CHAPTER 85: ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS

"Don’t think this will be easy," Leslie warned, noticing the look in his eyes.

"Oh? Why?"

"The herb is in a five-star danger zone. Without a team of three- or four-star Void Warriors, you couldn’t even get close to the periphery of the place."

Becoming a five-star Void Warrior was something only top elites could do.

It wasn’t just about time and resources.

To reach that level, one needed either top-tier combat skills or at least a 500% void saturation rate.

Void crystals and merits were merely energy to fill one’s strength, not to push it beyond limits.

Without an Astral Art, one couldn’t even break through the 100% saturation threshold.

Furthermore, even with a top-grade Astral Art and an unlimited supply of merits, if one lacked the talent to ascend to a higher state, the void energy in their body would dissipate.

It wasn’t that he underestimated Nash or the Void Warriors in Black Willow Shelter.

It was just that, in the Nova Sector, anyone with that kind of strength would’ve already left for better and richer shelters. Why would they stay in a backwater like this?

"A five-star danger zone, huh? That’s a bit tricky."

Though Nash was strong, he wasn’t arrogant.

He knew full well he lacked the power to venture into such a place.

Even in a four-star danger zone like the Willow Forest, he had to be cautious, much less in a five-star one.

Before entering such a high danger zone like that, he needed to reach at least 100% saturation rate and upgrade all his runic modules.

"How about it? Do you want to be our temporary pathfinder?"

"You don’t have to worry about safety. The Headquarters will send a five-star warrior with us. Plus, we’re hiring more people—it should be enough to guarantee your safety."

"When’s the mission? And what’s the pay?" Nash relented.

Since he couldn’t find the perfect herb alone, being a hired gun was his only option for now.

"We’ll depart a week from now. As for the pay, it’ll depend on your contribution in the field. You could earn anywhere from 10,000 to even 100,000 merits if you’ve got the ability."

Hearing the schedule and pay, Nash nodded in agreement.

Even if he only earned 10,000 merits, it was worth it for the experience.

Besides, it was only a one-day job.

Once this mission with the Verdant Group was done, he could go hunting on his own the next day.

"What about the rules? Are there any I should be aware of? Like the merits, the loot, and the herbs—how are they distributed?"

"We follow standard squad rules. You don’t need to worry about it."

"I see..."

Standard squad distribution meant the Void Administrator would calculate each member’s contribution during battle to determine the share of merits and loot.

As for additional finds like herbs, they were usually finder-keepers. For minerals, the finder got 20%, and the rest would be divided among the team.

"How about it? Do you agree to join?"

"There’s still one thing..."

"What is it?" Leslie frowned.

Wasn’t the offer already generous enough?

Why did this black-hearted merchant keep pushing for more?

"As a benefit, how about the Verdant Group buys my herbs at a premium? Also, can I get discounts when buying from your shops? And about pharmaceutical knowledge, can I purchase them? There’s also—"

"Stop! Stop! What are you even saying?! We’re only hiring you temporarily! How can you be so shameless!" Leslie snapped.

Becoming a direct supplier to the Verdant Group?

Discounts on official store items?

Pharmaceutical knowledge?

Was there anything this black-hearted merchant wouldn’t ask for?

"I’m just asking," Nash replied calmly. "After all, I’m risking my life for you in a five-star danger zone. Why would I do that without enough benefit?"

10,000 to 100,000 merits might be a fortune for most Void Warriors, something that would take months or even years to earn.

But for Nash, it was something he could earn in a day or a week.

So why risk his life for what was, to him, a pocket change?

Meanwhile, Leslie couldn’t help but frown at his words.

Considering how easily this black-hearted merchant made money, their commission really did seem lacking.

"Fine. How about this—if you help us find the perfect herb, I’ll give you a license contract to become one of the direct suppliers of the Verdant Group for one year."

"Will you pay a premium?"

"No! Absolutely not! At most, we’ll pay you at market price!"

If she allowed that loophole, Nash could buy herbs from the market and resell them to Verdant Group for profit.

"Oh, that’s fine..." Nash said, satisfied.

Having a guaranteed buyer for his herbs, even at market price, was already a big win.

In his plan, once he earned enough merits to afford a storage device, he planned to collect even common herbs.

Without a direct sales channel, he’d have trouble offloading his loot.

As for rare herbs not found in the market, he could sell them himself.

"Are you satisfied?"

"No. What about the pharmaceutical knowledge? I can pay."

"No. I can’t sell you the exclusive knowledge and recipes of the Verdant Group."

"Tsk. Stingy!"

"You’re just being too greedy!"

"I just know my worth."

"Hmph! What a shameless bastard."

"Just give me the basic pharmaceutical knowledge available in the market and a basic herb encyclopedia, and we have a deal. How about it?" Nash asked, one last time.

Although he knew he was pushing the limit, he wouldn’t be able to sleep at night if he didn’t take advantage of opportunities like this.

"Fine, fine. I’ll give you that for free. Satisfied?"

"Hahaha, you’re indeed a generous beauty! Don’t worry, I’ll do my best to find the perfect herb for you."

"Tsk. You better arrive on time next week."

"No problem... one more thing." Nash nodded, then suddenly thought of something.

"What do you want this time?!" Leslie snapped, nearly losing her patience.