Reborn as the Genius Son of the Richest Family

Chapter 276: Barcus’ worries

Ever since Barcus stepped foot into the First Settlement, he couldnʼt help but be engrossed in the culture and lifestyle that Reborn had brought into this territory.

He loved the bath houses, he loved the very welcoming and accommodating Rebornians who helped him without any complaints or expectations of rewards, and he loved that people were enjoying and playing board games together in one room.

It was the kind of camaraderie and friendship between people that he had never seen before.

And even though he had never visited other Reborn territories, it was easy to guess that it probably had the same vibe and culture as the First Settlement. In fact, from the stories he heard, it seemed that those territories were much better than he could have ever thought possible.

He realized that what Reborn brought was something precious. It could not be replicated by him or anyone else even if he tried.

However, he just couldnʼt help but feel that it was a waste.

It was clear that Michael and the Reborn company were planning on expanding their market reach and their territories all the way into the Queens region.

But Barcus couldnʼt help but think that this was a mistake.

Why couldnʼt Reborn just stay in this territory and protect what they already have?

In his mind, he couldnʼt help but think of the inevitable future when the Reborn company eventually butts head with the infamous Flarecorp group that had just recently conquered Batchrock Town.

If they stopped advancing today, then they could have maybe one or two years of peace and prosperity before Flarecorp tries to invade Angora City. At least by then, they could have created some kind of defensive structure to try and withstand their onslaught.

But by continuing to advance in the Queens region, Michael would only meet Flarecorp a lot sooner than expected.

Barcus just couldnʼt understand it. The Reborn company had a lot of potential from what he could see. He couldnʼt just stand still and watch it fall onto an endless abyss.

”Ever since the possibility of Flarecorp invading the Grafted Cluster came about, I have been reading and trying to find out more about them. And what I saw terrified,” Barcus said.

”They are fearless and relentless in their pursuit. They will not stop until they get what they want.

If they conquer a territory, they will impose an iron rule. If the government opposes them, then that government will be gone. If a Duke or a Royal goes against their wishes, then they are disposed of. If a company is threatening their total domination, then that company is ripped apart. And if the citizens themselves are defying them…”

Barcusʼ words trailed off.

”Their army is built out of thousands of soldiers who go through hellish training from their youth. They have equipment that would make adventurers go green with envy. Even their top officers are known to be masters of their own weapons!

And at the very top of the chain of command is a man from a very powerful family. He is a direct heir of the Oscrope conglomerate and he is using Flarecorp as a way to try and compete to become the main successor of Flarecorp. And itʼs working. Heʼs slowly going up the line.”

Barcus became more and more disheveled as he spat out the words in his mind.

”Arenʼt you afraid?” he asked Michael.

But after all those terrifying words of warning, Michael just smiled.

”I want to build a world of comfort,” he answered. ”I know that I can make a change. Real change. And there is nothing here in this world that can or will stop me.”

Barcus looked at the twelve-year-old child and saw a sense of boundless confidence in his eyes. It was pure. He could see that Michael truly believed the words that he said. He meant it with the true fullness of his heart.

And for some reason, Barcus started to believe him. He didnʼt know why he got this feeling, but somehow, he started to have faith in Michael.

”Hahaha! Thatʼs right, Bro Mike! Tell him!” Zion cheered. ”Iʼll punch those Blair borps until their noses bleed silly.”

”Hohoho…I donʼt know how many times I have seen armies greater than Flarecorp tumble and die because of one single man. Maybe a lot, maybe a little, I donʼt know because I donʼt remember hohohoho!” Grieve laughed out loud, with his hoodie falling backwards and letting Barcus see his true appearance.

”A SKELETON?!” Barcus screamed out.

”Hohoho, yes, indeed. I am just a lowly skeleton. But I can agree with young ʼun Zion here. Flarecorp is no problem, hohoho!”

Fudge couldnʼt help it anymore and jumped onto the table, flipping the cards face-side up and toppling everyoneʼs chips.

”Hah! Should I have my shadows kill that Flarecorp guy right now so that we can finally play the game?!”

Meanwhile, Barcus couldnʼt help but stare at everyone as if they were all crazy! They were treating Flarecorp as nothing more than a second-rate company!

He couldnʼt understand where they got all this confidence from.

”They have a whole army, you know? And their officers are the equivalents of high-tiered Knights!” Barcus shouted.

”Donʼt worry, we have this guy!” Zion said, pointing at the evolved Red HobMankey sitting meekly at their table.

This particular Red HobMankey was one of the Mankeys that Michael recruited from Angora City. He previously worked for the Knights as a janitor, but after his awakening, became the current leader of a platoon in the Reborn army.

Under Grieveʼs tutelage, the Red HobMankeys were constantly going through hellish training and practice just to become competent soldiers in the undead generalʼs eyes.

Of course, Michael implemented modern health and training techniques such as proper protein intakes, proper sleep and recovery, and also progressive overload of work intensity to maximize their growth.

Although the Red HobMankeys didnʼt have a chance against the Dragonborns individually, they would definitely put up a fighting chance against them while in a group.

Even just ten of the Red HobMankeys served as proper sparring partners of Zion. They were so good that Zion ended up inviting the platoon leader to come play poker with him, which was why he was here right now.

”Weʼre still improving, but we will do our best,” the Red Mankey answered.

Michael turned to Barcus. ”As you can see, weʼre ready for a fight.”

Barcus was still reeling from the shock at their indifference, but chose not to question it any further.

”Now, letʼs play poker!” Fudge shouted.

And soon, the group restarted the game, with a fresh new set of playing cards.

Right now, there was a stand-off against Michael, Zion and the Red HobMankey.

All three of them were betting all of their chips for this final turn of the cards.

It was clear that they all thought that they had the best hand in play, so much so that they were willing to bet everything they had and more.

”Bro Mike! Iʼll bet 10 hours of washing dishes!” Zion shouted to his opponents.

”Umm…Iʼll do the same…” whispered the Red Mankey.

Michael smiled at his two opponents. ”Fine. Iʼll bet a single customized skill for this hand!”

All the Rebornians, whether they were playing snakes and ladders, scrabble, or chess, turned towards Michael once he said those words.

He was offering a free skill!

Meanwhile, Barcus looked around, confused as to why everyone acted so seriously all of a sudden.

”Skill?”