Chapter 39: DEBT AND DISASTER

VIVIAN

Beeny replied. "Yes."

Vivian stared at Beeny. "You sure I can save my father?"

Beeny nodded. "Once your Lotus becomes strong enough, I can take you to the Soldiers’ Grave."

Vivian’s eyes brightened. "The Void Planet?"

"Yes. Your father is there. They always send berserk soldiers there."

Vivian immediately sat straighter. "How far is it?"

"Not too far from my village."

"Your village?"

Beeny nodded. "It is called Beehive."

Vivian’s expression softened. "So you can take me there?"

"Yes."

Beeny’s smile disappeared. "But there is a problem."

"What?"

"Everyone in my village is gone."

Vivian froze. "What do you mean?"

"Some were killed. Others were taken away by the transmigrators."

Her little fists tightened. "I’m the only one who survived and successfully escaped."

Vivian stared at her. "You’re a Zerg. I thought your people were supposed to be strong."

Beeny’s cheeks puffed. "We are strong!"

"Then how did an entire village disappear?"

Beeny lowered her head. "Our Zerg leader betrayed us."

Vivian frowned. "He works for the transmigrators now. They promised him that they would destroy the other Human Beasts and make him the ruler of this region."

She clenched her tiny fists. "They even promised him Haxia."

Vivian’s expression became serious. "So you want me to become stronger to fight them?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

Beeny blinked.

Vivian shrugged. "I just want to save my father. I’m not trying to save the universe."

She pointed toward herself. "I’m a Zero-class female. Let Elena and her three heroes save the world. That’s literally what heroines are for."

Beeny stared at her.

"..."

Vivian smiled. "I’m serious."

Beeny slowly shook her head. "Forget what I said."

Beeny turned away.

I have to remove this lazy mentality from Vivian’s head at all costs.

Vivian narrowed her eyes. "Did you just insult me?"

"No."

"You definitely did."

"I didn’t."

"You did."

Beeny smiled innocently. "Pretty sister, we should sleep. If you don’t get good sleep we will be ugly."

THE NEXT DAY

Vivian woke up after sleeping for an entire day. And somehow... She was completely fine.

In fact, she was happier than ever.

She danced around the room. "We’re going shopping!"

Arin stared at her. Robot 99 stared too.

Vivian grabbed the robot and hugged it. "We have so much to buy!"

Arin’s mouth dropped open.

Has grief finally driven her crazy?

Vivian spun around.

"My clothes were destroyed. We need furniture. Decorations. Food. And I need to sell all these beast cores!"

She pulled out her bag and her Stolen ring. "I’ll be rich!"

She threw both hands into the air. "RICH!"

Robot 99 displayed a happy face.

Arin finally spoke. "Okay... but do we actually have money for us?"

Vivian froze. "....."

Arin smiled. "Remember your house that collapsed?"

Vivian nodded slowly.

"Robot 99 filed a lawsuit against the construction company."

Robot 99 proudly displayed a tiny medal on its screen.

"They compensated us."

"How much?"

"Ten billion high grade spirit stones."

Vivian’s jaw dropped. She grabbed Robot 99. "YOU MEAN WE’RE REALLY RICH NOW?!"

She kissed its metallic cheek repeatedly. "I’m so proud of you, smarty-pants!"

Robot 99’s screen displayed: MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.

"Aww!"

Arin suddenly cleared her throat. "There is one problem I think you have forgotten.."

Vivian stopped. "What?"

"What about Aston?"

Vivian’s smile disappeared. Her entire body stiffened. "...Aston?"

"You said you would repay him back the money he gave you.."

Vivian slowly remembered.

Her sixteen-billion-spirit-stone debt.

"Oh."

She sat down. "If I pay him Ten billion, I’ll only have..."

She counted silently. "... six billion debt left."

She held her chest. "My chest hurts."

Arin rushed to her. "Where? Where does it hurt, tell me?"

She looked up with teary eyes. "It hurts emotionally."

Arin rolled her eyes walking away.

Robot 99 displayed a confused face. Vivian sighed. "Fine. Send the money."

Arin transferred the funds. Vivian opened Aston’s chat.

Her finger hovered over the transfer button.

10,000,000,000 SPIRIT STONES

She stared at it. Her hand trembled. "10 billion..."

She swallowed. "Goodbye, my beautiful money."

She hesitated. And hesitated. And hesitated.

Arin finally grabbed her hand.

"Just send it!"

TRANSFER SUCCESSFUL.

Vivian collapsed onto the couch. Her happiness had been washed away by a cold bucket of reality.

Robot 99 displayed: DON’T WORRY. WE WILL MAKE MORE MONEY.

Vivian slowly sat up. "You’re right."

She wiped her imaginary tears. "I’m still young."

She raised her fist. "One day, I’ll be rich."

She opened Aston’s chat again. Her fingers moved across the screen.

Hi, sweetheart.

She paused. "Too performative.?"

She deleted it. She typed again.

Hi, baby. You always send me money for my upkeep, so I decided to return the favor today. I don’t want you thinking I’m only capable of spending your money. Consider this my small contribution to our beautiful relationship.

She stared at the message.

Then added:

See? My love has finally grown so deep that I can even send money back to you. Please accept it with all the love in my heart.

Vivian stared at the message. "Perfect."

She pressed send. Then immediately locked her communicator.

If he one day asks me for the remaining six billion, I’ll pretend I lost my memory. My relationship with him will end soon. Anyplace I see him I will run away.

Beeny said in her consciousness. "Vivian is really a pyscho!!"

She stood. "Arin!"

"Yes?"

"I need new clothes."

"My clothes were destroyed at my mansion."

She looked down at herself.

"The only ones I have left are those ridiculous dresses that expose half my body."

Arin nodded. "Then let’s go shopping."

Vivian grinned. "Today, we’re exploring Haxia!"

Twenty minutes later, they were ready.

Robot 99 rolled behind them. Vivian opened the door.

Then stopped.

"..." her mouth wide open.

Arin walked into her. "What happened?"

Vivian stared outside.

The entire street was filled with Federation military ships.

Not one. Not two. A fleet. Soldiers stood around the area.

The engines of the larger ships generated powerful winds.

One gust blew directly toward her dress. Her pink dress flew upward.

"Ah!"

She desperately pulled it down.

Arin whispered. "Should we go back inside?"

"Yes."

Vivian slowly stepped backward.

Then...

The largest Federation ship landed.

Its massive door opened. A flight of stairs extended to the ground.

The surrounding soldiers immediately stood at attention.

A tall figure appeared at the top of the stairs.

Black hair. Cold eyes. A familiar face.

Vivian’s smile disappeared.

"...Caelan?"

Caelan Drayke stepped down from the ship. And his gaze immediately locked onto her.

"What does this psycho want?" She thought.