Crazy Spending

The moment Baimu took a bite of the giant fried egg, he understood why this thing was so popular.

It was delicious!

He almost swallowed the fork along with it.

He had thought he would get tired of a fried egg as large as a washbasin after just a few bites, but after finishing the whole thing, he was still unsatisfied and wanted another one.

"They only sprinkled a little salt on it..."

Baimu glanced at the plate, forcibly suppressing the urge to lick away the remaining crumbs, then turned to Lairon and Chansey beside him.

Unexpectedly, the two Pokémon had already cleaned up their fried eggs. Lairon's plate was so spotless it reflected light, and might not even have needed washing.

"Lairon~"

Lairon laughed heartlessly.

Chansey glanced at the empty plate and bashfully rubbed its two little hands together. When it saw Lairon devouring the egg, it had originally planned to eat less so it could give the rest to Lairon.

But after taking the first bite, it could not stop.

Just how gluttonous am I?

Chansey thought guiltily.

"Haha..."

Baimu smiled faintly, set the plate in his hand on the ground, and reached out to stroke Chansey's round head, which was covered in slightly short fur.

The difference in their personalities was especially obvious at this moment.

Lairon was steady, gentle, good-tempered, and intelligent, like a loyal guard. It had never disappointed Baimu.

Chansey, on the other hand, was relatively timid and introverted, yet gentle and kind. It had an innate interest in taking care of others, but unfortunately lacked confidence.

After petting Chansey for a while, he went over to stroke Lairon's head as well.

"Lairon~"

Lairon revealed a blissful expression. Although its steel armor slightly blocked its physical sensations, it had always liked and cherished moments like this.

Pokémon could survive without their Trainers, but when they leaned against each other, that brief warmth felt like the most precious thing in the world, making them reluctant to part.

"Let's go."

Baimu had not forgotten that he still had money to collect.

"Lairon!" "Lucky~"

The two Pokémon softly acknowledged him.

In the Quicksand Team, the position of Squad Leader was undoubtedly a middle-management role that placed one above ordinary people.

Both their status and income far exceeded those of regular members.

Aside from a guaranteed annual salary of roughly five million, every Squad Leader was assigned part of a neighborhood by their immediate superior as territory to oversee.

The "settlement fees" from every shop and facility within that territory were collected by the Squad Leader. This was where their additional income came from. As long as they were not so greedy and blind as to drain the pond to catch all the fish, the higher-ups generally would not interfere too much.

Then there were mission bonuses, tribute from their subordinates, and various bribes that could not be brought into the light.

With all those legitimate and illegitimate sources of income added together, even a pauper could instantly become one of the elite.

Of course, their expenses were not low either. Squad Leaders had to offer gifts to their immediate superiors and the highest-ranking executives, pay various membership fees, give holiday presents, hand out red packets at gatherings, and so on. Those costs were equally substantial.

This was what people meant by the big fish eating the small fish, and the small fish eating the shrimp.

Yet plenty of people wanted to become such a small fish, and still could not.

Therefore, when Baimu arrived at the headquarters building to collect his bonuses, executive insignia, new uniform, and other miscellaneous items, the few deferential administrative workers were so envious that their faces twisted.

It was not that they felt no jealousy or resentment. They simply did not dare show it. Their status was even lower than that of ordinary members, so how could they dare offend anyone?

Baimu paid no attention to their thoughts and carefully counted the money.

The money he received this time consisted of 2.97 million in livestream tips—with the odd amount rounded down—400,000 for defeating the enemy, 600,000 for completely annihilating the opponents, and a one-million bonus for killing an important member of the Hound Team!

That totaled 4.97 million. Added to the 3.03 million in his pocket, it came to exactly eight million!

That part was settled.

→

Next came the Pokémon he was holding for others and those he had reclaimed.

There were six Pokémon being held for others. Their Trainers were lying in hospital beds and probably would not wake up anytime soon, so Baimu charged 200,000 for each one.

There were three reclaimed Pokémon. Their Trainers had unfortunately died, so the Quicksand Team had forcibly reclaimed them for 100,000 each. They might later be transferred to their families.

As for Otsuka's Pokémon...

"100,000 each."

Baimu felt that he was still somewhat softhearted. If he charged nothing, Otsuka might well refuse to repay that one-million debt. Baimu had a feeling the young man was capable of that.

To follow the principle that even brothers should keep clear accounts, he had to collect at least the basic fee.

Thus.

His wallet had grown much fatter. He now had a total of 9.8 million yuan, only 200,000 short of becoming a ten-millionaire.

Though in terms of purchasing power, he was still far from being a true rich man.

Thinking this, Baimu shifted his gaze elsewhere—

Part of a Squad Leader's basic benefits included a brand-new hover motorcycle, a two-story detached house on the surface, a detached house underground, and a permit to establish a large-scale business on the surface or in the Underground City.

The surface could be set aside for now. Although the faction's Underground City was vast, few people could open shops there.

Behind every booming business stood a Squad Leader or an even higher-ranking executive. The Quicksand Team was accustomed to giving this as one of the benefits offered to Squad Leaders.

With this permit, they could make money legitimately.

However, few Squad Leaders had the business sense to use it themselves, so the permits were usually leased out, earning them an additional sum.

Overall, the Quicksand Team's higher-ups were quite generous. Unfortunately, human nature was greedy. Especially in such a filthy environment, the more they were given, the less satisfied they became.

Baimu put away these things one by one and wondered if he would have to move again despite having been here for less than a week.

He wondered whether Lairon and Chansey could get used to it.

Hmm.

I might as well go spend some money.

Neutral Underground City.

This was his second visit, but his feelings were different from before.

Back then, he had been too busy getting his Pokémon familiar with him to look around carefully. Now was the perfect opportunity to explore.

To be honest, the Underground City was almost no different from the commercial streets and pedestrian malls of his previous life. Besides all kinds of shops, there were also street stalls and mobile vendors like those at a night market.

Perhaps because night life was about to begin, the Neutral Underground City was bustling.

Baimu walked around briefly before choosing a digital electronics store and entering.

Five minutes later.

He walked out holding a black cellphone.

According to the clerk, this was the latest technology, with numerous interesting functions. If he could buy a Rotom and let it enter the phone, it could give the device even greater intelligence and practicality.

The clerk had praised it to the skies, and the price was outrageously expensive: 80,000!

Even that was a discounted price. The clerk claimed that in other regions, cellphones started at 100,000, leaving Baimu dumbfounded.

"I've got another expense every month now."

He sighed. The cellphone carriers for the Orre region were undoubtedly based in Silicon Beryllium City, and the monthly fees were not cheap either.

But to maintain better contact with the outside world, this was money he had to spend.

Afterward.

Baimu bought some other miscellaneous items. Standing at the end of an alley, he thought for a moment before saying, "Next... I should ask Lairon and Chansey what they want."

Bang!

The Poké Ball opened, and Lairon landed on the ground, drawing the attention of a few passersby. Those gazes soon disappeared.

"Is there anything you want?"

He asked in a low voice, "For example, do you want to eat some precious metal, or do you want to do something?"

Lairon carefully processed its Trainer's words. After looking around, it walked toward a certain direction.

Baimu hurried after it.