to see it working and producing metal rods within three days."
"We can make that happen, Young Master. In fact, if you want, I can expedite the process and have it ready by tomorrow, though it might cost a bit more."
"Do it," Zastan ordered, not concerned about the additional cost. "Just get it done."
As Zastan finished his meal, he noticed a familiar face entering the restaurant. It was one of the MK2 Biochemical Persons who had been in his room earlier. The man, now known as Lucian, was holding a briefcase and made his way over to Zastan's table.
"Is that the cash?" Zastan asked, glancing at the briefcase.
Lucian nodded, silently handing it over.
Zastan took the briefcase, feeling the weight of it in his hand. "You don't need to follow me anymore," he said.
Lucian gave a small bow before leaving the restaurant, heading towards a sleek black car parked outside.
Zastan watched him go, satisfied that things were moving according to plan. With the cash secured, the warehouse rented, and the machinery on its way, his preparations were almost complete. The next phase of his plans was about to begin.
...
Back in his room, Zastan set the briefcase down on the table and flipped it open, revealing stacks of cash neatly arranged inside. He smirked, pleased with the sight, and immediately navigated through the system interface to make his next move.
"Time to buy that iron mine," he muttered, scrolling through the available options until he found what he was looking for. He clicked on the iron mine option, and a new panel unfolded with various upgrade options.
The display showed:
[Upgrade Cost: +1kg/sec (50M) | +100g/sec (5M) | +10g/sec (500,000) | +1g/sec (50,000)]
Zastan tapped his fingers against the table, calculating his next steps. "Alright, let's start with a modest upgrade." He selected the +10g/sec option, the briefcase of cash converting swiftly within the system.
After the transaction, he checked the production output.
[Production: 19g/sec]
He quickly did the math, his mind racing. "Let's see... 19 grams per second... that's 1,140 grams per minute, which translates to 68.4 kilograms per hour."
Then, considering the 20% conversion fee from the system, he recalculated. "That means I can get exactly 1,329 points every single day if this runs 24 hours a day." He frowned slightly. "Still too slow for what I need. The price to speed this up is a killer."
Feeling a bit annoyed, he muttered under his breath, "These upgrades are expensive. I'm burning through cash like it's nothing." With determination, he grabbed his phone and dialed Darius again.
"Darius, I need another million. Is there still enough in the funds to cover it?"
Darius replied promptly. "Yes, Young Master. We still have sufficient reserves for the additional million."
"Good. Send it up." Zastan hung up, his mind already racing with the possibilities. An hour later, Lucian appeared at the front desk, and after a nod from the receptionist, he was allowed to head up the elevator.
Zastan greeted Lucian at the door, accepting the briefcase filled with cash.
"Thank you. That'll be all for now."
Lucian gave a curt nod, then turned and left, the door clicking shut behind him.
Zastan wasted no time, reopening the system and quickly processing the funds. He upgraded the iron mine once more, this time opting for the +20g/sec boost.
[Production: 39g/sec]
Zastan nodded, satisfaction creeping into his expression. "Much better. At 39 grams per second, that's over two kilograms a minute. Perfect—I can produce a full rod every minute now. This is more like it."
...
At night, Zastan slept soundly, content with the progress he had made. The next day, he decided to take a quick stroll to a nearby mall, enjoying a brief moment of entertainment in the midst of his plans.
Behind him, two MK2s followed, each holding an impressive haul of shopping bags in their hands such as designer watches, luxury clothes, high-end shoes, and more. Zastan was enjoying his shopping spree, indulging in the finer things that came with his newfound resources.
Inside a sleek sports store named "Apollo," Zastan was in the middle of trying on a set of high-performance sportswear when his phone suddenly rang. He glanced at the caller ID. It was Darius. Without hesitation, he answered the call.
"Darius, what's up?" Zastan asked, casually adjusting the fit of the jacket he was trying on.
"Young Master, everything's all done," Darius replied. "The machinery, equipment, and the quick renovation inside the warehouse are complete.
We've also managed to get the necessary licenses and permits. The government officials said it will take a day to fully finalize and confirm our licensure to start production."
Zastan's lips curled into a satisfied smirk. "Efficient as always, Darius. Good work." He glanced at the MK2s standing behind him, laden with his recent purchases. He gestured to one of them. "Pay for this," he said, pointing to the counter. "We're heading to the warehouse Darius rented after this."
The MK2 nodded and moved swiftly to the register, paying for the items while Zastan finished up in the fitting room. He couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement as his plans were unfolding perfectly, each step bringing him closer to his goal.
As they exited the store, Zastan checked his watch. "Let's not waste any more time. We've got a production line to set up."
...
As Zastan and his MK2s made their way toward the mall's entrance, a sight greeted them: three sleek, black SUVs lined up by the curb, all bearing the name 'Tempest'.
Which is a new luxury vehicle brand that was starting to dominate the market.
The SUVs, polished to perfection, gleamed under the sun. The middle vehicle had its door open, flanked by two imposing figures who stood as still as statues, their stern expressions and muscular build making it clear that they were not to be trifled with.
"Whoa, who are these guys waiting for?" a young woman whispered to her friend, her eyes wide with curiosity. She discreetly pulled out her phone, snapping a few pictures. Around her, a small crowd had gathered, whispering among themselves as they speculated about the mysterious individuals and the convoy that had suddenly appeared at the mall's entrance.
"Looks like some VIP," another person said, quickly taking a video. "Must be someone important if they've got a whole convoy waiting."
People continued to watch, some snapping pictures, others simply gawking at the spectacle. In the age of social media, moments like this were currency, and soon, their posts began to pop up on various platforms.
"Man, I wish I had that kind of money," a bystander murmured, eyeing the SUVs with a mix of envy and admiration. "Imagine just rolling up like that."
Behind the SUVs, a line of cars began to form, yet no one dared to honk. The drivers of the sleek sports cars and everyday sedans alike all held their breath, not wanting to draw the attention of the imposing figures standing guard. The tension was palpable, and the vague silhouettes visible inside the SUVs only added to the aura of mystery and power.
"Is there someone important coming out?" one driver muttered, peering from his window. "Whatever, I'm not getting into that mess."
"Should we… do something?" one security guard asked, his voice uncertain.
"And say what?" his colleague replied with a shrug. "It's better to just pretend that we didn't see anything. It's not worth it getting into trouble over some VIPs."
"Yeah, you're right," the first guard agreed, shaking his head. "Let's just hope they clear out soon."
Minutes later, Zastan finally emerged from the mall, flanked by his MK2s carrying the numerous shopping bags. As he approached the SUVs, the crowd's murmurs intensified.
"That's him?" a teenager whispered, squinting at Zastan. "He doesn't look like some celebrity, but… there's just something about him."
Indeed, Zastan exuded a an aura of confidence and nobility, even though he was dressed simply in the sportswear he had just purchased. The onlookers couldn't quite place it, but there was an undeniable presence about him that demanded attention. As he approached the open SUV, his steps were measured, deliberate, as if he was in complete control of the world around him.
"Wow, he's got that vibe," a young man remarked, his voice filled with awe. "Like he's used to people moving out of his way."
Zastan caught sight of their expressions. Their admiration, envy, and curiosity all mixed into one. A small smirk tugged at his lips as he reveled in the moment. It was a feeling of vanity, of satisfaction, knowing that he was the cause of their fascination. To be seen, to be noticed, and to be envied—this was the life he was meant for.
As he reached the SUV, one of the guards immediately moved to shut the door behind him, sealing him off from the outside world. The MK2s that had accompanied him entered another SUV, efficiently stowing the bags without a word, each of their movements precise and calculated.
Before the crowd could get another look, the SUVs roared to life, their engines purring with a quiet menace that promised speed and power. One by one, they pulled away from the curb, leaving behind a sea of awestruck faces and more than a few hastily composed social media posts.
"Who was that guy?" someone in the crowd wondered aloud, staring after the convoy as it smoothly merged into traffic.
Zastan leaned back in his seat, the faint hum of the engine serving as a backdrop to his thoughts. Everything was in motion, just as he had planned.
And as the SUVs navigated through the city, Zastan felt a deep sense of satisfaction.
...