Equipment Hemorrhage and the Reimbursement Tug-of-War

The passion for rushing to the front lines cooled rapidly at the thought of the dangers that might be encountered there. Although Lin Mo was confident, he was not stupid.

That was a real battlefield, where blades had no eyes and monsters had no mercy. His current [Tough Skin] was fine for dealing with Beast Soldier Rank monsters, but if he ran into a Beast General Rank or got swarmed, it probably wouldn't be enough.

No way, survival comes first! A craftsman must sharpen his tools if he is to do his job well! I need to get some flashy, top-tier gear!

Thus, led by Wang Keke, Lin Mo arrived at the Top-Tier Equipment Customization Center located within the Wang Family estate, which was also open to the high-ranking members of the Base City. Looking at the dazzling array of weapons and armor made from various monster materials displayed on the light screens, Lin Mo's eyes almost turned into the shape of currency symbols.

His requirements were clear: a high-level War General set that fit his tiger-like physique perfectly, didn't hinder his agility, and provided superior defense! The materials needed to be lightweight and tough, and it would be best if they could provide a bonus to his wing movement and the explosive power of [Lightning Strike].

A team of professional blacksmiths spent a full two hours measuring Lin Mo, recording the range of motion for every joint, the flapping amplitude of his wings, and even the sharpness of his claws. Finally, a design blueprint and a price quote were presented to Lin Mo.

The set on the blueprint was indeed imposing: streamlined dark gold armor covered the critical areas, special flexible metal was used at the joints, alloy feather blades as thin as cicada wings yet extremely tough were added to the edges of his wings, and retractable claw covers were designed for his tiger paws. The entire set retained the majesty of a tiger while being filled with the cool, futuristic aesthetic of high technology.

However, when Lin Mo's gaze swept to the total price at the bottom, he felt his heart stop.

One billion five hundred and eighty million Huaxia Currency!

How... how much?! One point five billion?! And it's eighty million on top of that?! All the money I earned from selling my dignity, enduring social death, and working myself to the bone... is this basically going to wipe me out?!

He jerked his head up, staring with suspicious eyes at the accompanying Wang Family steward and the smiling master blacksmith.

Are you trying to scam me?! You old geezers, are you ganging up to plot against my hard-earned money? Knowing I just made a little, you're trying to bleed me dry? It must have been that old schemer of a patriarch who ordered this!

Seeing the fire in Lin Mo's eyes, Wang Keke quickly explained, "Mimi, this price... although expensive, they really aren't scamming us."

"Look, it uses the core back armor material of a 'High-Level Beast General' Golden-Eyed Iron-Armed Ape mixed with the flexible layer of a 'Mid-Level Beast General' Black-Crowned King Snake. The material cost alone is the bulk of it. Plus, this is fully customized and requires master craftsmen to pour their heart and soul into it; the labor costs are also extremely high..."

The master blacksmith also stroked his beard and added, "Lord Tiger King, your physique is unique. The handling of your joints and wings is incredibly complex, and we have to balance defense with speed. This price is already a 'friendship discount' of ten percent off, given out of respect for the Wang Family. If we were customizing armor of the same material for a human War General, the price would only be higher, as their bodies are smaller and require more intricate internal structures."

To prove his words, the steward pulled up several quotes for human War General custom gear, and the prices of two or three billion made Lin Mo dizzy.

Hiss... human gear is even more expensive? Compared to that, it seems... I got a bit of a deal? After all, I'm a big tiger and use more material, yet it's still cheaper than theirs? Why do I suddenly feel a bit more balanced?

But balance aside, the money still had to be spent. Lin Mo looked at the numbers in his account that he had earned through "selling his charm," and his heart bled. Holding onto a final shred of hope, he poked Wang Keke with his claw, made a counting gesture, and pointed toward the direction of the main Wang Family residence, his eyes full of expectation.

Reimbursement! Keke, hurry and ask if the family can reimburse this?! I'm doing this to earn face for the Wang Family and to fight on the front lines!

Wang Keke understood immediately and spread her hands helplessly, "Mimi, the family does have an equipment subsidy policy, but it usually only covers 10% of the total price."

10%?! One hundred and fifty-eight million?

I'm losing over a billion, and you're only giving me a hundred million?! Are you trying to send off a beggar?! No! Absolutely not! This hurts more than cutting my own flesh! I must find that old schemer of a patriarch! At least reimburse me 50%! Otherwise, whoever wants to go to the front line can go; I'm going on strike!

Thinking about how his months of "humiliation" and "blood and sweat" were about to vanish, Lin Mo's tiger temper flared up completely. He let out a low growl, bit the corner of Wang Keke's clothes, and dragged her toward the patriarch's study, looking like he wouldn't let it go until he got an explanation.

Inside the study, Wang Qingtian seemed to have anticipated their arrival and was leisurely sipping tea.

A fierce and... shameless business negotiation began.

Wang Keke acted as the translator, "Dad, Mimi says that this set of equipment is to better serve the family, protect me, and kill more monsters on the front lines to contribute to humanity! Both publicly and privately, the family should provide strong support! He demands a 50% reimbursement!"

Lin Mo stood to the side, puffing out his chest and scraping the floor with his claws to show his "value" and "determination."

Wang Qingtian slowly set down his teacup, "Oh? Serving the family is expected. The 10% reimbursement rate is a family rule that cannot be broken. Besides, doesn't he have a lot of shares? Young man, you must learn to invest in yourself."

Translation of inner thoughts: Little guy, you want to fleece the family? Do you think I don't know what you're thinking?

Lin Mo was even angrier when he heard this. He stood up on his hind legs, waving his front paws in the air, performing the shameful actions of "clapping," "getting his head patted," and even "taking a bath." Then, he pointed angrily at himself, then at his account balance, and finally performed a heart-broken collapse to the floor.

Wang Keke held back her laughter and translated, "Mimi says that the money he earned wasn't easy! It was exchanged for the sacrifice of his tiger dignity and pride! Now he is pouring it all into the great cause of fighting monsters. If the family only pays 10%, it will chill the heart of a hero! He will be very sad and have no motivation, and he might not even be able to walk, let alone go to the front lines."

Wang Qingtian's mouth twitched as he looked at the giant Winged Tiger rolling on the floor and acting out, feeling a headache coming on. He pondered for a moment and said, "15%. Considering Mimi's special contributions and the importance of this mission, it can be raised to 15%."

Lin Mo stopped rolling, shook his head violently, held out his paw, showed his thick paw pads, then retracted two toes to reveal three.

Thirty! At least thirty! Otherwise, no deal!

Wang Keke, "Mimi says 30% is his bottom line!"

Wang Qingtian frowned, "20%, no more. The family has its own difficulties, and resources must be allocated strategically."

Lin Mo began to bang his head against a padded pillar nearby, making dull "thud" sounds, looking like a tiger who had lost all hope in life.

Wang Keke quickly grabbed him, "Dad! Look at Mimi! 25%! Let's just make it 25%! Otherwise, he might really get depressed!"

Wang Qingtian looked at the human-tiger act in front of him and finally sighed "helplessly," rubbing his temples, "Fine, fine, 25% it is! I'm really afraid of you two! This money will come from my personal authority as a special reward. But Mimi, when you get to the front lines, you must perform well and not let down this equipment or the family's expectations!"

"Roar--!" Lin Mo instantly stopped all "self-harming" behavior, let out a spirited, full-throated tiger roar, held his tail high, and proudly rubbed against Wang Keke.

Hahaha! Deal! Negotiated from 10% to 25%! A net gain of over two hundred million! I really am a negotiation genius! Although it's still a huge loss, I've at least recovered some of my blood! So satisfying!

Satisfied, like a general who had won a battle, he held his head high, walked with a swagger, and happily followed Wang Keke out of the study, ready to sign the equipment customization agreement.

After the study door closed, the "helpless" expression on Wang Qingtian's face vanished instantly, replaced by a hint of smugness at his successful scheme. He leisurely picked up his teacup again and took a blissful sip.

Hehehe... little guy, you want to fight me? The family council had already passed a resolution to fully fund this set of equipment for him, with a budget of a full 1.6 billion! Now, he's voluntarily paid for most of it, and the family only spent less than 400 million... saved a huge sum of money! Perfect!

He could already see the scene of Lin Mo wearing that "self-funded" top-tier equipment, slaughtering monsters on the front lines and bringing fame to the Wang Family.

"This deal was worth it!" Wang Qingtian smiled like an old fox who had stolen a chicken.

Meanwhile, Lin Mo, still feeling smug about "winning" a 25% reimbursement, had no idea he had been clearly outplayed by the "old schemer" of a patriarch. He was happily thinking that once he reached the front lines, he would have to eat a few more Beast General Rank monsters to earn back this investment with interest!