You want... my friendship?
A look of surprise crossed Carol's face, and an odd feeling stirred within her.
Jonas's words were easy enough to understand, but Carol had no idea why he would say that... after all, the Arbitration Bureau's very nature meant it was hardly an organization that valued "cooperation."
In other words, the two of them could negotiate here only because their interests aligned. Someone like Jonas could not possibly fail to understand that.
So what was his real objective...?
A chill ran through Carol. She quickly dismissed the suspicion that had surfaced in her mind, shifted subtly in her seat, and said:
"I think you already have my friendship, Mr. Jonas."
Although she had doubts about Jonas's true intentions, she certainly could not pass up a deal handed to her on a silver platter.
A drug capable of enhancing physical abilities with minimal side effects... its hidden value might be every bit as great as that Temporary Psionic Drug.
A sixty-percent improvement in physical abilities... even many mechanical augmentations could not achieve that. It was easy to imagine how much stronger mercenaries would become if they used this drug.
And Alt Corporation, which could develop such a drug... in Carol's eyes, it might already be a force on the same level as the Arbitration Bureau.
Viewed that way, establishing this so-called friendship with Jonas did not seem like a bad thing.
Hearing that, Jonas smiled, then said:
"Since we're friends, I'll be honest with you..."
As though he had sensed Carol's thoughts, Jonas bared his fangs.
"I'd like you to do me a favor, Miss Carol."
Carol immediately grew wary, but she did not show it. Instead, she asked calmly:
"What sort of favor would you like, Mr. Jonas?"
"No need to be nervous. After all, this