Lennok's senses keenly detected the faint aura of mana emanating from within the case.
Simultaneously, he was certain.
Contained within was a rare treasure, something Lennok had never encountered since arriving in this world.
His gaze remained fixated on the case, unable to tear his eyes away. Sensing his captivation, Panua wasted no time.
The balance of power between them had already been decisively tipped in her favor.
With the case now in Lennok's hands, Panua spoke, wasting no time. "Acquiring this item required a tremendous amount of effort. Not only from me, but also from numerous VIPs within our organization. I won't go into detail about the extent of the indirect and direct pressures, or the attempts to snatch it away."
Lennok chuckled at her seemingly exaggerated account of the challenges she had faced.
Opening the case, he beheld an object identical to what he had seen on the screen.
Five pencils bound together by a fluorescent chain.
Unknown characters were intricately engraved on each pencil, and even the protruding graphite was encased in a faint golden frame.
Though they appeared to be ordinary pencils on the surface, they were meticulously crafted with intricate detail.
The composition of these items would allow various nobles, including high-ranking officials, to understand why they were so highly sought after.
While man-made, they possessed an orderly arrangement of mana that justified their treatment akin to that of a relic.
Silently contemplating, Lennok closed the case and carefully stowed it in his pocket, his eyes filled with satisfaction. Panua promptly continued, not missing the contentment in his gaze.
"Of course, this gift serves as compensation for the disrespect we have shown you, Mr. Van. Should things progress favorably in the future, we are prepared to offer additional rewards as deemed appropriate."
Panua had become certain by now.
Lennok possessed the ability to overcome challenges through his own power alone. His mental fortitude and judgment were strong.
On the battlefield, he exuded an overwhelming presence that matched his formidable talent.
Rather than confining himself to the limitations of a wizard, he was someone who acted without hesitation when necessary.
Even if he were not on this stage, he was a capable individual who would have excelled in any civil service examination.
While their initial connection may have been a stroke of luck, the continuation of their relationship depended entirely on Panua's actions.
Leaning back in his chair, Lennok turned his gaze toward the window.
"So, what is the purpose of our meeting today? It seems you are not yet planning the next operation."
Several days had passed since the demise of Beck Clinton, but it was not yet time to initiate a new operation.
Having a rough understanding of Dyke's plan to seize the gang's territory only strengthened Lennok's conviction.
Once the gang's limbs were severed, there would surely be a follow-up plan to take their place immediately.
Most likely, the project team under Panua's command was currently filling the void left by the gang that Lennok had dismantled.
"Exactly. We are dedicating considerable effort to apprehending the small arms dealers who had partnered with the gang in supplying weapons. We plan to proceed with additional operations once the process of identifying those willing to cooperate with us is complete. The reason I summoned you today, Mr. Van, is to discuss a different matter."
"……"
"A visitor we never expected has proposed to cooperate with us."
After parking the sedan in the underground parking lot, they made their way to the bustling lobby on the first floor. The midday hustle and bustle of employees clutching phones and documents filled the company lobby.
While Lennok's face was not recognized by many, the attention focused on Panua as she walked confidently revealed her significant position within the company. Everyone had an inkling of how crucial her role was in shaping the direction of the massive corporation known as Dyke.
They swiftly proceeded to her office via the elevator.
Panua's personal secretary, stationed at the entrance of the spacious corridor, immediately informed her of the guest's arrival.
As Lennok headed towards the office and caught sight of the two faces waiting inside, he grasped the significance of Panua's earlier statement.
To be precise, it became clear upon seeing Maoren's grinning face beside a woman with short hair.
Platon Mercenary Office.
They, the partners of Cigar Bang and contributors to the arms business in District 40s, had personally come to visit Dyke's headquarters.
⏩ ⏩ ⏩ ⏩ ⏩ ⏩
"Nice to meet you. I'm Nicole Keller from Platon Mercenary Office. And this is Maoren."
With just two sentences, she concluded her introduction, shook hands with Panua, and took a seat.
Panua promptly instructed her secretary to bring some refreshments.
After a moment of silence, Nicole spoke first.
"Since we know each other well, let's get straight to the point."
"What do you mean?" Panua asked with quick wit.
Undeterred, Nicole continued her train of thought.
"Platon Mercenary Office has decided to terminate all transactions with Cigar Bang by the end of this quarter. Simultaneously, we will withdraw from all arms distribution, including our collaboration with Scavenger."
Despite Nicole's bold statement, Panua maintained a composed expression.
Indeed, her words were not surprising. Lennok understood the implications as well.
If Platon Mercenary Office, who had been involved in weapons distribution alongside Cigar Bang, had made the sudden visit to Dyke Corporation's headquarters, the reason behind it was evidently clear.
What mattered now was what would follow.
"I don't believe you came all the way to headquarters just to inform us of that," Panua remarked.
"Correct," Nicole readily agreed. "We have a list of the retailers who collaborated with us during the distribution. If Dyke Corporation is genuinely planning to embark on a new venture in District 40s, it would be of significant assistance."
"You want to trade," Panua deduced.
The decision was swift.
From Panua's perspective, it wasn't a bad deal if it could facilitate their ongoing work, and for Platon Office, it allowed them to solidify their position and provide the list in exchange for a small gain. No one concerned themselves with how the personal information of hundreds of individuals involved would be utilized.
With a modest sum of money and a few goods exchanged, Panua subtly rose from her seat.
"I will pass on the list to the employees involved in the project. It may take some time, but please bear with us."
Without waiting for Lennok's response, she promptly exited the office.
As soon as Panua disappeared from her seat, Maoren leaned forward slightly and began to speak.
"Long time no see, wizard. Do you remember who I am?"
"I never forget a face I've seen," Lennok answered gruffly. "Not until I kill them myself."
"I never expected that you, wizard, would be involved in this matter. It was only after hearing that Beck Clinton was struck by lightning and died that the name of the lightning wizard, who has been making a name for himself recently, came to mind."
Despite the harsh reply, there was no falter in Maoren's smile. There was no trace of the anger that had filled his gaze the first time Lennok saw him. Ironically, Lennok thought that this might be Maoren's biggest strength.
Nicole, who had been watching the conversation between the two, suddenly spoke.
"Do you know why we bothered to come here and have this conversation today?"
"What do you mean?"
"I won't beat around the bush. We want you at our office, Van the wizard."
Only then could Lennok understand why they had bothered to come and discuss with Dyke Corporation.
"To be honest, the arms business is not of great concern to our office. We were just dabbling in it because of the directives of our sponsors, and now that we know it's hopeless, it's time to pull out."
"Sponsors."
"There aren't only Dyke corporations interested in the outer district's rights. It's a natural thing, isn't it?"
With that, Nicole took a casual sip of her tea.
The Platon Mercenary Office.
He had heard rumors that they were growing rapidly with an abnormal amount of money for their size, and that they were backed by something, but he never expected Nicole to so blatantly reveal their dark business to Lennok.
It seemed that Nicole, too, had come to this meeting with a firm resolve.
"We're not interested in why you, a wizard, ended up here. We want your talent. That's all."
"This isn't a topic to discuss here."
"If Panua is not a fool, she would have a rough idea of why we came here. It's not a problem to worry about."
Direct and bold.
A person who does not hesitate to speak her mind. But, on the other hand, she is the type who can casually put such a sensitive subject on the negotiation table.
Dealing with such a person in a polite manner is almost a waste of time.
Crossing his legs and leaning back, Lennok spoke in a bored tone.
"Shall I tell you my honest feelings?"
"……"
"What you just said, I've heard it so much since I started working in this field that it's getting tedious."
Nicole fell silent at Lennok's harsh retort.
While freelancers and mercenaries may not seem to differ much on the surface, being affiliated with an office or not makes a significant difference.
Working under a boss in an organization like a mercenary office and working alone with only a broker as a freelancer differ in everything from the way they receive tasks.
Sure, going into the mercenary office would certainly make it easier to take on group assignments that would be tough for a freelancer to handle alone… but speaking coldly, that wasn't a big issue for Lennok.
"If it's just about doing one-off jobs together, I might consider it, but joining your office doesn't sound appealing at all. Unless, can you offer me something of this value for each assignment?"
When he showed the Ring of Fire and Ice he was wearing, he felt Maoren, who was next to him, swallow slightly.
Having protected Lennok's body countless times in battle with Beck Clinton, there was no doubt about its value.
"I understand."
Listening to Lennok, Nicole, who had been lost in thought, nodded her head.
"We underestimated the value of wizard Van. We didn't realize you were already receiving such artifacts as payment. We thought we could hire a skilled wizard at a bargain…"
"No, Sister. You don't need to be that honest…"
"You never know, right? It's better to be honest with such a person than to try to deceive them clumsily."
Maoren appeared as though he had more to say, but he closed his mouth under Nicole's sharp gaze.
It seemed that Maoren had significant influence on the Platon office's decision to recruit Lennok.
Even when they had first met, Lennok had thought Maoren was merely pretending perfectly, but could it be that he genuinely admired Lennok's abilities?
Before Lennok could finish his thoughts, Nicole, who had retrieved her handbag, rose from her seat without hesitation.
"I'll take my leave today. This won't be the only opportunity."
It seemed she was finished with all the discussions she needed to have with Panua. Nicole displayed impatience in many ways.
Observing Maoren awkwardly rise to follow her, she turned her head as if she had just remembered something before leaving the office.
"Ah, I should mention one more thing."
"What is it?"
"I don't know what you think of the work you're currently doing, but Dyke Corporation's current actions aren't that wise."
"……"
"You can't say that choosing to be the first to jump into the fray in these chaotic times due to the autonomous region agreement is wrong, but the frontrunner always takes on considerable risks."
Nicole stated with a chilling smile.
"Nobody knows if they will be the ones to hold the position that Dyke has established."
"That's obvious."
Lennok responded calmly, as if there was no need for further deliberation.
"I understand what you're trying to say, but isn't that too obvious?"
Nicole smiled enigmatically, then opened the door and vanished. Lennok stared at the closed office door and finished the remaining coffee.
He had a rough idea of why she had said what she did.
Perhaps she was trying to gauge his reaction by shaking him in various ways.
However, apart from being disappointed with Dyke Corporation's actions, Lennok did not believe they were foolish or incompetent to that extent.
After all, it was a massive corporation that had trampled over competitors in this city rife with conflicts and secured its position in the inner district.
The clumsy act of expanding their influence into the 40s districts notwithstanding, expanding their business foundation was a familiar practice for them, given their growth since establishment.
At least until this project was completed, it was right to maintain that belief and act accordingly.
Seeing Panua enter through the door, Lennok also stood up from his seat.
She wouldn't have summoned Lennok just for a meeting with the Platon Mercenary Office.
Since he had received the Five Fingers of Enakphil artifact today, he knew he would be involved in some bothersome work to some extent.
(TO BE CONTINUED)
