I'm Trying To Go Broke, So Why Do I Keep Getting Richer?!-Chapter 257: Vitrean

The overcoat draped over his shoulders as he walked down the landing ramp, projecting an air of careless confidence.

"Welcome to Vitrean, Bay 81-B," a mechanical voice came from a floating terminal that drifted toward him. "Please proceed to the Immigration and Commerce checkpoint at the end of the concourse. Do not stray from the designated path."

Leo followed the glowing blue arrows projected onto the ground. The concourse was heavily guarded. Armored sentries stood at strict intervals, keeping an eye on his every movement.

Despite the sheer volume of wealth flowing through this sector, the Code Yellow martial law the commander had mentioned was highly evident.

At the end of the hall, Leo reached a sleek, imposing reception desk behind a barrier of reinforced glass.

A bored-looking clerk of an avian-descended race glanced up from his holoscreen, his dark eyes narrowing slightly at Leo’s attire.

"Purpose of visit?" the clerk asked, his voice entirely devoid of warmth.

"Business," Leo replied, leaning against the counter just a little too casually. "I was told to handle my company registration and immigration paperwork here."

The clerk sighed, tapping a few keystrokes. "Name and origin?"

"Kaelen. From Corvus."

The clerk paused, his fingers hovering over the glowing keys. He looked up, scrutinizing Leo.

"Corvus. A middle-tier world. Sir, this is a High-Tier commercial zone. The establishment of a corporate entity here requires more than just filling out a form. There are extensive capital verification protocols."

"I figured as much," Leo smiled, playing the role perfectly. "How much is the initial processing fee?"

"The non-refundable processing fee for out-of-system immigrants is three hundred million standard credits," the clerk stated smoothly, clearly expecting Leo to flinch or argue.

"Furthermore, to even register a placeholder name in the Commerce Guild, you must prove a liquid asset pool of at least a hundred billion credits. If you cannot provide this, I suggest you return to your ship."

Leo didn’t blink. He didn’t even drop his relaxed smile. He simply raised his wrist, bringing his modified data-pad close to the glass scanner.

Beep...

"Transferring half a billion credits," Leo announced cheerfully. "Will that be enough to cover the VIP processing? I’d really hate to stand in any more lines today."

"As for my liquid wealth..."

Leo didn’t show them his real account of wealth. He simply transferred a few hundred billion to a burner account, and verified the account wealth before the person.

The clerk’s beak clacked in sheer surprise. He stared at his terminal, where the system loudly verified the instantaneous transfer of funds. The absolute indifference with which this middle-tier immigrant had just thrown away a small fortune was staggering.

The hostility vanished from the clerk’s demeanor, instantly replaced by the universal language of customer service.

"A-Apologies for the delay, Young Sir," the clerk stammered slightly, tapping furiously on his console. "Your deposit is confirmed. Welcome to Vitrean. We can fast-track your Class-A Commercial Visa immediately. Do you have a name for your enterprise?"

Now that he had verified that Leo was a bigger prey than he had expected, he really couldn’t let this target turn back and leave without losing everything he owned.

Leo’s eyes darkened for a fraction of a second, a brief flash of the predator hiding beneath the sheep’s clothing, before the foolish smile returned.

"Apex Holdings," Leo said smoothly.

"Excellent choice, sir," the clerk replied, generating a sleek, black metallic card and sliding it through the transfer slot.

"This is your Guild identification and planetary pass. It grants you access to all non-restricted commercial and residential zones. Do you require accommodations?"

"The best suite in Sector 4," Leo demanded, snatching the card. "Money is not an object."

"I will forward the coordinates to the Starlight Hotel directly to your comms, sir. Enjoy your stay in Vitrean."

He nodded innocently before slapping his forehead as if he suddenly remembered something.

"Oh, and if you need some help to buy property for your company’s establishment, or any other needs, you can contact him."

He quickly passed a physical business card to Leo, instead of transferring the digital details like he had done with the hotel.

It was as if he truly didn’t want to leave any verifiable link that could connect him with this young master, recommending his own people.

Leo nodded as he took the card, finding it somewhat suspicious. However, it was still true that he did need a place.

Moreover, if the person mentioned on this business card was a scammer as he thought, then it was even more fun for him.

He kept the card in the pocket of his overcoat as he turned away from the desk and walked toward the grand exit of the spaceport.

He casually slipped his hands into his pockets, his thumb brushing against the hidden storage ring.

Many prominent families had deep roots here, protected by the planet’s elite status and their own vast wealth. It was as if he had entered an entirely new world, and he was really looking forward to it.

He was like a shark that had moved from a small lake where he was suffocating, to an ocean where he could truly be himself without having to worry about other people’s thoughts about him.

After all, this time he hadn’t built himself up as some mythical genius. This time, he wasn’t planning to make the same mistake.

Leo hailed a private transport. He didn’t wave down one of the standard automated cabs.

Instead, he locked eyes with a heavily modified, sleek silver hover car idling near the VIP curb.

The driver, a burly humanoid with a cybernetic eye, rolled down the window, looking at Leo with annoyance. "Private hire only, kid. The minimum fare is ten grand."

Leo didn’t say a word. He casually flicked his wrist, transferring fifty thousand credits directly to the vehicle’s public receiver.

In any case, it was no different than a business expense for him.

The annoyance of the driver’s cafe instantly vanished. The rear gull-wing door slid open smoothly.