Chapter 41
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: Encounter with Kreya Merchant Company
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Starting with River, Dane and Bankers took seats next to them, and the guests who had been chatting suddenly shrank back in intimidation.
A quick glance revealed blue hunter badges too. Fifth-rank hunters weren’t easy to ignore. Even the manager and staff couldn’t step in to stop them.
Then Bankers cheerfully stepped up, offering to cover the food bill, and the conversation picked up again.
“In Mekardo, meat dishes used to come from old man Rudelber’s restaurant. But a few months ago... rumors started flying, and on President Kreya’s orders, the trading companies cut off ingredient supplies. The restaurant naturally went under.”
“Who’s President Kreya?”
Dane cut in abruptly. The merchant let out a small sigh, as if wondering if he had to explain that too.
“She’s the head of the largest Kreya Merchant Company in Mekardo. Also the representative of the Mekardo Merchants’ Association. In a merchants’ city like this, the association head’s voice carries the most weight.”
From this info, it seemed the Kreya Merchant Company was the first trading house Dane’s Butchery Squad should approach.
Yadus ore deals were practically interstate transactions, so a major merchant company was perfect for handling them. Plus, they could help Dane’s Butchery Squad roam the delta freely.
River asked,
“Why did Kreya order a cutoff of supplies to Rudelber’s restaurant? Just because of some rumors? That doesn’t add up.”
Her interest seemed more on that than Kreya herself.
The middle-aged merchant glanced around warily at the question. Dane’s Butchery Squad caught the subtle move—he feared the Kreya Merchant Company.
“Well... we don’t know. They must’ve had their reasons. You know how it is—illegal operations or messing around with the food...”
-Thud!
Suddenly, River slammed both fists on the table and shot to her feet. Her fierce glare from beyond the mask fixed on the merchant.
“Wh-why are you doing that? What did I...”
The terrified merchant wasn’t alone—even her comrades found River’s outburst unexpected. Fearing a fight might break out, nearby guests and staff all turned their eyes at once.
River, who had lost her temper in the moment, flushed red and mumbled an excuse.
“No... you said messing around with the food. Who’d do something that awful...”
With that, she spun on her heel and stormed out of the restaurant.
* * *
Dane’s Butchery Squad sat at an open-air café near the fountain square, sipping light drinks.
Bankers glanced at River and ventured,
“River, you seem pretty upset. Makes sense, though—same line of work and all.”
“Huh? Oh... yeah, sure.”
River nodded vaguely.
She’d stormed out like she was about to hunt down this Rudelber guy right then, but apparently not. Dane figured it was only a matter of time before she opened up. He spoke.
“I’m interested in that story too. It’s not entirely unrelated to us.”
As his comrades looked his way, Dane paused briefly.
‘Bortong and Rudelber... they might solve my dilemma.’
With that in mind, he continued.
“We’re brokering Yadus ore, but that only works if monster meat is the foundation. Which merchant house handles the Yadus ore and meat trades, how we manage it, which restaurants get priority shipments—all crucial.”
“True enough. If they can’t handle the meat right or cook it poorly, better not to bother.”
“Even if we do deals, we should pick our own operators for the Yadus trailers. Need top-notch skill to maintain perfect quality as the standard.”
“Shall we start with the Kreya Merchant Company then?”
Dane shook his head at Bankers’ question.
“No need to go to them.”
As he said it, Dane’s eyes fixed on a group approaching, staring straight at Dane’s Butchery Squad.
Among the sharply dressed men, a lean one with a pointed mustache bowed politely.
“Pardon, but are you Dane’s Butchery Squad?”
“You must be from the Kreya Merchant Company.”
Dane’s reply drew a feigned look of surprise from the man, who quickly composed himself with a smile.
“Was it that obvious? Well, clothes this fine aren’t easy to come by outside Kreya Merchant Company. I’m Riziev, senior manager of Kreya Merchant Company.”
His manner was so natural it didn’t even feel arrogant.
“Do we stand out that much?”
Riziev smiled lightly at Dane’s question.
“From Horhe onward, your feats across Zone 2 are hot rumors. It’d be odd if Kreya Merchant Company didn’t know.”
That was why Dane had expected them. Information was money here too, and merchant houses prized it above all.
Of course they’d fixate on the ones who brought the Yadus ore trailer with Think. Matching the rumors to Dane’s group wasn’t hard. And calling them ‘Dane’s Butchery Squad’ instead of ‘Lucas Hunting Party’ meant their intel was up to date.
‘Still don’t know how much they really know, though.’
Dane nodded slightly and asked back.
“So, what’s this about?”
“Since you’ve clearly come to Mekardo to visit Kreya Merchant Company, the president sent us to fetch you.”
They’d sniffed out the money like blood in the water. Even before meeting, it felt like a major merchant house head. But Dane had no intention of being led around.
“If that’s the case, she should’ve come herself. Nice day—tell her to come here. We’ll wait.”
Dane leaned back in his chair, making it clear he wasn’t moving.
Embarrassment flickered across Riziev’s face, but he hid it, smiling and bowing.
“I’ll relay that.”
* * *
‘Deals are about who holds the reins.’ Dane’s Butchery Squad had two unbeatable cards no one else could touch.
Monster meat and Yadus ore.
Dane wasn’t the desperate one. Holding such massive leverage meant no need to go begging for deals.
“Wonder if the merchant head will come herself. Sounds like she’s basically Mekardo’s mayor.”
“She will.”
“Big talk for an open spot like this?”
Bankers rolled his eyes and asked again.
“It’s not some shady deal. Better for us to keep it transparent.”
Ears were perking up everywhere. Other merchant houses had likely been watching before Kreya’s crew arrived, and the chat with Riziev had drawn even more interest.
Advantage to the hand-holder. Public bidding, auction-style.
As they waited, a Kreya Merchant Company group led by Riziev approached the square.
The crowd parted naturally, hinting at their status.
One strode forward, waving cheerfully like old friends.
Short bob haircut, cigarette in mouth. Her white suit jacket stood out bright against her dark skin. For a woman who ruled a metropolis, her voice was surprisingly light and upbeat.
“Hi! Kreya Merchant Company president, Kreya.”
Dane matched her casual tone.
“Butchery Squad leader Dane. Vice Captain River here, and Bankers. As you see, small crew.”
“Hate the sun, but dragged myself out. Hunters love no ceilings, huh?”
“First city visit in ages—sights are fun.”
Dane gestured to the seat opposite as he replied. The squad was seated, but only Kreya sat from her side.
Dane had no time for games. He cut straight in.
“How much do you know? Horhe? Leighton? Or... Harac Bar too?”
Kreya blinked her big eyes in surprise, then answered.
“Squad leader Dane’s as handsome and bold as rumored. Been watching your Zone 2 moves—impressive stuff. Hmm, didn’t know about Harac Bar... but that Yadus ore trailer’s gotta tie in, right?”
No lie in her response. She knew Yadus ore was a Harac Bar specialty. But linking it to monster meat? Unclear yet.
“If you know Zone 2, you know about the monster meat.”
“That’s why I’m here, right? Looking for a house to supply meat. Yadus seems tied in too?”
“Makes talk easier.”
Dane paused, then hit the core.
“Does Kreya Merchant Company have the reach to distribute monster meat across the continent with Dane’s Butchery Squad? Beyond the delta, to the four major hubs, even the capital Hedonis.”
A bold claim.
Kreya’s face stiffened briefly, but her staff and eavesdroppers gasped, swallowing hard.
Even giants had limits.
Mekardo sat at the delta’s entrance between north and east continentals—covering north, delta, and east hub Loud was their range.
Beyond that? Near impossible.
“No merchant house on the continent could.”
Kreya’s answer was expected.
“Then we’ll shop around. No one but Dane’s Butchery Squad butchers and processes monster meat like this. No one else holds Harac Bar’s Yadus ore monopoly.”
Sighs erupted all around.
Monster meat was unproven, but Yadus ore monopoly? Huge if true.
“Harac Bar... gave Dane’s Butchery Squad Yadus exclusivity? Those picky dwarves?”
“How else could we build a trailer that massive?”
Whatever the use, Yadus ore was rare. Most wouldn’t know it, but weapon-crafters continent-wide craved it—guaranteed fortune.
Merchants’ minds whirred with profit calcs.
“Some house’ll decide while you hesitate. Lots of ears.”
Dane said calmly. His steady gaze pressed for speed.
Kreya lit a fresh cigarette and spoke slowly.
“Some things are impossible, no matter the greed. But sometimes you stick your foot in anyway.”
She paused, leaning in close. Deep musk overpowered the tobacco.
“Your proposal’s impossible, sure. But Kreya Merchant Company can at least try. No guarantees of success—I’m a merchant, not a con artist.”
“That’s enough.”
Perfect answer. Better than bluster.
“Whew... So, what exactly—items, methods?”
“Yadus ore circulates only processed. We’ll install the Yadus trailer we brought to Mekardo as a model house: butcher, cook, sell monster meat there. Only Yadus trailers handle slaughter and storage.”
“Only Yadus trailers? Not sure what that means, but we’d expand model houses region by region.”
“Goal’s also supplying budget Yadus storage units to households continent-wide.”
Insane plan, massive scale. Listeners’ jaws stayed dropped. Only Kreya and Dane’s squad stayed cool.
“But the question’s whether Yadus trailers and units are worth it. Whew... no, whether monster meat justifies it. If it does... the world ‘changes.’”
She emphasized ‘changes.’
Dane felt relief—she grasped monster meat’s essence. But too early to spill all.
“Mekardo’s chefs will prove it.”
“Chefs? How?”
Her eyes sharpened through thick smoke.
“We’ll hold a monster meat cooking contest. Right here in Mekardo.”
Dane answered.