The Greatest Collaboration

"Hello, Asic." Ivy stepped into the room and greeted Asic, taking the seat opposite him. She smiled sweetly, clearly pleased that she had managed to capture his attention. After being teased by him for so long, she finally felt like she had gained the upper hand.

"Hello, Ivy. You look stunning today."

"Complimenting me won't help you get that Bitgold loan," Ivy replied with a sly smile.

"You're so cruel. I went to all this effort just to flatter you," Asic responded with a chuckle.

"Alright then, let's start from scratch." Ivy's tone shifted, becoming more businesslike. "I'm going to order a coffee, and the hotel will take about five minutes to deliver it. You have those five minutes to tell me why I should lend you the Bitgold." Ivy quickly moved into business mode, setting the terms clearly—she was the investor, and Asic was the entrepreneur seeking funding. His job was to make her believe in him.

"My plan is simple: I will use the Bitgold to fully develop my ego. With my experience and the potential of my ego, I am confident that I can take on high-difficulty mines and generate substantial profits. I believe that one day, my ego will be among the strongest out there. That is why I need this significant investment."

"And what makes you so confident about your ego's potential? What exactly will it be able to do once you use the Bitgold?" Ivy fired off her questions, not giving Asic an inch.

Asic connected to the system and summoned an Ego Card onto the table. The simplest way to explain was to let her see it. He placed the card on the table, waiting for Ivy to reach out and connect. She did, and her eyes scanned the data on the card. One detail stood out above all else:

Overclock Miner - Development Potential: EX.

"You've been a Miner for years; have you ever seen an EX development rank?"

"No, I haven't," Ivy admitted, briefly stunned before regaining her composure. She finally understood the reason behind Asic's confidence. The development potential of an ego defined how far it could evolve—the higher it could develop, the stronger it could become.

Throughout her entire career as a Miner, the highest development rank Ivy had seen was SSS. She had never encountered EX.

'How far could his ego possibly go? What does EX even mean?' Even with her years of experience in the industry, Ivy couldn't comprehend it fully. But it made sense that Overclock Miner would require such significant resources.

"I understand now, but I have to wonder: why not go to a major company or the Three Bastions? If it were them, they wouldn't just give you one Bitgold coin; they'd likely pour endless resources into you. It would be much easier for you than coming to a down-and-out woman like me for help." Ivy's gaze sharpened, like a knife, as her lips curved slightly.

"Unless, of course, you don't want to be under anyone's thumb."

"That's exactly right," Asic smiled, impressed that she understood.

"I used to be a police officer, taking orders from higher-ups without the right to question the methods of the organization, simply because I was just another employee. I'm tired of following someone else's commands. I want the freedom to do what I desire."

Life in the police force hadn't been what Asic dreamed of as a child. It brought him no joy.

The only reason Asic held on to his position was the feeling he got when wearing his badge to help people. Knowing he was making a difference—that's what made him feel like a real officer. But losing Regis taught him what true powerlessness was.

No influence, no money, no manpower. To fulfill his goals, he needed all of those things.

"Is that all?" Ivy asked coolly.

"Not yet." Asic shook his head.

[No hesitation whatsoever,] OC analyzed Ivy's emotions from her tone, demeanor, and eyes.

"If you chose to work under someone powerful, you could get what you want more easily. You might be able to help your mother faster. But if you want freedom, there's a price to pay. You'll struggle more than others, and it may take longer to help her. Even knowing this, you won't change your mind?"

"Even if it's an easier path, it's not the one I want. I'd rather be a stray dog than a servant. My life is mine, and I won't let anyone control it again." Asic's defiant words revealed his true nature—steadfast in his belief of never submitting to anyone. Once unchained, a beast would never willingly wear the collar again.

Asic would rather die than be shackled to someone else's will, be it by a company or the police force. Anyone who tried to cross him would face him head-on. He was a gentleman who loved peace, but in a fight, he feared no one.

"This is the source of my confidence. I'll definitely pay you back, including interest."

"How many years?"

"Pardon?"

"How many years will it take for you to pay me back?"

"I'm sorry, but I don't know yet. I'll pay you back as soon as possible."

"Hmm, you don't know how long it will take, you currently have no income, and you haven't figured out how much interest you'll need to pay. You don't know how many years or installments. Honestly, I shouldn't even wait for the coffee—you should be kicked out of this room as an investor would." Ivy's critique was brutally honest.

"Do you know why I don't want to lend you the money?"

"Because I wasn't well-prepared."

"Because you're hiding something from me." Ivy's gaze bore into Asic's eyes. She didn't know what secrets he held, but his words about not wanting to be under anyone's control hinted at something interesting driving his life.

Ivy didn't want to admit it, but she saw herself in Asic.

"If I'm going to work with someone, I need to know what they're thinking. I'm not trying to threaten you, but I won't do business with someone who isn't open with me. Every dollar I have is important to my life. If you're not willing to show sincerity, then I suggest you pack up and go home."

In business, beyond profit, trust was crucial. Without trust, how could there be a partnership? Bitgold was a high-value asset, and Ivy wouldn't let it go easily. The fact that Asic had come to negotiate with her in person was already commendable.

'She's right.' Asic thought it over carefully before making his decision.

"I have an older brother..." Asic began to share his story with Ivy, including the existence of OC. He hadn't planned on revealing such a secret, but to build trust with Ivy, he had to give her something.

'It turns out this is his true goal.' Ivy became even more intrigued by Asic. He was chasing leads to uncover the real culprit, which led him to become a Miner—to establish himself as an independent Miner with his own agency.

Asic was a man of ideals. He wanted to help as many people as possible while also pursuing his personal goals. The problems of housing, clean food, water shortages, and energy issues could all be tackled if he became a successful Miner.

Even though he was no longer a police officer, his desire to help others had not disappeared—it was embedded deep within his soul. To make his vision a reality, he needed power. In fact, as a Miner, Asic might be able to help more people than he ever could as an officer.

"It's impossible," Ivy spoke plainly.

"An independent Miner has too many limitations—whether it's manpower, resources, or influence."

"You want freedom and don't want to be under anyone's authority. You want to control real estate, food, and energy prices. To do that, you'd need enough power to challenge everyone on this planet. You need a company bigger than the Three Bastions combined."

The Three Bastions were the three colossal companies that controlled land across the new world. They held true power, determining the fate of billions. To rival their might was an almost impossible endeavor.

"No matter how hard it is, I won't give up."

"Not giving up isn't enough. You need someone like me—someone who understands the Miner world and knows how to manage it well. To align with your goals, I suggest that you establish your own company and hire experts as advisors."

"Start my own company?"

"Yes. If you trust me, I'd like to offer myself as that advisor." Ivy smiled sweetly at Asic. She had paved the way for this moment—not because she was infatuated with him, but because her business acumen saw an opportunity.

"I founded the Black Rose Foundation. Though I'm still a shareholder, my position now is practically meaningless. I've been thinking about starting a new company for a while, and you have the potential to be my partner. Can I be your business partner?"

"Partner..."

[Ivy Tesla Lake's initial management history was flawed, but she improved significantly. With ten years of experience in the Miner industry and being a former six-star Miner, she qualifies as a suitable business partner,] OC suggested to Asic.

Ivy wasn't originally skilled at management—she was a fiery young woman who started her own company while still in school. Her outstanding work led to rapid growth—so fast that her management skills couldn't keep up. When she lost her power, her reputation crumbled, and everything fell apart like dominoes.

Even though Ivy had failed in her old company and was removed as CEO, she still had years of management experience and a good track record. OC had analyzed the data and deemed her valuable.

"If you have me as a partner, you'll get someone with high-level expertise. If you allow me to be one of the company founders, I will lend you the Bitgold as initial capital in exchange for equity. Not just Bitgold, but cash, Asura Cards, and the network I've invested in to help the company grow."

"That would benefit both of us," Asic acknowledged the many advantages. He had nothing but power and skill, while Ivy had experience, knowledge, assets, and connections. It was an ideal pairing—one to lead operations, the other to manage the business side.

"Exactly. If you succeed, the company's value will increase, and I'll get rich along with it. If you don't want to lose control, you'll need to hold more shares than me and take on the role of president. I'll be the minority shareholder, an advisor, an employee, and your creditor," Ivy smiled mischievously, imagining herself as an employee after being a boss her entire life.

'It's a good offer—experienced support, funding, and achieving my goal. But...' Asic's gaze sharpened as he looked at Ivy, the pressure he emitted only making her more excited.

"What's the catch?" Asic asked directly. An offer that was too good always came with strings attached. The more Ivy offered, the more she expected in return. Ivy wasn't running a charity, especially when she was the one making the proposal—it meant she had an agenda.

Ivy's lips curled slightly at his question. 'Not bad, at least he's not naive.'

"I have three conditions," Ivy said, holding up three fingers.

"First, I have my own enemies. I've lost my power, but my enemies are still out there. If you promise to help me fight them or find a way to restore my power, I'd be grateful. That's condition one."

"Deal."

"Aren't you going to think it over or ask any questions?"

"I'll ask for the details later. I believe I can read people well. If you're on my side, I'll help you get your revenge," Asic's sincere words were like bullets piercing Ivy's heart. She bit her lip lightly, watching as the waiter brought in their coffee. She took a sip to regain her composure.

'I can't take it—my heart's pounding like crazy.' Ivy wasn't sure if her heart was racing from the caffeine or from Asic.

"Condition two: Are you familiar with Hercules? He had twelve labors. I only need you to accomplish one task. I'll provide you with a mine to handle, and if you succeed, I'll lend you the Bitgold and fund the initial registration for the company."

"And the third?" Asic asked without commenting on the second condition—it was something he'd have to do anyway.

"The third... ahem," Ivy's face reddened slightly.

"I want you to be my boyfriend."

"..." Asic was silent for a moment, internally cursing himself for being a sinful man.

[Women in 2075 are really bold.] OC was astonished by how direct modern women could be. Asic frowned and put everything on the table down.

"Miss Ivy, if you're that keen on tying me down, you'll regret it." Asic wasn't the type to take love seriously. He didn't want to make Ivy regret her decision.

"I'm lonely," Ivy said softly. "I just broke up with my boyfriend, and I want someone to help me forget him quickly. You seem like the perfect fit." She fidgeted, her face flushed with embarrassment as she voiced her true feelings. She was honest—she desired Asic and wasn't afraid to admit it.

If she could, Ivy would have already put herself on a silver platter for him. But she had to maintain her image.

"It doesn't have to be a long relationship—just until I find someone else to replace you. A year would be enough."

"A year? That's quite a while." Asic had never been in a long-term relationship. His relationships were always one-night stands—intense today, strangers tomorrow. A year felt like an eternity to him. To Asic, women were like dishes of food, and being with the same woman was like eating the same dish over and over.

"What are the terms of being your boyfriend?"

"No cheating."

"Of course. I've never cheated on anyone." He laughed. After all, his relationships always ended in a single night.

"And spend time with me."

"Sure."

"I mean... that, too." Ivy pressed her fingers together, her face blushing as she hinted at her needs. The shy woman before him was so different from the assertive Ivy who had backed him into a corner just minutes earlier. Her flushed cheeks and ruby eyes, filled with hope, revealed a hidden desire.

Asic felt a tickling sensation in his chest. It was as if he was watching a naive little bunny, unaware of the world, willingly approach a ravenous wolf. He locked eyes with her, his gaze heating up as he moved to unbutton one button on his shirt, revealing his collarbone and neck, drawing Ivy's eyes like a magnet.

In an instant, Asic seemed to transform into a predator, leaning in close to Ivy as he spoke in a soft, enticing voice.

"You're adorable."

"W-what?!"

"Do you like me that much?"

'Oh my god, I want to die,' Ivy thought, wishing she could vanish into the earth from sheer embarrassment.

"You must really like me, enough to invest money just to have me," Asic laughed quietly. He rose from his chair and slowly moved toward Ivy. Each step made her heartbeat thunder in her ears, her face growing redder with every inch he drew closer.

Asic placed both hands on her shoulders, like a predator playing with its prey.

"You're so naughty."

"N-no, I'm just seeing an opportunity for profit. Dating you is just a bonus. Don't forget that you're just a placeholder. When I find someone else, I'll drop you immediately," Ivy stammered, trying to justify herself like a startled rabbit. But her nervousness only made teasing her more tempting to Asic.

"If you think I'm just a placeholder, you chose wrong. I'll make you fall for me so hard you won't be able to stand it. You'll call my name and dream about me every night. You'll go mad because of me, unable to think of anyone else but me."

"I won't regret it." Ivy's determination was unyielding. She had already made up her mind and drawn a clear boundary with Asic. This wasn't true love—it was a relationship built on mutual benefit. She had been abandoned by her past love, and she was prepared to be abandoned or to abandon Asic in turn.

Seeing Ivy's stubbornness, Asic felt an urge to tease her even more. His desires made his blood boil. It had been a long time since he'd had a proper relationship, and the woman in front of him seemed like a delicious prey that had come to him willingly.

"I accept your offer. Happy to be working with you."

"Happy to be working with you, too."

"So, the terms are effective from now, right? Since we're already in a hotel, why don't we start making our relationship more intimate?" Asic whispered into Ivy's ear. Her pulse surged, her entire body trembling. She looked up at him, her ruby eyes wide, seeing the sly smile on his face and the predatory gleam in his eyes, as if he was ready to consume her whole.

Ivy was at a loss for words. Before she knew it, her mind had gone completely blank.