My Living Shadow System Devours To Make Me Stronger

Ahhh capitalism, is that not the most beautiful word you've ever heard? A system that maximizes profits for the individual even if the whole must suffer.

Who cares if you hoard wealth and millions starve?

It was all about production and money.

Damon swirled a glass of wine in his hands as his first victim— ahem, ahem— customer was introduced to him.

The man was an adventurer, rough-looking with a few injuries and two weapons on his back: a large axe and a sickle.

Damon cleared his throat. He was wearing soft fabric and a monocle to seal the rich bourgeoisie aura he was cultivating.

The thing about running an honest business was the need for presentation. You had to look the part to gain the trust of the customers.

By his side was Waton, also dressed in soft fabric, looking posh and every bit the prince he was.

Damon stepped forward.

"Welcome, my good man. I hope my staff have been treating you well."

The adventurer glanced at Damon, narrowing his eyes.

"Yo… you're the Ascendant. I recognized your voice."

Damon cleared his throat.

"Of course I am. I hope you enjoy your stay."

The man nodded as Renata and Wendy gestured to lead him toward the bath.

Damon raised his hand.

"Hold on. Have you paid for the complimentary tea?"

The man paused, utterly confused. Paid for the tea? Wait, wasn't that free?

"Sir, you just said it was complimentary."

Damon scrunched his face in disdain.

"The tea may be free, but what about the table, the chair, the cup you used to drink it… but most of all, the ambiance?"

He sighed, shaking his head.

"Did you not read the terms and conditions?"

The man remembered the terms and conditions, but that was like a whole spellbook-sized agreement with small writing. No one would read that.

"Well… I…"

"So you didn't read it. Well, that's too bad."

"Renata, how much is his bill?"

Renata nodded, taking out a piece of paper on which she began to read out all the services he had incurred.

Waitress service.

Air purification.

Gentle and polite words.

Enjoying the ambiance.

Speaking to the proprietor.

Mental relief.

As well as a long list of services he didn't even know he had been given.

All in all, his bill was seven billion zeni.

His face turned pale.

"Seven… sev… billion…"

He looked at Damon with anger rising from his heart.

"Yo… you, you're trying to rob me! I don't have that kind of money. If I had a billion, I would be living a cozy life away from this shithole!"

Damon sighed, shaking his head.

"It's fine. I'm not unreasonable. Of course no one carries that much money on them. Good thing you signed the IOU. You can pay it back for the rest of your life or… you can take the package deal."

The man was utterly stunned, his mouth wide open at this scam.

"Package deal?" he muttered, knowing he didn't have the strength to fight his way out of here.

"Yes," Renata smiled. "You can pay in medallions. The conversion rate is favorable towards medallions."

She placed a hand on her chin.

"You would also have to pay an eighty percent tax on your overall medallions and purchases."

She wore such a businesswoman's smile, but he knew she was a snake.

"This is… this is robbery! This is robbery! I'm not paying anything! The world is watching you evil scum! The world is watching!"

He pointed at the broadcast orbs with indignation.

Damon shook his head.

"Sir, you signed our terms and conditions. I'm afraid this is all legal. Since you won't pay, I'm afraid we'll have to use force."

He shook his head sadly.

"A bad patron on the first day of business. Have I been forsaken by the goddess?"

He snapped his finger at the women in the room.

"Jump him."

It was so easy to subdue him he didn't even cause any issues. Soon, they had him on his knees.

Damon smiled.

"We had to use violence, so that gets added to your bill. We'll be taking your medallions, your weapons, and well… all your money. Your interest will be eighty percent for the coming years of your life. In the event of your death, your descendants will be paying."

Renata listed off a few more clauses to the terms and conditions.

The man was already weeping at this point.

Waton shook his head, watching this level of evil take place. Even the most wicked noble wouldn't be this cruel.

Damon shook his head.

"Behold, a grown man weeping."

The man sniffed through his tears.

"At least I get to keep my dignity…"

Damon narrowed his eyes. His dignity? Oh no, that belonged to him too.

He took the bag from Wendy's hands.

"We'll be taking that too. Your pants, put them in the bag."

A grown man was forced to take off his pants and put them in the bag as he wept. Damon laughed evilly, counting his medallions.

"Hahaha! I'm gonna be rich! Rich, I tell you!"

"Ahahaha!"

Renata applauded him, praising his wisdom and all what not.

Wendy didn't recognize right from wrong, but she was sure whatever this was, they were not the good guys.

Matia didn't have much of an expression. She was practically used to Damon's antics. At least he was happy. Besides, it wasn't like these adventurers were good people anyway.

As the adventurer was crawling away, naked and ashamed before the world, Damon stopped him.

"Wait."

He walked in front of him.

"Excuse me, my good sir. Did you know our organization was recruiting? Well, you're in luck. Working for us comes with all sorts of bonuses and amenities."

"You get food, clothes, and weapons. Most of all, part of your debt is waived for the foreseeable future. You can still earn that soft, cushy life."

He took out a contract.

"All you have to do is sign right here."

The adventurer had no alternatives. He just wanted clothes to wear. He would have done it even if he had to sign a contract with the devil.

"I'll sign, I'll sign…"

Damon smiled.

"Welcome aboard."