Winfrey

"Please elaborate," Silver requests.

The man across the table widens his smile, reminding me of some of the people Uncle Eric has worked with - clients and partners mostly - and I don't mean that in a good way at all. It might be stereotyping, but I can already tell what kind of man he is. From the way Silver's outward-attitude has changed, I'm fairly certain he can too.

"I've been following your activities for a little while now, and I have to say I'm impressed by what I've seen - even going so far as to discover the existence of Rambling Rose, which was quite a shock," Hadrian leads in, "So, I can't help but wonder what you'd like in exchange for joining Rambling Rose. I assure you, my pockets are deep enough to humour some rather outlandish requests."

I can't help but notice that I'm not included in that recruitment offer, and neither are Jade or Angelus. Though his answer isn't immediate, I can already predict what Silver's answer will be.

"I will have to decline your...generous offer of employment, Mr King. I have ambitions of my own that cannot be realised while labouring under the thumb of another man," Silver responds with some rather delicious passive-aggression, "I contacted your Guild with a job offer, not a request to be fitted for a collar."

I can't help but grin at his retort, the snake's eye twitches but he holds his mask firm, I'll give him that. Thankfully, I'm wearing my Feardrinker Armet, so I don't have to worry about embarrassing myself, though keeping myself from laughing out loud is a trial. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice that the yet-to-speak assassin woman is hiding a smirk. Noticing my...noticing... she winks.

I like her already.

The killer for hire. Ugh, this is going to be bugging me for months.

"That's...disappointing to hear you say, but not unsurprising, given your conflict with the Darkest Dreamers Alliance," Hadrian sighs, "Concerning this...job of yours. While the Beginner's Bronze equipment may have been attractive a few days ago, my subordinates have rather outgrown what a Level 1 set can provide. I wish to receive three sets of the sets you and Miss Windy Fields here are wearing."

Expensive tastes, this one, when he's probably not wearing anything better than Copper-Tier gear. I'm not experienced enough to judge, but I'm confident that's the case.

"That's impossible," Silver denies immediately.

Hadrian exaggerates his shock, "Why, recordings of you crafting it are quite widespread by now. You claim you cannot create more?"

"Yes," Silver nods, "I cannot make more, and what we're equipped with already is not for sale. Please reconsider my previous offer."

Unwilling to give up, the man leans in, "Would you explain why you cannot make more? Is there an issue with the materials?"

"Indeed, I no longer possess the materials necessary," Silver admits after a brief pause, "Moreover, the aid I am requesting is not as valuable to me as the privilege of being the sole owner of this equipment."

Hearing him talk about how much he needs the reputation from this Quest chain, I'm pretty sure that the second part was a lie, but I can't say with certainty that it is.

Being denied twice, and mocked besides, it's easy by comparison to tell that Hadrian is losing patience with the negotiation, his greed meeting a humanoid wall comprised of stubbornness and metaphor metaphor. I don't know where I was going with that one.

Hadrian rubs his chin, pitying, "What a shame. Then it seems that Rambling Rose cannot help you."

"It can. You just need to set a reasonable price," Silver suggests innocently, "I believe you said you wished to negotiate, but thus far all I've heard are one-sided demands as though you were the only people I could offer this opportunity to."

God, I hope he doesn't act like this when he talks to Uncle Eric.

Hadrian sports a shit-eating grin, "But we are your first choice, and with good reason - not to toot my own horn too much. However, as I have already said, the payment of Beginner's Bronze is not enough for us anymore. Our price, likewise, has been made clear."

Silver laughs, like he's caught him in the act, "Do tell me, how is Miner's Nightmare treating your people?"

Both Rambling Rose members tense up.

He leans in, stepping his hands, "A Guild with your means and background should already know about where to find it, yes? So, it follows you've already made at least one attempt. How far did you get, out of curiosity? Did you even kill the first boss, or did you get taken down by the trash mobs?"

At that, Hadrian remains silent. Obviously not wanting to admit that he's been mooching off our discovery. Instead, it's the assassin girl who speaks up, "We've killed the first boss once. Then lost to the second."

Silver starts clapping, half-sarcastic, "Impressive work. I'm sure Trophytaker is very happy with the new skulls for his collection."

Hadrian's eyes narrow, "You're offering the strategy you used to clear the dungeon?"

I look over at the boss, also curious as to why he'd be willing to give up something so valuable.

"In part. The Satisfaction conditions are staying with me and my team," Silver corrects him, "So don't even ask."

I relax a little bit on hearing that he's not just going to give up all the goods. A strategy guide for a new dungeon that gives higher level gear is definitely more valuable than Beginner's Bronze, there's no denying that, nooby as I am to Astral Reckoning.

Hadrian considers the offer seriously, "Deal, however, that is conditional on the information you provide being accurate enough to allow for a clear."

"If it wasn't, we wouldn't have managed to beat it with four people, when you likely sent in a full 5-man group," I point out, and Silver nods in agreement.

Silver goes on to give an extremely brief overview of the bosses and abilities, with far less detail than what he gave to us. Satisfied, the both of them stand up and exchange another handshake.

"A pleasure doing business with you. I shall go organise an expedition immediately with this new information," Hadrian smiles beatifically, as if he's the one who came out on top in this back and forth, when I'm pretty sure that Silver is playing him for a fool like that yappy bitch at the head of that lynch mob, "Come along Olrica."

Olrica shakes her head, "Go on without me, need to have a private chat with them."

He stares at her, cold and hard, "Olrica, I believe I said you were to come along."

That didn't sound creepy or rapey at all.

Silver jumps in to the rescue, "It won't take long, you have my word."

Annoyed that his authority is being questioned Hadrian side-eyes Silver before giving in, "I expect you to be prompt, Olrica. No detours."

The pompous ass struts off without looking back, and only when his head dips below the edge of the stairs does Olrica relax, "Fuuuuck that guy."

"Amen," I agree on reflex.

The redhead hunches over, resting her head on the table, "Sorry about him, he insisted he tag along when I told him I was meeting up with you."

Silver lowers himself back into his seat, "I'm not often in the habit of holding the actions of the superior against an unwilling subordinate. Think nothing of it."

"Why do you work for him if you dislike him so much?" I ask, curious.

Olrica gives us the jazz hands, "Monahhh. It's a job, sweetie."

"His 'deep pockets', is it?" Silver notes.

"Mhm. He pays just enough for me to tolerate his bullshit," She sits up, "That's enough venting, though. Found you your guy, and you're not going to like what I'm about to tell you."

"I'm already primed to dislike the man, go ahead," Silver waves for her to continue.

"Mm, well Irkle is a pretty high up member of DDA. 9th Ranked Assassin, and he's been holed up in their base for a couple days now. From what I hear, they're not too happy with him right now - guessing 'cos of you," Olrica picks at a fingernail with her thumb, "So, good luck with that, because if it wasn't already obvious, DDA really doesn't like you."

Calm, the boss nods, "That's within expectations. In fact, if that was their 9th best, then I don't hold out much hope for his peers."

Olrica smirks, "I'd tell you to be careful, but you kinda tossed their 4th rank and over a hundred of her goons into the City Jail the other day. Dumb bitch should know better than to fucking monologue at their target."

"I'm still feeling a little giddy from that," I admit, grinning under the helmet, "Thinking about it just puts a smile on my face."

Olrica gives me a thumbs-up, "Still no idea how you did it. But if you want my opinion, busting your way through the Bone Troupe and Terrible Titans at Liggit Mine was way cooler."

I tilt my head, "You saw that?"

"Yup. Was waiting there on orders from King Jackass to see whether you showed up there or not," Olrica admits freely, when I'm pretty sure she shouldn't be talking about that. Perhaps it's a moot point now that their involvement in Miner's Nightmare has already been revealed, "Saw the whole thing. Got it recorded too if you want a copy."

A recording? This I've gotta see, "I'll take a copy, sure."

"Likewise," Silver nods, "I use a rental capsule at the moment, so I can't make recordings of my own."

"Really?" Olrica purses her lips in surprise, "Had you pegged for another rich kid. Just not as bad as Hadrian."

He snorts, "Hardly. I don't have parents to suck up to. I've had to make my own way these past few years with what money they left us."

Wait, he's an orphan? Huh. Suddenly regret joking with Jade about his dad being one of the developers.

Silver shakes it off, "But I digress. Thanks for your assistance. I have something else I'd like you to look into..."

He pulls out the Beginner's Bronze Dagger he made earlier for his Promotion, "If you're interested in this?"

Olrica is very definitely interested from the way she's eyeing the knife, "I am, but if it involves pissing off the DDA, count me out. On thin ice with the officers after tracking down Icky."

"Not an issue, I don't believe. I just want to be kept updated on the progress the various teams make in Miner's Nightmare," He explains, "I plan on releasing the location tonight after I log off."

Olrica thinks it through, "That's kinda pushing it, however, I really want a better knife, so gimme."

Silver slides the dagger across the table, then pulls out a Trophytaker's Dagger. She stops mid-reach, "That...I thought you said you couldn't make anymore?"

He shakes his head, a little smug, "I didn't make this. It's a drop from the second boss."

Squinting, she eyes him suspiciously, "What do you want for it?"

Surprisingly, he slides that across the table too, "Consider it a down-payment on our continued cooperation."

The assassin eyes the knife like it's going to blow up in her face any second, "You're really just going to give this to me after telling Hadrian to fuck off like that?"

"Yes. As I said, I hold no animosity toward you for his behaviour," Silver smiles peacefully, "Do whatever you want with it."

Troubled, she takes the daggers and hastily equips them, "...Thanks, I guess?"

Standing up, she quickly fires off her contact info then quick-marches out of the place, leaving just the two of us alone at the table.

"What was that about?" I immediately question Silver.

"An investment," He responds simply, "I had thought to use it in a more bait-like manner, but I feel that even calculated kindness would be seen as an improvement in an employer."

"Pretty sure you creeped her out," I disagree, "Girl just about fled."

Silver shrugs, "We'll see. The important thing is that more teams get into Miner's Nightmare and through it. So long as she reports their progress in a timely fashion, that's all I need from her for now."

"Now that you bring it up, why are you giving up so much info on the dungeon?" This is the thing that really baffles me.

"The region's development is reaching a stopping point and without access to Miner's Nightmare, it will stagnate," He explains, slipping into lecture mode, "More importantly for us, however, is that people start getting their hands on the boss drops."

"Won't we lose our advantage if we do that?"

"Not immediately," He smirks, "Do you not recall the state in which loot dropped?"

Realisation dawns, "Ah. Unidentified?"

"Correct. And yours truly is the only person in the region capable of Identifying them, thereby making them possible to equip. At least until our Quest Chain is resolved to the fullest or the day that The Failed Mage's Regret unlocks," Silver says smugly, resembling Hadrian a little.

It occurs to me that Alex has something of a fondness for scarcity-based moneymaking schemes.