Chapter 02: Negotiating with the Boss

""Thanks for the happy meal," several voices said at once.

"Thanks for the happy meal." Silvia could only awkwardly follow behind. When waking up this morning, she had not pictured herself having a feast in the middle of a dungeon, and that too with the world's number one player. Thinking of him, she couldn't help but steal another peek at him.

Bright shoulder-length silvery hair and dark eyes. A face and body so flawless and stunning that they seemed unbelievable—otherworldly. Silvia could understand why the children found her uninteresting; if she had lived with this man for even a month, nothing would have interested her anymore.

"You can look as much as you like. But finish the soup before it gets cold." It was only after his remainder that she found herself blankly staring at him. All the children were throwing her side glances, and the threatening look in their innocent eyes warned her to stay away from their brother.

"About your agreement, May I know the reason?" Silvia attempted to redirect the conversation; she was puzzled about his initial refusal and then swift agreement.

"I have been thinking of working with your association and feel like now is the right time." The response was insufficient to resolve the many questions surrounding the entire event, but Silvia had to make do with it.

"May I inquire about your conditions?" Silvia had been instructed to agree to any demands, no matter how absurd. The Empire was in a desperate situation, and this man was very much needed.

"..." A long silence followed, much too long for Silvia's liking. But all of her irritation was quelled by a spoonful of the soup. 

A spoonful of homemade chicken soup, brimming with tender chunks of chicken and vibrant vegetables, infused with aromatic herbs and spices, offered a comforting and soul-nourishing experience with every savoury bite. Now she hoped for this silence to last longer.

However, her wish is destined to be unfulfilled. 

"Follow me," the man urged after finishing his bowl in minutes. And she had to finish hers in a rush.

"You guys stay here; I'll be back in a moment." The man instructed the children, intending to take a leave. However, his path was blocked by a pouting girl. 

"My slime." She demanded, with her arms held wide. The man raised his hand in response.

The space above his outstretched palm split into a small crack, much like a mirror cracking. A slime fell from it, and the crack closed by itself. 

"Don't lose this one," he cautioned the girl, passing the slime.

"Yay!" The girl wasn't listening. He shook his head and walked by her.

It was only when he went for another tunnel that Silvia came to her senses and followed him. She now knew the origin of the monsters, but it left her with more questions and horrors. A player who could summon obedient monsters; if this became known, let alone the Eldian Empire, the entire player base would be shaken. 

Silvia couldn't grasp the meaning of this display. Was he showing trust by demonstrating his abilities, or was it a warning?

After a few left and right turns, they walked out of the dungeon. On the other side, they were greeted by an old bungalow that had been freshly painted in vibrant colours. It appeared cheerful, much to the contrary of its gloomy neighbourhood.

Making their way into it, they climbed a flight of stairs. A turn to the left, and they entered what appeared to be the man's office.

"Please, seat yourself." A gentlemanly gesture of pulling the chair followed. Silvia sat on the chair, and the man sat opposite her.

'He is so young.' She couldn't help but think so, gazing at the young man, who appeared to have just entered adulthood. 'Probably in his twenties,' she speculated.

"Yes, I just turned nineteen this year." He said.

Silvia was startled. 'He can read thoughts!?' This was unheard of. 

"In case you were wondering, no, I cannot read thoughts. Your expression simply makes it clear to everyone." He replied, smiling.

She looked away; his smile made it difficult for her to concentrate. "Mister adventure-" 

"You can call me Eldian. And please drop the honorifics; we are the same age." He didn't like being addressed by his in-game name.

"Eldian?" Silvia had never heard of someone named the same after the Empire. Nobody dares to do that.

"Yes. Silvia?" he asked, as if unaware of her doubts.

Silvia decided to drop the topic. "Allow me to invite you again to the capital to negotiate the terms of our corporation. The Eldian Hunters' Association will provide-" 

"There is no need to go that far. We can discuss all the conditions right here and now." Eldian had no desire to leave the orphanage.

"As you wish. You can state your demands, and I will convey them to the association. We simply ask for your assistance in clearing at least one high-level dungeon per week." Silvia quickly adapted.

"I want a lot of money." He demanded.

Silvia was caught off-guard. She had expected such a demand earlier, but her interaction with this man had led her to believe that he would demand something different.

"I want to build an orphanage large enough to house all the orphans of this kingdom, as well as a private school that focuses on academics and martial arts. And Empire funded weekly essentials for the children," he continued with a thoughtful expression.

"That's it?" Silvia found it hard to accept. Certainly, the construction would be expensive, but it was hardly a bargain for the Empire. 'He could have made any demand. And this is all?' She was both surprised and impressed.

"Yes. As for the dungeons, let's go with your agreement." He nodded, satisfied with his demands.

"Please pardon me. I will depart immediately and return with a contract as soon as possible." Silvia instantly stood up. Had Eldian gone to the capital, she would have been spared this round trip, but it couldn't be avoided.

"Let me export you." Eldian offered his assistance.

.

.

.

As they went through the park, Silvia couldn't help but look at the glaringly obvious dungeon. 

"Excuse me if I am intruding, this dungeon..." Silvia couldn't contain her curiosity. She needed an answer.

"Ah! It randomly got here the other day." Eldian exclaimed as if recalling something insignificant.

'And you cleared it the other day! As expected from the number one.' Silvia silently nodded her head. Just as they said, he was always playing a different game.

Outside the gate, a long queue of cars waited for them. The car in front stood ahead of the rest. And the driver inside was sweating buckets. 

"Hey! They are coming out." The driver said, shaking his coworker. 

"It was just getting interesting," complained the man, putting his phone down on his lap and... kept scrolling.

The driver could almost feel his veins popping out. Had it not been for the approaching duo, he would have kicked this damn addict out of the car. But a job is a job. He quietly stepped out of the car, preparing to open the door for them. 

"Thank you very much for your cooperation. I promise to bring a positive response as soon as possible." Silvia gave a slight bow. She hadn't expected things to go so smoothly.

"Please, there is no need for that." Eldian shook his head.

"The soup was delicious; I would love to have another. If you offer, that is." With an opportunity created for a future serving; Silvia escaped into the car.

The driver discreetly closed the door, bowed to the man, and returned to the car without looking up. Within a minute, all the cars had left the area.

Eldian quietly shook his head. He wasn't fond of lying, but he had to. He couldn't simply tell the lady that the dungeon had not spawned randomly. That, it was deliberately opened there by him.

Eldian turned towards the dungeon.

«Eldian's Dungeon: 01»

«Rank: C-»

«Mode: Trapping»

«Dungeon Break: 00/100»

He couldn't simply tell her that he was the Boss of the Dungeon.