Chapter 47
Chapter 47
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: The Value of Leather and a New Home
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The CEO of HG Fashion, Go Yeon-ha, arrived at the Awakening Management Bureau right on time for the meeting.
With a temporary visitor's pass hanging around her neck, she followed an employee's guidance and entered the large conference room.
She hesitated.
'Hmm...'
Should she go in or not?
Inside the conference room were two people.
Including herself, that made three.
Looking at their name tags, one was from Ilseong Apparel, and the other from Daehyun Materials.
They weren't the presidents or CEOs.
If they were, she would have recognized them at a glance.
They were probably directors or something similar.
That meant she was the only CEO present.
'...Did I come here for nothing?'
It was awkward.
She felt a bit ridiculous.
When Go Yeon-ha entered, the two men stood up awkwardly and greeted her.
"CEO-nim, I'm, uh, pleased to meet you. I'm Kim Seok-jin, Managing Director of Ilseong Apparel."
"Yes, I'm Go Yeon-ha. Is President Jeong busy?"
"He is currently in New York attending a fashion show."
"Ah."
So one was abroad.
Well, fashion shows are important.
"Let me introduce myself. I'm Yang Se-joon, Executive Director of Daehyun Materials."
"Yes, Executive Director Yang. I'm Go Yeon-ha."
She didn't ask where the president of Daehyun Materials was.
That man was always busy running around too.
Though usually, he was just out having fun.
In the end, it seemed she was the one with the most free time.
A fashion company CEO with a flexible schedule who could attend any government summons at the drop of a hat.
Well, at least they sent a Managing Director and an Executive Director. The lineup wasn't bad.
Even if they weren't decision-makers, they were in positions to report directly to the president in case of any sudden developments.
The atmosphere grew stiff.
No one was willing to speak first.
'Should I create some busy work and slip away?'
All sorts of thoughts crossed her mind.
But just then!
*Knock knock.*
A man knocked on the conference room door and entered.
"Oh my, I'm late."
Huh?
The Deputy Director came in person?
The people in the room shot up and bowed.
Go Yeon-ha did the same.
She bowed her head respectfully in greeting.
You shouldn't look down on someone just because they're a civil servant.
Jeon Gwang-il, a man of real power within the Awakening Management Bureau.
The man who conceived the Elite Team Player Project and nurtured South Korea into an advanced nation in tower climbing strategy.
As a result, the climbing floor count had reached parity with the United States.
Nam Ga-eun, who emerged to fill the void left by the naturalized Yu Cheol-min, had established herself as a star player.
And that wasn't all.
There were even rumors that he was the one who retrieved the Holy Sword.
There was even speculation that he might be acquainted with Korea's S++ grade record holder.
A figure almost certain to be the next Bureau Director, on par with chaebol chairmen.
No, even chaebol chairmen would find it difficult to meet him.
For such a man, the newly appointed Deputy Director Jeon Gwang-il, to appear in the conference room in person—that alone made her attendance worthwhile.
'Hmm, maybe I did come for a good reason.'
In that instant, Jeon Gwang-il wore an apologetic expression.
"Um, I'm afraid I must apologize. I think we'll have to meet with the representatives from Ilseong Apparel and Daehyun Materials another time."
Managing Director Kim Seok-jin and Executive Director Yang Se-joon wore expressions of utter bewilderment.
"When I sent the official request, I asked for the CEOs to attend. There was a reason for that."
Then,
"That's no problem. I can contact the president in real time right here, right now."
"Same here. The CEO told me to call immediately if anything comes up..."
Jeon Gwang-il sighed, as if feeling sorry for them, and spoke.
"I'm truly sorry. Our internal policy is set that way. With apologies, I'll only speak with CEO Go Yeon-ha. Then,"
His tone was polite, but the content was firm.
Kim Seok-jin and Yang Se-joon had no choice but to gather their belongings and leave the room.
Thus, only two people remained in the conference room.
Go Yeon-ha, beaming.
"Did I catch a lucky break, Deputy Director?"
"Hmm... I can't give you a definitive answer just yet."
"I hope it's luck. I've even brought some preparations."
"Preparations?"
Go Yeon-ha pulled a document folder from her bag and handed it to Jeon Gwang-il.
Opening it, he saw design drafts.
There were photos too.
A model styled after player Nam Ga-eun, wearing leather armor emblazoned with the brand 'Wildflower' and holding the Holy Sword.
Not just a female model, but a male model as well.
Of course, it was replica armor and a replica sword.
"What do you think? Our company's head designer spent days creating these design drafts."
"Ah..."
"Please take a look."
It was rather abrupt.
Suddenly thrusting design drafts at him?
But they were quite pretty.
If armor was made like this, it would probably be popular in player shops.
"I'll review them. And CEO Go, if it's alright with you, please accompany me somewhere."
"Yes."
The two exited the Bureau building.
They walked to a secluded area behind the building.
They soon arrived at their destination.
It was in front of a heavy iron door guarded by heavily armed police maintaining strict security.
"This place is..."
"The Tower materials warehouse. It's mainly where we store material items purchased from players."
"Ah, I see."
At Jeon Gwang-il's signal, one of the guards brought over two thick long padded coats.
"Please put these on. The cooling system is running, so it will be extremely cold."
The iron door opened, and the two entered.
It was dark.
She couldn't see an inch in front of her.
And as mentioned, it was very cold.
If she hadn't put on the coat, she would have been in trouble.
"I'll turn on the lights, please don't be startled."
"Ah..., yes, yes."
*Click!* The lights turned on.
It was slightly dazzling.
So she closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them.
What in the world?
Black, monster-like things on the floor..., monsters? Monsters, monsters?
"Kyaaah!"
Go Yeon-ha screamed and stepped back.
"Calm down, CEO. Those are all hides. Whole hides, look closely."
"...Huh? H-hides? Ani, animals? Ugh, lizards? Crocodiles?"
"Similar. Except they came from the Tower."
What was he talking about?
The Tower?
"This one is an Ironclad Basilisk. This is an Ironjaw Basilisk, and here's a Long-Tail Basilisk too."
"Basil... risk?"
To be honest, Go Yeon-ha didn't know much about what monsters appeared in the Tower.
But she was very familiar with the names Wyvern and Basilisk.
Wyvern, considered the best hide.
Basilisk, the grade below, but said to rival Wyvern in some aspects.
But why were they here?
It felt like props for a monster movie.
"Are these... real Basilisk hides?"
"Yes. We've secured a total of 36 pieces and are storing them. What you see now are 34 of them."
A man of the Deputy Director's stature wouldn't pull such a stunt just to surprise her.
Finally mustering her courage, Go Yeon-ha cautiously moved closer.
They were indeed whole hides.
The hide had been peeled off, head and all.
"We intend to supply these hides to the private sector. Not just for making armor, but for everyday use as well."
"Su, supply... you mean allowing Tower materials to private enterprises?"
"Yes."
Insane!
"And the supply target is our HG Fashion?"
"As you can guess, that's how it turned out."
"Hmm,"
Tower materials, monster hides, were extremely expensive and rare.
That's why their limitations were clear.
It was the reason they hadn't been commercialized until now.
"What about the quantity? If this is all there is, commercialization might be difficult."
"A steady and continuous supply is possible. The supply price will need to be negotiated, of course."
"Ah!"
"It might be released in quantities comparable to crocodile leather."
A continuous supply was possible?
Like crocodile leather?
If these hides were well-processed into bags or wallets?
Clothes, shoes, hats, gloves, keychains, phone cases...
There was nothing they couldn't make.
They could make the whole item from the hide or mix it with other materials.
'And stamp the Wildflower brand on it.'
Oh my god!
Just imagining it sent a thrill through her body.
She realized once again.
She really had come to the right place.
If she had sent a representative like Ilseong or Daehyun, she might have regretted it for the rest of her life.
This wouldn't do.
She needed to look more closely.
Go Yeon-ha moved right up to them.
Then, bizarre patterns, unseen in ordinary wild animals, caught her eye.
The feel itself was different from even the highest-grade crocodile leather.
They were incomparably beautiful, luxurious, and unique.
The colors were also three types: black, dark brown, and deep gray.
Her mind raced.
If Jeon Gwang-il's words were correct, commercialization was feasible.
Suddenly!
A thought occurred to her.
"Deputy Director."
"Yes."
"You said you secured a total of 36 pieces, right?"
"That's correct."
"There are only 34 pieces in this space."
"Right."
"Then where are the other two?"
Jeon Gwang-il grinned.
"Follow me."
He went to an area on the other side of a wall.
And the moment they turned the corner!
Go Yeon-ha couldn't help but stop dead in her tracks.
"Ahhh..."
There were exactly two pieces.
Hides with a silvery base that emitted a multicolored light.
They were gorgeous but not excessive.
Neither cheap-looking nor vulgar.
It was as if the colors were alive, faintly moving, deepening, swirling like colorful oil paints floating on water—not completely mixing but harmonizing, swirling together, merging, and separating again.
"Th, this is really a h-hide?"
"Rainbow Basilisk. I guarantee you, even Wyvern hide can't match this one."
"Is this hide also part of the supply to the private sector?"
"Of course. It's a bit excessive to make armor out of this. It's too flashy, you see."
Her mind reeled.
If those were unveiled on the market, it would be enough to turn the global fashion world upside down.
Was she getting too excited?
She needed to calm down for a moment.
"Since I was the only CEO who came to the meeting, the priority to purchase these hides belongs to HG Fashion, right?"
"You could say so. At least for the first batch..."
"I'd like us to have the second batch too."
"I can't decide that right now, but there is a condition first."
"Anything."
"Please keep this as secret as possible until HG Fashion commercializes these hides. Of course, it won't be easy."
"I'll do my best."
The commercialization of the hides would take quite some time.
They couldn't be processed with existing leatherworking tools.
They needed to secure tools mixed with Tower metals first.
The craftsmen would need training, and of course, they would all become aware of the hides' existence.
Well, they could have them sign non-disclosure agreements.
"Then there's only one thing left. At what price will you supply them?"
At Go Yeon-ha's question, Jeon Gwang-il sighed and spoke.
"*Sigh*, that's the most difficult issue. Usually, players receive hides like these as Tower conquest rewards."
Jeon Gwang-il showed Go Yeon-ha a hide about the size of a cushion.
"This is also Basilisk hide."
"Correct. But there's a difference, right?"
Indeed.
The patterns were blurred, and the luster was slightly faded.
"We purchase these for ten million won per piece. We make defensive gear out of them and sell them to players at cost."
Go Yeon-ha nodded.
Even hides like that were rare and hard to obtain in the private sector.
There weren't even enough for the players' use.
"So, I need a bit of help from you."
"Help?"
"You have hide experts or craftsmen at your company, right?"
"Of course."
Jeon Gwang-il handed her two envelopes.
One envelope contained a piece of ordinary Basilisk hide the size of an A4 sheet.
The other contained a piece of Rainbow Basilisk hide about half the size of a banknote.
"Samples."
"Ah!"
"Please discuss with them and determine the value of the hides."
She understood what he meant.
He wasn't asking the seller to set the price, but the buyer to come up with it.
"What if I lowball the price?"
"Well, then I'd have to commission another place, I suppose."
Go Yeon-ha smiled brightly.
"Don't worry. I have absolutely no intention of lowballing the value of the hides. If anything, I wanted to set it even higher."
Immediate profit wasn't the issue.
She needed to look at the big picture.
"I'll discuss it with our company's experts. And don't worry about secrecy. I'll make sure it doesn't leak."
"I trust you."
Jeon Gwang-il was also curious.
If they were released to the private sector, what would the value of these hides truly be?
Late in the evening.
Cheongdam Acrohill Apartments, Seoul.
Joo-hyuk stood in front of the penthouse's private elevator with a building management employee.
The apartment ownership transfer was complete.
The owner of Acrohill Apartments was now him.
The reason he came here today was to spend the night to commemorate the apartment becoming his property.
The security was indeed thorough.
"To use the private elevator, you need to pass through this door with your key card. You also need to tap the key card to press the button. Without it, the door won't open."
"Uh, what if I lose it...?"
"Please report the loss to the management office. Then the lost key card will be deactivated and a new one issued."
Joo-hyuk rode the elevator up with the management employee.
The door opened, revealing the space.
Luxurious-looking tiles on the floor, dazzling lighting, and a large front door.
"This is the entrance. You also need to use the key card to enter."
Right after stepping out, he was already at his doorstep.
"There's also a guidebook on the living room table, so please refer to it. Feel free to call anytime if you have questions. Then I'll be on my way. Have a good time."
"Yes, thank you."
Joo-hyuk opened the door with his key card and went inside.
As he cautiously took a few steps,
"Wow!"
A gasp escaped him involuntarily.
The word 'resplendent' would fit perfectly here.
According to what he'd heard from Jeon Gwang-il, they had completely redone the penthouse interior.
Tiles, wallpaper, sink, bathroom, bathtub, toilet, washbasin, built-in furniture...
Anything that might have traces of Yu Cheol-min's touch had been demolished, he said.
At this point, Joo-hyuk designated-summoned all his Summoned Beings.
"*Poof!* The right hand and trusted aide of Summoner-nim... Huh! Wh, where is this?"
Kosak had been here once before.
"Our new home. Is it okay?"
Gobang, Gyeon Dal-rae, and Razix's eyes also widened.
"Ah, it is truly splendid. It is indeed worthy of its price."
"It's wide and tall, very comfortable."
"Hoe... It's amazing."
Joo-hyuk pressed a switch, turning on all the interior lights.
"Alright, feel free to look around."
*Thump-thump-thump!*
The Summoned Beings scattered.
"Lo, look at the bathroom. One could even sleep here. The toilet is a work of art. Taking a dump here would feel like committing a sin."
"Ho oh, there is also a small living room attached to the bedroom."
"The ceiling is high. I won't bump my head."
The TV was so huge, it felt like being in a movie theater.
The appliances also seemed to have been replaced with new ones.
Everyone was busy touching and examining everything.
They opened all three refrigerators, admired the top-of-the-line kitchen sink, turned the chandelier lights on and off.
Just then.
Someone must have activated it.
*Zzziiing—* With a sound, the living room curtains opened automatically.
Everyone's eyes turned in that direction.
The night view of Seoul visible through the large panorama window.
Joo-hyuk slowly approached.
The Han River flowing leisurely through Seoul.
The procession of car lights passing along the road beside it.
The large and small buildings with their lights on, floor by floor.
Ah, why was this artificial landscape created by humans so beautiful?
He couldn't tear his eyes away.
"It is beautiful."
"Yes."
Kosak and Gobang also approached the window and gazed at the outside scenery.
"...This world must never be ruined. I shall not leave it to be destroyed."
"This warrior will definitely protect it. The Summoner too."
"This maiden also offers her body."
They stood like that for a long time.
No matter how much he looked, he didn't get tired of it.
But what was Razix doing?
Joo-hyuk turned his head to look back.
"Huh?"
Razix was standing tall, confronting something.
He seemed really angry, his body trembling slightly.
His hat even shook.
Why did even his angry look seem so cute?
"Hoek!"
"*Whirr, whirr, whirr!*"
"Hoe... eek!"
"*Wheeeeng!*"
It was a robot vacuum.
Razix was blocking the robot vacuum's path, though no one knew when it had started operating.
Blocking it was useless.
It was an AI, deftly avoiding him and cleaning the floor.
"An electronic servant."
"It seems our chief servant feels competitive towards the electronic servant."
It certainly looked that way.
Every time the electronic servant—the robot vacuum—sucked up dust, Razix stomped his feet in anger.
Laundry and dishes were thrown into the washing machine and dishwasher, but Razix always did the house cleaning himself.
It seemed this robot vacuum felt quite threatening to him.
Perhaps he feared his job being taken away.
Joo-hyuk understood.
Kosak had been the same.
He too had been anxious, fearing he might lose his position.
'We can't let our Razix feel threatened.'
Joo-hyuk whispered into Gobang's ear.
Gobang nodded.
He strode right up to the robot vacuum,
*Thud!* Grabbed it with both hands,
*Crunch!* *Crrrunch!*
And simply crushed it.
"Hoeng?"
Razix's expression brightened instantly.
Then, he fetched a broom and dustpan from somewhere and swept up the shattered remains of the robot vacuum.
"Hoe... eee..."
The electronic servant was gone.
He was the only servant in this house.
Razix wore a deeply satisfied expression.