Chapter 26: Last Month II

Sam took out his thirty thousand cash and handed it to Khan who after a few minutes of struggle calmed himself and tried to restore his gangster persona.

He raised an eyebrow after seeing the pitiful pile of cash, but before he could ask Sam's voice calmly stated.

" Add this to the eight hundred and fifty your about to give me."

He took a pen from Khans desk and wrote down his number before adding further instructions.

" Send it to my number I don't want cash," he grinned looking at Khan's shrunken eyes.

In Carl's memories, Khan after loaning him sent his shadows to steal from him, this led to Carl having a debt of a hundred thousand which would increase on a weekly basis.

" Why the sudden paleness, did you perhaps..." he let his words drift subtly accusing but not accusing at the same time.

"I-i would never try to foul play an expert such as yourself," he coughed before adding " I'll wire your cash immediately, you'll receive the confirmation before you leave this building. To that you have my word." He solemnly vowed to which Sam scoffed while leaving

" As if the word of a swindler bears weight..."

Sam organized his thoughts as he begun to contemplate on his next plans, he had too much to do and too little time to actually do it.

As soon as his foot left Khans building, his phone chimed confirming the Lenders fulfilled part of the transaction.

' Now I just have spread this eight hundred thousand through the four bets, that'll be two hundred thousand each. Those earning backed with my lottery draw should propel my financial state to roughly a few millions.' he mused.

His plans did not require extensive work and effort, he did not have such time and as such sought out the easy way out, at the end of the day who cared about the means all that matters is the end

He walked deeper into the dark alleys until he was at a certain bar, it was the chill spot for a majority of gangs as it's where they mostly traded, gathered and acquired information.

Although in the late morning close to noon, the bar still had people in it as liquor could be enjoyed whether dawn or dusk

Sam made his way to the Counter where an old man with a slender build in a loose shirt and black pants greated him with a smile.

" Welcome to Rabbits Nest," he said yet this greeting was already a test as failure made one a target as they were clearly new to the dark side of the city.

" What Rabbits Nest, this is clearly a Rabbit Hole." Sam laughed to which the bar broke into a laughter, this was a password which allowed the dealer at the counter and the people within the bar to know how to Maneuvers the influx of people.

" What will you be having in the Rabbits Hole?!" the dealer asked wiping a glass

" I want to dance inside for a bit, heard there's a gig tonight, I want in," he revealed.

" To fight or spectate?" The dealer asked still wiping the glasses one would assume he was some sort of perfectionist

"To fight."

Upon his reply, the dealers hand reached below the counter and took out a Token which he threw at Sam who nimbly caught it but subtly faked his struggle.

" Tonight, don't be late," he added before outright ignoring him, Sam pocketed the Token and left the bar heading home for a short nap and Cultivation session.

As soon as he left a man in black went towards the dealer, in his hand was a cigar which he slowly puffed as if savoring it.

" Newbie or veteran?" he asked as he exhaled

" Not a newbie, but not a veteran, he's however close to inhuman levels," the dealer replied

" How close?" the man in black jacket and pants asked " Let's say eighty percent close," the dealer revealed

When throwing the Token he had measured his strength to the point where only a half-step Inhuman could handle, Sam who had caught it with immense ease and hidden struggle was quickly perceived to be above half-step but below Inhuman levels.

"Fine, keep me informed on any new such stars," the man puffed and left the counter.

Sam walked back home and had a quick meal before going to his room to briefly cultivate, he did so for a few hours before finally stopping.

" It's too slow, compared to ghost Cultivation normal Cultivation is too slow, the Qi in this world is far too thin..." he analyzed rubbing his chin "...how did those Behemoth and Leviathan Rankers all reach High human standards despite not being able to cultivate?!" he questioned after remembering a brief scene within Carl's memories.

" N-Hancers they called it...does it have liquid Qi or something? Ohh well there's no point in me worrying about it for now, once I have a more stable financial state I'll naturally purchase these so called N-Hancers," he planned before hopping into his bed and logged into the game.

***

Zeta Virtual Companies.

Within one of the companies many conference rooms was a team of twelve, each with a laptop Infront of them with a large projection screen at the very front of the Conference room.

" Mr. Jefferson how's the VR Pods mass production coming along?!" The man at the far end of the table asked his eyes fixed on his laptop as he typed at speeds that would make an veteran hacker seem like a newbie

" It's nearly done as the quota for the coming six months is about to be reached," Jefferson replied as he adjusted his glasses with his fore finger.

" After the Pods production the modification and customization will follow suit as by the end of one year both Full Dive Gears and their advancements would be ready," he concluded.

" Ms. Shelby how's the deal with Ambrosia Corps coming along for the N-Hancers?" he addressed another still busy on his laptop.

" They are still not compling as they already have deals with many corporations and Well off families, more so the Gamers Association who hold a clear monopoly," she reported.

" Continue with the demands and reach out to the Gamers Association, if they don't comply buy out atleast 25% of their shares and handle the rest," the man ordered before finally lifting his head and facing the Eleven gathered people.

" In about a years time maximum, we are about to finalize my life's work, our A.I is one of the best as no other gaming company has been able to develop such. This release would make or break all the effort we've put..." he paused before smiling warmly "....so please bear with it for these coming months after that we'll all have atleast a week of rest....before finally releasing the pods, agreed?" he asked

" Agreed sir!" " Agreed." " Yes sir." " Yes Mr. Osman!"

They replied with vigor, Osman himself however had his brows twitching as he looked at his laptop interface.

' How the hell did I forget that cheat code! Damn now I'll have to restart Trevor's mission,' If the other employees could hear his thoughts they'd cough blood

There boss was busy playing GTA