Chapter 223: Sales

    (3rd Person POV)

    As evening approached, H.E.S. sales across all Hellscape locations showed steady growth. By closing time at 7:00 PM, the numbers had reached 39,500 units sold, along with their limited game selection.

    The day''s revenue painted an interesting picture: 1.7 million dollars from console sales, with an additional 355 thousand from games, totaling 2,132,992 dollars. After manufacturing costs, Hellfire cleared 746 thousand in profit - respectable for a new product launch, though modest compared to their computer sales or barcode licensing. Even Arthur''s films typically earned more.

    However, since Hellfire hadn''t published these opening figures, evening news networks rushed to declare the launch a failure.

    "This is clearly a luxury item," declared Economics Professor Gerald Vale on Horn Kingdom News. "Only upper-class families can justify spending forty-five dollars on entertainment equipment. The market is simply too limited."

    Over on Crystal Network, a business analyst shook his head gravely. "The fundamental flaw in Hellfire''s strategy is pricing a recreational device at professional equipment levels. Without practical application, it can''t possibly sustain those numbers."

    The evening audiences, many of whom hadn''t given the H.E.S. much thought before, found themselves drawn into the narrative of Hellfire''s supposed misstep. The story of an overpriced toy''s "inevitable failure" proved irresistible, even to those who''d never considered purchasing one.

    ---

    In his mansion, Arthur watched the media''s rush to judge the H.E.S. before clicking off the massive television with a knowing smile. Their criticism felt familiar - the same doubts had greeted both his color television patents and computers at launch. Those "doomed innovations" had transformed into pillars of his wealth.

    HOLLOW had already earned billions from television sales, with Arthur''s color TV patent royalties providing him a steady stream of income. His computers, meanwhile, had reached millions in sales across the Anatolia region, generating 1.4 billion dollars in profit after costs.

    The computer''s success remained limited to specific markets - Horn Kingdom, Japon, Choson, parts of Morningstar, and select regions of Bharat. Yet even this restricted distribution had corporate giants worried.

    Every day brought new acquisition offers from major companies in Evros, Empirica, and Eden. These corporate giants, sensing their monopolies threatened, waved increasingly astronomical sums at his computer patents. Arthur''s consistent refusal only drove the offers higher.

    Settling into bed, his thoughts drifted to tomorrow''s sales figures. Sunday often brought even better numbers than launch day.

    Before sleep claimed him, Arthur visited his divine domain, checking on his followers in Angel City. Relief washed over him seeing their continued safety. The threatened champion had yet to appear.

    Unknown to him, in Apollo Kingdom, the church''s administration drowning in champion requests. The "Cult of Dionysus" competed for attention with dozens of more aggressive cults. Between bureaucratic delays and prioritizing more violent threats, their response would likely take weeks, if not months.

    His followers had time - though none of them knew exactly how much.

    ***

    Nathan spun around, pointing dramatically. "Look who''s here - the witch of the house!"

    "Mind your language, young man," Lorelai''s voice carried ice. "Birthday or not, there are limits."

    "I''ll never follow your rules!" Nathan crossed his arms, lower lip jutting out.

    Lorelai sighed, producing a wrapped package. "I brought you something. Try to appreciate it this time."

    "A present!" Nathan''s defiance vanished instantly. His friends gathered around, envy plain on their faces.

    Nathan tore through the wrapping, revealing the black and silver H.E.S. console. He turned the unfamiliar device in his hands, studying its smooth surfaces and mysterious cartridge slot with uncertainty.

    "What''s this supposed to be?" His nose wrinkled. "Another boring thing?"

    "Watch your tone," Lorelai warned, her voice sharp enough to make Nathan''s tail drop. Then, with practiced patience, she connected the console to their television, walking him through each step of setup.

    Minutes later, Nathan sat transfixed, controller gripped tightly in his hands while his friends watched in growing amazement. Every game over only seemed to fuel his determination.

    "Well?" Lorelai asked after ten minutes, trying to keep the hope from her voice.

    Nathan''s character died again, but his eyes never left the screen. "It''s really hard, but..." he paused, and Lorelai held her breath. "This is actually awesome! I can''t believe I get to play as James! He''s my hero!"

    Lorelai watched her son''s enthusiasm with quiet relief. After countless failed gifts, she''d finally found something that captured his restless spirit.

    ---

    Across Horn Kingdom, similar scenes played out as the H.E.S. found its audience. While media critics continued their skepticism, and sales remained modest compared to computers, the console sparked an unexpected social phenomenon.

    A week after launch, word spread through taverns and workplaces, schools and social clubs. Young adults who''d initially dismissed the "toy" found themselves drawn in after watching friends play. Some dipped into savings to purchase their own consoles, while others developed creative ways to share gaming time with console-owning friends.

    Those who couldn''t afford the H.E.S. discovered another option - the Hellscape Center''s arcade section. The game rooms, already popular before the console''s release, saw a surge in visitors. Ironically, many arcade regulars ended up purchasing the H.E.S. to avoid spending coins on their daily gaming sessions.

    Their departure made room for newcomers, drawn by curiosity about this "new form of entertainment." The arcade''s recently upgraded machines, now matching the H.E.S. in power and graphics, provided a perfect introduction to gaming. For the price of a few coins, anyone could experience what the newspapers couldn''t stop criticizing.