Dyrne Alley [2]

'Old Wine Upside Down'....the bottleshop I was currently in, provided the option of private rooms for extra payment.

Such places were the prime locations where facilitators, agents, brokers, and liaisons conducted their dealings with hunters, adventurers and alchemists.

And I was currently busy in one such dealing.

Due to the incredible success with the chess app, my digital finances had soared to staggering amounts.

It was clear that, sooner or later, I would require a powerful backing from one of the powerful families in human domain.

But money is a waste if you donot invest it.

Soon, a figure dressed in a hoodie entered the private room and took a seat opposite me.

A waiter accompanied him, standing by attentively.

The young man beneath the hood appeared slender, with his facial features concealed behind a black demon mask.

"Crimson Viper, at your service," he introduced himself, his voice resonating, his voice surprisingly deep.

Though initially caught off guard by his voice, I swiftly regained my composure.

"Right...I need your services as a middleman, more precisely, a broker," I declared.

"My commission stands at 10% of all profits, and I expect a payment of 20% of the investment," he replied almost instantly.

His terms were direct and uncompromising.

Nathan outlined his conditions without hesitation, hinting that the specifics of the deal might be subject to adjustment based on the extent of the investment.

But...

It was too much...

"Mmm, so you're asking for a solid cut from all the profits and a hefty 20% from the initial investment?" I mused, but skeptical.

He simply nodded in response.

'Is he being serious?'

'This guy...no wonder he remained broke for most part of the novel.'

With my gaze, I signaled the waiter to lock the door and ensure no unwanted intrusions disturbed our conversation.

The waiter soon complied and left the room closing the door behind.

Crimson watched the waiter go with confusion before refocusing his gaze on me.

Taking a deep breath, I began, "Aren't your terms a bit...unreasonable?"

The guy replied, "No, not at all. I think it's perfectly reasonable-" I quickly interjected, before he could continue "Incorrect."

"Incorrect?"

"Yes, allow me to correct you", I intervened before he could confirm his previous statement.

"You are not getting anything of that value from me...or any other customer for that matter. Well that doesn't matter...from now on, you'll be working for me, regardless of any commissions," I asserted.

The guy raised his brow before smiling.

In a sneering defiance he replied,"Kid, what makes you think I'll comply with you without my terms being accepted? It's an accept or fuck off offer, and considering you...have troubles accepting..."

Crimson scoffed, before standing up to leave.

"You may have wealth, considering the arrangements, but you clearly lack skills in 'negotiation.'" He spat before starting to make his way to the exit.

"You're the one to talk about negotiations with those terms, Alexander?"

As soon as the name 'Alexander' left my mouth, the man froze in his tracks, his stride interrupted.

Whether it was fear or surprise that paralyzed him, was to be seen.

Alexander Steele...that was his real name.

In an almost frozen tone, he began to speak, "How do you-" but I swiftly interrupted before he could finish his sentence.

"Know your real name? Sit down, Nathan Rivers. We have much to discuss."

As if compelled by some invisible force, the guy complied without uttering many words.

Once he settled back into his seat, I could sense his heightened vigilance.

Though his expression remained hidden behind the mask, I could feel the intensity emanating from him.

"Now, listen," I began with a firm tone. "I require your services as my broker, my middleman. I just need a erm...tiny help? And you will work for me, and I strongly advise against any attempts to outsmart or deceive me. Payment is not an issue from my part."

I maintained a steady gaze, locking eyes with him directly.

"I do know about your past... your intertwined association with 'that' crime syndicate", I declared, my words hanging in the air.

Fear gripped the man tightly, his breathing becoming increasingly labored. My perception skill cpuld easily see through his tough exterior.

With one word, I struck the final blow. "Jackson, wasn't he?"

"Stop-", he pleaded, his tone conveying a sense of fear.

The guy was literally shaking. right now.

"Hah!" I let out a heavy sigh.

But there is no choice; I did needed his service.

I am not a blackmailer, but meh, who cares?

"How do you know all this... just tell me...did Jackson send you?" Crimson asked, his voice quivered with uncertainity.

"Nope, he didn't. I have no connection with Jackson."

"Then?H-how?"

"I read it in a novel. A fanatasy one", I shrugged my shoulder.

Silence.

Silence fell on the room.

Observing the guy's evident body language, it was clear he wished to unleash a string of profanities.

"Do you doubt me?" I challenged, reaching into my dimensional bracelet.

Soon I took out the unbreakable oath.

"An unbreakable-", I interjected before he could erupt into a fit of noise and commotion,. placing a finger between my lips— "Sssss!"

"Whose blood is in it?!" the guy inquired, his voice was low...

"Mine"

Passing the unbreakable oath across the table, I also flung the Dulhana knife near it.

"Sign it. It will serve as my unbreakable promise to keep your secret safe. You will work under me, and rest assured, you will receive fair compensation", I declared confidently.

"Of course, in exchange for this agreement, you will also swear an unbreakable oath to never betray me. You are well aware of the severe consequences breaking such a bound, perhaps even better than I", I added with a hint of warning.

His eyes remained fixated on the piece of parchment, as if it held the power to strip away his very life—Well it did.

A heavy silence enveloped us, lasting for what felt like an eternity.

I respected his need for contemplation and refrained from interrupting his thoughts.

"Take your time." I spoke softly, understanding the weight of this decision.

I knew why he was doing all this.

Hiding his name, working as a broker a middle man.

The motivations behind his actions... his mother.

A surge of emotions coursed through me, momentarily stirring an unfamiliar sensation within my heart. I quickly dismissed it, focusing solely on the task at hand.

This was not the time to get lost in thoughts.

What I am doing, is for the greater good' I tried to give myself excuses... but I knew what I was doing was kind of bad to say the least.

This was not the moment to allow myself to become lost in contemplation.

Without wasting any more time, CrimsonViper took hold of the Dulhana knife and sliced his right palm.

Red droplets of blood fell, staining the surface of the parchment.

The unbreakable oath was sealed, binding both him and me to a mutual understanding.

It was an irrevocable contract, preventing either of us from taking any action against the other.

Swiftly, I grabbed a pen, scribbling down the terms of our agreement upon the Unbreakable Oath.