The clinking of cutlery and the murmur of conversation filled the luxurious space of the Five Emperors Restaurant. Alister sat back in his plush chair, a satisfied sigh escaping his lips. Empty plates, piled high with remnants of a truly luxurious feast, surrounded him.
“Whew,” he announced, patting his stomach with a playful grin. “That was incredible. Thanks for the hospitality, everyone. Now, where were we?”
A chuckle rippled around the table, the tension easing slightly under the weight of a shared indulgence. Anya, the Berserker guild master, leaned forward, her gaze sharp.
“Alright, kid.”
“Now that you’ve successfully used our money to stuff yourself, let’s get down to business.”
A sudden silence descended upon the table. The lighthearted mood of the meal evaporated, replaced by an air of intense competition.
Anya, the Berserker guild master, cleared her throat, then said, “Alister. The Berserker guild offers a competitive starting salary of 200,000 union points a month, with a guaranteed annual raise based on performance. Additionally, you’ll receive a 5 million union points signing bonus upon joining.”
Eryx of the Blue Seals chimed in, a touch of pride in his voice.
“We at Blue Seals understand the importance of equipment for a summoner of your caliber. We’ll provide you with full access to A-rank training equipment, with the potential to upgrade to S-rank upon reaching specific milestones.”
Cheng Zhi, the leader of the Black Reapers, offered a sly smile.
“We at the Black Reapers recognize potential when we see it. You’ll be granted a luxurious, high-security apartment in the heart of the megacity, complete with A-rank personalized training facilities. A monthly pay of 100,000 union credits and a signing bonus of 3 million union credits.”
Arden of the Red Phoenix guild leaned forward, his tone smooth as silk. “Financial security is important, wouldn’t you agree? The Red Phoenix guarantees a monthly salary of 250,000 union credits, with a performance-based bonus structure that could see you earning upwards of 400,000 union credits per month.”
Aria, the Blue Seals’ strategist, spoke up next, her gaze sharp. “We understand the importance of a strong support system. You’ll be assigned a dedicated assistant to handle scheduling, equipment maintenance, and any other logistical needs you may have.”
The room was filled with a sense of competition. Yuuto Tsukumo, the guild master of the White Comets, remained silent, his silver eyes observing Alister with a detached interest.
Maya, having managed to sneak through the back door with a forged press pass, sat huddled in a corner booth, furiously scribbling notes on her tablet. Her heart pounded with excitement – this was gold, pure journalistic gold!
The silence stretched, thick with anticipation. Then, Anya of the Berserkers spoke again, her voice laced with a hint of amusement.
“And of course, let’s not forget about the most important aspect – resources. The Berserkers have access to a vast network of rare materials and elemental crystals, ensuring your drake companion has everything it needs to thrive.”
Arden, sensing the scales were tilting, quickly raised his bid. “The Red Phoenix will up our signing bonus to 7 million union credits and provide a fully customized A-rank armor set, tailored specifically for you.”
Anya, not to be outdone, immediately countered. “Fine, 10 million union credits as a signing bonus from the Berserkers, plus access to exclusive S-rank training facilities and personal combat instructors.”
Eryx of the Blue Seals wasn’t about to let his guild fall behind. “We’ll match the 10 million and throw in a private manor for your use, equipped with top-tier training grounds and a research lab for your summoning experiments.”
Cheng Zhi of the Black Reapers leaned forward, his eyes gleaming. “15 million union credits, and we’ll include a guaranteed position in our strategic command team, offering you influence over our operations and direct access to our highest-level resources.”
Aria glanced at Eryx before adding to the Blue Seals’ offer. “Additionally, we’ll provide you with a fleet of advanced hovercraft for personal and mission use, complete with stealth capabilities.”
The air in the restaurant felt tense as the guild representatives continued to raise their offers. Each guild was determined to outdo the others, sensing that securing Alister would bring immense prestige and power to their ranks.
Amidst the escalating bids, Yuuto Tsukumo of the White Comets remained silent, his silver eyes calmly observing the disple. He showed no signs of jumping into the fray, maintaining his composed demeanor.
Alister, watching the scene unfold, finally raised his hand to call for silence. “Alright, alright,” he said, amusement evident in his tone. “I think I’ve heard enough. Impressive offers from all of you. I think it’s time I come out and say what I want.”
The guild representatives all fell silent as they decided to listen to his words.
Yuuto Tsukumo, the guild master of the White Comets, let a small smile form on his lips. His assistant, noticing the change in his expression, thought, ‘He seems interested. Is this boy really all that intriguing?’
Alister took a deep breath and began speaking, “Firstly, I want a signing bonus of five million union credits and a monthly pay of one million union credits.”
The guild representatives exchanged glances, the stakes clearly set high.
“Secondly.”
“I need autonomy. I won’t be a pawn to be moved around at anyone’s whim. I need the freedom to pursue my own goals and projects, without interference.”
The guild representatives tensed up slightly, that was a direct declaration of being given permission to disobey orders.
“Thirdly, I want a fair share of the profits from missions and assignments I undertake. My contributions should be valued and compensated accordingly.”
Cheng Zhi smirked, clearly pleased with Alister’s practical demands.
“Fourth, I want access to the guild’s treasury, from which I would be allowed to pick out four items without any strings attached.”
At this, a feeling of unease rippled through the representatives. Arden’s smile faded slightly, Anya’s confident demeanor suddenly turned serious, and Aria exchanged a concerned glance with Eryx who was now giving Alister a death glare. Even Cheng Zhi’s smirk disappeared, and instead had on a more calculating look. The treasuries of their guilds held some of the most valuable and powerful items, and granting unrestricted access was no small request.
“And lastly,” Alister said, his eyes locking onto each representative, “for a very long time, I unfortunately won’t be participating in any dungeon raids.”