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Not long after Linkin took his leave from the Den of Everdreams, three people gathered in a back room that was off-limits to visitors of the establishment.
The room itself was spacious, with a lavish interior that resembled an office.
Two individuals stood in front of a desk that appeared to be made from sturdy, high-quality wood. And, seated behind that desk was a single person that faced away from it.
If Linkin were present, he would have immediately recognized two of the people in the room.
One of them was Valka, a member of the cat-like race who acted as the eyes of the second mat of Riza-Azir Linkin played at.
As for the woman that stood next to Valka; she was the mysterious catgirl at the first mat of Riza-Azir, where Linkin walked away without a single win.
"You said that person left the Den of Everdreams?" A feminine voice sounded from the seat faced away from Valka and the mysterious catgirl.
"That's right, boss. After that man received 1 tousai from William of the Emerald Elephant Merchant Group and signed a contract, he departed right away. I've already sent some people to look into him. We should receive some news soon enough." Valka responded.
"Good. You've done well, Valka. Be sure to also look into any relationships he may have with the workers at the Den of Everdreams. I do not know how he discovered the existence of the secret sequence, but we must ensure that it never happens again." The person seated stated.
"That guy was a bit strange, boss~. He may have fooled everyone else with his act, but he definitely isn't normal at all." The mysterious catgirl commented.
"I figured you would have noticed it as well." Valka chimed in with a sigh.
"Well, how could I not? Whether he was losing all of his money or dealing with that elephant merchant; his heartbeat remained calm and steady. That kind of man—he's dangerous. I suggest we exercise a certain level of caution in our approach." The mysterious catgirl said with a playful grin.
"Oh? To think you, of all people, would view someone so highly... Very well. Valka, send the orders out. For now, they are only to keep an eye on him and observe his movements." The person seated said calmly.
"I will take care of it, boss," Valka replied as she immediately left to carry out the orders she'd been given.
After Valka left the room, the person seated asked, "What do you think, Marine? Is that man someone capable of repaying what he has borrowed from the merchant in five weeks?"
The mysterious catgirl, Marine, replied, "It's hard to say since that man hid himself rather well behind a facade. But, judging from the way he had the elephant merchant wrapped around his finger the whole time, I would not be surprised if he were able to pull it off."
After Marine gave her answer, the person faced away from her fell silent as if they were contemplating something.
A few moments later, that person finally broke the silence and said, "Marine, go offer to buy ownership of that contract off the elephant merchant at the 1 tousai price he paid."
"Are you thinking of taking that man in, boss?" Marine inquired as her brows rose in surprise.
"If that person truly did somehow rely on his own methods to crack the secret sequence I set in place, then 1 tousai is a small price to pay to absorb him into the Den of Everdreams. Not to mention, William may only be someone from a Class 3 Merchant Group, but he is still a merchant. To get him to give up ten percent of the Emerald Elephant Merchant Group's annual profits with words alone—I am impressed." The feminine voice seemed to carry a tinge of amusement this time around.
The person seated then continued, "More importantly, I have never known your instincts about someone to be wrong, Marine. If that man really is as dangerous as you say, it's best to bring him over to our side. Even if that turns out to be impossible, at the very least, we should form an amicable relationship with him. Do you not agree?"
"The boss is right as always~," Marine replied with a light giggle.
The next moment, she turned around and walked towards the room's exit.
"Then, I shall excuse myself, boss~," Marine said as she casually waved her hand without turning back.
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'So, this is the place. It can't compare to those towering corporate buildings back on earth, but... Well, it's not bad at all.'
At the moment, Linkin stood in front of a large three-story building that made the other places he had visited so far in this world seem small in comparison. The building itself appeared to be particularly well constructed.
Additionally, located next to the entrance of the building were two guards clad in a full set of armor standing on each side.
Immediately after Linkin left the Den of Everdreams, he wasted no time making his way towards this place.
Linkin's gaze moved to the area above the building's entrance. There, written on a golden sign in black characters with exquisite calligraphy, were the words "Merchant's Guild".