Reborn as a Mechanist with a God-Tier System-Chapter 262: The Tale of a Poor Man [4]

Crescent Neon District, Canyon Hub.

David stood in front of a modest 2-story building that was like a dwarf in the midst of Giants at the heart of Canyon Hub, quietly standing out from the layered core of the city district.

In a district filled with towering residential spires and skyscrapers, this was the only 2-story building in the entire district and this was Mr. Creed’s apartment.

The building stood out like a sore thumb.

It looked deliberately understated with no extravagant protrusions or glowing signage, just clean carbon-stone walls and narrow bands of soft light that trace the building’s geometry.

In a city obsessed with spectacle, its restraint already signaled confidence and wealth. This was the home of a rich man.

David stood in front of the gate.

"David?"

"Yes," he nodded with a smile at the gateman.

The middle-aged man who seemed like he was on the wrong side of 40 frowned. "Do you have an appointment with Mr. Creed?"

"Actually, no, but this is really important, I need to see him. Tell him it’s about the business". He smiled.

The gateman hesitated only slightly, then he nodded. "Sure".

As the gateman left, standing in front of the gate and feeling inferior, David took a deep breath to calm his emotions as he swept his gaze at the building once more, appreciating it’s grandeur.

But this time, he no longer just daydreamed. He no longer just saw himself having a building like this someday anymore.

Instead, certain difficult thoughts floated to the forefront of his mind.

’If Mr. Creed truly became this rich through Cabin D World and by amassing PV, then why can’t I do the same?’

David asked himself the question, but he knew he already had the answer in his mind. ’Because I can’t heartlessly deceive people’. He thought.

’All of this money, all of this PV, did the boss get them from deceiving people to buy products like that woman?’

David suddenly revealed a self-deprecating smile. ’Have I been part of the people being scammed all along while I thought I was a business partner? Was I scammed of 6 years of my life?’

’Are we all being scammed?’

When the gateman returned, David was not fully in the present as he responded and reacted in a superficial manner. He was lost in his thoughts.

Before he knew it, he was inside the building already.

Inside, the first floor level opened into a spacious yet uncluttered living area screaming luxury and wealth.

The ceilings were high but not cavernous, giving the space warmth rather than just grandeur. The floors were finished in a matte composite that subtly reflects light without shine.

The furniture in this house appeared simple at first glance, from the low-profile couches to the single sculpted table, but on closer look, each piece is crafted from rare smart materials that adapt to posture and temperature.

The walls doubled as translucent displays, usually dormant but occasionally blooming into life with slow-moving data art or a panoramic view of the city outside.

David had been to this luxurious house multiple times before but today, looking at all the luxury evoked a different emotion in him.

He felt numb.

A burly bodyguard in a black suit led him through a narrow staircase that floated without visible supports, leading to the upper floor.

At the second floor, the private spaces felt even more refined.

"He’s in the balcony". The guard pointed.

Nodding, David walked to the balcony alone and saw a chubby middle-aged Geneform with wine-colored hair and neatly trimmed beards seated on a recliner.

Wearing a casual white singlet that pressed tightly on his huge stomach, Mr. Creed casually drank from a bottle of beer as a beautiful Geneform dressed in a vivid red bikini sat beside him, teasing and touching him in a flirtatious manner.

"Ah, David, you’re here," he said the moment he noticed him, pointing to the other recliner. "Sit, sit".

"Ah, hope you’re not dirty. Did you take your bath before coming? Clean and dust your clothes first before sitting".

Despite how much those words stung, David didn’t argue as he diligently cleaned his clothes before sitting down.

"So, what brought you here? What important business update?" Mr. Creed looked at him and grinned. "Tell me you have 100 people lined up who are ready to register in the company this afternoon, tell me about PV!"

David forced a smile. "Actually, that’s not why I’m here sir".

"Oh, really?" Mr. Creed instantly became disinterested. "Then what is it?"

Now seated before Mr. Creed, David found that all his words were suddenly stuck in his throat as his brain became blank, but he didn’t give up.

He took a deep breath, then he asked. "Sir, are we really doing philanthropy work?"

Mr. Creed turned his head and looked at David like he just asked a stupid question. "What kind of question is that?"

"It’s just," David sighed. "Boss, are our products really as effective as we preach to people?"

"I’ve been thinking for some time. I’ve had a lot of encounters were our products didn’t work, and that woman whose son died, would he really have been cured if she bought more drugs?"

"Oh, that useless woman?" Mr. Creed scoffed. "She was foolish. If she really wanted to save her son, she’d have headed my advice and gone everywhere to borrow money to buy more products from me".

David’s heart winched slightly when he heard that.

Seeing his reaction, Mr. Creed looked at him and scolded. "Foolish boy, is this the reason why you came to meet me instead of thinking of ways to get more PV?"

"You better stop having foolish thoughts".

"Look around you, look at me," he patted his chest. "Don’t you want to be like me? Don’t you want to be rich? Don’t you want to enjoy life?"

"Do you want to continue living this poor miserable life of yours?"

"If you want to be poor, you can keep on thinking. But if you want to be rich, shut your mouth and go out there and get more PV!"

"PV David, PV!"

"Now get out of my house!"

"But sir..."

"Out, now!"

Hearing Mr. Creed shout, a hefty-looking guard that was even bigger than the one who escorted David upstairs quickly entered the balcony.

Seeing his approach, David became angry and was about to flare up but then an orange energy suddenly swirled around the guard’s body.

Subjected to that energy that David suspected was ADE, he shuddered in fear with a look of envy on his face. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

David looked at the guard and gulped. "Sorry," he muttered then he left.

...

After leaving Mr. Creed’s house, David strolled aimlessly through the streets as suicidal thoughts filled his head.

He was beginning to regret everything, he felt his whole world crumbling around him, and yet he couldn’t help it as those words rang in his head over and over again. ’...if you want to be rich, shut your mouth and go out there and get more PV!’

’More PV huh?’ He thought.

David still felt numb and confused.

He didn’t want to go to the business seminar in the afternoon anymore, but somehow, maybe due to previous habits that already stuck to him, he still found himself there when it started.

The time was 3pm.