danmachi: skill gacha system

Chapter 4: A Perfectionist's Negotiation

John sat in his office, the grand oak desk in front of him neatly organized with a stack of papers and a few scrolls, each filled with important details. His eyes scanned the documents, his mind already running through the meeting that was about to take place. It wasn't just about getting raw materials—this meeting had to be flawless. Every word, every tone, every gesture would need to be perfect.

As the door to his office creaked open, John looked up to see his three trusted merchant contacts—Bastian, Sofia, and Erwin—entering the room. They were carrying the usual air of confidence that came with years of experience in their respective trades. Bastian was the first to speak, clearing his throat.

"John, you said you had something urgent you needed to discuss with us. What's the deal?" Bastian asked, his deep voice echoing in the room.

John stood up, his posture straight, a small but professional smile on his face. "Gentlemen, thank you for coming on such short notice. I've been thinking about expanding our operations, and I need your expertise in securing a massive supply of raw materials. Specifically, dirt, wood, and sand."

The words were confident, but John immediately felt a small wave of doubt wash over him. The way Bastian had asked the question, that casual tone, had made it feel a little more informal than he had intended. Focus, John reminded himself. Stay on track.

He adjusted his glasses and smiled again, before reaching for a small device in his drawer. He didn't need to take any chances today. He activated his Temporal Mobility skill.

First Rewind:

The room flickered for a brief moment, and everything seemed to stop. The voice of Bastian froze mid-sentence, and the ambiance shifted. John leaned back in his chair and allowed himself a deep breath. He could have let it go, but his perfectionism wouldn't allow that. Not today.

"Alright, let's try that again," he murmured to himself.

Rewind to the Beginning:

The door creaked open again, and this time, John adjusted his tone, leaning forward just a little to signal his seriousness. He raised his hand in greeting, gesturing for his guests to sit. As they settled, John spoke, this time more deliberately and with a slight pause between his sentences to ensure his message was clear.

"Gentlemen, thank you for making time today. As you know, I've been expanding our operations, and I've come across an opportunity that requires your expertise. I'm looking to secure large quantities of raw materials—specifically dirt, wood, and sand. These materials are cheap to source, abundant, and critical to my next venture."

John kept his voice steady and controlled, and he saw Bastian nod, Sofia's eyes sharpening with curiosity, and Erwin's brow furrowing slightly in interest. Good. This was going as planned. He continued, carefully choosing his words.

"Now, before we go any further, I want to make sure you all understand the potential profit margins here. These materials—though seemingly simple—can yield huge returns if we're able to acquire them in bulk. But more importantly, it's about scale. I'm going to need a steady supply, and that's where each of you comes in."

As he spoke, John could feel the perfectionism creeping into every word. Every sentence had to be measured, and every response had to be met with the right tone.

Second Rewind:

Just as Erwin opened his mouth to speak, John hesitated. The way he phrased his last sentence—about the steady supply—felt a bit too ambiguous. Was he being direct enough? Would they take him seriously if they thought he was soft on the details?

He paused the conversation with a flicker of his hand.

"Let me adjust that."

The room froze once again, and John took a second to refocus. This time, as he rewound, he decided to be more assertive. When the conversation resumed, his voice was clear, firm, and unwavering.

"I'm not just looking for a 'steady supply,'" he stated, narrowing his eyes for emphasis. "I need consistent delivery. The best, the most reliable. If we're going to make this work, I need you to understand that we're talking about a very high volume of materials. I'm not willing to compromise on this. The margin for error is zero."

This time, his words hit the mark. He could tell by the looks on their faces that his message was received. Bastian nodded with respect, and Sofia smiled slightly, impressed by the firmness in his tone. Erwin, who had been skeptical about the whole venture, seemed to consider the gravity of what John had said.

Third Rewind:

As John continued with the conversation, outlining the specifics of his plans, he felt another hesitation when he mentioned volume and sourcing. He had been clear, but there was a nagging feeling that perhaps he hadn't addressed the long-term viability of their operation. Could they really sustain such high volumes over the course of a year, or would they encounter supply chain issues?

John couldn't afford to leave this up to chance.

With another subtle flick of his hand, time was once again rewound.

When the room resumed, John adjusted his approach. This time, he made sure to address the logistical challenges head-on. "There's one more thing I need to emphasize. This isn't just about securing materials for one or two shipments. This is an ongoing, long-term operation. I need you to be prepared for that. If there are any potential obstacles in terms of volume or supply, I need to know now. I'm not interested in surprises later on."

John's eyes met each of theirs, ensuring they understood the weight of his words. He could see them mentally taking note of what he had just said, and he smiled inwardly. Perfectionism had its price, but it was worth it. He didn't have room for mistakes.

The Art of Persuasion:

Sofia, ever the astute negotiator, raised a hand. "Okay, you've got our attention. But what exactly are we talking about in terms of quantity? How much are you willing to commit to? This is a big deal, John."

John leaned forward, his fingers steepled. "I'm looking at acquiring between 100,000 to 200,000 units of wood, dirt, and sand over the next quarter. And, depending on the pricing, I'm open to adjusting quantities accordingly. But understand, I'm not negotiating on cost. I'm willing to pay a fair price, but I expect a high level of service."

Again, John could feel a small tug of doubt, wondering if his tone was a bit too forceful. But then, as soon as the thought appeared, he acted.

Fourth Rewind:

He paused and rewound a few seconds back in time, just enough to tweak his phrasing. "Let me rephrase that," he muttered.

The conversation started anew, but this time his voice was more measured, less aggressive. "I'm willing to pay a fair price, but you must understand that this will be a long-term partnership. I expect consistency. And for that, we need a robust agreement. I trust you all know what that entails."

Bastian and Erwin exchanged a glance, and Sofia's smile widened. This was the type of negotiation she excelled at, and John had made it clear that he was in it for the long haul. Now they were engaged.

Final Rewind:

The conversation continued, and every time John felt something wasn't right, he rewound a few seconds and corrected his approach. When he felt it was perfect, he gave a mental sigh of relief. Done.

The meeting ended smoothly. Agreements were made, contracts were drafted, and terms were solidified. By the time his guests left the room, they all seemed more than satisfied with the deal. Sofia patted John on the back, her eyes gleaming.

"Not bad, John. You really know how to make a deal."

John simply nodded, his perfectionist tendencies giving him a sense of pride. "I don't leave anything to chance."

End of Chapter 4

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