Benefits.
It was a topic that never went out of style, no matter the world. Especially in an unfamiliar environment like the one they now faced, people were more than willing to form temporary alliances when mutual gains were involved.
Whether it was Arya, Roy, Natasha, Rogers, or Professor Sai… each had their own motives, their own calculations, but the lure of shared benefits allowed them to establish an understanding—a direct, pragmatic way to make demands and reach agreements.
For Arya, this was particularly important. If the terms were favorable, she could even provide Roy with a batch of negative status potions—things like Slow Potions, Weakness Potions, or Petrification Potions. Items that, while not necessarily lethal, could greatly shift the tide in difficult encounters. Compared to others, Arya, a long-time shut-in, was extremely reliant on the outside world. She hated it, she resented it—but it was an undeniable reality she couldn't ignore.
Roy, of course, was thinking too. But his considerations were more complex. How should the spoils—or the benefits—be divided so that he didn't feel short-changed, yet Arya and Natasha also felt satisfied? To be honest, it was a test of his skill as a businessman. Even if the benefits were currently intangible, the arrangement had to be settled before any action could be taken.
"Four-three-three," Roy finally messaged. "I take four. You and Natasha take three each. After all, my subordinates are going in first, risking their lives."
It was a relatively conservative division, but it made sense.
Arya raised an eyebrow at his words. "Do you actually care about your subordinates' lives?"
Roy smirked. "Of course I do. Without them, I'd have to run around chopping wood myself. How much of my money-making time would that waste?"
That made a lot of sense. Arya chose not to comment.
After thinking for a moment, she replied, "Then I want five parts. As for how you negotiate the remaining five parts with Natasha, that's your business."
Her reasoning was simple. She would spend the most time and energy in this endeavor, while Roy and Natasha would only have to make a single trip. Logically, she deserved the largest share. Even if the benefit seemed abstract at the moment, it was likely to be significant. After all, this was an artificially excavated site—whatever treasures lay hidden inside could be extremely useful. Arya had already witnessed the value of Albert's tools firsthand.
Roy responded quickly, as if he had anticipated her demands. "That's too much. I can give you four at most."
Arya paused, then typed, "Fine. Four it is."
Haggling with a professional businessman was largely pointless. Four was probably the maximum he could offer. How he divided the remaining six parts with Natasha was his concern. Besides, Arya was about to brew potions anyway, so she was essentially just adjusting her daily workload. On top of that, she would be studying chemistry with Professor Sai—learning and producing potions while potentially earning a sum. Even if the money never materialized, the practice alone was worth the effort.
With Arya's share settled, Natasha's portion was straightforward. When she returned from hunting that evening and saw Roy's messages, she agreed immediately.
She wasn't concerned about others' opinions—she knew her own strength. But her current level, eight, had plateaued. She had tried various methods to break through, yet the monsters she faced were too weak. Most were E-ranked, with the occasional rare D-rank, insufficient to advance her abilities. To level up, she needed a challenge, ideally a Grade C monster or higher.
Now, the mention of an unknown, artificially excavated cave immediately caught her attention. If powerful monsters lurked inside, it would be the perfect opportunity to grow stronger.
Natasha's sense of urgency matched Arya's. Once she agreed, Roy finally exhaled in relief. Securing the cooperation of two S-rank talent holders wasn't trivial, even if they were entitled to thirty percent of the gains.
"By the way," Roy asked, "is your talent geared towards physical or magical abilities?"
"The magical side," Natasha replied.
"I knew it. Then we'll wait until the Mana Turbulence passes before going in."
"Actually… there's no need," Natasha responded casually. "I've already overcome that aspect."
Roy froze. Did she just claim to overcome a natural phenomenon like Mana Turbulence? Should he be impressed, terrified, or a little of both? S-rank talent holders truly were inhuman.
Roy quickly moved on, passing the responsibility to Arya. "It's fine. The witch also needs time to produce the potions."
With Arya and Natasha on board, Roy contacted Smith.
"We have a plan," Roy said. "No need to collect resources for the next few days. Wait until the Mana Turbulence is over. Also, have your attack-oriented subordinates rest well. We'll proceed with the exploration once Arya finishes producing the potions."
"Understood," Smith replied. "I'll monitor the cave entrance closely. If any concealment vines are damaged, I'll notify you immediately."
During the next few days, Arya brewed potions with methodical precision while Smith carried out his usual duties. Meanwhile, Roy bought vast amounts of equipment—swords, armor, leather goods—preparing for whatever might lie ahead.
Why all this effort for something uncertain? The answer was simple: they were idle, and for once, this project was exciting.
Arya needed little explanation. For someone who had spent years as a shut-in, participation in an exploration—especially one with possible rewards and danger—was meaningful in itself.
Roy, though a businessman at heart, also relished the opportunity. He had accumulated wealth, yes, but never truly experienced it. The monotony of earning without enjoyment had driven him nearly to madness. His instincts told him this cave was not ordinary, and the investment—both of money and effort—was necessary.
Every day, Arya experimented with different potions, cataloging the effects meticulously. Smith maintained vigilance at the cave's entrance, and Roy continued his frantic shopping spree. Natasha, meanwhile, continued her own training, honing her magical skills for the challenges ahead.
They were preparing not just for survival but for opportunity. Each was driven by personal gain, yes, but also by curiosity, ambition, and the thrill of the unknown. And in this artificially excavated place, there was no telling what awaited—a treasure, a powerful monster, or something entirely unexpected.
It was the perfect storm: a skilled witch ready to brew potent potions, a magical talent eager to surpass her limits, a businessman anticipating profit, and vigilant subordinates ensuring safety. Even Rogers, quietly observing and studying patterns, played his part.
In the end, it wasn't just the promise of material gain that motivated them—it was the possibility of discovery. Arya could finally apply her chemistry knowledge in real situations, Natasha could face monsters that would push her beyond her plateau, and Roy could orchestrate the operation with precision.
The days passed swiftly. Arya adjusted her potion production schedule, experimenting with combinations that might provide tactical advantages. Smith kept meticulous records of any changes around the cave entrance. Natasha's magical power grew with each controlled spell practice, testing her limits while staying safe. Roy, meanwhile, juggled purchasing supplies, negotiating logistics, and maintaining morale among his subordinates.
By the time the Mana Turbulence showed signs of subsiding, everyone was ready. Potions were stocked, weapons polished, subordinates rested, and magical readiness at peak performance. The cave entrance, long hidden by nature, now awaited their investigation.
All that remained was to take the first step inside, into the unknown.
And though the future was uncertain, one thing was clear: this artificially excavated cave promised challenges—and rewards—that would test each of them in ways they had never imagined.
Arya, Natasha, Roy, Smith, and even Rogers were prepared, not just for danger, but for opportunity. And in a world that offered both in equal measure, preparedness was the most valuable advantage of all.
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