Chapter 101: Recruitment Conditions
With all the initial awkwardness disappearing as they talked in casual conversation, Terrence finally raised the main business at hand.
’Why didn’t I think about this before? I can ask for the Merchant Guild of the Hanging City’s support on my new venture. Sure, Jonas can give me a good introduction to the president.’
However, Terrence didn’t expect that exact opportunity would present itself to him so personally and so quickly.
"We heard that you have two powerful beasts and that you also sell beasts. May I ask how that is even possible?" Ronald asked, leaning forward over his mahogany desk.
"Uhm... Where exactly did you hear that from?" Terrence asked in return, his eyes subtly focusing on the floating golden window nearby, monitoring his daily system mission of spreading the word that he sells beasts.
That mission was still actively ongoing, and he certainly hadn’t forgotten about it. Hence, that was the primary reason why he refused to dive into any dungeon for longer than a single day.
"Sir, you advertise it all around Suran City. How on earth wouldn’t we hear about it?" Ronald said, chuckling softly.
Terrence smiled back. "I see. Well, you aren’t wrong about that. I do sell beasts. But I don’t think I can tell you how I make it possible. Of course, I believe that I have my rights as a trader to keep my methods a secret."
Ronald’s eyes widened before a sudden burst of loud laughter escaped his mouth. His chest felt tight from the sudden boost in his mood, and he slapped his heavy desk a few times in amusement.
"Right... right... why on earth did I forget about basic business etiquette? Sorry about asking that."
"Don’t worry about it, sir. I don’t hold any grudge. No offense taken," Terrence said in a light tone, matching the relaxed mood Ronald was projecting.
"If you can’t tell me about your secrets, can you at least become a business partner with the Merchant Guild?"
Terrence’s back slowly straightened against his chair. This was precisely the kind of opportunity he had been waiting for!
"A partner? Is that what the Guild truly wishes for? But for what reason? I haven’t even built an official brand name for my business yet," Terrence stated plainly.
Ronald shook his head, a slight curl forming at the corners of his lips.
"You don’t have to worry about that at all. The guild wouldn’t survive for very long if we were hesitant about the new ventures we want to step into." Ronald cleared his throat, adjusting his suit jacket.
"It had been considered an impossible business idea before this. Selling live beasts... We have created different prototype cages to store wild beasts and try to lessen the cost of keeping them fed while remaining completely unsure if a paying customer would ever show up for them. But every single attempt resulted in total failure. So, hearing that you can successfully store a beast and sell it without completely draining your personal funds, we are certainly intrigued and very interested in purchasing whatever specialized tool you are using."
"I don’t use any tool," Terrence interjected flatly.
The president stopped mid-sentence, suddenly falling deep into his own thoughts.
’I see... It only means one thing.’ He swallowed hard, a sudden chill running down his spine. ’We definitely shouldn’t try to pry into his personal methods anymore. That kind of rare knowledge belongs to him alone...’
Ronald felt a heavy bead of sweat trickling down the back of his nape, hidden beneath his grey hair. He forced a polite smile as he quickly continued his speech.
"If that’s the case... would you be interested in joining the Merchant Guild as a partner for a joint venture? We will fully support your starting business of selling beasts. In exchange for supporting you financially and providing a steady supply of beast cores, we want to have exclusive rights over the business model. Can we agree on that?"
Terrence was about to reply, but he abruptly stopped himself mid-word.
What on earth did he mean by that?
Terrence’s eyes narrowed in deep suspicion, his posture stiffening.
’Is this old man nuts? Does he honestly think I will agree to something that absurd?’ Terrence thought to himself, his expression souring.
"I don’t think that’s possible," Terrence said flatly.
"Then how about this instead? We will still continue providing full financial support, but you have to give us the sole right to decide whom to sell the beasts to. The core business model will remain yours, but let us fully manage the advertising and the final sales process."
Terrence chuckled slightly, shaking his head. He couldn’t just openly expose his irritated thoughts, but what was with those utterly ridiculous conditions?
Any normal tamer wouldn’t just hand over their operational freedom to someone else, especially under a contract like that. That was nothing more than a purely money-driven, predatory trap.
Terrence shook his head again, firmer this time.
"That is still completely impossible."
Ronald bit his lip, freezing in his seat at the second outright rejection.
Just why was this kid so incredibly hard to please? That was already an exceptionally generous condition and partnership for a young tamer who had literally just been kicked out of his own family house.
Anyone else in his position should react with pure elation. He should be deeply thankful just to receive a direct invitation like this from the Merchant Guild.
Ronald struggled to hide his clenching fist beneath his desk.
’What is wrong with this kid?’
Having completely failed to sway Terrence with simple bags of money, Ronald inhaled and exhaled in a calculated, deliberate rhythm.
Grit his teeth internally while trying to hide his mounting displeasure, Ronald forced another wide smile onto his face.
"How about this then? Tell me, what are your exact conditions?"
Terrence didn’t reply immediately, turning his gaze away toward the office window. He raised a hand to rest against his chin, thinking deeply for a long moment.
Ronald swallowed, a bitter taste filling his mouth. Recruiting a headstrong kid certainly wasn’t turning out to be easy.
After what felt like a long silence, Terrence finally turned back and delivered his answer.
"How about this? You will construct a physical building under my name, and in return, I will advertise your guild. You will support me financially, and I will personally provide a high-tier mascot beast for the Merchant Guild to display. How does that sound? It’s fairly reasonable, right?"
Ronald instantly stood up from his leather swivel chair, keeping his head turned downward. Heavy fumes practically escaped his nose and ears as he snapped his head up and glared directly into Terrence’s calm eyes.
"You seem to be severely underestimating us, kid!" Ronald roared, his knuckles turning white as he slammed his clenched fist onto the desk. "Get the hell lost!"