Kashi Iliya's Revelation
Once everything was over, Amon's party headed to the surface with their comrades. Midway, some mercenaries spotted the group and didn't bother hiding their greed, but when relatively unscathed Kashi shot them a murderous glare, they backed off on their own. A day passed since then.
"Right! Gear!"
That was the first thing Amon said upon waking. His comrades, who had been waiting for him to stir, exchanged wry smiles. What a devout guy, but moments like this made you wonder if he was really free of worldly desires. He was an unpredictable one.
"We've got all the gear secured."
Fortunately, the ever-reliable androgynous utility mage had gathered the security team's equipment. They'd need to strip the company IDs and tweak some security tech before it was usable right away, but in about two weeks, the party could make full use of it.
"Looks like we can upgrade our gear this time."
The water buffalo tank's lips curled up.
The room fell into an awkward silence at the mute sniper's cynical remark. They couldn't argue with being accused of scavenging the dead's gear, but in their defense, it was self-defense. If they had to justify it, maybe payback? Sensing the mood, the sniper raised both hands in surrender.
The atmosphere finally lightened.
Afterward, the party chatted idly in the hospital room. Among the talk was an apology directed at Amon.
"We didn't trust you. Sorry."
Amon accepted it graciously. "People act like that when pushed to the brink."
"That's it?"
"What else?"
"No 'just don't do it next time' or something?"
"We're good. It's not like I'm demanding prostrations."
Trust built up like this in the first place. Trust that had been shaken a few times and emerged stronger was far more solid than one that never wavered. The party didn't press for more forgiveness after Amon's words.
"Fine. As an honorable ogre, I'll prove it with actions."
Including Vox, they all vowed there'd be no next time and swore to show it through deeds. The reflection session ended there.
"Alright, feedback on this battle ends here. Now, how do we deal with the Shonrai Group?"
On cue, the androgynous utility mage summarized the intel on Shonrai Group. Shonrai Group: A munitions and magic engraving firm that started in Japan. Headquarters now in California, large-scale corporation.
"Wasn't it a megacorp?"
Kashi questioned, and the mage explained patiently. "We thought they'd absorb Saddark Dungeon tech and become one, but they couldn't digest it."
What good was absorbing tech without the infrastructure, manpower, or capability to use it? According to the mage's research, Shonrai—once mid-tier—exploded in growth about a year after Saddark Dungeon formed. But they never reached megacorp status. Management lacked the talent, and the company's rigid systems led to sales slumps. No interest in talent development, bizarre reinvestments—they tripped at the crucial growth stage. Above all, no ambition, narrow vision. Why were megacorps megacorps? They wielded power rivaling governments. Sure, some government contracts ran losses, but megacorps gladly shouldered them for irreplaceable influence. Shonrai's vision was too shortsighted. Management, content at large-corp level, avoided losses at all costs while running sloppy operations.
"Honestly, the proto-Wardum megacorps were so overwhelming that Shonrai just climbed this far."
Public opinion on Shonrai was mixed: Big for a large corp, but not megacorp-tier.
"They've got money, but no power."
A peculiar company indeed. Briefing over. The party immediately began plotting under Amon's lead.
"Who do we hand the evidence to?"
Amon's party wasn't arrogant. They'd leveraged strategy, terrain, and such to repel them, but this wasn't Shonrai's full force. If they were that confident, they wouldn't have twisted the path to the hospital or bribed the director. Police were a non-starter. They needed a large corp that could crush Shonrai.
The mage promptly pulled up a candidate list. "Companies that see Shonrai as a thorn."
Dozens of magic engraving and munitions rivals. Picking same-weight classes could grind Shonrai to dust. So the focus wasn't who would fight Shonrai, but which would offer the party the most gain.
Amid this, Kashi spoke up again. "What if Shonrai goes all-out during the trial and tries to kill us?"
"Huh? Oh yeah."
A cornered rat bites anything—especially a big one that could kill the guide even if not the cat. Witness protection? In this shithole world, no way it'd work for a penniless party. The group groaned. No matter how they sliced it, they couldn't withstand Shonrai's desperation.
"Hide in a dungeon?"
"Damn."
The tank's idea was shot down. Even ignoring if dungeon-hiding was smart, with families at home, it wasn't viable. The ogre offered a new one.
"Ask a large corp to protect us and our families?"
"We'd just get leashed."
"Too pessimistic?"
"Do you trust megacorps, Vox?"
"...Tch."
They couldn't counter the mage's grim forecast. Corps were too shady to trust, average morality be damned. Even Amon, veteran of corporate politicking from games, drew a blank. He always armed characters with enough power to have options before entanglements. No fix for objectively weak spots like now. As the party stalled, Kashi tentatively raised her hand.
"There's... one way."
All eyes turned to her. Under the scrutiny, Kashi gave a wry smile and spoke. * * *
A few days later, post-treatment, the party mobilized for Kashi's plan. In the corporate jungle downtown, they zeroed in on one firm without hesitation.
Recetio Corporation
Main businesses: investments, stocks, real estate, security, protection—and some PMC work. A true megacorp bloodline, incomparable to Hickzen Group, which Amon had crushed before. Not a direct Shonrai rival, but they'd welcome swallowing them, and had the scale to digest the party's tech. Amon strode confidently into the lobby. Having sunk one megacorp already, no reason to shrink. Kashi followed a bit awkwardly; the rest puffed up bravado to mask nerves.
Plan mastermind Kashi approached the desk as representative. "Amon Mercenary Squad. We have an appointment."
Amon's glare bored into her back—when did we get that name?—but she ignored it. IDs checked, they rode up with security. Floors climbed steadily. They figured high up for the agenda.
Managing director or executive VP, maybe.
Button lit at 90. As they neared, the party prepped to exit. But right before, security stopped them.
"Not here."
"?"
With the door held open, a man approached from the hall. Dapper middle-aged, badge screaming Standing Director. He bowed to the party, nodded to security. Security hit the top floor below penthouse. Shock number one: a megacorp standing director bowing. Shock two: heading to the top. Doors parted: left to secretarial pool, right to chairman's office. As hoped/feared, rightward—guided by the director himself.
"This way, sirs."
Polite English too. Bewildered, they followed to the office, Kashi leading. Questions for her piled up, but negotiations first. Doors opened; a young man greeted them. No one was fooled by looks.
Few memorized megacorp chairmen, but all knew traits like immortality treatments. Full halt impossible, but with cash, unyielding mind, Vatican ties for mystic power miracles—centuries were feasible. Middle-aged, old, whatever: that face didn't reflect age.
"Welcome. Let's talk over tea."
Office weight or seasoned aura? The party sat meekly. Chairman drove casually. Notably, Kashi led, not Amon. Terms flew over heads; only exchanged glances sealed deals.
Party finances on Kashi from now on.
Anticipating confusion, she slipped Amon a summary memo mid-talk. Contents roughly:
• Company provides 1% of profits from tech brought by Amon's party.
• Pre-trial short-selling gains on Shonrai Group accrue fully to company.
• In exchange, company covers all protection costs for Amon's party and families during trial.
• Tech acquired via Shonrai acquisition belongs to Recetio Corporation.
• Compensation: Equivalent value in Recetio Corporation stock.
Finished reading, Amon asked water buffalo tank Torso beside him. "What's short-selling?"
"Asking me? Sounds good, right?"
"So stock compensation's good too?"
"Dunno."
Stock novices all around. Amon, clueless on investment firms laundering via lawsuits/shorts or stock rewards, just sipped coffee. No anxiety, though.
Parents were right—no wrong advice. Having a law whiz nearby is great.
Blind faith in Kashi only. Her solo show wrapped negotiations. Now-party-rep Kashi shook with chairman. Amon gulped the last delicious coffee regretfully.
Then, an unignorable line from the chairman. "Anyway, who does she take after to be so ruthless? I said live outside till I retire, but picking sides too hard. I'm not dirt-poor."
"I'm Kashi Iliya. And I know you profit from this, no whining."
"Yes, yes, Miss Kashi Iliya. Recetio through and through."
"Enough."
No fools in the room to miss it. Instant megacorp appointment, overly polite director, financial savvy, chairman's nickname. One answer.
"Cough!"
Dammit, came out my nose.
Kashi Iliya Recetio. Heaven's heiress.