Ei looked bewildered at his obviously suspicious behavior.
Thousand Transformations was staring at Arnold with a serious expression.
Arnold had a long history as a Hunter.
Being a Treasure Hunter was not a profession you could survive in by having high combat ability alone.
Of course, it went without saying that combat ability was the most necessary thing, but the trials a Hunter had to endure weren't limited to Treasure Halls and Monsters.
To succeed as a Hunter, you needed strong communication skills — the ability to properly buy and sell Treasure Weapons obtained from Treasure Halls and Monster materials, connections with influential people, and more. In Thunder Dragon of the Mist, Ei, the sub-leader, primarily handled these tasks, but through dealing with all manner of merchants and nobles, Arnold had also gained a reasonable understanding.
His instincts were telling him. The laid-back man before him — Thousand Transformations — was lying.
"You know... it's a bit dangerous~?"
Arnold furrowed his brows and glared, and Thousand Transformations slightly recoiled.
Arnold watched this reaction and frowned.
Its use was restricted by law. It was a bit dangerous. That wasn't the sort of thing you'd say during a buyout negotiation.
If that were the case, the natural follow-up would be "Then why do you want it?" — and that would only make the other party more guarded.
According to Ei's research, Thousand Transformations was a brilliant tactician — someone who supposedly had eyes that could see through everything.
So why was such a Thousand Transformations making such a clumsy approach to this negotiation?
Those words had to be intentional.
As Arnold fell silent, the man before him looked at him with eyes that seemed to be gauging his strength.
"Thousand Transformations... you just lied, didn't you?"
"!?"
"A bit dangerous. Better to let it go, you said. How well thought out. Are you — trying to measure me?"
In response to this bluff, cold sweat trickled down Thousand Transformations' cheeks. It was a magnificent disguise. Even with Arnold's keen eyes, the man looked genuinely panicked.
Yes. "Dangerous." "Better to let it go."
These words from Thousand Transformations were almost as if he didn't want Arnold to part with the Treasure Weapon.
At that moment, divine revelation descended upon Arnold's mind. Every puzzle piece clicked into place.
Could it be — had this man been treating him like a fool because he was only Level 7?
Beside him, Citry wore a faint smile, but her eyes held a cold light as though looking at vermin. She could mask her outward expression, but the light behind her eyes was impossible to hide from Arnold.
Ei, standing nearby, looked up at Arnold hesitantly.
"Arnold?"
"............Fine. I'll sell it. That's right... eight hundred million Gill — no, one billion Gill. I have no intention of losing. I'll expect full payment, every last coin."
For that unsettling mask, it was a high price — but for a high-level Hunter, it was an amount easily paid.
Thousand Transformations' eyes went wide. Citry stared at Arnold with an expression that seemed to be questioning his true intentions.
Arnold's reaction had been unexpected, and his companions murmured among themselves. But in Thunder Dragon of the Mist, all decision-making authority rested with the leader, Arnold. If that flesh mask could be sold for one billion Gill, that was more than enough.
Ei looked at Arnold with a dissatisfied expression.
"Arnold, are you sure about this?"
"Yeah. It's 'a bit dangerous,' after all — so I hear..."
Arnold twisted his lips into an intimidating smile, and Thousand Transformations shuddered.
"Did you really think I'd refuse to sell just because you tried to provoke me? ...Hmph. I'll admit your woman got the better of me that time, but that and this are entirely different matters. For now, consider it forgotten."
"...? Oh, that... I'm terribly sorry about that."
Thousand Transformations scratched his cheek with a confused look.
Honestly, it was already quite unnatural for a high-level Hunter at Level 8 to personally come out for a negotiation over a "slightly dangerous" Treasure Weapon.
Thousand Transformations' facial changes that were "too natural" — hence unnatural. That ostentatious information provision.
His words laced with lies. The dynamic between them.
Remembering the abominable flesh mask that even the appraiser had recoiled from with visceral disgust, Arnold felt a familiar chill run down his spine.
He breathed slowly and looked into the 'eyes' of Klye Andrich, who wore a troubled expression.
They say the eyes speak more than words, but from those irises as dark as the abyss, Arnold could read only confusion — the emotions hidden deeper were unreadable.
But — why had this man entered into such an obviously unnatural negotiation? The situation was somewhat complicated, but if he put himself in the other party's shoes and calmly considered things step by step, the man's intentions became clear.
That flesh mask was probably not just "slightly" dangerous — it was dangerous enough that a Level 8 Hunter would rush to recover it.
And Thousand Transformations — incredibly — intended to 'foist' that Treasure Weapon onto Arnold and his party. No, he had probably changed his strategy to that 'partway through.' The claim about the weapon being illegal didn't seem to contain lies.
And combined with what Ei's investigation had revealed about Thousand Transformations' character...
There was only one conclusion.
Thousand Transformations had coincidentally learned that an extremely dangerous Treasure Weapon was about to go to auction, and had decided to negotiate directly with its current owner to acquire it before it could fall into anyone else's hands.
His purpose was probably — to prevent the weapon's use and ensure its disposal.
According to Ei's research, Thousand Transformations had resolved numerous incidents in this city before. It was a selfless cause, in a way — there were men who would act even without personal gain.
But here, an unexpected problem arose. The negotiation counterpart happened to be a party that had a grudge against his own.
For a Treasure Hunter, having your pride crushed was fatal. You'd be looked down upon by other Hunters and considered unreliable by clients.
Arnold himself could recall that incident and feel his blood boil. For a Hunter, pride could sometimes be worth more than money.
Thousand Transformations, who had instantly recognized that the negotiation had almost no chance of success, immediately changed his approach.
Yes. He had deliberately used suspicious mannerisms and words to deeply unsettle Arnold and his party, trying to get them to withdraw the item entirely.
Thousand Transformations' goal was to prevent the use of that Treasure Weapon — more precisely, to stop it from reaching the hands of nobles or major merchants with a taste for rare items, or even criminals, should it go to auction.
In other words, keeping it himself was ideal, but having Arnold's party withdraw the listing would also achieve his immediate goal.
A dangerous Treasure Weapon. Better to let it go.
Being told such a thing, human nature dictated you'd want it even more — especially if the other party was a rival.
But — Arnold would not be fooled.
"You think you can — look down on me? That I'd stubbornly cling to such an obviously suspicious Treasure Weapon...? Your goal is — to keep that weapon from reaching anyone else's hands, isn't it?"
"Huh...?"
It was a transparent bluff. Indeed, if Arnold had been a low-level Hunter still unable to swallow his anger from that day, he might have taken those words at face value and cancelled the listing.
He might have come to believe it was a Treasure Weapon that even a Level 8 wanted badly enough to lie about.
But thinking calmly — what benefit would cancelling the listing bring to Arnold's party?
That weapon looked menacing on sight. Any even slightly cautious Hunter wouldn't dream of using it.
Arnold couldn't imagine wearing that mask himself, and if any of his companions tried, he'd stop them with everything he had.
Since he'd been told it was dangerous, they'd have to store it securely, which would only be an unnecessary burden.
Or was this perhaps a stalling tactic — having the listing withdrawn to buy time? There was also the possibility of a strategy to accuse them of possessing a dangerous item and have them arrested. For all he knew, there could be criminal organizations targeting something else entirely, and their assassins might strike.
In the worst case — could they be trying to provoke Arnold into using the mask, then eliminate both Arnold and the weapon together?
According to Ei's information, Thousand Transformations didn't seem to be a bad person, but Arnold and his party were Hunters from out of town. Any method could be used against them.
Various possibilities raced through Arnold's mind in an instant. Arnold didn't know the mask's power. He hadn't actually witnessed Thousand Transformations' information firsthand either.
Therefore, his predictions could only remain in the realm of possibility — but no matter which scenario turned out to be correct, none of them would bode well for Arnold.
When he thought about it that way, the somewhat dopey face before him began to feel like something terrifying — hiding a dreadful resolve beneath.
He looked at Thousand Transformations, who had been maintaining his silence.
He had probably been testing him. Whether Arnold was capable of seeing through the true intent behind his overt acting and blatant lies.
If Arnold had been the kind of fool who couldn't read Thousand Transformations' intentions, or if his eyes had been clouded by anger — what would have happened?
And in that case, what options would Arnold even have?
What would be the most satisfying way to get back at this man who had tried to manipulate him with such an obvious attitude? What would bring the greatest benefit to Arnold's party?
Deliberately defying Thousand Transformations' intentions entirely and selling to some noble or merchant? Without any connections in the imperial capital? More importantly, selling a weapon known to be dangerous to influential people was what a thoughtless fool would do. Given that Thousand Transformations had built up many accomplishments in this city while Arnold had just arrived, it was easy to imagine who people would believe. The risk was far too great.
Using it himself? A Treasure Weapon so obviously dangerous that even appraisers hesitated? Arnold was brave, but he wasn't suicidal.
Refusing the negotiation and proceeding with the auction as planned? He could do that, but that weapon was unlikely to fetch a high price. And in that case, the one who won the auction would probably be the Thousand Transformations standing before him — there was no way to restrict who could bid.
Keeping it in the party for storage? That would benefit no one and leave them completely at the mercy of Thousand Transformations.
Among countless thoughts, the answer he arrived at was simple.
Accept the negotiation and sell. But — turn his own tactic against him, and name a price that was reasonably high enough to be impossible to refuse.
No risk for Arnold's party, maximum benefit. No major disadvantage for Thousand Transformations either. As a resolution — it was optimal.
"So, what will it be?"
Was he overthinking it? Of course, that possibility existed.
It could be that Thousand Transformations was simply mistaken about the weapon being dangerous, or — though infinitely unlikely — perhaps that flesh mask was actually a useful Treasure Weapon after all.
But if it truly was useful, he could always expose the fact that Thousand Transformations had lied during the negotiation. Besides, regardless of whether it was genuine or not, that weapon was unnecessary for Thunder Dragon of the Mist. Even if it were useful, he wanted nothing to do with putting on that thing. Disposing of it here and now was the best outcome.
He must not misjudge. A punch received should be repaid with a punch. Losing his temper now would be the act of a fool.
The hefty price he'd thrown out was merely a small measure of payback against Thousand Transformations for testing him.
One billion Gill. That was not a price you'd put on an unappraised, obviously dangerous flesh mask. When he raised his lips in a smile, the only Level 8 in the imperial capital — one of just three — wore a somewhat pathetic expression.
He had probably realized that Arnold had seen through all of his intentions.
Thousand Transformations, too, likely hadn't expected the target of his trap to respond with such composure.
And yet, he couldn't very well refuse these terms.
This contest — was ours to win.
Citry beside him glanced at Thousand Transformations, and as Arnold had predicted, she nodded with resolve.
"...Understood. I'll take it for one billion Gill —"
"Just a wait a minute!!"
At that very moment, a Hunter sitting at the neighboring table abruptly cut in.
Brown hair, scarred face. An unfamiliar middle-aged man. Arnold had no acquaintances in the imperial capital to begin with.
When Arnold glared at him, the male Hunter raised both hands in an exaggerated gesture, smiled wryly, and spoke.
"I'm not looking for a fight. That Treasure Weapon of yours — I'll buy it for double that price."
"...? What did you just say?"
Ei directed a suspicious gaze at the unexpected interloper. Thousand Transformations wore a stunned expression.
That there might be a Hunter willing to buy that flesh mask for two billion Gill was already unexpected, but for an unrelated man at the neighboring table to suddenly shout out a bid was even more so.
As far as Arnold was concerned, he could sell to anyone. He had no obligation to this city or to Thousand Transformations, and selling for a higher price was ideal — but what on earth was going on?
This guy must have heard Thousand Transformations say it was a dangerous Treasure Weapon.
Citry wore a bitter expression.
That stranger's outburst was the spark. All across the tavern, Hunters began to rise to their feet, raising their voices.
Every last one of them had serious eyes.
"Hold on — I'll put up twenty-five million!"
"Wait! I've had my eye on that one for a long time! Thirty million!"
"A Treasure Weapon that Thousand Transformations is trying to acquire by any means necessary — I'll pay forty million!"
"You're just going to resell it! Back off!"
"W-What is happening?! What are these people?!"
Ei stood up and frantically scanned the tavern.
At some point, angry shouts had begun flying across the room. Eyes that practically radiated killing intent. Some were already starting to grapple with each other.
Every single one of them was shouting out prices. Drunk patrons stared blankly at the impromptu auction that had erupted from nowhere.
"Forty-two million!"
"Forty-three million!"
"Damn it — forty-five million!"
"You don't have that kind of money! You're drowning in debt — what are you even saying?!"
"Shut up! I'll sell my equipment if I have to!"
What was this? Some kind of joke? Did they all want that flesh mask that badly?
...Was there information he still didn't know about? Unable to comprehend the scene before him, Arnold groaned.
With things going this way, he was beginning to wonder whether Thousand Transformations' strategy had actually been correct after all.
Why did they all want such a terrifying Treasure Weapon? What was going on?
Citry surveyed the surroundings and let out a small sigh.
"Haa... It's because Klye kept trying to borrow money from everyone... You should have just asked me from the start."
"Oh..."
Ignoring his deflating sigh, the price of the flesh mask continued to climb. A drunk patron stumbled to his feet and began presiding over the impromptu auction in a jeering voice.
It was already beyond control.
Arnold couldn't tell whether the Hunters driving up the prices were actually serious about buying the weapon.
"One hundred million."
And then — like a storm cutting through the angry shouts that flew back and forth, a disarmingly delicate voice rang out.
The Hunters who had been gradually raising the price all turned toward the voice at once.
Standing atop a table with a knocked-over bottle, a gorgeous white dress fluttering. At her hip hung a sword that seemed unbefitting for her youthful frame.
"That most powerful Treasure Weapon, you say... I, Eclair Gradius, shall buy it for one hundred million! Understood!?"