INFINITE MONEY - I Will Buy Everything

William's lips curled into a menacing grin as he read the skill's name. "Now this... this is exactly what I need."

His face contorted through a spectrum of unsettling expressions, each one more disturbing than the last. Anyone observing from a distance would find themselves deeply unnerved by the bizarre display.

"With this... I can finally do something about it," William murmured, his voice low and tinged with a sinister edge, his eyes locked on the new skill's description.

[ The Weapon Prodigal - Skill - Sword Arts - Legendary - Cost: 500 Gold Coins ]

[ Description – Derived from the Sword of Broken Heaven, this skill is a fusion of two ancient abilities once inscribed upon the blade. Combined, these skills have transcended their original forms, becoming far more formidable than their predecessors. ]

[ Effect – This skill, born from the union of the sword's powers, has ascended to a higher echelon. The bearer of this skill will benefit from two constant passive effects:

First – The user will instantly discern a weapon's true strength and value with a mere glance. If any hidden attributes exist within the weapon, they will be revealed to the wielder

Second – The user will possess an unparalleled aptitude for mastering any weapon or its associated skills at an accelerated pace. Even when wielding an unfamiliar weapon, the user will quickly grasp its intricacies.

Should the user already possess knowledge of comparable fighting styles, they will be able to seamlessly apply it, rendering the weapon even more lethal and elevating their proficiency beyond that of the most seasoned masters ]

William meticulously read through the description and effects, his eyes devouring every word. As the full magnitude of the skill sunk in, a dark chuckle escaped him, his aura growing palpably malevolent as his mind teemed with devious possibilities.

"Finally, after all this time—well, more like a week—I can have my revenge on Adam. I'll show him who the real prodigy is, even if it means by using a shortcut," he mused, his voice trailing off into a low chuckle before spiraling into full-blown laughter.

"Ahahaha... haha... ha!"

As William cackled like a madman, he failed to notice Clawdia observing him from a distance. She nonchalantly licked her massive paws, her thoughts idling. 'It seems Master has finally lost it. Well, finding a mate was always a challenge.'

'Of course, not for me it isn't,' she mused, continuing to watch William without the slightest inclination to intervene or inquire.

"Ahahaha..."

"Haha... haha... haha..."

"Ahaha... Oh! My back!" William's laughter came to an abrupt halt as a sharp pain shot through his spine, causing him to wince. A bone in his back had popped, putting an end to his villainous mirth.

He decided to purchase the skill later that night, when he would be alone. This way, if there were any unexpected aftereffects, they would manifest in the solitude of night, far from prying eyes.

After taking a moment to collect himself, William finally rose from the floor and made his way toward the door. As he neared the exit, a large shadow loomed over him. Clawdia had silently came beside him, her presence imposing.

William glanced at Clawdia, momentarily startled, before the memory returned to him. 'I must've blocked Clawdia from my thoughts while I was scanning the area. So she might've seen what I—' He cut off the thought, mortified as recollections of his earlier actions surfaced.

'But it doesn't seem like she knows anything,' William reassured himself, noting Clawdia's typical, disinterested yawn. He quickly dismissed his concerns.

'No matter. Even if she did see something, I trust her. There's no need for worry,' he thought, exhaling in relief.

Even when someone you trust witnesses one of your most embarrassing moments, it's difficult to shake the lingering humiliation. That truth was no less painful for William.

He cast one final glance at Clawdia before leaving the room, with her following closely behind. William proceeded to bathe, methodically scrubbing away the blood and grime that clung to his body.

Emerging from the bathroom, he surveyed the scars and cuts that adorned his skin, mentally cataloging each one and recalling the stories behind them. Once dressed, he set about starting his day, adhering to his usual routine.

He headed to the kitchen and requested that the chef prepare his breakfast.

Yes, William had a personal chef. And not just any chef—one of the most renowned in the region, with a reputation that had flourished over the past few years. He had hired this woman during a period when he was working on various ventures with Delmar.

She was not only a culinary virtuoso but also a woman of striking beauty. For William, it was the perfect arrangement—exquisite food and the company of a captivating presence. It was certainly a welcome improvement over the fast food deliveries he had once relied upon.

After breakfast, William scanned the day's news. Some papers heaped praise upon him, while others chose to ridicule him. Recently, the mockery had become more prevalent, though William didn't let it bother him too much.

"The media will always find something to yap about," he muttered to himself with a shrug. It was a nuisance, but hardly worth his time—except for the nagging suspicion that someone was behind the negative press.

Whoever it was, they seemed intent on tarnishing not just William's name but the reputation of the entire Trust family.

Still, William wasn't overly concerned. Despite his suspicions, Delmar had been unable to uncover the mastermind orchestrating the smear campaign. But they had their guesses. It had to be those wretches.

The Freiggart Great House.

They were far from "Great" these days. Their prestige had been steadily eroding, their once-dominant influence collapsing under the weight of recent scandals and setbacks. In the past few days alone, their power had diminished at an astonishing rate.

Unlike the fabrications circulating about William, the Freiggart House's decline was all too real, and the speed of their downfall was undeniable.

At first, William couldn't comprehend what had happened. But then it dawned on him—they hadn't merely lost an individual; they had lost their House Master.

The House Master, the figure meant to shield and uphold the family's honor, was gone. Without him, the Freiggart House's authority had crumbled like a house of cards.

Yet despite their own crisis, they still thought it wise to target William. Even though his strength was presently diminished, he would not forget their actions—and he would make sure they regretted them.

The folly of trying to degrade and bully those who are just and righteous would eventually come at a steep price.

Shaking off thoughts of the news, William spent the rest of the day gaming, taking occasional breaks to eat. He returned to the chef for lunch before indulging in a brief nap to rest himself.

Later, he went to the underground facility to review documents that required his attention. He spent some time scrutinizing and signing papers, ensuring everything was in order.

Before long, the day had passed, and night had fallen. William retired to his bed, his eyes scanning the room for any signs of disturbance. Once satisfied that all was in place, he opened the system shop again, his focus narrowing in on the skill he had coveted.