After a nice and brief conversation over the phone, Zane was finished voicing his thoughts. Really, it was more of a one-way explanation rather than a conversation, but regardless, Veronica fell into silent thought for a long time.
"… Y'know, your conditions are quite overbearing."
"I realize that," Zane replied. "However, I've already explained the situation. Whether you accept or not is your choice."
When Zane told her that he'd accept her offer, he'd done so under two ridiculous-sounding conditions—one, he would receive five million dollars upfront, used to convince Levi Schubert to save Zyra. And two, Zane would only work at the guild part-time—he did not have to participate in every Hunt, and would only be join in when he felt like it. Naturally, this was a farce—he wouldn't go in at all.
It was next to a scam, and in all honesty, he didn't expect Veronica to accept—but even that was within his calculations.
"… And what will you do if I don't accept? You have no one to turn to, do you now?"
"That is true." He didn't even try to bluff. With Veronica's influence and power, lying was futile. "But are you really willing to just let my sister die like that?"
"Mm… playing the moral card, I see. As expected of someone who has known me for seven years."
Correct. Zane knew for certain that Veronica, despite her cunning and scheming in business, was not a cold-hearted woman. In fact, quite the opposite. She wasn't the type to help just anyone in need, but towards a seven-year acquaintance, she would definitely not just leave Zane in the dust.
"Can I take that as you accepting my terms?"
But to Zane's surprise, Veronica's response was outside his calculations.
"Not quite. While I can allow your second condition, the first I disagree with. Giving you five million dollars upfront is not too big of a deal for me, but…"
Zane's heart tightened. He could understand Veronica's caution—despite knowing each other for seven years, he wouldn't consider her a close friend or anything like that. He assumed she thought of him the same way. But if she really couldn't help him financially here, then…
He clenched his fists. He had no one else to go t—
"… it will not be able to guarantee that man's help."
Zane paused. "… What?"
"I've heard of this… Levi Schubert before. He is a famous figure across the world. A mere five million will not sway him. If a nobody goes to him with a request, he will simply extort you using his status and power over and over again until you are penniless."
He narrowed his eyes. "What are you proposing?"
"I will reach out to him myself, and make the request under my name," Veronica replied. "My power and influence is something that even he fears. No famous figure does not know my name, after all."
It sounded like a boast, but it was true. Veronica Lannfield was an incredible name all across the globe, be it between celebrities, other entrepreneurs, or simply common folk. But there was one problem…
"Of course, for this plan to work, I'd have to show him that I have some sort of relationship with Zyra," she continued. "Which is why just for the sake of this, we will pretend to be engaged."
… Exactly that. But to think she could put forward something like that this easily.
Zane was baffled. "… Why are you willing to do this for me?"
At this, Veronica chuckled. "You know the answer yourself, don't you? Otherwise, you wouldn't have played the moral card just now."
"No, not that. I mean… why me? Since the beginning, you didn't treat me like the average tenant. You even moved me to the one you personally stayed at, despite me originally being from a different city. Why?"
"Hm… good question. Let's just say… I found you amusing, porter of porters."
With a soft giggle, Veronica dismissed the question, and smoothly changed the topic.
"Come to my office tomorrow. We will discuss the details of the guild then."
Promptly after, the two ended the conversation and Zane hung up. Slowly, he lowered his phone, and stared out the window of the hospital room his sister was staying in.
'… Well. That's one way to resolve this matter.'
All that's left—was to execute the plan in one week's time.
*****
- Meanwhile, Veronica's Office -
Within a large, confined room surrounded by rosewood bookshelves, two beauties resided—one sitting in a throne, and the other in a maid outfit standing beside her dutifully.
"Milady… I apologize, but I'm afraid I must ask—why did you accept that man's outrageous terms? It is true that a mere few million dollars is nothing much to us, but even so, I fail to see a reason to help him."
Of the two, the maid seemed to be confused, but the other woman simply smiled and shut her eyes.
"Ah, come now, Ai. Don't be so hung up over it. I've known Zane for seven years—it is only natural that I lend a hand when he needs it, no?"
The maid, however, was still skeptical.
"… Forgive my bluntness, milady, but you are not the type to help anyone for no reason."
At this, the other woman sighed. "Ahaha… I suppose you are right. Perhaps being by my side since my childhood has let you come to understand my personality quite well, yes?"
The maid nodded. "If you do not wish to tell me, I will not pry further. However, it just bothers me, is all…"
"Hm… well, it is nothing too complicated. You did notice how much he changed since we last met him, correct?"
The maid nodded. "It is quite extravagant, the difference. Despite never bothering to shoot him a second glance in the past, today, I even felt myself… no, never mind."
"You found your heart speeding up around him, eh? Unable to look away from his eyes? Don't worry, I felt the same. It would seem he has a charming aura to him, be it intentional or not."
Having been called out by her master, the maid averted her gaze in embarrassment. Victoria, seeing this, only chuckled, before returning to the topic of conversation.
"You remember what I told you to research after he left, yes? And what you found?"
"Yes. As I've previously reported, he just returned as the sole survivor of a Hunt earlier today. Said Hunt had abnormal signatures when it first appeared, and a large party of low-rank Hunters went in to investigate. He was part of the party."
"That's right. Doesn't this… 'abnormal signature' part intrigue you a little?" Victoria smiled wryly. "It has happened before too, of course. Odd energy fluctuations from Dungeons are nothing new. But to think he has changed this much after returning from one? I believe this matter is worth looking into."
At this, it finally hit Ai, and her eyes widened.
"I see… you accepted his terms to keep him around and monitor him…"
"Fufu, you finally understand. Of course, Zane is not a stupid man, despite how he used to seem—I've always know this. I'm sure he has already figured out my intentions. The whole 'moral card' he played earlier? That wasn't his real attempt at persuasion. That was him testing me. But even if he knows about my intentions, he does not really have a choice, does he? Both he and I realize that. The phone call was over before it even began."
"… It seems you truly hold him in high regard."
"Naturally. After all, when was the last time you've seen a porter survive in the industry for past a year without moving up the ranks?"
Usually, if a porter did not become an E-rank Hunter by the one month mark, they'd die in a Hunt sooner or later. It would mean they weren't cut for the job, and it was only a matter of time before they slipped up and lost their life. The statistics said as much, and Victoria's information network was incredibly large—yet Zane was the sole outlier, so much so that he wasn't even on the graph if a visual representation were to be shown. Clearly, he was not so simple. He had a will of survival far stronger than anyone else, and the ability to think quickly on his feet.
"… I see. I understand now. But your goal of trying to recruit him still says the same, I'm guessing?"
Victoria nodded. "Yes. The information digging is just a bonus. My guild will consist of all the hidden elites of the world—the talents that no one knows about, but exist in the shadows. Zane Silverdale… is the prime example. And besides—despite his second condition practically letting him choose to never participate in Hunts, I agreed anyway. Why do you think that is?"
"Because there will be rewards too large for him to ignore…?"
Veronica smiled. "Precisely."
After all, that was where she'd come from—the shadows. A hidden gem, who had to fight her way to the top with her own abilities. No recognition, no outside assistance.
And now, she would show the world—just how dangerous and powerful that these hidden elites can be.