The Train to The Dungeon
Chapter 27: The Deal
A week passed since the Outbreak, I occasionally returned to the house of Aunt Tara who had been ravaged to pick up items that could still be saved. The house has been destroyed, want to be rebuilt can be more expensive than buying a new house.
Right now I hope that the 3.5 billion I got from selling Dragon’s Breath is still there, unfortunately all I have used to pay the debt. Only money left at the ATM is not up to 400 million rupiah.
Since Aunt Tara is still being treated and Chika has to return to the academy, taking care of the residence is now my responsibility.
This afternoon I just finished cleaning the last item that can be brought from the former house. Residential complexes that used to contain houses with slick designs are now empty left by their residents.
I met Mang Asep three days ago. Mang Asep is still traumatized. The plan is to go home today. I will miss the taste of his legendary chicken porridge.
My back carries a large mountain bag containing my personal belongings. Valuable items such as televisions, refrigerators, computers, are all on sale. Only clothes and small items remained that could be moved.
When I reached the hospital, I dropped off my luggage and greeted Aunt Tara who was busy watching television.
“How is Aunt doing today?” ask me while sitting next to his ward.
“Dimming,” Reply Aunt Tara. “Already all, the goods?”
“Already, just stayed photos, albums, some clothes. All in that bag.”
Aunt Tara was silent. He put the salad plate to the table beside him, then looked at me with concern. “After Aunty out of here, we might rent an apartment first yes.”
I nodded according. But in my heart I wanted to buy her a house. Aunty Tara once said that the house was owned by her husband. He loved the house, but when he knew the cost of expensive redevelopment, plus a quiet neighborhood because of the abandonment of other residents, Aunt Tara finally gave up the house flat by the land.
“Developer will displace already vacant houses,” story Aunt Tara. “We can compensation, but not much.”
“Not enough to buy a new home.”
“But still enough for apartment rental,” said Aunt Tara, she smiled optimistically. “Arka, sorry to bother you again, will you survey some affordable apartments with Auntie savings?”
I'm nodding. “Of course. I'll start looking tomorrow.”
***
The next day, I planned to start looking for an apartment after working on the Daily Quest. The daily mission I managed to do in less than two hours. I'm heading to the taxi-hug pick-up station online in front of the hospital. However, while I was making an order, Denis suddenly contacted me.
“Halo, Arka!” denis' voice was heard from a phone call.
“You called? Tumben.” I said.
“When I returned to Jakarta a lot of things happened! I missed a lot of news. Oh yeah, it's related to what you want to talk about. I have some free time now, so let me know you right away. You want to meet?”
I glanced at the clock on the phone screen, the day was not too late. I don't think it's too bad to accept Denis's call. “Sure. Come.”
“Okay, we meet at Sun-Sun Cafe yes.”
“Where is it?”
“New cafe in Craftsman Building,” Denis replied.
“I understand, alright I'm going there now.”
I turned off the phone call and changed the direction of the destination in the online taxi app. Not long after, the vehicle I ordered picked up and I drove to the Hunter Association area.
***
Denis and I were sitting opposite each other in a dragon-themed cafe. The drink I ordered was lemon juice with a slightly spicy spice mixture. Its combination with soda produces a taste that is, surprisingly, palatable.
Despite not eating heavily, Denis and I ordered some side dish like fries, croquettes and meat balls. The atmosphere of this cafe is good, its position is strategic and not too crowded.
We just finished talking about the Outbreak phenomenon that happened last week. Although the media did not report it, even the Hunter Association did not know who killed the boss of the goblins (Ravi and Chika did not report it), but Denis could guess that was my doing.
“Where do you assume it was me?” I said with a slanted smile.
“You live in the area there, don't you? I'm guessing you must have done something, but if anyone can clear most of the goblins and kill the boss, I think it's you,” Denis said, his words sounding certain.
“Not many Hunter Rating A?”
“Stay alone, it takes a lot of Hunter Rank A to clear the affected area of Outbreak, I'm talking from experience. But you are different. I'm sure with your abilities, you can also.”
I shrugged both shoulders. “Alright, you are right. That's what I did.”
“Is your home okay?”
“Rata by ground. I mean, today was flat because the Developer evicted all the damaged and already uninhabited buildings.”
I shook my head slowly. “Entah, I'll still be looking.”
Denis clapped his hand. “You can stay at my house, if you want.”
“I live with my Aunt, after all, it is not polite to ride in a stranger's house.”
“My house has many rooms.”
“No thanks, if you want to help, give me an apartment unit recommendation to accommodate three people with affordable monthly rental prices.”
“It's a little difficult.” Denis who usually looks smart is now frowning like an idiot. “Sorry, I don't understand property price.”
I let out a breath. “Yes already, you don't have to worry about it. You better hear my proposal.”
“Oh, this is related to the thing you want to talk about?”
I'm nodding. Denis was enthusiastic.
“Did you finally decide to join Moon Orchid?” ask Denis.
“Unfortunately, no.”
His face was disappointed.
I'm laughing a little. “Let's remember, I don't want to join Moon Orchid, but the thing I want to talk to you about is still related to Moon Orchid.”
“What is it?”
“I'll help Moon Orchid find medicinal herbs. However, there are three conditions that you must meet.”
I raised my three fingers. “First, I will only help searching in Dungeons Level 2 and 3. Second, I will kill all the monsters. Third, the Moon Orchid Guild must do a Booking Dungeon.”
“Booking Dungeon?” Denis jerking, shocked. Both of his hands slammed against the table until it distracted some visitors. “You think how much does it cost to Book a Dungeon? That's very expensive!”
The Booking Dungeon was a system created by the Hunter Association. Some Guilds that were quite wealthy could own the rights to a dungeon by purchasing it from the Hunter Association. If the Dungeon had already been purchased, then only Guilds that had such rights could enter it.
Booking Dungeons was generally only done by wealthy top-ranked Guilds. They bought dungeon rights because they usually wanted to hunt down precious mineral metals or to train new members in their guild.
“Listen first.” I'm trying to calm Denis down. “You simply do a Booking Dungeon that brings profit.”
“Means?”
“You said it yourself, didn't you? Your guild can obtain valuable plant information within a dungeon. That is, you simply buy the rights of the dungeon at a resource price that is more expensive than the cost of buying the rights of the dungeon.”
Denis was silent for a moment, he thought. “True, it can indeed be like that. There is still a profit difference.”
“So, no problem, right?”
“What about the Hunter fighter, Arka? Even if I were to purchase the rights for Tier 2 and 3 Dungeons, who from my Guild would be able to clear those monsters? You see for yourself, I can't even fight.”
“You really are a shitty A Rank Hunter, given Path's blessing you can't fight. I don't understand.”
“You're your own Hunter Without Rank but your ability is equivalent to a Hunter of top rank.”
We both stared at each other in silence. Lousy.
“Ehem, back to topic. I'll clean up the monsters in that dungeon.”
Denis did not doubt my ability, but he seemed hard to give a decision. Is he worried about his members.
“I can protect your members, you forget what I am capable of?”
“You Hunter with healing ability.” Denis' eyes turned optimistic. “Alright, I trust you.”
“So, you want to accept my three terms?”
Denis took a breath. “As long as the third condition can be conditioned, I agree. I received an offer from you.”
“OK, we agree.”
I shook hands with Denis. There was no written agreement, but I knew I could trust him.
