Episode 159 Negotiation (1)
Evening of the 17th.
The newly formed team had a meeting.
By the way, the meeting place is a three-story bar that opened recently. We were originally going to meet at Mr. Bear’s store, but Mr. Bear declined.
And that too, in one fell swoop.
[Hmm, our shop isn’t a good place to talk about secrets.] [It’s okay. Anyway, this time we’ll be talking more about distribution than exploration plans—.] [Stop, I know a place, so let’s go there.]
Well, I was hoping it would at least increase sales.
Is it some kind of married man’s habit to say no while frowning?
This old man is really funny.
“Am I the last one?”
Afterwards, Raven arrived and everyone gathered.
“Don’t be sorry, just sit down.”
“I came on time, so why should I be sorry?”
Oh, by the way… … .
Why are you so grumpy today? Oh, is it because you’re trying to take the initiative? After all, you’re meeting strangers?
‘This kid is really good at this kind of thing.’
I thought maybe he had come on time on purpose, but I didn’t bother to say it out loud.
Isn’t it before the stamp is stamped?
“Then let’s introduce ourselves briefly.”
After ordering a few dishes and drinks, we took some time to relax.
The beginning was Ainar.
“Ainarda, the second daughter of Phnelin! Nice to meet you!”
“Hey, Einar? It seems too short… … .”
“Should I do more… …? I’m sorry. This is my first time in a place like this… … .”
Ainar scratches his head and looks embarrassed at Misha’s remark, who has become very close to him in the past few days.
However, no one pointed out the sight.
Well, Einar knows everyone on the team.
I had been to the Bloody Citadel with Raven, and I had met Mr. Bear a few days ago when he visited the store.
“Mr. Einar… you really are still the same.”
“Thank you for the compliment. You, Wizard, seem to be the same.”
“… … .”
Anyway, I ended up introducing myself on behalf of Ainar. What level of explorer is he, what role will he play in the team, etc.
“So there are two inspectors?”
As soon as my briefing was over, Mr. Bear made a short comment, and just as I was about to respond.
Ainar intervened as if to point out the error.
“Urakburak, I am a warrior, not a prosecutor.”
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“My name is Urichfried… … No, as I said then, can you please call me Abman?”
“… … I’ll try my best. It’s hard to pronounce.”
“The pronunciation is difficult?”
“But is there a problem?”
Mr. Bear seemed to have a lot to say, but he ended the conversation with a deep sigh.
Looks like he’s starting to figure out how to talk to Barbarians.
It’s best not to talk.
“This is my first time meeting you. I’ve heard a lot about you from Bjorn. This is Abman Urikfried.”
“I’m Arua Raven. You’re a leader, right?”
“Oh, I’m Misha Karlstein.”
After that, the remaining three people greeted each other and talked about their roles in a professional manner.
This concludes half of our first meeting.
Since the food we had ordered had just arrived, we continued our conversation while eating and drinking.
“It’s pretty clean here and the food is tasty.”
“If only my wife had cooked this much… … .”
“Is Mr. Urikfried married?”
“Oh, I forgot to mention that. It’s been three years now.”
“Bjorn, this is called squid. Do you want to try it? The texture is really unique.”
The overall atmosphere of the conversation was friendly.
Until the meal was almost over and the topic of mazes came up.
“Anyway, shall we get to the main point now?”
“Yes, that would be good. Bjorn, how are we going to divide the spoils?”
When the money issue came to the surface, everyone’s gaze changed.
To be exact, except for Ainar.
“Why don’t you just take whatever Bjorn gives you?”
“Yes, Mr. Einar, that’s right. But that’s not us.”
A wizard who is quick at calculating and Mr. Bear who has a family to protect.
Both were good people in private, but when the time came, they spoke out openly to defend their rights.
“Even if Misha is like that, I think it’s problematic that even Ainar receives the same percentage. Isn’t he the most backward among us?”
“Urakburak…! You, you were looking at me like that! I, I trusted you!!! I thought of you as a precious comrade—!!!”
“Just be quiet. Bjorn will take care of it. Okay? Good job, huh?”
“Ugh… … !”
Einar trembled in betrayal, but Misha, who was next to him, fortunately covered his mouth just in time to silence him.
But, being so sad, I wonder if it was even harder for Mr. Bear to open his mouth.
“Ahem… … .”
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Mr. Bear coughed and avoided eye contact.
And then, Raven naturally took over the baton and started making his own appeal.
“I don’t really care if it’s Mr. Einar or Mr. Karlstein. I’m a wizard after all.”
“… … Tell me.”
“If I were there, you could put the essence in a test tube and sell it. Since you’ve also mastered ‘upper distortion,’ even if you’re after byproducts, you’d be able to get them much more easily.”
“Do you mean to ask for a higher distribution?”
“Yes. I should get 30%.”
Wow, it’s tough from the start.
Dwalki accepted the equal distribution with a laugh.
“… … 30% is too much.”
“It’s a lot. My seniors all say they get paid that much.”
Hey, where are you going to catch a fool?
Certainly, wizards are treated well in the labyrinth.
Assuming that everyone is of equal rank.
“Those seniors, it seems like they ended up in a team that was lower level than them.”
“Well, are you saying that I am not?”
Raven is a 6th-level wizard, so it makes sense to treat her like a 5th-level explorer.
Considering that Misha and I are level 6 and Ainar is level 7, it is clearly a higher level.
but…….
“You’ll find out if you explore.”
I am confident.
Whatever the rank, there will never be a situation where we unilaterally receive the carry.
“Isn’t that why you wanted to join this team?”
“Well, that’s true.”
Surprisingly, Raven admitted it easily.
But was this all just the stepping stone to the next stage?
“But isn’t it true that Mr. Karlstein and Mr. Einar are less important than the three of us?”
“You’ll be making a difference soon.”
“Yes. I think so too. I will be able to make a profit in a year… no, in a few months at the earliest. But why should I suffer losses until then?”
Raven later suggested that we renegotiate the ratio once both of us could confidently claim our share, and I more or less agreed.
“The ratio is still 20%. However, special loot obtained through magic is given at 40%.”
“great.”
Limited percentage bonus to magic loot for equal distribution.
So in the end, Raven took the conditions that a wizard in a five-person team usually receives.
For now, one person is finished.
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Now all that was left was Mr. Bear.
“I will take 5% from Einar and give it to you.”
Actually, considering that he is a leader, it would not be too much to give him 10% more… … .
“We haven’t even done the first exploration yet. I’m satisfied with that for now.”
Mr. Bear readily agreed.
Well, it would be a bit awkward for him to make that claim confidently.
Even though he is a leader, his exploration ability is zero.
“Then this issue is settled for now.”
That’s how the final distribution ratio was determined.
Me 20%.
MISSHA 20%
Ainar 15%
Raven 20% (Special Loot 40%)
Mr. Bear 25%
Oh, by the way, this only applies to regular loot.
They agreed to equally distribute whatever they obtained by killing looters or otherwise.
‘Wow, I’m dying of regret.’
I think I understand why explorers are so obsessed with promotion.
I need to get to level 5 quickly.
If all three of us were level 5, I wouldn’t have had to bring up distribution.
‘… … Well, this is within the expected range.’
I took a sip of alcohol and washed away my regret.
I thought that maybe the two of them were being too greedy, but didn’t they all still keep the line?
If it were another team, and I wasn’t the leader, they would have been much more blatant in their attempts to take advantage.
‘I guess we’ve already overcome the most important hurdle.’
Now that the distribution fee negotiations are over, the team’s creation is practically set in stone. There are still countless issues to discuss after that, though.
“Right, what about the team? When will the team register?”
“I’ll do it tomorrow.”
“Then I can’t go. I thought this would happen, so I wrote a power of attorney. Please go and do it without me.”
“… … Okay.”
We had to discuss all sorts of issues together, starting from simple administrative tasks.
“Are you going to collect the team funds separately? Or just collect as much as you need at the time?”
“We’re going to do it by collecting a certain amount of money every month.”
“How much?”
How much is the team fund?
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How will we make up for the shortfall in public funds?
Do you still use the current distribution fee when you enter a rift or discover a mysterious treasure in a labyrinth?
Whether or not you acknowledge what you have achieved through your own abilities.
Are there any incentives, etc. etc. etc.
‘It wasn’t like this when Team Banpun was in power… … .’
When I came to my senses, Raven and I were having a heated conversation.
Drrrrrrrrrr-!!
Einar fell asleep with his neck broken.
Mr. Bear was drinking alone, enjoying his freedom that he had finally gained after a long time, while Misha was writing in her notebook with a pen.
It’s not like I’m taking notes or anything… … .
It’s just a hobby. Since I can’t cook, my hands keep itching for some reason.
I started drawing a few days ago.
“… … What did you draw?”
“Oh, it’s nothing.”
“Orc?”
“Phuhuhu!! Yes, orcs. Orcs. Kkeukkeuk.”
It was a somewhat unpleasant reaction, but Raven called me over before I could ask for more details.
“Hey Mr. Yandel, we’re still talking… … .”
Oh, that’s right.
After spending a few hours thinking about it, I find myself losing focus. It’s not like it’s an important topic, but it’s even worse when I’m nitpicking over so many trivial things.
Soon I checked my watch and opened my mouth.
“Raven, let’s stop here for today.”
“Yes? But I still have some things to sort out.”
“……organize?”
“These are the things we need to go over before forming a team. I’ve already sorted them out before I came.”
When asked how many were left, Raven replied that there were thirty-one items left.
‘… … You’ve not even done half of what you’ve done so far?’
Thinking about the remaining topics, I was already bored to the point where I wanted to die, but given his personality, I figured it would be helpful if I just did them.
“But it’s too late. Let’s talk about the rest next time we meet.”
“is it so.”
We made an appointment for two days later and broke up.
Somehow, my body and mind felt exhausted.
I actually thought I had a similar personality type to wizards.
‘… … Now that I see the truth, I know for sure.’
I’m glad I chose the Barbarian.
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***
The morning after our first meeting.
The four of them gathered together and visited the Explorers’ Guild.
And I officially completed team registration by submitting the power of attorney I received yesterday.
“The team name is Bjorn. Isn’t that a bit too insincere?”
Einar muttered in complaint, but I simply did as was customary.
Team Banpoon’s official name was also simply ‘Murad’.
Originally, most people just used the leader’s last name or first name.
“Don’t be too disappointed, you can always change it later if you think of something more suitable.”
“Hey, can I think about it too?”
“There is no such thing as impossible.”
“Really! I’ll think about it carefully!!”
Even so, it’s certain that in a few hours you’ll forget that it even happened… … .
It doesn’t matter if it’s not.
The team name isn’t even important.
“Abman, what are you going to do?”
“I have to go back to the store. My wife is waiting for me.”
“I see.”
As soon as the team was formed, Mr. Bear left, and we went out for a quick meal and returned to the dorm.
Well, all three of them live here now.
I’m in room 201, Einar is in room 202, and Misha is right across the street in room 207.
“Hey, Bjorn. Do you have something in your mailbox?”
“mail?”
I checked inside according to Misha’s words and there was a letter inside.
A letter bearing the seal of the Church of Atlas.
‘Is it possible that you have an appointment with the Yong-in tribe?’
I quickly went into the room and checked the contents.
But what is this?
[He will call you.]
When I opened it, there was only one sentence written on it.
The sender’s title, ‘2nd Knight Commander Paal Krovitz’, is longer than the content.
‘what?’
As I tilted my head, the letter burst into flames and turned to ashes in an instant. I appreciate that you took care of security as I asked, but… … .
Isn’t this difficult for me to understand?
“… … .”
First, I sat down on the bed and collected my thoughts.
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I had a rough idea of who the ‘he’ that Paal Krovitz was talking about was. He was probably talking about the leader of the Yongin tribe, the Taigoryong.
There’s just one thing I don’t understand at all.
‘You’re going to call me?’
It would have been easier to understand if you had just written down the time and place of the meeting. I was the one who asked that the meeting be arranged as secretly as possible.
‘How on earth do you call me? Are you going to come back and make an appointment?’
It was at that time that I was lying down on the bed with such thoughts.
A blue magic circle was drawn on the wooden floor.
“huh?”
Before I could even decide what it was, the magic circle emitted a brilliant light.
And when I came to my senses.
‘It’s not like I’m summoned to another world or anything.’
I was in an unfamiliar space.
The site is a building reminiscent of a Greek temple, supported by huge pillars.
‘It’s the Dragon Temple.’
I quickly sorted out the current situation.
‘Is this a verb related to space travel? The letter served as a medium?’
I have a rough idea of the situation.
It wasn’t bad.
This way, it will be much easier to maintain security.
“You’re not surprised.”
Soon I was staring straight ahead.
Scales on the skin and reptilian-like eyes.
A man with all the characteristics of a dragon was sitting on the throne, looking down at me. Incidentally, the area behind the throne was covered in fog, and beyond that, dozens of eyes were gleaming.
Are they all Yongin?
So how many people did you call together?
‘… … Those, those eyes.’
A different kind of pressure is conveyed than that of living.
A natural enemy. In other words, it feels like you’re facing another species with your bare body that you can never defeat.
It’s ‘Dragon Fear’.
If it’s Yong-in, it’s the one equipped passively.
‘Write that to me… … .’
I smiled bitterly.
Well, I think I know what their intentions are.
“Did you know? You are not the first Barbarian to visit here. But… … .”
“… … .”
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“If you return alive, you will be the first.”
It’s a kind of preemptive strike.
Given their racial nature, they would never take the Dragon Sword from their benefactor without proper compensation, but they probably decided it was necessary to dampen their spirit.
Because I, a Barbarian, may make some unreasonable demands.
“… … .”
The dragon’s fear grew stronger and I broke out in a cold sweat.
But so what?
It didn’t grow so easily that my hair turned white just from sweating a little.
‘… …Why do people here like to fight so much?’
Thanks to this, it became clear what I needed to do right away.
I never dreamed that I would be doing this before even making a public statement… … .
It would save time if you let me know sooner.
Whether it’s taking the initiative using Dragon Fear or something else.
“Behel—raaaa …
That it was all in vain.
