In the parlor.
Leon watched Finn with a smile, his face brimming with confidence.
Banking on the unique nature of the Monster Hunter Special, he was absolutely certain Finn couldn't help but be tempted.
For Loki Familia, who were single-mindedly devoted to conquering the Dungeon, every scrap of combat strength was precious. All the more so for something like the Monster Hunter Special, an unheard-of miracle dish that delivered an instant boost to all stats.
Perhaps... in the eyes of low-level Adventurers, a temporary 5% all-stat boost wasn't anything to write home about.
After all, when danger struck, an enemy you couldn't beat was an enemy you still couldn't beat, Monster Hunter Special or not.
Which was why Leon had never considered locking in low-level Adventurers as his target market.
But for First-Class Adventurers like Finn and Riveria, the meaning was entirely different.
A high-level Adventurer's strength came not just from raw Basic Abilities, but from polished combat technique honed to perfection, battle instincts forged through countless trials, sharp and precise judgment on the battlefield, and the seamless coordination of a tightly-knit team.
Stack all those factors together, and the resulting reaction would amplify the effect of one's base Basic Abilities exponentially.
Translated to actual combat:
A low-level Adventurer's single point of Basic Ability might only deliver one-point-one to one-point-five times its nominal effect.
But a high-level Adventurer, channeling the "amplifiers" listed above, could squeeze every single point of Basic Ability into one-point-six times, one-point-eight times, even double or triple its rated effect, with terrifying results.
Low-level and high-level Adventurers had essentially become different species.
And once you understood the terrifying scaling effect at play, you understood what the Monster Hunter Special's seemingly modest 5% Versatility boost actually meant for top-tier combatants.
It could be the key to breaking through a floor they'd never been able to clear.
It could be the opening they needed to take down a Monster Rex they'd never been able to slay.
That was what the Monster Hunter Special meant to a First-Class Adventurer.
...
Leon picked up his teacup and took a sip of the now-cooled tea, calmly waiting for Finn's answer.
Jeanne, Rose, and the others sat quietly off to the side, also keeping silent, but their eyes met from time to time, exchanging unspoken thoughts.
Watching Finn sit there in silence, his expression shifting, Riveria began to grow restless.
"Finn!"
She prompted him in a low voice.
At her call, Finn let out a long sigh.
The Familia's tight finances and the enormous demands of dungeon exploration warred back and forth in his mind. Finally, with a wry smile, he stood and extended his hand to Leon.
"You win, Mr. Leon."
Seeing the decision had been made, Leon also rose and clasped Finn's hand with a smile.
"I knew Captain Finn would always make the wisest choice. After all, for Loki Familia, even with financial pressure, the value of this option is beyond question, isn't it?"
"All right, I'll admit the Monster Hunter Special holds a fatal allure for us. But... the Familia's purse is a reality I can't escape either."
Finn shrugged, tone tinged with self-deprecation.
"If our last Expedition had been a sweeping success, perhaps I wouldn't be agonizing over this."
"Sadly... reality rarely matches our hopes."
Loki Familia's last Expedition had failed?
The unexpected news had everyone present, Kureha included, looking surprised.
Leon arched an eyebrow and probed cautiously:
"If I remember correctly, your Familia's current exploration progress should be at the 41st floor?"
Beside him, Riveria closed one eye in a habitual gesture and let out a quiet sigh.
"From the 37th floor onward, you're in true deep-floor territory. There... never mind elite or rare monsters, even the most ordinary Lygerfangs and Hellhounds, their potential ability reaches the standard of Lv. 4."
"They're manageable for First-Class Adventurers like us, but for the rest of our members, every single one is a major threat!"
"Just maintaining team stability already drains everything we've got, let alone exploring uncharted territory."
Leon understood.
The problem wasn't with the Big Three. It was with the backbone of Adventurers supporting the Expedition.
Those Lv. 3 and Lv. 4 members, faced with the crushing pressure of deep-floor monsters, simply lacked the combat strength to keep up.
This wasn't "dragging the team down." It was just the cruel nature of an Expedition.
Without that backbone clearing mooks, hauling supplies, and holding the line, how could the executives conserve their stamina for breaking ground on uncharted floors?
Trailblazing and routine exploration were challenges on completely different scales.
"I see. It seems Captain Finn really has it rough."
"You said it. Since I took over as captain of Loki Familia, I'd say I've furrowed my brow ten times more often each day than I ever did in my younger days."
With the partnership intent settled, Finn's expression had eased considerably.
The two had even started trading harmless little jokes.
...
Two hours flew by.
After agreeing on the broad framework of the partnership, the two sides hammered out the contract's many fine details.
In the end, the contract's contents were close to those of Astraea Familia's.
The unit price stayed at one hundred thousand valis per portion, but on procurement pacing, Loki Familia proposed a particular arrangement:
Counting from the first week the contract was signed.
Leon would supply 20 portions per week for three consecutive weeks.
In the fourth week, that is, the last week of each month, he would need to supply 100 portions.
In other words.
Total monthly supply: 20 portions × 3 weeks + 100 portions = 160 portions.
Each cycle ran a month, and each month Loki Familia would pay 16 million valis.
...
Compared to Astraea Familia's monthly purchase of 44, Loki Familia's demand was considerably greater.
Leon had a hunch about that. Even this... was Finn buying on the lean side, since the budget didn't allow for more.
If they wanted to provide every member with at least one Monster Hunter Special during an Expedition, the order would normally need to double.
The contract drafted, Jeanne and Riveria each reviewed it carefully and confirmed it was in order.
Leon and Finn each signed their names.
The two stood and shook hands again, both wearing smiles of relief.
"A pleasure doing business."
With the deal sealed, the tightly-strung air in the parlor finally loosened, and the mood lightened considerably.
For Laurier and Aura, the earlier solemn negotiation atmosphere had been stifling.
The moment the formal business was over, the two of them rushed to Riveria's side like fangirls to an idol, chattering away in excitement.
After that, everyone chatted a while longer about everyday things. Seeing the hour growing late, Finn rose to take his leave.
"You won't stay for lunch?"
Leon offered politely with a smile.
"That won't be necessary."
Finn waved his hand, his smile carrying a touch of resignation.
"Loki insists that, whenever circumstances allow, Familia members must take meals together."
"That's a shame."
Leon nodded in understanding.
"Then we'll be on our way."
He watched as Finn and Riveria's figures gradually disappeared down the lush green pathway. The mild smile on Leon's face slowly turned smug.
Beside him, Rose caught a glimpse of his expression and read his thoughts in an instant.
She wrapped her arm around his and pressed against him, tilting her head up to tease:
"Satisfied now? Another big haul of cash, hm?"
Leon's mouth quirked sideways and he chuckled.
"That loot from Evilus, in the end, was just a windfall. One full meal and that's it."
"But the partnerships with Astraea Familia and Loki Familia are different. That's a stable, long-term revenue stream."
"One meal versus a full belly every meal... I'm not stupid. I know which card outranks which."
Jeanne folded her arms, instinctively assuming a slightly defensive posture, her habitual guard whenever Leon got too pleased with himself.
From what she'd seen, every time he was in this kind of mood, Leon was sure to pull something unexpected.
So...
Just as Leon was about to hoist Rose onto his shoulder and haul her back to the bedroom for a thorough celebration, Jeanne spoke up coldly from beside him:
"Aren't you forgetting something important? Apart from the Great Sacred Tree Branches we set aside to forge weapons for Laurier and Aura, we still have six untouched ones sitting idle."
"Tsubaki specifically advised me to hold onto them when I went to her place to handle the Evilus loot the other day."
"Her view was that we'd be better off trading them directly with Riveria. Given her status and her financial means, she's the one with the most ability and the best fit to absorb this batch of top-tier materials."
......
......
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