Chapter 26: Wow, Starting as a Spirit King!

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In Gotham City, Wayne Enterprises was unquestionably the most powerful all-around corporation. Landing a job there meant you could at least begin fantasizing about a better life in Gotham.

If given the chance, no sane person would turn down an offer from Wayne Enterprises. After all, it was the perfect starting point for fantasies of climbing the corporate ladder, getting promoted, becoming a high-ranking executive, marrying a rich and beautiful woman, and reaching the pinnacle of life.

And so Ma Zhaodi turned to the system.

“I think this is the starting point of my successful life.”

“Analysis complete. Entry-level personnel in the Wayne Enterprises Technology Division are required to possess skills including proficiency in certain intermediate mechanical techniques, proficiency in certain intermediate programming techniques, and proficiency in certain intermediate physics techniques. You do not possess the professional skills or qualifications required for this position. If you force your way into the job, you will be unable to obtain Asset Points through employment.”

Ma Zhaodi then turned to Lucius.

“Sorry, I can’t do it. I’ll be leaving now.”

What a joke. Ma Zhaodi had less than five hundred Asset Points to his name. Aside from radically modifying his wheelchair at the beginning and purchasing Advanced Wheelchair Operation, he had later spent points on Basic Driving and Basic Firearms Proficiency.

Those two skills had cost five hundred and fifteen hundred points respectively, consuming two thousand dollars’ worth of Asset Points. To purchase all the various skills required to join the Technology Division, Ma Zhaodi would need to save for at least several more months.

There was no helping it. This was Gotham. Without knowing how to drive and shoot, there was no way to maintain a normal daily life. Even if Ma Zhaodi raced his super-speed wheelchair to and from work every day, he would still end up being chased and shot at by a gang of insane little punks on the evening streets—and eventually have his wheelchair stolen too.

Hearing Ma Zhaodi’s answer, Lucius showed no particular reaction. He merely smiled and asked, “You haven’t even asked what the job entails, yet you’re rejecting it outright?”

“I know my own situation.” Ma Zhaodi sighed. “If you don’t have the skills, you shouldn’t take on the job. I’m afraid I wouldn’t be able to handle it. I’d better continue working as a waiter. As for payment, I’m not sure what to ask for. Would cash work?”

“Of course. I will personally pay you fifty thousand dollars as compensation. It will be transferred to your account shortly.”

People from Wayne Enterprises really were filthy rich. Fifty thousand dollars for selling a few flowers.

Unfortunately, since this wasn’t ordinary labor compensation, the Asset Points in the system did not increase.

“Goodbye, Mr. Ma Zhaodi. If you find any information about this plant, you’re welcome to come to me at any time.”

“Next time, for sure.” Ma Zhaodi waved his hand. “Goodbye, Lucius.”

……

“All right, all right. I don’t really know how you managed to get your hands on so much money, but in any case, you want to buy a car, right?”

“I already told you—it came from a perfectly legitimate transaction.” Ma Zhaodi corrected him. “Could you stop using that tone? It’s liable to cause misunderstandings. I’m practically the most law-abiding man in all of Gotham. Giving me an award for exemplary citizenship wouldn’t be excessive.”

Drake selectively ignored him and continued muttering to himself. “A car that’s going to spend its nights parked in Gotham’s East End can’t be too new, can’t be too expensive, and can’t be too flimsy. Come to think of it, this week’s wages are enough to buy you a cheap secondhand wreck. Anything more expensive would be unsafe.”

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“So the real expense of buying a car is actually finding a secure parking space?”

Drake shot him a glance. “What kind of nonsense are you talking about? Where in the East End is there a secure parking space? Even the Falcone family couldn’t make a business out of that.”

“Then what happens if my car gets stolen?”

“A beat-up secondhand car can last at least a year. Even if it gets stolen after six months, will you really feel that bad?”

“...It did cost more than two thousand dollars. I’d be at least a little upset.”

That was somewhat hypocritical, really. With a junker worth two thousand dollars, the mere fact that it could move was enough to earn a perfect score. If it got into an accident, the only person to blame would be the driver’s poor skills.

It didn’t mind that I was poor. How could I possibly mind that it was beat-up?

“Hey, Drake. Here to buy a car?”

“Yeah. Do you have anything reliable? Something around two thousand dollars.”

Ma Zhaodi raised an eyebrow when he saw how familiar Drake was with the car dealer.

“You even have connections with used-car dealers?”

Drake shrugged. “When I first came to Gotham, I drove here. Who do you think I sold my car to afterward?”

Ma Zhaodi understood. While the car dealer turned around to lead them inside, he quietly asked Drake, “Is this guy honest?”

Drake gave him a strange look. “What kind of nonsense are you talking about? Where in the East End are there any honest car dealers?”

“Then you...”

“Of course I got fleeced. After that, I took immediate measures to cut my losses.”

“You pulled a gun on him?”

“No. From that day onward, I took on a part-time job as a vehicle salesman in the East End. I specialize in bringing people here to buy and sell cars. The dealer and I split the profits fifty-fifty.”

So Drake hadn’t pulled a gun, but he really had joined the dealer’s operation.

“...You’re a truly awful bastard.”

“Either way, everyone gets cheated by every car dealer in the East End. If I’m the one cheating them, maybe they’ll lose a little less.”

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“So I’m buying a car here...”

“Haha.” At this, Drake wore a confident smile. “We’re screwed, buddy. But for my sake, he’ll cheat you a little less.”

“That still means I’m getting cheated!”

At that moment, the car dealer led them to a vehicle with a broad smile on his face.

“This is one of our latest arrivals. Everything works, the exterior only has a dozen or so minor dents, and it drives beautifully. It’s Russian-made, too—tough and built to last. Since you’re Drake’s friend, I’ll let you have it for only twenty-two hundred dollars. How does that sound?”

Before Ma Zhaodi could answer, Drake spoke first.

“What’s wrong with it?”

“Hey, what kind of person do you take me for?” The dealer’s expression darkened at once. “Given the relationship between us, would I cheat your friend? Let him take it for a test drive! If he finds anything wrong, I’ll replace it for you immediately!”

Hearing this, Ma Zhaodi took the keys, climbed into the car, started the engine, shifted gears, and drove out. After testing the handling and inspecting the interior, he determined that the only serious issue was the badly worn tires. The engine, brakes, steering wheel, and seats were all perfectly fine.

He couldn’t help feeling puzzled.

Could Drake actually have come through for once?

Watching Ma Zhaodi’s movements, the car dealer let out a nearly imperceptible sigh of relief. Then he thumped his chest and declared loudly, “I told you! There’s absolutely nothing wrong with this car—”

“Whoosh.”

At that moment, Drake turned on the air conditioner inside the car. A cloud of bright red mist immediately blew out, carrying the damp, metallic stench of blood.

“.......”

The dealer’s mouth snapped shut.

“Johnny, tell me the truth.” Drake’s eyes turned menacing. “What exactly happened to this car?”

“Ahem. This car... was involved in a small accident before.”

Ma Zhaodi immediately understood.

This damn car came with a ghost attached.

“How many times have you sold it?”

“...The fifth time.”