Jiro blinked. "Are you sure about that? You don't want to negotiate?"

"Yes," Raito said plainly. "I trust your offer."

Jiro nodded. "All right then. I'll deposit what I have on hand first — thirty million yen. Once I process and sell the materials, I'll transfer the rest. Probably three or four hundred million yen more."

Raito's eyes widened. "Wait… did you just say thirty million? That's—"

Jiro chuckled. "I know, I know, it sounds small for a Hydra. But this isn't an ordinary Hydra — it's a real one. A-grade, pureblood. How about I make it six hundred million total? That's the best I can do. I'm a businessman, Raito. I have to make some profit too."

Raito smiled slightly. "Now that sounds more like it. Deal."

The two shook hands.

"Good. That's all for today. I'll call you tomorrow so we can settle the rest," Jiro said. "Write your bank information here."

Raito nodded, taking the small black ledger and jotting his details carefully. Jiro took the book, glanced at it, then pulled out his phone.

"You can confirm the deposit," Jiro said after making a quick call.

Raito checked his phone. His heart nearly stopped. 30,000,000 yen credited.

He froze, staring at the digits. His account had never seen numbers that large. For a second, he thought it was a mistake.

"Unbelievable," he muttered under his breath.

Jiro grinned. "Good. That's just the beginning. I'll send the rest — maybe even a hundred million bonus — after I sell everything. But don't forget our deal. The contract's sealed. You're part of my group now. You'll get five million yen every month, no matter what."

"Understood," Raito said quietly.

They walked back toward the mansion. Raito was silent, his mind spinning. Thirty million yen. He couldn't even process it. His bank shouldn't have been able to receive that much, but Jiro's influence must've overridden the limit.

At the main gate, Jiro stopped and smiled. "Good work today. I'll be in touch."

Raito nodded. "See you tomorrow."

A sleek black car was already waiting outside. The driver stepped out and opened the rear door for him.

"Please, sir," the driver said politely.

Raito got in, still dazed. As the car began to move, he leaned back, staring at the passing skyline.

"It feels like I'm living in a dream," he whispered. "Thirty million yen… and he said he'll give me seven hundred million more. Just how much do these things sell for? And I didn't even give him the Chimera core yet…"

He chuckled softly to himself. "I might actually be rich."

A few minutes later, the car slowed.

"Sir, we've arrived. This is the address your boss told me to drop you off," the driver said.

"Oh. Right," Raito replied, stepping out. He looked around at his modest apartment building.

Raito knocked on his apartment door, then realized it was his own. "Oh—right," he muttered, shaking his head with a small laugh. He unlocked it and stepped inside.

Aiko was sitting by the couch, scrolling through her phone. She looked up immediately. "You're finally back. You look… weirdly happy."

"Well, maybe I am just really happy," Raito said, grinning.

"What happened? Did something good finally come up?" Aiko asked, curious.

"Yeah," Raito said. "You know that monster I told you about? I'm going to sell it."

"Seriously? That's amazing!" Aiko said, her face lighting up.

Raito smiled. "Yeah, and honestly, I think it's time you quit your job."

Aiko blinked, startled. "You're kidding, right? How would I even survive without money?"

"I'm not joking," Raito said. "I'll give you some. I want you to take that vacation you always talked about."

Aiko stared at him. "If this is a joke, stop it."

"Do I look like I'm joking?" Raito asked.

She paused, studying him. "…No. You don't."

"Then why are you still doubting me?" Raito said, smiling softly.

Aiko crossed her arms. "Because you look too serious about it. It almost feels unreal. Are you actually telling me to stop working and go on vacation?"

"Yes," Raito said firmly. "Not just any vacation—a long one. You deserve it."

"Well, I can't just quit, Raito," Aiko said, shaking her head. "That's a lot of money you're talking about. How am I even supposed to take care of myself? I don't know how much you have, but I'm sure it's not enough to cover both of us. Maybe I could take a few weeks off, but you're talking like you want me to retire."

"That's exactly what I'm saying," Raito replied calmly. "So tell me—how much would convince you? How much would make you believe I'm serious? You're not just going to rest alone. Dad's overseas, right? Last time we spoke, he told me to stop cleaning Hunter gear and come work with him. I'm planning to surprise him too."

Aiko frowned. "Wait, what do you mean—"

Raito pulled out his phone. "You'll see."

A moment later, Aiko's phone buzzed. Ding!

She blinked and checked the notification. Her eyes widened.

"Five… million yen?" she whispered, staring at the screen. Then she looked up at Raito. "Wait—was this from you?"

Raito just smiled faintly.

She opened the alert to confirm, and there it was: Sender – Raito.

Her breath caught. "Raito… what did you do? This is—this is five million yen!"

Raito leaned back, still calm. "Yeah. It's yours now."

Aiko couldn't move for a moment. Then she slowly walked toward Raito, tears already forming in her eyes.

"Raito… thank you," she whispered. "This—this actually means a lot. You really want me to go on vacation with this? How… how did you even—"

Raito smiled softly. "Like I said, I defeated some monsters. And I didn't give you this just because of the vacation. I promised myself—the first thing I'd do once I started earning money, even just a little—was to make sure my family was okay. You, Dad… everyone."

He paused, his voice low but steady.

"I know Mom's watching from above. And if she can see me doing this, I'm sure she's happy.

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