Chapter 45
Chapter 45
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: The Penthouse and the Plan
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Jeon Gwang-il was lost in thought.
Putting aside how Player Bong had managed to bring the whole hides outside, the real problem was pricing them.
He couldn't get a feel for it at all.
The volume was also staggering.
So, take this one whole hide.
This single piece represented more hide than the Management Bureau's Player Shop purchased in an entire month.
And there were seven of these whole hides.
While they might not match the quality of wyvern hide, which was officially recognized as the best, the hide known to be the next best thing after wyvern hide was precisely basilisk hide.
It even had self-repairing properties for scratches.
Actually, would everyday scratches even appear on it?
Top-tier durability, impenetrable even to bullets.
It was so difficult to process that you needed a knife made from Tower metal just to cut it.
Moreover, its sheen was fundamentally different from the hides received as rewards.
Feeling it made that even clearer.
How much should he price each piece?
And what about the medicinal herbs?
The quantity was large and the variety was diverse.
There were even a few he'd never seen before.
'We'll hand the herbs over to the research institute for analysis.'
Jeon Gwang-il asked Joo-hyuk.
"By any chance, did you receive all this quantity at once?"
"Hmm, yes, well, that's right."
"In that case, the probability of another batch of this size appearing is slim, I suppose."
"Why would it be?"
What?
Jeon Gwang-il doubted his ears.
"What...?"
"I could bring back even more than this."
"Gasp!"
Could it be true?
Of course it must be true.
There was no way Player Bong Joo-hyuk would lie.
"A steady and continuous supply is also possible."
"..."
How on earth?
The desire to ask for details was overwhelming,
But, let's not be curious.
Let's just accept it.
From the fact that he held the record for 41 consecutive S++ clears, which was already mysterious in itself.
Maybe this was also part of the rewards for an S++ clear.
Anyway, the Management Bureau couldn't handle a volume this large.
After pondering for a moment, Jeon Gwang-il opened his mouth.
"Let's do it this way. We'll purchase all the medicinal herbs. At double the existing herb prices, as we'll likely need them for research purposes."
"Okay."
"Instead, what do you think about releasing these basilisk whole hides to the private sector? If a continuous supply is possible, that is."
That was exactly why he had come.
If it were just these seven pieces, it might be different, but a considerable amount of basilisk hide would be supplied in the future.
What would the Management Bureau even do with this hide?
They'd probably use it to make player armor.
Or make bulletproof vests.
Other than that, there weren't many specific uses.
On the other hand, private companies had a wide variety of applications.
Especially fashion companies.
"Um, for the private sales, will the Management Bureau also..."
"Yes! We'll handle it for you."
"Oh! Thank you. I'll pay a commission. Take one whole hide as the Management Bureau's share."
"Tha, that's alright."
"No, we should be clear about the calculations."
Now for the last matter,
"And also... the penthouse, right?"
"Yes, it's still vacant. Are you thinking of moving in?"
"I'll move in. But! I'll buy it. With money."
Jeon Gwang-il sighed inwardly.
"We can transfer the deed to you for free, you know."
"Hey, can I just take something for free? I'll pay the proper price for the apartment. Just deduct it from the Holy Sword rental fee and deposit the rest."
It was frustrating.
Why did Player Bong Joo-hyuk keep trying to distance himself from the Management Bureau?
They had secured an elite contract, but when you looked closely, it was half-baked.
Minimum salary, loose security detail, no body cam requirement, exempt from mandatory attendance at the Management Bureau—it was almost no different from a regular contract.
That was why he wanted to strengthen the relationship by showering him with various benefits.
The offer to transfer the penthouse deed for free also stemmed from this line of thinking.
But now he wanted to buy it with money again.
There was no choice.
They'd have to transfer it at the lowest possible price based on the official land value.
They'd also furnish it with new furniture and appliances.
"...Yes, we'll do that. I'll contact you after going through the procedures."
The business was concluded.
However, it seemed Jeon Gwang-il still had something to say.
"Um, Player Bong, may I ask just one more thing?"
"You can just ask anything."
"If you proceed with supplying even these basilisk whole hides, people's attention may focus on you again. We'll try to block it, but in the worst-case scenario..."
He understood what he was getting at.
It was the same when he rented the Holy Sword.
A few high-ranking individuals already knew he was the actual owner.
And if it became known that he was also the one selling the hides?
Ultimately, it meant his identity as the S++ record holder could be revealed later on.
"Well, I know there's no such thing as a permanent secret, but still, I'd prefer it to be revealed as late as possible."
"We'll do our best. Even if such a situation occurs, please don't worry. We will do everything in our power to ensure Player Bong's safety."
Safety, my foot.
He was born a coward, but lately, he wasn't even afraid.
If anything, he felt sorry for the other party.
If the threats against a player whose identity was revealed were things like intimidation or kidnapping, who would dare?
I'd just unleash the Mad Demon on them.
Too harsh?
"...And you have no intention of emigrating to another country besides South Korea, right?"
Huh?
Suddenly?
"Absolutely not."
"Hahaha, go...good to hear."
Emigrate? What would he do in a country where he didn't know anyone?
He'd rather conquer the world.
After returning from the Management Bureau, Joo-hyuk summoned Kosak, Gobang, Gyeon Dal-rae, and Razix one after another.
Then he had them huddle together facing the TV mounted on the living room wall.
The dizzyingly round Razix with his plump rear—from behind, he looked like a gym exercise ball.
At Joo-hyuk's signal, Kosak, puffing out his chest, stepped forward and positioned himself next to the TV screen.
He said he was preparing a briefing, and it seemed he had worked hard on it.
"Good evening, this is John Kosak, the first Summoned of Summoner Bong, his right-hand man, trusted confidant, and artist of the red ribbon."
When Joo-hyuk clapped, the Summoned beings followed suit and clapped as well.
But their expressions were somewhat disapproving.
Who did he think he was, calling himself the right-hand man?
And a confidant?
"Then I shall begin the briefing on our future Tower climbing strategy."
He skillfully connected his laptop to the TV,
"First, I will explain the missions we must undertake from the 42nd to the 45th floor."
Click!
The screen enlarged.
A picture of a long-tailed basilisk appeared.
"The monster we caught on the 41st floor was the Ironclad Basilisk, and this one here on the 42nd floor is the Long-tailed Basilisk. It's the one we'll be conquering tomorrow. Nothing special about it. Just be careful of its tail blade."
Flick!
"Hoeh?"
Razix, who seemed to have a question, raised his short hand,
"Worker Razix, please speak."
"Do we skin the long-tail?"
"Of course we skin it. However, we skip the first one and skin the second one. For the first conquest, we won't have the leisure to skin it. It must be an S++ conquest."
Click!
Next.
"The 43rd and 44th floors. Ironjaw Basilisk and Spiked Scale Basilisk. We skin the Ironjaw and skip the Spiked Scale. Its hide has sharp spikes. It's too bothersome to remove each spike one by one. Any questions?"
There didn't seem to be any.
"Moving on."
Click!
A basilisk with a gorgeous and colorful sheen appeared on the screen.
"This is the key. The Rainbow Basilisk, the boss of the 45th floor where we will be parking for a while and repeating missions."
Then Gyeon Dal-rae spoke up.
"I have a question. Why must we park specifically on the 45th floor..."
"Hold on! Princess, take the floor first and then speak."
At Kosak's words, her face flushed with bewilderment.
"...The floor? I need to take the floor to speak? That's going too far."
"Yep! I have been entrusted with full authority for the briefing by Summoner Bong."
"Hmm."
After a brief, spark-filled staring contest, Gyeon Dal-rae raised her hand.
"Floor granted. Princess."
"What is the reason we must park on the 45th floor? The 50th floor exists too. Wouldn't gathering be more efficient as the floor number increases?"
"I will answer."
Click!
"These are the monsters that appear from the 46th floor onward."
It was a giant scorpion. A scorpion type.
"They have no hide. They have an exoskeleton shell, but it's segmented, so it takes time to disassemble. Correct? Worker Razix?"
"Hoeh-eh, correct."
"The exoskeleton is light and hard, used for armor or shields, but most importantly... hide is more expensive. It's also more versatile. That means it sells well."
Kosak was speaking well.
He must have practiced a lot.
"The 45th floor has all types of basilisks appearing. Especially look at the boss, the Rainbow Basilisk. Isn't it beautiful?"
It truly was gorgeous.
The hide of that creature, with seven colors bizarrely harmonized.
"We must skin this guy and sell it. Our Summoner Bong, he recklessly bought a house and is now in house-poor circumstances. Money needs to be stuffed into his account, fast."
Joo-hyuk nodded with a pleased smile.
Gyeon Dal-rae hung her head low.
Her expression said she shouldn't have raised her hand.
"The problem is, if we kill this guy, the conquest ends and we have to exit the Tower, so we must skin it and get out in a very short time. Worker Razix, can you do it?"
"Hoeng!"
Razix's expression was filled with determination.
He said he'd try.
Then applause again.
Clap clap clap clap!
"For the time being, we only do skinning. No need to gather other things. We don't even pick herbs. Just throw away stuff like magic stones."
Gobang also raised his hand.
"What should warrior do?"
"Gobang just do what you always do, be a meat shield."
"Understood."
Clap clap clap!
Joo-hyuk sent more applause.
The others followed and clapped as well.
"There's still one thing left. The most important agenda."
Click!
The screen changed.
There was no picture.
Just the word 'Special Reward' written in large letters,
"The 45th-floor special reward cannot be missed. This right-hand man Kosak still remembers. The *click* from the 40th floor!"
Joo-hyuk also closed his eyes and recalled that time.
The *click*, it was truly thrilling.
"Trait Enhancement! Now is the time we need a ritual. We've sufficiently received the spiritual energy of Gyeryongsan Mountain, and the next candidate site for a ritual is the sacred Manisan Mountain..."
Right then!
Gyeon Dal-rae raised her hand again.
"...Please speak."
"My opinion is different. The 45th-floor Origin ritual is far too early."
"We skipped it once already. Summoner Bong suffered so much staring at a wall for two days."
"That's why Razix-nim came to us."
"Then how will you explain the Mad Demon?"
"..."
Gyeon Dal-rae fell silent for a moment before parting her lips.
"No matter how I think about it, the 45th-floor special reward Origin ritual is not the way. It's safer to postpone it for the 50th-floor special reward..."
At her words, Kosak smiled sarcastically and said.
"Lacking confidence?"
"...What did you say?"
"For someone who calls herself the Heavenly Empire's top shaman, to be afraid of holding a ritual..."
"You bastard!!!"
Instantly!
Joo-hyuk raised his hand to stop them.
"I also agree to postpone the ritual."
"...Y-yes?"
"Mr. Kosak, you're clueless about rituals, aren't you? The top shaman princess knows best about rituals. So let's listen to the princess."
Kosak quickly became dejected.
"Ugh, ah, understood. The ritual is po, postponed."
As Joo-hyuk gave his support to Gyeon Dal-rae, this time she looked at Kosak and let out a light, scornful laugh.
Who do you think you are, acting up when you don't even know?
"Hoeh-eh-ehng?"
Razix looked at Joo-hyuk.
At Joo-hyuk, who had summarized the situation with just a few words.
"So cool."
Yeah, it was cool, of course it was cool.
This was what a real man was.
Anyway, let's start according to the briefing.
Dash to the 45th floor, park there, and sell hides to make money.
Bureau Chief Park Kyung-su received Jeon Gwang-il's call and rushed to the Management Bureau's material warehouse.
The moment he arrived, he saw the objects spread on the floor and flinched! in surprise,
"Insane! It was true, they're really whole hides."
Seven sheets of Ironclad Basilisk hide, with the shape of the head, tail, and legs still perfectly intact.
He couldn't help but be amazed.
He had never even heard of hides in this form appearing as mission rewards.
"How did he get these... What did Player Bong say?"
"I didn't ask at all. It didn't seem necessary to ask."
Park Kyung-su nodded.
He was a player whose very existence was mysterious.
"He said one of these is our share, right?"
"Yes, I plan to manufacture equipment and supply it to our team's players."
"Good."
Bureau Chief Park Kyung-su stroked the Ironclad Basilisk hide with his hand and said.
"If we release six sheets to the private sector..., how do you plan to do it? Auction? Open bidding?"
"I intend to proceed as discreetly and secretly as possible."
"Hmm, yes, that would be better than a public method. Who are the targets?"
"Wouldn't it be better to contact Korean companies first?"
Bureau Chief Park Kyung-su also agreed.
"Then handle this too, Vice Bureau Chief Jeon."
"...Vice Bureau Chief? I haven't even received my appointment letter yet."
"It's as good as done already. The announcement will be posted within a week."
The next day.
Jeon Gwang-il sent an official letter under the name of the Management Bureau Vice Chief to Korea's famous fashion companies.
Only to large companies capable of handling the volume.
It stated that they planned to proceed with a private-public cooperation project regarding the utilization of Tower materials and wished to hold a joint meeting with the companies' representatives.
He emphasized 'company representatives' to pinpoint them.
For a project of this scale, a decision-maker with immediate authority needed to come.
Representative Ko Yeon-ha of HG Fashion.
She was a third-generation chaebol of the HG Group.
Although HG Fashion was under the group's umbrella, the company's scale was small compared to other affiliates.
Rather than expanding the company by haphazardly pulling in this brand and that brand like an octopus, she wanted to properly create a single luxury brand.
She streamlined miscellaneous business divisions and consolidated the rest into one.
During this process, she ambitiously launched a domestic, homegrown brand called 'Wildflower,' but it wasn't going well.
Was gaining recognition as a luxury brand easy?
It was still in its early stages, so even getting its name out was difficult.
Anyway, Ko Yeon-ha also read the official letter from the Awakening Management Bureau.
The content was about a private-public cooperation project regarding the utilization of Tower materials.
What Tower materials were related to fashion companies?
The most representative was monster hide.
Tower hide, which was extremely limited in quantity and had an erratic supply.
Ko Yeon-ha had seen it before too.
She had never actually used it to make anything, though.
That's how rare it was.
It was only used to make player armor or combat boots.
Was there really something for the private and public sectors to collaborate on?
Could they be asking to make fashionable leather armor or something?
Well,
Leather armor would be better if it was pretty.
It would have brand advertising effects.
Imagine if Player Nam Ga-eun wore leather armor with the Wildflower brand logo on it.
The brand's value would skyrocket.
'But does the representative really have to go?'
Could they be trying to demand kickbacks or bribes?
She didn't particularly feel like going, but if Player Nam Ga-eun would just wear Wildflower brand fashion armor...
'Well, my schedule is free anyway, I might as well go see for myself.'
What could it be?
Frankly, she didn't even have any expectations.