Chapter 25

Seeing everyone around him looking at him and the numerous guns present, it would be a lie to say that Ajax wasn't nervous. Taking a deep breath, Ajax cut his connection and exited the mech.

Although leaving the mech was dangerous, there wasn't much energy left in it and in a real fight, he wouldn't be able to escape, so it was better to just be honest.

After all, Bomen was introduced by Black Hand, so he naturally believed in Bomen's character.

Observing Ajax's young appearance, covered in bandages, and wearing a peaked cap, Bomen was a little taken aback. "Hey, you have quite a unique look. What organization are you from?"

People nearby were also full of doubts. Despite being there for a while, they had never seen someone like Ajax.

"I'm not affiliated with anyone, I just arrived earlier today," Ajax replied expressionlessly.

He wasn't in a hurry to mention joining Lazoole and continued to wait for Bomen to ask questions.

"Oh? This isn't as safe a place as you may think. Are you just passing by?" Bomen adjusted his cowboy hat, took a puff of his cigar, exhaled smoke, and asked tentatively.

"No, I'm wanted by the authorities and came here to lay low," Ajax bluntly stated.

"Is that right?" Bomen nodded, recognizing that Ajax wasn't lying. Everyone coming to the border had something to hide. "What's your next move then?"

"Haven't thought that far yet, I'm just taking things one step at a time," Ajax shook his head, maintaining an indifferent expression.

"If you're planning to stay at the border for a while and don't know where to go, how about joining us and our organization, Lazoole?" Bomen moved his hat and extended an invitation.

While Ajax's purpose was to join Lazoole, he knew that requesting to join and being invited were two very different things. The former made him dependent on them, while the latter made them dependent on him, leading to better treatment.

Ajax had read about this tactic, it seemed to be called playing hard to get.

"Our Lazoole Society is one of the three major organizations on the Triangle border, renowned alongside the Four Tribes and Hell's League, collectively known as the Triangle."

"We have hundreds of elite operators, hundreds of ordinary operators, and several pilots, controlling a quarter of the border area," Bomen introduced their organization to Ajax.

It was an honest account, with no exaggeration.

Ajax nodded slowly, gaining a general understanding. The Triangle on the border seemed to be referring to the three major organizations.

"What benefits would I get by joining you?"

Seeing Ajax's interest, Bomen's eyes lit up. He motioned for the surrounding operators to disperse, leaving only him, Ajax, and the long-haired young man.

"You're a pilot, and I'll offer you a fixed salary of 20,000 eddies a month. All the eddies you earn after completing missions are yours; I won't take a percentage," Bomen proposed. "Additionally, how about a direct promotion to an elite operator, managing a team of 15 people? Or you can state your terms, I'm open to negotiations."

This offer surprised the long-haired young man, who had worked with Bomen for years and had never received such treatment, let alone anyone else.

Their organization mainly earned eddies by completing tasks for customers. After the organization distributed a task to an operator, upon completion, the organization took 30%, and the rest was divided based on the operator's contribution.

Ajax, however, had no such restrictions. He could earn eddies by just joining, making it a considerable gift. In addition, Bomen wasn't taking a percentage of Ajax's earnings. This treatment was a clear favor.

Apart from his joy, Ajax understood the truth that a beautiful tree in the forest was destroyed by the wind and that higher than the bank, a river's current grew turbulent.

As a newcomer, with many people in the organization, there would undoubtedly be those who didn't understand him. With such a high salary, he would be targeted. Ajax didn't want to be surrounded by people while sleeping.

Pretending to think about it, Ajax shook his head. "I don't want a fixed salary. I'll earn as many eddies as I can through my own work. You can treat me like everyone else. However, my mech consumes much more energy than your average mech, so if you're willing to be responsible for its energy supply..." Ajax trailed off, "....Otherwise, I may not even be able to participate in frequent battles or even in a single long battle. And I don't want to be an elite operator or in charge of anybody. I prefer being by myself. My last condition is that I must have a solitary residence and some free time."

Bomen was momentarily at a loss for words when Ajax made these conditions. He had some selfishness when proposing the terms, wanting to repay Ajax for saving his life. But even if Ajax made excessive demands, Bomen would consider accepting them.