The food was global.
The ports were online.
The satellites tracked everything.
But one thing still ran through the old world:
Money.
Fiat. Credit. Black market cash flows.
Even when Kai's eggs were curing illness, even when MergeTobacco had lowered blood pressure in military test trials…
They still paid him in paper.
He was done with that.
"MergeCore," Kai said. "Bring up global transaction chain data. Filter for Merge-linked payments only."
"Data compiled. 42.6% of all international food payments last month involved MergeProduct in some form."
"Now break down delays, fraud, tax siphons."
"Over 12.8% loss to third parties, conversion fees, and unreported transfers."
Kai stared at the numbers. Then:
"We fix that."
MergeCurrency launched 48 hours later.
Not as crypto. Not as credit.
As food-backed tender.
Each MergeCoin was worth a real output of MergeProduct. A coin could buy:
3 MergeEggs
1 MergeMealPack
2 lbs MergeWheat
or 1 week of MergeGlass-powered water access
And because it was backed by Kai's network, it could only appreciate in value as supply grew tighter elsewhere.
MergeCurrency wasn't theoretical.
It fed people.
Within two weeks, MergePort Ghana switched entirely to MergeCoin. Locals who couldn't afford medicine before now traded food tokens for MergeTobacco recovery blends and MergeFish oil boosters.
Within a month, MergeMarkets in Peru were running auctions based on MergeYield futures—farmers wagering MergeCoin to buy next-gen seeds before others.
By month's end, 11 countries had asked Kai to stabilize their national currencies.
The U.S. finally responded.
A federal inquiry. An emergency summit. A leaked internal report labeling Kai as "a decentralized food sovereign with post-national influence."
Still, no one moved against him directly.
They didn't dare.
Not when 40% of emergency reserves in four continents were coming from MergeAid containers.
Kai sat alone in his tower, the wind hitting his face through an open pane of MergeGlass.
MergeOrbit quietly announced the launch of 3 new satellites.
MergeAquaculture docked new saltwater pens along the Gulf.
MergeLivestock reported success with the first Tier 3 cow milk protein enhancer.
And MergeCore ran the world's most stable digital food currency.
He hadn't conquered anything.
He'd just replaced it.
Profit Summary
MergeCoin Ghana Rollout: +$5,000,000
MergePort MergeCoin Conversion (11 Countries): +$18,000,000
MergeYield Futures Sales: +$3,400,000
MergeAid Trade Premiums: +$2,900,000
Expenses
MergeCurrency Infrastructure: –$4,800,000
MergeSecurity Upgrades (Currency Fraud Prevention): –$2,200,000
MergeGlass Regional Terminals: –$1,400,000
Net Profit: $20,900,000
Kai's Total Net Worth: $956,143,000
Next up?
MergeLaw.
Because the only thing more powerful than currency…
was who got to enforce the rules behind it.