Chapter 166
Chapter 166
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 166
Chapter Title: Bracelet Sales Frenzy
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The craze for the Obesity Escape Bracelet was sweeping through.
It had been about a week since sales began.
Testimonials claiming miraculous results were flooding internet forums and social media.
The uproar was everywhere.
It was a massive hit.
Real-time reactions could even be seen on the White Tower's 17th floor.
Thanks to internet access.
Mackenzie browsed famous sites and SNS, a satisfied smile on his face.
"Heh heh heh, what a madhouse."
He hadn't expected such a fervent response when he first accepted the proposal from shut-in alchemist Alia Marie.
A mere beginner-level enchant spell.
One with severely weakened effects, no less.
To avoid straining health.
Plus, what was the big deal about losing weight?
In Mackenzie's world, obesity wasn't a disease.
So what if you packed on a few pounds?
If anything, it proved you were eating and living well.
But this was Earth before its collapse—a land of abundance.
A world overflowing with food thanks to advanced tech.
A society where overeaters outnumbered the starved.
And right on cue, a product appeared to solve people's woes.
With everyone going wild like this, he couldn't just sit still.
He wanted to brag that he'd made it himself.
So Mackenzie hopped onto a popular forum and posted.
Sigh, these idiots.
Should he show the whole process from start to finish?
Mackenzie fired up his smartphone camera.
He propped it in place, pulled out an adamantite ingot, and was about to cast when...
"...Hmm."
He stopped short of hitting record.
He desperately wanted to film and upload.
'Forget it.'
If word got out he'd posted a video, all hell could break loose.
The trolls would swarm: "No life? Filming for attention?" "Is this helpful to your summoner?" Blah blah.
Now wasn't the time.
Someday he'd leave his mark on this Earth.
That day would come!
"Hey, day-labor Mc, whatcha doing? Backlog's piling up. Get to work."
Day-labor Mc?
He couldn't just blast the guy's mouth shut.
No choice.
His own doing.
'Damn it all!'
The backlog was real.
But a 9th-circle mage slaving away at enchantments daily? What a waste.
'If only someone could take over... Anyone decent around?'
Enchantment spells were easy.
1st-circle level.
And he could artificially induce even that without training.
'Wait!'
One candidate popped up.
An industry insider and recent monthly renter.
Not awakened as a player yet—perfect conditions.
Worth a shot?
Razix Trading.
President Jeong Dong-hoon felt more worry than joy at the bracelet sellout.
First launch was lukewarm, but word-of-mouth exploded—stock vanished in under half a day.
He needed to reopen servers for restock, but was there enough?
Bracelet bodies were outsourced externally.
They were handed to Bureau Chief Jeon Gwang-il, then shipped to White Tower 17th floor workshop.
Residents there handled final assembly.
'Should I check in?'
Not just for business.
Hanging with folks there was fun, uplifting.
He'd gotten a badge from Player Bong recently.
Amid applause and cheers.
For pulling good gacha, apparently.
The platinum badge still gleamed on his suit pocket.
Plus monthly rights.
Jeong Dong-hoon called his secretary via intercom.
"You wanted me, sir?"
"Come in, Secretary Oh."
Newly promoted from general affairs to secretary: employee Oh Jin-sook.
Not solely due to Bong's request.
She was highly rated in HR.
Quick, competent and a great vibe-setter.
"Nothing is on my schedule today, right?"
"Ah! HG Fashion called. They want to meet today if possible."
Meet my ass.
Comparing leather supply—they're desperate for a fix.
"Say I'm busy. Clear my schedule for a bit. And clock out early today."
"Got it."
Jeong Dong-hoon clocked out too.
Back to his solo apartment, he changed into casual clothes.
"White Tower 17th floor entry."
Spot!
Razix's twin HQ buildings still stood tall.
Then—
"Hey, Jeong!"
"Y-yes."
"You're here—help out. Short-handed."
"Ah, sure."
Razix workshop.
Everyone was handling one bracelet each, purifying mana crystals.
Not easy work.
Especially for a normie like Jeong Dong-hoon.
His hands were slow, spilling powder everywhere.
He was still clumsy.
"Tsk tsk. Jeong, how you gonna eat at this rate?"
"Stick Jeong to hauling. Jeon? He was good."
"Called Jeon too. Finishing urgent stuff and coming."
Jeong's me, who's Jeon?
Suddenly!
Spot!
"Oh! Jeon's here."
Bureau Chief Jeon Gwang-il appeared in the White Tower.
"Sorry I'm late. Oh! President Jeong's here too."
"H-hello, Chief."
"Good to see you. Let's work."
Jeon dove right in.
Skilled, like he'd done it a ton.
It made sense.
Player abilities manifested fully on White Tower 17th floor.
Physical prowess differed hugely.
"Whew, veteran laborer Jeon kills it. He's worlds apart from Jeong."
"Hahaha, really?"
"We'll pack a hearty snack later."
"Keep this up, permanent residency soon."
"Work done, drink with this old man?"
"Sounds good."
Jeon basked in praise.
Jeong Dong-hoon felt a pang in his chest.
Somehow he was sidelined.
They had the same monthly rights, yet one was praised, one scolded.
'Wasn't it just recently I hit big on random boxes? They cheered then...'
Had they forgotten already?
This was too much.
He recalled chatting with Bong player.
Awaken as player anytime—just say the word.
'Player means better physicals here at least?'
Inventory too.
But that means entering the tower...
Should he do it, or not?
'Floors 1-5 are easy.'
Just smacking defenseless maggots.
But.
'Nah. Not for me.'
Know your limits.
Floor 6+? He'd just be running scared.
Floor 10+? Dream on.
He'd give up.
Player? That was out of his league.
But then!
Someone sidled up.
"President Jeong. Are you free to chat?"
"Ah! Sure."
Mage Mackenzie.
Project lead for the bracelet.
Mackenzie moved Jeong to a quiet spot.
Then.
"You... ever thought of learning magic?"
"Pardon?"
What?
"Master one 1st-circle spell, skip that powder-packing grunt work. Chant incantations like the elite staff. You've got to learn skills."
"...Uh."
Magic?
The flashy hand-glow stuff?
"Endless grunt work? It's pointless. We need elite chanters to finish it up. Sweet gig, right? Damn straight."
It was tempting.
But.
"I don't even know what magic is."
"Easy peasy. I'll make you 1st-circle ready. Just one incantation."
"S-still..."
"Your will matters. I'll handle the rest."
"..."
Jeong pondered deeply.
It was probably the activation enchant for the bracelets.
"Decide quick. Need approval."
"Approval?"
"From our summoner. That's the biggest hurdle."
"Ah!"
What to do?
Magic would make work easier.
'Learn it?'
As Jeong's mind tilted yes—
Suddenly!
Spot!
Player Bong Joo-hyuk entered the White Tower.
"Whoa, President Jeong, Chief Jeon—feels like I got you monthly rights just to make you work."
"Nah, I'm doing it willingly."
"I-I'm fine too."
"I'll join. Help out."
The summoned cried out in unison.
"No can do. You're the boss. Just watch."
"Young master, laborers toil. You oversee."
"Summoner, just drink with this old man later."
"Warriors will handle the summoner's share too."
"Master, stay by my side."
"H-hoek!"
True VIP treatment was elsewhere.
China's situation worsened.
Beijing HQ bombing probe ignited a government-player rift.
But it shouldn't drag on.
Seal it at some point, done.
Yet regular players resisted by withholding high-grade mana stones.
China's gov wouldn't stand idle.
The biggest issue: no command center.
There was no leader to decide.
Turned into emotional standoff.
Deepening rift.
Level 58 regular player Hao Ren met level 61 regular Zhang Wensi.
Both core China Player Association members.
"Zhang, got this from the tower yesterday."
"What?"
"Don't tell a soul."
"My lips are sealed."
"...a Liberation Rune Necklace."
"Huh? That's floor 71+ only. You're 58—how?"
"Dunno. Dropped on 53. Freaked when I saw the reward."
"Restrictions lifted?"
"Probably."
Liberation Rune Necklace:
It was the Item letting players manifest abilities in reality.
It's dropping on low floors?
"Keep quiet, stash it in your inventory."
"Yeah. One's useless anyway."
"Don't tell the association either. If the Liberation Necklace drops, keep it a secret."
Zhang's other role:
Black market guild's China branch head.
Level way higher than known.
'Liberation Rune Necklaces appeared on the China tower lower floors?'
Info quietly spread to the guild.
Many more dropped after.
Even non-tower-exclusive weapons and gear.
The summoned beings efforts restocked sellable quantity.
3,000 again, like before.
But Joo-hyuk wasn't thrilled.
The were working themselves to death.
This was a problem.
Even Chief Jeon and President Jeong were dragged in as laborers.
They should eat and chill first then work only when bored.
So Joo-hyuk gathered the summoned beings.
"Labor is strictly limited from now on. Bracelet making: 3 hours daily max. No OT. Exactly 3."
There was an uproar.
"3 hours? What good? Minimum 8."
"Kosak's right. Laborers for using, not idling."
"Old man's same. 3's too little..."
"Warriors demand harder labor."
"Sergeant Veronica Caliber—idle troops lose discipline."
"Hoek!"
Huh?
"Absolute obedience! 3 hours only. People eat and play. All work? We are machines, not humans."
They pushed hard, but...
"I refuse."
What?
Refuse?
"Per 3 Principles clause 3, we keep working."
"Indeed. No sloth on young master's path."
"Work hard, earn cash. Supply is victory."
"Hoo!"
Sheesh.
Twisting clause 3 like that?
The bracelet hype fired up the summoned.
They had to strike while the iron was hot.
Make more, ease summoner's money woes.
Then!
Mackenzie circled Joo-hyuk like a puppy needing to poop.
What's up?
Oh—a big yellow exclamation hovered over Mackenzie's head.
'Was he a game NPC?'
Quest giver?
He looks chatty today.
"Something wrong?"
"Ah! Summoner, I need permission."
"For?"
"Well, President Jeong's been begging me for magic lessons... I said no, but he won't quit asking about 1st-circle enchants."
Hmm.
It was the reverse, probably.
He was dumping work on Jeong.
Mackenzie's anti-labor efforts.
He liked it.
Very good.
"President Jeong wants to learn?"
"Y-yes."
Joo-hyuk had suggested awakening to Jeong before.
But he was scared, no?
If you awaken but skip the tower you'd have your privellages revoked.
It'd be a waste.
Mage?
No tower needed.
Sit, chant enchants.
"Teach him well."
"Thanks! I'll make him in to a fine 1st-circle enchanter."
Swoosh!
The Exclamation mark turned in to a question mark, poof—gone.
Quest complete?
He was always entertaining.
Anyway: Chief Jeon's a player.
President Jeong an enchantment mage.
It should work.
Razix trading secured stock and resumed Obesity Escape Bracelet subscriptions.
Servers crashed in 10 seconds.
F5 spam? Screen frozen.
Old subs, new ones—everyone happy.
Of course,there were limits.
Weight loss slowed over time.
Exercise sped it a bit.
Still, best part:
They never gained it back.
They could eat, sleep and drink— yet they'd maintain their weight.
That alone was huge.