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Chapter 718: Ransom (5)
An ICU visit.
Whatever the expression used, the very fact that kidnapper Jeong Yeongwoo had chosen the third buyer was practically a tremendous favor from the perspective of Dots Salzeo.
Honestly, considering the bastard’s actions up until now, it wouldn’t even have been strange for him to overturn the deal at the very end, yet in the end, hadn’t he kept his word as a kidnapper?
-You bastard…! I knew I could trust you after all! I knew you wouldn’t stoop that low!
“Bullshit. Don’t act like you trusted me.”
After shaking his head side to side, Yeongwoo looked at the Grade-3 Pass that had begun glowing blue.
“It was purely a choice made for my own safety.”
-Your safety……?
“Even if this is a deal where I set the rules, how am I supposed to trust that the other side will carry things out peacefully? Especially people planning to drag Salzeo away and torture him.”
-But… they’re still enemies of our family, and my older brother is the victim here.
“And just because they’re enemies of your family doesn’t mean they can’t become my enemies too. Scumbags like them don’t understand moderation. The moment I show even the slightest opening, or they judge themselves stronger than me, they’ll betray me immediately.”
On top of that, there was one more decisive reason.
“And right now, your brother’s half dead. Unless the private soldiers he brought along are around Grade-5 in martial prowess, they won’t be able to do much to me.”
In other words, he had chosen Eroom Salzeo as the trading partner in order to ensure a transaction without fatal variables.
“Right now I’ve got three bizarre ships once used by Great Ones in my possession. I’ve got plenty to lose at the moment too. No need to take any more risks.”
At Yeongwoo’s words, Dots Salzeo repeatedly nodded for the time being.
-Whatever the reason, I’m just grateful from my side.
“Right. For you, avoiding torture alone should already feel like a blessing. So tell your brother properly—I’m basically your benefactor.”
Just as Yeongwoo finished speaking, an ash-gray portal finally opened at the center of the living room.
The place where the deal with Eroom Salzeo would proceed had been prepared.
“Time to head in.”
As Yeongwoo turned around with those words, he saw everyone except Dots hesitating.
“…What? What is it?”
As Yeongwoo openly showed his displeasure, Sevio Fonta spoke on behalf of the group.
-All things considered, it seems like everything’s worked out fine, so isn’t there really any need for us to go too?
“What nonsense have you been spouting since earlier?”
-The young lord is heavily injured, right……? Then wouldn’t it already be a safe transaction without needing to use us as shields?
“The risk goes down for you guys too. Since the young lord’s half-dead, even if you come along to the trading site, the odds of you getting hurt have dropped significantly. And above all else.”
Swoosh.
Yeongwoo drew Bastard and continued.
“I’m the one holding the hilt. You never had any right to speak in the first place.”
-…….
“So stop whining and get in. Everyone here will either live or die together with me.”
As soon as Yeongwoo finished speaking and swept Bastard through the air, Dots Salzeo moved as though he had been waiting for it and stepped through the portal first, while the rest of the party also kept their mouths shut and followed after him.
* * *
The infamous trading hall where Dots Salzeo would be handed over.
Just like before, it was a dome-shaped structure with an absurdly high ceiling.
-Good heavens… this is a trading hall? What kind of trade are people even making here?
The one who reacted with the greatest shock was naturally Dots Salzeo himself, the product of this transaction.
From his perspective, he couldn’t even begin to guess the purpose of this vast and towering space.
In response, Yeongwoo pointed upward into the empty air and traced an arc.
“If I’m going to throw your ass all the way to the far end without embedding you into the ceiling first, I need enough space, don’t I?”
And the moment he finished speaking, the transaction system informed them of the current trade format.
「Transaction Method: Stone Toss.」
“Oh, what the hell. It’s still Stone Toss.”
Looking toward the opposite side of the trading hall as he said this, Yeongwoo saw an ash-gray portal opening there as well.
Eroom Salzeo and his private soldiers had just arrived.
The first to emerge from the portal were five guards, followed by the remaining eight escorting a massive palanquin.
-Brother……!
The moment Dots Salzeo saw the silver-white palanquin, he trembled as though he might dash forward immediately.
Yeongwoo blocked his path with Bastard.
“Wait. The rules probably haven’t been finalized yet.”
And indeed, a new system message appeared, telling them to wait briefly.
「The buyer’s security grade is Grade 2.」
「Transaction temporarily suspended. Buyer is reconsidering the transaction method.」
“Goddammit.”
Yeongwoo ground his teeth.
It was then that the silver-white covering draped over the palanquin on the opposite side was pulled back, revealing Eroom Salzeo.
“Still, fortunately, he really is nearly dead.”
Just as expected, the Eroom Salzeo inside the palanquin was so heavily injured he could barely even open his eyes properly, and apparently walking was difficult too, since he remained seated in the palanquin despite having entered the trading hall.
Then what transaction method would Eroom choose?
‘Tag? Absolutely not. That favors the seller too much.’
Then would he choose Fair and Square and attempt a direct exchange at the center?
‘Not sure. He can barely even move his own body properly right now… so that’d be burdensome for him too.’
Perhaps Eroom Salzeo was having similar thoughts, because the “Reconsidering Transaction Method” message continued for quite some time.
Then finally.
BEEEEEP!
With a sharp signal sound, the buyer side made its decision.
「Transaction Method Confirmed: Stone Toss.」
“What?”
Yeongwoo’s eyes widened, and Dots along with the rest of the group also gaped in shock.
-What? It stayed the same? Didn’t he choose wrong?
Sevio wore an expression of utter disbelief.
And Dots likewise voiced doubt regarding his brother’s decision.
-Why… why would he……?
At that, Yeongwoo slowly nodded and spoke.
“Because Stone Toss is the perfect transaction method.”
-The perfect transaction method……?
“Stone Toss guarantees that both sides receive exactly what they want, and exiting is only possible through the central exit gate. So if an unexpected variable appears, it’s possible to barricade the exit and hold the position.”
[Stone Toss]
|Transaction: Each trader stands at opposite ends of the trading hall and throws their respective transaction item at the system’s signal.
|Exit: An exit gate appears at the center of the trading hall.
Conversely, if the transaction ended smoothly, it was also a method where one could simply allow the other side to leave through the exit gate without detaining them.
In other words, because the product this time happened to be a living being, “Stone Toss” felt malicious, but if examined closely, it was actually an extremely balanced transaction method.
“As expected of the heir to a great family. He’s quite smart. But did he predict the ‘favor’ I’m about to demand?”
While Yeongwoo grinned wickedly, the real transaction finally began.
「Before beginning Stone Toss, price setting will commence.」
「Once the buyer displays their initial offer, the seller will adjust the price by pressing either the Transaction Approved or Transaction Rejected button.」
Then a red button and a green button rose up beside the visibly nervous Dots Salzeo.
Fwoooosh!
「The number of ‘Transaction Rejected’ uses available in this trade is 4. If the seller rejects the offered price 4 times, the transaction will immediately terminate.」
「Price setting will now begin. The default unit is ‘hundred millions.’」
-W-What is this?
“What else? Price negotiation buttons.”
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Having experience with Stone Toss, Yeongwoo naturally positioned himself directly behind Dots Salzeo, right between the two buttons.
At that moment, Eroom Salzeo, who had likewise been presented with two buttons, showed a slightly surprised expression before stepping down from the palanquin.
“Looks like your brother’s experiencing Stone Toss for the first time. And his condition doesn’t look too good either.”
-D-don’t torment my brother.
“Your brother’s a Grade-4 existence. He’s not someone people can casually torment. On the scale of the universe, he’s a major figure who’s carved his existence deeply into reality.”
He was referring to the Sea of Identity he had seen before.
Up to Grade 5 they were represented as great mountains, but starting from Grade 4, weren’t they represented as sculptures or structures possessing individuality?
“Now then, your brother’s about to name the promised ransom.”
And truly, a bright flash burst forth from the opposite side, and the buyer’s proposed price appeared in midair.
[85, one family sword, one hundred random-grade swords.]
Exactly as previously promised—8.5 billion cash and a total of 101 weapons.
Yeongwoo immediately slammed the red button.
BOOOOM!
「Seller Opinion: Transaction Rejected.」
At once, agitation spread through the Salzeo side.
The thirteen knights accompanying the young lord exchanged looks and murmured among themselves, while Eroom Salzeo standing before the buttons visibly twisted his expression.
Then once more, he sent the exact same proposal as before.
[85, one family sword, one hundred random-grade swords.]
And just like before.
BOOOOOM!
「Seller Opinion: Transaction Rejected.」
That already marked the second rejection, meaning only two chances remained.
And finally, Eroom Salzeo spoke personally.
-What exactly are you trying to pull?
His voice clearly carried the feeling of someone who had been beaten nearly to death by Gatekeeper Sezak.
It truly sounded like the strained voice of someone on the verge of dying.
“Looks like the entrance exam was pretty rough. Honestly, I don’t think this transaction is your biggest concern right now.”
As Yeongwoo shouted this across the hall, the sound of Eroom Salzeo’s composure snapping echoed through the vast space.
-Cut the bullshit and accept the proposal. I didn’t come all the way here to dance to your games.
At that, Yeongwoo brought Bastard to Dots Salzeo’s neck to make it clear he wasn’t joking around.
Sliiide.
“Does this look like a joke to you?”
-You insane bastard.
“I went through a lot bringing your little brother here safely. I even turned down an offer of 33 billion to come here.”
At Yeongwoo’s words, Eroom squeezed his eyes shut tightly to suppress the rage surging inside him.
-So what do you want? Unfortunately, that’s the full reward prepared. I can’t offer any more than that.
“Yeah, your brother already explained plenty. Said that’s realistically the best you can do.”
-I just need to receive him safely. At the very least, I guarantee there’ll be no further trouble today.
In other words, if he accepted the proposal, they’d let him go safely without betrayal.
Yeongwoo immediately responded as though he had been waiting for that.
“That’s exactly the problem.”
-…What?
“While bringing this guy here, I ended up creating a lot of future trouble.”
-What the hell does that mean?
“Some insane machine inspector is searching for me somewhere outside this trading hall. No doubt he’s also guarding the path toward the hangar. So even aside from you, I’ve already got more than enough trouble waiting for me.”
-But that’s purely a grudge related to you, isn’t it?
“As if. If I hadn’t come here to sell your brother in the first place, I never would’ve run into that lunatic machine bastard again.”
That was only half true.
He had encountered Mohir in the underground layer of the Black Zone, meaning it wasn’t directly related to selling Dots Salzeo.
But from Dots’ perspective, he had no choice but to support this crazy kidnapper’s side.
Because he understood that was the only way this transaction would end safely.
-I-it’s true, brother! This guy even saved my life!
-He saved your life……?
-When that machine inspector attacked, he shoved me away and told me to at least survive and run.
At least superficially, that part was true.
So when Dots said it, his voice overflowed with sincerity, and Eroom Salzeo couldn’t help but be shaken.
-But…….
Eroom Salzeo tried to argue something back.
Yeongwoo hurriedly cut him off before he could continue.
“And that’s not all. This place is crawling with people who’d gladly pay anything to get their hands on a living Salzeo. The only reason he’s still alive is because I personally escorted him here.”
-…….
Whether from stress or because of the injuries Sezak had inflicted, Eroom Salzeo grimaced and clutched his stomach as abdominal pain struck him.
Then, glancing briefly at the two negotiation buttons, he asked once more.
-So what exactly do you want? I don’t want to repeat myself, but there’s nothing more I can give you.
At that, Yeongwoo raised two fingers.
“There are only two additional things I want.”
-Two things?
“First. Once this transaction ends, escort me safely to the hangar. And if that machine inspector shows up, fight him with your life on the line. You’ll have to do that anyway if you want to keep your brother safe.”
-You’re my brother’s kidnapper… and you’re telling me to pay you and escort you too?
“Why am I a kidnapper? Once this deal ends, won’t I become the benefactor who returned your brother?”
-But…….
Eroom tilted his head as though about to point out the contradiction, but soon stopped thinking further.
-…Fine. What’s the second thing?
“Give me your favor.”
-My favor?
“It’s something I learned about after coming here. Turns out it’s extremely useful.”
-I’d appreciate it if you spoke clearly and made logical sense.
“Ah, then I’ll put it simply. Issue me an Eroom voucher usable anytime, anywhere.”
-…What?
“When I’m in danger or need some muscle, I want to be able to call you.”
-……?
Faced with an idea so absurd he had never even imagined it, Eroom wore a dazed expression utterly unfitting for him.
And the same went for everyone else present.
-You think something like that would be possible?
“Why wouldn’t it be? Right now, you came here ignoring your family’s principles to hand compensation money to your brother’s kidnapper.”
-But I…….
“Yeah, you’re the heir of a great family. So I won’t interfere with your duties. All you have to do is cross the universe to help me the moment I use the voucher. Alone.”
Then Yeongwoo added afterward.
“Of course, if I run into you over matters related to your family, this agreement becomes exempt. I’ll only call you for my personal business, so don’t worry.”
-Then I suppose I’ll just have to kill you as soon as possible.
“If you can, that’d probably be the best option for you.”
As Yeongwoo shrugged fearlessly, Eroom let out a deep sigh and attempted to send another transaction proposal.
Since the other side had stated two additional conditions, he judged the discussion finished.
But Yeongwoo instead said:
“Whoa there, what are you doing? There’s still one more thing left.”
-You clearly said with your own mouth that you wanted two more things.
“Nope. There’s one more.”
-You’re testing the limits of my patience.
“This really is the last one. I swear it on your brother.”
-…Speak.
At that, Yeongwoo stepped forward and raised Bastard.
“Fight me in a duel exactly as you are right now.”
-What?
“I’ve never beaten a Grade-4 existence before. Feels like I won’t get another opportunity like this.”
-Are you trying to humiliate me?
“No. It’s purely to raise my Prestige Level. Besides, if you fight a Planetary Shipmaster, you’ll gain something from it too.”
A duel with a Planetary Shipmaster.
There was no way Eroom Salzeo, who had deeply learned about the universe, wouldn’t know that the act itself would greatly help the growth of one’s prestige.
And indeed, Eroom visibly showed interest.
-I wonder whether the system would recognize a match against such a vile Planetary Shipmaster as a proper battle.
“Calling something vile or righteous is just the standard of insignificant creatures. The universe’s perspective is far broader and deeper than that.”
At Yeongwoo’s words, Eroom Salzeo let out a hollow laugh.
-Fine. Come forward. If you’re volunteering to get beaten, there’s no reason for me to refuse.
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