"Is your restoration hunter here?"
For the first time, everyone heard the voice of the renowned S Class Hunter.
His voice was crisp and cool, with a melodic tone often heard from professional voice actors.
Luther immediately shook his head.
"No. Hunter Clyde is not here. He is currently recuperating at home. He has one week to rest after his recent restoration job. But more importantly…"
Luther shot up from his seat and glared at them.
"We will not hand one of our own to you."
His fierce stare was directed especially at Jason. However, his attempt to intimidate them was futile. Even as a Guild Master, he knew his strength was inferior to either of the two men standing before him.
"If he is not here, I can return another day," Ezekiel said calmly as he stood and stretched his long arms.
Luther was considered average in terms of height. But the man before him towered above most people. The S Class Hunter with vibrant brown hair and striking green eyes stood nearly one hundred ninety centimeters tall. His presence alone carried an oppressive aura that instinctively made people want to step back.
"The negotiation still stands, Purple Guild," Jason continued.
"We are willing to cooperate with you to clear dungeons. The sixty five to thirty five split remains. We can train your members and lend weapons for dungeon raids. However, the training and equipment will only be provided if you agree to let Hunter Clyde join us temporarily."
Jason had not finished speaking when Luther cut him off.
"Did you not hear me refuse? I will not agree to this cooperation."
Jason smiled faintly and rose to his feet. "And allow us to 'borrow' him," he said politely, emphasizing the word borrow.
Luther glared at Ezekiel. "So, this is your real objective. You want to borrow my guild member and convince him to join yours."
Ezekiel's lips curved slightly. "I want to meet him. Now. But if he is not here, I will return another day."
With that, he turned and walked away without waiting for Luther's response.
Jason adjusted his glasses and picked up his briefcase. He handed Luther a business card.
"If you change your mind, please contact me at this number."
Luther wanted to refuse, but the sharp words he intended to say stuck in his throat when he met Jason's eyes.
Luther had founded the Purple Guild despite being an A Class non combat hunter. From a single glance, he could tell that Jason was also an A Class hunter.
The difference was that Jason was a combat hunter. And one who have extensive experience at that.
Standing face to face with him felt like a small puppy confronting a highly trained shepherd dog.
As Luther accepted the card, Jason withdrew the intimidating aura he had been emitting and smiled.
"Do not worry. You will agree to our proposal soon enough."
Luther's facial expression cracked.
Jason said nothing more and left.
The moment they were gone, Luther cursed loudly. His words spilled out so quickly that it sounded like he was rapping without rhythm.
The guild members shared his frustration. If Jason had remained any longer, they might have been tempted to knock the glasses off his face.
How could he so confidently claim they would agree?
The heated discussion continued until a phone rang, silencing everyone.
It was Luther's phone.
He glanced at the screen and froze.
He answered immediately.
"This is Purple Guild Master Luther Kingswood speaking."
"Hello, Luther. This is Roger Blackwood from the Hunter Association."
The name alone drained the color from Luther's face. Shock turned to horror, then to anxiety in rapid succession.
The guild members fell silent. They could not hear the other side of the call, but they knew it was someone powerful.
Otherwise, Luther would not look like that.
It did not take long before the call ended.
Luther lowered the phone and slumped into his chair, covering his eyes with his hand.
The members rushed forward.
"Sir Baldy, who was that?"
It took a few seconds before Luther replied, "Chairman Roger of the Hunter Association."
"What?"
"Why would he call?"
Luther removed his hand and looked at them.
"He want us to agree to The Watcher's Guild proposal."
"Wait, we can't do that!"
"How could the Hunter Association do this to us?!"
"Was it not reported that the Guild Master of The Watcher's Guild is Chairman Roger's son? And that they are not on good terms?"
Another member spoke up. "Do not forget that the S Class hunter who was just here is also his son."
"Since Hunter Ezekiel wants to see Great Master Clyde, he must have asked the Chairman to pressure us."
"So that is what Jason meant when he said we would eventually agree."
Michael pushed his way to the front and grabbed Luther's arm.
"Sir Baldy, you are not going to agree, right? We cannot let them take Great Master Clyde. Without him, Purple Guild would not be what it is today."
Luther gently shook Michael off and sighed.
"To be honest, I was already considering cooperating with The Watcher's Guild. Especially since they are willing to lend us hunters to help manage the increasing number of dungeons here."
The members was just about to spoke up and protest when Luther held up a hand, silencing them.
"I know all of you are tired and overworked. Dungeons keep appearing everyday. Despite being B class to C class hunters yourselves, it wasn't easy to continuously clear dungeons or help with the aftermath of dungeons exploding without rest."
"We need additional heads. But we have been advertising and asking hunters to join us, but nobody did."
"Don't you think this is the perfect opportunity for you guys as well?" Luther smiled wryly.
"But Sir Baldy, they also want us to hand over Great Master Clyde to them. We can't just agree to that."
Luther chuckled. "With Clyde's personality, do you think they can convince him?"