Chapter 45: Chapter 44: It’s a Trap?, Part I (1/2)
Chapter 45: Chapter 44: It’s a Trap?, Part I
Translator: HunterW
Editor: RED
Austin, Texas...
A meeting was taking place in the basement second floor auction house of Store 17.
”Is everyone here? It seems Manager #1 isn't here yet.”
Two days ago, Lalaku, the Manager of Store 17, requested a meeting from his auction house with all of the other Managers, except for Store 72. Today was the day of that meeting.
”Good to see you, Manager #17.”
”Welcome, Manager #44.”
”What did you have to discuss to call of us, Manager #17?”
”One second, please, Manager #101. Once Manager #1 gets here, we will begin our discussion.”
[Manager #1 has arrived.]
”Why did you call this meeting at such a busy time, Manager #17?” asked the latecomer Manager #1, as his face appeared in the video conference room. He seemed very dissatisfied and annoyed.
”Welcome, Manager #1!” Lalaku exclaimed, ignoring Manager #1's annoyed tone. ”Now then, since everyone is here, I shall start this meeting. As you all know, I have requested this meeting without the presence of Manager #72.” The other managers began murmuring to each other at what Lalaku said.
”What do you mean, Manager #17?”
”What do you think I mean?” asked Lalaku, giving each of the attending managers a look.
”Ahem.”
”Hmm.” The other managers coughed and cleared their throats at his question.
”I'm sure all of you have noticed by now? Is there really a need to put up a noble front right now?” Lalaku continued as the other managers hesitated to retort.
”Very well. Since you are all noble beings, I'll explain it to you all. Store 72's progress has risen far beyond our reach. I'm positive you all know, but that Store's points have surpassed 2.4 million points. 2.4 million!”
”True.”
”I wonder how he was able to amass that many points.”
”We've barely started and already he has…”
”Isn't it that Store's first time participating?”
”You're right. The Anton family sent their youngest son so that he could gain some experience.”
The other managers murmured to each other in agreement to Lalaku's claim.
”If we just leave it like this, the competition will be over before it actually starts. All of you have put in a large deposit to participate on Earth. Are you really going to just sit back and let this happen? You're all about to lose your deposits! You all know that Anton paid the bare minimum to participate. His whole intent was to just see how the inner workings of the system work. He has no reason to win. It'll be embarrassing for all of us if we were to lose like this. If this gets out, we won't be able to show our faces in public anymore.”
”Then what do you suggest we do?”
”We're frustrated about this as well, Manager #17.”
The conference room grew loud with many voices once more.
”Now, now. Calm down, everyone. That is why we're holding this meeting right now.”
”You're not suggesting we tell the Anton family to hold back in this contest, are you? Are you insane? This is the Anton family we're talking about!” Manager #33 exclaimed at what Lalaku said.
”True. One wrong move, and that'll be the end of us.”
”The Anton family is ignorant. They can never make heads or tails of any situation. All they're good for is swinging their swords around.”
”It's because they're ignorant that they don't have mercy.” The other managers nodded and agreed with Manager #33. They all knew about the Anton family's power.
Should any scheme against the Anton family be discovered, the schemers' necks would soon meet the merciless blades of the Anton family. There was no room for negotiation. That was how the Anton family operated.
Swords over words. A clan that started with blades and would end with blades. All of the gathered managers had the same thought; they really didn't want to make a mess of things by crossing the wrong family!
”Thank you for pointing that out, Manager #33,” replied Lalaku, without a change in his expression. He expected this response from the other managers.
”Oho! Seems to me you have an interesting idea,” Manager #1 butted in. The whole time he had maintained his annoyed demeanor and refrained from participating in the conversation, but he sensed that Lalaku had something and asked about it promptly.
”Of course I do,” replied Lalaku confidently.
”Tell us how you expect to decrease the 2.4 million point distance between us and Store 72 without interfering with the Anton family,” the other managers asked excitedly.
”It's too much of a risk to take this to Manager Anton. Instead, why don't we mess with the deva that has been bringing Manager Anton all those points directly?” Lalaku replied, as if he discovered something amazing.
”...”
”...”
”...”
Some of the managers frowned in silence at Lalaku's suggestion. Other managers shouted at her in outrage.
”What sort of bullshit are you spouting, Manager #17!?”
”You're insane!”
”If you have a death wish, go die by yourself, Manager #17!”
The managers spouted insults at Lalaku one by one. However, once the outrage died down, Manager #1 decided to speak up.
”We may all have our own private interests, but our main objective for Otadolon Earth is to help devas grow. Our one and only principle is to never harm devas. I know you're aware of this, so tell me why you thought your suggestion was a good idea.”
Lalaku had stayed silent at the other managers' insults and smiled at Manager #1's question.