Reincarnated With The Degenerate System-Chapter 235: Important Day

Days passed, and just as Samantha said, trouble never came.

Darkness and Mythical seemed to be ignoring my city for the time being.

I even heard that they were sending most of their guild members to other areas, leaving only the bare minimum behind.

As for Dark Rock, there was no news about Mr. Sakamoto.

Good. That gave me more time.

I set up a meeting with Mr. Jonas Blackwood and five other contractors.

These were the kind of people that handled entire industrial complexes, port facilities, underground bunkers, and even railway networks for the government.

The meeting took place in one of my guild’s conference rooms.

Jonas Blackwood sat at the head of the contractor delegation.

Beside him were representatives from five other major firms: structural engineers, logistics specialists, equipment operators, and project managers.

"Gentlemen," I began, standing at the opposite end of the table. "Thank you for coming on such short notice. What I’m about to propose is... ambitious."

"We gathered that from your initial inquiry, Guild Master," One of them replied, his tone professional but wary. "A fortified base capable of housing hundreds of thousands, built in a mountainous region with minimal existing infrastructure. That alone is a two year project under normal circumstances."

"I need it done in six months," I demanded flatly.

Mr. Park, a specialist in large-scale construction spoke. "With all due respect, what you’re asking is physically impossible. Even with unlimited budget and resources, the logistics alone—"

"Let me show you the design first," I interrupted, pulling out the detailed plans I’d drawn up. "Then you can tell me what’s impossible or not."

I spread the blueprints across the table. They were extensive—dozens of pages detailing every aspect of the base I envisioned.

"The design centers on the mountain as the primary anchor point. Everything radiates outward from there."

I traced the layout with my finger. "By starting construction at the central mountain and working outward in concentric rings, we can make the build much safer and more viable."

The contractors leaned forward and studied the map spread across the table. Fingers traced the marked zones. It was not a new concept. Most major cities had begun the same way

Seeing that the first circle wasn’t too large, they began to think it might actually be possible. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Park straightened, his expression turning serious.

"I’ll be frank with you. What you’re describing is doable—we have the expertise and the technology. But the timeframe you’re suggesting? Six months? That’s impossible without massive compromises to quality and safety."

"What if quality and safety are non-negotiable?" I asked. "What would it take to make this happen in six months without cutting corners?"

The contractors looked at each other. Park was the first to speak.

"We’d need to transfer equipment from our other active projects across the country. Heavy machinery, specialized vehicles, possibly even some experimental construction tech we’ve been developing. That alone would multiply the logistics costs."

"We would also need three shifts working around the clock," Park added. "That means triple the labor costs, plus hazard pay for night work in difficult terrain."

"And the timeline," Jonas continued, "would require us to frontload absolutely everything. We would need maximum capacity from day one. Every piece of equipment we own, every qualified worker we can hire, all concentrated on this single project."

He paused, then delivered the figure I’d been waiting for.

"We would need at least five hundred billion—possibly more if we encounter unexpected complications. And that’s being conservative. To completely finish the project, expect to spend close to two trillion."

More than double the standard rate. Exactly as I’d anticipated.

The contractors were all watching me carefully, clearly expecting me to balk at the price or start negotiating.

This was the point where most clients would either back down or demand compromises.

Instead, I smiled.

"Done."

"I’m sorry?" Jonas blinked, clearly not certain he’d heard correctly.

"Five hundred billion" I repeated calmly. "I agree to the price. When can you start?"

The shock on their faces was almost comical. Park’s tablet slipped slightly in his hands.

Even Jonas, with decades of experience negotiating with wealthy clients, looked genuinely stunned.

"You... you’re agreeing? Just like that?" Jonas managed.

"Just like that," I confirmed. "I’ll transfer an initial deposit of one hundred billion within the next two days to cover equipment acquisition and mobilization costs. The remainder will be paid in installments as construction milestones are met."

"Guild Master," Park said slowly, recovering first, "forgive me, but... may I ask where you’re getting this kind of capital? That’s an enormous sum even for a major guild."

I had anticipated this question. "Let’s just say I’ve been very successful in my endeavors lately. Plus, I have investors who believe in this project’s long-term value."

I wasn’t lying. It wasn’t just overconfidence either. Something new was on my side now—magic.

In fact, I had been meeting with many of my investors. During those meetings, a bit of subtle influence slipped in. Just enough to push them toward becoming my slave.

It was a dirty move. That much was clear. Still, fighting evil often required becoming something close to it. Years spent in that war had taught one lesson well.

Winning was the only thing that mattered. And to win, every necessary means had to be used.

"If the money is secured," Jonas smiled. "then yes, this becomes much more feasible. We can begin equipment transfer immediately. With that budget, we can literally throw every resource we have at this project."

Laughter broke out around the table. They wanted money, and I was giving it to them. There was no real risk on their side. Everything was paid in advance.

Before the meeting ended, Jonas and I had a one-on-one talk. He warned me about spending too much despite all my success, and I gave him only a polite smile. He might be older, but I had more experience.

In the end, all this money would be useless anyway. Only absolute power would truly matter.

More weeks passed.

First, we launched a clearing operation to open a path to my purchased land. Thanks to modern technology, road construction was fast—it took only an hour to build several kilometers.

Then came the defenses. With how powerful my team was, holding back mutated monsters was easy. I had to admit, though—they were far more varied than the ones in the towers.

They also multiplied extremely fast, so a wall was needed—not just to defend my base constantly, but to deter even more from coming.

I stood at the edge of the cleared path, watching the drones hover above the mountain like silent sentinels. Their scanners traced every contour, sending data back to the operators stationed at the base.

In a matter of minutes, every slope, every ridge, every patch of dense forest was mapped in high definition.

Heavy machines rumbled along the newly cleared route, their mechanical arms swinging.

Trees fell in neat lines, rocks were pulverized and cleared, and the earth smoothed under automated rollers.

Large segments, pre-cast and reinforced, arrived by transport. They were like pieces of a massive puzzle, and the crews moved.

I walked along the assembly site, watching as the first sections were lifted into place, the hydraulic arms holding them steady while workers sealed the joints and reinforced the base.

By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, a small section surrounding the foot of the mountain was already standing.

Watching all of it opened my view to how advanced the technology in this world was.

No wonder they were able to build a metropolis like the central district of my city.

Things were going according to plan, but I decided to return to the city for one occasion I couldn’t miss.

I headed straight to the most expensive hotel in the city. Guests from wealthy families had already gathered.

They weren’t there for an announcement, but for a celebration—one meant for someone very dear to me.

"Big Brother, isn’t this too much?" Hai-Min said over the line.

I continued reassuring her. "Hai-Min, you deserve this. You’ve worked hard, and you’ve been through so much. Let me do this for you."

"But Big Brother..." Her voice wavered slightly. "This hotel alone must cost a fortune. And all these guests—"

"Hai-Min," I interrupted gently, "listen to me. The money I’m spending on your birthday party? It’s peanuts compared to what I spend on an hourly basis."

There was silence on the other end of the line.

"Okay," she said softly. "Thank you, Big Brother. I... I don’t know what I’d do without you."

"You’ll never have to find out," I promised. "Now get ready. The party starts in under an hour, and I expect you to enjoy every minute of it."

"I will," she said, and I could hear the smile in her voice. "I’ll see you soon."

I ended the call and pocketed my phone, looking up at the towering hotel before me.

When I reached the place, I headed directly to the hall, and it was already filled with guests—mostly her high school classmates, even family members.

The venue was beautifully decorated. Soft golden lights illuminated the space, and elegant flower arrangements adorned every table.

A live band played gentle music in the corner, and waiters moved smoothly through the crowd with trays of champagne.

Right away, a pretty woman came to greet me. She was in her early forties, with the same delicate features as Hai-Min—the same gentle eyes, the same graceful manner.

"Mr. Mercer," she bowed her head slightly

"My name is Hai-Ren. I’m Hai-Min’s mother. Thank you for looking out for my daughter."