Gacha Harem System-Chapter 44: Negotiations

"No."

Melody said it before the realtor had even fully closed his folder.

The man looked up, surprised.

"Fifty thousand is not an offer." She folded her hands on the table. "It’s an insult. I’ve looked into land prices in this area, and this lot, without the house on it, is worth at least a hundred thousand gold coins."

The realtor opened his mouth.

Melody continued before he could speak. "Before you argue, let me explain why."

"As I’m sure you already know, this land sits within walking distance of the nearby market, the city gate, and a cluster of dungeons."

"And where there are dungeons, there are pavilions. Where there are pavilions, there are Awakeners spending money."

"Every resource a newly awakened Climber needs, from weapons, to supplies, dungeon access, and somewhere to sell loot, is accessible from this location without requiring transit across the city."

She sat back.

"That is not an average lot. That is prime real estate, and whoever made this offer knows it."

The realtor cleared his throat. He had come prepared for a straightforward conversation and had not expected to find someone who had done their homework.

Most new Awakeners didn’t bother to do research or haggle, opting to take the money and buy new gear. Their thinking was that they’d make more money during dungeon runs.

But these two were different. He’d have to see what he could do about it.

"I understand your position," he said carefully, "but land value is not determined by proximity alone. It is also determined by demand. And the demand in this particular area has softened."

"This neighborhood, while conveniently located, is not considered an upper-class district. Most experienced Awakeners prefer to live in areas that reflect their status. That affects what buyers are willing to pay."

Melody looked at him evenly. "Well, it’s a good thing we’re not in a hurry to sell."

"I appreciate that, but—"

"The person who made this offer is practically robbing us," she said. "And I think you know that."

She leaned forward slightly. "We are selling for one hundred thousand gold coins. Not ninety-nine thousand. Not ninety-five. One hundred thousand, and not a single coin less."

"If your buyer wants this land, that is the price. If they don’t, then we wait for someone who understands what they’re looking at."

A short silence settled over the kitchen.

The realtor looked at his folder, then nodded. "I’ll pass the message along to the buyer."

"Thank you," Melody said pleasantly.

All three of them stood. Lukas walked the realtor down the hall and to the front door, exchanging a polite farewell, and watched the man make his way down the lane before closing the door.

He turned around.

Melody was already leaning against the kitchen doorframe with her arms crossed, watching him with a calm expression.

He crossed the distance between them and pulled her into a hug.

"When did you even look into property values?" he asked.

She shrugged against his shoulder. "I had some free time while you were recovering. I got bored."

A pause.

"And my family once put me in charge of acquiring a piece of land for a new training facility. I was seventeen. My father said it would be a good experience."

She pulled back slightly. "He was right. I learned how to read a location and how to negotiate with people who assume you don’t know what something is worth."

Lukas shook his head, smiling. "Thank you."

"Stop thanking me for things that benefit both of us." She stepped back and looked at him. "Are you ready?"

He went to the counter and picked up his money pouch, clipping it to his belt. His sword went across his back.

Melody retrieved her own sword, which was now fully fused, the break in the blade gone as if it had never happened, and strapped it in place.

They walked out together, and Lukas pulled the door shut behind them, turning the key in the lock.

The street outside was already busy, the morning foot traffic moving in both directions as Awakeners headed to the dungeon cluster and merchants opening their stalls.

Melody fell into step beside him, throwing her hands in the air in a cheer.

"We’re going shopping!"

He took her hand in his, both walking down the road with a smile on her face.

"So, what are we buying first?" Lukas asked casually.

"Armor, of course." Melody said.

"No, wait." Lukas glanced at her. "We need a spatial ring more than armor right now."

"We’ve survived this long without a spatial ring, Lukas." She said. "But armor? That one’s more important."

"Not really," he said. "A spatial ring changes everything about how we operate. Think about the storage, how it impacts our preparation, and the carrying capacity. The long-term value alone—"

"You need to be alive to enjoy the long term." She turned to face him fully. "Last time you went into that forest you came back with a broken shoulder blade, shredded ribs, and no cuirass because it had been turned into scrap. Armor first."

"I survived, didn’t I?"

"Barely." She gave him a flat look. "That’s not the argument you think it is."

He opened his mouth. Closed it. Then laughed.

"Melody."

"What?"

"We have enough money for both."

A pause.

Her expression shifted through mild surprise and then straight into victory. "Oh." She grabbed his arm. "Then I’m right and we’re getting armor first. Come on."

He let her pull him down the street, shaking his head.

She walked through the equipment store’s entrance with a purposeful stride, steering them directly away from the standard racks and to the [Items] section at the back.

Lukas slowed. "We could at least look at the regular—"

"No." She didn’t turn around.

"Melody—"

"Last time you had a perfectly good cuirass and a beast still got through it." She stopped and looked at him. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

"I watched you get mauled by a Nemean Lion. We are not buying ordinary metal and calling it protection. Not while I’m here." Her voice left no room for further discussion. "Quality armor or you don’t leave the house."

He held her gaze for a moment. Then he laughed and raised his hands in surrender.

Melody turned to the nearest attendant. "Your catalog of defensively focused cuirasses, please."

The attendant smiled and led them away.