Every time Menes ‘mentioned’ death, Gold’s heart would skip a beat. Although the rules didn’t seem that complicated, he still felt like there was a catch. Thus, he could only analyze them carefully.
“Glorious Lord Menes, what’s my weekly quota?” The word weekly implied that he would receive the money in many batches, but if he suddenly receive a billion tahrs, it would be difficult for him to spend it fast.
“Meow.” ‘The quota will start small and increase every mortal week, month, and year.’
The answer was a little vague and Gold could only hope that ‘small’ wasn’t in the scale of the millions and that the increase would be reasonable. However, he was still confident in spending any amount within a week. How could there be such a thing as too much money? Then, he started considering the second rule. Suddenly, he realized something very important.
“Splendid Lord Menes, what is considered wasting?” Gold first thought that it meant that he couldn’t throw the money away, but this looked rather obvious.
“Meow.” ‘The questions of the stupid mortal are improving. Naturally, wasting means everything that is not used directly by the mortal or for the mortal.’
Now, the answer had made Gold even more confused. What does it mean directly used by him? However, before he could ask, the cat continued:
“Meow.” ‘It seems that Menes overestimated the mortal. Menes shall give the stupid mortal examples that require less intelligence. If the frail mortal buys something and does not use it, it is wasted. If the weak mortal buys something and gives it to others, it is wasted. If the tiny mortal buys something but becomes unsatisfied with it, it is wasted. If dumb mortal overpays, the extra value is wasted.’
“That…” In a few moments, Gold could already think of dozens of potential problems.
The rule is completely disregarding the dynamics of the world. How could he only spend money on himself? What was the use of being rich, if his family couldn’t enjoy the benefits? How about ‘unsatisfactory’ and ‘overpaying’, were there such wonderful products that guaranteed satisfaction at a fair price in the market?
However, as soon as he remembered the Goddess piercing glance, Gold recovered his calm. Who knew the consequences if he offended the cat by complaining of unfairness? Thus, he could only ask Menes to explain some details better and hope to get a few concessions.
“Grand Lord Menes, the people of my world are a little greedy, so it’s difficult to find things at a fair price. Also, we’re a little stupid and vain, so we sometimes dislike what we bought.”
“Meow.” ‘Of course, Menes knows of the limitations of the world of inferior mortals. Regarding the fair value, as long as the price does not exceed ten percent higher than the actual value, it will be accepted. As for the unsatisfactory use, provided that it was bought unintentionally, the mortal can try to return it within a week; otherwise, there will be a ten percent exception from the weekly quota.’
The ten percent exception brought some relief to Gold, but it was still a big problem in a place like his country, where everyone would try to overcharge. But then, how was he to know if the seller was overcharging?
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“Meow.” ‘Menes knows how limited you mortals are, therefore, Menes will provide a fair assessment considering the costs, market, and acceptable profit.’
With Lord Menes validating the prices, Gold started to feel some confidence in spending the weekly quota. Unfortunately, the satisfaction requirement was still outside of his control, so he would have to pay attention and avoid buying things that he didn’t love or need. Now, only the problem of gifting and helping others remained.
“Illustrious Lord Menes, I understand that I can’t give the money to others, but is there any way I can help my family with it?” Gold’s question sounded more like a plead.
“Meow.” ‘Of course, there is.’ Menes continued licking its paw indifferently.
“How?” He couldn’t help but blurt out excitedly.
“Meow.” ‘Mortals are really stupid. Figure it out alone.’
“…” The young man could only repress the desire of cursing the cat.
Gold didn’t have a reason to doubt Lord Menes’ words, or else how would he even survive? Thus, he could only hope to later discover something he overlook. For now, he would need to be extra careful while spending any amount. Nonetheless, there were still a few things that he had to know.
“Glorious Lord Menes, can you explain how and when I’ll receive the weekly quota?”
“Meow.” ‘Back to the stupid questions, mortal? Of course, the insignificant mortal shall receive it at the beginning of every week through a bank account. Are not mortals still using those?’
Gold almost cheered when he heard the answer. Tomorrow was Sunday, the first day of the week, so only one night would separate him from the first ‘payment’. Although he wasn’t feeling that weak anymore, he might die for real if he didn’t eat soon. Technically, Sunday started after midnight, so he might get the money earlier than expected. As for how to use it, he could either withdraw some in an ATM or just use the debit function of the card.
Few people in his village actually had bank accounts. Fortunately, he had been required to open one when he started working in the city.
“Dignified Lord Menes, this is my last question, I promise. Will the money be available after midnight?” Gold tried to maintain a serious expression, but his heart was beating too fast.
“Meow.” ‘Are all mortals this slow? The weekly quota shall be given at the beginning of every week. If it is another week, it shall be available.’
“…”
Couldn’t it say a simple yes or no? Anyway, the week really started after midnight, so the money should be deposited early unless there were ‘working hours’ for the divine. Therefore, Gold could only check it himself. Fortunately, it was already 10 pm, so he just had to wait two hours before going to the nearest ATM, which was only a few blocks away.
Then, Gold used this time to do what any sane person would; make a plan to spend the money while staying as far away from Lord Menes as possible. After all, until he actually got the money, there was no proof that Menes wasn’t lying. The cat could be a demon toying with his fragile mind.
When the cheap clock over his desk turned 11:50, Gold finally left the room. Because his mind was in turmoil, he almost missed a step when going down the stairs. He was feeling both excited and afraid. To make it worse, Lord Menes had insisted on accompanying him. In fact, this saved him the trouble of going back and asking the cat to ‘appraisal’ the food of whichever restaurant he decided to eat. He wouldn’t dare to spend a sing tahr without the cat’s consent.
At the ATM, Gold struggled to place the card in the proper slot; he was too nervous. However, as soon as he did the bank slogan appeared on the screen followed by a request for his password. He typed the numbers and pressed enter while shaking. Fortunately, there was no one, except for the cat, to see the embarrassing scene.
“Oh, my….” Gold stared at the 5.000 tahrs written on the balance section for a whole minute before he finally accepted the situation.
Actually, this wasn’t a lot. His wage was nearly half of that, and it was only considered the minimum payment for a full-time job. However, it proved that Lord Menes was telling the truth, which meant he would receive this much for the next month, and then even more later.
Gold only regained his bearing after he remembered the rules. Although this money was given to him for ‘free’, if he broke the rules, he would probably die.
Why is being rich so difficult?