Betek
patreon
Chapter 361: The Price of Generosity - Gut Removal?
🕑 Added 2024-10-31 11:00:08 +0000 UTC"Under Ram's scolding, Wood's student count went from one to two. However, considering that Rem indeed didn't need additional combat lessons due to her formidable Oni clan combat skills and experience, Wood decided to teach her something different.
Aside from her expertise with the morning star weapon, Rem also had an affinity for water magic, which Roswaal once evaluated as being above average.
In this world, water magic seemed to be mostly useful for support and healing, which meant Rem usually resorted to using her morning star for close combat.
Because of that, Wood began teaching Rem the offensive water magic from the world of "Mushoku Tensei."
At first, Wood was concerned that the different magical systems would make it impossible for anyone but himself, an outsider, to master another world's magic.
However, when Rem easily learned the 'Advanced Water Magic: Spiral Slash' and then used it to cut down a tree as thick as two people embracing, Wood realized his worries had been unnecessary.
The magic from the world of "Mushoku Tensei" could indeed be learned by the natives of this world, but their way of consuming mana seemed to follow the system of this world, making Wood’s method unique to him.
"That's amazing, Lord Wood! I've never seen water magic this powerful before. Did you create it yourself?" Rem asked, genuinely in awe.
Water magic in this world was mainly used for healing, and even Phenix, the kingdom's renowned water mage, had limited offensive capabilities.
Rem had never imagined that water magic could have destructive power on par with other elemental spells. Naturally, she assumed that Wood must have invented this magic himself.
"Well, I didn't develop this magic, but I suppose I might be the only one in this world capable of using it," Wood replied casually.
Wood's response only made the young Oni girl's face fill with even more admiration, and she vowed to learn everything Wood was willing to teach her.
If an advanced water spell could be so powerful, then what about the so-called 'Saint-tier,' 'Emperor-tier,' and even 'God-tier' spells that Lord Wood had mentioned?
Rem didn't dare to think too much about learning 'God-tier' magic, but if she could master 'Saint-tier' or 'King-tier' spells, then surely she could be of greater help to Lord Wood.
While Wood was spending his time fighting monsters alongside a half-elf maiden and an Oni maid, simultaneously building up their goodwill, the unfortunate protagonist of this world was currently heading towards the royal capital, escorting cargo alongside a group of burly men.
Through Wood's introduction as an intermediary, Subaru eventually rode a ground dragon to a specific tavern, where he was to meet his so-called "business partners."
Initially, Subaru had been curious about the "partners" Wood mentioned, suspecting they might be members of the Hoshin Trading Company.
It wasn't unreasonable for Subaru to think so; Wood was the young master of the Hoshin Trading Company, the largest trading company in Kararagi, with all the accompanying intelligence networks and services.
Besides, their biggest competitor was Crusch Karsten, and allying with Anastasia through Wood wasn't out of the realm of possibility.
Honestly, Subaru had seen Wood's sister, Anastasia, in the royal hall before—yet another beautiful girl from this alternate world. Subaru wasn't opposed to the idea of being alone with such a person for negotiations.
However, when Subaru arrived at the appointed location, he found that his contact was indeed an alternate-world beauty—just not the one he was hoping for. Instead, it was the black-clad older sister who had once given him terrifying memories.
"Why is it you?! Lord Wood's partner turns out to be you? Does he want me dead?!
No, Wood knows my ability, so he must know killing me serves no purpose. But why..."
If he was honest, when it came to looks, body, or charm, the Bowel Hunter was one of the top beauties Subaru had encountered in this alternate world.
But as alluring as the 'Bowel Hunter' was, she was also exceedingly dangerous!
Getting a glimpse of a seductive lady in stockings from another world was nice, but the price was too high. Every glance came at the cost of having his guts ripped out. Even with the cheat skill "Return by Death," Subaru would rather not relive the same experience twice.
No wonder the meeting place was chosen to be in a town outside the royal capital. It turned out the 'Bowel Hunter' was avoiding the capital’s Royal Guard, due to her status as an assassin.
Subaru wasn't sure if the 'Bowel Hunter' was the person Wood had contacted or if his original "business partner" had been killed by her, and she was simply waiting to ambush him.
Hearing Subaru's words and seeing the wariness on his face, Elsa emerged slowly from the corner of the room, her curvy figure swaying as she said dismissively, "I'm the one who will be negotiating this business deal with you.
If he truly wanted you dead, there would be no need to go through all the trouble of hiring me. Killing someone as weak as you is a task even our organization's newest recruit could handle with ease. So don't flatter yourself."
As a man, being ridiculed by a beautiful woman certainly stung Subaru's pride. He wanted to prove himself, but considering her brutal nature, he eventually had no choice but to swallow his pride and relent.
"You say you’re here to collaborate, but if I recall correctly, aren't you a member of an underground assassination group?
I need intelligence and escort services, so what could assassins like you possibly offer?"
Seeing that she wasn't about to attack and realizing that if she did, he wouldn't stand a chance, Subaru's fear started to dissipate.
A man who could revive repeatedly could afford to act tough. Even if his guts were ripped out again, Subaru vowed this time to feast his eyes and engrave the sight into his mind.
"Who told you that assassins can't gather intelligence or act as mercenaries?
Cut the nonsense. Wood may have discussed things with us, but I find a 50-50 split too unfair to us. I demand a 70-30 share—our group takes 70%, and you take 30%!"
Before coming here to meet Subaru, Elsa had already been contacted by Wood, who mentioned that although Subaru wasn't particularly strong, his negotiation and commercial skills were noteworthy—making him a decent talent.
If the assassination group wanted to transition successfully and secure a stable source of income, cooperating with Subaru was a good option.
As for the initial 50-50 profit split, it wasn't set in stone. Wood had given Elsa a bottom line: a 70-30 split.
Needless to say, the "30" was for the assassination group.
When Elsa saw Subaru, she immediately recognized him as Emilia's lackey.
A mere weakling—Elsa couldn't understand why Wood valued Subaru so highly, but as per negotiation protocols, the first step was always to propose a lower offer and work from there.
Furthermore, Elsa genuinely felt that they were providing both services and intelligence, while Emilia's camp only provided initial funds and sent an incompetent person like Subaru. There was no reason for them to split the profits evenly.
After a long pause, Subaru eventually said, "If you're not serious about negotiating, then I guess I'll just leave."
Though Subaru's heart was pounding, he wasn't actually planning to leave; it was a common negotiation tactic, an attempt to secure a better deal for himself.
Sure enough, as soon as he made a move to leave, Elsa spoke up, asking him to stay.
Seeing things going according to plan, Subaru's face displayed a confident smile.
If it came down to combat, even ten of him would only end up getting their guts spilled in front of Elsa, but when it came to negotiations and business, Elsa was clearly an amateur.
"If you think the split isn't fair, we can always negotiate further. The purpose of inviting you here was exactly that, wasn't it?"
Seeing Subaru's smug smile, Elsa had to resist the urge to reach for the dagger strapped to her thigh. If it wasn't for Wood's instructions, she would have already gutted him.
This wimp, getting a 30% cut was already more than generous, and he still had the gall to haggle with the Bowel Hunter!
Noticing Elsa's gaze constantly shifting to his midsection, Subaru quickly realized he might have gotten too carried away and adjusted his demeanor. "I think a 60-40 split is more reasonable. We could still make that work."
Wood had initially said the split would be 50-50, with a minimum acceptable deal being 70-30. If Elsa could finalize a 60% share, it would prove her negotiation skills. She was actually ready to agree.
However, Subaru then added a crucial detail. He was referring to their group taking only 40%, while Emilia's faction would get 60%!
"It seems you really do have a death wish. Though you were introduced by Wood, don’t think that we assassins are all benevolent saints.
If you don't appreciate our generosity, then I won’t hold back!"
Elsa drew her two daggers and, in a flash, lunged at Subaru, aiming to cut through his abdomen, clearly targeting his gut.
Having anticipated that Elsa, the Bowel Hunter, would target his intestines, Subaru immediately performed a desperate move, leaning back just enough to narrowly dodge the attack.
"Wait, wait! Just as you said, we're negotiating. If the offer isn’t satisfactory, we can always keep discussing it. There’s no need to jump straight to violence."
Feeling the cold draft on his exposed midsection and seeing his clothes cut open, Subaru couldn't help but feel a chill down his spine.
Even with his "immortal" body, the pain of losing one’s kidneys was not something any man wanted to endure.
He quickly realized that traditional negotiation tactics wouldn't work with someone like Elsa. She was an assassin—if pushed too far, she would resort to violence.
"If both sides find the terms unsatisfactory, how about a compromise? Let's stick with the original 50-50 split.
We’re also investing the initial funds and bearing the risk of trade failure.
And if I had to guess, your assassination group, despite your intelligence and strength, can't easily enter major cities because you're all wanted criminals. That’s why you need this partnership, isn't it?"
The assassination group had resources and manpower; they could easily form a team. Yet they chose not to, and it wasn't without reason.
Wood had considered forming a trading group long before, but as Subaru pointed out, most members of the assassination group were wanted and couldn't freely enter major cities.
Furthermore, credibility was the most critical asset for a merchant. If others knew they were dealing with assassins, who would trade with them?
"A 40-60 split is our bottom line, and this is only because Wood vouched for you.
If we can't reach an agreement with you, we can always find another partner. Whereas Emilia's faction doesn’t have as many options, do they?"
Faced with Elsa's intimidating aura, Subaru finally conceded to a 40-60 split—Emilia’s faction taking 40% and the assassins taking 60%. Despite voicing his complaints, Subaru was actually quite satisfied.
Before leaving for negotiations, Subaru had discussed it with Roswaal and Emilia. Since the assassination group would be providing the manpower and effort, the idea of a 50-50 split seemed a bit too generous—they even worried about ulterior motives.
Much like the minimum bottom line Wood had given Elsa, Subaru had a similar baseline in mind: 30% for Emilia’s faction.
Now that he had secured 40%, Subaru was more than content.
Continuing to haggle and achieving a 50-50 split wasn't entirely impossible, but as Elsa had pointed out, the assassins could afford to take their time or pick another partner.
Emilia’s camp didn’t have such luxury; the Royal Selection had a deadline, and they needed to amass financial resources quickly.
Moreover, apart from the notorious assassins, no one else was willing to work with the "Half-Elf of Calamity."
