Chapter 26: Black Market (6)

"Hollow was it? What seems to be the problem? Perhaps I can help. I've always been told that I'm quite the negotiator," Caellum spoke to Hollow in a gentle voice, hoping to establish some rapport since he absolutely wanted to recruit him for several reasons.

Firstly, based on the strength Hollow demonstrated in the ring, he absolutely wanted to hire him, and, considering how scruffy and poor he looked, there was a good chance he would succeed if he offered a competitive salary and benefits. After all, only desperate people woke up and decided to fight for their lives in a black market fighting ring.

Secondly, Caellum needed to understand why this scruffy-looking guy spoke Italian, a language from Caellum's own world. He needed to know where, when, and how Hollow had come to this world, and if he had any information on how to go back.

Unfortunately-

"Butt out," Hollow replied coldly, his dim hazel eyes ignoring Caellum and flashing between the person wearing a serpent mask, who was undoubtedly the bigger threat between the two new arrivals, and Red, who still hadn't put down his cane.

Three individuals in the room, Red, Hollow, and Yaga, all stared at each other warily, gauging each other's strength while simulating a battle in their heads.

And Caellum, the fourth person, unperturbed with the increasing tension, shrugged while turning to Red and rummaging in his cloak for the magic pouch he had received from Emrys for a particular item.

"As I mentioned earlier, I couldn't help but overhear you both, and it seems that Hollow and I are in the same boat in that we both want to get paid and don't understand why there's a delay in payment? As an organizer, you have a reputation to keep, and if you keep acting like this, it will alienate those who want to do business like my associates and me. That's not your intention, correct?"

With a casual motion, Caellum tossed one of the plaques he received from Ghani, the Argent Circle branch manager he had met, onto Red's desk.

The plaque was a thin wooden circle that fit snugly in one's palm. On one side, it had 3 concentric silver bands with a snake-skin pattern, with a unique ID carved in silver lettering at the center of the circles; on the other side, it had 'Argent Circle' stamped in thick silver lettering.

Anybody who had done business above the level of a street hawker would be familiar with the rings on the Argent Circle plaques and what they signified, and there was a general consensus that the plaques couldn't be forged, with the individuals who tried often found dead in inexplicable, gruesome ways.

The rings represented a certain status with the Argent Circle Banks. 2 rings and below could be disregarded for the most part, as they represented the up and coming; 3 rings were the widest and most populous tier, ranging from decent-sized noble families, merchants, and individuals, 4 rings to the highest-ranked nobles, and the top merchant groups, and 5 rings belonged to the ruling family of the nation.

As a member of the royal family, naturally, Caellum had gotten a plaque with 5 rings, but he'd also gotten one of every level so he could swap them out as needed.

Remembering the bright smile Ghani had when he quoted the exorbitant price for each plaque, which barely budged even with a discount, Caellum truly wanted to cry, but that was the price of doing business. Since he planned to throw away his royal identity soon and leave, having that variety was crucial, especially in moments like this.

Red glanced down at the plaque; his previously tight expression loosened as he clicked his tongue.

While he wasn't afraid of a measly 3-ring Argent Circle client, he wouldn't go out of his way to antagonize him, since the business world was small, and reputation was everything.

It seemed that this Morte wasn't a lowly nobody after all and was definitely more than he appeared.

Especially that guard of his with the serpent mask, dangerous was an understatement.

If that masked person teamed up with Hollow to attack him, it would be quite annoying and destroy what they were trying to set up, so it was better to handle this calmly and send Morte away before dealing with Hollow.

Red placed his jeweled cane flat on the table before grabbing the Argent Circle plaque, running his fingers over it, and feeling the minute vibration of mana.

Legitimate.

Nodding in acceptance, he held the plaque out.

"Please take a seat."

"Sure."

Caellum calmly sat down on one of the chairs while Yaga retrieved his plaque and tucked it into her pocket.

Hollow remained standing angrily, but both Caellum and Red pretended he wasn't there while Yaga observed everything in a relaxed yet prepared stance.

"Your payment will be settled right away, Mr. Morte. I apologize for the delay, and I will add a small extra amount as an inconvenience fee, as I didn't treat a distinguished gentleman like you with the respect he deserved. Congratulations on making a once-in-a-lifetime bet. How would you like to receive your funds?"

"Before we get to that, what exactly is the issue that would cause your assistant to go flying through the wall so hard. Since it almost hit me, I think I'm owed an explanation. And since I'm feeling a sense of camaraderie with this young man, I'd like to settle his problems before we settle mine. Hollow?" Caellum turned back to Hollow and softened his tone.

'Come on, buddy. Treat me like HR and tell me your complaints, I'll handle them for you, my future employee!'

"He's just being a scammer!" Hollow spat out as he glared at Red while his fists clenched at his side.

"Is that so?" Caellum turned back to Red, who sighed in a pitying manner while looking at Hollow.

"As I was explaining to Hollow, it's unfortunate that he didn't read his contract, but when you sign something, you need to follow the fine print. You can't be upset just because things are not going your way. Hollow is in violation of the contract he signed, and business is business. Nothing more, nothing less. I'm sure you understand." Red replied matter of factly.

"That's a lie. He's saying that I have to fight until the end of the tournament without pay, then for another year, pay them back for injuring their champion, pay them back an exorbitant amount for destroying an artisanal 1 of 1 wooden practice sword, and a whole bunch of other nonsense, even though that's not what was on the contract that I signed. I'm supposed to be paid each and every round based on the odds, but they don't want to pay me! You're a scammer." Hollow snarled at Red.

'Huh?'

At Hollow's outburst, Caellum almost burst out laughing.

'What kind of nonsense terms were these?'

'Pay a fine for injuring the house champion?'

'Fight for the next year?'

'A 1 of 1 artisan-crafted practice sword that was made of wood?'

'No pay until the end of the tourney?'

'Wasn't this just a high-end scam because Red was pissed that Hollow had taken out the house champion, so they were trying to recoup the losses somehow?'

'Crazy!'

'But not unbeatable terms.'

"Where's your copy of the contract you signed?" Caellum asked Hollow urgently.

If both parties had different copies, then a discussion could be had, and a solution could be reached. Otherwise...

"…I never got a copy. But I swear that none of what he's saying was in it when I signed it." Hollow replied bitterly, briefly glaring at Caellum before focusing on Red.

"That's just a false accusation, Hollow. Now, settle down so we can have an adult conversation about your future. Otherwise, you'll regret it."

"The only conversation I'm willing to have is when you've paid me my money. And you'll be the one regretting it if you don't cough up my money." Hollow growled as he stomped on the stone ground, cracking it slightly.

"Is that a threat?!"

"If you take it as one. Pay me what you owe me. Now."

'This dumbass. Why would you not get a copy of your contract?!'

Caellum glanced between Red, who had picked his cane up again, and Hollow, who looked ready to attack him, before scooting his chair out of the way.

It was clear what was happening.

That red-haired punk over there definitely swapped out the original contract the moment Kanaan lost, but since Hollow never got a copy of the original contract, it was one person's word against another's.

And of course, the black market would never willingly take a loss. They had lost a huge investment in Kanaan and needed to make up for it.

Fast!

Chaining Hollow up as the new house champion would do.

As strong as Hollow appeared in the fighting pit, Red didn't look worried at all, even though his assistant had been sent blasting through the wall.

Caellum wasn't sure what skill Hollow had used to slice and dice Kanaan, but was it enough to handle a mage and then leave the premises safely?

They were underground after all, and more importantly, he wasn't willing to risk it.

Especially because the fight seemed like it was going to happen while he was still here. He had no plans of getting himself caught in the crossfire or allowing Hollow to die before he could question him.

'No, there had to be some other way to resolve this issue.'

'Think think think, Caellum think!'

'What can we do here? So both parties are somewhat satisfied?'

'If he wants money, and Red also wants money…'

Glancing at the two people and replaying the conversation in his head once more, Caellum quickly interrupted as he rubbed his hands together gleefully.

"Why don't we all calm down, gentlemen? I think I have a solution to your problems."

'Let's give everybody money and just blow everything up before I leave, and the capital gets destroyed!'