Free Web NovelChapter 24: Negotiations
The Guild Master Office was every bit as imposing as the one where Black Gun Guild’s board had convened earlier that morning.
A long table carved from polished black wood occupied the center of the room, its glossy surface reflecting the soft white lights overhead. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked nearly all of Metro City, offering a breathtaking view of skyscrapers, highways, and the distant shimmer of dungeon rifts scattered across the landscape.
Despite the luxurious surroundings, the atmosphere inside was noticeably restrained.
Seated at the head of the table was the Guild Master. His posture remained upright, his expression calm and unreadable. To his right sat his daughter, Evelyn.
Unlike before, she had remained unusually quiet since entering the room. She rested one elbow against the armrest, absentmindedly tapping her finger against the hilt of the sword at her waist.
Across from her sat Rowan. His arms were crossed tightly over his chest, as his eyes never left Dan, carrying no attempt whatsoever to hide the disdain within them.
Dan Moriarty entered the room without the slightest hint of nervousness.
The executive secretary quietly closed the doors behind him.
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The room fell silent.
The Guild Master gestured toward the empty chair opposite him.
"Please."
Dan inclined his head slightly before taking his seat.
For several moments, neither side spoke, until the Guild Master was the first to break the silence.
"My secretary informed me that you wished to discuss the Seven Abyssal Hell Tower," His tone remained courteous. "There are very few people who would request such a meeting."
"I’ll be direct," Dan said nodding. "I wish to purchase it."
No hesitation.
No lengthy introduction.
No attempt to flatter.
Straight to the point.
The Guild Master observed him quietly.
"Then I assume you understand the asking price."
"One billion dollars."
"You are correct."
Again, silence settled over the room, as the Guild Master folded his hands together.
"If that is the case what exactly are you offering?"
"One hundred million dollars," Dan answered immediately.
The room froze. Even Rowan’s expression changed.
"...What?"
Evelyn looked toward Dan. Not because of the amount itself, but because of how naturally he had said it.
One hundred million dollars. To most people that was an amount they would never even dream of seeing, yet this young Iron II Streamer had spoken it as casually as if discussing lunch.
The Guild Master himself looked genuinely surprised.
"You possess one hundred million dollars?"
"I do," Dan answered simply.
The Guild Master studied him for several seconds.
Then, he slowly nodded.
"I appreciate your sincerity," His voice remained respectful. "Very few people would be capable of presenting such an offer. Especially someone at your age."
He paused briefly.
"...However."
"The Seven Abyssal Hell Tower has already undergone a professional valuation and It is worth one billion dollars."
"One hundred million is only ten percent of the asking price."
"I’m afraid we cannot accept."
Rowan couldn’t help smiling, as he leaned back comfortably.
"As expected," Rowan said. "Reality has finally caught up."
He looked toward Dan with poorly concealed satisfaction.
"I told you."
"This isn’t somewhere dreams become reality."
"You should be grateful the Guild Master entertained your fantasy this long."
Dan didn’t even glance at him, as his expression never changed.
"I anticipated that response," Dan said.
"Oh?" The Guild Master raised an eyebrow.
"Which is why," Dan calmly continued. "I did not come here intending to negotiate with money alone."
Everyone looked at him, as Dan slowly raised one hand. Then a faint blue light shimmered above his palm and a single object appeared.
A ceramic wine jar gently landed upon the polished table.
It wasn’t particularly flashy, as Its surface was simple white porcelain adorned with elegant blue cloud patterns.
At first glance It appeared almost ordinary.
For nearly two full seconds no one reacted.
"...Wine?" Rowan frowned.
Evelyn tilted her head slightly. She honestly didn’t understand why Dan had placed an ordinary-looking jar onto the table.
Only the Guild Master stared. His then eyes slowly widened, as he remained motionless.
Then, he suddenly stood up. The abrupt movement startling everyone.
"Father?" Evelyn blinked.
This was the first time she had ever seen her father react like this during a business negotiation.
The Guild Master slowly approached the table. His gaze never leaving the jar.
"...Young man." His normally calm voice had become noticeably more serious. "Where did you obtain this?"
"I have more," Dan answered calmly.
Silence.
The Guild Master carefully picked up the wine jar with both hands. His movements were astonishingly gentle, almost reverent.
He examined the intricate seal around the lid, and ran his fingers across the porcelain.
Finally, he closed his eyes, as a faint thread of his spiritual perception seeped into the container.
The next instant—
His breathing subtly changed.
"...Impossible," He whispered. "It really is..."
His eyes opened once more. This time, There was unmistakable astonishment within them.
He looked directly at Dan.
"This is a genuine Spirit Wine Jar."
"...Impossible," Rowan frowned. "It’s obviously fake."
He pointed dismissively toward the table.
"Anyone could manufacture a ceramic jar."
"If this rookie wants to increase the value of his offer, creating counterfeit goods would certainly be one way."
"No," The Guild Master’s expression immediately hardened. His voice carrying unquestionable certainty. "It is genuine."
"...Guild Master?" Rowan blinked.
"I’ve handled Spirit Wine Jars before. There is no possibility of mistaken identification," He then slowly placed the jar back onto the table. "This is authentic."
The room became completely silent.
Even Evelyn’s casual expression gradually disappeared. She looked between her father and the wine jar.
She knew her father well. He wasn’t someone who exaggerated Nor was he easily surprised. If he declared something authentic, It was authentic.
"...What exactly is a Spirit Wine Jar?" She quietly asked,
The Guild Master looked toward his daughter. His expression became unusually solemn.
"Strategic resources." He answered slowly. "The highest class of consumable treasures."
"They give infinite spiritual energy throughout an entire broadcast."
He gently rested one hand upon the jar.
"Ordinary Spirit Stones recover spiritual power."
"Spirit Wine effectively removes spiritual exhaustion altogether."
He paused.
"During a single stream a Streamer possessing one of these may unleash techniques continuously without fear of depletion."
Even Rowan’s expression changed, as The Guild Master continued.
"They cannot simply be purchased."
"No marketplace sells them."
"No auction regularly lists them."
"They only appear under extraordinarily rare circumstances."
He looked back toward Dan.
"Even top-ranked guilds struggle to obtain them."
"When one appears Competition becomes fierce."
"It is not unusual for major organizations to begin bidding wars over a single jar."
Evelyn’s crimson eyes widened slightly, as She finally understood. This wasn’t merely expensive, It was rare beyond measure. The kind of resource money alone often failed to buy.
Meanwhile, Dan remained perfectly composed.
"I am willing to include Spirit Wine Jars as part of my offer."
The words landed like thunder. Even the Guild Master momentarily forgot to speak.
"...Include..."
"You mean..."
"Yes," Dan nodded. "I possess enough."
Rowan immediately slammed one hand onto the table.
"I don’t believe it," His voice rose sharply. "One jar already borders on impossible."
"And now you’re claiming you have enough to bargain with?"
He laughed coldly.
"Ridiculous."
"You’re bluffing."
Dan didn’t respond.
Instead, he merely looked toward the Guild Master, The older man quietly returned his gaze.
Neither spoke as several long seconds passed.
Finally, The Guild Master broke the silence.
"...He’s not bluffing."
"...What?" Rowan stared.
"If he intended deception, he would have chosen something easier to fabricate," The Guild Master said, as his eyes remained fixed on Dan. "But he selected one of the rarest strategic resources known to Streamers."
He slowly exhaled, "And he presented it without the slightest hesitation."
For the first time since Dan had entered the building, The Guild Master no longer looked at him as though he were merely an unusually wealthy young Streamer.
He looked at him as though he were a man whose true background had yet to be revealed.
Across the table, Evelyn silently observed Dan. Her expression remained calm.
There was still no admiration, no infatuation, no romantic interest, only curiosity of the young man who had walked into their headquarters bearing an Iron II GSA card, and now was becoming increasingly difficult to understand.
And for the first time, She realized one undeniable fact.
This Dan Moriarty was far from ordinary!
