Chapter 282: Carrot and Stick

Chapter 282: Chapter 282: Carrot and Stick

They thought they could rope her onto their war chariot with a pittance—supplying crystals at cost and offering a small cut—just so she would shield them from the majority of overt and covert attacks.

After all, as long as she tacitly agreed or even joined them, anyone else with objections would have to think twice about whether they could afford to provoke the server’s number one player.

’Such a clever little scheme.’

[Seaview]: Boss, this proposal is beneficial for both of us.

[Seaview]: You don’t have to do a thing, and you’ll solve the urgent needs of yourself and your friends, plus you’ll get a share of the profits for free.

[Seaview]: In this environment, concentrating resources is the only way to maximize their effectiveness. We’re doing this to allow the most suitable people to upgrade faster and to increase the overall survival rate, you see.

He was even trying to cloak this behavior in a veneer of reasonableness, even nobility.

The smile on Seraphina Sinclair’s face completely vanished.

She detested this type of posturing—trying to profit while simultaneously angling for a noble reputation.

If Seaview had just come out and said he was in it to get rich by cornering the market, she might have respected him more.

’At least that would be honest.’

But Seraphina Sinclair didn’t rush to refuse. She asked:

[Blacktiger Ford]: So... your "friends." Who are they?

After she sent the message, the other side went silent for a few minutes, as if trying to discern her motive.

[Seaview]: You’re as cautious as they say, Boss. As for who’s involved, it’s not convenient to disclose the specifics right now.

[Seaview]: But what I can tell you is that our little group includes the top players from at least five Zones. Our resource channels and overall strength are quite substantial.

[Seaview]: We all share the same goal: to integrate resources more efficiently to face future challenges. If you join, Boss, it would absolutely be a union of the strong. What’s not to like?

Having said this much, Seraphina Sinclair couldn’t be bothered to dance around the issue with him any longer.

Her cool fingertip tapped lightly on the interface panel, her reply short and to the point.

[Blacktiger Ford]: If you want me to join, show some real sincerity. If this is your offer, I have no choice but to refuse.

[Seaview]: ...Boss, what do you mean?

[Blacktiger Ford]: Thirty percent of the net profit and a list of all the members. Send them to me now.

The message was concise, but every word cut like a knife.

She wanted to see if this group, waving the banner of collective survival, could maintain their pompous facade when faced with the division of cold, hard cash and the exposure of their identities.

After she sent the message, the private chat window fell into a long, dead silence.

This time, Seaview’s silence lasted far longer than before.

Seraphina Sinclair was in no hurry. She even rose unhurriedly and poured herself a glass of water.

Outside the window, the black fog churned silently, as if brewing some unseen storm.

The cold, solid stone walls of the cabin temporarily walled off all dangers and schemes, but they also made it feel like an isolated island.

After what felt like an eternity, a notification finally chimed.

Seraphina Sinclair glanced over. It was from Seaview, but it was only a single, short sentence. His tone, completely different from his previous eager deference, now held a cold harshness, as if his mask had been torn away.

[Seaview]: Your appetite is too big, Boss. I’m afraid we can’t satisfy it. In that case, my apologies for bothering you. I hope you won’t regret today’s decision.

Looking at this reply, which all but dropped any pretense of civility, Seraphina Sinclair actually gave a small laugh.

’Regret?’

Her fingertips twitched as she sent one last message.

[Blacktiger Ford]: We shall see.

Closing the private chat, the smile on Seraphina Sinclair’s face slowly faded.

She was well aware of the consequences of her refusal.

Seaview and his group would never stand by and allow a top-tier player like her—one who knew their secrets and refused to play along—to remain independent, becoming the biggest variable in their plan for a monopoly.

Overt tactics, covert ones, soft-handed approaches, hard-handed ones... they would all likely be coming for her soon, one after another.

But... wasn’t Seraphina Sinclair looking for an excuse to take action anyway?

The thought of the massive haul of Expansion Crystals she was about to acquire made Seraphina Sinclair happy. Humming a little tune, she tore open a meal voucher and headed to the washroom to freshen up.

She had just squeezed toothpaste onto her brush when her private messages began to chime again.

Seraphina Sinclair had her settings to automatically block messages from strangers, so any notification had to be from a group member or someone she’d chatted with before.

She brushed her teeth with one hand while opening the private chat with the other.

[Artemis]: Are you busy?

Seraphina Sinclair stared at the name "Artemis." Her brushing paused for a moment, but her eyes held no surprise.

She had a good idea of why this person was contacting her, and she had long been aware of their "saintly" persona.

She rinsed her mouth, wiped the water from the corners of her lips, and only then did she leisurely reply.

[Blacktiger Ford]: Oh?

A single word, enough to let the other party know that she had been expecting this and was waiting for them to speak.

[Artemis]: Blacktiger, I assume Seaview just contacted you about the Expansion Crystals.

[Artemis]: You can just ignore what he said. The real decision-making power doesn’t lie with him.

Seraphina Sinclair raised an eyebrow.

’Internal disagreement?’

’Or has someone higher up the ladder finally decided they need to show up in person?’

[Blacktiger Ford]: So, you’re here to negotiate now? What are the terms?

[Artemis]: Yes, I’m here to negotiate with you now. Thirty percent profit, that’s acceptable. But you won’t get the list of names. Furthermore, our bottom line is that you don’t have to get involved in any of this. All you have to do is remain silent.

[Artemis]: Blacktiger, you can get thirty percent of the profits just by staying silent. Aren’t you tempted?

[Blacktiger Ford]: So, you’re the real one in charge? Or... one of them?

The other end was silent for a moment.

[Artemis]: That’s not important. What’s important is that I can give you promises Seaview can’t.

[Artemis]: Thirty percent net profit, plus an unlimited supply of Expansion Crystals at cost for you and anyone you designate. All you need to offer in return is your silence. This is far easier, and far safer, than confronting them yourself or going through the trouble of gathering crystals on your own.

[Artemis]: Blacktiger, I know you’re strong. But you must also understand that in this world, an individual’s power is ultimately limited. This isn’t just one or two people; it’s a coalition formed by the strongest players from five different Zones. They have resources, they have channels, and more importantly... they’re united, and they’re ruthless.

[Artemis]: For the sake of their monopoly, they won’t hesitate to eliminate any obstacles. By refusing now, you’re placing yourself in direct opposition to them. Is it worth it?

It was a mix of carrot and stick, a clinical analysis of pros and cons.

Artemis’s powers of persuasion were clearly on a completely different level from Seaview’s.

She didn’t try to romanticize their actions. Instead, she laid the stakes bare, seemingly leaving the choice to Seraphina Sinclair while actually weaving an invisible net of pressure with words like "safe," "easy," and the "danger" of being on the opposing side.

Seraphina Sinclair suddenly smiled.

’Seaview is the eager vanguard, while Artemis is the strategist sitting comfortably in the command tent.’

’One plays good cop, the other bad cop.’

’Interesting.’

Seraphina Sinclair’s fingertips tapped lightly, her reply carrying a tone of almost childlike bewilderment: