The night was starless. The vibrant lights of the bustling streets were bright enough to drown out the sky above.
Red neon signs reflected onto the pavement. They smeared into long, jagged streaks following the path of every passing tire.
A flash of crimson cut through the flow of traffic. It was Max. The engine hummed with a steady, powerful rhythm.
The chaotic events from earlier still lingered in his mind. But right now, he didn't want to think. Not for a few minutes.
Max pulled up in front of a nearby bank. The interior was quiet, lit by cold, sterile white lights.
He withdrew about 200,000 dollars in cash. Physical money felt different. It always did.
Numbers on an account could be massive, but they were invisible. Seeing the balance on a screen didn't make him feel anything.
It wasn't heavy. It wasn't real. It left no trace on the senses.
Max sat down outside the bank and began to bundle the bills. Every note was a hundred dollars.
He put one hundred notes into a single stack. He counted slowly and steadily, his hands moving with newfound purpose.
Every time he tied a rubber band, a complete stack was born. Finally, twenty stacks of cash sat side by side.
It looked like a lot. But when he lifted the pile, it weighed only about two kilograms.
Stacked together, they stood less than twenty five centimeters high. Not too bulky. Easy to hide. Easy to carry.
Max gripped one stack in his hand. He squeezed it lightly, then harder. The paper made a soft, crisp rustling sound.
The sensation made him feel at ease. It was clearer than any digital figure. It could be held. It could be lost.
It could be exchanged for anything his heart desired. He looked at the pile once more.
If he were a normal person with a decent job, it would take years to earn this much.
The thought flashed by quickly. Max didn't let it linger. He gathered the money, stood up, and walked back to the car.
He could earn many times more than this now. All he had to do was be with women.
Everything had happened so fast since this morning. Max still found it hard to believe his own reality.
The car glided through the wind for a few hours. Eventually, he arrived at Lucky 7, the largest bar in the city.
Damn, why does the name sound like a casino? Max thought as he naturally stepped toward the entrance.
A muscular security guard blocked his path. He looked Max up and down with an observant gaze.
"Buddy, I don't recognize your face. First time here?"
"That's right. Is there a problem?" Max asked, feeling slightly defensive.
He had already dealt with enough trouble today. He hoped he wasn't about to be looked down upon again.
Don't do this to me, Max thought. I've changed into sharp clothes and arrived in a luxury car.
"Don't worry, man. I just need to check your ID. No one under twenty one is allowed inside."
"I see." Max relaxed. The guard was simply doing his job, so Max was happy to cooperate.
After a quick, perfunctory check, the guard stepped aside. He signaled with his hand that Max could pass.
Max pushed open the swinging doors. He stepped into a shimmering space drenched in blue and purple neon lights.
Damn, the doors are Western style but the inside is all Neon, Max thought. They don't match at all.
Did the architect graduate with a degree from Chat GPT? The scent of desire and temptation was everywhere. Max scanned the room from right to left.
Most people had beauty scores between 40 and 60. A few hit 70, the system's standard, but they looked complicated.
They weren't the type of people he had the right to play with just yet. Max ordered a vibrant cocktail.
He held it in his hand, moving through the crowd to "check the map" for a valid target.
"Hey there, big brother. Why are you here all alone? You look so lonely. Do you need some company?"
A feminine, teasing voice came from behind him. Max turned around to see a hostess working the bar.
These women were usually called by customers or sought them out. Most just served drinks and sang songs.
But there were no exceptions. What couldn't be bought with money could always be bought with a lot of money.
[Name: Mia]
[Beauty Score: 62]
[Affection: 71/100]
Seeing a beauty score under 70, Max's interest evaporated instantly. He wondered why her affection was so high.
Is it because of my aura and these clothes? Max wondered.
He hated Principal Martin, but the man was right about one thing. Money brought beautiful women.
Without money, a man was destined to be alone. But then, Max noticed someone behind Mia.
A young woman followed shyly. Her movements were unnatural, carrying a heavy sense of reluctance.
She walked with her head down. Despite that, Max could still see her stunning features.
[Name: Emily]
[Age: 21]
[Reason: Reluctantly working here to earn money for her father's medical treatment.]
[Beauty Score: 74]
[Affection: 43/100]
Max's eyes lit up. Everything is perfect. She even has a weakness.
God, you are being far too good to me today, Max thought with a predatory grin.