Chapter 113
Chapter 113
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 113
Chapter Title: Nice Sports Negotiation
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‘After the meeting’s over, I should praise Yona.’
Passing through the subspace, the Nice Sports staff looked like their souls had been completely drained. Their state was utterly satisfying.
They’d probably arrived at the Justice Guild feeling lighthearted.
A small guild that had only just begun making its name known again.
This much psychological dominance was merely the opening move.
“Hello. I’m Nayeo-ju, the manager of Justice Guild.”
“Ah. Ah, yes! I’m Park Kyung-young, CEO of Nice Sports.”
Even if he’d won his CEO title playing games, he quickly regained his composure and offered his business card.
‘Maybe I should get some business cards made too.’
No matter how much a hunter’s face was their calling card.
It wouldn’t hurt to prepare proper ones for all the company meetings ahead.
“Let’s head up to the office on the upper floor.”
I led the two from Nice Sports into the elevator.
I’d poured every last penny into repairs for today’s meeting.
“Here we are.”
I guided them into the office, which hadn’t seen much use lately.
“Pardon the intrusion.”
The CEO, ever polite, looked far more composed now.
He was pretending otherwise, but the shabby interior had eased the shock from the subspace.
After serving simple refreshments, I took my seat.
“Shall we get started?”
“Um, but...”
“Yes, go ahead.”
“Won’t the guild master be joining us?”
The guild master typically held final decision-making authority.
Seeing no sign of one at an external company meeting naturally raised questions.
I held all authority over operations anyway, but outsiders didn’t need to know that.
“He’s in training right now. He’ll join later.”
“Ah, I see.”
A glint flashed in the CEO’s eyes as he nodded.
He figured I’d be an easy mark on my own.
‘Good, keep letting your guard down like that.’
The more complacent they were, the better for my negotiations.
“So, let’s hear what you have to say?”
The battle outside the dungeons had truly begun.
From the company’s lengthy history to the rough ad storyboards they’d prepared.
I just nodded and threw in occasional affirmations, listening quietly to Nice Sports’ pitch.
The key to a good negotiation was letting the other side talk.
“Hmm, not bad at all.”
There wasn’t anything overly ridiculous about the concept.
The storyboards could rival those from famous sports brands.
As expected from a former big-corp exec.
Seeing my satisfied nod, their faces brightened.
“Did you bring the contract?”
“Of course! Here it is.”
The PR manager hurriedly pulled the contract from his bag and handed it over.
As I flipped through the pages, CEO Park explained eagerly from the side.
“I assure you, it’s a fair contract. No poison pills. Even a lawyer would confirm that.”
“Looks that way. Still, I’ll have a lawyer review it and get back to you as soon as possible.”
“Ah! In that case...”
The CEO’s eyes sparkled.
Whoa there, trying to wrap it up already?
“But the amount... we might need to discuss that further.”
“Well...”
The two across the table grew solemn.
The moment they’d dreaded had arrived.
CEO Park kept his smile, soothing me gently.
“We know full well that Justice Guild has deep roots. That’s why we’ve set the ad fee as high as possible.”
He launched into a spiel about how partnering with Justice Guild was a huge honor for a startup like theirs.
But it was all empty talk.
In a contract negotiation, what mattered was the writing on the paper, not words from the mouth.
I cut him off politely.
“CEO, you don’t really follow hunters or guilds much, do you?”
“Pardon? Of course I do! I have a deep interest in...”
“You just said you knew we’re a venerable guild, but the contract tells a different story.”
“Could you explain in detail...?”
“You priced it for a brand-new guild.”
My finger tapped the number on the contract.
“Since you know us so well, no need for me to go on about Justice Guild.”
“Then...”
CEO Park pulled a handkerchief and fountain pen from his pocket, writing a new number over my finger.
“One hundred million.”
Not bad for a small guild.
But I hadn’t called them here to settle for half-measures.
I grabbed my prepared ballpoint and crossed out ‘100 million’, writing a new figure.
“Two... two hundred million?”
“Yes. In exchange, extend the term to six months.”
“Even so, two hundred million is a bit...”
“CEO, did you look up photos of our guild members before coming?”
Hit right on the mark, he mumbled evasively.
“Sorry. But we did review your profiles on paper.”
“No worries. You’re busy, it happens. Let me just say this: two hundred million won’t feel like a waste. I guarantee it.”
“Then two hundred is too high—how about one hundred fifty...”
That’s when CEO Park started floating the counter.
Knock knock knock.
A neat knock, and the door opened. Han Ji-seong entered with simple refreshments.
“Pardon me. I heard we had guests.”
Han Ji-seong smiled like melting ice.
‘Nice one.’
All part of the pre-planned strategy, of course.
“Wow...”
The PR manager let out an involuntary gasp.
Yeah, yeah.
Everyone reacts like that seeing Han Ji-seong in person for the first time.
“Thank you, Hunter Han Ji-seong.”
“No trouble at all. Please continue your talk.”
Having landed his short, devastating blow, Han Ji-seong gracefully exited.
I smiled at the two, still dazed by his real-life impact, ignoring the refreshments.
“We were just talking about promotional effects, right?”
“Y-Yes.”
The CEO dabbed sweat with his handkerchief and nodded.
“Then... for the YouTube ad shoot and print ad usage, two hundred million...”
“No, print ad fees should be separate.”
“Conventionally, print fees are included, Hunter Nayeo-ju.”
“Conventions always have exceptions. But no need to haggle each one—let’s bundle all ad fees at four hundred million, as you say.”
“Four... four hundred million...”
CEO Park looked utterly defeated.
“C-CEO.”
The PR manager whispered to him.
Loud enough for hunter ears like mine to catch, though.
“If we shoot the print ads right with Hunter Han Ji-seong’s face...”
“No, even so, four hundred is too much.”
“And it’s not just Hunter Han Ji-seong in Justice Guild...”
As the two whispered furiously.
Knock knock.
This knock heavier, more solid.
I grinned and replied.
“Come in.”
The door opened, and Kang Han entered.
Fresh from real training, the crisp shampoo scent wafted first.
“Guild Master Kang Han. Sorry I’m late.”
Casual workout clothes, slightly damp hair, and the sneakers I’d bought him from his old company’s CEO—Park’s, that is.
“Wow.”
Even CEO Park gasped.
I totally got it.
Kang Han right now was a walking photoshoot.
After a light bow, as he sat beside me, the CEO and team lead’s heated gazes followed.
Kang Han said nothing more.
Just sat silently, gazing at them.
After a brief silence, CEO Park spoke.
“Four... four hundred million.”
“Yes, four hundred million.”
As his wavering eyes landed on Kang Han again, they squeezed shut.
Then he asked.
“...Can we pay in installments?”
“Two hundred million upfront, please.”
I answered as refreshingly as Kang Han’s shampoo scent.