My Ultimate OP System: Summoning All Dragons, Gods, Heroes & Villains-Chapter 65: The Bounty Plan

The decision to draw the picture stemmed from a series of thoughts he had earlier that morning.

Before leaving with Eduardo, he had reviewed several company documents, some of which detailed their current airship designs.

As he studied them, a question surfaced in his mind. What if it could be better?

What if, instead of airships, they built airplanes?

Comparing the airplanes of his original world to the airships of this one, the difference was clear. Airplanes were faster, more efficient, and far superior in overall performance.

However, at this point in time, he also thought that maybe it wouldn’t be a complete overhaul of the airships, given that this world still had to adjust to such a radical shift.

But he decided that the plan to develop airplanes, and eventually jets, was something Stark Industries would pursue effective immediately.

After all, what was the point of coming to another world if you did not bring your world with you?

As Eduardo drew nearer to the Academy, Ethan asked, "Did you bring that letter?"

"Yes, Master Ethan," Eduardo replied, then gestured with his hand toward the glove compartment beneath the dashboard.

Valerie reacted quickly, pulling out a small white envelope and handing it over to Ethan, who took it and placed it inside his coat pocket. "Thank you," he said.

"This also just reminded me," Ethan added. "Our hitman situation."

"Yes, Master Ethan. I will get to that right away. Expect results within a week," Eduardo said.

"Hm..." Ethan gave it a thought, then said, "Stark Industries is undergoing a transition, and that’s where I want most of your attention. I want our clients to still identify with a familiar face even as we restructure."

"I understand, Master Ethan. This means you have a different plan?" Eduardo asked.

"Yes, I do," Ethan began. This hitman has always been the hunter and never the hunted. So we’ll place a bounty on him. The reward would be anywhere between seven hundred thousand to a million in gold grits. The higher, the better."

Eduardo’s gaze widened. "Isn’t that too much, Master Ethan?"

"By far." "Ethan agreed, then added "But this way, we’ll have absolutely everyone in this country looking for him. The top guilds, the reawakened class, the gangs, those parading themselves as heroes, even the goddamn ground rats will be on his ass."

Valerie hesitated for second before speaking, "I’m sorry to interrupt, Master Ethan, but may I point out a problem with that?"

"Sure, go on," Ethan said.

"This hitman has no face. How would anyone know who they are hunting?" she asked.

Eduardo scoffed. "For a million? I reckon his identity will be revealed within the hour of first publication."

"But how?" Valerie asked, still confused.

Ethan then explained it;

"Even if he has no family, I’m certain that anyone trained in a specialized field had a master. Perhaps even fellow students who trained alongside him."

He paused, then continued.

"And over the years, some of the people he’s worked for would have uncovered his identity as well. As insurance. Or leverage, in case the day ever came when the hitman decided to turn his sights on them."

There was another pause before Ethan added, 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"And for a bounty that high? Even your own family would turn on you. Those who know his identity but lack the means to claim the bounty themselves would still find a way to profit, by selling that knowledge to the highest bidder."

Valerie nodded slowly. "I apologize for my intrusion, Master Ethan. You really do have it all thought out."

There was a smile on Ethan’s face. After a brief pause, he added, "All we have to do is get our guy to sign off on it. We still have the Chief Enforcer in our pockets, yes?"

This question had been directed at Eduardo.

In Gritnia, only three sets of persons could legally impose a bounty: the King, any member of the King’s parliament, and the Chief Enforcer.

Eduardo replied, "Yes, we still do. But there’s also a problem with that. The bounty amount you’re willing to place on this might as well cover the budget for the enforcers in the entire country. The parliament will question where that money came from, and if it’s traced back to a separate individual..."

"Yeah. We’ve broken the law," Ethan said with a sigh.

Eduardo nodded. "And that’s not all, Master Ethan. Discovering it came from the Starks, will finally give the parliament a just reason to come after us with all they have."

Ethan looked puzzled. "You speak as though they hate us?"

"Oh yes, Master Ethan," Eduardo replied, now bringing the car to the last turn before Belsorth’s gates.

"It all started with your father. He and the King’s parliament were constantly at war. In fact, I can tell you for certain that the majority of the oppressive tax and company laws were created simply to strike at the late Master Nathan."

"What the hell?" Ethan said with an annoyed expression. "Why?"

"Your father refused to let any members of parliament buy any interest into Stark Industries. He preferred them as clients instead of investors, and that did not sit well with them," Eduardo said.

"So this means we have no friends in parliament?" Ethan followed up.

Eduardo shook his head. "It also means we might not be able to get a bounty of that level out unless somehow the King signs off on it."

Ethan paused for a moment, then said, "Hm... I’ll be asking for Isabella’s help then. And if that doesn’t work out, we’ll find another means. But either way, there aren’t many days left for the hitman."

Eduardo nodded as Ethan leaned back into his seat.

The car rolled to a stop a short moment after, and Ethan stepped out. He stared at the gates of the academy, taking one long breath in and exhaling slowly.

He looked toward the skies and muttered, "Dear God, or Wheel of Fortune, or whatever it is that serves as God in this world... do not let Percival punch me on sight."

He sighed again, then straightened his clean three-piece suit and took a step into the academy.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

—

Ethan entered the classroom and looked toward his seating area, but Percival wasn’t there yet.

But as usual, Lucy was somewhere in front, smiling while making sketches of something on her notepad.

He moved toward her. She glanced up and said, "Hey, Ethan."

Ethan smiled back. "Hey, Lucy. Can I sit close and talk to you for a moment?"

She nodded, quickly skidding off to the next seat over.

Ethan sat down, reached into his coat, and brought out the white envelope. He slid it across the table toward her.

Lucy looked down at it, then back up at him. "What’s this?"

Ethan said calmly, "This is an offer of employment to Stark Industries as Lead Research and Development Engineer."