Chapter 260 On The Move (1)
Chapter 260 On The Move (1)
[You're getting soft.]
"Do you want me to kill everyone that comes in my sights or something?" Ashton was getting a bit annoyed by Astaroth's remarks, "Sorry to disappoint you but if intimidation works then I have no reason to kill anyone."
Astaroth was reprimanding him for not killing those hundred werewolves, even though it was pretty sure they were there to get rid of him. The bloodlust leaking from them was enough proof for that.
Ashton had felt it too and yet he decided to let them go and for some reason, Astaroth could not seem to understand the motive behind doing so.
"Motive... hmm, you still haven't figured it out and you keep making fun of my intelligence?" Ashton laughed as he crossed the portal, "The reason is pretty obvious. Maybe you're too worked up to think about it yourself."
[Brat, just tell me already.]
"Fine, listen up. I let them go to find out the identity of the person who sent them."
[The person who sent them?]
"You don't really think those fuckers came up with the plan to attack me, do you?" Ashton smiled, "Even if they did, do you think someone among them would be able to gather 100 adventurers between levels 25 to 30 to do something like that?"
He continued, "Someone from within the guild must have gathered them up. If I had to guess it was the mysterious guild leader sending small fries to take care of me. I'll get rid of the Gorillan and they'll get rid of me. It would be the perfect end result for them."
"But since they did not attack me, let alone kill me, the person would not be happy and do something. When it happens, I'll find out why they did what they did and handle the situation accordingly. Simple."
Astaroth seemed to have calmed down a bit. He was still a bit sore since it was a great opportunity to gain some proficiency points for the legendary skill. But Ashton's approach seemed logical.
There were quite a few enemies of his who had gone into hiding because of his hasty action. Thus it was a better option to hide his cards and play them at a more suitable time.
[Fine. Do what you want to.]
"Come on, swallow your pride and accept your defeat for once."
It was Ashton's turn to mock the tenant giving inside his head. But since Astaroth stopped responding Ashton had to stop as well. Either way, he was already at Deja's branch of the adventurer's guild and Ashton wanted to handle some business there.
"Lord Ashton, please come in, the manager has been waiting for you." The receptionist said in the politest tone possible and led him to Marco's office.
The branch manager had a genuine smile on his face as soon as he saw Ashton. He practically threw his hand in front of Ashton, but the latter did not acknowledge him or his hand and took a seat on the sofa.
It was clear as day what Marco was trying to do. He wanted to sort out the mess the so-called guild master had created, but Ashton had no intention of acting buddy-buddy with anyone of them.
"I never thought you would be able to resolve such a big issue so easily... haha," Marco said with a smile and took a seat right across from Ashton, "It was a pleasant surprise when I heard the news."
"But I never informed anyone about defeating the gorillan. How did you get to know about it before I told anyone?" Ashton knew exactly how but he wanted to hear it from Marco.
"Ah... you see we appointed a few observers to watch over the situation as you know it was a really important matter for us to handle."
"You mean you sent over some spies to keep an eye on me."
Ashton had successfully pushed Marco into a corner and both of them knew about it. As much as Ashton had respected Marco when they first met, all of that respect went straight into the drain as soon as the guild thought they could threaten him and get away with it.
Now it was Ashton's turn to threaten them and he had no intention of backing down. But unlike them, he wasn't going to give them a direct threat.
"Well, it's a good thing you know what happened to me there." Ashton leaned back on the sofa while placing his feet on the table, "Now you'll be able to compensate me properly."
"Compensate...? I don't understand-"
Marco turned his gaze away. Never in his life, he had thought a kid who wasn't even an adult yet would not only back him into a corner but would also keep on attacking him verbally. But he knew the guild master messed up so there wasn't much he could have done either way.
"I assume you have something in mind? As long as we are able to fulfil the request, I'll be more than happy to do so." Marco sighed.
"Excellent. Then how about a trade deal?"
"A trade?"
Ashton nodded politely before putting up a few pieces of equipment and weapons in front of Marco. The weapons ranged from melee weapons like swords and gauntlets to modern weapons like Hand cannons and explosives.
These were the weapons Ashton had asked Baiter to produce and keep ready. From the beginning, Ashton had never intended on using these weapons to take care of the gorillan, but to sell them to the guild at an absurdly high price, obviously.
"I think you're already aware of the havoc these weapons can unleash?" Ashton smirked, "So that's why I would like to sign a contract with the guild."
"Could I know the terms and conditions-"
"Of course, the guild branch of Lycania would buy weapons exclusively from me for five years at a non-negotiable price. Obviously, I would only supply high-end weapons to you. Also, if any unconquerable dungeon appears, I'll help you out with it, for a price of course."
Marco's bullshit meter was running in overdrive. But even then, getting his hands on weapons that were capable of obliterating night creatures was only for the best. The only thing he was worried about was the 'non-negotiable' price clause.
Ashton could very well rip them off and they wouldn't be able to do anything about it. Also, judging by what the spies informed him, stopping Ashton would require the entire guild spread across the lands of werewolves and vampires to come together.
Therefore, he could not afford to upset the kid any further or he would get fucked over by him.
"I-I accept."
"Great," Ashton enthusiastically replied, "Then, I'll leave these weapons here to serve as samples. Hope we can have a great relationship going ahead."
Saying so, Ashton got up and was about to leave but turned around at the last moment, "Since we now have a business relationship, allow me to give you some advice. Tell that guild master of yours to threaten people whom he can take care of. Not everyone is as tolerant as me."