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Bonus Chapter

***

Ekaterina naturally knew that the investment project in Idorvam Bank, promising increased income without risks, was a mere scam wrapped in an attractive package. From Adam, she had learned about the term "financial pyramid," and after analyzing it, she was shocked by the amount of money they had obtained.

Most traders, seeing the profits of their friends and receiving invitations from close colleagues (who received referral bonuses for this), invested extravagant amounts. 10 Platinum Dragon Stones? 100 Platinum Dragon Stones? No! Many of them invested a whopping 500 Platinum Dragon Stones! Such sums were unheard of for Ekaterina until she met Adam. Nevertheless, she did not lose herself in this wealth and managed it wisely.

The most crucial observation she made was the bank's low expenses. After all, the majority of "profits" were paid from other investors' money and greedy individuals who, in their desire to deceive the bank, ended up paying enormous fines.

"From you, dear client, we require a penalty of 400 Platinum Dragon Stones and the freezing of your accounts. Moreover, we are pleased to inform you that due to your actions, the investment program will be suspended due to significant issues." Ekaterina narrowed her eyes, scoffing, and turned away from the trader, disappearing down the corridor.

The trader struggled to get up and shuddered, feeling burning and hateful glares directed at his back. Looking around, he saw his other colleagues staring at him with fury, provoked by Ekaterina.

"You scoundrel!" Amidst loud curses and insults, the poor trader shamefully fled, forced to leave behind 400 Platinum Dragon Stones.

The bank employees exchanged glances and sighed heavily, feeling powerless.

***

Adam watched with a smirk as Ekaterina staged the spectacle, swiveling in his managerial chair. Although Ekaterina was the face of the bank, everything belonged to Adam.

The door creaked open, and a beautiful dark-haired woman entered, her green eyes sparkling as she bowed upon noticing Adam. "My Master, good morning."

"Yes, good. Your performance was exquisite; I was touched and even began to think that it was all true." Adam chuckled, praising Ekaterina, whose eyes crinkled at the corners.

The investment project in the bank was merely a scam and a way to extort more money. According to the contract, they were violating the agreement, but they were also bound by the contract to pay

"10 Platinum Dragon Stones as compensation. Although considering the participants involved in this scheme, the figure will be around 3000–3500 Platinum Dragon Stones, it's just 30% of the profit." Adam narrowed his eyes, looking at the chart, and grinned, reaching for an expensive cognac. "We should celebrate!"

"Master, it's still early in the morning." Ekaterina frowned but didn't refuse.

The situation impressed her as well. They had already prepared a scapegoat to bear the brunt of the clients' anger and the victims of this scam, but she didn't expect to find someone better.

"Just in time, this trader arrived, just when we were supposed to be at a loss." Adam rubbed his chin and smiled, watching Ekaterina pour the cognac. "You're so clever, good girl!"

"Good girl? With all due respect, Master, I turned forty, and I'm afraid I'm no longer young." Ekaterina shook her head, finishing pouring the cognac into the glasses.

Adam shrugged, seemingly carefree, paying no attention to Ekaterina's reply. He raised his glass and smiled at her. "To you and our success, my dear."

After sipping the cognac and relishing its rich flavor, Adam squinted in pleasure and reclined on his managerial chair, feeling like a wealthy idler.

Ekaterina also sipped the cognac, expressing her admiration for the taste and aroma. Compared to Adam, she knew much more and valued taste and the excellent work done by the distiller.

Although Adam was somewhat indifferent to that, he enjoyed the taste. Closing his eyes, he sighed and opened them, squinting at the bright rays of the sun.

"Already August... it's so hot, it feels like I'm in an oven, seriously!"

The weather in this world was unusual and vastly different from Earth's. Although there were four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter, the weather could change abruptly, and, for example, snow might fall in August.

Moreover, both the heat and the cold here were much more intense than on Earth. If an ordinary Earthling were summoned to this world without protection, they would perish due to their unadapted body and immune system.

"It reminds me of the day I met you; it was just as scorching hot," Adam smirked, looking into Ekaterina's eyes.

Surprisingly, the woman who was always cold and composed suddenly blushed and looked away, appearing flustered. However, the corners of her lips rose in a sweet smile, indicating her happiness.

***

Extra 1. Meeting You (Adam and Ekaterina), Part 1

On a hot weekday, Adam decided to take a stroll through the city, thinking that he should visit a few shops to attract them to collaborate.

The city of Sedyon prospered thanks to the efforts of Amarantha and her subordinates, as well as Adam's ideas. They managed to attract a renowned trader and designer named Ricky, who gladly agreed to open his shop and invest in Sedyon's infrastructure.

However, Adam wanted to find new potential partners who could offer him new and rare products, but so far, he had found nothing. Although the fantasy world was diverse and vast, Adam saw many differences from his previous world.

There was no entertainment, normal sweets, or desserts. Adam could only try to recall recipes and ideas, but he was struggling.

The heat was unbearable. Although it meant nothing to Adam, other citizens looked tired and wiped away sweat pouring down like waterfalls onto the asphalt. Adam noticed this out of the corner of his eye and could only shake his head.

Many wealthy ladies waved fans, but even that had little effect. Adam considered creating ice cream, but he didn't remember the recipe or know how to make it. Nevertheless, he decided to jot it down for the future.

Meanwhile, his curious gaze noticed a shop with an unusual stone design and a crowd gathered at the entrance. Feeling intrigued, he approached the onlookers and used his aura to disperse them.

"Oh?" Adam raised an eyebrow as he saw a cage with a woman inside.

The trader rushed towards him, falling to his knees and kissing his boot. "Oh, who is it if not the noble and elegant Sir Adam? This servant greets you!"

Although Adam felt repulsed by such sycophancy, he still smiled and waited for the trader to stand up.

"Hello, Yorin. I see you have new merchandise?" Adam squatted down, paying no heed to the admiring sighs of the women.

His eyes twitched when he saw a beautiful middle-aged woman dressed in a lovely white dress, but her indifferent and cold gaze kept people at bay.

Meeting her green eyes, Adam smiled softly, but the woman responded only with a look full of disgust.

"Hmm? Yorin, does this woman hate me?" Adam chuckled, not angered by her gaze.

"Oh! My Lord, please forgive this trash behavior! In reality... she hates men due to psychological trauma," Yorin panicked and bowed to Adam.

"Hmm?" Adam lifted his head and looked at Yorin, who trembled and explained, "My Lord, the thing is, someone attempted to rape her, and although I managed to save her from that, she developed an aversion to all men since that day."

Yorin sighed anxiously, displaying disappointment and sadness with his whole demeanor as if the woman's tragic fate had touched him emotionally, causing him to succumb to melancholy. He averted his gaze, trembling, barely holding back tears.

"An Oscar-worthy performance, damn it." Adam clicked his tongue, thinking about it, and tossed one Platinum Dragon Stone. "I'm buying her."

Yorin didn't immediately grasp the situation and could barely hold the platinum-colored stone in his hands. But as the realization sunk in, he fell to his knees, thanking Adam profusely for his generosity.

Leading him inside, Yorin turned to the onlookers and yelled, "What are you all doing here? Go home, go home!"

Closing the door and putting up the "Closed" sign, Yorin entered and smiled at Adam, who had already managed to charm the young shop assistant. Seeing this sight, Yorin's smile was on the verge of cracking, but his professionalism kept him composed.

To be continued...

===

* Until now, I haven't mentioned the appearance of Dragon Stones currency, which was a serious omission. In general, imagine a crystal in the shape of a fang.

The origin of Dragon Stones is ancient and spans over ten thousand years. It is said that when dragons ruled the world, the Supreme Dragon King created the currency - Dragon Stones, which were originally actual dragon fangs exchanged for goods and the like. The currency was only used within the dragon society.

Dragons have different level ranks:

Lower level (from F- to B+):

1. Dragon Hatchling (From F- to D+): 1 to 100 years old. Every ten years of a dragon's life increase its strength by one point. 1 year = F-

2. Dragon Adolescent (From C- to B+): 101 to 200 years old.

Intermediate level (from A- to SS-):

1. Adult Dragon (From A- to S+): 300 to 400 years old.

2. Mature Dragon (SS-): 700 to 1000 years old.

Higher level (from SS to SSS+):

1. Dragon of Fire/Water/Lightning/Earth/Light/Darkness/Cold (from SS to SS+): 1500 to 2700 years old. In this stage, the dragon fully masters one natural law and becomes one with it.

2. Holy Dragon (SSS-): 7000 to 10000 years old. Gains over 5 natural laws and becomes a supreme being, almost transcending the entire world.

3. Supreme Dragon King (SSS+): Over 70000 years old. Controls all the laws of the world, time, and space, and their will becomes law.

And dragon fangs are filled with magical energy, which can give a good "level up" to the young generation. Lower-level dragons have bronze fangs, intermediate-level - silver (and adult dragons - gold), and higher level - platinum.

After the disappearance of the dragon race and the discovery of ancient records, people recreated this type of currency, adorning them in the form of fangs as a tribute to the ancient rulers of the world.

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