chapter 62
.. How to Spend Money..
"Who are you…?"
Oliver asked, puzzled, as a sturdy figure approached their table.
Before the stranger could reply, Maine stood up. "Dorio, what are you doing here?"
"You know her?" Jack asked, glancing at Maine's reaction.
Maine nodded. "Dorio is part of my team."
He then turned to introduce everyone. "This is Karl, Jack, and Oliver—the friends I told you about from the last mission."
Dorio smiled politely. "I figured as much. Hello."
After greeting them, she turned serious and looked at Maine. "Maine, there's something I need you to handle."
"What's going on, Dorio?" Maine asked, though he already suspected it was something urgent. He gestured toward the drinks on the table. "I was just about to have a drink with Karl and the others."
Dorio hesitated, glancing at the group. Sensing the tension, Karl waved his hand. "Maine, if it's team business, go handle it. We can catch up another time. No rush."
Jack raised his glass. "Next time's on you, Maine. Make sure to bring the good stuff."
Oliver followed suit with his glass. "We'll hold you to it."
Maine grinned. "Alright, next time I'll make it worth your while."
As he and Dorio left the Afterlife Bar, Maine raised his unfinished beer bottle in farewell, silently promising a proper reunion.
Once they were gone, the group lost interest in staying. Karl, in particular, wasn't a fan of the food at the Afterlife—delicious drinks, but no decent fries.
"How about we head to Mama Wells' for some fries, grab some drinks on the way, and head back to Oliver's place?" Karl suggested.
"Why is it always my apartment?" Oliver complained as he slid into the driver's seat. "It's like you guys think my place is some kind of party HQ. Why not your room for once, Karl?"
Karl thought for a moment. "Well, my room's fine, but there's one problem: I don't pay for a private TV or phone line. If we want to watch something, we'd have to pay extra. Your place is just easier."
"Seriously?" Oliver said, incredulous. "The TV deposit is, what, fifty euros? And it's only a euro per hour to watch. You've got over a million in your account, Karl."
"Saving where you can is a virtue," Karl replied with a grin. "Besides, I already spend plenty on food and drinks for these gatherings. It's the principle of the thing."
Oliver sighed, muttering about Karl's peculiar spending habits. The group piled into the car, with Oliver driving toward the Wild Wolf Bar.
Sitting in the passenger seat, Karl checked his balance: 1.12 million euros. He frowned. "You two—are there any high-end prosthetics, guns, or vehicles you're eyeing? I've got some spare cash. Let me sponsor something for the team."
Oliver tilted his head. "Why not invest in upgrades for yourself first?"
Karl shrugged. "I was thinking of upgrading my access compartment and reinstalling a monowire. Maybe something else later, but I don't want to overdo it. I need to keep a little meat on my bones—don't want to end up like Adam smasher."
Oliver chuckled. "Fair enough." He thought for a moment, then shook his head. "Honestly, I don't need much right now. I've got enough to buy a new tech sniper rifle if I want one."
"Jack, what about you?" Karl turned to him. "Need anything?"
Jack smiled. "Thanks, but no. I've been saving for a Nazaré motorcycle. 140,000 euros—I've already got enough. I'll probably buy it soon."
"You sure Misty's okay with riding on a motorcycle?" Oliver teased.
"Misty will be fine with anything I like," Jack replied confidently.
Karl leaned back, patting the car seat. "Speaking of vehicles, I'm thinking of upgrading to a bulletproof model. I don't want to deal with another ambush like the last mission."
"Unless you're planning to spend a million on an armored tank, stick with this car," Oliver said. "I'm comfortable driving it, and it's more than enough for our needs."
Karl sighed. "Alright, alright. I'll wait and see."
As they drove toward their next destination, Karl gazed out the window, still pondering how to spend his newfound wealth.
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