—-


    “Eat up,” Dr. Riley said while gesturing toward the food-filled dinner table.


    The food quality immediately sparked Kieran’s appetite as he ogled at it momentarily before taking a seat across from Dr. Riley. Although they had spent some time together over these few days, Kieran didn’t feel they were so cordial that he needed to sit beside her.


    The seat he chose worked just fine. Since the tes were already set out, there was no reason for Kieran to grab a te or anything. Furthermore, the food was ced in such a way that Kieran could reach any dish he wished to taste. The table was pretty small since Dr. Riley usually ate alone. Because she did, she felt this was no reason for arge table.


    “Dr. Riley… did you… cook all of this?” Kieran muttered while biting into a sulent chicken leg. His eyes widened as he didn’t expect the meat to be filled with vor. In fact, it made him give Dr. Riley a second cook. ‘A genius scientist and an outstanding cook?’


    “Why? Do you like it? Also, saying that I cooked it is a bit of a stretch. It’s more fitting to say that the automated appliance took care of the work. I mean, what’s the point of advanced culinary technology if we don’t use it?” Dr. Riley responded. Afterward, she also took some bites of her food.


    However, Dr. Riley lifted her gaze after a few bites. “By the way, our age difference isn’t thatrge. While I love hearing the acknowledgment of my title, I’d rather you call me by my name.”


    “Which is?” Kieranmented without lifting his head. His eating pace slowly increased until he seemed like a ravenous beast wiping the entire menu clear at an rming rate.


    “Lillian. My name is Lillian,” Dr. Riley said. She stopped eating for a moment and put her hair up properly so it wouldn’t obstruct or hinder her meal. As she did so, Kieran nced at the sight and found it appealing. However, aside from finding it attractive, he said nothing else._-.


    “Lillian,” Kieran said with a soft nod. “I do not need to introduce myself; you know everything about me.”


    “Everything? Not quite. I don’t know your past, I don’t know your future, and I certainly don’t know your thought,” Dr. Riley said while chuckling yfully. The smile seemed filled with happiness foreign to her.


    Thus, Kieran was curious. “Do you not havepany often?”


    “Eh?” Dr. Riley choked and coughed to clear her throat of the food she hastily swallowed. “What makes you ask that?”


    “Well, your behavior. It seems like you enjoy thepany. Besides, your smile has that lonely quality—like you’re contented to have someone nearby. I should know that look; I’ve worn it far too often in the past. At least… I used to,” Kieran said as his mind trailed off to his sole friend. As he recalled his early days at the orphanage, a forlorn expression passed across his face.


    Although he appeared to be a true loner, that wasn’t the case. He did manage to make one friend. Together, they fostered a friendship that didn’t rely on material things. Instead, just their presence seemed to uplift one another’s day.


    Sadly, that period of constion and happiness could onlyst so long.


    Dr. Riley slowly stopped eating and tossed her food around with her fork while looking down. Kieran’s read of her was, for the most part, correct. She did appreciate thepany, especially how lighthearted Kieran seemed around her. This was one of the reasons why she decided not to charge Kieran for his consumption of the earlier X-hancer.


    “You’re right,” Dr. Riley admitted in a small voice. “Dedicating your life to your career may help you be sessful, but in the process, you lose rtionships, especially as a woman. Our peers be intimidated by the fact a woman shines brighter than them or appears more resilient. Sure I’ve had ample sess, enough to be invited into the Private Sector, but I feel as if these machines have be my only friends.”


    For some reason, looking across the table, Kieran felt Dr. Riley looked pitiful at this moment. Such a winsome and charming person was afflicted by struggles that usually wouldn’t trouble people in Dr. Riley’s position. After all, Dr. Riley was riveting enough to be starred as a magazine cover’s primary model.


    “Life is just sacrifice, courage, and decisions in a nutshell. Those with unfortunate beginnings will have to sacrifice to obtain our wants. And we have to have the courage to either make those sacrifices and live with them or make the decision not to and miss out on the oue,” Kieran answered. “Either way, don’t regret your decision. Regret breeds doubt. And that doubt can fester and soon make you distraught.”


    “Mm, are you sure you’re just a 20-year-old kid?” Dr. Riley asked while leaning on her hand. The wisdom and advice stored inside Kieran’sment wasn’t something any 20-year-old would casually think of.


    Generally, people at this age focused more on the now and temporary pleasures rather than the future.


    “Maybe I am, maybe I’m not. But, I will tell you that my life hasn’t been easy. Anyway, I appreciate the meal. I need to get back-“


    De! De! De!


    Suddenly, Kieran’s device emitted a series of beeps followed by a subtle ring. It was an indication that an unknown number or source was trying to contact him. However, getting his personal number was extremely difficult seeing as he rarely used it. Thus, Kieran grew cautious as he narrowed his eyes.


    Fortunately, he wasn’t in trouble allowing him to sigh in relief shortly after. Kieran epted the call, which caused a figure to appear on a one-sided screen before him. The individual was dressed in casual business attire with loosely slicked-back ck hair. A single curl dropped toward their forehead, bringing attention to their light-green eyes.


    Before speaking, the man pushed up his sses and cleared his throat. “Hello, Mr. Silver. I am An Peters, Head Talent Recruiter at the Gamer Republic. I believe a meeting was set at an earlier date, and I apologize for not being able to honor it. Please ept my apologies.”


    “There’s no issue,” Kieran answered. “But, there are some matters we need to discuss, no?”


    “Correct, straight to the point—I can appreciate that quality. As you know, we’re interested in contracting you as a partner for our tform. While bing an affiliate is also an option, it pales to bing a partner. You’ll be granted ess to our entiremunity. I don’t think I need to exin how lucrative that can be in terms of ie,” Anmented.


    “Executive partner deals usually favor higher ie but are heavily restrictive. Tell me, what is the limitation of this partner deal in terms of freedom. Also, what is the revenue split?” Rather than focus on how much money could be made immediately, Kieran was only interested in how favorable the deal was to him overall.


    “Very well. First and foremost, revenue generated through your stream will be split 50-50 between you and the tform so long as the content is limited to our Gamer Republic tforms. As a partner, you will be guaranteed a bonus with every milestone in subscribers you pass, and finally, you’ll have to perform a set number of streams to maintain the partner deal.”


    “Mmm,” Kieran groaned with a slight frown. “So, it’s the most basic of contracts. Tell me; I’m the first Zenith Online yer to receive an offer, right?”


    “Correct,” An nodded.


    “So, you don’t know my worth then? We can’t assume that I’d do good or bad on this tform of yours. My poprity could increase or decline in a day—all these factors make it difficult to gauge my worth, right?”


    “It does. However, we at the Gamer Republic are willing to take that risk based on the merits you have shown thus far,” An responded. He pushed up his sses and sat up straight to convey his belief in his words. While Kieran’s worth was unquestionably an elusive question, the fact he generated millions in revenue with ease was no small feat.


    “Ah, that’s where you’re mistaken. I never said there was a risk in signing with me. I said my worth is unknown. In this case, I can promise you I’m worth much more than you believe. If all you have to offer is a basic contract, then we can cut this meeting short and end it right here,” Kieran said in an unwavering tone.


    What he said was true. Not only did he possess more than 13,000 Gold, but he also possessed the means to rise to the top. How could he ept a deal given to the masses?


    Given Kieran’s decisive attitude, An understood this person in front of him was serious. An had a hunch that if the opposing side weren’t at least somewhat pleased, he’d lose all hopes of even recruiting him to the tform. As a result, An could only make some concessions.


    “Then shall we find a middle ground?” An asked. Even though Zenith Online’s future was unknown to him, An was sure of one thing—the beginning stage of any game was lucrative. Even if it didn’t give monstrous returns in the long run, the Gamer Republic could earn a sumptuous amount of money if they capitalized on those with arge following.


    “It’s simple, really. You guys can keep 50% of the revenue gained through subscriptions; however, I want 100% of my donations. Why am I sharing money meant to go to myself? Foolish. Lastly, I would like a flexibility use stating that if my poprity is to rise, we must renegotiate the terms in the future. These terms are my bottom line and it is up to you to honor them.”


    After reviewing what Kieran requested, An soon realized it was nothing oundish. Aside from the flexibility cause and exclusive im of his donations, it was essentially the same contract.


    “This… this is very doable. If these are your terms, the contract can be created by the end of the week. Do we have a deal?”


    “I believe so,” Kieran nodded. Afterward, the two hashed out any other doubts either side may have before terminating the call.


    “Oh? Am I sitting before a famous person? Wasn’t that thepany responsible for a massive streaming service? And they’re reaching out to you?”


    “What can I say… I’m charming,” Kieran chuckled.


    “Still, to negotiate a deal so calmly… are you sure you asked for enough?”


    “I’m positive. After all, the power of the flexibility use is greater than they know. Because once I gain the leverage, their ability to say no will be removed. It might seem that I have left some food on the table, but that’s incorrect. In the end, it’s all about who emerges victorious; with this y, the odds are now in my favor. If there is one thing I am, it’s confident,” Kieran grinned. The smile was like that of a cunning demon.


    “Oof, you naughty boy. Anyway, return to the medical area before you log back in. I have to continue to monitor you. But, all in all, it seems like the X-hancers are working. The deterioration of your brain tissue haspletely healed and is rapidly gaining activity. However, we’re not in the clear just yet; I still recorded some inexplicable abnormalities.”


    “No problem.” Kieran followed Lillian’s directions before logging back into the game.