NOVEL WEB Chapter 168: Money is Just a Tool
"You know," Lux said after a beat, "most people who thank me end up doing it with contracts or soul bonds."
Miles looked alarmed and confused. "Huh?"
Lux smirked. "But if it were, you'd be passing."
Miles laughed again. Awkwardly. "That's good. I guess?"
"You'd be surprised how cheap they go these days," Lux murmured.
He glanced at the cracked vinyl floor. At the flickering light above. At the kid across the table who had no idea who he really was. Or maybe did—and didn't care.
"You should keep investing," Lux said finally. "Not just in stocks. In people. In yourself. Don't chase fast returns."
Miles tilted his head, eyes narrowing slightly in curiosity. "Is that… rich people's advice?"
"Demonic CFO's advice." Lux chuckled softly. "Or… Just general financial survival tips. From someone who's been at both ends of the spectrum."
He didn't bother correcting that 'demonic CFO'. Miles wouldn't believe him. And honestly, he didn't need to.
Miles grinned. "Still helpful."
Another silence settled between them. But it wasn't awkward. It wasn't loaded with expectation or small talk. It was just… quiet. Normal. Strangely human.
Lux sipped the last of his Americano, the paper cup warm in his hand. The bitterness on his tongue grounded him in the present.
"You know," he said after a beat, "this was the best meeting I've had all week."
Miles blinked. "Seriously?"
Lux leaned back in his chair, tone dry but real. "You didn't ask me for anything. That's rarer than you think."
Miles looked a little embarrassed again but smiled anyway. "Well… I guess sometimes saying thank you is enough."
Lux set his empty cup down on the table. "What are you doing next?"
Miles straightened a little. "Gonna reinvest. That influencer video might get me a bit more reach, so I'm putting some into music stocks like you suggested. Nothing big, just testing things. Then… maybe a camera. Or a better phone. Something I can use to record my performances. I figured I should finally make a proper social account. Promote my stuff like an actual musician, y'know?"
Lux nodded once. "Good. Smart move. Build a brand. Keep your face on screen and your fingers on strings."
Miles laughed. "You really are good at this stuff."
Lux smirked. "You'd be surprised what people learn when they stop sleeping for a few decades."
He stood up, brushing a speck of lint off his dark slacks, and extended his hand.
Miles blinked, startled. "Huh?"
"Take it," Lux said, eyes sharp but amused. "My turn to say thanks. For the coffee."
Miles hesitated, glancing down at his hand like he expected it to glow or bite him. But eventually, he reached forward and shook it.
It was a simple gesture.
For him.
But Lux's fingers tightened slightly—and a subtle, silent pulse flowed from his palm.
[Skill Activated: Wealth Rewrite – Boost]
[Target Selected: Miles Carter]
[Net Worth: $203 -> $100,312]
[Financial Potential Buffed: +180% Growth Forecast Over 6 Months]
[Reputation: Minor Influencer Perception Activated in Local Radius]
[Passive Effect: Luck Enhancement – Market Algorithm Favor +1]
To Miles, it was just a handshake. A warm one, sure. But no sparks, no bells, no glowing nonsense.
To the System? It was a financial blessing wrapped in a metaphysical grenade.
Lux didn't let the expression on his face betray anything. Just a smooth pull away.
"It was a nice coffee," Lux said, brushing his coat sleeve down again. "Hope you'll have good days ahead."
Miles stood there for a moment, still surprised, still thinking he might've dreamed this entire meeting. "Thank you. Really."
Lux turned to leave but stopped near the doorway, glancing back over his shoulder with that same casual menace that made billionaires sign dotted lines and angels look away.
"Money is just a tool," he said softly. "Use it well, and it builds you something worth having. Let it consume you… and you'll find yourself somewhere far worse than broke."
He tapped the side of his temple.
"And don't lose your heart. That's what people sell first. Usually without knowing it."
Miles just stared, mouth open, words caught somewhere between reverence and confusion.
Lux offered him one final smirk. "You'll be fine. Just don't make me regret the upgrade."
And then he walked out.
Back into the cool night.
The wind tugged at his coat as he stepped onto the sidewalk, the city lights flickering like distant signals from satellites watching silently above.
The warmth of the coffee lingered in his chest.
But it was the weight of that small moment—of giving, not taking—that made his steps just a little lighter than before.
He was still the demon of greed. Still Lux Vaelthorn.
But tonight… he didn't mind being someone's lucky break.
Lux lifted two fingers, whispered something under his breath, and vanished in a ripple of distorted light.
Just like that, he was gone.
No flashy magic circle. No thunderclap. Just silence.
Behind him, the cheap bell above the café door jingled faintly as Miles pushed it open.
"Wait…!" he shouted.
He jogged out onto the quiet street, scanning left and right, breath visible in the cold air.
"Crap," he muttered.
The sidewalk was empty. No footsteps. No coat tails. Not even a distant silhouette.
"Damn it," Miles muttered again, brushing a hand through his hair. "I didn't even get his name…"
He stood there for a second longer, clutching the warmth of the memory rather than the cold in the air. Whoever that guy was—he'd stepped into his night like a storm dressed in a tailored suit, dropped advice, fortune, and something weirdly like kindness… then blinked out like he'd never been there. He looked like an angel to him.
Miles exhaled.
"Guess I'll call him Mr. Americano," he murmured with a smile.
Then he slipped his hands into his jacket pockets and turned toward the subway.
He had stocks to study.
Songs to finish.
And, for the first time in a long time, hope that didn't feel like a joke.