Age of Summoner

“According to the rules for card trading between summoners in CF, or Card Factory, we only use cold cash for trading to prevent fraud from occurring. I hope you don’t mind that, sir?”

The manager turned around asking Joke with a smile. Joke personally believed that it would cause some hassle in depositing this amount in the bank; but it was not that serious, so he nodded in response.

“Why would there be any problem? Getting a whopping amount as much as twenty million, that’s basically becoming rich overnight.”

Viper’s mocking seemed to be irking others in the room. Even the manager had to rub his face in displeasure. The attractive staff then started to open up the case and counted the cash before everyone. The amount of one-thousand-baht bill tall stacks lining in front caused Joke to swallow several times as he had never once in his life seen this much money piling in one place.

The female staff began placing stacks of banknotes into a cash counting machine, similar to the ones used in banks while another staff was taping the scene, presumably as evidence for this transaction.

“Seriously though, where did you find this card?”

Viper asked in a mocking tone while walking away to sit on a sofa, not even bothering to look in Joke’s way. He then lit a cigarette without any care, not minding others around him.

“Uh, I got it from a pack by chance.”

Joke plainly answered. If he told him that he got it from a convenience store’s promotion, he would surely be laughed at.

“Humph! Basically getting rich overnight; exactly what I said.” Viper coughed out cigarette smoke. “But you made the right decision selling it to me because it would be a pity to leave such a valuable card in your hands. Giving it to me is the best choice. I’ll turn it into a supreme card that will make me famous and ten times wealthier.”

These unpleasant words caused everyone in the room to meekly smile at him. Joke, on the other hand, was beginning to look stern because Viper made it sound like he was the one begging for his card to be sold even though he had not got a single clue. Amidst the sound of the cash counting machine, an unspoken tension started building up.

“So, you look like you are in your twenties. What do you do?”

Joke froze for a second upon hearing this question before breathing out in displeasure.

“I’ve just finished my studies and currently looking for a job.”

“Right. So, meaning unemployed.”

With those words, he cracked a mocking smile, leaving this “unemployed” man dumbfounded before turning to look at the manager who was also smiling meekly. He could not believe that there existed such a person who could be this rude the first time they met someone.

Or were all AOS pro players like this?

That could not be true. The pro playing named “King” he had seen before on the television looked well mannered.

“I can't believe my eyes that the card I had been searching for forever was discovered by a useless guy like you. I kind of want to cry out when thinking that I have to waste up to twenty million to you. But whatever, just consider it as winning a major jackpot that you probably will never be hitting again in this lifetime. Unemployed or whatever, just get the most out of that twenty million.”

Did he believe that it was cool being a jerk? Was this guy even for real?

Joke was starting to get irritated. He did not care whether this man was wealthy or a top-tier pro player. It was not right to be looking down on others like this.

“This year, I have to climb up from League C. Lucky me, an idiot suddenly offered to sell the Snowbelle card out of nowhere. With this dragon, I will probably jump to League B, no, I might be even able to climb up to League A.”

Viper started bragging with himself while turning to glance at the female staff standing at the back —his gaze looking somewhat flirtatious. He then turned back to look at Joke who was standing in front of him once more.

“You should feel honored that you got to be a part of this Viper. The card you luckily found is about to rock the AOS community, believe me. There’s now only that Queen lady who holds the other Snowbelle...lucky me.”

He then let out a gleeful laugh to himself. Those lips not only had been spitting out rudeness but also blowing out cigarette smoke to the point where every lady in the room raised their hands to cover their nose in disgust. Those insulting looks and oppressive behaviors were starting to make Joke tense up.

“The amount had been counted: twenty million baht, all in genuine banknotes.”

The female staff declared after a while. She told Joke to confirm the amount of money. She then put all the banknotes back in the bag, seeing that, Viper laughed in his throat before opening the bag in front of Joke.

“Here! This is the amount as discussed. If there are no problems, just hand me the card then.”

He stated in a demanding tone, which caused Joke’s feelings to change upon looking at the pile of cash in front of him.

He was neither greedy nor terribly wanted this money since the beginning. Truthfully, he actually felt like hitting the jackpot at first, but the actions of that jerk Viper were starting to make him loathe and angry.

He had unmistakably seen those looks before.

Those were the exact looks of his interviewer, looking down on him and turning him down.

It was enough to get him angry upon seeing those who liked to look down on others just because they were of a higher status. But currently, he was also insulted extensively even though he was not the one asking for money like this.

So this was what an AOS pro player was like?

Was this card worth that much that such a disgraceful person was willing to pay for it?

While Joke was deep in his thoughts, the TV in the back suddenly blasted out an advertisement jingle. His orbs shifted to it and realized that it was an advertisement for a famous pop drink brand. The main presenter was none other than “King”, the world’s number one ranking player.

“If I can do it, so can you.”

Unknowingly, this man’s words suddenly ran through Joke’s mind.

In the heat of the moment, he turned back to look at that foul-mouthed man called Viper.

“Hurry up! What are you waiting for? Hand me the card. I don’t have all day; I also have to go on a TV show afterward!”

That yell caused Joke to hand over Snowbelle card carelessly. Viper was beaming ear to ear, ready to pull the card out from his hands; but something in his subconscious mind ordered him to pull his hands back.

“Hey, What’s wrong with you? Hand it to me quickly.”

Viper froze before lifting up his head in irritation.

Joke said nothing. He merely reached out his hands to close the metal case that contained twenty million baht before pushing it towards Viper.

“You can take your money back. I changed my mind; I’m not selling it.”

“What!?”

The foul-mouthed man screamed loudly while those on the manager’s side seemed shocked.

“What are you playing at? Changing your mind out of a sudden; do you want to have a problem?

Joke barely cared about those words. He simply turned to look at the manager emotionlessly.

“I can change my mind to not sell the card, right?”

“Uh...o...oh, yes.” The manager went still for a couple of seconds, but he could compose himself shortly. “According to the trading rules, if either negotiator is not satisfied with the deal, they can call it off without any issue.”

That answer seemed to be making Joke smile with satisfaction, whereas Viper almost suddenly turned to glare at the manager before turning back to scowl at Joke.

“What were you thinking holding it off? Or are you trying to step over the line by calling for more money? For someone like you, twenty million is more than enough. You should learn your place!”

“Learn my place?”

Joke raised his eyebrows before letting out a chuckle. He then finally returned that Snowbelle card back inside his shirt pocket.

“It has absolutely nothing to do with money. But I will spend my life regretting it if I have to bow down to a person like you just for money. My dignity is worth more than your twenty million,” Joke said while giving him a hard stare. “Moreover, if this card is truly precious that many people want it in their possession, it would be better off in the hands of those who are more worthy than you.”