Chapter 160: Negotiation? Nope
[A few weeks ago]
Hades and Fiona—Luna’s grandmother—were walking through the garden, while Luna remained inside the mansion, resting and chatting with Diana.
They already had a chat about Luna’s present and possible future and Hades had assured her that he would take care of the girl regardless of whatever happens.
"The family you belong to will surely provide you with any resource or support you might ever need. And besides, Rinne is a young phoenix who could even sacrifice herself for you. So, there is nothing special I can offer."
Hades was caught off guard by the sudden change in topic, but he quickly replied, "It’s more than enough. Just letting me inside and accepting me is already more than I could ask for."
Even knowing that he might one day endanger Luna’s identity as a phoenix, Fiona had shown kindness to him—and even given her blessing. To Hades, that alone meant the world.
But then Fiona smiled faintly. "Well, take this."
With a flick of her fingers, a patch of grass rose from the ground, floating lightly in the air before settling into Hades’ hands.
He looked at it in confusion. "This?"
"Every morning, I walk through this garden," Fiona explained. "Because of that, this grass has grown into the finest herb you’ll find anywhere. Grind it into a paste or eat it directly—even the gravest wound will heal."
As Hades held it, the weight of the simple-looking grass seemed to grow heavier in his palm. Who would have thought that the very ground he had been walking on held such a treasure?
And she was giving it to him just like that? Hades was confused.
Fiona leaned closer with a playful glint in her eye. "Don’t sell it, or I’ll be mad."
....
"Sorry, Miss Fiona." Hades gave a wry smile as he pulled out the very same grass he had been gifted, placing it carefully on the counter for the receptionist.
The woman’s eyes widened in shock as the herb gave off a faint glow.
"Would you allow me to have this assessed?" she asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.
Hades gave a small nod, and the woman hurried into the office behind the counter.
By now, curious gazes had already turned toward him.
And that was exactly what he wanted.
More than ten minutes passed before the door swung open again. Two figures emerged—one was the brunette receptionist, the other an elderly woman with white hair, her face carrying a look of alarm.
The old woman slammed her palm onto the counter, lifting the glowing herb in her other hand. Her voice cut through the hall like a blade.
"Where in the world did you get this?"
Judging by the way the guild members stared—shock plain on their faces—it was clear this woman held quite the reputation here.
Hades smiled softly. "It’s not from here, so don’t bother searching for it."
Of course, he had no intention of revealing that the one who gave it to him was a living legend.
The old woman groaned, adjusting her glasses. "Fine then... sell it to me. Five thousand gold coins should be enough."
"...woah!"
"Five thousand for a single herb?!"
"Lucky brat!"
Murmurs rippled through the guild hall. Many thought Hades was already being overpaid.
But Hades calmly retrieved the herb from her hand and shook his head. "I know exactly what this can do. Five thousand isn’t enough."
The old woman narrowed her eyes. "So you do know."
Leaning back, she rested a hand on her hip. "Then name your price."
Hades lifted a single finger.
She arched a brow. "Ten thousand?"
"One million," Hades corrected.
For a moment, the entire hall fell silent. Not a single breath was heard.
O–One million?!
"Are you insane, boy?!"
"That’s absurd! Even a villa in the capital doesn’t cost that much!"
"This brat’s lost his mind."
Scoffs and whispers spread, but Hades only stood there with the same calm smile.
The old woman crossed her arms. "You’re not the only one who can get me this herb. Others would be glad to sell for a tenth of your demand."
Hades tilted his head. "Is that so? Then I’ll be on my way." He tucked the herb back into his pouch and turned to leave.
"Waaait!" The woman caught his shirt before he could step away. "Two hundred thousand. Not a coin more."
Hades chuckled. "Do you really think I’m bargaining? This herb can pull someone back from the very brink of death. At an auction, I could fetch far more than a million."
The old woman grumbled under her breath, though she couldn’t deny the boy was right.
In all her years at the guild, she had never once seen a recovery herb as pure as the one he had placed before her. Its glow alone spoke volumes about its potency.
If she were to grind it down and dilute it properly, she could brew more than twenty potions of the highest grade—potions that even nobles and royals would fight to get their hands on.
No, it was even greater than that. She could simply present the herb whole as a gift to the guild master himself. He was the one who needed protection more than anyone else in this town, and with the way this herb could drag a person back from the very brink of death, it was no exaggeration to call it priceless.
The boy wasn’t bluffing—if he chose to auction it, he would indeed fetch far more than a million gold.
’This is bad...’ The woman clenched her teeth in frustration, her fingers curling into a fist.
Meanwhile, Hades exhaled softly and eased her hand off his shirt. "Well then, thank you for your services—"
"Give me ten minutes." The woman cut him off, her voice sharp.
Hades raised a brow, glancing over his shoulder with a faint look of surprise. "What do you mean?"
"Ten minutes," she repeated firmly. "I’ll arrange the money. Don’t you dare move from this spot."
Without waiting for his reply, she turned and hurried back into the same office she had emerged from earlier, her steps urgent and unsteady.
Hades let out another sigh and shifted aside, making space so the brunette task manager could continue tending to the other adventurers waiting in line.
Dozens of eyes were still glued to him, whispers and curious stares prickling at his back. Yet Hades paid them no mind.
This was exactly what he wanted.
It was his way of drawing that thief out of hiding.
°°°°°°°
A/N:- Thanks for reading. If you are enjoying the story so far, please let me know.