Chapter 229 - Cooperation. (1/2)
As Balthazar walked to the tavern mentioned by Puba, he found Kiriti waiting at the door for him. ”We were waiting for you,” said Kirit as he shook Balthazar's hand. ”Just bear with a Karma a bit. I will try my best so that we all walk out much happier than now.”
”Is he really that hard to deal with?” asked Balthazar.
”He is a competitive player. You find many of those who have a good attitude?” asked Kiriti back.
”Can't say I have much experience with many of those. I am kind of new to the gaming thing, but I realize that it is a good and easy way to earn a bit of money while relaxing,” replied Fleet-footed Rogue.
”Easy way to earn money, huh,” said Kiriti. ”Just wait for enough time and you will realize that it isn't that easy. Unless you are a really lucky kind.”
”No, it is not that hard. Some things are quite similar to the stuff in real world. I have served as medic in the military, pharmacies and some concepts I learned could actually be used here. Just need to be tweaked a bit and experimented to get the right methods in the game,” said Balthazar.
”You mean that the antivenom was a personal invention and not a drop from a beast or quest reward?” asked Kiriti.
”Yeah,” nodded Balthazar in response. Hearing that Kiriti's heart sank. This information implied that Balthazar definitely got the better cards in his hand. If it had been a drop or a quest reward, they would have gotten the method sooner or later and can get rid of Balthazar. Kiriti knew that Karma definitely had such thoughts regarding Balthazar. He led them to a private room, but stopped before they entered.
”Karma is inside. Give me a minute, I need to talk to him. You could order anything from the wench in the mean time,” said Kiriti. He wanted to inform Karma what he learned from Balthazar. He knew that it could be a lie but lying implied that Balthazar knew enough about the game to not be a newbie. But if Balthazar was an experienced player, lying for such a thing would ruin his reputation and not be something that an experience player would do.
Balthazar understood that Kiriti wanted to inform Karma of their conversation and so he want to order a couple of beer for himself while Kiriti got it done. It took him a couple of minutes to get the drinks and he found Kiriti waiting for him at the private rooms door.
”So, what does he have to say after you informed him?” asked Balthazar smiling.
”Are you really a newbie?” asked Kiriti. He was confused. Some parts of his conversation seemed like an experience professional while others were like that of a newbie.
”Yes, but I pick stuff fast. I did ask around about the things I might have to discuss with you guys,” replied Balthazar.
”Who did you ask?” asked Kiriti. He wanted to find out if any other guild that was guiding him in the dark. But he realized a second later that it was not his business. He was even unsure of the state of his adventurer team after they were done helping Valhalla Raiders mainly Karma with his quest.
”Don't bother,” said Kiriti. ”Let us talk it all with Karma. He has calmed down.”
Karma was sitting by a circular table with an irritated expression on his face. As he saw Balthazar enter he changed his expression quickly to greet him. ”Hi, I am Karma. I played in War God's Tempest for the Raiders team,” he said enthusiastically as he shook Balthazar's hand.
”Wasn't much into it. Only played the game for fun a few days in the final year of my college and hardly know much about it,” replied Balthazar as Karma's face turned back to an irritated expression.
”So, you had experience in playing virtual games?” asked Karma.
”Ya, but that is nothing compared to you guys. It was just a pass time for me. Not a profession like you two,” answered Balthazar. He made sure that his words sounded like that of a newbie gamer.
”So, how do you like this game?” asked Karma.
”Much easier that War God's Tempest. Have better control options and it much entertaining and good way to pass time. It also doesn't disrupt with my profession and a good way to channel my anger, almost ther.a.p.eutic,” said Balthazar as gulped down the beer.
Hearing him both Kiriti and Karma realized that it was going to be very hard to deal with him. To them it was clear that Balthazar wouldn't allow them to push him around and it was definitely not important for him to have a pleasant and useful relationship with them. Anyone who would call the game ther.a.p.eutic would have rage issues and definitely not an easy person to control.
”Ok. Let us get to business. We have little time,” said Karma as he sat down and took a sip of his drink to calm himself down.
”Sure. I realize that you have some kind of quest in the Greybark marshlands and you need antivenom in your supplies to make continuous attack without losing lives,” said Balthazar. ”You can just provide the amount you want and I will try to make required number necessary. Except that you need to provide the supplies and pay me an amount similar to the profits that were made by the previous sale of the antivenom.”
”So, you agree to sell them only to us,” asked Kiriti.
”No. I am just willing to provide you on a priority but I do have a few conditions,” said Balthazar.
”What conditions?” asked Karma.
”Nothing much. First I have already made a contract with Agua. He is a friend of the cousin who introduced me to this game. So, I trust him. He will sell the antivenom. A certain predetermined amount will be given to you. I can currently produce antidotes that would be effective for 40 minutes and a batch of 20 would take an hour. So, considering the fact that I will actually be active in the game for about 18 hours and willing to spend on this for about 6 hours. I can give you about 80 of them for a fixed price, the rest will be auctioned by Agua due to the contract I already made with him,” said Balthazar.