Online Game: Starting With SSS-Ranked Summons-Chapter 425: Bad terms

It was a fair question and one he had anticipated.

He didn’t take offence. In fact, he appreciated her pragmatism. It was only natural for someone in her position to seek concrete benefits before considering an alliance.

He answered calmly, his voice steady and confident.

"Our guild offers several advantages that could be valuable to your members," he began. "One of the most significant is enhanced experience gathering. Through our guild’s benefits and cooperative systems, we can accelerate individual growth, allowing your members to improve their levels more efficiently."

He paused just long enough to let the idea sink in before continuing.

"We also offer a unique skill-sharing system. If a member of your guild is struggling to master a specific skill, one of our members can temporarily share a similar skill with them. This isn’t just theoretical—it’s a practical, structured process that allows the receiving member to actively use the skill as though it were their own."

Arthur met Seraphina’s eyes, making sure she grasped the worthiness of what he was offering.

"The skill remains available to them for a fixed duration, or until they fully comprehend and internalize it. Once the learning process is complete, they’ll be able to use the skill independently, without needing the link to our member."

He let the silence stretch just a moment longer, letting the significance of the offer speak for itself before adding, "In short, we’re not just offering support. We’re offering advancement, adaptability, and the tools to ensure your people reach their full potential."

As Arthur finished speaking, Seraphina didn’t respond right away. Her expression remained composed, but subtle shifts in her face betrayed the gears turning behind her eyes. One brow lifted ever so slightly—a silent acknowledgement of intrigue. Her lips parted as if to speak, then curved into the faintest of smiles, not warm, but thoughtful.

There was a glint of interest in her gaze now, sharp and assessing.

Sensing that she had nothing to add, Arthur continued. "Secondly, we can also do mission exchange agreements. Allowing members from both guilds to participate in operations under joint authority."

"Interesting proposition." Seraphina’s business mind engaged fully, calculating advantages and potential complications. "What ranking parameters were you considering?"

Professional engagement. Real negotiation.

"Equivalent rank exchanges. B-rank missions for B-rank missions, A-rank for A-rank. Standardised risk-reward ratios. Although our current capability doesn’t allow for A-Rank missions, we will in the near future."

Arthur paused, his perception detecting her growing interest. The seductive performance was diminishing as genuine business acumen took precedence.

"And the third area of cooperation?" Seraphina’s voice was smooth, expectant. Her gaze remained steady on Arthur, evaluating him with patience.

Arthur didn’t hesitate, though his tone shifted slightly—cool, measured, perhaps even cautious.

"Our guild is currently looking for specific resources," he said.

"Epic-rank herbs that enhance physical constitution. Body-strengthening materials. These are needed for... research purposes. We are trying to expand our reach into various fields if possible, and the field of researching herbs is one we are interested in." freewebnøvel.coɱ

For a moment, silence lingered between them.

Seraphina’s expression changed, subtle but unmistakable. "Epic-rank herbs...those aren’t easy to find. Especially the ones that are specific to body-strengthening, they are even harder."

Arthur’s face remained unreadable. His expression held the same calm neutrality as before, revealing nothing. He neither confirmed nor denied anything, offering no flicker of vulnerability for her to seize.

In truth, he had anticipated this reaction. That was precisely why he had saved this request for last. Had he led with it, it would have framed the entire negotiation in a weaker light, revealing his personal stakes far too early.

He wasn’t about to let her or anyone weaponise that need against him.

"Unfortunately," Seraphina continued with regret, "we don’t currently possess such resources in our guild vault."

I figured.. Arthur thought. Although his mood had lowered, he did not show any of that emotion to someone like Seraphina.

The visit to Seraphina had been nothing but another dead end in his search for Charlotte’s salvation.

Before he could think about the next place he was heading to, Seraphina interrupted his thoughts.

"However, we do have an A-rank mission whose reward includes exactly what you’re seeking."

Arthur’s eyebrow rose with obvious interest. "Mission details?"

"It’s an exploration of a dangerous area in the forest. The man is looking for an epic-rank herb, it’s called Pyro’s lotus. It’s mainly concocted with other materials to help improve a fire mage’s power.

It’s a high-risk, high-reward operation that’s been pending for months due to the inability to find that herb. Many had taken the mission, some went and never came back, whilst others didn’t find Pyro’s lotus."

Seraphina moved back to her chair, her guild master mode fully engaged. "The completion reward includes the epic-rank body enhancement herb."

Perfect. Too perfect. I can head to the place, kill a few of the powerful monsters there and let them search with me by asking them about the whereabouts of the herb. If you want to find something in a foreign place, ask its residents. Arthur thought.

The mission itself wasn’t a problem; the problem lies with the person holding the mission, the Gilderhavens.

"You’re suggesting that I, as a rival guild leader, should lower myself to complete missions under your banner?" Arthur asked, his tone calm but laced with underlying tension.

In truth, he wouldn’t have minded under different circumstances. Just a few days ago, with no followers and no eyes watching his every move, he might have accepted without a second thought. But now, things were different.

He carried the weight of leadership. His guild had grown, and with that growth came expectations, scrutiny, and a fragile image that needed to be preserved. Reputation wasn’t just a personal matter anymore—it was the foundation upon which his authority rested.

His guild’s mission was power. Strength. Influence. How could he embody that ideal if he, the figurehead, was seen accepting another guild’s banner above his own? To serve under someone else—even temporarily—would be seen as submission. And that was something he couldn’t afford.

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