For Early/Extra Chapters : patreon.com/scoldeyjodxd
Already 30+ Chapters Updated + Daily Updates
"Ah — ! That's strange. It's July. Why do I suddenly feel cold?"
Max had just gotten a chill — the specific kind that had no meteorological explanation, the kind the body produces when something in the environment has decided to pay attention to you and you haven't figured out what yet.
He looked around the apartment. Nothing. Jasmine was in the guest room. Everything was normal.
He filed it under "probably overworked, body sending warning signals again" and made a mental note to actually rest once the video was finished. Being this close to a sudden death event and then dying from exhaustion rather than anything interesting would be embarrassing.
The video. Right. Yesterday he'd reunited with Jasmine, gone to the supermarket, gotten late-night barbecue, and it was past 11 PM by the time they were back. Upholding his no-all-nighters policy, he'd gone to sleep instead of editing. Today's agenda: finish the chores, then get back to it.
He got up from the floor with a quick kip-up — and his phone went off.
The ringtone was a remix of a popular song, the kind specifically engineered to be maximally attention-getting.
From the guest room, immediately: "Max! Turn that off before I come out there and do it for you!"
"No appreciation," Max muttered, and answered.
"Hello?"
"Hello — am I speaking with Mr. Max, of Forest Studio?"
"That's me. Are you calling about the National Competition?"
"Not quite. I'm the sales manager for Goose Corporation. My name's Lawrence. Do you have a moment?"
Max's hand tightened slightly on the phone. "Sure. What can I do for you?"
"We'll get right to it — Goose Corporation has been following Holy Grail War with great interest. We'd love to invite you to work with us. There's a lot we could accomplish together, and we think—"
"I appreciate it. But I'm comfortable on my own right now, and after some past experiences, I'm not looking to collaborate on game development with outside partners."
"Understood completely. No pressure at all." The tone shifted, smooth and easy. "On a different note — Mr. Max, what are your thoughts on Holy Grail War? The game itself?"
Max paused.
His own thoughts on his own game. That was a question with several possible answers, depending on what was actually being asked.
"Is Goose Corporation looking to acquire the game?" he said.
"We are, yes. If you're open to it, we're prepared to offer five million."
A beat of silence.
"Thank you. I'm not selling."
"We're very flexible on the number, Mr. Max. Whatever figure you have in mind, I think we can—"
"It's not about the number. I won't sell at any price. Holy Grail War is my work — I'm not interested in turning it into a revenue optimization tool."
"I see." The smooth professionalism didn't crack, but something behind it recalibrated. "Well. Our door stays open if you ever reconsider. Wishing you all the best."
The line went dead before Max could return the pleasantry.
He looked at his phone for a moment. Goose Corporation's reputation suggested arrogance and pressure tactics. The call had been entirely civil — which in its own way was more unsettling, because it meant they'd decided civility was the right opening move and had other moves available.
One more contact in the world. Potentially useful, potentially a problem. He'd see.
He pocketed the phone and headed for his room.
He didn't make it to the door.
A strong arm wrapped around him from behind. His feet left the floor.
"What are you—"
"Room's clean. We're going shopping. You're coming." Jasmine had him fully off the ground, which she had done without any apparent effort, which Max was choosing not to think too hard about. "You said there might be a press event in the capital soon. You need a suit."
"I said might. It's not confirmed."
"Same difference. I believe in you."
"It's really not necessary to buy anything before—"
"Your muscles will atrophy if you stay inside all day."
Max, suspended approximately six inches off the ground in the entryway of his own apartment, looked at the door. Looked at his room. Looked at the door again.
"...Can I at least put my shoes on first?"
Show Some Supports By Giving Powerstones
Next BONUS CHAPTER at 100 powerstones