Reborn With the Infinite Gods System

Chapter 26: 26: Poverty

After the ship was cleared, the monitoring team swiftly moved in to salvage any alien tech and prepare to close the portal permanently. This was a crucial step, one that the hunters could only watch from the sidelines. They were spent, their bodies still recovering from the ordeal, and the poison that had almost claimed their lives.

Axel stood silently, a severe expression etched on his face as he observed the proceedings. He felt a burning rage as he glanced at Military Head Kurtly, the man who had interrogated him not too long ago, and at President Seo Jinhyuk, who stood beside him.

Captain Rowin and the others, still weak from the poison, glared at Kurtly with undisguised contempt. The effects of the toxin had begun to fade only after they exited the ship and breathed in the fresh air. If not for Axel, they might have never made it out alive.

"Congratulations on proving yourself and clearing the ship," President Seo Jinhyuk praised, though his words were lost on Axel, who focused only on Kurtly, whose face reddened with rage.

Axel wasn't interested in waiting for Kurtly's next move. He stepped forward, closing the distance between them in a heartbeat, his voice low and threatening. "Next time you send people after me, I'll make sure to send you to hell to accompany them!"

Kurtly didn't flinch. A seasoned military head, he was used to threats, accustomed to enemies who wanted him dead. He simply scoffed, turned around, and walked away.

"Next time, I won't fail," Kurtly muttered under his breath, loud enough for Axel to hear. The blatant dismissal stoked the fire within Axel, but he knew there was nothing he could do without evidence. Laws were still murky when it came to alien portals, and Kurtly's actions would go unpunished.

Axel seethed, his fists clenched. Watching Kurtly walk away without consequence was maddening.

"Don't focus too much on him," President Seo Jinhyuk's voice broke through Axel's fury. He sounded more amiable now, far different from the interrogator Axel had faced before. "You've earned your reward for clearing the portal."

Axel turned to face him, trying to suppress his anger.

"All of you will receive the standard payment, with an additional two hundred Kyotas, making it a total of three hundred thousand," the President continued. "But Axel, I believe you deserve more than just a small payment. I'm promoting you to B-Rank."

Axel's breath caught in his throat. B-Rank. That would change everything. No more scraping by with the meager earnings of an E-Rank Hunter. As a B-Rank, he could earn up to five hundred Kyotas per portal. The thought of it made his heart race.

He could finally make a difference at home, finally give his mother and sister the life they deserved.

"This... this is the best gift I've ever received," Axel managed to say, his voice filled with gratitude and disbelief.

"An opportunity to get overworked and earn twice the amount of overwork... A dream from both life," Velerium appeared beside him, his expression one of mild disappointment. "You think so little, Master. You should be demanding more."

Axel ignored Velerium's advice, as he had grown accustomed to doing, and bowed respectfully to President Seo Jinhyuk. "Thank you for everything. But now, I'd like to be on my way. My sister must be waiting at home."

Just as Axel turned to leave, he felt a firm hand on his shoulder. He spun around to find Loki, who handed him a small, white piece of paper. "It's our contact line," Loki said. "If you ever need anything, we'll be there. Consider it repayment for saving our lives."

Axel accepted the paper with a small smile, his mood lifting slightly. "Thank you," he said sincerely before continuing his walk, leaving the vicinity and the tense atmosphere behind.

As Axel disappeared from view, President Seo Jinhyuk's smile faded. His voice was cold when he spoke again. "I thought I told you to kill him in the portal?"

Captain Rowin shook his head. "I know his existence could cause a pandemic of some sort, in ways I don't fully understand. But I couldn't do it. I had to let him live."

"Interesting," the President replied, his tone contemplative. "I prefer him alive anyway." With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Captain Rowin to ponder his cryptic words.

***

Meanwhile, Axel sat on a public bus, his head resting against the window as the city streets blurred by. He felt lighter, more hopeful than he had in a long time. The promotion to B-Rank had changed everything. It was as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

Ping!

His phone vibrated in his pocket, pulling him from his thoughts. A bank alert. Axel's heart raced as he pulled out his phone, suddenly reminded that he hadn't yet confirmed his payment. Would it reflect the new B-Rank status, or would it still be the old E-Rank amount? His mind raced as he opened the banking app and scrolled to his account balance.

His jaw dropped when he saw the number.

"What the hell... One million Kyotas!"

Axel stared at the screen in disbelief. One million Kyotas. It was more money than he had ever seen in his life, more than he had ever thought possible. His hands trembled as he tried to comprehend what this meant. The possibilities, the doors this could open—it was overwhelming.

As the bus continued down the road, Axel's mind buzzed with thoughts of how much his newfound wealth would support his family's needs. He had a ton of things he could already suggest were needed.

But as thrilling as they were, for now, he allowed himself a moment of peace, a moment to savor the victory. Whatever lay ahead, he would face it. He had to. There was no turning back now.

***Author's note***

Thanks you for purchasing privilege. I'll be editing the other chapters sooner than you know it.

The same begging for today too. Please I need your support for this novel, magic castle to boost the book if you believe it's worth it. Thaks