Chapter 43 - Blackmail (2/2)
”OK. We will talk it out. Let us not discuss who would win the fight,” Blue Dart said aloud looking at Raging and Dane.
After both Raging Blade and Dane left hearing distance, Blue Dart said ”Let us forget about the small tussles you had with my guild members, Shadow Tyrant. But let us talk openly now. Even if you can kill them, you will waste your time doing it. You recognize this too. Isn't that why you asked for a meeting?”
”Yes, of course. It will be an unnecessary quarrel. Though I won't be losing much. It would definitely hamper my gains in the game.”
”So, I would like to suggest something. Help us with the dungeon and I will buy that bow from you. In return, we wouldn't go against your team. Even Raging Blade will keep his distance, except for the girl Blinding White. There is a history between them. I would like you to kick her out.”
”Have a look at this video,” said Shadow Tyrant playing a video of him betting with Raging Blade and Dane. He also showed the attributes of his Mask of Shadows. ”I can put up my actual equipment and attributes up in the forums along with this. It would change the way the general players think about me and also have something about reputation of Raging Blade for not standing up to his word even for such a small thing. Do you really want everyone to think that you guys are that untrustworthy?”
”Are you blackmailing us, Shadow Tyrant?” asked Blue Dart.
”I am just doing the same thing your guild members have been doing to us. It is your decision what you want to call it.”
These idiots have been behaving quite rampantly these days. I thought Dane might be able to control Raging and had them move together but it looks like it isn't of much use. They even are making bets about guild matters. He probably has other videos and it is very easy for him to infuriate and kill Raging Blade. And it is necessary to preserve their reputation at the beginning of a new game. Else, it would be impossible to get new members into their guild and improve their workforce. He had no option but to conform to this demand of his or atleast feign conformance.
”Hmm. You are quite persuasive. I will try my best to see that Raging Blade doesn't disturb you.”
”Trying your best? I need a better guarantee than that for our co-operation to go any further.”
”Hahaha. You are good at negotiating. I will guarantee you that none of the guild members would quarrel with you or your team members. Well, unless you directly cause us any harm to the guild. Then, we can't help but attack you and your team. We got a deal?” said Blue Dart.
”Well, in that case, I guess we have a deal,” said Balthazar extending his hand out to shake Blue Dart's hand.
”I guess you have made a video of this conversation too.”
”Of course, it would be foolish not to. Anyways, let's discuss about the bow and the guide for corrupted forest.”
”We estimate that they are both worth about 50000 credits. What do you think about that?”
”If you are considering it to be just for the bow, I agree.”
”Haha. Don't oversell the bow it isn't worth that much either. Let us assume an amount of 30000 credits for the bow. Even if it has good attributes, it is still only a level 3 bow. How much do you suggest for the guide?”
”You might have a valid point about the bow. For the guide, how about 2.5 lakhs?”
”You are kidding, right?”
”The corrupted forest allows you to gather the primary skill and equipment for warriors and healing professions. It would allow you to gather equipment that would be helpful in all dungeons in general. It would allow your guild to improve much faster than the others. It is best to explore and get as many advantages as possible in a new game. Please, consider this before you decide it's value.”
”You might be right. But we have been on the opposite sides. I can't accept such large amount of pay during such early in the game. If it isn't true, it might be a worthless investment from our side. The most I am allowed to give you for both is 1 lakh credits.”
”How about I give you both the the bow and guide for now. You can transfer the amount of 1 lakh into my account for now. Go through the information I provide and run a few rounds. After you have verified my claims you can pay me the remaining amount I suggested, but I would like the remaining amount to be paid in vita-nova coins rather than credits.”
”Vita-nova coins! It is extremely difficult to procure vita-nova coins right now. I can't accept it. I need to discuss with the guild leader,” said Blue Dart.
He discussed with Blood Wolf for a few moments and then replied their decision, ”We can provide you about 20% of the amount in vita-nova coins once we get to level 5. We can't go higher than that.”
The exchange of coins with credits would start only after the 30% of the players reached level 5. The exchange rate would be 1 copper for a credit. So, that would give him a couple of gold coins as soon as the credit exchange began. It is to be noted that even with all his adventures he had less than 2 silvers with him. It wasn't easy to farm gold in vita-nova. They had specifically made it so that. It wouldn't cause any issue to the economy especially since the time in vita-nova is 3 times faster than the real world.
It was a valid option for him, especially since he had to share it with only a team of 5 members at that time, he probably will have more coins collected by that time anyways.
”Okay, that is acceptable. Shall we sign a contract for it?” said Balthazar pulling out a contract out of his habit from the previous life. The system enforced these contracts and any penalties stipulated if the conditions are not met. The type of contracts also vary in grade based on the quality and quantity of the penalties, compensation and conditions involved.
The minor contract which Balthazar pulled were system generated for 5 bronze coins. The amount would be collected when both the parties sign on it. Blue Dart was shocked that the guy had enough money to waste on a contract at this stage of the game for something like this. It has to be noted that it had been about 3 hours in real life.
”The system can't really evaluate our satisfaction. Why don't I transfer the amount of 1 lakh to your account, right now?. You have my word that I will stick to our deal.”
Balthazar also thought about it for a moment. ”It is true that the system can't really account to their feeling and evaluate if the guide is worthy of the amount I asked. Why don't I indulge them for now?” he thought.
”Okay as you say. I need an hour time to make a proper guide. Why don't you send me once I mail it to you? I will send the guide as a paid delivery,” said Shadow Tyrant.
He removed Vultarc's bow from his inventory and handed it off to Blue Dart as he received the corresponding payment for it.
”I hope we can continue to co-operate, Mr. Shadow Tyrant,” said Blue Dart shaking Balthazar's hand in thanks. He could really put the bow to good use, especially in a game like vita-nova where the experience and level growth is far too slow.
”Just call me Shadow. Knock of the honorifics. I find them a bit uncomfortable.”
He quickly made his way back to the temple, where the rest of his team were waiting. He already told them to wait there as there are some good quests that can be obtained from the temple.
”So, did it go well?” asked Quiet Fire.
”It was cool. They wouldn't trouble us, and I sold the bow for a decent amount. They also agreed to buy the guide for a good price.”
”Even me?” asked Blinding White. She was sure that the negotiations would fail as she knew Raging Blade's temper and he would refuse to accept her to be left free.
”Yeah, of course. They raised a concern about you. But I managed to convince them.”
”What did you do? You didn't kill them again, did you?”
”No. I kind of blackmailed them,” said Balthazar not looking at anywhere in particular. He had no scruples blackmailing people, but he didn't want the world to know the kind of man he was made into in his previous life.”
”You blackmailed them? What happened to negotiations?” asked Quiet Fire. Ever since, they met him, his way of handling thing was a bit abnormal. They were worried when it would backfire and make things worse.
”You ever negotiated anyone? What kind of proper negotiations begin without threats or blackmails on both sides?” asked Balthazar.
”If both didn't have something against the other then there would be no negotiations. Just a takeover happens,” he continued as he beckoned them to enter the temple with him. He already had completed the requirements for quite a number of quests. All he had to do was submit them.