'Ridiculous!' Elom would have had such thoughts if he wasn't currently staring at the proof.
'Who is this man? He defies everything I've been taught… everything I've learned!'
Elom felt as though all of his experience as an expert were nothing in the presence of this mysterious figure before him.
'Did he do all of this intentionally? Is he messing with me? Did he…?'
Elom wasn't sure of anything anymore.
All he knew was that he had been wrong, deeply, undeniably wrong.
'He has value! More value than all of our present customers combined!'
Elom's mind raced as he realized that, on an individual level, this seller was far superior to their best client.
'And he says he has even more? What kind of…? No, I should stop now and focus!'
Elom tried to steady himself, pulling his thoughts back to the matter at hand. He had to think strategically and consider what was best for the business.
'It would be a major loss for us if he goes elsewhere with this stock. Even if he sells to us now, there's no guarantee he'll bring the next batch here…'
That had to be fixed.
'We need to have this man on our side. If we can have a monopoly on his goods, then…!'
Scarcity determines value. If the market was flooded with these Grade 6 Monster Cores, it would be catastrophic!
'That's what makes him so dangerous. And being a Spatial Magic user? He's a big deal.'
Elom felt a sting of embarrassment. He had been foolish, falling into the trap of judging a book by its cover. If he had made a blunder early, it could have cost the company dearly, not just in money, but in potential.
And it wouldn't just stop there.
'For him to have so many Grade 6 Monster Cores, he must be a man of many means. He could even be a powerful Magician for all I know.'
If that were true, this man had the strength to hunt down over 16,000 High-Level Monsters. The fact that he had more in reserve meant his capabilities were beyond anything Elom could currently fathom.
'He's a Spatial Magic user, transporting such a massive quantity is no problem for him. In essence, if we can forge a deep connection with this man…'
They could finally take their products, and their business, to the next level!
'This is an even bigger deal than the batch of Grade 6 Cores we received earlier today.'
That shipment felt like a miracle, so much so that they had given the customer a rare Invisibility Necklace as a bonus. But this... this was beyond anything they had ever encountered!
"How much…" Elom found it hard to properly mouth the words, but he did so anyway. "How much do you want?" He gave a serious look at the masked customer and was prepared to hear an exorbitant price.
But instead…
"How much can you offer?"
… He was surprised by the reasonableness of the counteroffer.
'This is a good chance to forge good connections with him!' Elom thought, 'If we grant him a good price, and secure this deal, we could draw him in and become his sole buyer.'
The Exrump Corporation specialized in the production and distribution of high-end Magic Artifacts and luxury goods. Recently, they had been running out of stock on the rare Monster Cores needed for their most expensive products, especially the high-quality ones.
With 16,000 Grade 6 Monster Cores, not only could they replenish their stock, but they could also finally expand into markets where their competitors currently held a monopoly.
Such as the Slave Union, the biggest establishments not only in Aquarius but almost the entirety of the Third Civilization Zone, that held one-third of the entire market with its exotic number of high-class slaves.
Before them was an opportunity Elom couldn't afford to miss, a goldmine that will make this corporation reach the level of that woman's business empire.
"How about… six gold coins per piece?"
"What?"
"Seven! I meant seven!"
He could instantly tell the dissatisfaction from the seller, so he quickly adjusted the price. It was clear that the masked man held all the bargaining power.
'With the authority I have, seven gold coins per piece is the highest I can offer him. I doubt there's any other place that will match such an amount upfront, but I can't take that chance…'
Even their last purchase of Grade 6 Monster Cores had been priced at only 4 Gold Coins each. This was honestly the best deal he could propose.
"I see…" As the seller spoke, Elom silently prayed that his anxiety wasn't showing on his face.
He gulped down another round of saliva and awaited the man's answer and decision.
"You want to be my sole buyer, don't you?"
"That's right! The Exrump Corporation would like to establish a long-standing relationship with you, sir." Elon replied, his excitement barely contained.
He was so glad that the masked seller understood.
"We have a lot of benefits for those in exclusive partnerships with us. Not only will you receive massive discounts on, as high as 60%, any product you wish to purchase, but you'll also have first priority on the products we use your Monster Cores to make."
Elom continued, listing the advantages with the fervor of a salesman desperate to close the deal. But he didn't care how he sounded.
He had to secure this partnership at all costs.
"I understand. Fair enough. I don't mind establishing such a relationship with you."
Elom couldn't properly express how relieved he was to hear that. Inside, he was celebrating wildly, but he did his utmost best to hide his excitement.
'Yes! YES YES YES YES!!!'
"I just have one small favor to ask. Aside from the benefits, of course…"
The moment he heard that, Elom's heart skipped a beat.
'A favor? What could it be? Can we fulfill it?'
He swallowed hard before responding. "Of course! What favor would that be?"
The seller paused thoughtfully. "Hmm. A subordinate of mine came to sell a few Monster Cores earlier today. Grade 6, naturally. It was just one sack…"
Elom's eyes bulged the moment he realized what was going on.
'He was the one responsible for that too? Why? Could it be that he sent that one sac their way in order to test the waters? Just how many other establishments did he do this for?'
"Apparently, it was sold to your establishment for 2 Gold Coins per piece."
'WHAT?!' Elom could not believe it. He was certain they had purchased those Monster Cores for 4 Gold Coins each.
"S-sir, I think—!"
The seller raised his hand to indicate he was not done talking.
"Let me finish."
Elom gulped and nodded at his words as beads of sweat appeared on his face.
'What is he about to say?!'
"My subordinate was approached by an 'Affiliate' of yours who handled the transaction while he waited outside."
The moment Elom heard this, he was stunned.
'An Affiliate? Did his subordinate fall prey to one of those con-artists?'
The seller's choice of words was deliberate. There was no way this esteemed man did not know who this 'Affiliate' he spoke of was, yet he still referred to him as that, leaving Elom in a tricky spot.
Why?
'It's not our establishment's fault that his subordinate didn't exercise caution. Nothing in the Laws of Aquarius covers such situations as that.'
In essence, it was his loss. However, Elom could not even dare to think, talkless of speaking, such a thing.
"I-I see…" Was all he could say.
"It came as a surprise to me. I thought perhaps your establishment was unaware of the transaction, so I decided to forgive you and personally came to give you a second chance."
At that moment, Elom realized the brilliance of the masked man's words. By framing it this way, the seller was not only pushing the blame for the scam onto the Exrump Corporation but also painting himself as a benevolent figure. It was a masterful move.
'This man is too shrewd!' Elom respected and feared him even more for that.
"Thank you for your patience with us. We were unaware of the matter, but we will certainly investigate it."
"Hmm. That is good to hear."
Elom already knew he was going out of his way. That was why the man called this a 'Favor.' And normally, the Exrump Corporation would have ignored such a minor incident, as it was just a part of business. But this time was different. Now, everything was on the line.
"I will personally see to it that all parties involved in this transaction are properly investigated, including this 'Affiliate' of ours."
There was no need to spell out many details. The two parties already had an understanding.
'And since I'm already going out of my way, I might as well throw in a bonus.'
"Of course, we'll also compensate you for the loss you encountered due to the disservice done to you. We'll do so at the previous cost price of 4 Gold Coins per piece, so I hope that is fine by you."
Elom watched the masked man carefully, hoping his offer would be enough to appease him.
"It is. Thank you very much."
"Haha! What are you saying? This much is only natural for someone entering into such a valuable relationship with us."
"Hmm. Indeed."
"Hahaha!"
"Hahahaha!"
Both men laughed together, their voices filling the room as it was already clear to the point that both of them that a deal had been struck.