“Alright, also, you will provide for free any items common or uncommon to me, members of my party, current and future. Rare and above, we get a 25% discount, which is put onto my tab.“ Yeah, tab sounded better than I owe you three bjs a day till you die.

  I thought for a moment he choked as he shook his head, but then paused, “ Sure, but up to 10000 credits for the common and uncommon. Also, only once per System day. Anything else, yes, I can put onto your debt, but I will cap your debt ceiling at 100 million credits. Once that limit is reached, everything else has to be bought till our contract has expired.”

  I was actually surprised he agreed to that, and well, I guess I couldn't blame him for a limit. “ Sure, but the items I am receiving today do not count towards that limit.” Suddenly, I got a notification from the System.

  Congratulations, you have learned Negotiation Rank 1

  Namon nodded, “ Fine, but the profit split is 85/15 till the principal debt is at 100 million. That is not negotiable. I do have to ensure your debt is paid in a reasonable amount of time.” His face was serious, and his eyes showed he wouldn't back down from it.

  I couldn't help but grin as I went for my next bit, for if I could get him to agree to it, I could get a jump start on my fem bots. “ That is fair, but there are a few more things I want. I want some sort of robotics skill, a skill for programming said robots and three AI chips.” I figured they had to have like robots or androids or something like that. Hell, it was worth a shot in the dark.

  I watched his brow furrow, “Oh, and 15 million in US dollars put into my bank account on earth.” Hopefully, that wasn't stretching it. I paused and held up a finger as on a shelf behind him, rings caught my eye. Reading the tags, I realized they were storage rings, and then under them were System bracelets.

  System Bracelet Grade 2

  A soul-bound item, it can not be destroyed. Provides access to your credits. The base model is widely used for easy transfer of credits as well as access to credits stored in the System Bank. This bracelet also provides 50 storage slots, with each slot stackable up to ten of the same item.

  “And I want one of those System Bracelet Grade 2.”

  Namon drummed his fingers for a moment, realizing what I did with the wording earlier that he agreed to. “Well done, Sara. Well, before I can agree, let me see if I have those skills and chips. “He reached over to the shelf and set the bracelet down next to the skill shards. I could only cringe at how much I was going to be in debt, but if it meant an increase in survival, then I would work hard to make items good enough to hold my end of the deal.

  He disappeared into the back. I started getting a bit antsy as the minutes ticked down and was about to start browsing when Katie and Ameri returned. A huge smile on Katie's face as she came to the counter,” You will not believe half the stuff I saw in there. It's amazing, and from what Ameri told me, we can come here once a day. Isn't that awesome?” Her excitement was infectious as I nodded while Ameri started laying out Katie's items.

  “Hold on, don't charge her yet. “ Katie looked at me with that silly look, and I knew what she was going to say.” No, Katie, just trust me. Wait till I finish with Namon. Please... “ I could see how she wanted to argue.

  “But I have my own credits. I got it for completing a quest,” she gave me a playful smile. “ I can get this on my own. Really.” I shook my head.

  “I know you can, sweety, but I am working on a deal with Namon. I can't stop you, but please trust me. “ I gave her a look like I knew something she didn't. A look we have shared a few times in our friendship to save the other from doing something stupid or wasting time. I watched her let out a short breath before she nodded, “ OK.”

  I smiled and gave her a quick kiss on her lips as Namon returned with four yellow crystals and two small boxes. “All right, this is what I have found. I agree to add it to the items you are receiving, and it will not be included along with the other items already discussed in the contract. “

  With that, he laid them out as he presented each one of the skills,” So all of these are legendary skills. So when you receive the final amount of your initial debt, don't be sticker shocked.” I nodded, seeing the curious expressions on both of the girls. As Namon showed me the skill shards “ [AI Programming] [Robotic engineering] [Robotic Construction/Repair] [AI programming Advanced] [Mage tech Robotics]. All I had was two AI chips, so that is all you get. As to the Loan, I can do it through the System, but it will equate to 30 million credits on your debt. This cost is due to my cost for the System to not only make your currency but also inject it into your banking system legitimately.” He looked at me as if waiting for my agreement.

  The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  So a bit more costly than I was expecting, and I had a feeling those skill shards were fucking massively expensive. Sighing, I nodded,” I agree. And that is all I have on my end. “ I watched as the auto scribe added the last of the agreement. Seeing as he was done and I had nothing further to add, well, I could have, but honestly, I probably owed this man my first, second, and third born. He finalized it. The auto scribe got to work as it filled in the proper wording, and failure to uphold on my end sucked. I saw that I would lose all of my levels from the time I signed the contract, and would also have a title added to me that stated I was a contract breaker. And I would still owe Perrell's Emporium the full debt amount with accrued interest.

  I signed it when it was done, as did he. Katie took it out of my hand and started reading it. I could hear her say “holy shit “ under her breath. Looking at me, she shook her head,” Damn Sara, you really don't do anything half-assed, do you?” I chuckled at her comment.

  “Not, plus I figured if it helps ensure our survival, then it was worth it. “ Then I got a notification. I saw the bill, the base debt, and I almost passed out. I quickly dismissed it; I didn't want to think about it again for decades. Nope, not even going to look again, going to forget I ever saw it. “Now, Katie, you can get your stuff. Oh, and add a System Bracelet Grade 2 to her order as well, please. “ I slide mine on, feeling it tighten around my wrist, then blend in with my skin like it wasn't even there. A spike of mana rushed through me as it bound itself to me, and a new tab showed up in my status, making me smile. I really enjoy this whole System thing.

  “One last thing, Sara, with the skill shards. Don't learn them all at once. The common ones you can learn together. But the Yellow ones are no more than two a day, and at a minimum of twelve hours apart. You have to give your mind time to adjust to those. “ Pulling the shards into the bracelet and the two AI cores, I nodded, thanking both of them as Katie did the same with her bracelet, and we headed back to the shelter before I got myself in even more debt.

  Katie took my hand as we turned, heading out in silence. Something told me as soon as we stepped through, she was going to say something about what just happened. A good thing I had a plan. Well, the beginning of one at least. I did feel a lot better about what I was going to go with for my build. Didn't feel as lost. That and Namon did help me feel better about my potential. Within a few moments, we hit the blue portal and passed through back into the metal walls of the shelter. I wonder if there was an option within the [shelter] menu.

  The moment we stepped through. “ Sara, what the hell are you getting yourself into?” Her eyes showed concern, and perhaps a bit of anger for what she assumed was me being impulsive. Perhaps I was. Leaning in, I gave her a soft kiss on her very kissable lips. It had the effect I wanted and stopped her in her tracks.

  “Good, now let me explain. “ Her eyes softened a bit. A slight nod from her, I led her to the couch, the plastic crinkling under us. “ So I remembered something Grandpa taught me a number of years ago. He was explaining to me how our finances worked. Guess he was preparing me for things to come. “ Clearing my throat, I sighed, feeling that ache inside each time I thought of him. One of our statements had some very large numbers, but they were all negative. It was really confusing, kinda still is to be honest. “

  Taking a breath, I still remembered standing next to him in his office while he went over all of the accounts and how everything worked. “ So there is a point where you turn from being in debt to being an investment. Get what I am saying? “ Looking at Katie's cute face as it scrunched up a little. “ Alright, look at it this way. You lent me a hundred dollars. I am in debt to you. Now, if you lend me 100 thousand dollars. Suddenly, I am an investment.

  You just gave me a ton of money; of course, there is collateral if something happens. But you want a return on your investment and the money you make from the interest.”

  She nodded as I slowly saw her eyes light up. “Now Namon thinks I will eventually create some items that will fill a niche and make us both money. Yeah, I went a bit overboard. But Katie, I got confirmation from him. Earth is not only fucked, but most integrated worlds don't do well.”

  I felt the knot of fear in my stomach again. “ I want us and whoever else joins us to have a proper chance. If Earth goes to shit, then at least we will be prepared and hopefully survive long enough to get off this rock and maybe explore the universe together.” I felt the conviction in my voice. She was my best friend. Of course, I wanted her on this journey with me.

  “Now we can talk more in depth later. I got some phone calls to make. I am giving you administrator access to the shelter. You think you could make this place a bit more...” Looking around, “ I don't know, less sterile. We got like ten thousand shelter points, whatever that is. Use them”

  Suddenly, she wrapped her arms around me, giving me a deep kiss and a hard hug. Returning it, we didn't say anything for several long minutes. The only sounds in the room were our soft breathing, a lot of unspoken words between us, as I could feel her fear just as clearly as I was sure she could feel mine.

  Pulling apart” We will make it, Katie. “ I saw her smile as she wiped a tear from her eye. “ I know we have a lot to figure out, but hopefully we will have the time to make the proper plans.” Standing up, I looked at my phone, seeing that it was almost four pm. “ Damn, I didn't realize we spent so much time at the shop.”

  A wave of her hand sent me off. I saw her eyes glaze over as I assumed that she was in the menu system. With the elevator closing behind me, I felt a bit more hopeful that I would be able to ensure Katie and Marie's survival. Plus, whoever else we bring into our little group. Of course, the pull of the succubus always now seemed to be calling me in the back of my head. Ari's words are still echoing in my mind.

  Stepping out of the maintenance room, I didn't see Marie around. Heading into the office, I called the numbers of the trainers, even the one Tony wanted me to try out. It couldn't hurt. It turned out to be pretty easy as it seems they all owed Tony favors. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Monday and Friday were the personal trainer and MMA trainer. Wed was the weapons expert, then the mysterious spec ops person. On the phone, he was direct and to the point. I think the call lasted like thirty seconds.

  Seeing that I had an email from the Sex bot company, I gave the salesman a call. They couldn't believe I wanted to buy ten of their robots. I needed the extra parts. Of course, I had to call my accountant, and that was no fun. Then, as I was trying to assert myself, Marie walked into the office wearing the skimpiest French maid outfit I think I have ever seen.

  White and black with extra frills, her arms bare, with her tits looking like they were going to fall out at any point. She knew I was watching, how could I not? Especially when she bent over, showing me her lack of panties, her ass, and sex just fully exposed and shaved, making me drool a little. Trying to continue the conversation with my eyes, doing my best to look everywhere but at her. Yeah, that little minx did not make it easy. Then she stood next to where I was sitting in the large leather chair and bent over. Reaching all the way to the other side of the desk to polish it.

  “Look, I understand what you are saying. I am telling you to do it. If I don't have a confirmation of my order by the middle of Friday, you are fired.”

  Setting my phone down, the room was thick with Marie's desire. It had been driving me crazy, making me irritable on that call as I stood. The bottom of the outfit had ridden up, exposing her dark, tight ass, and I slapped it.

  “So you wanted what Katie had . You got it slut.”