Double-Blind: A Modern LITRPG

Chapter 169

I didnt have the time or the patience to play this nice. In seconds, I was out of my chair and on his side of the room. He flinched, as if I was about to strike him. Instead, I pushed a number of papers and trinkets out of the way and took a seat on the desk, planting one foot on the seat of his chair.

Needed to reset the stakes. Make him think this wasnt really about the charms.

You know, I spoke idly, I tend to come off as an asshole. Or so Ive been told. As such, Ive been making a not-insignificant effort to turn over a new leaf. Sort of an evergreen new-years resolution to be nicer. If that makes any sense.

Uh Daron started.

But I find myself constantly placed in situations where being nice just doesnt cut it. I ran a hand through my hair. Which makes that commitment complicated in situations like this.

Ive been nothing but hospitable. Daron blustered.

With that? I pointed to the contract-turned-paper plane. That was an insult at best.

How?

Because youve been selling flight charms outside your district to the highest bidder. I glared down at him furiously. That affects the market, Daron. Even if you refuse to take part in it. Hell, especially if you refuse to take part in it.

A bead of perspiration dripped down Darons forehead, as he squinted, deep in thought. Your vehicle sales

Not just any vehicles. I glowered. The moneymakers. The not-Audis, the not-Lambos, the not-motherfucking-Ferraris. Nobody wants to impulse buy a luxury car when their bougie-ass friends are flying.

Daron grew quiet, focused. His eyes flicked to the side, probably trying to pull his social UI and message for help. freewёbnoνel.com

I snapped my fingers in front of his face. Hey. In case you didnt notice? I left a small army of mercenaries outside. Currently, this is a negotiation. You call your guys, and this escalates? It stops being a negotiation. Turns into something a lot less pleasant. That what you want?

I could almost see him carefully closing the screen and turning back to me. Sorry. Im I apologize. We had no intention of stepping on the Merchant Guilds toes.

Apologies are cheap. Reparations arent.

Darons mouth firmed. Regardless of what you threaten me with, I cannot sell the flight charm on the open market. That is non-negotiable.

He stared at me, unflinching, long enough for me to realize he was resolute. Which was fine. Daron was right that the exclusivity of the charm was where it drew most of its value. If he let Kinsley sell it, everyone who could afford the charm would buy itat first. Then the downsides and limitation would trickle into the market discourse, and it would slowly fall out of interest.

I crossed my arms. Then were at an impasse. Only, the place youre in looks a lot more tenuous than where Im standing.

Daron chuckled nervously. Were both region leaders. In terms of power and authority, we are the same.

Its like everyones already forgotten the transposition. I said. Eight and Nine are average regions at best. Not particularly wealthy. Im guessing in your rush to lock down Powerful Friends you havent given them the time of day, despite the fact that theyre your bordering neighbors. And of course, theres region six at your back. A convenient chasm for any large-scale attack to push you into. If the next event is even remotely similar, how do you think its going to play out?

Darons mouth worked in a silent stammer, before he finally found a voice. Perhaps, theres an alternate course.

Im listening.

As I said, its not feasible for me to sell the charms on the market. But what if we were to sell a predetermined number of flight charms to both your affiliated guilds, in return for an assurance of support during the next event. Provided, of course, at a significant discount

I shook my head and stuck my thumb up, slightly.

Daron frowned. A small discount

I repeated the motion.

At a slight up-charge? Daron asked, cautiously hopeful.

I nodded slowly. That would be a step in the right direction.

As much as I didnt like Daron, screwing an entire region out of profit from their only export was unnecessary.

Darons wide smile started to resurface. I produced a second magical contract, tailored to the terms we discussed, then pushed it over to him. After scanning the terms and finding that everything was as wed discussed, Daron signed it on behalf of Region 7. Once hed signed, the rotund man was uncharacteristically quiet.

Something wrong? I asked.

You never wanted to sell the charms on the open market, did you? Daron asked, disquiet in his voice as the realization dawned on him.

I scooped the contract out from in front of him, signing the corresponding field. Does it matter? Were both getting plenty out of this deal as it is.

I guess not. Daron shrugged, shooting me one more suspicious glance before he finally relaxed in his chair.

This was partially why Id encouraged him to increase his bulk price. He wasnt the brightest bulb in the hardware store, but he wasnt stupid. Even if he realized Id effectively forced the negotiation towards the outcome Id intended from the beginning, hed have the comfort of the money to fall back on.

Now. About the clip-on angels upstairs.

/////

A long line of cars was deadlocked down the street. The waiting motorcade blocked a single lane of traffic, but it seemed as if rubbernecking was the one thing that hadnt changed much. Someone honked and waved at me. I awkwardly waved back, feeling oddly exposed at the attention.

One of the waiting mercenaries popped the door open for me.

Productive meeting, sir? Ire asked. The several mercenaries Kinsley assigned me all went by callsigns. He had a head and a half on me and was all muscle and tough, sunbaked skin. Overall, the man looked hard as nails, save for the pink chewing gum bubble he incessantly inflated. It never seemed to popthe bubble. Just slowly deflated and receded into his goateed mouth.

Just Matt, please.

You got it, Just Matt. Ire grinned.

I settled in the back seat, feeling entirely out of my element, as Ire popped the door and leapt into the passenger side.

Being chauffeured around felt strange and unnecessary. Even if it was for my protection.

Where to? My driver asked. He was a humorless looking man, who looked like hed have difficulty eating, considering the mustache.

With a minor adjustment, I looped my seatbelt over my shoulder and laid down. Dunno. Need to report to the adventurers guild in the late afternoon. Other than that, we have time to kill. You guys gotta be hungry by now, right?

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the men exchange a glance in the front seat.

Weve got calories to spare. Gritthe driversaid. Ire harrumphed and gave him a long-suffering stare. Grit ignored him. Miss Kinsley was explicit that you were to get as much quality rest as possible.

You call her Miss Kinsley?

Never to her face. Ire snorted.

The irreverence didnt fool me. Kinsley had to be paying a fuckton for this level of loyalty from guys this seasoned.

Im resting. Im comfortable. I plastered over my eyes, blocking out any extraneous light, and indicated towards myself with the other hand.

Dont look very comfortable. Grit observed.

I shifted in my seat, annoyed at the persistent twinging pain in my ribs. I got shot last night. As far as comfort goes, this is as good as it gets. Seriously, I spent enough time in the apartment while I was wheelchair bound. If you want to stop somewhere, just stop somewhere.

Pete. Ire said.

No. Grit replied.

Dude.

No.

Its literally ten minutes from here.

In potentially hostile territory.

Someone want to fill me in? I finally said, if only to stop the back-and-forth. They werent doing a good job keeping their voices low.

Grits a grumpy asshole. Ire said.

Cautious assholeasshole.

I knew that already. I said. Grit took a corner at an angle that was probably sharper than necessary, and I grimaced as my head bumped into the side panel. And generally, I prefer caution to the alternative. But what are we talking about?

Someone sighed. Most likely Grit.

Smokey Jons. First barbecue place to reopen in downtown. With the most glistening, succulent, hard-on inducing ribs you ever did see. System meats all the same, but the glaze and cooking process? Thats where the magic happens. Ire told me.

Grit spoke up. What Ires leaving out, is that its in region five. Filled to the brim with countless suspicious motherfuckers that wont stop talking about their fucking tower. Bad place to bring a VIP.

I considered it. Ribs really that good?

On my life. Ire promised.

I weighed the potential risk. I dont think theyll try anything. Theyre going for a tourist vibe. So long as we stay clear of the dungeon, we should be safe. And Ive wanted to get some reconnaissance in for a while anyway. Get a feel for the place. Nothing good. Thats the feel. All kinds of wrong. Grit insisted.

You heard the man. Ire grinned.

Grit came to a stop and pulled a U-turn.

Wake me when we get there. I pulled the neck of my hoodie over my face.

Roger.

I felt the tendrils of sleep slowly begin to encroach.

There was a chime in my ear. Tylers name and image appeared on my interface, indicating a voice call.

This is Matt. I said, not trying to hide the irritation in my voice. Someone chuckled up front.

Matt. Tyler said flatly, in a voice that didnt sound pleased. I understand you just met with Daron?

Yes. Weve got the flight charms. Its all copacetic.

It was supposed to be initial talks. Kinsley said she was mostly sending you for recreation. Tyler said. Again, I didnt understand why he sounded so irritated.

There was an opportunity and I took it. Whats the problem?

I just got off a call with Daron. The man was weeping. He said you strong-armed him. If he reports this to the region council, theres going to be an issue. There was a clear accusation in Tylers voice. Couldnt afford to brush this off.

Did he also tell you about the underage girls in swimsuits, acting as post-flight massage attendants? I shot back.

There was a long pause. No, he did not.

For what its worth, he claimed he didnt know and promised to clean it up.

You believe him? Tyler asked.

I rolled my eyes and turned into the seat, shielding myself from the sun. Do I believe Daron didnt bother asking for ID, and hell probably zip up his image after this? Sure. He doesnt strike me as an always-does-his-homework type of guy. But Tyler

Where theres smoke, theres fire. Tyler said. He still sounded angry, but not at me.

Im not the morality police. Nor am I looking to fuck with anyones hustle. Just like before the dome, probably more now, theres plenty of desperate, of age people who need to make ends meet and are lacking resources. They need to do that by turning to alternate means? Not my business. Or anyone elses

They shouldnt have to. Tyler growled. We should all be helping each other.

Maybe. But whens that ever actually happened?

Tyler hesitated. Im tempted to cancel the contract altogether. Give him back his charms and wash our hands of it.

We hit a bump, and I grunted. Your call. Want my opinion?

Shoot.

My brow furrowed. The question is management. Theres a world of difference between someone employing independent contractors and old-school pimping. If Darons just enabling and taking a nominal fee, or hell, even a house-cut, thats to be expected. But if its more predatoryif hes actively backing at-risk people into a corner and turning them out? Thats a whole other ball game.

A female voice on the other side said something indecipherable, and I waited as Tyler uttered a hushed reply.

After a moment, he spoke. Were going to have to look into this. No way around it. And its unfortunate that were already beholden to them.

The seat my face was buried in smelled vaguely of smoke. Were covered. Daron was so rattled from the negotiation, he barely read over the contract. I snuck in a morality clause.

Thought you werent the morality police.

Only when it suits me. In short, we can sever our connection with region seven at any time for conduct unbecoming.

And keep the charms?

We paid for them. Of course, itd be bad optics to renege on a technicality, unless theres a very public scandal, but that can always be arranged.

Tyler sighed. Sometimes, Matt, our strategy discussions make me feel like Im talking to the devil.

Tell me how you really feel.

I was mainly calling to ask you to take it easy. It sounded like you were a little on edge. But giving the context, I cant complain. Well done.

Thats what youre paying me for.

Tyler chuckled. I dont pay you.

Damn.

Look. In my opinion, you should be in bed recuperating. From what Miles said, even letting you outside is a risk right now. But since I know you wont listen do you want in on this? You brought it to my attention. I can set up a quest. Actually get you paid if you want to look into it yourself.

I thought about it. The image of the dead-eyed sixteen-year-old up in the post-flight lounge, the way shed looked at me. The ever burgeoning list of responsibilities and time constraints I already had.

No. I finally said. Call an audible if you need me. But theres too much on my plate already.

Understood. Have a few people in mind, good at what they do. Ill keep you in the loop.

Thanks.

There was a beep as Tyler ended the call. It felt as if Id barely closed my eyes before the SUV came to a stop.

Welcome to region five. Ire announced with glee, Home of the best damn barbecue this side of the yeehaw state.

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