Silently, a tall man pushed through the tribal warriors and appeared behind Tomimi.
Click—
"Who!"
It was only after he had been there for a while that Blacksteel's most professional mercenaries finally raised their small firearms and crossbows.
He carried a serrated machete and a long-handled battle-axe on his back, exuding a bloody and murderous Aura with every movement.
"It's not good to trick children, sir. Using your rich life experience to deceive and defraud a minor, in Columbia, that's how you get FBIopenthedoor."
Patting Tomimi's head, Goki had walked out of the Witch Doctor's hut from the very beginning, listening to the conversation between "Chieftain" and the man in the suit.
This child, Tomimi, was completely being manipulated by this old fox. No matter how firm Tomimi was, the other party had more information than her.
There's no helping it; people in sales rely on rhetoric and information asymmetry. It would be a miracle if this little girl, Tomimi, could outplay the other party.
"This is forcing our Tomimi to become a comprador. Although a life among the elite is good, it's still better not to do it."
Goki playfully twirled Tomimi's cowlick with his finger, feeling Skadi and Gavial approaching behind him, and glared at the people in front of him.
"Ugh—ah!"
Almost instantly, those Blacksteel International mercenaries, veterans with previous military experience, couldn't help but take a step back. The man who called himself Elwin even went weak in the knees, almost collapsing to the ground.
Frightening people is a minor skill of Goki's, not much of a feat.
This wasn't some Kingly Aura; it was a skill he had learned while dealing with bandits and petty thieves on his journey from the Sargon border to the Rainforest.
After he scared off a team of bandits with just a look, he specifically asked Skadi and Gavial if he was too fierce.
The reply he received was: "Perhaps just a little?"
Only then did Goki realize why, in Saltwind City, when those hungry citizens "robbed" him, they would all become as spineless as noodles. It wasn't just hunger, but also fear.
The real Yharnam was much larger than in the game. As an Old Hunter, Goki had hunted too many things: dead people, living people, beasts, monsters, kin, gods—if not millions, then hundreds of thousands.
Even if he never thought he had any "killing intent honed from mountains of corpses and seas of blood," he unconsciously displayed such an Aura.
Just a glare, and an unconscious killing intent would spread, a look of absolute condescension, disregarding all human rights of the other party, the gaze of a hunter sizing up his prey.
However, because he only encountered daring female superhumans, and he usually smiled at people, it was basically impossible for him to show such a terrifying expression.
But now that he thought about it, this expression of staring at prey might still be useful in this situation.
Although Goki preferred to directly cut people down rather than speak in riddles, Terra, no matter what, was not truly a wasteland society; social interaction was still necessary.
However, before he could finish putting on airs, he was suddenly struck hard on the back by a massive force.
"Whose 'yours' are you? Don't try to get familiar with me! I, I've watched Columbia soap operas at Inam's place, you just want to get close to your sister-in-law, don't you?!"
With Goki's interruption, Tomimi's previous tension and embarrassment vanished. Instead, she fiercely whipped Goki's back twice with her thick tail, pouting as she retorted.
"Hey, you ungrateful little brat, I'm helping you, understand—you're not looking at important things, just these boring soap operas."
Coughing a few times from the whipping, Goki immediately grabbed Tomimi's gray cowlick, pulling it until her eyes watered.
"Dealing with Columbians when you don't understand anything, do you want Acahuala to be exploited dry, then filled with war and strife, its people suffering and accused of using laundry detergent as chemical weapons?"
Goki harbored a natural disdain for Columbia, a young country touted as having the most advanced science and technology in the world, supposedly treating everyone equally regardless of nationality, race, origin, or whether they suffered from oripathy, and hailed as a beacon of freedom and democracy.
Although in this world, countries like the Ursus Empire, Victoria, and Yan Country were also established powers, each with their own flaws, Goki had an Innate dislike for Columbia, which also extended its reach across the entire world.
Furthermore, the chaotic situation in Sargon and the reality of Pashas and Wangqius becoming compradors made Goki gnash his teeth in hatred.
Even if it were an unfamiliar tribe being deceived, Goki would have to intervene, let alone the homeland of an acquaintance.
[And, besides your sister Gavial, even you, in six more years, I don't plan to let go.]
[Kind Hunter...]
[Hehe~~]
The Nona of the Doll was already too lazy to complain about the Hunter, who only dared to speak boldly but didn't even dare to make a move when sleeping next to her every night.
After being stunned for more than ten seconds, on the other side, Manager Elwin finally straightened his legs, mustered his courage, and looked at Goki with a beaming smile.
"Where did that come from, sir? We are here for the benefit of this Rainforest, for development and construction. Chief Temimi is a leader I respect; how could I be tricking a child?"
Elwin was clearly startled by Goki, but his professional demeanor quickly allowed him to regain his composure—the man in black was of an unclear race, but his attire clearly clashed with the surrounding tribespeople.
Perhaps he was an outsider, or even a competitor trying to seize the Originium Ore mining rights.
"Furthermore, I represent only Hyde Brothers Construction Company, discussing the future of this tribe with Chief Temimi. May I ask, Your Excellency, who do you represent?"
It wasn't surprising that he immediately asked about his identity and qualifications. Goki actually had many identities, but he couldn't very well reply, "I am a loyal kin of the Vileblood Queen," could he?
"Then listen carefully, I'm just passing by—"
However, after much thought, Goki felt that he didn't really need any particular identity; as long as his blade was behind him, no one could look down on him.
So, just as he was about to introduce himself as a typical passing Hunter, a slender arm suddenly reached out from behind him and wrapped around his neck.
"For example, Tomimi's brother-in-law? Or... the future Chieftain's boyfriend?"
Gavial stood on her tiptoes, trying to hook arms with the tall Goki, and spoke in a casual tone.
"Although I don't know if you care about what us barbarians say, you must have heard the name 'Gavial' from the local residents, right?"
"Eh—Gavial? I knew it!"
Tomimi's eyes widened, and she looked up at Gavial behind her, letting out a surprised shout.
Bang—
Skadi, who had just walked up to Goki, intending to immediately draw her blade and attack if a fight started, finally stomped her foot, driving her short boot deep into the ground.
"Gavial! Gavial has appeared! We listen to Gavial!"
"No, wait, isn't that Gavial's husband talking? Hiss, he's a bit handsome—it's just that he doesn't seem to have much muscle or a tail."
"Who cares about him, I just don't like these arrogant guys!"
Behind them, due to Gavial's appearance, the Adaklis people in the tribe, both men and women, also raised their spears, stepped forward, and their Aura surged.
"Eh, Gavial, you—"
In fact, Goki was also startled. He constantly fantasized about all the female Operators as his wives in his head, but who knew Gavial would actually go through with it—Ines and Amiya could read minds, can you read minds too?
"What are you thinking? I also know these Columbian guys aren't good news. I'm bad with words, so you help me talk them away—it's not like I'm taking advantage of you, after all, you slept with me last night, right?"
Gavial whispered in Goki's ear, embracing him intimately, and winked at him with her green eyes.
"Alright, I can't say you're Tomimi's husband. Just say what you need to say. The other party has a Pasha's decree, no matter what, and if a fight really breaks out, it will be very troublesome."
Fine, Goki thought he was taking advantage of Gavial, but Gavial felt sorry for Goki!
"Gavial? The warrior qualified to become Chieftain, surpassing champions. Of course, you and your spouse are certainly qualified to participate in this discussion."
Gavial's sudden appearance clearly somewhat surprised Elwin, but as an excellent overseas market developer, he had done his homework and at least knew who Gavial was.
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[He is said to be someone capable of becoming a Chieftain, but what does that matter? These men and women who came with him are probably just muscle-brained idiots who only know how to fight, savages of the Rainforest...]
Elwin scornfully cursed the people huddled together in front of him. He was confident that with his rhetoric and eloquence, he could easily make these primitive savages hand over the mining area and work for him.
[Just like every past success.]
"This gentleman, and Ms. Gavial, I think you must know that our existence is beneficial to the entire jungle and causes no harm. Coexistence and mutual prosperity are the goals Columbia wants to achieve."
He rubbed his hands, maintaining his perfect business smile.
"You have left the Rainforest before, and I think you should know how wonderful the civilized world is. Every child here should receive an education, and not so many innocents would die from diseases that can be easily treated—"
Suddenly, Elwin saw the man opposite him reveal a smile.
It was not a smile meant to humor him, but one mixed with disdain, contempt, scorn, and indifference.
"Yes, we understand your 'civilization,' Mr. Elwin. Not to mention whether you seriously fulfilled your contracts when hiring workers, just the daily wages you pay tribesmen differ greatly from the wages of outside laborers that I know of."
Just now, Goki had already inquired about the treatment of recruited laborers from the Adaklis people who were watching.
Coupled with the relevant information he had checked on the ship during his previous travels with Kal'tsit, and the information he had extracted from Kal'tsit, the Terra encyclopedia herself, Goki fully understood how these colonial companies were encroaching upon Sargon.
Imperialists are all scumbags; this was a truth Goki had known since he was a child.
"Or, do you need me to list one by one how your companies deceive our people into digging high-purity Originium veins in high-risk deep mines at a fraction of the price, and then immediately dismiss employees upon discovering they have oripathy, with the medical assistance compensation in the contract being nothing more than a few packs of painkillers?"
There's nothing new under the sun; Goki had seen these tactics many times.
"How about this: we set a price. For the Originium veins extracted, we get 70% and you get 30% according to market price. How about that?"
Narrowing his eyes, Goki looked at Elwin in front of him. This man in a suit and leather shoes was as out of place in the jungle as he, the hunter in black, was.
"30%? Why only 30%, sir? You must be joking."
Elwin felt his smile was about to break.
Making capitalists share money was more painful than killing their horses.
"30%. And even then, it depends on our mood. If you want those hired workers back, you'd best go do it now—and don't give me that 'if you don't do it, others will' line. I know the average wages of Columbia and Sargon miners. We don't engage in internal competition, thank you."
Goki knew that Terra's current situation had its causes. He, a "net-leftist" who had never deeply listened in his Marxist Philosophy class, couldn't start a movement like Ms. Tower—and besides, the Reunion Movement ultimately failed.
However, to right a wrong when one sees it, hunters might not have such a warm heart, but Goki did.
"By the way, you can just call me Goki, Mr. Elwin."
But seeing the disgusting smile of this agent in front of him, who wanted to exploit Gavial's tribe to the bone, Goki almost couldn't resist pulling out his short-barreled gun and shooting the bastard.
But Goki understood that the person in front of him was merely a symbol of corporate will—unless Columbia was burned to ashes, such phenomena would inevitably occur again and again.
"Uh... In... internal competition? I apologize for not understanding the term you are using—but I think our discussion today cannot continue. I hope you will take good care of Director Parvis. Our camp is on the outskirts of the tribe."
Feeling the extremely contemptuous and disgusted gaze from Goki, Elwin suppressed his anger and smiled as he said goodbye.
He felt insulted; the primitive had insulted the advanced, ignorance had scorned science, and barbarism had triumphed over civilization.
"By the way, Mr. Parvis is Mulla Pasha's guest. Please cooperate with their research. They are looking for a Sarkaz thief who stole company property. If you find her, please provide information—you stupid primitives."
Elwin said the last sentence with a smile, in a dialect from his Columbia homeland that was so obscure and difficult that not even everyone in the same country would necessarily understand it.
"Of course, we will give Mr. Parvis a home-away-from-home experience, and we also hope you have a good dream tonight—your horse died, suit guy."
Goki also smiled slightly, returning the compliment in the same perfectly accented dialect.
He could read any text and understand any language; no one could secretly curse him.
"Let's go—Mr. Parvis, I wish your research goes smoothly."
Elwin's eyes widened, and he quickly left the tribe with his mercenaries.
"My research, no one will interfere, right?"
Meanwhile, Parvis, indifferent to the boring standoff, walked into the depths of the Rainforest with his students, minding his own business.
"Naturally not, Mr. Parvis. On behalf of the tribe, I welcome Rhine Lab's presence—Ha, they're finally gone, but one must be strong oneself. Even if they're gone now, they'll eventually come back..."
Goki patted Gavial's back, and both of them sighed in relief.
If a fight broke out, they weren't afraid, but injuring the tribal residents would be bad.
"Gavial, you're going to..."
"Goki—are you getting married?"
"Eh?"
Turning their heads, Gavial and Goki saw Tomimi and Skadi beside them, tugging at their respective clothes, looking at them piteously, their dark golden and blood-red eyes filled with wavering emotions.
"No, no—first, go hide that Sarkaz girl!"
Whether true or false, a son-in-law was about to appear in Gavial's tribe.
————
"Damn it, these primitives are so lucky. Who knows how many girls they sold to get such an outsider son-in-law—Goki, I'll remember that."
After leaving the tribe and dismissing his subordinates, Elwin's emotions once again spiraled out of control. He violently kicked the green trees in the Rainforest with his polished leather shoes.
"I am the regional general manager of Hyde Brothers Company! You are just a bunch of useful tools! Damn it!"
He felt a contempt he had never experienced even in Columbia! He used to be a high-ranking individual who could ignore these lowlifes! Now he was being humiliated by these inferiors!
After kicking off the tip of his shoe, he finally calmed down, took a deep breath, and pressed a button on his wireless radio.
Soon, although no one was visible in the surrounding Rainforest, the leaves on the ground couldn't help but ripple a few times.
Quickly, a faint purple shadow appeared behind Elwin.
"Mr. Elwin... my command... is under your control."
It was a female voice, somewhat soft, seemingly a little shy.
"So you are the little toy cultivated by Sargon, rented out for use, to attack political enemies? How interesting, I couldn't even detect you."
But Elwin didn't care about that; he wouldn't care about a mercenary's life or death.
"Alright, I'm hiring you now to teach that Mr. Goki a lesson."
If the other party died mysteriously right after a meeting, then this discussion certainly couldn't continue. No matter how cruel business warfare was, no one would make such a foolish decision—if it triggered an all-out conflict, things would be difficult to resolve.
"You don't need to kill him, just use your poison to make him bedridden for a few days, unable to touch that Aegir woman of his, that's enough."
His expression returned to calm, Elwin curled his lips, revealing a terrifying smile.
"Yes, Manticore, I obey... your command."
The purple shadow vanished from the spot, carrying the evil of Columbia, and merged into the air.
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