He sent a communication request to Liu Xuan.

Uncharacteristically, she didn’t pick up instantly. The call connected after a few seconds’ delay.

"What’s wrong?" Liu Xuan’s voice came through.

Lin Qi asked, "Liu Xuan, I think we can be considered friends, right?"

It was as if Liu Xuan’s brain crashed for a second.

After a moment of hesitation, she replied, "I guess so?"

Now it was Lin Qi’s turn to be confused. Liu Xuan’s reaction was strange.

Based on her past behavior, even though Lin Qi had always treated her as a friend, he was pretty sure the girl had a secret crush on him.

But this reaction didn’t seem right.

Before Lin Qi could reply, another voice came from the other end of the line.

Although the person didn’t appear on the Intelligent Brain’s screen, Lin Qi could tell it was Liu Li’s voice.

"Sis, who’s being so rude, calling at one in the morning? Are they sick in the head?"

Her voice was a little groggy; it was clear her sweet dreams had been disturbed.

’Are the two sisters sleeping together?’

Liu Xuan first said to Liu Li, "Go back to sleep."

A moment later, Liu Li’s voice grew louder. "Wait! It can’t be Lin Qi, can it? Sis, listen to me for a second... Hey, don’t leave the room!"

Liu Li’s voice was cut off. Liu Xuan spoke to Lin Qi again. "If you have something to say, just say it. It’s getting late."

Her way of speaking was her usual style—her tone was cool, betraying no emotional change, as if she hadn’t been affected by Lin Qi’s "friends" comment at all.

Lin Qi scratched his head. "I want to borrow some Credit Points. I keep feeling like someone is trying to harm me, so I want to upgrade my membership with the Intercontinental Stability Trauma Emergency Company."

Liu Xuan fell silent again.

’Calling to borrow money at one in the morning?’

’Has our relationship reached that point?’

"Okay." The moment Liu Xuan opened her mouth, the word came out instinctively.

Refusing Lin Qi’s request was somewhat difficult for Liu Xuan.

Even while using the most advanced Suppressor, Liu Xuan couldn’t maintain a calm state of mind when facing Lin Qi.

This was because Liu Xuan didn’t have cyber psychosis in the traditional sense.

According to the latest diagnostic report, Liu Xuan’s problem wasn’t with her brain, but with a higher-level dimension: her Spiritual Power.

The doctor in charge of her case even suspected that, setting aside the symptoms, there might be an emotional factor involved.

A diagnosis Liu Xuan had denied.

Both ends of the call went quiet for a long time.

Lin Qi couldn’t figure out Liu Xuan’s true attitude, while Liu Xuan was recalling the doctor’s diagnosis.

After a long while, Liu Xuan asked, "How much do you need?"

Lin Qi said, "I need to upgrade to a Black Gold Member. I only have three hundred thousand Credit Points right now, so I still need seven hundred thousand."

Lin Qi knew he was asking for a large sum; Credit Points had significant purchasing power. "An L-level Researcher’s annual salary is two hundred and fifty thousand, but I research products very quickly. A year’s income will be enough to repay this debt. I..."

Before he could say any more, a message suddenly popped up on his Intelligent Brain.

[Payroll Account "Lin Qi (Liu’s Heavy Industries L-0129)" has received a transfer of 1,000,000 Credit Points from an anonymous account]

"I’ve transferred it to you. There are some things I can’t conveniently tell you, but you might indeed be in some trouble recently. You don’t need to repay these Credit Points; consider it compensation from the company."

Liu Xuan’s voice was like an angel’s.

Resounding and full of life.

’That’s the sound of wealth for you.’

"Thank you." Lin Qi couldn’t express much more.

To be honest, Lin Qi already owed Liu Xuan far too many favors.

If not for Liu Xuan, Lin Qi might just be a lucky Mercenary who happened to get the Wizard Profession.

Life doesn’t offer many choices. Once Guang Ling’s Highest-Level Mercenary Corps came knocking, he would have been forced down a dark path with no turning back.

Although, that was without considering the existence of the Door.

But he had to admit, without Liu Xuan’s help, his life would be nowhere near as easy as it was now.

Without the job at Liu’s Heavy Industries, he wouldn’t have gained knowledge of the Cyber World, and he wouldn’t have had such smooth sailing in the Doomsday World after obtaining the Door.

Liu Xuan’s cool voice came through again. "Is there anything else?"

Lin Qi shook his head. "Not for now."

"Then I’m going to rest," Liu Xuan replied.

Just before the call ended, Lin Qi thought he heard the sound of Liu Li complaining.

He let out a breath.

It was as if Liu Xuan’s "rich girl" act had swept away much of his anxiety.

The money was in his account, but it hadn’t been converted into a trump card yet.

Lin Qi needed to spend this money before the danger materialized.

He opened the contact list on his Intelligent Brain and found the dedicated Platinum Level hotline for the Intercontinental Stability Trauma Emergency Company.

Platinum Level was already considered a High Level client, with access to a 24-hour dedicated line. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

He dialed. The call was answered instantly.

"Good day, Mr. Lin Qi. How may I help you?"

The Platinum Level didn’t include dedicated life-monitoring equipment, so the Intercontinental Stability Trauma Emergency Company couldn’t determine a client’s vital status.

Even if rescue was needed, a call had to be made, or at least have someone else dial on their behalf.

"I want to upgrade my membership Level to the Black Gold Level."

On the other end of the line, the customer service representative was extremely professional. "Of course, sir. We need to verify your financial account. We have already sent you an authorization request."

Lin Qi quickly approved it.

The representative continued, "Verification complete. Mr. Lin Qi, I will now explain the upgrade terms."

"First, your Platinum Member renewal is in seven months. If you upgrade to a Black Gold Member now, the funds you’ve already paid for the Platinum membership cannot be applied as a discount. The Black Gold Member validity period will override your current membership Level. You will be able to enjoy the services of both membership tiers simultaneously."

The terms were simple: the money for the Platinum Membership was non-refundable and wouldn’t be reactivated after the Black Gold Membership expired.

To put it bluntly: you could upgrade, but the money you already paid was a sunk cost.

’It’s a completely predatory clause.’

But he had no choice but to accept.

"I agree to the terms. Please process it quickly," Lin Qi urged.

If this didn’t get done soon, Lin Qi suspected the explosion King Arthur mentioned was about to happen.

"Of course, sir. Deducting the payment and processing for you now."

"One moment, sir. The system is indicating an A-Class risk. I need to consult my supervisor."

’Damn it!’

’Is the Intercontinental Stability Trauma Emergency Company’s intelligence network really that advanced?’

’The Mercenaries haven’t even made a move, and they already know?’

"My Platinum Membership has been active for over three years. I should be able to upgrade to Black Gold unconditionally," Lin Qi said, dissatisfied.

"Sir, we have noted that for you. We must wait for the supervisor’s response."

The answer was very professional, very customer-service-like.

But fortunately, as a mega-corporation that stood above even major enterprises, the Intercontinental Stability Trauma Emergency Company was highly efficient.

"Sir, the supervisor has replied. You may pay an additional fee of three hundred thousand Credit Points to override this risk warning and force the transaction. Would you like to proceed?"

Lin Qi glanced at his account balance and suspected he was being scammed.

’They’re charging me based on my balance, aren’t they?’

"I agree. Process it now."