210 イナベの交渉
シジマが拠点の自室で休憩を取っている。その表情には疲労が色濃く残っていた。最近の激務によるものだ。
スラム街の二大徒党が壊滅したことで発生した空白地の縄張り争いは、残りの徒党間の調整で一応目立った抗争もなく終結した。その調整でシェリルはエゾントファミリーの縄張りの半分を得た。そしてその全てをシジマ達に管理を委託する形で貸し出した。管理代は縄張りが生み出す利益の半分だ。
つまりシェリル達は縄張りの管理もせずに利益の5割も持っていくことになる。この強欲とも思える取引は、他の者達がそれだけアキラとヴィオラを、その2人を後ろ盾にしているシェリルを恐れていることを意味していた。
シジマ達が経費等をごまかして本来の取り分より多めに懐に入れることも可能ではある。実際にやっている。ただし露見した場合にシェリル達がどの程度の報復処置を行うかは未知数なので、各自黙認の基準を勝手に決めて恐る恐るやっていた。
なお管理の統括はシジマの徒党が請け負い、他の徒党はその下に付く形になっていた。徒党間の利害調整はシジマの仕事だ。エゾントファミリーの縄張りだけあって広く、利益も大きく、徒党間の
部下が部屋に入ってくる。
「ボス。ちょっと良いか?」
「休憩中だ。急ぎでもねえ下らねえ用件なら後にしろ。別の徒党のチンピラ同士が女を取り合って殺し合った程度の話なら、まずはその徒党間で話を付けさせろ。一々俺にまで話を持ってくるな」
「いや、シェリルのところでちょっと動きがあった。念の
付きの車がシェリルの拠点に入っていったことと、高い服を着た男が大層な護衛付きで降りてきたことまでは事実だ。シェリルのところに送った連中からの情報だからな。そこまでは間違いない」
「......シェリルのところの遺物屋は都市の幹部の息が掛かっている。シェリル達は幹部の裏金作りに協力する見返りに、都市から武力を引き出しているって
く利用できれば大きな利益を見込めるが、下手に触れば自分達が消し飛びかねない爆弾でもある。慎重な扱いが必要だ。
「他の徒党にも同じ情報を流せ。この件に関する会議を要求してきたら、日時を調整中とだけ答えておけ。開くとしても、俺が先にシェリルから事情を聞いてからだ」
「......全く、ちょっと前までガキども集めて弱小徒党をやってただけのやつが、また急に随分と成り上がったもんだな」
次の騒ぎとその調整に掛かる労力を想像して、シジマは大きく
シェリルは場に残るべきかどうか迷っていたのだが、イナベの要望で席を外すことになった。アキラ達にコーヒーと茶請けを出した後、一礼して退出していく。
「本題に入る前にちょっと聞いておこう。こう言っては何だが、こんな場所での交渉を希望したのは君だ。
「遺跡奥部とかの方が良かったのなら今から移動しても良いけど」
「いや、そこまで後ろ暗い話をする気はない。ああ、気を使わせてしまったかな?」
「慣れた場所の方が話しやすい。それだけだ」
軽い沈黙を挟んで腹の探り合いを済ませる。アキラは軽い疑念を覚える程度だったが、イナベは少々深読みしていた。
当初はクガマビル上階のレストランで交渉を行う予定だった。しかしアキラの希望でシェリルの拠点に変更になった。
これは都市の幹部のような権力者がハンターオフィスを介さずにハンターとの交渉を希望したことにアキラが警戒心を抱いたことと、以前にキバヤシから忠告された内容、ハンターを慣れない高級店に
にするハンターも多いのだ。否定する材料も多々あるが、注意する必要は十分にある。イナベはそう結論付けた。
「本題に入る前に、一応言っておこう。遺跡の奥部で密談しなければならないほど後ろ暗い話ではないが、一応都市の機密に属する話ではある。真っ当なハンターとしての守秘義務は守ってもらう。違反した場合は相応の代償を覚悟してもらう。構わないな?」
「では、本題に入ろう」
イナベはクズスハラ街遺跡奥部の大規模な遺跡探索を計画している。多数のハンターに加えて最近配備が決まった人型兵器まで多数投入する大掛かりなものだ。当然ながら桁違いの費用が掛かり、失敗すれば失脚しかねない。それでもイナベはこの計画に賭けており、その
その話を聞いたアキラが難色を示す。
「......知っているかもしれないけど、俺は最近クズスハラ街遺跡で死にかけたり死にかけたり死にかけたりしてるんだ。正直、気が進まない」
「ハンター稼業に危険は付き物だろう。それに脅威の大半は人型兵器で対応する。ハンターには大まかな排除が終わってからじっくり遺物収集に精を出してもらうつもりだ。心配ない。防衛隊への配備も検討されている強力な機体が多数随伴するのだ。君もよく知っているあの機体の同系機だよ。あの機体の性能は君もよく分かっているだろう。しかもあの騒ぎの時のような近接装備のみなどという試験目的の武装などではない。しっかりと実戦用に武装している。戦力に不足はない」
「......そう言われてもな」
それでも渋るアキラに、イナベが意味ありげに続ける。
「君は、キバヤシという職員と取引して強力な装備の調達を頼んでいるそうだな? 私はそこにいろいろ関われる立場にいる」
アキラが表情を変える。
「どういう意味だ?」
その表情に、視線に、声に、敵対者へ向ける意思が
下手な脅しは逆効果で危険すぎる。イナベがそう察して交渉の方向性を切り替える。
「勘違いしないでくれ。私の頼みを断るのなら、君の装備調達を邪魔してやる、などと言うつもりは毛頭ない。
の職員には限度がある。だが私は違う。強力な伝を提供できる。君も知っているあの黒い機体を入手することさえ不可能ではない。君が私の頼みを受け入れて遺跡探索で成果を出してくれれば、私も君に大いに協力しようじゃないか。どうかな?」
「いや、別に人型兵器が欲しい訳じゃないんだけど」
「......まあ、そうだけど」
「それなら何を迷う必要がある。私が言うのも何だが、これは遺跡探索としても又とないチャンスだ。先に言っておくが、当日は調査区域周辺を封鎖する。無関係なハンターに遺物を持っていかれる訳にはいかないからな。遺跡探索に参加するだけでも大変で、本来はハンター間でその権利を奪い合うんだ。実際にハンター系の徒党やハンターの代理人達が裏で激しい交渉の真っ最中だ。その争奪戦を経ずに参加できるんだ。迷う必要がどこにある」
アキラも確かに随分と好条件だと思った。だがそれで逆に
すぎる気がするんだが、俺をそこまで優遇する理由は?」
イナベが僅かに間を置いてから、白状するかのように軽く笑う。
「まあ、詳しい選考基準は話せないが、君はこちらが求める基準を超えたから、と答えておこう。例えばハンターランクだ。実はクズスハラ街遺跡の後方連絡線延長が一時中断中でね。その間に他の幹部達も大規模な遺跡探索を計画しているのだよ。その
、真面目な表情でイナベに問う。
「気を悪くしたらすまないが、答えてくれ。俺に不利益を与えるつもりは、ないんだよな?」
「何を言い出すかと思えば、そうやって疑ってばかりでは交渉というものは......」
イナベがアキラの非常に真剣な態度に言葉を止める。そして自身も真面目な表情で答える。
「その理由なら納得だ。君も彼女には手を焼いているようだな?」
アキラも苦笑する。分かる者には分かる妙な共感が場を和ませていた。
イナベはアキラとの取引を済ませて、名目上の来訪理由である遺物店の視察も終えると、シェリルと最近の出来事の雑談などを済ませてから拠点を後にした。今は車で都市の下位区画を進んでいる。
イナベが拠点での出来事を思い出して軽く不敵に笑う。
(アキラ。シェリル。ヴィオラ。随分と
部下から車内通信で連絡が来る。
「イナベ様。ドランカムの件ですが、やはり例のハンターは調子が著しく悪く、ドランカム側としては参加を見合わせたいと向こうの交渉役が告げてきました。例のハンターとの面会も難しいとのことです」
「構わん。予定通り会いに行くと伝えろ。今からそっちに向かう。渋るようなら軽く脅せ。それでも渋るようなら交渉役との通信をこっちに回せ。俺が直接話す」
く間が空いた後、再び部下から連絡が来る。
「イナベ様。今から向こうの交渉役と
ヤナギサワへの対抗意識がイナベの表情を僅かに厳しいものへ変える。
(まあいい。それだけの実力を持つハンターだと判断して、今回はその恩恵も含めて利用させてもらおう)
「......ミズハで御座います。イナベ様。このたびの申し出、誠に有り難く思っております。しかしながら......」
ミズハの長々とした謝罪の言葉に、イナベが和やかな口調で割り込む。
「まあ聞け。そっちのカツヤ君、だったかな? 理由は分からないが、ハンター稼業にも出られないほど大変な状態だと聞く。チームリーダーがそれではチームとしても動きも
「悪いことは言わない。私と面会させると良い。彼は調子を取り戻し、私の機嫌も損ねずに済む。今そちらに向かっている最中だ。すぐに面会の準備をすると良い。ではまた」
イナベは返事も聞かずに通話を切った。聞く必要などなかった。
ユミナ達が心配そうな様子で部屋に入ってくる。そしてイナベの来訪を告げるが、カツヤの反応は視線を僅かに動かした程度だった。ユミナ達は仕方なくカツヤの両腕を左右から自分達の肩に乗せて、カツヤを少々強引に部屋から連れ出した。カツヤも抵抗はしなかった。
ドランカムの応接間でイナベがカツヤと向かい合って座っている。カツヤの周りには多数の若手ハンター達が集まっておりミズハまで近くにいる。その顔は一様にどことなく暗い。
イナベがミズハに視線を向ける。
「いえ、彼がこんな状態ですので私達も......」
「駄目だ。都市の利害に絡む事柄や彼のプライベートな部分の話も多いのでね。同席者は少ない方が良い。部外者には退出願う」
(ドランカムの幹部が都市の幹部に対してあの態度とは。彼を随分と甘やかしているようだな。ヤナギサワの影響力にしては度が過ぎている。入れ込みすぎだろう。ドランカム全体で彼に賭けているのか? 分からん)
イナベは取りあえず疑問を棚上げして気を切り替える。そしてカツヤとの交渉に臨む
「......じゃあ何の用だよ。お前はシェリルの友人でもなければ、一介のハンターなんかに用は無いんだろう?」
カツヤが軽い困惑を見せる。イナベは笑顔の質を嘲りから友人へ向けるものへ意図的に切り替えた。
「ど、どういう意味だよ」
「シェリルも企業家として、組織の長として、苦渋の決断をしなければならない時もある。そういうことだ」
何か訳があってほしい。何かの間違いであってほしい。無意識にそう願っていたカツヤにとって、イナベの言葉は十分すぎる希望となった。
れていないでしっかりと身を起こし、姿勢を正したまえ。交渉相手への態度ではないぞ?」
カツヤが慌てて姿勢を正す。その様子を見て、イナベは交渉の勝ちを確信した。
な話から入るが、シェリルは借金を抱えている。融資と言い換えても良いが、まあ、本質は変わらない」
「それって、幾ら何だ?」
「正確な額は私にも分からない。だが非常に大まかな額なら分かる。逆に尋ねよう。幾らぐらいだと思う?」
シェリルが自分を振るほどの金額、苦渋の決断を強いられるほどの大金だと考えて、カツヤが少し悩んだ上で試算する。
「3000万......、いや、5000万オーラムぐらいか?」
「桁が違うって、500万とかじゃないだろうし、5億、なのか?」
「立食会に参加できるほどの者が抱える負債だぞ? 3000万? 5000万? そんな
カツヤは半ば
「それでも彼女の才に疑いはない。彼女は僅かな資金を元手に再起を試みているのだろう。そして再び立食会に参加できるほどになったのだろう。そんな彼女だが、今は遺物売買で稼いでいる。一度破綻した者の再起手段としては東部ではありふれたものだ。このまま順当に成功を続ければ、いずれ彼女なら巨額の負債も返済できるだろう。私もそう思っている。だから遺物の卸元にもなっている。立食会で私が彼女と商談をしていただろう。それがそうだ」
カツヤはシェリルの苦難を想像して驚きながら、助けになれない自分に悔しい思いを抱いていた。
「......思った」
「君は確かに非常に優秀なハンターだ。ハンターランクも十分に高い。私も君の成果を資料で確認した。実に素晴らしい内容だった。だが、残念ながら君はシェリルが求めるハンターではない。なぜなら君は優秀なモンスターハンターだからだ。君の成果は基本的にモンスター討伐や都市間輸送の警備などであり、残念ながら遺物収集は凡庸と言わざるを得ない。だがアキラは違う。彼は遺物収集でも大きな成果を残している。トレジャーハンターとしても有能だ」
「そ、それなら俺だって、前に旧世界製の情報端末を見付けたり......」
「一度だけ、偶然に、だろう? 長期的な成果は期待できない。違うかな?」
「それにだ。それが偶然ではなく君の才能だったとしても、シェリルにとっては大して違いは無いのだ。君はドランカム所属のハンターだ。遺物の売却先を決めるのはドランカムであり、君ではない。君の機嫌を取ってもシェリルに遺物は渡ってこない。シェリルがドランカムと交渉しても無駄だ。ドランカムは所属ハンターの装備充実の
「シェリルは君達が敵対していたとは知らなかった。そして君達の態度からそれを知った。二択を強いられた彼女は、企業家として、組織の長として、アキラを選ぶしかなかった。そこに私情を挟む余地などなかった。苦渋の決断だった。まあ、想像だ。私は彼女ではないので本心は分からない。しかしまあ、立食会での君とシェリルの様子から推察は出来る。そういうことだ」
シェリルの言動には何らかの理由があったはず。カツヤはそう期待して、確かにその期待は
物理的な圧力すら覚えそうなカツヤの気迫に、イナベは少し面食らっていた。
(これが本来の彼か。なるほど。ドランカムが
イナベがこれ以上調子を狂わされないように、意図的に威厳を見せるように笑う。
「取引成立だな。安心しろ。約束は守る。だが公言してもらっては困る。私にも立場というものがあるのでね。分かるな?」
しい。まあ他の者には、非常に稼げそうな遺跡探索の話を聞いてやる気を取り戻した、とでも答えておきたまえ。黙っていれば何でも良いがね」
「では、君との話はこれで終わりだ。本来の交渉先であるドランカムと話を
イナベが立ち上がって部屋から出ようとする。カツヤが慌てて立ち上がって頭を下げる。
「あ、その、ありがとう御座いました」
「どう致しまして。君の活躍を心から願っているよ」
イナベが部屋の外に出るとユミナ達が近くに残っていた。ミズハまで残っていたので声を掛け、場所を変えての交渉を要請する。
イナベはミズハ達の態度に違和感を覚えていた。ミズハ達は皆一様に明るい表情を浮かべていた。席を外す前に見せていた暗い表情などどこにもない。カツヤはまだ部屋から出ていないので、カツヤが立ち直ったことは知らないはずなのだ。
Ch 210
Shijima was resting in his private chamber back in his gang's base. His face had slightly lost its luster, which showed just how tired he was. This was caused by none other than his exhausting duty.
The battle between those two large gangs in the slum city had left a large vacant territory. Thankfully, the other slum gangs were able to talk it out and peacefully divide the vacant territory. The result from their discussion was that Sheryl would take half of the territory left by the Ezont Family. She would also lend all of that territory for Shijima's gang to manage. In exchange for that, the gang would share the profit from managing that territory fifty-fifty.
Of course, this would mean that Sheryl's gang would get 50% of the profit without having to manage that territory. Normally speaking, it was a very greedy deal, despite that, the other gangs still accepted it. This showed just how frightened the other gangs were of Akira and Viola, who were behind Sheryl's gang.
Having control of the territory meant that Shijima could fake the reports for the expense so that his own gang could gain more money. As a matter of fact, they were already doing it. But since no one could tell what kind of retribution Akira might bring down on them if it were to leak out, they were being extremely careful and only did it to a tolerable limit.
Now that Sheryl had lent the territory for him to manage, Shijma was employing people from the other gangs to work under him in order to manage it. As he was the head, he was also responsible for the distribution of profits. Unfortunately, with how big the Ezont family's territory was, it produced a large amount of profit. This caused more friction between the gangs. Shijima was basically having a hard time adjusting arrangements to appease everyone. Although managing this area did significantly increase his gang's prowess and influence, it also put him under a lot of stress.
One of Shijma's men then entered the room.
"Boss, is it a good time?"
"I'm resting right now. If it's not an emergency, save it for later. If it is about some members from the other gangs fighting over a girl or something, let them settle that matter between their own gangs themself. There's no need to bring everything to me."
"No, it's just that we noticed some movement from Sheryl's gang. So just to be safe, I'm here to report to you about it."
"One thing that we have confirmed is that a certain vehicle with the City Management emblem on it was spotted entering Sheryl's base, along with someone wearing an expensive-looking suit. He was escorted by a bunch of heavily armed bodyguards who came out from that vehicle. This is from our men working in Sheryl's base, that's why we know that this is definitely true."
"...I've heard rumours that their relic shop relies on someone from City Management, as the gang provides side income to that person. City Management also dispatched manpower to guard that relic shop. I've always thought that it's just a rumour that Viola fabricated, but it seems that it's not the case, huh?"
Shijima looked immensely confused and uncertain. If he was able to use this information wisely, he would be able to gain a lot of benefit from it, but if not, it might end up with the destruction of his gang. There was no doubt that he had to be careful on how to deal with this situation.
"Let the other gangs know about it too. If they ask for a meeting to discuss it, tell them that we're still considering what to do regarding the same. And even if we're going to convene a meeting, we'll only do it after I ask Sheryl about it."
"...Good grief, they were only a small gang made up of slum children not too long ago, and now it has grown significantly again."
Thinking about what kind of disturbance it might cause and how much work that he needed to do to take care of it, Shijima heaved a huge sigh.
Sheryl was not sure if it was appropriate for her to stay, but due to Inabe's request, she decided to leave the room. So after she placed the coffee on the table, she excused herself.
"Before we get into the heart of the matter, I have a few questions. Although it might be weird for me to be complaining, you're the one who wanted to have the meeting here. If you have a reason for it, please do tell me."
"If you rather choose to meet somewhere in the ruin, we can go there now though."
"No, it's not something as secretive as that. Ah, did you choose this place since you thought this would be a discussion that is meant to be kept secret?"
"It's just that it's more comfortable for me to talk somewhere I'm familiar with."
After a short pause, Inabe stopped chasing the subject. Akira only thought that it was rather weird for Inabe to stop there, but he did not bother to think any further than that. In contrast to him, Inabe tried to read deeper into the situation.
At first, they originally planned to have the meeting in a high-class restaurant on the upper floor of the Kugama building. But Akira said that he would rather have the meeting in Sheryl's base and so that plan was changed.
This was because Akira was being more careful than usual, considering that Inabe wanted to offer him a request without passing it through the Hunter Office. Furthermore, he knew from his conversation with Kibayashi that sometimes people invited high-ranking Hunters to some high-class restaurant that they were not familiar with to trick them into signing an unfair contract. That was why Akira chose to have the meeting in Sheryl's base instead. Not to mention that in this case, he could use the excuse that this offer had come to him through Sheryl, so it was not strange if he wanted to have that meeting in Sheryl's base.
Inabe then came to a conclusion, although there was evidence that disproved his theories, it was still wise to be careful.
"Now then, before we start, I have one thing to say. Although it's not something so secretive for us to have this meeting in the inner part of a ruin, it is still a classified meeting related to the City Management. So I'll need you to keep this confidential as a proper Hunter, also remember that there are consequences if you break this promise. Are you okay with it?"
"Then let's begin."
Inabe was planning to do a large-scale expedition to explore the inner part of the Kuzusuhara ruin. Not only would it involve a lot of Hunters, but he was also planning to deploy the humanoid weapons that were just approved for deployment recently. Of course, it would not be a cheap operation, if the expedition fails, it would incur a huge loss for him. But even so, Inabe placed his bet on the expedition and he was in the process of gathering the manpower necessary right now.
After hearing Inabe explain, Akira frowned and looked a bit conflicted.
"...I'm sure you know about this, but I almost got killed in Kuzuusuhara ruin a few times recently, right? To be honest, I have no plans to go there anytime soon."
"Facing danger is an occupational hazard for a Hunter. Moreover, we will leave most of the job to the humanoid soldiers. The Hunters would only be deployed once the robots finished securing the area, so you guys can focus only on gathering relics. Don't worry, the City Management also plans to deploy powerful powered suits as well, I'm sure that you're familiar with the type of powered suit that we're talking about here and just how powerful they are. And unlike during the previous incident in Kuzusuhara ruin, they will not be in a testing phase, so they're not restricted to only melee weapons anymore. We will have enough fighting power to safely conduct the expedition."
"...Even if you say so..."
Even with that added, Akira seemed to be reluctant. But Inabe then continued.
"I heard that you're ordering powerful equipment through a City Management staff member, Kibayashi, right? I'm actually involved in that matter as well."
Akira's expression immediately changed.
"What do you mean?"
Akira's expression, stare, and voice were all projecting a level of hostility. Inabe's bodyguards inadvertently reacted to that hostility. The mood inside the room immediately tensed up.
Inabe thought that unnecessary intimidation might be counter-effective in this case as he changed his approach to the meeting.
"Oh, don't misunderstand me. I have no plans to get in your way of getting new equipment if you refuse this offer. As a matter of fact, it is the opposite, I can help you with your new equipments if you accept this offer."
"You're looking for powerful equipment that you can't get through normal means, right? Not to mention that you're willing to spend most of your reward on it. I'm sure that Kibayashi has some extraordinary connections that can help you with that, and I bet they will be able to answer your expectation well. But I know, there's still a limit on how far a mere staff can do. Unlike him, I can connect you with some powerful people. Just so you know, I can even get you that black powered suit. If you accept this offer and do a good job in gathering relics during the expedition, I'm willing to help you out with your equipment. So how about that?"
"I don't really want that powered suit though."
"...Well, that's true, but..."
"Then there's no reason to hesitate here. Although it sounds suspicious for me to say this, this expedition is a rare chance even for you. At least I'll let you know about this. During the expedition, the area would be closed from public access. After all, it would be troublesome if some Hunters not from the expedition team take away the relics in that area. It is difficult to get the chance to join this kind of expedition. Normally, Hunters would fight each other for this offer. As a matter of fact, there's an ongoing competition behind the scenes between the representatives of various Hunter gangs. You can join this expedition without the need to go through any of that. So, there's no reason for you to hesitate."
Akira himself thought that it was indeed an enticing offer, but that was exactly what made him suspicious.
"To be honest, this offer sounds too good to be true for me though. Is there any reason you are prioritizing me that much?"
Inabe took a short pause before he lightly smiled and confessed.
"Well, I can't tell you all the details, but basically, you're already well past the criteria to be included in this operation. For example, your Hunter Rank. City Management actually decided to temporarily stop the supply line expansion into Kuzusuhara ruin. During this break, all the other officers are also planning to launch a large scale expedition. But in order to do that, they need enough capable manpower. Because of that, we are actually competing for Hunters above Rank 40, you see. That's why we're offering you all of these things in order to get you to join my expedition. Although I already received answers from the other Hunters who are above Rank 40, the more Hunters I have, the better it is."
Just to be safe, Akira then asked Inabe a question with a serious face.
"I'm sorry if this offends you, but tell me, you have no wish to cause me any harm, right?"
"And here I thought what you would ask. Listen here, if you keep being paranoid like that, this is not how a negotiation-"
Akira's intense serious stare stopped Inabe, who then fixed his tone and said with an equally serious expression.
"That explains everything then. It seems that she has troubled you as well, huh?"
Akira smiled bitterly. Those who knew what he was talking about would understand very well, such an awkward feeling of camaraderie wafted in the air.
After Inabe finished his business with Akira, he went to see the relic shop, and after a small talk with Sheryl, he finally left the base. This time, he headed to the lower district of Kugamayama city.
Inabe replayed in his mind what just happened in the base and smiled confidently.
[Akira, Sheryl, Viola, what a gathering of dangerous people. I wonder what they are planning, to form a gang together like that. The answer to that might lie in the reason why Akira is looking for powerful equipment. Well, it doesn't really matter, I'll use this chance to reap some profit for myself.]
One of Inabe's men suddenly called him.
"Inabe-sama, it's about Drankam. The negotiator from Drankam's side said that the Hunter we're asking for is not doing so well. So it might be difficult to arrange a meeting with him."
"It doesn't matter, tell them that we're going there as originally planned. Inform them to threaten that Hunter if he doesn't seem interested. And if that still doesn't work, tell them to just leave the negotiation to us, I'll have a face to face talk with him."
After a short pause, the same subordinate called Inabe again.
"Inabe-sama, we can call Drankam's negotiator right now if you wish."
His hatred toward Yanagisawa caused Inabe's face to stiffen.
[Well, it doesn't really matter. I'll just assume that's just how strong that Hunter is, I'll make good use of him.]
"...This is Mizuha. Inabe-sama, we are really sorry about this and we are really grateful for this chance, but unfortunately-"
Inabe energetically cut short Mizuha's long apology.
"Just listen here. Katsuya-kun, was it? I don't really know the reason, but I heard something happened to him and that he is no longer fit for duty. I bet it has caused you a lot of trouble considering that he's a team leader, right? If you keep that up, I'm sure Yanagisawa would no longer evaluate you as highly. Man, that must be really rough."
"I won't say anything bad. Just arrange a meeting with him. I'll get him back on his feet and you won't worsen your relationship with me. I'm heading there right now, so make the preparations for the meeting."
Inabe then closed the call without even waiting for Mizuha's reply. After all, there was no need to wait for her reply.
Yumina and the other girls entered the room, worried for him. When they told Katsuya that Inabe came to see him, he only glanced and showed a minimal response. So Yumina and the other girls had no other choice but to grab his arm and carry him out of the room on their shoulders. He did not even resist when they did that.
Katsuya was sitting face to face with Inabe in Drankam's visitor room. Many young Hunters gathered around Katsuya and Mizuha, and all of them seemed gloomy.
Inabe then turned to Mizuha.
"But he's in this situation, so it's not like we can just leave him alone-"
"No. This meeting includes private information for him and other information regarding the interest of City Management. So the fewer ears around, the better. That's why I want everyone unrelated to leave the room."
[He even acted like that in front of a Drankam's officer and an officer from City Management, huh? As I thought, the gang is really spoiling him. This is simply abnormal even for Yanagisawa's influence. Honestly, these guys put too much stock in him. I just can't understand what they are thinking.]
Inabe decided to shelf that question for now. In order to start the negotiation, he then smiled and said to Katsuya.
"...So why are you here? You have no business with a mere Hunter who has no relation to Sheryl, right?"
Katsuya showed a bit of surprise. Inabe's mocking smile shifted into a friendly one and he did that deliberately.
"W-what do you mean?"
"As a businesswoman and the leader of a gang, there are times when she has to make hard decisions, that's all there is to it."
Inabe's words rejuvenated Katsuya's hope, who had always been wishing that there was a reason why Sheryl did that. There must be some kind of misunderstanding there.
"If you really want to know, stop hanging your head and straighten your back. That's not how you present yourself during a negotiation, you know?"
Katsuya flusteredly straightened his back. Seeing that, Inabe was sure that he had secured his victory.
"Sorry to start from something unpleasant, but to put it in simple terms, Sheryl has debts, or more like a loan. Well, both refer to the same thing anyway."
"That debt, how much is it exactly?"
"I don't know the precise number, but one thing for sure, it is not small. Let me ask you this instead, how much do you think it might be?"
Considering that it was large enough to force Sheryl to make such a hard decision, Katsuya paused for a bit before wording out his guess
"Like, 30 million... No, 50 million Aurum?"
"Way more than that? So I guess it's not like 55 million either, so, 500 million?"
"It's the debt of someone who can even attend that feast, you know? 30 million Aurum? 50 million Aurum? Heh, there's no way it's that small. It seems that you don't fully understand the real worth of the people who can attend that feast. People in that event can casually make deals worth billions of Aurum. Well, although, there's a difference whether it is her debt or the debt of her organization."
Katsuya understood that it was something out of his capabilities and frowned.
"But even so, there's no doubt in her talent, so I bet she's trying to get up again with the little amount of money she has. And in reality, she is doing very well considering that she's able to attend that feast. Sheryl is actually earning money by selling relics at the moment. It is not something strange in the eastern district. I'm sure she will be able to pay back her debt soon at this rate, that's why I'm sponsoring her relic shop as well. We did talk about business during the feast, remember? That's exactly what we were talking about back there."
Katsuya did not expect that Sheryl was having such a hard time, at the same time, he hated himself since he could not help her.
"...Yeah."
"You're indeed a skilled Hunter, your Hunter Rank is pretty high as well. I myself have confirmed that you're a skilled Hunter based on the information that I gathered about you. But, unfortunately, you're not the kind of Hunter that Sheryl is looking for. After all, you're a skilled monster Hunter. Most of your track records are from subjugating monsters or protecting inter-city transports. So, unfortunately, this track record can't attest for your skill in hunting relics. But that's not the case for Akria. He's doing very well as a relic Hunter. He's basically a proficient treasure Hunter."
"If it's only that much, not too long ago I found some old-world terminal, right...?"
"Just that one time out of coincidence, right? We can't really expect you to keep producing that kind of result just from that one time, right?"
"Moreover, even if it's not from coincidence but from your talent, that doesn't change much from Sheryl's point of view. You're a Hunter from Drankam, the gang decides where the relics that you gathered will go, not you. I bet they won't let you give those relics to Sheryl even if it is to get on your good side, and it won't work even if Sheryl tries to negotiate with Drankam. The Hunters in Drankam are receiving a lot of support from the gang and it is not cheap. It's only to be expected that the relics its members gather will go there first. They will have no relics available for Sheryl. In contrast to that, Akira is an independent Hunter, which is rare to find. So, if she can just get on his good side, she will be able to expect some relics to go to her."
"She did not know that you and Akira are on bad terms. After seeing how you reacted. As a businesswoman and the leader of her gang, her options were between you and Akira, but her only choice was to side with Akira. There was no room for her own feelings, it was a hard decision. Well, it is all just my guess though. I'm not her after all, so I don't know what exactly she was thinking at that moment. But well, I can guess that much judging from how you two were talking during the feast."
Katsuya was hoping that there was a reason why Sheryl did that and this pretty much confirmed it for him. But what laid after was something that was out of his reach, something worse than he had expected.
Inabe was a bit overwhelmed by the powerful determination oozing out from Katsuya that felt like physical pressure.
[So this is the real him, huh. I see. No wonder Drankam is so invested in him. I bet the people around him lost to this as well, this would explain why Drankam has broken into factions.]
In order to keep control of the conversation, Inabe deliberately let off an authoritative smile.
"We have a deal then. Don't worry, I will keep my promise. That's why, keep this a secret, okay? I have my position to consider here. You get it, right?"
"Sounds good. If they ask you what happened, just tell them that you got fired up after I offered you a highly profitable ruin expedition. To be honest, I don't really care what excuse you make as long as you keep this a secret."
"Now then, I have nothing more I want to talk to you about. I need to go meet the original negotiator from Drankam to let her know that this matter has been settled. So, I'll take my leave."
Inabe stood up and walked towards the door. Katsuya also stood up, flustered, and bowed to Inabe.
"Ah, um, thank you very much!"
"You're welcome. I'm looking forward to your work."
As Inabe left the room, he noticed that Yumina and the others were waiting nearby. Even Mizuha was present, so he called on her to request a meeting for another time.
Inabe found Mizuha and the other's reaction rather weird, all of them looked delighted. The gloomy mood that they had right before they left the room was nowhere to be seen. Since Katsuya was still inside the room, there was no way they knew that Katsuya had cheered up.
Rebuild World (WN)
リビルドワールド
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/rebuild-world/
Action Adventure Drama Harem Mecha Mystery Sci-fi Seinen
Abandoned Children Adapted to Manga Adventurers Alternate World Anti-social Protagonist Apocalypse Artificial Intelligence Beautiful Female Lead Cautious Protagonist Child Protagonist Dense Protagonist Determined Protagonist Distrustful Protagonist Futuristic Setting Gangs Gunfighters Harsh Training Lack of Common Sense Male Protagonist Manipulative Characters Monsters Near-Death Experience Older Love Interests Poor Protagonist Poor to Rich Ruthless Protagonist Shota Sudden Strength Gain Survival Twisted Personality Unlucky Protagonist Weak to Strong
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n9736dt/
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