Michael stared at the glowing text on his phone screen like it had personally insulted his dead grandma.
[BREAK AIKO'S CURSE: $100,000]
[UNLOCK HER STATS. RESTORE HER POTENTIAL.]
His thumb hovered over the button. A hundred grand. The number burned his retinas. That was more than his mom made in three years cleaning hospital floors. More than his old baseball scholarship. Hell, it was enough to buy a house in some states.
But Aiko's stats are locked at 1. She's a sitting duck.
He flopped back on his dorm bed, the springs squeaking.
If I unlock her curse, she can fight back. Level up. Survive without me dumping cash every five minutes.
But $100k? Where the hell was he supposed to get that? The fundraiser was two days away. Even if it worked, would that cash come in time?
A lot had taken place today, Saturday, since he woke up in the afternoon, but this is the most important thing currently on his mind.
About 8 hours ago, Michael woke to the sound of his phone having a seizure—
274 unread texts, 103 missed calls, and enough social media alerts to give a lawyer hives. He chucked the phone under his pillow.
It's not that he's an escapist, his mind was focused on a more important thing.
Yesterday he successfully established a pattern of letting Aiko send him stuff without purchasing expensive in-game communication options. So today, he devised a more polished… one might call "workflow."
Michael began with a "Signal," something that made Aiko realize that he wants something. And nothing worked better than the [WILDFLOWER BUNDLE].
After which, Michael purchased a basic healing potion ($50) in-game. And Aiko was smart enough to catch his intention, and instantly delivered that healing potion to him.
That healing potion sits in front of his desk. An isekai item, right in front of his eyes.
Not only was he excited about using it, but more importantly, this means he had access to the infinite wealth that the in-game store offers!
Only if he had more money.
Yes… Money.
Money became his biggest problem… Again.
He had about thirty thousand left. Not bad, but given how much the in-game items cost at this stage, he's convinced that they could be wiped out in a matter of minutes should Aiko fall into trouble again.
And speaking of trouble… Aiko was still in the tent. In the same general location where Tastuya had hunted her. There's no doubt that eventually Himari and Saeko would hear about what happened again, and what they're going to send this time sent a shiver down Michael's spines.
Whatever the next enemy would be, Michael was sure that he could not afford handling it.
He is running out of money both in and out of the game.
Earlier, Aiko had told him her plan was to travel to find a general who was loyal to her father. This general, named Tachibana, could help her build an army to fight back.
But traveling is risky—given her curse. He needs $100,000 to break Aiko's curse (which keeps her weak and unable to fight), but he doesn't have enough.
Essentially, the problem is:
If Aiko stays in the forest, she's an easy target for Himari and Saeko. Michael can't afford to keep buying defenses forever.
If she travels, she'll face dangers on the road, and Michael might not have enough money to protect her during the trip.
Which brings Michael back to the phone screen.
No matter what, he needs $100,000, and he needs it fast.
Maybe taking out a loan? Maybe host another livestream? Maybe… just start messaging people back and borrow it?
Ideas—stupid ideas—swirled in his mind.
Buzz.
Michael's phone buzzed like an angry hornet. He glared at the screen—Unknown Number. Probably another reporter. He hit decline and chucked the phone onto his dorm bed.
Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.
"Give up already!" He snatched the phone, thumb slamming the answer button. "What?!"
A smooth, corporate voice cut through.
"Michael Cobb? This is Preston Carter, Vice President of Sponsorships at Base Brands. We're huge fans of your… resilience."
Michael froze. Base Brands? The energy drink company that sponsored every extreme sport from cliff-diving to alligator wrestling?
"We'd love to discuss a partnership opportunity," Preston continued.
He swallowed. "What kind of partnership?"
"Endorsements. Public appearances. Our offer is… generous."