Chapter 76 Negotiation
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Translator: JayM
Chapter: 76
Chapter Title: Negotiation
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Maya.
The disciple of Ahiman, whom he had met in Karin's party.
Why was this woman here?
Jeong Yoo-shin's eyes widened.
Maya hesitantly approached Jeong Yoo-shin. Dark circles ringed her eyes, suggesting a lack of sleep.
"Skar, please help me."
Maya immediately stated her business without even a greeting. She seemed distraught.
"What...?"
"My master has been kidnapped by slave hunters."
Shit.
Why were his premonitions always right?
"How did that happen?"
"We visited the eastern district together because they said there were rare magic materials sold only here, but while I was looking away for a moment... they... sniff."
Maya trailed off, tears streaming down her face. Guilt contorted her features.
"..."
Jeong Yoo-shin couldn't say anything.
A complete dead end.
He saw no way out.
Jeong Yoo-shin patted Maya's shoulder, sat back down, and looked at Oswald.
"How did Maya know to come here?"
"You saw the troll mage during the performance, right? He's a classmate of Maya's master. I heard that they went to the same school."
"Sniffle. That's right. He's the only person I know in the eastern district..."
"Oh, dear."
Jeong Yoo-shin rubbed his forehead.
He had no idea what was going on.
How had such small connections become so entangled?
He suppressed a sigh.
Ahiman, who had been transformed into a lizard, had been kidnapped.
They had risked their lives for each other in the labyrinth. He couldn't turn a blind eye to his plight.
And he couldn't just leave those damned slave hunters alone either.
"Oswald, tell me the details."
"Alright. It all started..."
The story took about 30 minutes.
"...That's all."
Oswald finished speaking.
Jeong Yoo-shin rested his arm on the makeshift chair and looked at Oswald.
'This is complicated.'
He tapped the armrest and spoke.
"So, to summarize, the assassins don't have any information about Labyrinth City. The Lionel merchants, who want more money, have the information but lack the discreet force necessary to transport slaves. That's where the slave hunters come in, acting as intermediaries between the assassins and the merchants?"
"That's about right."
"That's strange. Aren't they outsiders? Would the underworld guys really just stand by while their own people are being kidnapped?"
"Of course, they made a deal. With the underworld guys, I mean."
"Didn't you just say you cared about the people of the eastern district?"
"There are exceptions. The arena guys."
Jeong Yoo-shin stroked his chin.
The arena?
"Skar, do you know nothing about the eastern district?"
"No. I'm a child of the light."
"..."
An awkward silence fell over the tent.
Everyone stared blankly at Jeong Yoo-shin.
Oswald cleared his throat and regained his composure.
"Ahem! Anyway, this slave hunter alliance, not satisfied with just buying the arena folks, started kidnapping people from the streets. Of course, some of the arena guys helped them."
"Then you should protest."
"We did, and some were released. Then we were ignored."
"Are the arena guys that powerful?"
"Yes. They're on a completely different level compared to us."
"Are the other underworld clans just letting the arena guys do as they please?"
"Officially, inter-clan conflicts are forbidden in the eastern district. Besides, the other clans aren't interested in this incident."
Officially forbidden conflicts.
In other words, conflicts were perfectly acceptable as long as they were kept under wraps.
Jeong Yoo-shin sighed deeply.
"This is complicated. Let's recap."
Jeong Yoo-shin tapped his head and continued.
"The arena guys are making deals with outsiders. You want to interfere, but you can't because of the no-conflict treaty. The other clans don't care about this either. And the Shadow Clowns clan isn't powerful enough to act covertly. So, you called me? To ask for help?"
"That's right."
"Aren't there people more skilled than me in Labyrinth City? You could just hire them."
"Those who are relatively sane in the underworld avoid these kinds of underhanded conflicts. Especially fighting for the weaker side. On the other hand, the people in other districts would probably cheer, glad to be rid of the undesirables."
Oswald continued.
"Besides, as I said before, you have a connection to the slave hunters. And..."
"Ha."
Jeong Yoo-shin sighed, and looked at the ceiling.
Oswald stopped talking and glanced at Snout.
Jeong Yoo-shin, rubbing his eyes with his hand, didn't see Oswald's glance.
"Never mind. Skar, let's leave it at that."
"Oswald, I'm a novice explorer."
"A wolf in sheep's clothing is still a wolf. Drop the act."
Jeong Yoo-shin straightened up, thought for a long time, and then nodded.
These were people who bought and sold those transformed into monsters and animals. In other words, they were inhuman.
Moreover, with slave hunters involved, he couldn't just stand by.
Tragedies should be prevented beforehand. He needed to take proactive measures. Who knew what might happen if he just waited idly?
"Alright. I have a few conditions."
Oswald's face brightened considerably.
"Really?! Tell me!"
"Oswald, let's start with what you can offer me."
He couldn't just blindly follow Oswald's lead.
"What do you want?"
"First, 50 gold coins."
Oswald's eyes nearly popped out of his head.
"What...?"
"I'm not finished. Handle a few simple requests within the city in my name. I need to become an intermediate-ranked explorer."
"..."
"And there's more. Give me any good equipment you have. High-quality steel is fine too. Herbs, poisonous plants, anything rare, give it all to me. And buy me some clothes. Especially underwear, plenty of it. I heard that the Arachne are good at making clothes. Bring plenty of healing potions too. And magic scrolls if possible."
Oswald's eyes rolled back.
"...You crazy bastard!!! Your greed is unbelievable! Do you have no heart?! I told you! We live day by day!"
Oswald exploded.
"So... are you going to do it or not?"
Jeong Yoo-shin asked, crossing his legs.
Oswald's body trembled.
"...Let's make it 30 gold coins."
Jeong Yoo-shin's mind raced.
He had thought that Oswald was a generous clown for readily handing over a high-grade magic stone.
'Could that high-grade magic stone have been given to him by the assassins?'
If he obtained it easily, he would have used it easily too.
Since it was a magic stone of unknown origin, there was a possibility of getting into trouble if he tried to dispose of it within the city.
In conclusion…
Did he give it to me just to get rid of hot merchandise?
'Sly bastard.'
Jeong Yoo-shin's eyes narrowed.
"You're trying to rip me off. No. 50 gold coins."
Seeing Jeong Yoo-shin's firm stance, Oswald waved his hand.
"Let's compromise. 30 coins."
"50 coins. Do you think human lives are cheap?"
"We'll all starve to death. Let's make it 30 coins. I'm sorry. I must have been out of my mind in the labyrinth."
"50 coins."
"Ha... Fuck."
Oswald glared at Jeong Yoo-shin, all traces of humor from his face gone.
Jeong Yoo-shin leaned back in his chair and spoke leisurely.
"Look at your eyes. That stingy look of yours is truly unpleasant. Show some dedication if you want to save them."
"50 gold coins is no small amount! Please, just this once, 30 coins."
"Hoo. Fine. I'll be generous and make it 40."
"30 coins! We'll all die!"
Jeong Yoo-shin observed Oswald's expression.
This was the same guy who had been playing the lute and laughing cheerfully in the labyrinth.
He had thought Oswald was a crazy, talented underworld figure.
But now he saw…
'He's just a crazy, greedy clown.'
He suddenly felt pity for Oswald and he no longer wanted to negotiate any further.
"Fine. 30 coins. And send all the items I requested through Snout."
"Hoo. Alright. Then let's devise a plan."
"Why should I do that?"
"What...?"
Oswald's jaw dropped at Jeong Yoo-shin's words.
"You make one. How would I be able to help you with that? I'm just a swordsman."
"...So, if I devise a plan, you'll just carry it out?"
"No? You devise it, and I review it. Oswald, are you kidding me?"
Oswald couldn't take it anymore and jumped up. Praises erupted from his mouth.
"...You son of a bitch!!! Pay up! Rack your brain! Give me information! Business ethics, my ass!! I've never seen such a shameless bastard in my life! Hey!!! Let go of me!!!"
The two subordinates standing next to Oswald were startled and grabbed him.
"P-Please wait a moment! Oswald! Calm down, calm down."
"If you don't like it, you know what to do, right? Devise a plan and send it to Snout. I'll review it."
Jeong Yoo-shin smiled, his lips twisting.
"Hehehehehe."
Oswald, driven mad by the unreasonable demands, collapsed back onto his chair and let out a hollow laugh.
"I'm leaving. Maya, are you staying here? Let's go."
Jeong Yoo-shin said while standing up.
"Y-Yes."
Maya stammered and followed Jeong Yoo-shin.
They left the tent and walked through the eastern district streets.
It was late at night, but the pleasure district was still bustling with people.
Maya asked him as they walked.
"Skar, if Oswald had refused to negotiate, were you planning to give up?"
"No. Whether Oswald accepted or refused the negotiation, I was planning to take down those slave hunters. And rescue Ahiman."
"I... I see."
"Miss, we've suffered a lot at his hands. Please understand."
Gallerheim defended Jeong Yoo-shin.
"That's right. Gallerheim, you're actually making sense for once."
"I always speak the truth."
Gallerheim's nose grew longer.
"Skar, do you believe everything Oswald said?"
Snout asked.
"No. I don't trust that bastard. Snout, we need to confirm the credibility of Oswald's story. I'll leave that to you."
"Yes."
Jeong Yoo-shin and Maya passed through the eastern checkpoint and returned to the inn.
On their way back to the inn.
He sternly warned Gallerheim to keep his mouth shut and sent him home, and he sent Snout to the monster dismantling shop.
He entered the inn and sat at the counter.
"Lastly, Lin."
The reason he had brought Maya here.
It was because Maya possessed the Animal Communication imprint.
"Squeak!"
Lin was still wearing the hat.
It was a top hat, the kind worn by English gentlemen. He found it secretly cute, but he forced himself to maintain a stern expression.
"Lin, we need to have a talk, don't we?"
"Squeak."
Lin cowered.
"Maya, please."
"Yes, I understand."
Maya reached out and grabbed Lin's front paw. She took Jeong Yoo-shin's wrist with her other hand.
A strange mana entered Jeong Yoo-shin's body and began to circulate within him. It felt calm and intellectual. It was Maya's mana.
"Lin, you little rascal. How did you end up there?"
"Squeak, squeak."
"She says she was wandering around the eastern district and followed some interesting people."
"Huh."
"Squeak, squeak. Squeak."
"She says she liked the people with painted faces because they gave her food and played with her."
'They used her for target practice though.'
She was a surprisingly resilient rat.
"So, are you saying you did a good job? You have to show your face here, right? Suddenly appearing today and causing trouble? Do you want a spanking?!"
"Squeak."
"Yes."
Lin shyly turned around and presented her plump backside.
"..."
'Ingrid, your familiar is a bit strange.'
There wasn't a single sane person in Labyrinth City.
Was he the only one with a working mind here?
Jeong Yoo-shin sighed, flicked his finger, and gave Lin a light spank.
"Squeak!"
"Yelp."
He picked up Lin, who was wriggling on the counter, by the scruff of her neck and put her in his shirt pocket.
"Let's stop here. Maya, go upstairs and rest. You can use the sixth room on the left."
"What about the lodging fee?"
"It's free."
"...Thank you."
Tears welled up in Maya's eyes. Jeong Yoo-shin turned his head away, pretending not to see, and went upstairs.
He entered his room, took off his sweat-soaked shirt, and wiped his body with a wet towel. He changed his clothes and laid down on his bed.
Lin climbed onto his stomach and sprawled herself across his chest. She must have been exhausted as she immediately closed her eyes.
Jeong Yoo-shin also closed his eyes.
"Hmm. I think I could have squeezed out a bit more."
"Squeak?"
"Never mind. Let's sleep."
Soon, only the sound of quiet breathing filled the dark room.
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T/N - Really now. The change in Oswald’s character was a bit abrupt to me considering my first impression of him in the labyrinth. Still, it’s funny to see the MC drive the supposed crazy clown insane with his demands.
Also, of course Ahiman gets kidnapped. Seriously, something always has to drag the MC into these conflicts even though he really shouldn’t be related to them.