10 Failed Negotiations

The guard at the door put his hand to his ear for a couple of seconds before nodding to Rowan and opening the door. Rowan walked into a brightly lit conference room with a long table where several people sat. The mayor sat directly in the middle, his figure massive even while sitting in his chair. Rowan and the mayor knew each other because of differences in opinion that took place in Evergreen city.

Rowan had built his fortune himself and the moment he had, he began to give back to the city by any means possible. The building he had talked about with Camille earlier was just one of many that he owned in the city. He charged rent that was equal to pennies and at some points even gave the space away to the less fortunate while not charging them rent until they had solidly gotten on their feet. Rowan never cared about the money, but he did like to live comfortably in between his different undertakings. But the rest of his money, past his own comfort, meant very little to him.

He gave back to the city because before his parents passed away, they often spoke about when they were better off they would give back to the city that they both grew up in. Rowan just continued the legacy and the first moment he was able to, he gave back to the city by helping its underprivileged. Rowan had appeared cold in the auditorium because his mind worked so quickly that he was quickly able to realize how difficult it may be having a child and an extra person with him while the world was ending, but overall he was a softie and his more personable side had won out.

The mayor, on the other hand, dedicated city funds to the police and other magnates with rumors that some of them had been used for personal means. Whereas schooling and several other areas received the short end of the budget time and time again. Rowan had become known by people like the mayor when he instead started buying chunks of the city for his buildings. He had also refurbished elementary schools and hospitals throughout the entire city but for people who wanted that land so that they could do the opposite and charge thousands in rent for the view it offered, Rowan gave it away for basically free and at the same time outbid anyone that crossed him.

He had made his stance on the misallocation of tax paying dollars more than once in a public forum and had earned himself quite the amount of people that did not like him for it but he never cared, anyway. Rowan moved down the line and noticed a woman with purple hair staring intently at him. She wore casual clothes unlike the three-piece suit of the mayor, which he noticed stood out among the rest of the cabinet that Rowan was able to recognize.

Peter sat to the mayor's direct left and the purple-haired woman to his right. Rowan ignored the rest of the cabinet that he was able to recognize and that had filled in the seats and looked at the man that stood behind the mayor. Police chief Neal Armstead, the youngest police chief in city history, personally selected by the mayor after a career of high-profile arrests. He specialized in taking down people who thought themselves untouchable. He had short brown hair that Rowan could swear was pulsing with an odd black light in different spots. A strand hund down in front of him while the rest was swept back. He wore a blacked out military combat uniform complete with a bullet-proof vest.

Two large knives were strapped to his vest, but Rowan was quick to notice the glowing sword that now adorned his hip. Rowan flashed them all his trademark smile, now even more killer thanks to the changes brought forth by his awakened bloodline.

"Long time no see, mayor Mack. It's been six months since I publicly spoke out to get everyone to not vote for you in the election. A real shame that the world ended at the start of your new term. How's the apocalypse been treating you?" Camille, who sat next to him, had her eyes go wide at Rowan's antagonistic behavior, but several members of the cabinet had gone red in the face the moment Rowan started to speak. The only one who didn't was the woman with purple hair. Peter slammed a hand on the table, finding some courage that was not there in the hallway earlier.

"It is Mayor Mackenzie. Show some damn respect Rowan Raid." Rowan raised an eyebrow at the man. "How interesting. It's always the small dogs that bark the loudest, as if making all that noise is going to get their master's approval. Who even are you? I don't ever remember seeing you." He grew red in the face being called a dog and was rising to his feet when Neal's hand calmly glided over and pressed him into his seat. Neal's voice was as smooth as silk. Rowan always thought he sounded like a salesman. "Calm down Peter. Raid's always been troublesome. Nothing the mayor is not used to." Rowan clapped his hands.

"As always, the noble German shepherd faithfully settles down the noisy dog who thinks he's bigger than he is." The mayor slapped a hand on the table causing slight cracks along it. "Enough Rowan, it is not the time for your foolish games. Will not even the world ending make you grow up?" Rowan shrugged his shoulders. "No game here. I didn't like any of you before the world ended. Why would I like you after?" The mayor could only shake his head as the room darkened and a projector showed a map of Evergreen city. The entire map was colored in red save for two spots, the stadium and a hotel next to it.

"The entire city has fallen, Rowan, and while we may have differences, we need to set those differences aside and work together to help as many people as possible. Surely that's something that interests you." Rowan shook his head. "The world ended and with it so did philanthropy. I can hardly guarantee my own safety. I'm no hero." The mayor grinned and the scene on the projected changed to an overhead view of him confronting Garda. "We both know that is not true. Raid, put your ego aside and listen to me. You have shown that just like before the world ended, you are exemplary. A talent among talents, the diamond in this rough." Rowan sat back in his chair and his face went deadpan.

"Come now, you've got the momentum. This is the point where you give me the pitch." The mayor folded his hands over each other and stared into Rowan's eyes. "You would join my cabinet and aid me in taking back the city. The entire world has fallen, and with you and Neal by my side we can take back this city and then some. You can become part of the top echelon of a new world order. Now, of course, you will have first dibs on the skill books and equipment that the soldiers bring back, meaning that you can be garbed in the best the system has to offer. Take the outfit that Neal is wearing. For example, it was a drop that was turned in. It is capable of taking the full strength attack of a level fifteen zombie without harming him. It also has self repairing functions among other things. You will be given a full squad of elites and be able to give orders to anyone other than Neal and me.

Now of course there is no free lunch. You will be expected to comply when I give orders, and just like the other system users that are on site here you will need to comply with the new regulations. You can not use mana within these walls to harm anyone. To do so will be met with force from the police force and you will be detained. On top of that, this woman to my left is named Fiona. She is one of the rare individuals to have already unlocked a class.

It is called Seer, while she can't currently forcibly see your information, a seer is able to see more and more information as they grow stronger, but if a willing participant were to hold her hand, they can share their entire status with her. You, just like all others that have complied, already beside your small unit of three will need to register your status page with her and have it updated every time you return here.

It is a safety precaution to make sure that no one person privately withholds things found while out in the city, and we can distribute them to whoever needs it most." Rowan looked at the mayor like he was the biggest idiot in the room. "If you really thought I was going to walk in here and accept that, then you are insane. My status page is for me and those I choose to share it with and call it what it is Mayor Mack, you want to know everyone's status because in case one of your dogs gets off the leash you want to know exactly how to bring him down."

He nodded his head. "We can not have any loose cannons. The state of things is fragile. Also Rowan, this is not a request. Consider it you being conscripted. If you are going to stay here, then you need to work for us and the people here." Rowan shrugged his shoulders. "That's easy enough. I can be gone before the hour is out." Neal openly laughed as the negotiation broke down before it even started.

"I told you this would be a waste of time. Just stay out of my way out there, Raid, or ill-treat you no differently than a zombie." He snickered and was going to continue when the mayor raised his hand. "I expected that answer, but also do not understand that forces have already been sent to most of your buildings. In a time like this the city is under martial law and any space that can be used to help the people will be under our care." Rowan's eyes flashed with something and Camille put a hand over his as sparks began to travel through his hair while finally Camille spoke up. "Mr. Mayor Rowan has no intention of staying here. You can't just tell him that he has to leave if he doesn't follow your rules and then tell him you are taking the property that rightfully belongs to him."

The mayor's grin never left his face. "Honey, that's what martial law is. My way or the highway, literally, leave the city for all I care." Rowan's rage began to boil over before he took a deep breath. "Fine, I will take a step back. You can have all the buildings other than then one closest to here. If you can't make that concession, then don't blame me for acting out." The mayor's smile seemed more and more slimy the more Rowan looked at it. " That's fine, it seems there's a presence in that building that has already killed several of my men. I have no problem with letting you handle it in return for keeping that one building.

Rowan stood up to leave with Camille, who was thoroughly disgusted by everything that had just taken place, to the point that she had been nearly speechless. "Also Rowan, while you are free to leave I can not say the same for the two young ladies you brought with you. The girl next to you has been able to heal the most grievous of wounds and even kill off a zombie infection with her flames. She is sorely needed here. The young girl, has exhibited odd abilities to say the least, there were cameras installed in all of these rooms way before the world ended so as you departed your room we were able to see that young girl use whatever ability it was but she is capable of creating items acknowledged by the system or at least that's what the police that have barged into the room in your absence has reported." Rowan's eyes now blazed with mana,

"You know what? Before you kept running your mouth I was willing to give up that stuff but you know what. Fuck you. Touch anything that's mine and it's certain that you won't live long. All of my buildings will remain mine and I will let survivors use them as they please. You better hope that Em is fine, or I'm gonna tear you to pieces with my bare hands. I was willing to make some concessions when I walked in here , but even now, you are the same asshole. I owe you and none of your people's shit. You want what's mine, then come fucking take it." The mayor stood to his full height and towered even over the six foot Rowan. "Rowan Raid, I was hoping you would say that. You are under arrest for non-compliance during a period of Martial Law." His own mana began to flash through the room as the temperature began to rise. Rowan heard the door open behind him as two guards stood there with Em between them.

Before Rowan moved through, the world slowed to a crawl once again. [Urgent Quest: Absolute Idiots.] [Even I had hoped humans would be smarter than this but alas humans will be humans. Fight your way out of the stadium with Camille and Em. Show them why a tier zero existence is not to be trifled with.] [Reward: +1 Level, Forbidden Astra Box. ??? Bonus reward for beating the piss out of the mayor and his dogs. ??? Bonus Reward: Don't Kill any humans.] [Comment; They are stupid but not yet deserving of the death you could bring, they may be redeemable in the future after this ass whooping.] Rowan looked around the room with a devilish smile as he quietly began to distribute his skill points while he spoke out loud much to everyone's confusion. "System I seriously think I may be in love with you."