Aaron looked eagerly at the insect shop, waved at Kate, and walked in.
"Hello, sir, how can I help you?"
A messy-haired middle-aged man's eyes lit up when he saw Aaron. Clearly, business at his shop was poor, and his enthusiasm was a bit excessive.
Aaron ignored his overly enthusiastic face. He glanced around and stated directly, "Do you have Green Tiger Beetles, Bats, Rotifers, Green Leaf Sea Slugs, Sea Urchins, Hercules Beetles, Ironclad Beetles, Pistol Shrimp, Peacock Mantis Shrimp, Planarians..."
"Wait!"
The middle-aged man was both happy and worried, even wondering if this person was mocking him.
"Buddy, this is just an insect shop, not some insect research laboratory. Even an insect specimen museum couldn't possibly have everything you need at once."
"Some of them can only be found in specific countries."
"Also, many of these are prohibited items, and customs clearance is difficult."
Aaron pulled a stack of U.S. dollars.
"Do you have them now?"
The middle-aged man stared motionlessly at the U.S. dollars. "I remember now. I have some parts here—my cherished collection."
Aaron pulled out two more stacks. "How about now?"
"Bro! Even if I don't have them, I'll get them for you."
The middle-aged man gritted his teeth. "I have many channels here that can get you what you want."
"Even those prohibited items... are no problem."
Aaron nodded and snapped his fingers. The middle-aged man's phone chimed.
"Everything I want is in that email. Bring me everything you can produce immediately."
"As for the rest... get them for me as soon as possible."
"Money is not an issue."
Aaron unceremoniously found a stool and sat down. At the same time, he took out several more stacks of U.S. dollars.
"How much reward you get depends on your capability."
The middle-aged man's eyes turned red.
A major client!
He had been playing with insects for so many years that his wife had run off, he had no children, and even his last small shop was on the verge of bankruptcy, forcing him to restart his life under a bridge. Now, his insect hobby had finally brought him good fortune.
"Wait a moment." He said, almost fawning.
He quickly poured some water for Aaron, then entered the back room. After fussing around for a bit, he brought several glass containers out to Aaron.
He looked reluctant. "These are the things you wanted. A few are not for sale but seeing your great sincerity, and assuming you are an insect enthusiast, I'll give you all of these."
Aaron glanced over them.
There were two large Ironclad Beetles, three Rhinoceros Beetles, two Hercules Beetles, and several other types of scarab beetles.
There were also a few different species of spiders and a few scorpions.
"Sir, these items cost..."
"Ten thousand U.S. dollars. Is that enough?" Aaron pushed a stack of money across the table.
The middle-aged man nodded repeatedly. "It's enough. Sir, you are too generous."
"Now about the rest..."
Aaron said, "I hope you can get the other items sorted out as quickly as possible. The faster, the better. Alive or dead doesn't matter, but preferably alive, and the quantity should be at least three of each."
"I repeat, money is not an issue. I am in a hurry, understood?"
Aaron remained expressionless, suppressing his internal excitement, and leisurely examined his "treasures."
"Of course, sir. The customer is God. I will fulfill your request as quickly as possible."
Aaron nodded and pushed several more stacks of banknotes forward. "These are the deposits. If the money runs out, tell me. My contact information is on the email."
"Remember, ASAP!"
Aaron did not explain why he was doing this.
In this world where money reigns supreme, no amount of explanation is as useful as bright stacks of cash.
The middle-aged man nodded frantically, looking at Aaron as if he were the God of Wealth.
The email contained almost every variety of insect family. Collecting them all would require considerable effort. But as long as there was money, nothing was a problem.
He was going to get rich!
If he completed this transaction, based on this God of Wealth's generosity, he would earn at least hundreds of thousands.
As for what Aaron would use them for?
What did that have to do with him?
Even if he planned to release them or cause a biological invasion, that would be the government's headache.
'They were probably just for biological experiments, right? I am contributing to medical development.' The middle-aged man thought happily.
Aaron carried the large pile of items, covered with cloth, and easily walked out.
He looked around, then hacked into the nearby public surveillance cameras. Then, the black hole on his right hand immediately began absorbing.
Seeing this, Aaron couldn't help but complain, "It sounds so awesome, but it still can't detach from my hand. The pretense is a bit low."
[…Because you are weak.]
"The weather is great today." Aaron looked up at the sky.
Unbeknownst to him, dark clouds had already spread across the sky, giving off a feeling of heaviness.
In a daze, it seemed a few crows cawed as they flew past.
"Oh right, fusion won't give me some bizarre abilities, will it?"
Aaron imagined a terrifying scene: he was wearing a thick beetle shell, with a long horn on his head, several sharp and agile long legs growing from his back, and terrifying bristles all over.
And a long tail, complete with a venomous stinger, extending from his tailbone, nearly as long as his body.
No! Absolutely not!
Aaron liked becoming stronger, but turning into a non-human... that was hard to accept. At least if he had a choice, he wouldn't accept that kind of transformation.
Temporary changes might be acceptable?
[Please rest assured. I am you. The concepts I analyze all conform to your inner desires.]
[Everything is a positive effect for you.]
[Of course, if you want it, I can give it to you.]
"Forget it."
Aaron's eyebrow twitched. He couldn't accept that kind of change.
When it came to becoming non-human, he'd leave that to other heroes.
This time, a few seconds passed. Then, several beams of light flew out from his palm again.
The familiar power strengthened his body once more.
[Super Defense (Ironclad Beetle): You can withstand 39,000 times your own body weight in force without dying.]
[Super Strength (Scarab Beetle): Similar ability detected, Fusion complete. You will be able to lift objects 600 times your own weight and drag heavy objects exceeding 2,000 times your own weight.]
[Spider-Sense: Similar ability detected (Super Perception), Fusion complete. You can sense impending danger, acutely sense any anomalies in the environment, and detect pheromones and signals in the air.]
[Web-Shooting: You can shoot webs that possess powerful extensibility, strength, toughness, low-temperature resistance, and other attributes... equivalent to Spider-Man's webs.]
[Toxin Immunity: You are immune to a portion of toxins.]
[Poison Creation: Your glands can produce toxins at any time, capable of poisoning a cow to death within one minute.]
[Super Vision: Similar ability detected, Fusion complete. You can see more colors and possess stronger dynamic vision.]
[Static Control: You can easily control the static electricity reaction on the surface of your body and other objects. Any obstacle is like flat ground to you.]
[Weaving Master: Your silk art technique has reached the pinnacle of perfection.]
Aaron clenched his fist and swung it heavily, instantly generating a loud sonic boom.
With a slight movement, he instantly moved dozens of meters, leaving shallow footprints on the ground.
He didn't know if it was an illusion, but he suddenly felt as if he were in a glass world. It was as if everything around him would be easily destroyed if he exerted even a little force.
Consequently, he had to be extra careful, controlling his strength as much as possible.
The most powerful ability gained this time was Super Defense.
With his current physical defense, even if the heaviest aircraft carrier fell from the sky, he would be completely unharmed.
The change in strength wasn't significant, just a few dozen tons more.
But now, even if he stood in front of his former self and let him hit him all day, he would take zero damage.
Aaron thought of Captain America. "I hope I don't get worked to death."
Shaking his head, Aaron slowly familiarized himself with his new strength.
Thanks to his powerful brain and body control, the surging strength was quickly mastered. Even if he pinched a tiny ant, he could ensure its safety.