There’s a reason we have the urge to protect babies. They’re too vulnerable. Not only physically but also mentally. As a parent, any word you say will be held onto by them to an insane lifelong degree.

When Izo’s father praised him for having good talent as a businessman, he enshrined it in his heart and his life from 12-18 was built around it. He pushed himself and excelled on economics and pursued this path in university.

It was only the grind and the pain that destroyed his aspirations. Izo discovered that he wasn’t living for himself and he had no self. Never was.

But just like love can spring forth in arranged marriages, Izo found the topic enjoyable after a while. At least, 60% enjoyable and he wasn’t sure if people who love things 100% are real.

So, when he got saw the Awards Board, Izo knew that the first to 20,000 was what he should aim for.

Like all good entrepreneur he researched the market and recognized that the arena was the main focus of the customers here. They needed to complete it faster and safer.

‘Weapons and ammunition. What could be more profitable?’

There were machines specialized to produce a single product but whether its armor or ammunitions, Izo foresaw that they would be phased out with the constant increase in strength here. He opted for the Spirit Printer something that could keep up with the demand even if it was more costly, less efficient and slower production.

It couldn’t produce magic items whether faith, mana or shamanic enchanted but it would sail him to 20000 points.

“Are you not joking Sun Hee?”

“I’m not. Have you ever thought about why humanity had existed on Earth for tens of thousands of years yet only recently did technology so fast?”

Sun Hee grabbed Izo hands and placed them on both sides of her cheeks. Since, he was smaller Izo had to tip toe to reach.

“Transportation and telecommunications, yes, but also once you grabbed one thread of science pull and you’ll grasp more. And I have an idea. You use these bluish metals from the sea bed and complement it with other materials to power the Printer, right?”

“Yes. It’s too wasteful to only use the metal and it’s not as effective using common steel or aluminum.”

“Isn’t it weird that despite its low quantity, it could make more than its visible size?”

“?”

Izo guided her to sit down but instead he got pushed to the chair.

“Say it with me. Matter is mana. Mana is matter.”

“Don’t get it.”

“I’ll prove it to you Izo. It’s just I’m going to need some ores and specialized equipment to fully understand. See I’ve completed the book and there isn’t an Intermediate Mana Manipulation in the store. The Advanced one should also be available…”

Then it clicked in Izo’s head what Sun Hee was pointing at.

‘Did I just get a sugar baby or an R&D department?’

Well, both needed exorbitant amounts of money. Both also would explain some esoteric concept that would end in needing money. The former would ask for money for “university books” and “tuition hike. The latter for “food expenses” and “unforeseen failure in an experiment that destroyed equipment”.

‘Wait, is she feeling shy asking for points?’

Sun Hee’s aggressive posture changed. She was avoiding his stare and was fidgeting a bit.

“Just say it to me straight.”

This must’ve ticked her off as she pointed her nose to the sky.

“I can’t wait to enchant my own items in the future.”

“…”

“If there was some way, I could help someone however with my talents. If we could also somehow sign a contract to make it fair.”

[ Izo: Is there a contract system available?

Jane: There is. There will have to be four copies though since the scouts of the parties require one.

Izo: Thanks. ]

Soon, enough a blank floating window appeared where they could write the contract.

They wrote a simple one where Izo would provide materials, equipment and research area for Sun Hee but all her future products and results would only be sold to Izo at a mark-up. Her future expenses for her growth would be shouldered by him.

While they were writing and reviewing the contents, the two ate the chicken wings and ketchup combo.

[ Spirit Imprint required! ]

A stone appeared in front of them.

[ Please hold it close to your brain. ]

They followed so. Izo didn’t even feel anything weird with the stone.

[ Imprint received. ]

He passed to Sun Hee who also completed it.

“Done.”

“Done.”

“Congratulations.”

“Congratulations to you too.”

They shook hands but since they held the wings while they ate, their palms were greasy.

“You can let go if you feel uncomfortable, Lee Sun Hee.”

“I invite you first, Izo Shelley.”

Seeing that they were in a stalemate, Izo wanted to swiftly break off. Somehow, they released both their hands at the same time.

*

If Milyaa would have to grade Izo Shelley right now it would be D in Effectiveness and E+ in Spirituality. He might be frustrated about still not being able to manifest his spiritual art but he was progressing steadily. Spirituality was like a muscle, keep using it and it’ll increase in strength.

Her uncle already spoke of Izo’s potential but she didn’t expect for Izo to surpass it. He was a perfect spy and brain in the dark.

Lee Sun Hee was the same. Smart, savvy and perfect as a future mage. She was already on the cusp of using magic.

Being top 50 was still questionable for them since the natural ability of those candidates was too much but they could definitely reach top 100.

In fact, her candidates were all doing well and it made her more fired up to do her best.

‘Izo would probably reach 20,000 points in four days.’

His Spirit Printer plan passed through her hands and she instantly knew it was going to be successful.

[ Staff 1: Lee Sun Hee has begun using magic and Jae has reached 15,000 points.

Jane: Wait. Never mind the magic for now, what happened with Jae? ]

The 20,000 award needed to be earned points. It could not be borrowed or donated points. Earning from selling must also have the correct value to item sold. Most candidates can only win it through the arena.

Milyaa was aware that Jae spent minimally on equipment, instead the other Cilae donated equipment to her. To have such pull for others to sacrifice their own growth for you was very impressive. The #1 deserved it too since she never slacked off exercising, fought every day while training the spiritual art that she bought.

However, Milyaa never expected her to be a threat to Izo’s plan.

[ Jane: What happened?

Staff 1: She encountered two special battles today.

Jane: Such luck. ]

Based on the profits, Izo needs four days to get the 20,000 return for his investment.

‘Now, it’ll be a toss-up whether who will win it.’

The candidates’ earnings were hidden to all but themselves. It could still be guessed however that Jae earned around 1200 points per day.

‘This coming four days will be a race.’

*

[ Jane: Jae has reached 15,000 points. Be warned Izo. ]

‘Huh?’

Izo had just finished the chicken wings with Sun Hee. He picked up the finished Eyepopper shotgun and a specialized scope for a different weapon platform and was walking to the center to deliver it.

Now, he received a warning that his assured Mk. 8 Life Booster was up in the air.

‘Crap. I need to grind arenas.’

He currently had 1878 points. The Spirit Printers could earn around 4000 points and arenas 800.

Izo asked for Jae’s earnings then calculated the trajectory.

‘Four days. Even less if she somehow gets a special battle.’

He’s going to have to fight like crazy for a while and maybe form a backup plan.

‘Crap. I’m going to have go through Sleep Deprivation Training after all.’e

He dropped off the merchandise and ran away even before they could thank him.

Sun Hee was surprised as he barged in the hut. He retold what Jane said as he equipped all his equipment and firearms.

“What does this have to do with me?”

She said so but she was already halfway out the hut to get her equipment.

“Hmph. Your future funding depends on this race!”

In 5 minutes, he was fully equipped and ran to the dark gates. Sun Hee arrived soon enough.

They’ve discovered that the number of candidates didn’t matter as the arenas scale to the strength of the challengers. Even more that he had his secret weapons.

“Are those the new drones you were bragging about?”

“Cool, right?”

Izo had four drones floating around him now. One was a usual scouting drone where its camera was connected to a wrist screen and a small joystick.

The other three was half a meter circular drones. They were loud, unable to fly high and batteries needs to be changed quite a bit.

However, he had multiple batteries in his backpack and he was charging more back at the hut. He had money for the ammo too for them to excel at their main function.

“These Decimator Drones have a built-in smart targeting system that can identify most monsters in the arena. This one will keep as safe while it scouts.”

“Great. I wonder if I can magically enchant them.”

“…”

They had a 200 round machine gun able to turn 360˚ to decimate from above. He wondered what kind of improvement Sun Hee could do to them.

“Ok. Let’s go.”

“Balance with money lost and speed right?”

They appeared on top of desert dunes.

[ Kill 100/100 Orcs ]