Chapter 65

Chapter 65: Kim Jinah (3)

“Dear customer,” Kim Jinah’s voice echoed from the smartphone, “have you confirmed the 10 billion won deposit? See? I told you it would only take a day.”

“Oh, it actually worked. Thank you. I’ll use it well and pay it back.”

“But, dear customer.”

“Yes?”

“Rather than opening several stores next to Ohsung, wouldn’t it be better to grow one store in a prime location?”

“Hm, would that be better?”

“Yes, rather than focusing on competing with Ohsung, it would be more constructive for your future to grow big enough that Ohsung can’t touch you.”

Oh? She wasn’t wrong. I had started this for revenge, but there was no need to get too hung up on Shin Jongoh.

“Teehee, so I did a bit of research. There’s a building for sale in the Apgujeong area’s bustling center. It’s a three-story, 330m2* building, and since it’s a quick sale, it’s pretty cheap...”

≈ 3,230 ft2

“Really? How much?”

“About 8 billion won.* It’s a bit old, but it should be perfect with some renovations.”

≈ $6.15 million USD

Kim Jinah’s voice was full of enthusiasm. Whether she found my business idea interesting or she was just invested in managing the 10 billion won loan, she was being quite proactive.

It was convenient for me. However, I was curious about one thing.

“Hm, but in that case, does location matter that much? After all, my business is selling high-performance items. If word spreads, people will line up even if I set up on the southernmost island.”

“Oh, dear customer, didn’t you want to grow Demir’s Workshop into a global brand? Location is important not only for customer access but also for the brand’s prestige.”

“Hm, you’re right. The first step is always crucial. As you said, investing in one good location is better than spreading out across multiple smaller ones.” I nodded.

Once I had decided, the process was swift. With her help, I quickly purchased the building and started renovations.

“Master, the building is quite old. Just leave it to me, the great Demir!”

—Clang! Clang!

The building’s condition didn’t matter. There was nothing to worry about with Demir’s craftsmanship, which could create something out of nothing, although it wasn’t quite at its peak, like in his prime...

“First, we need to reinforce the steel frame. And why is the building shaped like this? Even if the babies of my tribe built it, it would look better than this! I can’t tolerate this as an artist!”

There was a burning passion in Demir’s eyes.

—Clang! Clang!

The building slowly transformed over the course of about a month. It didn’t become a flashy, shiny, glass building like the others in this area. But instead, it adopted an artistic, medieval architectural style.

As I watched the transformation, I continued my training on the side. Even though I had stronger minions now, I focused on training Boney 1, Boney 4, and Boney 5, trying to narrow the gap between them and the awakened ones.

After some time passed...

“Ooh.”

“Haha, do you like it, Master?”

The building was complete.

“Not bad. It’s unique yet blends well with the surroundings.”

“Haha, I’m glad you think so, Master! Would you like to see the inside?” Demir, looking pleased, led me inside.

The interior was incredibly luxurious. It glittered with gold, as if designed to cater exclusively to VIPs.

“That woman, Kim Jinah, is quite something. She explained everything so clearly, it was like she was drawing a picture in my mind. Honestly, I just followed her instructions.”

“Wow.” I admired the interior as I walked around.

The first floor was for selling mass-produced items. It was where Demir’s B-rank products were displayed for sale without any limits on quantity.

In contrast, the second floor was reserved for limited edition items. In one corner, there was a small workshop for Demir, and the rest of the floor was filled with clean display cases, like a museum. Soon, those cases would be filled with S-rank items.

[‘Air Purification’ (B-rank) is active in this zone.]

[‘Security System’ (A-rank) is active in this zone.]

“I’ve put in some effort too. I’ve enchanted this place so that you’ll be immediately alerted if someone tries to tamper with the items without unlocking them. And Air Purification is a given.”

“Wow, as expected of Eldrin. Your attention to detail is impressive.”

“You’re too kind, Master. Your praise fills me with joy!”

“R-Really, now...?”

I walked up the stairs to the third floor.

[‘Air Purification’ (B-rank) is active in this zone.]

[‘Security System’ (A-rank) is active in this zone.]

[Set Temperature: 24 ̊C*]

At the same time...

“Phew.”

Gi Soyul, her black hair tied up, was soloing a dungeon.

[A-rank Dungeon – ‘Palace of the Minotaurs’]

It was a dungeon she occasionally tackled solo to gain practical combat experience.

—Thud! Thud!

A massive minotaur swung an ax the size of a human.

—Swish!

Her movements were sharp and swift. Her form vanished in the path of the creature’s swing.

—Swish!

Then she reappeared behind its head.

—Slice!

“Moo!”

With a single strike for each, one after another, the minotaurs fell. Soon, the palace corridor was littered with bodies of the fallen.

This is unbelievable.

The Palace of the Minotaurs was a dungeon that appeared about once a month. This meant she had run it several times. However...

Clearing the corridor this quickly?

Usually, it took her about an hour to clear a single corridor. But this time, it had only taken 20 minutes. It was as if the dungeon had become easier.

“All because I changed my weapon...”

Gi Soyul absentmindedly looked down at her hand, or, more precisely, at the dagger in her hand.

[Item: A Dagger for an Assassin]

[Rank: S]

[Type: Dagger]

[Description: A weapon crafted by the legendary blacksmith Demir and his master, inspired by a certain assassin! With incredible focus and passion, its performance has surpassed its blueprint.]

[Effect 1: Dexterity increases by 50.]

[Effect 2: Attack speed increases by 200%.]

[Effect 3: After entering stealth, the first attack deals 500% additional damage.]

[Effect 4: Ice magic resistance increases by 30%.]

It was the source of this insane damage boost.

Gi Soyul quietly caressed the weapon. The pleasant chill ran up her arm, all the way to her heart.

“I’m a weapon just for you. I was made only for you,” it felt as if the weapon was whispering to her.

Should I let him know?

Gi Soyul was a mid to high-tier ranker at the time. She was a potential target for villainous rankers who aimed to move up by taking her down. That was why she kept as much information about herself hidden as possible.

Such as the information about my weapon.

If information about her weapon were to spread, so would knowledge of how to counter it. That would only create a weakness. But...

Mr. Donghoon asked me to promote it.

Revealing the information about a weapon was the best way to promote it.

Usually, she would have completely ignored such a request. But this time, she couldn’t. First, out of gratitude, and second, because she simply felt like it.

But wouldn’t that be dangerous for him too?

This weapon was an S-rank item, after all. S-rank weapons were so rare that even world-class workshops like the White Swine treated them as major projects.

If word got out that a blacksmith could produce S-rank items independently in such a short time, he could easily become a target for global criminal organizations.

In that case...

There was only one solution: she would have to become his protector once again.

With my abilities, I can at least protect Mr. Joo Donghoon.

—Clench!

Gi Soyul clenched her fist, resolving herself. It definitely wasn’t because she wanted to return to him. A blacksmith capable of crafting S-rank weapons was a national treasure.

I’m just doing it out of patriotism to protect a national treasure.

—Swish!

With her decision made, she charged deeper into the dungeon.