Chapter 39: Bargaining

Venn was also one of the people that started frantically searching for the solution in the promise of the handsome rewards.

In the height of the incident, guilds were offering real life credits featuring up to ten of millions to anyone that can save their account from permanent deletion. Affected NPCs even started giving out quest missions with ridiculous rewards in order to save their own lives. Some even offered their own shop houses and legendary family heirlooms as well driving everyone into a frenzy to search for the cure.

Nonetheless, ten days was too short of a time to find the cure. Despite the efforts and rewards they put in; those people who were poisoned began dropping like flies everywhere.

In the matters of days, the power dynamics between guilds got reshuffled and the dynamics between the human kingdoms were all messed up as well.

The situation got so bad that the inner workings of numerous towns and cities were paralysed for several months. Venn remembered the horrible time where players couldn't even find a place to store or sell their loot in towns. Quests given by NPCs were almost non-existent too.

Prices became so inflated that the whole economy in Rosewell and Grendell kingdoms went into the Great depression that lasted an entire year.

Worst of all, players couldn't find a place to unleash their frustration as the culprit had died along with the rest. It wasn't until months later that people finally found out that a simple blood congruent pill would be the antidote, but everything was too late.

The whole incident was later dubbed as the Corrupted Blood incident.

***

Observing the pill in his hand, Venn was deep in thought. Honestly, he had no issue with consuming the pill as his life was already in the hands of Lilith and the Blood Serpents. If he couldn't liberate the Oni clan from the goblins, it would be the end of the line for him either way.

However, while looking at the pill in palm, something clicked in his brain. "Isn't this the perfect chance to increase my quest reward further?"

Thus, he decided to try to bargain with the Princess like a sly merchant. He had a lot of experience in how to properly converse with the NPCs during his time at Rosewell Library in dealing with the elf librarian.

"You kept talking about having my trust but I don't have any obligation to prove anything to you. I'm fine with eating this pill and proving my unwavering resolution in helping the Oni Clan. However, it wouldn't be fair if I'm the only one taking this enormous risk. If you want me to eat this pill, you would need to compensate me for it. Greatly."

Venn spoke in a cold and calculating tone whilst observing any slightest change in Princess Ysera's facial expression.

If she expresses any dislike towards his request, Venn would change his attitude straight away with a seamless transition. Being shameless was the trick on how to get into the NPCs' good book.

Hearing Venn's reply was a shock to Princess Ysera. She didn't expect Lilith's messenger to accept the deal even after she threatened the man in front of him with the possibility of death. She had initially planned to drive the man away.

But instead of finding excuses for himself. He rose to take on the impossible challenge with confidence. "Perhaps, he really could save me," she thought, her impression of Venn had changed. 

Nonetheless, without exposing her inner thoughts, Princess Ysera replied with a poker face.

"Fame, power, wealth, you name it. As long as it is within the capability of the Oni Clan, you will have it. I promise you."

"Jackpot!" Venn shouted internally with greed; he was laughing so much inside that he almost choked on his own saliva. Once again, he was able to increase the quest reward. Even better this time was that the quest difficulty did not increase. However, Venn knew he could get a lot more if he was more thick-skinned.

"Hmm… fame, power, and wealth… Do you really think they matter to me? I am a proud member of a few selected individuals working under Lord Lilith. What I want isn't something so tasteless and common. I want something… more unique. And I want it right here, right now. I am risking a lot more than you are, I am basically handing you the control of my life in your hands. You need to give me something equivalent in return to justify." 

Venn proudly but nervously stated his request while he looked straight into Ysera's crimson eyes. He was hoping the Oni Princess would agree to his demand that didn't cost him anything to try.

He would be greatly satisfied if the princess gave him a legendary weapon passed down in the Oni Clan or S rank monster cores that could fetch a high price in the market.

But unlike what Venn had envisioned, Princess Ysera did not answer his demand with a 'yes' or a 'no'. Instead, she gazed into Venn's eyes for a solid minute whilst biting her lips that seemed to be trembling slightly before dispensing her guards away from the manor, leaving Venn and her alone in the hall.

Venn was utterly confused with the Princess. Her actions made little sense to Venn. Even more so when he saw the Princess standing up from her chair and stood a few feet away with her back facing from him in silence.

The silence lasted more than what Venn could bear. Sensing that his plan to increase his quest reward had backfired on him, he decided that it would be for the best to immediately apologise to the Princess.

Just as Venn was about to stand up from his seat and approach the princess, however, his eyes couldn't help but bulge when he saw the straps of Princess Ysera's long silky dress drooped down her shoulders, revealing her tanned and smooth, supple skin.