>>5522165Part of Takigi's facade snaps. 「A good note? I was sheared for my money and saved only because of a coincidence. If it weren't for that, perhaps I would still be paying back that debt. Even ignoring what was taken off of the top, I was held over a barrel and made to pay a ridiculous rate because my son needed immediate medical treatment. I had no choice.」
Kanekatsu simply nods, before staring Takigi in the eyes. "But without that loan, would your son still be alive?" Takigi struggles to compose a response. "Well, maybe he would have survived, may he wouldn't have - that's not important to my point. What's more important is... without that loan, would you have been able to get treatment for your son? Would anyone else have been willing and able to lend you that sum of money? And if so, would their terms be any better?"
Takigi is unable to answer verbally, but you feel an answer through his emotions. Uncertainty. Kanekatsu continues. "Many of our debtors are much the same. They need the money for an emergency, or perhaps an investment like a home or citizenship that they would be unable to acquire otherwise. We help them do this. The rates are high, yes, but the risk is also high. If the average villager simply can't pay, then... well, what do I do? Do I get mad, hit them, and tell them to pay me? I can, but what does that do for me? I still won't recoup my loss. My money is already spent."
"And that is why I must charge high interest rates. Most of my clients are high risk, so I need a suitably high reward. Otherwise there will be no way to recoup from the losses and make a profit worth my time. It's not any sort of malice. Just business."
He continues. "But now that you've passed through The Martial Gateway, you don't have to worry about such things anymore. Even if you needed money, it'd be at a much better rate. You're no longer high risk. You yourself are a person of great value. I know you can earn enough money if needed - you have the ability." Kanekatsu pauses. "And so I'd like to make use of that value. Why don't you work for me?"
A few seconds pass before Takigi can compose a response. He is hesitant and confused, but no longer angry. 「Why me exactly? I understand what you're saying, but wouldn't you prefer someone you have less... history with?」
Kanekatsu smiles. "Fogtop doesn't exactly have a wide pool of talent, and I'm not going to be able to poach workers from the county seat. Martial artists are lacking, and I need someone who can hold down the fort when I'm otherwise occupied. Given that you're familiar with what we do, you appeared to be the best candidate."
