Grabbing the knife
"That's great. Thank you so much.", she then told him with her emotionless voice. Ivan really couldn't hear any thankfulness. "Of course we will also pay you for this.", she then continued.
She leaned back into a more comfortable position.
"Now that you have agreed, let's talk about how we do it. First, we have to make up a reason why you would want to donate your bone marrow and why you will get tested. And second, we will have to pay you in a discrete way."
It seemed like she really wanted to be careful. Ivan didn't know anything about her family or these people who had their eyes on them, but it seemed serious. 'Maybe I shouldn't have gotten involved? Is it too late to reject?', suddenly these thoughts appeared in his mind.
As if she had read his mind, Miss. Lex addressed these fears next, "Don't worry, there won't be any problem with this. For the payment, we can just make use of the dungeon. We can just say that you sold us something from the dungeon and nobody will be able to make a fuss out of it. At the same time, we can also make use of this to explain why we got into contact."
Hearing her talk about him selling something from the dungeon made his eyes light up. Maybe this was his chance? Not daring to hesitate, lest he lost this chance, he asked in an eager voice, "Wouldn't it be better if we make some more follow-up transaction, or even make it a regular thing?"
Miss. Lex was a smart woman, so she directly guessed the reason for his question, "You do have something to sell?"
"Yes. Since you entered the dungeon as well, you should know about the gift at the beginning. I won't tell what exactly I got but it allows me to make a dagger, which is accepted by the System."
"A weapon that is accepted by the System?", she asked as if having to make sure that she heard correctly. At the same time, she also leaned forward. "Can you show it to me? Maybe this will just make everything easier."
"Ahem, I don't have it with me but if you want I can go and get it so you can take a look.", he offered.
"Alright, let's take a look, and if then go visit my grandfather after that."
"Visit your grandfather?"
"Of course. We can just act as if we will work together closely on selling your dagger and then it would only be right for me to introduce you to my grandfather."
"Didn't you say that you had to look out for some enemies watching you?", Ivan asked confused. Even if they would work together. To introduce him to her ill grandfather seemed to be going a bit too far.
"Why did you think we only met today and not when your agency called you about the job? This was so we could prepare some groundwork. "
"Is there really a need for it to be so complicated?", Ivan couldn't help but wonder. Sure they did something illegal to get his information, but was it necessary to go through such lengths to hide it?
She shook her head, "You don't understand how noble families operate. Our world works with completely different rules. But luckily for you, you won't have to be a part of it."
From her words, Ivan could guess that these different rules weren't necessarily a good thing. Still, this made him only more curious as to what kind of world was hidden in the shadows.
After a short silence, she then said, "Let's go and take a look at your daggers." It was clear that she was unwilling to talk more about the topic.
She then got up and walked towards the door, clearly expecting him to follow her. And so he did.
When they arrived at the entrance a car was already waiting for them. It was a deceptively simple-looking one, and if not for the female driver waiting for them while holding open the door, everyone might just see it like a normal car, albeit with tinted windows.
Ivan didn't have any knowledge of luxury brands or goods in general but even he was able to feel that the seats were especially comfortable. Together with the tastefully designed interior, the car's interior looked greatly different from what its outer design suggested.
The car was also excitingly smooth and it was hard to even sense that they were moving. Only the sight of the city going by showing that there was any movement.
Following Miss. Lex's example, he sat back and closed his eyes. There was nothing really to look at and he didn't want to take out his phone because that seemed inappropriate.
Nobody asked about where his home was but why would they? After all, they had already done a background check on him.
Soon they arrived in front of the dorm and the emotionless voice of the woman beside him broke Ivan out of his thoughts. "Go up and get the dagger. You can give it to the driver to take a look.", she instructed him.
She didn't have to urge him to be fast. Even if she didn't she clearly expected him to hurry up. To her, this was only a small distraction that just might help her with the main objective.
Ivan hurriedly made his way towards his room and grabbed a knife, which he hadn't infused yet. For now, he would only show them this one, only if this wasn't enough would he take out the other one.
After arriving back at the car, the driver was already waiting for him with one hand stretched out towards him. Until now she hadn't said even a single word, but her gesture made it clear that she wanted him to give her the knife.
Thinking that they wouldn't have any incentive to trick him, he handed the knife over without hesitation.
The driver took the knife and skillfully pulled it out of the sheath. She then twirled it around before making some simple movements, such as stabbing and swinging at an imaginary foe. It was clear, that she was well trained in handling knives, making him realize that she should be more than just a driver.
After nodding, she resheathed the knife and put it inside a compartment of the car. She then nodded towards Miss. Lex.
"Ok. Get back in and we can visit my grandfather. It looks like your dagger is quite satisfactory so after the operation, we will prepare a contract.", Miss. Lex told him.
"Great.", Ivan responded while getting back into the car. This was exactly what he needed.
Their next stop was at the VIP entrance of the Central Hospital, which was the best hospital in the city. While its main entrance was always filled with people coming in and leaving, the VIP entrance seemed empty. Besides their car, there were no other cars in sight. There also wasn't a group of people waiting for them as was sometimes shown in movies or TV shows.
Instead, their group of three made their way through empty corridors to a single elevator which brought them to the top floor. During the whole time, they didn't meet anyone else, and only after arriving at the top floor did they finally see someone working for the hospital.
A doctor was already waiting for them and when seeing them he bowed and greeted, "Miss. Lex. Your grandfather is already awaiting you."
He then followed them into a large luxuriously outfitted room, which seemed more like a hotel suite than a hospital room. If only there wasn't the line of medical machines hooked up to the patient on the bed.
Ivan looked curiously at the old man sitting on the bed, reading a book. With his white hair and reading glasses, he looked surprisingly amicable. Somehow Ivan had expected him to look strict or cold. Maybe just as emotionless as his granddaughter.
"Grandpa.", Miss. Lex greeted, still emotionless.
The old man put down the book and looked at them. "You're here.", he said while smiling at her. "And you must be Mr. King. Thank you for willing to sell us this thing."
Ivan bowed towards him courteously, "I'm happy to do so.", after all, he was paid for it, he inwardly added.
"I think my granddaughter already told you about the prize we are willing to pay for it right?", the old man continued on.
"Not yet.", Miss. Lex interrupted, "I still have to let Mary test it first."
A flash of confusion appeared in the old man's eyes, but before anyone could see it, it had already vanished again. "So the item is better than expected?", he asked.
"Not sure.", she shook her head, "But he is capable of crafting it, so we are thinking about making a longer-term contract."
"Really? Can I see it?", the old man asked excitedly.