Zenless Zone Zero: Gacha Master

"Mr. Mercer, hello. I am Kroll, Executive Director of Three Gates Corp!"

"Mr. Mercer, hello. I am Migros, Executive Director of High Ambitions Corp!"

"Mr. Mercer, hello. I am Hitler, Executive Director of St. Leen!"

One by one, people who were normally lofty and unreachable were now crowding the modest office door of the Cunning Hares, all rushing to introduce themselves.

They each hoped to leave the deepest impression on Sol Mercer right from the start, to make later negotiations easier.

"This is way too crazy."

Nicole was utterly stunned.

She had expected the Hollow mining rights to attract attention, but seeing these powerful figures—ones usually only seen on television—flocking here all at once still shocked her.

"Looks like there are plenty of clever folks on the Inter-Knot. Just one vague message yesterday, and now they're all swarming here today." Sol revealed a satisfied smile.

With so many people arriving at once, he didn't need to worry about being tricked—they'd compete and outbid each other.

"Ahem, dear guests." Sol stepped to the doorway and spoke in a steady voice. "I understand your eagerness to cooperate, but the space here is limited. If everyone comes in together it will be too crowded. Please come in one by one for individual meetings, and the rest of you wait outside for your turn."

Not waiting for reactions, Sol casually pointed toward Hitler. "This gentleman will be first. The rest, please wait."

Meeting them one by one meant they couldn't overhear each other's offers or adjust their bids accordingly.

They would be forced to put forth their very best conditions right away, making Sol's decision much more comfortable.

Of course, it wasn't the most polite approach.

But politeness depended on who you were. These people wouldn't dare make a fuss in front of him anyway.

"…"

The one chosen, Hitler, didn't look pleased.

Everyone knew the first one to go in always bore the greatest risk.

And Sol's demeanor was far from courteous—he acted like a sovereign overlord.

But with the lure of Hollow mining rights and Sol's authority, Hitler had no choice but to comply, stepping into the room.

The Cunning Hares' door shut, leaving representatives of Three Gates Corp, High Ambitions Corp, and others standing outside with faintly furrowed brows.

[Isn't this Sol Mercer a bit too arrogant?]

[He's just an ACE Investigator, not the whole Hollow Investigative Association.]

[He won't even let us in the door. Who does he think he is?]

These were people of status too, and being kept waiting outside like this was an insult. Their impression of Sol fell considerably. In New Eridu, arrogance wouldn't take you far.

Yet the representatives from the TOPS Alliance remained calm—even pleased.

[No wonder he defeated a Void Hunter. Such commanding presence.]

[And instead of forcing us to raise our bids immediately, he simply asked us to wait outside. Lord Mercer is magnanimous and honorable.]

[Stay quiet and leave a good impression on him.]

As oligarch-level tycoons of New Eridu, their intelligence networks were highly efficient.

Some had even personally visited the site of Sol's sparring match with Hoshimi Miyabi after he emerged from Hollow Special Operations Section 6.

They knew full well the title of ACE Investigator was only the surface. His true strength was Void Hunter level.

"Ben, I think today's competition will be fierce."

The red-haired, one-eyed loli in work overalls spoke gravely.

"High Ambitions Corp, Three Gates Corp, Marcel Group, St. Leen, White Star Institute…" Ben Bigger rumbled. "These are the great consortia of New Eridu. Almost all of the TOPS Alliance is here."

"How strange. Even if Hollow mining rights are lucrative, gathering all these people is a bit much." Koleda Belobog was puzzled.

"I don't think they're here just for Hollow resources. More likely, for this Mr. Mercer himself." Ben's fierce face revealed a glimmer of insight.

"Because of his ACE Investigator status?"

Koleda guessed boldly.

"An ACE Investigator is enough to make St. Leen or Morningstar treat him with respect, yes. But not enough to make TOPS bow down."

"Every one of these TOPS giants has ACE Investigators backing them. The Marcel Group, for example, has none other than Lady Sunbringer, the first-generation Void Hunter." Ben shook his head. "Something else must've happened recently, something we don't know, to make TOPS treat him so deferentially."

"That makes sense." Koleda grew gloomy. "Then our chances might be slim. Belobog Heavy Industries against TOPS… it seems hopeless."

She had thought Nicole's connection would let them easily secure the mining rights for the Companion Hollow in Cretan Hollow.

But now the competition was too intense. This massive opportunity might slip away.

She had been counting on this deal to make up for the huge project stolen by Horizon Industries.

A stable Hollow mining contract could keep Belobog Heavy Industries thriving for years, even without new contracts.

"President, don't worry too much." Ben reassured her with calm certainty. "When it comes to Hollow resource extraction technology, we aren't behind TOPS. With our exclusive heavy-duty Hollow machinery, we even have an advantage."

"With our sincerity, plus Nicole's connection, the chances of success are still high."

Koleda couldn't help but nod. "Either way, we must give it our all."

Just then, her bear-shaped phone vibrated.

She glanced at the screen—it was a message from Nicole.

[Nicole: Koleda! Koleda! Reply if you see this!]

[Koleda: I'm here. What's the matter?]

[Nicole: I'll keep it short. I'll tell you a surefire way to win the bid.]

Koleda sucked in a breath and quickly ducked behind Ben's massive frame, reading in silence.

Ben understood immediately and shielded her fully.

[Nicole: Because of our relationship, the people Sol invited today are just for reference. As long as your sincerity matches or surpasses theirs, he'll prioritize you.]

[Koleda: Don't worry, Nicole. Our sincerity is more than enough.]

[Nicole: I know. But here's the secret to victory. Sol is very softhearted—he can't stand seeing cute girls act spoiled. As long as you act a little spoiled, even if your offer falls short, he'll give you a second or even third chance to raise it.]

[Koleda: Huh?]

[Nicole: That's all I can say. Any more and Sol will get suspicious. The opportunity is yours—don't waste it.]

"S-Spoiled?!"

Koleda stared at the message, visibly flustered.

As president of Belobog Heavy Industries, how could she possibly act spoiled toward anyone? The last time she had done so was in her childhood, toward Khors.

But thinking of her loyal company staff, and their current shaky finances…

Her expression twisted with inner conflict before she finally made her decision.