Mayor Magnus sighed in relief after hearing Aster's concern.
"What... so you're worried about that?" He snickered. "Although we can't cure your disease, we at least have a way to halt its progress. Have you heard of Magic Tools?"
"..."
Of course, Aster had no idea about such objects. He just woke up a day ago inside a dilapidated laboratory, so there's no way for him to learn about such objects unless he was told about them.
"Well, I guess you don't." He shrugged. "Basically, it's something that can help you keep your disease in check... but not completely fix it."
Aster stood up in surprise, leaning forward as he shouted. "Something like that exists?!"
"Yes, of course! Though it's not easy to get your hands on one that can cater to your needs..."
"I see..." Aster was a little deflated but still hopeful.
If he can get a Magic Tool that can stop his disease even temporarily, then that would make it a lot easier for him to search for the panacea! However, nothing comes for free, of course.
"In exchange, you want me to accept your initial offer, right?" He guessed.
A quest to share his bloodline with as many girls as possible. Although it didn't feel too bad to have such a task, Aster was worried. He was but a lone individual, without any backing in the current world.
In short, if the government leveraged that to order him around, he couldn't refuse!
'I can't be a dog of the government nor become their puppet!' He thought.
If he relied too much on them, it would backfire. However, if he pushed them forcefully, it would backfire on him too. He needed to maintain a delicate balance so he could still become independent while gaining their backing.
"..."
Aster went silent for a few minutes, in deep thought. Mayor Magnus and his wife, Geneviv, stayed quiet, giving him enough time to think it through.
*Huff!*
Then, after five minutes passed, he finally raised his head with a firm expression.
"I understand. I'll accept your task, but I want to have the deed limited to once a year." He started negotiating.
Mayor Magnus smiled, as if anticipating him to rebut one way or another, but "reducing" the frequency was not in his consideration. Rather, he thought Aster would increase it, taking advantage of his having 100% human DNA.
"You're a human. At most, you can live a hundred years. Even if we assume you can successfully foster a child each year, that means you'll only have 80-ish offspring."
His eyes opened, revealing the red orbs glowing lightly in intimidation. "That, my friend, is far from enough to save the world. Once a day. Deal?"
"That's too frequent! I'm nothing but an 18-year-old virgin with no experience, and you expect me to just nod to that? Twice a year!"
"Then, I'll set an experienced woman as your first partner, so she can teach you a lot of things... You're young, so you can manage it, I'm sure. Once every other day."
"I have my disease to mind, or I'll die in five years! I need time to work on finding a panacea too! Once every two months!" Aster slammed his hand against the table.
"Right... Then, other than your own place, I'll prepare for someone to assist you in the dungeons. Once every three days."
"Cheapskate! Once a month! That's my lowest offer!"
Mayor Magnus sighed, planting his elbows on the table, before staring Aster in the eyes. "You do realize that if I disagreed with your offer, you wouldn't have any way to live in this world, right?"
"I know." Aster nodded with a firm resolve. "And I also know that you can't miss the chance of having me. What do you think of losing your only 100% human DNA source suddenly?"
*CHING!*
Aster pulled out a knife from somewhere. It could be taken as an attempted murder right then and there, but he quickly turned it toward a neck and smiled. "If I can't live the way I want, then that's like dying either way. You wouldn't mind me taking my own life, would you?"
"..."
Mayor Magnus stared at Aster, who had the table knife he brought with him pointed against his own neck. From its design, it was easy to guess where it came from—the hospital!
The mayor looked him in the eye, watching as cold sweat fell down Aster's temples, going down his cheek, and dripping off his chin. At that moment, Mayor Magnus smiled.
"No, you don't have the guts to do it. Still, I applaud your attempt at using your life as a bargaining chip. Once a week. How about it?"
"I see..." Aster closed his eyes.
Then he smiled sadly while looking at Mayor Magnus. "Too bad. Negotiations failed."
*STAB!*
"...!"
Without even the slightest hint of hesitation, he actually plunged the knife through the side of his neck! Mayor Magnus saw this and was shocked. "You brat!" He groaned in panic, rushing to Aster's side, who fell sideways on the sofa.
The wound was deep, and to make matters worse, he thrust it through a carotid artery, causing severe bleeding. Aster's vision was blurring, but he could still see the firm gaze of the mayor.
"You got me, you brat! Alright!" He growled before pulling the table knife out and placing a hand over Aster's.
Then he began to mouth words that Aster heard for the first time, as if from an unknown language. "Tertie Sirreo Cura! Great Heal!"
"...!"
Aster was slightly surprised. The pain in his neck vanished in a flash, replaced by a gentle warmth. Not only that, but even the blood he'd lost was returned!
"To think you'd seriously try to take your life." Mayor Magnus sighed, a hand on his face.
"You've got guts, kid. However, once a month is just too long. Twice a month. If you accept this, then I'd even give you your starting funds for your adventures."
Aster, upon hearing this, smiled weakly. "I don't need too much money, as I want to earn it myself. Just enough for registration fees or such. Then, it's a deal."
"..."
Magnus, seeing the smile on Aster's face, couldn't help but wonder if he had planned all this. Faking suicide and letting the mayor use magic to heal him. However, asking such a thing would be like admitting his loss, so he refrained.
"You've got yourself a deal, brave young man."
After that, with Aster leaning weakly against the armrest of the sofa, he listened to what Mayor Magnus had to say, mostly scolding him for his foolish actions. After a while, the two signed a document that his secretary prepared before Aster went back on his way.
As they watched the young man's back go through the door, Magnus sighed.
"What a guy!" He exclaimed. "He knew he had the advantage in negotiating, but he didn't force me into a bad position. Even once a month is acceptable to me."
If Aster refused his last offer, leveraging his life once more, then Magnus would have no other choice but to agree. That's just how precious his life was!
"Fufu, aren't you happy, though? At least you now know he's quite a schemer." Geneviv chuckled as she leaned closer to her husband. "At least he wouldn't be tricked and left naked and half-dead on a random alley, with how cautious he is."
"Too cautious... but at the same time, he regards his own life too little." He sighed. "I fear for his future if he goes into a dungeon."
A panacea can only be found on the 1,000th floor. It only has a shelf life of 1 hour. As such, other than finding one for yourself, it was practically impossible to get your hands on one.
"Well, I think you should prepare your heart first, dear." Geneviv smiled while licking her lips. "I'll become his first partner, after all."
"I know..." The man leaned back against the sofa as if he were feeling heavy-hearted. "I know." He repeated.
As if craving her warmth, Mayor Magnus pulled Geneviv closer to him. The two leaned against each other, staying quiet inside the room for a while.