Money Can Buy Everything

005: Trading Life for Money

Momo arrived at the garden, his head swerving left and right gently, he was looking around for his first mortal client.

Reimu watched Momo's searching gaze, still unaware of what this guy was up to.

Though they hadn't spent much time together, Momo always did things that exceeded her imagination. Now, she wanted to see what this ninety-year-old man could really do.

"There it is!"

Momo looked towards a corner of the garden where a middle-aged man was sitting on a bench,the middle aged man was peacefully basking in the sun. Judging by his appearance and the way he carried himself, the middle aged man seemed to be just an ordinary office worker.

"Who is that guy? Is there anything special about him?"

"Can't you tell? He's obviously a wealthy person! The several patients around him are like a protective circle. And those patients, each of them tall and imposing, with sharp gazes, rather than hospital patients, they instead seem like bodyguards stationed to protect him, right?"

Following Momo's guidance, Reimu looked in that direction and indeed, unlike the lonely middle-aged man in the corner, he was surrounded by a group of about a dozen robust looking people, creating a lively atmosphere.

"Although he looks unremarkable, this kind of low-key demeanor most likely indicates someone who is a hidden millionaire."

Momo leaned on his cane, taking one step at a time. Although his steps were a bit shaky, his pace was steady. Along with the faint smile at the corner of his mouth, Momo truly appeared to be an old man who had experienced the vicissitudes of life.

Momo walked straight toward the middle-aged man in the corner, and the man was slightly surprised when he saw Momo approaching. Even his bodyguards were taken aback, approaching cautiously but not actively trying to stop Momo. It seemed they were unsure of how to deal with him.

"What's this? Do you want to stop me from enjoying the sun over there?"

Momo confronted the bodyguards and directly questioned them, leaving the one who wanted to speak with his words stuck in his throat.

The middle-aged man behind the bodyguards waved his hand, signaling them to leave. The bodyguards seemed like they wanted to say something to the middle-aged man but were refused.

"If I am afraid even of this old man, then there seems to be no need for me, Mifune, to continue living."

After dismissing the bodyguards, Mifune, as he called himself, stood up and approached Momo. He supported Momo and helped him sit on the bench.

"You're quite something, young man."

Mifune's expression was somewhat peculiar upon hearing the way the man addressed himself. For how many years had it been since someone called him a young man? But this old man in front of him clearly had the right to do so.

"No, it should be you who are something else old man, not many people can just do what you are doing right now, How old are you?"

"Around ninety years old, I suppose? It's hard to say for sure. I don't really care about those things."

A tinge of envy appeared in Mifune's eyes as he said, "Amazing, despite being so old, you're still so energetic at your age, not caring about lifespan yet having lived for nearly a century. Unlike me, who has worked to the death for fifty years and gained nothing but illness."

"Are you dying?"

Mifune almost choked upon hearing that question, but he didn’t explode in anger. He could only force a bitter smile and say, "Yes, although it's not a terminal illness. But with all these various ailments combined, even if I'm recuperating here, I'm afraid I won't live for many more years."

"It's alright. I'm also dying, maybe I'll live until a hundred at most."

"You're joking. With your spirited appearance, you might even become Japan's oldest person in the future."

Momo fell silent and looked at Mifune with deep and mysterious eyes. He asked, "Young man, if you were given another chance to choose, would you choose to work hard and die early or live a chaotic, long life?"

Mifune trembled all over, seemingly understanding what Momo wanted to say.

"I have learned my lesson."

Mifune respectfully bowed to Momo and said, "You mean that the meaning of life lies in experiences. Although I don't have much time left, my life will be envied by countless people. Many would rather walk the path I've taken than live a mediocre life, am I right?"

"Indeed, in one's lifetime, isn't the goal to live without regrets? Haha!"

"No, I just want to ask you, do you want to buy life? The price I set is fair, and I won't deceive anyone."

Mifune's smile crumbled.

The Trading Authority activated, Momo initiated the trade, exchanging life for money.

"Old man, how could something like this be possible..."

Additional skill activated: [Trust]. Mifune places his trust in Momo's extraordinary trade request, believing that life and money can be exchanged for one another.

"Just name your price!"

Mifune's eyes gleamed with vitality as he spoke. "To be frank, I had less than half a year left to live. Now that I realize the value of life, I am willing to use a significant portion of my wealth to buy an extension of my life."

"I, Mifune Masayoshi, currently hold the title of Japan's wealthiest individual, with several billion dollars at my disposal. However, I understand that since you are willing to offer your life force, the quantity would naturally be limited. I am prepared to pay a high price!"

"Very well then. Nine years of life in exchange for ten billion US dollars. Additionally, help me forge an identification document, with the content of your choosing, as long as it ensures that I am no longer considered an undocumented person."

Mifune's face displayed ecstatic joy as he exclaimed, "Excellent! No problem at all. I will liquidate my stocks and transfer the funds to you immediately!"

"Deal reached!"