5: Earn $20,000 in two hours!

A confident smirk played on the corners of Lin Fei's mouth.

First, they went to a supermarket and bought a copy of the city daily newspaper.

Irina sneered, "Great hero, what are you buying a newspaper for?"

"Are you planning to look for a part-time job in the classifieds?"

"Let me calculate: if you earn 3,500 a month with room and board provided, you'll only need three months to save up $10,000!"

Irina counted on her fingers, helping Lin Fei with the math.

"That makes sense! Unfortunately, our mission time is only six hours," Lin Fei replied, as if he didn't understand the sarcasm in Irina's tone.

Irina put her hands on her hips. "So you do know!"

Soon, Lin Fei found the information he wanted in the newspaper.

"Let's go."

Afterward, Lin Fei hailed a taxi.

A few minutes later.

They arrived at a small storefront loan company with slightly gaudy decor and a sign that read "Quick Cash Loans."

"Let's go in and take a look," said Lin Fei.

Irina raised an eyebrow, a flash of suspicion crossing her blue eyes, but she didn't ask any questions and simply followed with her arms crossed.

Park Soo-ah followed closely behind Lin Fei, her face still showing nervousness, but there was a hint of reliance and curiosity in the way she looked at him.

The three of them walked into the "Quick Cash Loans" company.

The narrow space was filled with the mixed scent of cheap cigarettes and sweat, and several menacing tattooed men sat on a dilapidated sofa, scrutinizing the three newcomers.

Their gazes lingered for a moment, especially on Irina's hot figure and Park Soo-ah's delicate face.

A greasy middle-aged fat man sat behind the counter, his balding head shining under the lights.

Loan companies like this in Free City were all backed by gangs.

"Do you need any help?"

"We offer fast loans and low interest rates, and the application process is smoother than eating chocolate." The fat man forced a professional smile, but his small eyes glinted with shrewd calculation.

Lin Fei took his driver's license out of his pocket.

This was the identification document automatically generated for them by the System world.

Lin Fei had only realized this after hearing the conversation among that group of students earlier.

"We need to borrow some money for turnover; this is our identification," Lin Fei said, pushing the license forward with a calm expression.

The fat man picked up the license and typed away on his computer for a while, seemingly checking some database.

A few minutes later, he looked up, his smile seeming a bit more sincere.

"Hmm, the information matches. Mr. Lin Fei, eighteen years old, a student?" He smacked his lips. "Young Miss Irina, Young Miss Park Soo-ah..."

"You don't look like people who are short on money."

"But rules are rules. Since all three of you are first-time borrowers and have no fixed assets to pledge, I can only approve a loan of $3,000 at most."

"Three thousand is fine. Process the paperwork as quickly as possible," Lin Fei said decisively.

The fat man grinned, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth, and took several contracts out of a drawer.

"No problem! Just sign here."

"However, according to our company rules, we must first deduct $1,000 as a 'processing fee and risk assessment fee.'"

"A front-end interest deduction?" Irina gritted her teeth.

"You could say that. You'll actually receive $2,000. No problem, right?" The fat man smiled.

Park Soo-ah exclaimed, "Such high interest! That can't be legal!"

Irina also frowned slightly, clearly displeased by such blatant exploitation.

She was about to speak, but Lin Fei stopped her with a look.

Facing Lin Fei's firm gaze, Irina suddenly felt a tightening below, and a strange, inexplicable pleasure washed over her.

"No problem." Lin Fei picked up a pen and quickly signed his name on the contract.

It was as if that $1,000 front-end interest deduction didn't exist.

Regardless, this money wasn't his, and the rules of this world had nothing to do with him; as long as he could complete the mission, that was enough.

Seeing this, Irina and Park Soo-ah, though still doubtful, had no choice but to sign as well.

The fat man deftly counted out twenty brand-new one-hundred-dollar bills and handed them to Lin Fei.

With the $2,000 in hand, Lin Fei didn't linger for a second and led the two women out of the shady shop.

"Mr. Lin Fei, they are really unscrupulous!" Park Soo-ah was still feeling indignant.

"If we weren't here, what meaning would these paper notes have for us?" Lin Fei smiled meaningfully. "Let's go, to the next one."

Over the next two hours, Lin Fei followed the same method, taking Irina and Park Soo-ah through various districts of Free City, specifically looking for those small, shady-looking loan companies.

They successfully borrowed money from ten other companies.

These loan sharks were some cunning, some greedy, and some feigned generosity.

But without exception, they all charged exorbitant front-end interest.

Lin Fei accepted all the terms, not caring at all and not minding in the slightest.

When they walked out of the twelfth loan company, the cash in Lin Fei's hands had accumulated to $20,000.

The thick stack of bills emitted the distinct scent of ink.

"Is this acid-free paper and color-shifting ink?" Lin Fei held a bill up to the sunlight, examining it carefully.

Under the sunlight, it appeared bronze-colored.

But when tilted, it turned green. It was truly amazing!

"Wow! $20,000! Mr. Lin Fei, you are amazing!"

"You really did it!" Park Soo-ah looked at the stack of bills, her eyes sparkling with excitement and admiration, her previous fear and anxiety completely swept away.

She had never imagined that making money could be so simple and brutal.

Irina stood to the side, watching Lin Fei calmly count the bills, her eyes complex.

She had originally thought that Lin Fei would either fail and make a fool of himself or use some despicable tactics, but she hadn't expected him to complete the goal so efficiently by walking the gray areas in a near-empty-handed scheme.

This Eastern man truly possessed unexpected calmness and wisdom.

"Hmph, I suppose you have some skill." Irina's mouth curved slightly upward; although her tone still carried a hint of arrogance, it was significantly softer. "However, money alone isn't enough; we need to ensure we can survive."

"Follow me, we're going to a good place."

Irina hailed a taxi and gave an address.

The vehicle drove through the bustling commercial district and turned into a relatively quiet street.

Finally, it stopped at an inconspicuous weapon shop.

"Let's go." Irina pushed open the door and walked in.

Although it looked simple on the outside, the interior was a different world.

In this weapon shop, the walls were covered with all kinds of firearms.

From old-fashioned revolvers to the latest assault rifles, there were even a few rocket launchers and sniper rifles!

The glass counter displayed various tactical equipment like grenades, daggers, and night-vision goggles.

Several customers, also wearing black suits or leather jackets, were selecting weapons.

"Wow..."

Park Soo-ah was shocked by the scene before her again and subconsciously grabbed Lin Fei's arm.

"Take a look around and pick a few that feel right." Irina walked to a counter displaying pistols, scanning it with sharp eyes. "Those two guys, Viktor and Pan, look unreliable, especially that Viktor—he's too calculating. We need a backup plan."

"I'm a good judge of character; at the critical moment, only the gun in your own hand is truly reliable."

She picked up a silver Desert Eagle, weighed it in her hand, and then picked up a small, exquisite Walther PPK.

"This one has enough power, suitable for head-on conflict."

"This one is easy to conceal, suitable for handling emergencies." She seemed to be talking to herself, but also explaining it to Lin Fei and Park Soo-ah.

Ultimately, Irina selected two Glock 19 pistols, four spare magazines, and one hundred rounds of 9mm Parabellum ammunition.

She looked at Lin Fei and Park Soo-ah again. "You two should pick one as well; at least learn how to use it for self-defense."

Lin Fei wasn't proficient with firearms, but he knew of the Glock's reliability.

He nodded and also selected a Glock 19 and two magazines.

Park Soo-ah hesitated for a moment, but eventually, under Irina's suggestion, chose a .22 caliber Ruger Mark IV pistol with lower recoil. Her face was still a bit pale when she held it.

"We should get some first-aid supplies too," said Irina.

Afterward, she generously paid with a few thousand dollars from the $20,000 Lin Fei had obtained.

After buying the firearms, ammunition, and first-aid supplies.

The three of them went to a nearby protective gear store and bought ten sets of industrial protective suits and gas masks that looked to be of good quality.

Of the $20,000, over a thousand remained.

"Done! Time is almost up; let's grab something to eat and then go to the meeting point."

Irina packed the weapons and protective gear into several inconspicuous backpacks, a satisfied smile on her face.

At this moment, the way she looked at Lin Fei had changed from initial contempt to equal scrutiny, and even contained a hint of imperceptible appreciation.

Irina asked, "What do you want to eat?"

Lin Fei raised his hand and said, "I want to eat KFC!"

"Fried chicken? What's good about that? We still have over a thousand dollars; don't you want to eat something else?" Irina said.

"Just KFC!" Lin Fei insisted.

"I'm fine with anything," Park Soo-ah said softly.

Lin Fei had never eaten fried chicken in his life, and this time in Free City, he really wanted to experience it.

"Fine, you're the big contributor, so have it your way." Irina suddenly felt that Lin Fei's stubbornness was somewhat cute, and she smiled.

After eating, Lin Fei insisted on getting a burger to go.

"Can't you buy KFC where you live? You really are a weirdo." Irina shook her head.

The six hours passed quickly.

Night fell quietly.

In the north of the city, at an abandoned auto repair shop.

Ford and his men, as well as Viktor and Pan, and those Asian students were all waiting there.

Ford was chewing on a cigar, pacing anxiously.

Viktor was leaning against a rusty pillar, his expression gloomy.

Pan had her arms crossed, scanning the entrance with an unfriendly gaze.

Those students looked a bit exhausted and disheveled; the process of getting the gas hadn't gone smoothly, and they had only barely completed the task with the help of Ford's men.

When Lin Fei, Irina, and Park Soo-ah walked into the garage carrying several large bags, everyone's eyes focused on them.

"Oh! My dear friends! You're finally back!" Ford's eyes lit up when he saw the large bags in their hands, and he immediately walked up to them enthusiastically. "How was it? Did you get the protective suits and masks?"

"Of course." Irina threw a backpack on the ground and unzipped it, revealing the brand-new protective suits and gas masks inside. "Ten sets, not one more, not one less, quality guaranteed."

"Fantastic! Absolutely fantastic!" Ford picked up a protective suit to check it, his face beaming with joy. "Young Miss Irina, and this Mr. Lin Fei, Young Miss Park Soo-ah, you are so reliable!"

"Such high efficiency!"

"Sure enough, it was the right decision to give you the most difficult task."

"You are truly amazing!" He didn't hold back his praise.

Lin Fei just smiled faintly and didn't say much.

Viktor, standing to the side, saw that they had really brought the equipment, and a flash of obvious surprise and disbelief crossed his eyes.

He had originally thought that this makeshift trio, especially that Asian kid who didn't look like he had any skills, couldn't possibly have secured such valuable equipment in such a short time, and might have even been arrested by the police for failing to steal it.

Forcing them to carry out a rescue operation.

Or change to executing an assault plan.

He hadn't expected that they would not only succeed but also appear completely unscathed.

It must be Irina's doing, Viktor thought.

Ford rubbed his hands excitedly. "Alright!"

"Now that the equipment is all here, everyone, our plan to get rich is about to begin!"