Chapter 230 - Cooperation - 2 (1/2)
”I would like to kill as many of them as possible,” said Balthazar. He gave a pause as he thought about the materials of the beasts. Thinking for a second, he felt that there would be a good use for them too. ”I would also like to get the carcasses of the dead beasts,” he added.
When Kiriti and Karma heard that he would like to kill as many as possible, they were immediately concerned. Such a quest would usually be something that would be a clearance quest which would give a player, a lot of reputation or even land if they considered any of the previous games. Either of which would be detrimental to the progress of their own guild as Balthazar would definitely be competition if he weren't a part of them. So, Karma himself couldn't promise that.
”I would need to discuss that with the guild and Harley. She needs to take the call on that,” said Karma as he couldn't make a decision himself. Though he was a competitive professional player, he couldn't make a decision on this as it could affect the situation of the guild's development in the town. So, he could only let the local guild head deal with it.
”I have no comments about it. It is not my place to decide on it,” said Kiriti to both of them. ”Should I call Harley?” he asked looking at Karma.
”Already did. She intends to come to meet you,” said Karma.
”She can be a bit forceful. A bit of diplomacy might be required from you,” said Kiriti to Balthazar in a private message. ”By that, I mean that you need to yield a bit to her. Maybe let her know why you want to kill the Knuckers. Give details of your quest as she would not be willing to accept your request, if she has no idea what the effect could be, of you killing them.”
His words put Balthazar at dilemma as he didn't want to give much information to her. Giving them the detail of his weapon and the need to upgrade them by killing dragon lineage creatures was definitely not an option as that would reveal his identity which he intends to keep a secret. They would definitely not accept any form of cooperation and would try to force him out of the town, if they come to know of him as Shadow Tyrant.
”I have no quest of any sort that requires me to kill them. I am just trying to get their materials for experimenting,” said Balthazar but neither Karma nor Kiriti believed him.
”If you are going to be like this, we might be here for quite some time,” said Karma. ”Someone as stubborn as that crazy woman. It would be fun to watch them argue,” thought Karma.
”Ok. Let us forget about the quest or your interest in the knuckers for now,” said Kiriti. ”Any other requests from either of you?”
”Nothing, but it would be good to know of your quest. Since, you guys are clearly using all this money for some kind of quest. It would be good to know of it, so that I wouldn't accidentally cause any hindrance to your work,” said Balthazar.
”Haha,” Karma started laughing as he heard Balthazar. ”You don't want to inform us about your quest, but want me to tell you about mine?”
”I have no quest, you idiots,” said Balthazar pissed at his words. He was getting irritated by them. ”Why do you think that one has to have a quest to explore new stuff. I am not even playing this game for money, but for fun.”
”Calm down! Calm down!” said Kiriti to both Balthazar and Karma. ”Let us not get angry about such stuff.”
”Mr. Rogue, I am sure you can understand our expectations. We are definitely doing all this due to a quest and you should understand how hard we find it to expect that you are just doing this for fun,” said Kiriti.
”Right, how could anyone believe that you don't have a quest or a proper reason for asking us to allow you to participate in the fight. You wanted to kill the knuckers. Even if you want just the materials, we can give it to you and you don't need to personally join the fight,” yelled Karma pointing his finger at Balthazar.
”Oh! So, that was what got you confused,” said Balthazar laughing as he quickly thought of a plausible reason for Karma's inquiry. ”It is actually very simple,” he continued laughing while he slapped at the table repeatedly acting like he was genuinely amused by their doubts. A couple of seconds letter, he stopped his action as he good idea struck him.
”I suppose that you would find this hard to understand the way you have been behaving in the town, but the reason is really simple. I don't trust the guild. Not even the slightest bit,” said Balthazar. Karma was slightly shocked by this accusation. It was rare that any person would be so candid. He just sat there his jay slightly open.
”You are making it worse,” said Kiriti in a singsong tone.
”I am not saying that I don't trust you or Karma,” said Balthazar before they could continue. ”I don't trust your guild. There are a lot of members in your guild and they have gotten used to getting their way in the town. Here, they consider themselves the kings. So, they would surely not find it hard to keep some materials for themselves and would rather sell them for money.”
”They would surely find me an eyesore as I am not offering to join the guild. To be frank, quite a few of them are local bullies and wouldn't like the fact that I am demanding. I can't have a contract with everyone participating in the activity and they would have a few tricks to keep some materials from me or harm me,” said Balthazar. ”So, you should be able to understand that I intend to supervise.”
”Your words have some validity, but you can't expect us to believe that is the only reason for you to want to join us. You want us to believe that an alchemist like you wants to take part in the action. It is highly unexpected,” said Kiriti.