How did I turn my victim into a phoenix-like hero?

Page 141

"I want to use the 'balance of things' to pay."

"You even know this...."

Asmodeus sat back in the bamboo rocking chair, raised one index finger and shook it, and the scales in the shelf slowly floated down onto the table.

Its appearance is an antique dark brown, a small and exquisite balance scale, a tool for accurately controlling value.

Sirocco pulled a bag from the ring, which was about half the size of Sirocco himself.

The bag has a magical spatial effect. All the crystals, crystal cores, R-coins, and cash I had collected before, except for items necessary for battle, were all stored inside. It weighed at least 50 kilograms.

Place it on one side of the balance scale.

The end with the bag neither crushed nor submerged the balance; instead, it seemed as if an invisible hand was gently supporting it, keeping it suspended.

The empty end displayed blue-purple numbers—30, 42, 61....

"These figures will yield the final value price, in units of... 'ten thousand'."

"Ok, I know."

Although Asmodeus's tone was casual, Sirocco knew she wasn't lying. He stared intently at the fluctuating numbers, like a stock market speculator who had bought in.

301.

"Wow...we got something so valuable? Hill's view on money is starting to waver."

Hill was astonished; his hands were trembling.

"I still think the money I earn by risking my life is not enough."

419.

"Brother, I think we can definitely help Dad pay off the mortgage in one go. Is this skill really that valuable?"

"some."

624.

Hill, perhaps finding it boring, started chatting with Asmodeus, cheerfully massaging his shoulders—a massage technique he remembered his grandmother used to loosen her muscles...

713.

"!"

The numbers stopped changing and remained completely still.

Sirocco's heart almost stopped beating.

"Big sister, this is so expensive! Can you make it cheaper...?"

Hill rocked Asmodeus's chair, and Asmodeus took another puff of his cigarette, thoroughly enjoying himself.

"This is the only skill in the shop... no, the entire dungeon."

"That's right..."

Asmodeus noticed Hill's dejected expression, remained silent for a moment, then exhaled three smoke rings and said softly:

"...900 million."

"Eh?"

Hill let out a blank sigh.

"Let your brother figure out the rest; this is the final price."

Asmodeus closed his eyes to rest, indicating that this was enough. Hill continued to massage Asmodeus, gesturing here and there with his eyes while comparing wikis with Sirocco, and becoming more careful with the pressure of his massage.

My sister can reduce the price by 100 million with just a few words... Her bargaining skills are so good that all the aunties shopping at the market would want to learn from her.

However, the amount of money that should have been paid out was still not enough.

It's best to acquire this skill as soon as possible, to avoid any unforeseen complications.

"Gulp... I didn't really want to use this move."

Sirocco wore an expression of humiliation, as if she were a female knight being captured and taken to a goblin lair.

He slid off the watch ring, hesitated for a moment, and then made a phone call.

The phone rang no more than three times before the other party answered.

"Hello, is this Cass? Yes, yes, this is Sirocco. No, I didn't want to borrow a Blu-ray disc, maybe next time. I'm calling to ask you for a favor... to borrow some money."

--------

Cass readily agreed, his tone as if he were a junior employee who had worked hard for many years and was promoted to chairman of the board, and he had just closed his first big deal.

When Sirocco used teleportation to return to the Explorer's Hall and arrived at the driveway of the dungeon's commercial district, he saw their old butler, Haider, respectfully handing Sirocco a box of money while wiping away tears from the corners of his eyes. Haider said that even young master Cass had trustworthy friends, and that the child was too lonely, and went on and on about past memories.

That's so cheesy.

It was utterly inexplicable.

In short, Sirocco raised enough money and used the ring clock's function to teleport to Asmodi's shop again.

Weird.

Most other overpowered protagonists are practically rolling in money by this point, so why am I still penniless and burdened with debt...?

The money was given to Asmodeus, and Sirocco received the skill.

Alchemy

Obtaining a powerful skill should have been a happy thing, but Sirocco remained as calm as if he were in a sage state.

It's probably because he's currently in debt, without a single penny.

Forget it! We can earn money later.

Money can be earned back, but life is truly gone once it's gone.

Sirocco mustered his strength and crushed the crystal.

I opened the status bar of the watch face and saw the words "Alchemy" displayed, which put my mind at ease.

After doing all that, he and Hill left.

"I think I'll come back again, and I'll need your patronage then."

Sirocco smiled as he said goodbye.

"Really? You've been away for a long time. I'll be lonely if you leave."

The Asmodeus were quite kind and escorted the two to the store entrance.

"If you want more customers, big sister, why don't you just remove the barrier? Also, don't do fraudulent business."

"That's to protect myself. Only here can I be free from the goddess's interference and quietly do what I like."

"Goddess? Big sister, you're clearly a demon, yet you believe in a god?"

Hill was stunned by what he heard.

Asmodi puffed on his cigarette and ruffled Hill's blond hair.

Surprisingly, Hill didn't resist and even tried to touch Asmodeus's horn, to which Asmodeus readily agreed.

You two got along pretty quickly, didn't you?

Sirocco fully appreciates his sister's talent for business.

As for what happened after we finished grinding monsters, my sister inexplicably dragged me to the mall (mainly to buy games), my sister treated me to a buffet (afternoon tea with a 20% discount before 4 pm), we went to see a movie (mainly an action-packed blockbuster), and we strolled around the park until night. When we got home late, I wanted to dye my hair, but Sirocco finally realized it was Hill's little trick to stall for time. I insisted on dyeing it back, but Hill clung to me, begging me not to—that's another story...

--------

From that day on, Cass and his friends, Sirocco and his sister Hill, all carried out their respective activities in an orderly manner.

Exercise, attend classes, grind monsters, go home, play games.

The peaceful days passed by one by one, but my restless heart felt the urgency of that day approaching.

Sirocco watches the news every day, and at the dinner table, his father, Claude, teases him for being as old-fashioned as his grandfather.

This continued until May 6th.

The day before the duel, their daily routine was disrupted.

99. Live-fire exercises

Thursday, March 5th.

The fresh air and blue sky with white clouds complement each other beautifully, making people feel relaxed and happy.

The Talos family.

The orange-haired girl with a ponytail walked on her own lawn, following the long-haired boy in front of her.

"A match? Sirocco, are you serious?"

"Hmm—that's enough... You're level 13 now, right?"

"Yes...but how did you know? Did I tell you?"

"Yes. Anyway, you'll be facing off against Cliff tomorrow, so it'll be a good opportunity for a real match to practice. But it wouldn't be good if you got hurt, so remember to wear protective gear."