Chapter 332: New Management (1/2)
“We’ve been used as a tool from the start,” Ogras snorted as he glared at Smaug, some killing intent leaking from his body. “I knew something was off about this brat.”
Zac glared at the young man as well, quickly putting two and two together. Smaug had mixed truths and lies in order to push Zac and his group into a collision course with the Union. The fact that the conglomerate sold people as slaves to the invaders had already been proven, but whether they ever pressured Smaug to attack his party was another matter entirely.
“Why?” was all that Zac said with a cold voice, somewhat regretting they had removed his shackles so that he would be able to keep up with them as they traveled.
“My sister is innocent in this. I saw an opportunity. I couldn’t be sure how you would act in the underworld, so I needed to create a conflict with these assholes. But they deserve to be run to the ground,” Smaug said, some ruthlessness flashing in his eyes before his face returned to that of a hapless youngster.
“You asshole!” a muffled voice came from within the sack. “You’ve been tricking people again? You’ve already got me kidnapped, now you’re going to get me killed.”
Ogras glanced at the sack with some humor before putting the girl down on the ground and untied her cover. A beautiful girl in her teens emerged, and her energetic emerald eyes were an obvious sign she was related to Smaug. She had long black hair with a thin braid running down her side, and she wore a hipster ensemble from the old world. A glance with [Inquisive Eye] showed that her name was Rima and that she was level 25.
She was a completely different sight from the dirty and bedraggled slaves they had just emancipated, and it looked like she hadn’t suffered any injustice in captivity. She glared at Smaug for a second before pushing closer to a bemused Ogras.
“I’m sorry about my useless brother, Mr. Knight. He’s an idiot and a liar, but he’s a good guy,” she said, looking up at the demon with adoring eyes.
“Mr. Knight?” the demon echoed with confusion.
“Well, you’re my handsome knight in shining armor. You broke into the stronghold of the bad guys and saved me,” she explained, showing no inclination to walk over to her brother.
“Sorry girl, you’re a bit young for my taste,” Ogras said with a snort, but after a brief pause looked her up and down once more. “Come back in five years.”
“Animal,” Joanna and Verana echoed in unison, but the demon was completely unaffected by their ire.
“Rima, don’t be like that,” Smaug entreated, looking a bit embarrassed. “I did what I had to do to keep us safe.”
“Stop using me to justify your shady business practices,” Rima said with a roll of her eyes. “Do you know how it feels to be mentioned as the reason for you turning into a drug lord?”
“You’re a drug dealer?” Zac said with a frown. “Is that why you’re so rich?”
“I worked in, uh, pain management before the integration,” Smaug said with a cough. “I haven’t dabbled in that since the world turned crazy though, even though there is a massive demand from people who want to escape reality.”
“Mr. Mask, is it true you work for the Super Brother-Man?” Rima said, looking at Zac with interest. “I heard from Mr. Knight.”
“I’m Mr. Black,” Zac said. “And yes.”
“Mr. Black? How is that any better?” Rima muttered, before perking up again. “Is the Super Brother-Man handsome? How old is he? Is he single?”
“Already abandoning me, girl?” Ogras grunted, though he clearly was just messing around.
“Enough,” Zac said and knocked the girl unconscious with a burst of his aura before taking out [Hunger]. “You attacked us, using arrays that would kill most people. I was already considering what punishment you deserved when I thought you acted under duress. Why shouldn’t I kill you right now?”
“I am useful!” Smaug hurriedly said, some fear appearing on his face. “I can provide all sorts of information on the Underworld. I possess riches, and know where to find more.”
“We can get information from the Union and the Council and we already possess more wealth than you,” Ogras laughed. “Try again.”
“I… I’ll work for the Super Brother-Man as well!” Smaug said. “You should understand I’m good with money from my Ladder ranking.”
“People willing to work for The Super Brother-Man would be able to fill a country. Why should we risk letting a shady person like you close to our business interests?” Joanna asked.
“I’ll sign a contract of servitude! I’ll make you money to the best of my abilities for 50 years!” he said, finally starting to panic.
“Sounds annoying to have you around. Who knows what hidden troubles you would cause,” Zac shrugged, lifting his sword as if he wanted to decapitate him just like the two merchants.
“Wait! I have an incomplete license with a limited product line!” Smaug screamed as he backed away.
“Five hundred years,” Zac said, the sword frozen mid-swing.
“Wh-“ Smaug was about to exclaim, but forcibly stopped himself. “Five hundred, happy to be on board.”
“Good. Joanna will be your handler,” Zac said, “She is under a contract of servitude as well, so signing with her will be like signing with the Super Brother-Man.”
Smaug sighed, and soon enough he had entered a 500-year contract with Joanna. Smaug clearly had a complicated relationship with the truth, and Zac didn’t want the man to know of his real identity. Having Joanna sign the contract still counted toward his contract limit though, and with all the Valkyries he only had four spots remaining.
Luckily the contracts to keep silent about his identity was a simple agreement between two parties, and those one could enter as many as one pleased. However, since it was a contract of reciprocity he needed to give something in return, which in his case was a monthly stipend for as long as the contract was active.