Chapter 159: Chapter 159 Negotiation (1)

Negotiation (1)

Negotiation (1)

The evening of the 17th.

All the members of the newly formed team gather.

For reference, the meeting place is a three-story bar that recently opened. We were originally going to meet at the bear-like man’s shop, but he refused.

And very firmly, at that.

[Hmm, our shop isn’t a good place to have secret conversations.]

[It’s fine. This time, we’ll mainly be discussing the loot distribution rather than exploration plans—]

[Stop it, I know a place, so let’s do it there.]

Geez, I was going to help boost his sales.

Is it some kind of married man’s instinct to refuse so vehemently?

This man is also strange.

“Am I the last one?”

Everyone is finally gathered as Raven arrives.

“Don’t worry about it, just sit down.”

“Why should I apologize when I came on time?”

Uh, well…

Why is she so prickly today? Ah, is it because of pre-meeting jitters? After all, it’s a meeting with strangers?

‘She’s meticulous in these aspects too.’

I have the thought that she might have intentionally come on time, but I don’t say it out loud.

The contract isn’t signed yet.

“Then let’s briefly introduce ourselves.”

After ordering some food and drinks, we have time to get acquainted.

Ainar is the first to go.

“I’m Ainar, the second daughter of Frenelin! Nice to meet you!”

“Um, Ainar? That seems a bit short…”

“Do, do I have to say more…? I’m sorry, this is my first time in a setting like this…”

Ainar scratches her head awkwardly at Misha’s comment, who has become quite close to her in the past few days.

However, no one points it out.

Because Ainar knows everyone on the team.

She cleared the Crimson Fortress with Raven, and she met the bear-like man a few days ago when she visited his shop.

“Miss Ainar… you haven’t changed at all.”

“Thanks for the compliment. Mage, you seem the same too.”

“…….”

Anyway, I end up introducing Ainar on her behalf. What grade explorer she is, what role she’ll play on the team, and so on.

“So we have two swordsmen?”

The bear-like man gives a brief comment after my briefing, and just as I’m about to respond…

…Ainar interrupts as if pointing out a mistake.

“Beefcake, I’m not a swordsman, I’m a warrior.”

“My name is Urikfrit… No, like I said before, can’t you just call me Avman?”

“…I’ll try. It’s hard to pronounce.”

“Hard to pronounce?”

“Do you have a problem with that?”

The bear-like man seems to have a lot to say, but he just sighs deeply and ends the conversation.

It seems like he’s starting to learn how to talk to barbarians.

The best way is to not talk at all.

“I’m only meeting you for the first time. I’ve heard a lot about you from Bjorn. I’m Avman Urikfrit.”

“I’m Arrua Raven. You’re a Guide, right?”

“Ah, I’m Misha Kaltstein.”

The remaining three then greet each other and professionally discuss their roles.

With this, the first half of the meeting is over.

The food we ordered arrives just in time, so we continue the conversation while eating and drinking.

“This place is quite nice, and the food is good too.”

“If only my wife cooked this well…”

“Are you married, Mr. Urikfrit?”

“Ah, I didn’t mention it, did I? It’s been three years.”

“Bjorn, try this. It’s called squid, the texture is really unique.”

The overall atmosphere is amicable.

Until the topic of the labyrinth comes up as the meal is nearing its end.

“By the way, shouldn’t we get to the main topic now?”

“Right, that would be good. Bjorn, how are we going to split the loot?”

Everyone’s eyes change as the issue of money surfaces.

Well, everyone except for Ainar.

“Can’t we just take whatever Bjorn gives us?”

“That’s easy for you to say, Miss Ainar. But that’s not the case for us.”

The mage, who’s quick with calculations, and the bear-like man, who has a family to support.

Although they’re both good people outside of work…

…they both speak up to protect their rights.

“Leaving aside Misha, I think there’s a problem with Ainar getting the same share. Isn’t she the weakest among us?”

“Beefcake…! You, you were thinking that about me! I, I trusted you!!! I thought of you as a precious companion—!!!”

“Be quiet. Bjorn will take care of it. Okay? Good girl.”

“Ugh…!”

Ainar is trembling with betrayal, and Misha, who’s next to her, thankfully shuts her up in time.

But could it be that even the bear-like man is finding it difficult to speak after seeing her so sad?

“Ahem…”

He clears his throat and avoids her gaze.

And at that moment, Raven naturally takes over and starts appealing to her own strengths.

“I don’t really care about Miss Ainar or Miss Kaltstein. I’m a mage, after all.”

“…Go ahead.”

“With me, we can store essences in test tubes and sell them. I’ve also learned ‘High-Grade Distortion’, so even if you’re aiming for byproducts, we can obtain them much more easily.”

“You’re saying you want a bigger share?”

“Yes. I need to receive at least 30%.”

Phew, this is tough from the start.

Dwarkey readily accepted an equal share with a smile.

“…30% is too much.”

“Too much? My seniors all get that much.”

Geez, who is she trying to fool?

It’s true that mages are treated well in the labyrinth.

Assuming they’re at the same level as the others.

“Those seniors of yours must have joined teams that are below their level.”

“Hmm, are you saying that’s not the case for me?”

Raven is a 6th-grade mage, so it’s only right to treat her as a 5th-grade explorer.

Considering that Misha and I are 6th-grade, and Ainar is 7th-grade, she’s clearly a higher rank.

But…

“We’ll see when we explore together.”

I’m confident.

Regardless of rank, we won’t be in a situation where we’re being carried.

“You’re joining this team because you think so too, right?”

“Hmm, that’s true.”

Raven agrees surprisingly easily.

But is this all just a stepping stone to the next stage?

“But Miss Kaltstein and Miss Ainar are less important than the three of us, right?”

“They’ll be pulling their weight soon.”

“Yes, I think so too. They’ll be able to contribute in a year… no, maybe even a few months. But why should I be at a disadvantage until then?”

Raven suggests that we re-evaluate the distribution ratio when those two can confidently claim their share, and I agree to some extent.

“We’ll all get 20%. But I’ll give you 40% of the special loot obtained through magic.”

“Okay.”

Equal distribution with a bonus for magic loot.

In the end, Raven secures the conditions that a mage in a 5-person team usually receives.

One down.

Now only the bear-like man is left.

“I’ll give you 5% from Ainar’s share.”

Actually, considering that he’s a Guide, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to give him another 10%…

“It’s our first expedition, so be satisfied with this for now.”

The bear-like man readily agrees.

Well, it would be awkward for him to argue too much.

He’s a Guide, but his navigation skills are zero.

“Then this matter is settled.”

And so, the final distribution ratio is decided.

Me 20%.

Misha 20%.

Ainar 15%.

Raven 20% (40% for special loot).

Bear-like man 25%.

Ah, for reference, this only applies to regular loot.

We agreed to split the loot equally for things obtained from defeating marauders.

‘Phew, this is frustrating.’

Now I understand why explorers are so obsessed with promotions.

I need to reach 5th grade quickly.

If the three of us were all 5th-grade, they wouldn’t have even brought up the distribution issue.

‘…Well, it’s still within the expected range.’

I dismiss my regret with a sip of alcohol.

I was worried that those two might be even greedier, but they stayed within the line.

If I weren’t the leader, they would have been much more blatant in trying to secure their benefits.

‘I guess we’ve overcome the most important hurdle.’

Now that the distribution negotiation is over, the team formation is practically confirmed. Although there are still countless things to discuss…

“Right, what about the team? When are we going to register it?”

“Tomorrow.”

“Then I can’t go. I brought a letter of attorney just in case. Please go without me.”

“…Alright.”

We had to discuss everything together, from simple administrative tasks to various other matters.

“Are we going to have a separate team fund? Or just collect as needed?”

“We’ll collect a fixed amount every month.”

“How much?”

How much should the team fund be?

And how will we cover it if it’s insufficient?

Will we use the same distribution ratio for rifts and hidden treasures in the labyrinth?

Whether to acknowledge individual achievements.

Whether there are incentives, and so on.

‘We didn’t do this much for Team Misfits…’

When I come to my senses, only Raven and I are diligently talking.

Snore!

Ainar is dozing off with her head tilted back.

The bear-like man is drinking alone, enjoying his newfound freedom, and Misha is scribbling in her notebook.

She’s not taking notes or anything…

It’s just a hobby. She’s not good at cooking, so her hands get itchy, I guess?

She started drawing a few days ago.

“…What did you draw?”

“Ah, it’s nothing.”

“An orc?”

“Pfft!! Yeah, an orc. Kuku.”

It’s a creepy reaction, but Raven calls out to me before I can ask in detail.

“Mr. Yandel, we’re still talking…”

Ah, right.

My concentration is waning after several hours of brainstorming. If it were an important topic, it might be different, but I’m getting tired of meticulously deciding on trivial things.

I check the time and speak.

“Raven, let’s end it here today.”

“Yes? But I still have things I prepared.”

“…Prepared?”

“Things we need to discuss before forming the team. I organized them before coming here.”

When I ask how many are left, Raven answers that there are thirty-one items left.

‘…We haven’t even finished half?’

I feel like I want to die of boredom just thinking about the remaining topics, but considering her personality, they’re probably things that will be helpful.

“But it’s too late. Let’s do the rest next time.”

“Okay.”

We make an appointment for two days later and disband.

I feel physically and mentally exhausted.

I thought I had a similar personality type to mages…

‘…But now that I’ve seen the real deal, I know for sure.’

I’m glad I chose to be a barbarian.

____________________

The next morning, after the first meeting.

The four of us visit the Explorer’s Guild.

And we officially register the team, even submitting the letter of attorney we received yesterday.

“The team name is ‘Bjorn’? Isn’t that too uncreative?”

Ainar grumbles, but I just did it according to custom.

The official name of Team Misfits was also just ‘Murad’.

People usually just use the leader’s last name or first name.

“We can change it later if we think of something better, so don’t be too disappointed.”

“Ca, can I also think of a name?”

“Sure.”

“Really! I’ll think hard!!”

She’ll probably forget about it in a few hours…

But it doesn’t matter.

The team name isn’t important.

“Avman, what about you?”

“I have to go back to the shop. My wife is waiting.”

“I see.”

The bear-like man leaves as soon as the team formation is complete, and we have a simple meal outside before returning to the inn.

Because all three of us live here now.

I’m in room 201, Ainar is in 202, and Misha is right across from us in 207.

“Uh, Bjorn, there’s something in your mailbox.”

“Mail?”

I check inside at Misha’s words, and there’s a letter.

A letter with the seal of the Leathlas Church.

‘Could it be that the appointment with the Dragonkin has been set?’

I quickly enter my room and check the contents.

But what is this?

[He will summon you.]

There’s only one sentence written inside.

The sender’s title, ‘Pal Krovitz, Captain of the 2nd Paladin Order’, is longer than the message itself.

‘What?’

Just as I’m tilting my head in confusion…

…the letter bursts into flames and turns to ash in an instant. I’m grateful that they took security measures as I requested…

But this makes it difficult for me to understand.

“…….”

I sit on the bed and organize my thoughts.

I can roughly guess who ‘he’ that Pal Krovitz mentioned is. It must be the leader of the Dragonkin, the Ancient Dragon.

But there’s one thing I don’t understand at all.

‘Summon me?’

It would have been easier to understand if he had just written down the time and place of the meeting. I was the one who asked him to arrange the meeting as discreetly as possible.

‘How is he going to summon me? Is he going to visit again and set up an appointment?’

Just as I’m having that thought and collapsing onto the bed…

…a blue magic circle is drawn on the wooden floor.

“Huh?”

Before I can even figure out what’s going on…

…the magic circle emits a brilliant light.

And when I come to my senses…

‘It’s like being summoned to another world.’

…I’m in an unfamiliar space.

It’s a structure reminiscent of a Greek temple, supported by giant pillars.

‘The Dragon Temple.’

I quickly grasp the situation.

‘Is it a teleportation-type Dragon Speech? And the letter acted as a medium?’

I understand the circumstances roughly.

It’s not bad.

This would make maintaining secrecy much easier.

“You’re not surprised.”

I then look straight ahead.

Scales on his skin and reptilian eyes.

A man with all the characteristics of a Dragonkin is sitting on a throne, staring down at me. For reference, the area behind the throne is shrouded in fog, and dozens of eyes are gleaming within it.

Don’t tell me they’re all Dragonkin?

Just how many people did he summon?

‘…Geez, with those eyes.’

I feel a different kind of pressure from killing intent.

It’s like encountering a natural enemy, another species that I can never defeat, with my bare body.

It’s ‘Dragon Fear’.

Something that all Dragonkin have passively equipped.

‘To use that on me…’

I smile bitterly.

Because I think I understand their intentions.

“Do you know? You’re not the first barbarian to visit this place. But…”

“…….”

“If you return alive, you’ll be the first.”

It’s a kind of intimidation tactic.

Considering their personality, they wouldn’t steal Dragonslayer from their benefactor without proper compensation, but they still need to break my spirit.

They don’t know what kind of unreasonable demands I might make as a barbarian.

“…….”

I break out in a cold sweat as Dragon Fear intensifies.

But so what?

I didn’t grow up so sheltered that I would lose my mind just because I’m sweating a little.

‘…Why do the people here like these battles of nerves so much?’

Thanks to that, it’s become clear what I need to do right now.

I didn’t expect to have to do this before even exchanging names…

But it would be better to show them quickly.

That their intimidation tactics using Dragon Fear or whatever…

“Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!”

…are all futile.