Chapter 190. We Got A Deal.
“I’m leaning toward the last offer. Gary would have paid us more, but I’m afraid of what might happen afterward. Do you have any thoughts?” I asked.
“Actually, I believe that Gary’s offer is the superior option. While his kind is loathsome and a blight upon all living things, they follow their agreements to the letter. He will also have a vested interest in keeping you safe from harm. Should you perish, this personal space will no longer exist and whatever he plans to do in here would be disrupted,” Tzes’zod said.
My new advisor had dropped his gnomish guise now that we weren’t expecting any visitors. It threw me off a bit to see an ancient skeleton talking with me, but so far, Tzes’zod had done exactly what he had claimed. As far as who would become my new tenant, I still wasn’t sure.
“What about the whole, trying to steal my soul thing?” I asked. That was the main negative of the whole deal, and after seeing Gary in action, he terrified me.
“He will make further attempts at a deal for your soul, that is his nature, but you now know what his game is. Do not enter into any agreements with him unless I have had a chance to review them. I need not remind you that the pay he is offering is substantial. That kind of coin could leave you set for life. Don’t discount the other items that he’s offering either.”
“Class items are a big plus, though I’m sure he’ll try to twist any mutual defense pact to favor him. There was also that question and answer session. Is that something I should be afraid of?” I asked.
“The mutual defense pact can wait. It is in the offer as something to be negotiated at a later date. For now, I could see Gary or one of his minions coming to our aid if the personal space was threatened, but he may use your distress to trap you. Avoid it for now or have me help you in negotiating the terms.
“The question-and-answer session is intriguing. His kind can live almost indefinitely and have access to great knowledge of several worlds and of the system itself. Gary could answer many questions that trouble you and that you haven’t found an answer for on your own. Be wary, though, this question-and-answer session will be a two-way street. I have no idea what kinds of things Gary might ask of you,” Tzes’zod explained.
I didn’t realize that a chat session with Gary might be that productive. Maybe he could tell me how to break out of the life of a summoned being, or what happens at the higher tiers of my class. He might even have a better estimate of when Earth will be integrated into the system. Of course, it might not be a good idea to get him thinking too much about my world.
“Will the system actually enforce the terms of our agreement with a being as powerful as Gary?” I asked. I’d already found out in one of my summonings that there were things out there powerful enough to ignore the system’s rules. Maybe these devil guys like Gary held that same power.
“Gary is powerful enough to be a threat to most mortals, but his power is nothing when compared to that of the system. He will abide by the agreement, not just because of the system enforcing it, but also because that is the nature of his kind. They attempt to twist and corrupt any agreement during the negotiation phase, but once set, they will always abide by the terms.” Tzes’zod said.
“What about choosing none of the above? If I decide to have a tenant, won’t that hamper me if I find a personal use for the expansion in the future?” I asked.
“While I cannot claim to be an expert on summoned beings, I did learn some things about the expansion spaces in my attempts to find a refuge. At your current tier and rank, your options for personally utilizing the expansion space are limited, and for most uses, you would need to spend vast sums of coin for renovations.
“In the future, you can expect to have more of these expansions offered, and at that time, you can keep one for your own use. At the present time, it is my opinion that you will make the best use of your first personal space as an income generating tool. The amount of gold you receive now, especially from an offer like Gary’s, can see to it that you have the resources needed to survive and thrive in the near future,” Tzes’zod explained.
“How often am I going to receive an expansion space?” I asked.
“There are no set guidelines, and they are often given as rewards. If I were to make an educated guess, you will receive one every two to three tiers. Should you use this expansion to bolster your income, you’ll be better able to afford the renovation needed on the next one you receive. The decision, of course, is yours to make, and I’ll support whatever that decision is to the best of my ability,” Tzes’zod said.
“I think I’m ready to make a decision, what’s the process from here?” I asked.
“Just tell me of your decision, and if you choose a tenant, let me know of any final fine-tuning to the agreement you wish to request.”
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“I hope I’m not going to regret this later, but let’s go with Gary’s offer. The only other concern I have is what kind of time frame are we looking for? Is this like renting an apartment where we renew the lease after a certain time?” I asked.
“There is no time limit on the use of the personal space. If Gary were to be killed, the agreement would be nullified, and the space returned to its original state. If you wish, we can attempt to include a time limit, but I fear it would be rejected. That is one reason the ongoing rental charge that Gary is offering is a big point in his favor. Shall I make the offer official?” Tzes’zod asked.
“Yes, but let’s hash out the details of this mutual defense agreement option before we finalize. I can just see him popping in right when I, or someone I care about is about to die a horrible death, and take advantage of my distress,” I added.
“A wise move, I shall send our acceptance over, along with details of a defense pact and question and answer session that are favorable to you,” Tzes’zod looked to me for confirmation. I nodded in agreement, and he pulled out the burning scroll that was Gary’s offer and began to inscribe our conditional approval.
Tzes’zod said that Gary would have received the counteroffer instantaneously, and we would probably hear from him soon. I discussed what I wanted in the mutual defense pact. Basically, if anything came into our personal space to inflict harm on me or any of my minions, Gary would agree to help defend us. In return, we would do the same if anyone came to attack the expansion he was building.
Tzes’zod suggested we put the caveat that I would only assist Gary if the attack originated through my personal space. A being like Gary was sure to have many enemies, and I wasn’t going to want to tangle with them if they somehow teleported directly into the expansion. If they came through my personal space to get to him, there was likely going to be trouble for me already.
My other concern was the one-on-one conversation. I wanted more detail about what he was offering. Tzes’zod suggested we demand that the information gained couldn’t be used for harm to either party. There wasn’t much else, except to find out when the promised items would be delivered. The money upfront was due upon acceptance, and Gary couldn’t weasel out of handing me 600 gold when the deal was struck.
One last item that Gary had wanted, to accompany me on my next trip to Somhagen. I wanted Tzes’zod to put some assurances in there that Gary wouldn’t muck things up for me or cause trouble with his presence. He also had to be physically there, not hiding inside me or something else creepy like that.
It was only a few minutes after sending the counteroffer when we received a reply in the form of the portal doorway activating once again. Tzes’zod shifted into his Gimblewalt disguise as soon as the portal started to activate. It was odd that each group had a different color associated with their arrival, and it wasn’t a surprise that Gary’s resembled swirling flames given his kind’s reputation.
“I knew you were a sharp one, Rico. Not for a minute did I believe what my companion said about you. See, it’s just like I told you, Rico here is a stand-up guy. He wasn’t, as you put it, hiding under the table, and quaking in fear of our return,” Gary said as he and his bigger, winged, and two-handed sword wielding companion entered.
“Thank you for your prompt reply. Are you willing to accept our counteroffer?” Tzes’zod said, acting to divert Gary from addressing me directly. He was my negotiator, and I didn’t want to get tripped up and say something I shouldn’t have.
“We got a deal Rico, put her there,” Gary said, leaning across the table to shake hands. I looked toward Tzes’zod, who nodded that I could proceed. As I shook his hand, Gary’s long claws scratched along my forearm, but didn’t quite break the skin. A small burst of energy left his hand, and it felt like I had placed a finger in an electric socket for a moment.
Immediately after the painful handshake was ended, the system confirmed our agreement.
The following contract has been agreed to between the being known as Gary, and the being known as Rico Kline for the use of Rico Kline’s personal space expansion.
Gary is offering the following.
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 the armory within the next hour.
4. There will be 4 class scrolls offered within the next hour.
5. Sharing of any beneficial effects generated from the expansion’s use.
6. A mutual defense pact where Gary or one of his subordinates will assist in the defense of Rico Kline’s personal space should it become threatened. If Gary’s extension to the personal space is threatened, and if that threat originates from inside Rico Kline’s personal space, Rico Kline and his minions will come to the aid of Gary.
7. A question and answer session with the summoned being known as Rico Kline will be held at Rico Kline’s convenience. Both parties will be forthcoming and truthful in all their answers. None of the information gathered during the session will be used to harm the other party.
In return for this offer, the being known as Gary requires the following from Rico Kline.
1. Sole use of the personal space expansion. There will be 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. Gary will endeavor to not cause harm, either physical or reputational by his presence. Should a dispute arise due to Gary’s presence, Rico Kline may request that Gary leave immediately.
This agreement is now bound by the System and if it is violated by either party, severe repercussions will be levied against the guilty party.
Great, I’d actually made a deal with a devil, and it didn’t even include giving up my soul.