After the card game, the next step was to discuss the specifics of the company-military collaboration.
However, Youyu felt he had reason to suspect that for both parties, playing cards was the main focus, and the talk was just incidental...
Although the Kaiba Group had maintained close ties with the military in the past, that was during Gozaburo's era. Ever since Seto Kaiba took over the reins and transitioned to the card game industry, the group had not dealt with the military until now.
This was the first time.
Still, with Kaiba's win in the card game there was a bit of leverage in the negotiations, making it easier to secure more benefits and more resources during the talks.
The logic made sense, but what Kaiba didn't expect was that the concessions made by the other side... were a bit excessive.
Fujino outwardly appeared very arrogant, with an air and tone that somewhat resembled that of a big shot during the talks. Kaiba originally thought negotiating with this kind of person would be tough, but it turned out surprisingly smooth.
It felt like selling vegetables at a market when a tough-looking guy with a cigarette in his mouth and an intimidating perm asked the price of pork. You said twenty-one per kilo, and then he threw down his cigarette and got enraged, slamming the table saying he'd take it all at a hundred per kilo, and if you charged him a cent less he'd be furious...
The president even couldn't help suspecting that this guy might be an undercover agent from the military that infiltrated our company at some point?
Anyway, this is just... way too much.
Even though Youyu had left before the formal negotiations, he wouldn't be surprised even if he knew what was discussed.
After all, he might be the only one who knows that beneath Fujino's pretentious exterior lies an unabashed company fan...
This meeting also laid a good foundation for future cooperation between the military and the Kaiba Group.
Youyu knew clearly, this was just the beginning. As supernatural phenomena become more frequent and bizarre antagonists keep emerging, both sides will have more opportunities to work together in the future.
...
Nightwalker World, headquarters.
This was Cola Sprite's first visit to the headquarters of this association.
Although Nightwalker World has gone through many expansions, its scale is growing, but ultimately membership is still limited.
Especially after gaining fame from the battle against Doma, more and more people are eager to join Nightwalker World. Not just players, but even local Inner World NPCs are increasing.
Therefore, not everyone has the opportunity to join.
It was only today that Cola Sprite could join this renowned organization.
Even in her player guild "Hanno Knight," she was the first lucky one to get this opportunity.
——All thanks to Youyu!
Possibly because she pleased Youyu these days, when she actively expressed her wish to join the association, Youyu agreed without hesitation.
"Alright." He agreed immediately, just shrugged, "As long as you don't regret it."
Cola Sprite was so happy she almost broke down, thanking him profusely.
Regret? How could she possibly regret it!
How could there be players who wouldn't want to join the Inner World Association where Youyu belongs?
Although she's seen some weird rumors about this association on the forums, Cola Sprite didn't care.
From fragments glanced unintentionally, she deduced that this association seemed to have more men, drank more often, and liked playing drinking games.
How absurd could it be?
In their Hanno Knight, aren't most of them men too?
Indeed the entire guild only has her as a cute girl, yet she gets along well with the card enthusiasts, doesn't she?
She felt she already had rich experience, not intimidated at all.
This confidence lasted until she proudly pushed open the headquarters' door, feeling the heat wave like Purgatory, the shouting, the wailing, the sound of things shattering, and the incoming smell of alcohol and hormones...
At that moment, almost out of survival instinct, her arm closed the door on its own.
At this moment, Cola Sprite realized how naive she had been, how wrong she'd been.
She casually turned wanting to leave, while preparing to reassess her idea of "wanting to join this association"...
...However, it was already too late.
Those who open the Gate of Hell can never turn back.
Sure enough, a few muscular, indescribably postured dudes came charging out, their eyes gleaming red like famished predators.
"I think I just saw a newbie!"
"And it's a cute girl!"
"Get lost! I saw her first!!!"
"..."
Thus half a minute later, Cola Sprite was still "forced" into the headquarters... surrounded by a group of singing and dancing musclemen.
Looking at this group of oddly shaped, performance art-like men... Cola Sprite couldn't help but start contemplating life.
What kind of game am I playing?
What kind of guild have I entered?
When she saw two players actually dueling, she was moved to tears—you could even see someone playing Yu-Gi-Oh here!
...But could you guys at least put on pants when playing cards?
Her reception was handled by local Nora Tatsu. Brother Tatsu might have lost too many rounds of Yako Jingjog, leaving him with only underpants—but he wouldn't take off the ridiculous unicorn headpiece even in this state.
Maybe this is what a big shot is like...
Nora Tatsu scrutinized Cola Sprite up and down and began with a line that almost made her want to call the police: "According to the association tradition, new members must first perform a strip dance..."
Cola Sprite shuddered, instinctively hugging her chest and stepping back two paces.
"...But since you're a girl, let's skip it." Local Nora Tatsu shook his head.
Cola Sprite breathed a sigh of relief, feeling at least the association members had some gentlemanly manners. But then she heard Nora Tatsu mumble: "Girls dancing strip is indeed quite boring, honestly not very interesting..."
Cola Sprite's expression froze.
Something's off, both the NPCs and players here, there's definitely something off with them...
"Come with me." Local Nora Tatsu turned, "I'll take you to meet Brother Jie."
Cola Sprite perked up.
She had already inquired beforehand. "Brother Jie" is a legendary figure among players, one of the few always around Youyu.
Though his favor seems lowest among Youyu's player group, he appears to be doing the best in Nightwalker World. He's already got a position as an officer, and if Youyu isn't interested later, him becoming president isn't out of the question!
A player legend!
But Cola Sprite had only heard of this big shot's name, never seen him in person.
For now, meeting this important person left her slightly nervous. She felt like a fresh graduate visiting a nationally renowned company, preparing to directly interview with the boss.
Brother Tatsu raised his hand and knocked on the door.
"Brother Jie!" He shouted, "Newbie here! It's a girl!"
"Oh?"
Cola Sprite saw a fit body. The man was lying bare-chested on a metal lounge chair, with a round face, a buzzcut, and black-framed glasses reflecting white light making him look enigmatic.
Cola Sprite walked in a bit nervously: "Brother Jie."
In Jie took a slight nod, showing no excessive expression. This reminded Cola Sprite of those streetwise big brothers ready to swing a traffic sign at any disagreement.
Seems like not the type that's easy to get along with.
She noticed in Jie seemed to be tattooing: "Brother Jie... tattooing?"
Players can get tattoos too, in fact, many in Nightwalker World have tattoos. They think playing Yako becomes more intense when whipping off their clothes revealing tattoos.
In Jie remained serious, nodding slightly: "Yeah, preparing to tattoo my sister-in-law."
Cola Sprite: "Uh? Sister-in-law... what's her name?"
In Jie sighed.
"...Dark Magician Girl."
Cola Sprite: "..."
As the air grew awkwardly silent, Brother Tatsu burst back in just shortly after leaving.
In Jie looked a bit displeased: "What's the rush? Like a wolf chasing?"
"You... Youyu has sent a message, asking us to prepare. He says there's a mission!"
In Jie's eyes lit up as he sat upright.
Nani? Youyu finally remembered us?
"What mission?"
"He didn't say specifically, just mentioned to prepare for a trip." Local Nora Tatsu couldn't contain his excitement, "He says he'll take us to Egypt!"