Money Can Buy Everything

Volume 1: Sword Art Online (SAO)

001: Moving Across the Multiverse

"I've won."

In the vast expanse of the starry sky, with the Earth as the backdrop, three individuals stand divided into two sides.

On one side is an elderly man with snow-white hair, while on the other side are two girls seated on thrones.

The old man wears a world-weary expression but carries a victorious smile on his face.

"Eighty years ago, a presumptuous young man made a bet with the gods, vowing to reshape the world with the power of money. Over the course of eighty years, he built a massive business empire, using the power of money to balance the entire world. And now, eighty years later, as he nears his end, the world has established a stable order."

"Therefore, Gaia and Alaya, I have won."

Alaya's face remains indifferent as she points towards the distant Earth, covered in smoke and occasional flashes of massive explosions.

"After your death, the world fell into endless warfare. Is that the achievement you take pride in?"

The old man remains unfazed and says, "People don't care about what happens after their death, the same goes for me. In my lifetime, I established a system, distributed benefits, and balanced everything with money. Unfortunately, human hearts are greedy, and the value they can create is limited. Without my suppression, they started to fall into chaos... Can I be blamed for the problem that they caused themself?"

The white-haired old man makes a ghostly face like a child and bursts into joyful laughter.

"You're right, Alaya. This human is truly remarkable. Will you admit defeat?"

"I shall concede."

Alaya looks at the old man in front of her and says, "Momo, you have accomplished what you promised. I will fulfill my promise as well. From this day forward, you shall become one of my Heroic Spirit. As an embodiment of your achievements, you will gain the power of trade. The specific methods of using it will be understood once you enter the world of anime and manga."

Momo bows to Alaya and says, "Thank you, O’ great deity."

Alaya extended her finger, and a surging divine power flowed into Momo's body. His aged face quickly became youthful, and his hunched body straightened and grew stronger.

"As a Heroic Spirit, your body will be restored to its strongest state. Since the wager consumed eighty years of your lifespan, I have restored you to the age of twenty."

"According to our contract, you can freely travel through the multiverse. However, as my Heroic Spirit, there may be times when you need to fulfill tasks according to my will. As for what those tasks are, I will let you know when I remember."

"As you wish."

Alaya clearly seemed satisfied with Momo's attitude and said, "Let's begin. Since this served as the motivation for your hard work for eighty years, now it's time for you to enjoy life in the multiverse."

Momo bowed once again, as graceful as a seasoned noble, and then a portal engulfed him, making him disappear into the starry sky.

"I can't believe you actually made him your Heroic Spirit. It's rare for you to be interested in an ordinary person. Moreover, isn't the multiverse in complete chaos now? Is it okay to send him there?"

Alaya looked towards the Earth, where the flames of war were raging, and said, "It's already chaotic enough. Adding one more piece won't cause it to collapse. Besides, since he was able to stabilize all of humanity on his own, perhaps he can bring stability to the multiverse as well?"

"Ah, I can't believe little Alaya has such high expectations for this human. Have you fallen in love with him?"

"You want me to rip your mouth open?"

...

Momo opened his eyes once again, finding himself in a bustling Japanese street.

"What world is this? Although it's considered the multiverse, it doesn't seem much different from the three-dimensional world, does it?"

"That's how it is!"

Standing on Momo's shoulder, a 10cm-tall Reimu Hakurei placed her hands on her waist and said, "Although it's the multiverse, it doesn't mean it's devoid of a three-dimensional world. The multiverse here is different from the concept of a two-dimensional world."

[ Reimu Hakurei: https://i.imgur.com/oMY67CN.jpg ]

"I see. But by the way, why are you here? Did Yukari Yakumo, the perpetually 17 years old lad, allow you to come out?"

Momo looked curiously at Reimu Hakurei on his shoulder. As a senior otaku who lived for a hundred years in a past life and spent ninety years in the world of anime and manga, how could he not know who this red-white-sleeved shrine maiden was?

"I thought you would be more surprised to see me. I'm disappointed."

"I'm already quite surprised."

Momo squatted down, looking up at the floating Reimu Hakurei in the air, a disappointed expression on his face.

"Why do you dare to wear the shrine maiden outfit with exposed armpits but insist on wearing bloomer pants for the lower body?"

Reimu Hakurei's face showed an incredulous expression. She covered her face in pain and said, "Is this the kind of person I'm working with?"

Momo stood up solemnly and said, "You should understand that this is one way for me to express my enthusiasm and excitement. I lived for a hundred years in my past life, and now I finally get to see the real Reimu Hakurei. I have to do something."

"So, squatting down to peek at me is your reason? If it weren't for the fact that I can't take the initiative to attack right now, you'd be dead by now."

Momo smirked and said, "As someone who dares to call Yukari Yakumo 'Big Mama,' I have anticipated the path of death for a hundred years. What do I have to fear?"

"You're really... I thought you were a normal person. I was too naive."

"Let's get back on track."

Reimu Hakurei forcibly brought the conversation back to the main topic and said, "I am here to work for the Great God. This is your first world, and I am here to guide you. Also, I warn you, although I don't have any attack capabilities, don't even think about touching me with a single finger."

"What about patting your head?"

Momo patted Reimu Hakurei's head, and a vein popped on her head.