Chapter 191: Ricknos's Pawnshop
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 191: Ricknos's Pawnshop
Emerging from beyond the familiar gate was...
Step.
...none other than Rick Hennessy, one of the middle administrators.
He's finally here. That sly old fox.
"Haha. My, my... It seems you are quite angry."
Rick let out a hearty laugh.
His relaxed demeanor grated on Jinhyuk's nerves even more.
Jinhyuk's voice sank coldly.
"Didn't you clearly promise to prevent the manifestation of high-ranking factions? The manifestation of the demons and the editing of Friedman's live broadcast. Those were the two conditions I demanded."
"Of course, I remembered the terms of our deal. However, they were so well-prepared that a hole opened up in the barrier. Because of that, it slipped right past me."
"A hole in a barrier made by the great middle administrator, Rick? You expect me to believe that?"
That was about as believable as Sauron getting LASIK.
He was running a maphack to watch every single corner of the Tower, yet he had the nerve to tell such a blatant lie with that innocent face.
As the atmosphere began to turn icy, Rick hastily added another word.
"Ahem! Cough! It wasn't intentional. Actually, we had some trouble on our end as well."
"Oh, I'm sure you did. And let me guess, what that trouble is must be a secret?"
"No, not at all. Since it was our mistake that led to this, of course I should tell you. A few hours ago... Murim launched a preemptive strike against the Empire. It was merely a vanguard, but a portion of the 24th floor has been completely reduced to ruins."
At Rick's words, Jinhyuk's eyes narrowed this time.
Oh?
Look at this.
Murim, whose forces had dwindled, launched a surprise attack on the Empire first?
And after keeping their heads down all this time?
Those guys can't even get along among themselves, divided into the Orthodox and Unorthodox factions... and they're carrying the massive headache that is the Heavenly Demon Cult. To think they would make such a decision.
This was getting interesting.
Although he didn't know what their hidden agenda was, it was as clear as day that this would have a massive impact on the future dynamics of the Tower.
"I understand you had your reasons. But that doesn't mean you're allowed to break your contract with me, Mr. Rick."
"Of course not. In fact, as an apology, I was thinking of giving you a 'bonus'—the right to purchase one of the items in my possession... How does that sound?"
Giving him the right to buy it, not even giving it to him for free...
Classic Rick.
It meant he viewed even this—what Jinhyuk would choose as compensation and how he would negotiate—as a form of entertainment to watch.
"As you already know, Jinhyuk, the items I possess are not things you can easily find in the Tower."
Yes, he knew that very well.
Indeed, as the master of a great merchant guild, Rick possessed countless treasures that players couldn't obtain no matter how desperately they tried.
Opportunities like this didn't come often.
Besides, thanks to Makedros, he had already gained various benefits, including the 'Key of the Rift', so he could grant Rick a temporary reprieve for his misdeeds.
Just... a very brief one, that is.
"Fine. Let's do that."
"A wise decision. Then, what is it you desire? I have weapons, armor, accessories, holy relics, and various elixirs, so feel free to speak as long as your balance allows."
"Well, I spent all my Coins just a moment ago, so I don't think I can buy anything with Coins. Let's do a barter trade instead."
"Hmm. That's not a bad idea either, but there's no way you have anything that would interest me... Gasp!"
Whirrrr!
As Jinhyuk activated his subspace inventory, Rick's eyes widened so much they looked ready to pop out.
He had no choice but to react that way.
Because the creature currently waddling out, completely oblivious to the situation, was none other than Goguma.
"There, there. Come here."
"Mogi!"
Goguma snuggled right into Jinhyuk's arms.
Closing its eyes and enjoying the touch, it was the very picture of a dragon-cat.
"A-are you saying you want to trade an Ancient Species...?"
Rick's voice trembled violently.
On the other hand...
"Mo-Mogiiii?!"
Sensing something was amiss, Goguma began to struggle wildly in Jinhyuk's arms.
Behave yourself.
I wouldn't sell you even if they offered me a fortune.
"Ah! Just to prevent any misunderstanding, I'm not trading Goguma."
"T-then...?"
"I will give you one of Goguma's scales."
A scale of an Ancient Species!
A flash of greed crossed Rick's eyes.
"...And what do you want in return?"
"The 'Compass' that points to where rifts appear. I believe... you have that in your possession as well, Mr. Rick?"
Since he had obtained the key from Makedros, he only needed to find the locations of the rifts now.
Jinhyuk intended to resolve this through Rick.
Their gazes locked.
Now, the real negotiation began.
[Rick Hennessy activates the Lv.25 skill 'Deep Sigh'.]
"Sigh..."
Rick furrowed his brow and stroked his chin.
His deep, soul-draining groan was always a marvel to witness.
"While an Ancient Species' scale is indeed valuable, it's not from an adult, and since we don't even know its True Name, it's hard to get proper value for it. Furthermore, it must be preserved in a special solution, and the maintenance cost for that is no joke. Of course, there might be a customer looking for it, but then again, there might not. I would have to shoulder all that risk entirely on my own... and that is no easy task."
His long-winded explanation was close to utter nonsense, but it was strangely persuasive.
Maintenance costs, inventory issues, low demand due to rarity, and so on.
From an economic perspective, he had put together a decent argument.
[Rick Hennessy activates the Lv.22 skill 'Lowball'.]
"So, here is my offer... Ten scales, plus renting out the Ancient Species to me for a week. Sigh. This is really my absolute limit. I can't go any lower than this. Scales grow back anyway, and renting instead of transferring ownership isn't really a big ask, is it? Honestly, I'm taking a loss here, but I'm offering these terms specially because it's you, Jinhyuk."
Once again, a strange magic was infused into his words.
Seriously, his timing for using skills was impeccable.
There was a reason he was nicknamed 'Ricknos' for slashing everything in half.
"Hmm..."
Jinhyuk, who had been listening quietly, nodded.
Not because he agreed.
If Rick had proposed reasonable terms, Jinhyuk might have let it slide. But since he was going full merchant-to-the-bone mode, Jinhyuk had to play along properly.
"I think it'd be easier to just talk to Mr. Hastings. It seems I can't get through to you, Mr. Rick. Please call your superior."
"Wh-what? Wh-what do you mean by that...?"
Rick stammered, thoroughly flustered.
"Out of consideration for our relationship, I was going to overlook a major mistake. But instead, you're trying to lowball me? You seem to have forgotten, but an administrator breaking a contract is a serious crime. Furthermore... didn't the administrators make another mistake recently?"
Forgetting favors but never forgetting grudges was the nature of a veteran player, so he remembered it crystal clear.
Exactly what the low-ranking administrator, Kaman, had done.
Gulp.
Rick swallowed hard.
He instinctively sensed that the situation was taking a dangerous turn.
"They say if you keep showing goodwill, people start taking it for granted. What a shame. Personally, I quite liked you, Mr. Rick."
"W-wait a minute! I'm sorry! I... I was wrong!"
Rick grabbed Jinhyuk's sleeve, his face turning pale.
He didn't even want to imagine what would happen if Hastings showed up here.
"Well? Will you hand over the Compass quietly?"
"I'll give it to you... for just one scale."
In the end, Rick waved the white flag.
However...
Jinhyuk did not accept that white flag.
In fact, there was no need to.
The upper hand had completely shifted to his side now.
"Hmm. I really, really want to give it to you, but looking at our Goguma now, he just looks so pitiful."
"Mogi... Mogi-mogi."
At the thought of having a scale ripped out raw, Goguma's eyes were brimming with tears.
This was something no decent human could do. How could anyone commit such a barbaric act while looking into those blinking, tearful eyes?
"Don't tell me..."
"Give it to me for free."
What are loyal customers for? We should show some generosity to each other at times like this.
Besides, considering all the scams Rick had pulled on him in the past, this didn't even count as getting even.
"B-but still, for free is a bit..."
"Well, I can't bring myself to do it, so why don't you try plucking it yourself?"
Jinhyuk gently stroked Goguma's head.
Growl!
"Mogi!"
Goguma bared his sharp fangs.
His eyes burned with the clear determination to chew up and swallow anyone who dared to lay a single finger on him.
Even for a middle administrator...
...he wouldn't have the guts to touch an Ancient Species' scale.
"Urgh..."
Just as expected.
Rick withdrew his outstretched hand.
"Send the Compass to my subspace inventory. It might take some time to find it, so I'll give you about three days."
"I... understand. I will do so. Please, I beg of you, keep this a secret from Lord Hastings."
"Don't worry about that. In return, make sure that damn low-ranking administrator gets properly punished, Mr. Rick."
Personally, he never wanted to see that guy's face again.
And he certainly didn't want to get stabbed in the back out of nowhere again.
Of course.
"I will make sure he never sets foot in the Tower again, so you won't have to worry about that."
Since Rick's anger over losing a treasure for absolutely nothing would naturally be directed at Kaman, Jinhyuk didn't really need to worry.
Right on cue...
[The 8th and 9th floors have been cleared.]
[You have achieved an amazing feat.]
[This achievement will be listed in the 'Hall of Fame' for the entirety of tomorrow.]
[You have leveled up.]
[You have leveled up.]
[You have...]
[...leveled up.]
[You have acquired +500,000 Coins.]
[You have earned the right to choose one 'Title'.]
[Detailed information about the titles can be viewed in the status window.]
The succession of status windows clearly declared who the true victor of this battle was.
With this, everything was wrapped up.
It was time to leave the labyrinth.
* * *
Inside an elegant, antique room, two familiar figures could be seen.
One was Hastings, the high administrator, who was sitting in a chair and sipping black tea.
The other was Kaman, the low-ranking administrator, who was trembling in sheer terror.
The crime of daring to violate the laws of the Tower to line his own pockets from the bosses was severe enough to warrant a lifetime imprisonment in Avici Prison.
However...
...that was not the reason Kaman was trembling in fear right now.
"L-Lord Hastings... P-please spare me. I made a mistake."
"Indeed you did."
Hastings set down his teacup.
The clinking sound echoed exceptionally loud in the quiet room.
"I provided you with so much support to ensure you wouldn't fail, yet you completely ruined the board. This is truly irritating. I am genuinely angry."
His coldly sunken voice and the sharp, blade-like aura he exuded...
...made it hard to believe this was the same gentle Hastings from before.
"H-Hieeeek!"
Kaman took a few steps backward.
On his face, completely pale with horror and dread, there was only a desperate desire to survive.
"Especially since I even connected you with a high-ranking demon this time, didn't I? Just so that even an idiot like you wouldn't fail."
The reason a low-ranking administrator was able to connect two floors and even summon Makedros from the Demon World...
...was all because Hastings had been backing him.
"I deliberately chose a low-ranking administrator to avoid drawing attention, but it seems I made a mistake. Thank you for your hard work all this time, Mr. Kaman."
With that...
...Hastings's conversation came to an end.
"P-please...!"
Along with a desperate scream...
Crunch!
...space itself swallowed Kaman's body whole.
But right then...
...with a squirm...
...a shadow containing unidentified tentacles cast over the room.
[......]
An ominous presence, indescribable by letters or language, began to consume the room.
Even Hastings flinched, his body trembling slightly.
"Do not worry too much, O Primordial Lords. I, Hastings, will do my absolute best... to ensure that no one ever approaches your supreme sanctuary."