Pure Business

Before the young woman from Azura Star could respond, a sudden commotion rippled through the gathered crowd outside the shop. Every head turned in unison towards the source of the disturbance footsteps echoed as a figure stepped out of the shimmering light of the teleportation gate. The murmurs died down instantly, silence washing over the players like a wave.

All eyes locked on the player who emerged. His name hovered above his head in dark, foreboding letters [DeathIsWithMe], the guild leader of the number one-ranked guild, [Apocalypse].

The atmosphere changed in an instant. Even those who had been blocking others from entering Rian's shop earlier moved aside as if instinctively knowing the presence that had arrived was one not to be trifled with.

Rian watched carefully from behind the counter, his heartbeat steady but his mind alert. He'd heard the name everyone in the game world had. [DeathIsWithMe] was notorious, not just for his strength, but for his ruthlessness in taking what he wanted. The entire room seemed to tense as the guild leader stepped forward, his dark armour gleaming ominously under the faint lights of the shop.

His eyes, sharp and calculating, scanned the room before landing on Rian. With a slow, deliberate stride, [DeathIsWithMe] approached, and the crowd parted like water before him.

"BlackMerchant," his voice was deep, authoritative, commanding the attention of everyone present, "I've heard a lot about you." His gaze bore into Rian's as if assessing whether the merchant lived up to the reputation spreading like wildfire across the game. "I'm here for business… and more."

The tension in the room was palpable. Everyone held their breath, waiting to see how Rian would respond to the sudden arrival of the most powerful player in the game. Even the girl from Azura Star Guild, who had moments earlier seemed confident, now stood silent and watchful, realizing the gravity of the situation.

Rian remained composed, but inside, he knew this encounter could change everything.

Rian, whose heart had been racing like a machine just moments before, took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down. He reminded himself that his role in this world wasn't to fight or dominate the battlefield but to conduct business. The fighting, the power struggles they were none of his concern. As long as he stayed neutral, he would be safe. At least, that's what he hoped.

He straightened up and spoke with as much calm and respect as he could muster, "Yes, sir. What do you need?"

His voice was steady, but Rian was all too aware of the power difference between them. [DeathIsWithMe] wasn't just any player he was the strongest, the one whose name was known even before Everlasting had launched. People might talk about this being the first VRMMORPG, but before it, there had been other games, on PC and console, and [DeathIsWithMe] had dominated them all.

Rian had learned this when scrolling through the forums earlier, and now he understood that the guild leader's reputation wasn't one of violence for the sake of it. He wasn't notorious for being cruel or destructive, but rather for his relentless efficiency and cold, calculated decisions that always led him to victory. It was like doing business with a man who had already planned five steps ahead of everyone else.

Rian knew that no matter how much he wanted to stay out of the conflict, in front of [DeathIsWithMe], his powerlessness was evident. He could only hope to navigate this interaction with care, knowing full well that this was a man who respected results and strength above all else.

[DeathIsWithMe] studied Rian closely, a calculating look in his eyes. "What do you think of joining my guild?" he asked, his tone smooth but heavy with expectation.

The words hung in the air, and shock rippled through the crowd. Whispers filled the room as players exchanged incredulous glances. The [Apocalypse] guild was known as the strongest in the game, a force to be reckoned with. Each member was handpicked by [DeathIsWithMe] himself, a testament to their worth and skill.

Rian felt the weight of their stares, each player wondering what he would say. The murmurs grew louder, fueled by the excitement of witnessing such a momentous occasion. For many, being recognized by [DeathIsWithMe] was akin to receiving a royal endorsement; it meant wealth, power, and a reputation that would echo throughout the game world.

Rian's heart raced again, but he quickly reminded himself to remain calm. Joining a guild could mean being pulled into the conflicts and power struggles he sought to avoid. He knew that once he accepted an invitation from [DeathIsWithMe], there would be no turning back.

With the eyes of the crowd upon him, Rian took a deep breath. He needed to choose his words wisely, aware that this decision could alter the course of his journey in Everlasting.

Rian felt the weight of the moment pressing down on him, his palms slightly damp as he spoke, "Well, sir, I would like to decline your invitation. I don't want to be dragged into conflict; I only want pure business, nothing more." His voice trembled slightly, but he steadied himself.

He continued, "However, I can offer you benefits if you can allow me to stay out of any outside conflicts."

The room fell silent again, the crowd hanging on his every word. Rian could see the surprise flickering in [DeathIsWithMe]'s eyes, a mixture of intrigue and amusement. It was a bold move to decline the offer from someone so powerful, but Rian knew that entering a guild would come with expectations he wasn't ready to shoulder.

As he waited for [DeathIsWithMe]'s reaction, Rian hoped that his proposition would resonate with the guild leader. He had no desire to become a pawn in a game he wanted to sidestep; he aimed to forge his path through commerce, not conflict.

The tension in the air was palpable, and Rian could feel every pair of eyes on him, astonishment etched on their faces. No one had expected [BlackMerchant] to decline an invitation from [DeathIsWithMe] it was unheard of. Even rival guild members often caved in at the mere prospect of joining his ranks.

[DeathIsWithMe] regarded Rian with an enigmatic calm, breaking the silence. "Well, it's the first time I've been rejected. I can understand your desire to stay out of conflict. In that case, I can ensure that no one approaches you about joining a guild." His gaze intensified. "But what will you give me in exchange for that assurance?"

Rian took a moment, weighing his words carefully. This was no ordinary negotiation. [DeathIsWithMe] wasn't just a guild leader; he was a legend, and Rian needed to tread lightly. He could sense the power dynamics shifting with each passing moment.

After a pause, he replied, "I can provide you with exclusive access to rare potions and items before they hit the market. My shop, BlackMerchant's Empire, will cater specifically to your needs, ensuring you have the first pick of any goods that come through my doors."

He looked directly at [DeathIsWithMe], hoping to convey his sincerity. "In return for your protection and the opportunity to focus on my business, I will offer you first dibs on all my supplies. I want to be a merchant you can rely on, one that enhances your guild's arsenal without being part of the battles myself."

The crowd murmured, their anticipation building as they awaited [DeathIsWithMe]'s response. Rian knew this was a gamble, but it was the only way he could see to maintain his autonomy while also securing some measure of safety in this chaotic world.

[DeathIsWithMe] smiled a rare expression that sent shockwaves through the crowd. "Okay, from now on, you can do business however you want," he stated, his tone both calm and authoritative.

Turning to the gathering of players, he continued, "From now on, if anyone makes trouble for [BlackMerchant], they will face the wrath of [Apocalypse]. The BlackMerchant has now officially joined my guild."

Rian's heart raced as gasps rippled through the crowd. Disbelief mingled with awe, and he felt a rush of confusion. Join his guild? How could this be happening? He had explicitly declined the invitation, yet here was [DeathIsWithMe] making an announcement that turned everything upside down.

Whispers filled the air, players exchanging incredulous looks. Rian's mind spun as he processed the declaration. He had been careful to maintain his independence, but now he found himself thrust into a world of obligations and expectations.

As the crowd erupted into cheers, [DeathIsWithMe] stepped closer, his gaze piercing. "Do you think that without joining my guild, no one will approach you and cause trouble? That's exactly why I said you've joined. So, do you want to join for real?"

Rian felt his pulse quicken. This was a direct challenge, and the implications were clear. He was safe for now, but he had unwittingly tied himself to the most powerful guild in the game, and the stakes had just been raised.

Taking a deep breath, Rian weighed his options. He could push back, but the reality of the situation loomed large. His business could thrive under this protection, but at what cost?

After a moment, he nodded slowly, realizing he had to navigate this unexpected turn with care. He needed to adapt quickly to make the most of this alliance, even if it was born from circumstances he hadn't anticipated.