Chapter 188. First Offer.
I immediately recognized one of the applicants. He was a short, gangly, potbellied creature with red skin. A pair of glowing eyes were positioned over a bulbous nose and his pointed ears were at least a foot long. His overly long arms ended in hands tipped with sharp, black claws that were the only hint at the danger this creature represented. When I had first met him, this creature had worn only a simple loincloth, now, he sported a finely tailored suit with arms a bit too short for his long appendages.
“Gary? What are you doing here?” I asked, remembering the name I had given to the evil demon creature that had struck a deal with the foolish king a while back. Seeing the king dragged screaming into the abyss to satisfy his debt had been a thing of nightmares.
“You dare address a Lord of the Pit directly and in such a manner,” the other applicant growled out.
Where Gary was diminutive and unthreatening, this one was the complete opposite. Easily seven feet tall, with knotty red skin, the other applicant glared at me, flames beginning to emerge from his eyes and hands. The creature wore blackened plate armor, but without a helm on a head that sported two-foot-long horns. A two-handed sword was slung over his shoulder, and one hand was already reaching up to it. Leathery wings unfurled behind the creature, making him look even more intimidating.
“Hold back, I think I know this human. Hmm, let’s see, ah yes, it was when I came to collect from that fool King Hamlin. To be honest, I’m glad he tried to weasel out of the agreement, he’s providing us with so much entertainment during his stay in the abyss,” Gary said. At his order, the other creature moved his hand away from his sword and bowed before Gary in obeisance.
“What brings you here? Don’t tell me that you want to rent my expansion area,” I said.
“Exactly, Rico Kline, see, I knew I would remember you. Yes, I wish to acquire the expansion space you have unlocked for your personal space. I can make you an offer that will exceed your expectations,” Gary said.
“Gimblewalt here is representing me in the negotiations. We’ll hear from all three applicants and select who I feel is the best fit,” I said.
“Understandable. Now Gimblewalt, since you will be handling the negotiations, shall I make my offer now, or do you have a price in mind that will negate the need to hear out the other applicants?” Gary asked.
It seemed that Tzes’zod’s gnome disguise worked even against a being as powerful as Gary. That boded well for him being able to negotiate a good deal, though I was pretty sure that letting Gary set up shop anywhere near my personal space was a bad idea. Who knew, the other applicants might even be worse.
“I’m afraid I cannot offer a non-compete price, we will be entertaining all three offers. My suggestion is that you open with your best offer. Once you leave, the offer you give us now will be all we have to make a decision upon. Do you understand these requirement?” Tzes’zod asked.
“Of course, that is not a problem. I have little time for haggling over coppers,” Gary said.
“Before we get started, may I offer you two any refreshments? Also, please understand why I haven’t asked you two for your names. For the health of myself and my employer, I must insist you do not speak or write them on anything other than the final documented offer you make,” Tzes’zod replied.
It seemed like my representative was better informed than I had expected. He knew that speaking the true name of a Pit Lord like Gary would result in madness and death. Maybe not for Tzes’zod since he was undead, but I wouldn’t have a fun time of it.
“There is no offense taken, I believe Mr. Kline had a demonstration of the effects of my name during our last visit together. I also thank you for your offer of refreshment, but I’m afraid you’re unwilling to provide what we require for sustenance. Shall we get down to business. Here is my offer,” Gary said, pulling a flaming scroll from thin air and sliding it across the table.
It left a bit of a scorch mark on the tabletop and I hoped we didn’t have to pay for damages to the furniture that Tzes’zod had rented. Tzes’zod opened the scroll, holding it up so we could both read it. Instead of reading the scroll, the system decided to interpret it instead, which I was glad for, given that Gary could write things like his name, and have it drive you mad.
The being known to you as Gary has offered the following in return for the exclusive use of your personal space expansion.
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1. Immediate payment of the sum of 500 gold pieces.
2. Ongoing rental charge of 50 gold per standard month.
3. There will be 5 pieces of gear added to your armory.
4. There will be 4 class scrolls offered.
5. Sharing of any beneficial effects generated from the expansion’s use.
6. The option for a separate mutual defense pact.
7. A question and answer session for the summoned being known as Rico Kline.
In return for this offer, the being known as Gary requires the following.
1. Complete privacy, and voluntary lockout of Rico Kline, his minions, and associates from the expansion space unless directly granted limited access by the being known as Gary.
2. The agreement, and presence of Gary in this personal space expansion must remain secret, even in the home world of the summoned being.
3. Occasional access to the summoned being’s training center. This access will be at the summoned being’s discretion, but it must be made available for at least one session per week. While in use by Gary or his associates, the training center will be off limits to Rico Kline and any of his minions or employees.
4. Surrender of a portion of Rico Kline’s soul, not to exceed 10% of said soul.
You may review this offer until you decide on who will occupy the expansion space. Once you have decided on the new resident, this offer will expire and will vanish from your memory.
“As you can see, it is a fine offer, and one I’m sure you’ll accept immediately,” Gary said as we finished reading it, giving me a sly smile, and staring at me with his glowing red eyes as he awaited an answer.
It was disturbing, especially after reading his requirement that I give up a portion of my soul. I tried to maintain a calm demeanor, but it was hard not to tell Gary he was an idiot and throw him out of my personal space. There was no way I was going to sign part of my soul over to him, especially after what I’d witnessed with King Hamlin.
“This offer is unacceptable. I should warn you that the system fully interpreted the offer for us. We will grant you the chance to amend this offer once before we take it into consideration. I remind you that once you leave, the offer cannot be modified,” Tzes’zod said in a calm and professional manner.
“I should have known the system would cut through all the legalese I so love to include. May I?” Gary said, motioning with his clawed hand for the scroll to be returned. Once in hand, he scratched at it with the claw on his right index finger. After a few moments, he passed it back over to Tzes’zod, burning another furrow into the conference table, much to my annoyance. Opening the updated offer, the system translated it for us once again.
Counteroffer from the being known as Gary.
1. Immediate payment of the sum of 600 gold pieces.
2. Ongoing rental charge of 60 gold per standard month.
3. There will be 6 pieces of gear added to your armory.
4. There will be 4 class scrolls offered.
5. Sharing of any beneficial effects generated from the expansion’s use.
6. The option for a separate mutual defense pact.
7. A question and answer session with the summoned being known as Rico Kline.
In return for this offer, the being known as Gary requires the following.
1. Complete privacy, and voluntary lockout of Rico Kline, his minions, and associates from the expansion space unless directly granted limited access by the being known as Gary.
2. The agreement, and presence of Gary in this personal space expansion must remain secret, even in the home world of the summoned being.
3. Occasional access to the summoned being’s training center. This access will be at the summoned being’s discretion, but it must be made available for at least one session per week. While in use by Gary or his associates, the training center will be off limits to Rico Kline and any of his minions or employees.
4. The option to accompany Rico Kline as his guest on his next visit to Somhagen. Details of this visit will be worked out to Rico Kline’s satisfaction prior to the visit. If an agreement on the parameters of the visit cannot be reached, this demand will be considered void.
“Thank you for this offer. I must say that this is much more attractive than your first attempt. You are the first to make an offer, and once we’ve received them all, a decision will be made. I’m sure the system will inform you of our choice,” Tzes’zod explained before standing to indicate the meeting was over.
“I suppose we’re done for the time being, though I think this wall will make a good entrance for the expansion. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Don’t worry Rico, we’ll meet again, no matter what you decide,” Gary said, pointing toward a stretch of wall between the armory and where the portal he had arrived from was located. Stepping into the portal, the two disappeared from my personal space.
“Woah, so he did throw out a threat there at the end. Can he really track me down and do something if we decline his offer?” I asked, starting to freak out a bit that a demon thing would be haunting me because I didn’t rent the space to him.
“It was a rather muted threat for one of his kind, but yes, he more than has the power to track you down. Maybe not here in your personal space, but surely during a longer summoning, or even to your home. I wouldn’t worry too much; I doubt you’re very high on his list of people that he feels the need to get even with. A point in his favor is the fact his offer was exceedingly generous for the use of a personal space expansion. It may end up being the best option we’re presented with,” Tzes’zod said.
I suppose I had to root for one of the other two applicants to come through with something better than Gary’s offer.