kscans

Chapter 178 - Negotiations on Earth

"Work for you? I thought I was already acting in a way that benefits you. Is there something you’re dissatisfied with?"

I felt a surge of irritation. Was there something he didn’t like about what I’d been doing? After providing all those items, a small flicker of anger sparked within me. But my opponent was a seasoned professional. The moment I let my guard down, he’d devour me. Over there, strength determined survival, but here, it was a battle of wits that mattered. I had to distinguish between the two, or I would lose.

"Not at all," Kuroda said. "Far from dissatisfied, I am beyond satisfied. The goods you’ve brought have been a boon to major corporations. They’ve successfully replicated properties close to the original from the analyzed components, and the auctioned items are still being stored as vital materials. Of course, some materials need to be used sparingly, but that doesn’t change their popularity. We’re even getting orders from overseas. It’s a revolution. It would not be an exaggeration to call it a new reformation."

He declared it with a theatrical flair. He seemed to be enjoying the sound of his own voice.

"In that case, wouldn’t it be better to maintain our current relationship?" I countered, speaking my mind. "As long as I have money, I’m satisfied."

To be honest, I couldn't care less how the world turned. That day, I had despaired at the reality of society and fled to the countryside as if on the run. If not for that book, I would probably be a hermit by now, thoughtlessly growing vegetables in a field.

"Fufufu. That’s exactly what’s so convenient for me," Kuroda said, his smile like that of a con artist. "If you work for me, there will be no commission fees. I will pay you the full auction price. Furthermore, if you do a little work for me, I will pay you an hourly wage. Five thousand yen per hour. You won’t find a better offer anywhere else."

It wasn't a scam, though. The terms were certainly good. The average hourly wage in this society was around twelve to fifteen hundred yen. After factoring in overtime and after-hours work, and then deducting taxes and insurance, an income of about two hundred and fifty thousand yen a month was considered standard. I knew this because when I was working at a company, the pay I received for all my hard work was pitifully small. A monthly salary of about two hundred thousand yen. Something felt wrong, so I did a thorough search on my computer and discovered that my salary was being skimmed. I thought about suing immediately, but with no allies in society, there was no one who would lend me a hand. Even if I was in the right, the voices of the many who supported the wrong would be recognized as correct, and I would be branded a villain.

The majority rules. Those who have won the trust of many get to speak of justice. In a way, it was understandable, but in another, it was absurd. It meant that if a villain gathered support, they could reign as justice, and the innocent would be branded with infamy. It was as if the darkness of the world had been brought to light.

I had digressed, but that was why Kuroda’s offered sum was so attractive that there was no reason to refuse it. Normally.

"By ‘a little work,’ do you mean bringing in more goods from over there and sending a few of your subordinates?" I asked.

"Exactly," Kuroda replied. "An easy job, wouldn’t you say?" His smile widened.

It was certainly easy. Just teach them the magic circle and the method, and they could bring back the abundant resources from that world. For me, there was no better deal.

"It’s certainly an attractive and wonderful offer," I said. "There’s absolutely no other proposal like it."

At my words, Kuroda’s smile deepened. His expression was one of confident victory.

But then I continued.

"However, I must refuse. That place is an ideal world for me, too. It’s because I learned of its existence that I am who I am today. Even if a few people go over there and bring back resources, it might be fine for now. But in the future, there’s a possibility of depletion. The people here are greedy and ruthless. This may be an inappropriate analogy, but it could lead to a situation like the Oil Shock."

At my analogy, Kuroda held his breath.

The Oil Shock. An incident that occurred in the 1970s. The soaring price of crude oil caused all related products to either rise in price or become scarce, leading to a frenzy of hoarding. Furthermore, mandatory power-saving orders led to the closure of facilities and the shutdown of some machinery.

The cause of the Oil Shock was said to be war and revolution, but to me, it felt more like imports had simply decreased. The primary reason for the price hike was that there was less of it.

When chickens got sick, a large number were culled, and as a result, the price of eggs and meat went up. From that, I could easily picture a future where, in a few years, many people from Earth would come and strip the other world of its resources. If that happened, things wouldn't go as they had been, and there was a possibility of a large-scale war. It was better to keep things as they are. Even if the number of items I put up for sale is small, they can be used without waste, researched, and something similar can be created. I believe that innovation and adaptation are what humanity needs.

Well, that was the complicated way of thinking about it. The honest truth was, don’t take away my comfortable place. Besides, I once let a friend die because of my own selfish assumptions. I didn't want that to happen again.

"I see. You have a point," Kuroda said. "It’s clear that if the numbers dwindle, criticism on this side will rise. However, that’s no reason for you not to work for me. We just need to set limits."

He wouldn’t give up. As expected of the overseer. If he saw a profit, he wouldn’t back down an inch.

"You are right," I said. "But I am someone who has grown tired of mainstream society. I set foot in this society because I saw a mutual benefit. I have no intention of joining any organization. Even if it means making enemies of you, Kuroda-san." I declared it with resolve. The better terms didn't matter. I would live my life as a hunter. That was all.

Kuroda thought for a moment. "It seems your decision is firm. Very well. I will gracefully withdraw my offer. But please, continue to do business with us in the future."

He picked up the bill and stood up.

"Let me pay my share," I said, reaching for my wallet.

"No, no. I was the one who invited you. It is only proper for me to pay." He headed for the counter.

I stood up to follow him.

As we left the shop, a voice called out, "Please come again, nyan♪"

I wouldn't be coming back.

A black Rolls-Royce was parked in front of the shop, a driver standing beside it. As Kuroda approached, the door opened.

"Well then, I shall be off," he said with a bow. "Good luck."

I bowed in return, and the car drove off. After watching it for a moment, I muttered, "Alright. I have research to do, so I’ll find a quiet place. And I have to be back by midnight." I walked away.

Inside the car, Kuroda had his eyes closed. It would be a lie to say he wasn't angry that his proposal had been rejected. It took guts to turn down such favorable terms. But this wasn't the first time. He had been turned down in meetings with famous financiers and presidents of large corporations. He had the composure and calmness that came with such experience. Otherwise, he couldn't be an overseer. If he ever showed his emotions, he would be immediately dismissed. Rumors would be spread, and he would never find work again. Or perhaps he would be silenced in a way that looked like an accident.

The underworld was profitable, but the risks were high. Those who knew secrets were shown no mercy. There were plenty of people who could replace Kuroda.

(Hmm. I thought he would act emotionally, but he was surprisingly calm,) Kuroda thought. (Did he experience something similar over there? In any case, it’s a blow that it’s become impossible to bring him in. I can no longer meet the demands of my clients.)

He sighed.

Ever since the stuffed four-armed gorilla, his clients had been demanding monsters from the other world.

"Next, a Goblin! Preferably a live one!"

"I want a Slime! I want to know if it’s really just made of water!"

"I want a Dragon, but if that’s impossible, then I want something amazing like a Cyclops or an Ogre!"

Kuroda had gone to great lengths and used all his wits to deal with these requests. The clients’ demand was for a "live organism." The very words he had once said had come back to him. Now he understood how he felt. What were they going to do with such a thing? Rearing animals from Earth was difficult enough. Rearing creatures from another world would be nothing but chaos.

A dead, stuffed animal had its uses. It could be studied to their heart’s content. They could strip its materials as much as they wanted. Because a dead creature doesn't do anything.

(Well, no matter,) Kuroda thought. (This gives me an excuse to curb the clients’ demands. Whether I bring him in or not, there are always pros and cons. I just have to move in a way that turns it into a pro.)

As he contemplated his next move, Kuroda took a brief nap.

In the other world, at the monsters’ stronghold, Vil stood by the King’s side. "All preparations are complete. We await your command."

The King smiled slyly and gave an order to the monsters.