The Final Boss Has Returned 98

Chapter 98

Drakan stared directly at Verda and spoke slowly.

“I understand your suspicions, but the reason I need the Twilight Stone isn’t for something so trivial.”

“Then why?”

“For all the users playing Ard World Saga Second, and for the newbies who will join Ard Saga Second in the future.”

Verda’s face stiffened momentarily at Drakan’s answer.

‘For the users?’

For the users!

What an unexpected answer!

Verda had expected answers like, “It’s necessary for my quest,” or “It’s a material I need for crafting,” but Drakan’s response was completely different, almost something Eugene would say. A slight crack appeared in Verda’s normally impassive expression.

‘What in the world is he talking about?’

Drakan talking about the users’ benefit!

The sight of Drakan, the selfish and cunning villain known for prioritizing his own gain, talking about users was so absurd that it seemed like a dark comedy.

Verda quickly schooled her features back to their usual neutrality and looked at Drakan.

Yes.

This could be a lie.

It was surely a smokescreen, a tactic employed by Drakan to hide his true intentions and deceive her.

Steeling herself, Verda posed a question.

“What does the Twilight Stone have to do with the users?”

Hearing this, Drakan smiled brightly.

‘She’s taken the bait.’

He had noticed the momentary crack in Verda’s composure, a sign that she had fallen for his trap.

But it wasn’t enough.

‘She probably still thinks she holds the advantage.’

Verda!

She likely still believed she had the upper hand in this negotiation.

That’s why she was asking about the connection between the users and the Twilight Stone.

And now, it was time to shatter that illusion.

Maintaining his relaxed demeanor, Drakan met Verda’s gaze and answered.

“It has everything to do with them. Because the Twilight Stone is required for the quest to unlock the Vampire race.”

A short sentence.

But Verda understood the implications of Drakan’s words.

‘He’s using the new race unlock and the resulting public opinion as leverage!’

A new race!

Generally, gamers loved new content.

They were always excited about additions to the game.

Of course, many existing games disguised exploitative practices like tedious daily quests or cash-grabbing loot boxes as “new content,” but Ard Saga Second was different.

Ard Saga was a perfect world managed by the supercomputer ‘Miracle’ with its ultra-intelligent AI. It didn’t need patches or bug fixes.

In Ard Saga Second, new content was unlocked through quests and events, allowing players to discover hidden elements within the game.

Just like Drakan had unlocked the Black Magician class through a quest.

Unlike other games that used “new content” as a guise for monetization, Ard Saga players genuinely welcomed new additions.

And now, another piece of content was on the verge of being unlocked.

Drakan!

According to him, the Twilight Stone was essential for unlocking the new playable Vampire race.

So, what would happen if Verda, or Lightwing, refused to cooperate or demanded an exorbitant price?

They could easily be painted as the villains, obstructing the release of the highly anticipated Vampire race. The narrative could be spun as “We contacted the Lightwing Guild, who possess the key item for unlocking the new race, but they unfairly refused to negotiate” or “They demanded an outrageous price, effectively holding the new race hostage.” This would undoubtedly damage the carefully cultivated public image of the Lightwing Guild.

People were often more critical of perceived hypocrisy than outright villainy. If public opinion turned against them, Lightwing would suffer a significant blow.

Public sentiment!

It was the foundation of Lightwing’s dominance.

‘Drakan, you’ve taken public opinion hostage.’

Verda lowered her hands under the desk.

It was because both hands were starting to tremble.

Verda’s gaze was directed at Shin Ha-yeon, who was sitting next to Drakan and smiling shyly.

It was the first time she had seen such an expression on Shin Ha-yeon’s face, who was always expressionless like herself, but that wasn’t important right now.

The worst-case scenario she had imagined.

Shin Ha-yeon possessed the power to manipulate the media and shape public opinion to fit that narrative.

Even Lightwing Entertainment, a global powerhouse, was insignificant compared to the wealth and influence wielded by the head of Jeil Group, the fourth largest conglomerate in Korea.

While Lightwing could easily defeat Shin Ha-yeon in Ard World, the battle for public opinion would be fought in the real world.

Lightwing Entertainment was a mere firefly compared to the sun that was Jeil Group, with its control over traditional media, online platforms, and social networks.

Verda felt lightheaded.

She had been outmaneuvered by Drakan once again.

She had thought she had him cornered, but he had escaped her trap and launched a devastating counterattack. Now, she had no choice but to accept his terms.

It was a checkmate.

“I heard you’re intelligent, so I don’t think further explanation is necessary.”

“What do you want?”

Drakan laughed, receiving Verda’s trembling gaze directed at him.

The thrill of screwing her over once again, following the war with the North, filled his chest, making his heart pound.

The sight of his enemy, who had driven him to a deep-sea fishing vessel, falling into his trap and raging with fury was truly exhilarating.

Drakan, with his pounding heart, looked at Verda and spoke.

“I told you from the beginning, I didn’t come here to negotiate with you. I came to see Eugene.”

Drakan delivered the final blow.

Indeed.

From the outset, Drakan had insisted on negotiating directly with Eugene.

While this seemed absurd to Verda, who held full authority, Drakan had already gained the upper hand by leveraging public opinion. She had no choice but to comply.

Swallowing her anger and humiliation, Verda said.

“Alright. I’ll call Eugene. Yuna. Please call Eugene.”

“Yes, Sister.”

Cha Yuna nodded and exited the conference room. Moments later, someone entered.

A strikingly handsome man.

Eugene, the leader of the Lightwing Guild.

“Hello, Drakan.”

“It’s been a while.”

Eugene offered Drakan a handshake, which Drakan accepted with a smile.

After exchanging pleasantries, they sat facing each other.

Eugene spoke first.

“What brings you here? If it concerns the negotiation, I’ve delegated full authority to Verda.”

“I said I wanted to negotiate with you directly. Verda has already agreed.”

Drakan’s response flowed smoothly.

“Is that true?”

“……Yes.”

Verda’s ears flushed crimson as she confirmed Drakan’s statement with a slight nod.

To be humiliated in front of the man she loved!

It was unbearable, but she had to endure it for his sake.

Oblivious to Verda’s inner turmoil, Eugene nodded and said.

“If Verda agrees, then fine. I’ll continue the negotiation. Where were we?”

“We were talking about how the Twilight Stone is necessary for the users of Ard World, including future players, and that it’s needed for the Vampire race unlock quest.”

Eugene’s eyes widened in surprise at Drakan’s words.

Eugene!

He had chosen to trust Drakan after the interview incident, but he hadn’t expected him to be so considerate of the users.

“If it’s for the users, I’d like to hear more.”

Eugene’s eyes sparkled with genuine interest.

Eugene, the easily manipulated, had been activated.

Drakan, with a smile, relayed the same information he had given Verda – that the Twilight Stone was required for the Vampire unlock quest. Upon hearing this, Eugene’s face broke into a wide smile.

“In that case, I don’t mind giving it to you, even for free. For the sake of a vibrant Ard World and the happiness of the users.”

Drakan smiled inwardly at Eugene’s naive offer.

‘Still a sucker.’

A Legendary Grade item!

Eugene’s willingness to give away the so-called “house-selling item” for free was a testament to his gullibility.

‘But I can’t accept it.’

Drakan couldn’t take the Twilight Stone for free, even if Eugene offered it.

The story of Eugene donating a Legendary item for the benefit of the players would undoubtedly boost his already immense popularity.

While this wouldn’t necessarily harm Drakan’s reputation, and might even improve it by association, he couldn’t stand the thought of Eugene benefiting from the situation.

He was the type of person who would be envious if his cousin bought land.

That was Drakan’s nature.

He wasn’t going to do Eugene a favor, especially not to save a few billion won.

‘There’s no such thing as a free lunch.’

Thinking this, Drakan feigned a serious expression and shook his head.

“I can’t accept that.”

“Why not?”

Eugene was taken aback by Drakan’s unexpected refusal.

Refusing a free donation!

He was shocked by Drakan’s apparent lack of greed.

Drakan looked at Eugene’s bewildered expression and continued with a resolute tone.

“The Twilight Stone is rightfully yours, earned through your guild’s efforts in clearing the dungeon. It’s only right that I pay a fair price for it. Therefore, I cannot accept it for free.”

And upon hearing this, a smile spread across Eugene’s face.

“I see.”

It’s only right to pay a fair price!

Drakan’s words resonated with Eugene, highlighting a principle he had overlooked.

Loot obtained through legitimate means should be traded fairly.

Eugene nodded in agreement.

And he thought.

‘Drakan-nim truly has changed!’

Drakan!

He was once again convinced of Drakan’s reformation, solidifying his belief from the kneeling incident.

Not only had Drakan apologized for his past actions, but he was now actively trying to negotiate for the benefit of the users, despite their complicated history. He had even reminded Eugene of the importance of fair trade, a principle he had forgotten.

Drakan’s words carried a ring of sincerity.

Of course, it was all a carefully crafted performance, but the oblivious Eugene remained unaware.

In any case, Eugene believed that Drakan’s actions today were a perfect example of true reformation.

He thought that Drakan might be the exception to the saying that people never change, and smiled with satisfaction.

He believed in the inherent goodness of humanity!

Eugene, recalling his conviction that everyone possessed inner good, said.

“Alright. I accept your proposal, Drakan.”

Drakan smiled as he heard Eugene’s answer.

Verda, witnessing this exchange, felt a burning frustration within her. Everything had gone according to Drakan’s plan.