Chapter 102: Details, Details

Chapter 102: Details, Details

Gong takes a moment to look over the room. Seemingly, choosing her words to fit the situation.

I find myself looking around at the group, seeing a variety of expressions within the different clusters of people.

It is at this point that Im really looking at the variety of groups that seem to have an interest in joining us.

Some people seemed more anxious after reading, while others seem comforted.

In particular, the groups that know Gong and came here for her, which is the majority of the group, seem to understand the need for the restrictions. Luckily, I can sense the same from the fox family that I had saved earlier.

However, anyone outside of those groups is a little panicked. Including the tiger woman and kid. Theyre not only nervous, but seem to be worried about their safety at this point as well.

Everyones eyes turn to her as Gong raises her voice authoritatively.

Im glad to see that many of you have read the contract and are satisfied with whats inside. For those of you who are a little worried, my partner, The Alchemist, has noticed your discomfort. Hes opted to show you a little bit of what youll be able to get access to when you join our group.

She raises a hand and streaming up from one of the tunnels, is spiders. Collectively, the spiders are carrying baskets of poiyos and jugs of water. These are brought to each person here. Including the children. Not only that, but tiny web pouches are given to each person.

The first person to open the pouches is one of the bird Demi humans. Particularly, a songbird like one. Mostly human, but with cut off wings at the edges of their wrists.

She gasps as she exclaims, Two Silver coins?!

Everyones eyes snap over to her, and then down at their own pouches. They each open it up confirming with their own eyes that the same is there for them as well.

As everyone is still reeling from this revelation, Gong presses on. Once again, its thanks to The Alchemist that you can have this at this time. He would like to make some adjustments to the contract, because of how much he values your support in the future.

Everyones eyes turn over to me, looking at me intently. It takes everything I have inside me to not move and just do a sage nod. Its even more embarrassing, as I see the Fox child looking at me with bright eyes. Apparently recognizing me from our earlier interaction.

While we go over to discuss the updates to the contract, please enjoy this while we do so.

I propose we put the promises that we verbally said into the contract.

Before Gong can argue against that, I add a note regarding that change.

Of course, we will not put ourselves under the death or paralyzing charge. All it should be, is a written promise that they can point back to if we dont uphold it.

Ultimately, it wont make a difference, but will show our true intentions by giving us the opportunity to lose face if we cannot complete those noted items. Though, just to be sure We can actually keep our promises, right? Other than the food and water promise, which I already know the answer to.

Gong nods her head, almost as if its obvious. Which is good enough for me.

Great to hear.

For a little while after that, Gong and I go back and forth, discussing the merits and demerits of this approach. Somehow, I do manage to convince her that because of the close nature of these requests, and getting people into the door first, we should put these stipulations in here.

We basically agree that each and every person who we can have working with us on this is simultaneously a liability, but also the chance for to grow into an enormous asset. Especially considering that eventually, we want to break the curse cycle that demi humans are in. Its very likely that the group thats coming in now will be the ones to fight that cultivation battle. Thats not even mentioning the kids, who by starting at a young age, will be the foundation for future demi humans.

We also come to the agreement, that anyone who fails the contract first, well first give them things to think about. Like how they can leverage the benefits we lay upon them, including the healing. Giving them an opportunity to understand how bad of a tradeoff it is to betray us, instead of just automatically getting rid of them, can show them that ultimately it will be in their best interest to work with us.

Thus, the final contract ends up with a non-binding agreement to provide a reasonable amount of food and water every day, a new and somewhat safer place to live, a weekly stipend of a silver coin (which I confirmed would be sustainable for her), cross training in skills, literacy education (over time), and a specific action for them which is unnamed.

Vetted family members will be able to live in the village, though they may only occasionally be able to visit those family members. It also clearly states that they will be unable to leave the caverns due to security reasons.

Outside the contract, before we have them signed, since they are already waiting, we will bring any children they have here to make choice (after vetting) to make the contract. We will grab the child on behalf of the person, using a code (which is apparently a normal thing). Once they get back, everyone will do the contract together.

Lastly, the contract has the cascading effects built in, which Gong was unsure about, but I had confirmed with my scan would work. Same protections, more flexibility.

With that taken care of, we head back to the group to communicate the changes.