Time passed quickly. Ethan didn't waste any time and immediately handled the claiming of his winnings, depositing it all into his now less-than-poor bank account. However, he couldn't help but grumble as he walked away. "Tax thieves!"
From the initial prize of $1.96 billion, he was left with a mere $736 million after taxes. The other win brought him only $673 million. The reality was hard to swallow; it felt like more than 60% of his winnings had vanished into thin air.
"Well, following proper procedures is the way to avoid complications," he muttered, adjusting his uncomfortable attire.
He had a significant meeting tonight, one he had proposed in his emails—a gathering of companies for a face-to-face discussion. To impress them, he needed to at least look the part.
"They should all be gathered by now," he whispered to himself, taking a deep breath as he approached the dining floor of the Celestial Heaven Resort.
The anticipation buzzed in the air, and as soon as he entered, over a hundred pairs of eyes turned toward him. The attention was palpable; not only had he summoned them, but his face was also familiar from the news.
"The Winner of Two Big Lotteries."
"The Holy Son of Luck."
"The Man Who Saved the World in His Past Life."
Ethan chuckled to himself at the nicknames he'd acquired after his back-to-back wins. Someone had even snapped a picture of him at the district office, so his face was now well-known.
"Welcome, ladies and gentlemen." He smiled, trying to embody the gracious host. "Before we delve into business talks, let’s enjoy a light meal. I've arranged for the best food just for tonight."
*Clap!* *Clap!*
With his clap as the signal, servers began bringing in an array of dishes, lining the tables like a feast fit for royalty. The vibrant colors and elaborate presentations were mesmerizing, but Ethan noticed that the atmosphere remained tense; the seasoned businessmen hesitated to dig in, their plates mostly untouched.
Ethan couldn’t fathom leaving food behind, especially after his years in the Apocalypse. He shook his head, reminding himself that this wasn’t that world—at least not yet.
"I guess everyone's too nervous to eat. Let’s get down to business, shall we?" Ethan began, taking a sip of champagne. "First, I’m sure you're all wondering why I gathered you here with just that single email, right?"
His email had been straightforward: a project proposal offering generous funding. However, the diversity of companies present raised eyebrows. Major Entertainment Companies, Advertising Agencies, Cable Networks, Video Production Companies, Animation Studios, Music Production Companies, and Talent Management Agencies were all there for a single Vlog project.
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"This project will receive a budget of $300 million from my pocket! Of course, everyone here will be participating—but the time limit for completing all materials is one week." He explained, pulling out a remote and pressing a button.
*THUNK!*
The lights dimmed as a projector flickered to life, displaying hand-drawn images of fantastical creatures.
"These are reference images I've prepared," he said, flipping through the slideshow, before revealing a preview of a 300-page Word document.
"I want everyone here to work together and transform this into a 100-episode Vlog, which will not only be hosted on major video sites but also broadcasted on cable networks worldwide!"
Everyone’s minds raced, calculating costs and profits. Their payments were already set and were substantial enough to cover a month of work or two, yet they had only a week to deliver. Thankfully, the volume wasn't too overwhelming, so it should be doable with their numbers.
"I'm in!" One of the Animation Directors raised his hand excitedly. "Not only is it worth the price, but I'm also very interested in this fictional work of yours!" His enthusiasm spread, and soon others voiced their agreement, filling the room with an amicable buzz.
As contracts were drafted and parts assigned, Ethan felt a surge of satisfaction. He had finished preparing the detailed reference, self-drawn and meticulously written, allowing him to kick back and relax... or so he thought.
The first three days were hell. He found himself running from room to room, checking animations, 3D models, scripts, deciding on actors, what other languages to cover, and double-checking every detail. It was so hectic that he barely managed two hours of sleep each night!
However, he was convinced it would be worth it. The materials he had prepared covered the monsters from the "Tutorial Period" of the Apocalypse—fifty in total. Each monster would be explained in two twenty-minute episodes, presented by captivating artists with engaging personalities. Even before it aired, he sensed his plan would be a success.
"Ugh..."
But not everything was going smoothly.
Inside his room, a rustling sound echoed. Ethan, honed from ten years of survival in the Apocalypse, was sensitive to one thing: a person’s ill intent. The presence behind his door, trying to pry it open, radiated danger.
'Fame really has its downsides,' Ethan sighed. His notoriety had attracted some unsavory characters, particularly those who sought to kidnap him for his fortune.
'A billion really is too tempting to ignore,' he thought, understanding their motives all too well.
However, Ethan had no intention of becoming a target. Without hesitation, he pressed the riot button in his room.
Confronting them directly could lead to complications, especially as a foreigner in a new land. It was best to leave it to professionals.
A loud siren blared throughout the 20th floor, sending the assailants into a frenzy. Within a minute, an anti-riot squad from the hotel would arrive to subdue them. Ethan merely needed to stay put and wait.
*BAM!*
Or so he thought. The assailants, overcome with panic, decided to force their way through the door. Ethan sighed as he faced seven men clad in black, their weapons, pistols, drawn.
"Get down on the ground, don’t resist, and we won’t take your life!" One of them shouted.
Ethan stared at them, his heart pounding, his eyes locked on the barrels of their guns. A smile crept onto his face—an unsettling expression for someone in such peril.
"Kill me?" Ethan murmured, his voice calm yet chilling. "I’m not afraid of something I've faced countless times. Instead, are you all prepared to die?"
His killing intent, forged through years of relentless battle, sent a shockwave through the room. Two of the assailants suddenly clutched their hearts, collapsing to the floor.
Panic spread among the remaining five, chaos erupting in their ranks.
Then, in a moment of sheer desperation, one of them pulled the trigger.
*BANG!*
A body fell, a bloody bullet mark appearing on his forehead. The air thickened with tension, everyone frozen in shock, held captive by the atmosphere that hung like a dark cloud.