The Author's POV

Fifth floor, demon hunter guild. Inside an office space.

'”Tap! '”Tap!

The rhythmical tapping sound of my fingers echoed across the office space.

Opposite to me was Edward Stern's holographic image. Neither one of us spoke.

"What you proposed is 15% on all profits with no shares, am I correct?"

He was the first to break the silence.

"Mhm, that's my initial proposal"

I nodded my head in confirmation.

"Isn't that a bit too low?"

"I believe fifteen percent is extremely fair. Given that we're just borrowing your name for protection"

Throughout the exchange, neither mine nor Edward's expression changed.

To be a good negotiator one needed to be a good actor. That was what I had learned throughout my life.

If the other party knew about what you were aiming for, things became much easier for them.

Only through deception and indifference could one make a great negotiator.

"That's true, but we'd also be the ones facing the backlash from this situation"

Edward Stern calmly rebutted.

"What might you be referring to?"

Hearing his response, my brows knit for a split second. I then proceeded to feign ignorance. The slight twitch in my brows did not go unnoticed. Edward caught that.

Whether he thought I was acting or not, I did not know.

"Let's not play dumb. We can all tell the potential of this magic card system of yours. However, despite its perks, it also comes with its downsides"

"Like?"

"...Like for example making an enemy of all lower-tiered mages"

"Wouldn't the money you make up for the hate you accumulate?"

I quickly rebutted.

With enough money, what did it matter if the lower-ranked mages left? They could easily replace them.

"We are a guild. We can't just screw over our own members like that. Plus, we also need to talk long-term, what if a competitor pops up on the market? Or what if the cards don't function as well as you presented them to be..."

Edward Stern shook his head at my response. With no emotions on my face, I calmly nodded my head.

"Yes, but I've also offered a discount just for your guild members on all magic cards. Even if you're hated by the lower-tiered mages, you'd make up for it with the cheaper prices for the cards"

"What's the discount? selling at market price?"

In a pinching motion, a small gap appeared between my thumb and index finger.

"Just a tad bit above market price. You know that's already fair. Given the high demand coming from you guys, if we go market price we might make a loss since you'd be taking most of the production"

Edward Stern shook his head.

"That's not good enough. Raise the profit to seventeen percent and we've got a deal"

"Seventeen percent?"

I instantly shook my head.

"No, that's too much"

"I believe it's fair given all the backlash we will receive from this deal."

Adjusting the hologram angle, Edward Stern proceeded to explain.

"Despite being ranked number one amongst the other guilds, if we suddenly come up with such a revolutionary product, the other diamond-graded guilds won't hesitate to band together to stop us. You of all people should know how the world works. Everyone is full of jealousy. Once we cement ourselves as the number one guild, I don't doubt that the other diamond-graded guilds would sit still and do nothing..."

a 'troubled' look appeared on my face. Glancing at

but the highest I

Stern frowned

was merely acting

originally wanted to test

looks like he

still a little bit wet

that it was bad. He was sixteen

percent? Is

I shook my head.

"No, there's another condition"

what is

time frowned for real. Another

protect

pause, I went straight

"Protect?"

use your guild resources to protect my parents.

made sure to emphasize the words 'best possible security available'. Couldn't be

aside, this was my main objective

very beginning, I was prepared to concede one percent for

the moment, she couldn't stay with them all

I needed her.

worse, now that the Monolith was also

crucial, and I

you want the guild to protect your

"Yes"

on the hologram opposite to me, Edward Stern suddenly smiled.

he purposely baited

him to ask for more profit. It seems like the flow of the conversation was not

all. In fact,

protection?

I smiled.

we've got a

*

worked out

coming to an agreement on the terms of the deal,

pulled it off, I guess you're not as

legitimately surprised. She didn't know that I was quite

useless, to begin with', I softly muttered. I didn't say it too

for me, she

'”Ding!

the elevator, I pressed the button that led to the first floor. Suddenly, a thought struck me. I quickly turned to

long do you estimate you'd

little bit as she stared at

the second year. If there are

"I see..."

be

have to wait around a year or two before

the rest was a breeze. Unfortunately for her, I didn't know this, hence why

thanks to today's deal, Melissa was able to procure enough funds to

a bonus that she got to increase the pace of

'”Ding!

of the building. Waiting for us outside was the same

quickly got on it and headed

the negotiations

...

guild, top

her father's office chair. Before her, stood her father's

have some

"mhm"

her father's words, Amanda nodded her head

going to say goodbye

"No"

She shook her head.

meet them tomorrow, there

I can't

for a brief moment, there was an awkward silence between the two. In response, Edward

new S ranked dungeon appearing in one of our areas, we have no

okay, I understand.

bitter smile appeared on Edward's face as he heard

only I had