Chapter 17: Maybe This Is Bigger Than I Thought
‘I may have no seeds...’ That single line of description. I needed to seriously ponder how this would manifest.
According to the explanation, it seemed to mean that while it itself has no seeds, it would grant plenty to those who eat it. But was this literally boosting pregnancy chances, or was it something that bolstered men's pride in another way? Either option was fantastic, no doubt. But their uses would differ greatly.
“Is there a way to verify the effect?”
If I commissioned the National Institute of Scientific Research, would they figure it out? But how exactly should I phrase the request? Should I just say it's really good for men but hard to explain?
“Actually, I don't really need official certification. It's not strictly necessary.”
You don't need certification to sell a seedless watermelon. There's a joke about the fastest way to exterminate cockroaches. The method is simple: spread a rumor that cockroaches are really good for men but hard to explain. Soon enough, they'd be wiped out. But would only men go after them? Probably not. The point is, this watermelon could gain value through word of mouth alone, without official recognition.
To get official validation, I'd probably need to reveal which gate it came from. And that's the last thing I want. So, better to let rumors spread naturally.
‘This came from some gate, and it's supposed to be really good for guys?’ If word like that got around, it'd be enough.
So, how to sell it? I have my soulmate friend, Kim Seon-woo. Since he's a former hunter, I figured he'd have a way.
“To do that, I should probably test the watermelon's effects first, right?”
Should I give one to Dad first? But if it leads to a late-in-life sibling... Better to confirm which effect it has before handing it over.
For now, I trained my swordsmanship inside the gate. Over ten hours of practice, but no swordsmanship skill yet. Still, I was confident it would come with persistence, so no disappointment.
After that, I boiled 200 eggs and baked another 100 separately. It sounds simple, but boiling eggs perfectly is trickier than it seems. Baking them is even harder. So, I hoped this would level up my Cooking skill. But today wasn't the day.
Then I got a full night's sleep, packed the watermelon and eggs, and exited the gate.
On my way to the office, a new routine had formed: delivering eggs to the company cafeteria.
I sold boiled eggs for 500 won each and baked ones for 700 won. Officially, they came from my dad's new poultry farm—which I'd asked him to set up, and he'd gotten right on it. No issues there. Plus, I was already on good terms with the cafeteria lady.
“Choi, what's that?”
“Oh, this? A hunter buddy from the gate gave it to me. Supposed to be great for men, but I haven't tried it yet, so...”
“Ooh! Sell me one.”
“This?”
“I'll give you 100,000 won.”
“For one?”
“Of course. Gate stuff's worth at least that.”
The 300 eggs netted me 100,000 won for boiled and 70,000 for baked—170,000 total. And now she was buying a whole watermelon for 100,000. That made 270,000 in side income a day.
Don't scoff at 270,000 won. Working five days a week? That's 1.35 million weekly. Enough to bribe petty officials if needed. And watermelons aren't just one per batch.
“Deal then. But...”
“Got it. Our little secret, right? Don't worry.”
“Yes, ma'am.”
The cafeteria lady had killer instincts. No wonder I liked her.
I sold her one tub. All cash, and cash always feels solid.
Feeling great after the deal, I headed to the office. Only to be greeted by the manager's grumpy face.
“You're late—later than me these days?”
“Huh? Boomer...”
“Hey! What'd you say?”
I'd arrived before clock-in, so I stood tall. Higher-ups were super sensitive to "boomer" lately. But that's what mid-level guys like me are for—newbies can't say it.
“You're coming in too early, Manager. It's subtly pressuring us.”
“Sigh, you think I want to?”
“Trouble at home?”
“Just... Choi. Marry late. Or don't at all.”
The bitter lament of a middle-aged man.
“Coffee?”
“Sure.”
We headed to the rooftop. It now had a machine for Americano, cappuccino, lattes—not just vending machine stuff. Pricier than vending, but way cheaper than a cafe.
Should I plant coffee trees?
Sounded good. I wasn't big on booze but loved coffee. What kind would grow on my island? The thought intrigued me.
“Latte?”
“Yeah.”
I treated him happily—today I was rich in spirit and cash.
“Here.”
“Thanks. But what's up? You suggesting coffee first?”
“Just felt like it. New feed's selling well, y'know.”
“Right, you took it to the lab.”
“Yeah, but did I need to go myself?”
“Could've sent factory folks. But execs don't trust 'em. HQ sends someone to keep it clean from the start.”
“If you don't trust 'em, how do you run a company?”
“Gotta be that way. Trust and then problems pop up? Disaster.”
Fair point, maybe. Running a company might require that mindset. Not that I empathized fully.
“So, what's up?”
“You know I married late?”
“Yeah.”
“Kid came late too.”
“Right, elementary now?”
“Yeah, first grade.”
“And?”
“Wife wants another. Like my colleagues' kids.”
“Ah, so you need a boost...”
“If only. I'm over 40 now.”
He was 42. Prime time for waning vigor.
“My friend's a hunter.”
“You have hunter pals?”
“Yeah, he gave me a gift. Observation skill confirmed it: seedless watermelon saying, ‘I have no seeds...’”
He grabbed my hand before I finished.
“Choi! Si-woo! You know I love you, right?”
“Love? Really?”
“Damn right. Loved you fiercely since day one.”
“Creepy.”
“Sell me one. 100,000—no, 200,000.”
“Sold one to cafeteria lady for 100k. Double to you? She'd rage.”
“See? That's why I love you.”
“Yeah, yeah. Got one for you later.”
Could give it free, but better not. Not for either side. So, 100k to him too.
Three left for Seon-woo. Sold to manager for potential feedback later.
Office stayed peaceful. Worked diligently, stopped by cafeteria on way out—eggs were a hit, bring more. Promised to check, then left.
Called Seon-woo right away. Explained the three watermelons, told him to sell well. He drooled to try one, but shut up at my "single guy handle it?" jab.
Back in the peaceful gate, Baekya greeted with a headbutt, Hoya claimed the hammock.
“Baekya, big bro brought something for you.”
Asked Seon-woo for a large hammock earlier. Secured it between sturdy trees. Baekya went wild, jumped in, spun with it, crashed down.
“Kuh.”
Krrroong!
Felids big or small act alike. Watched his comedy show till he finally lounged properly, then headed to the fields.
Crops thriving? Pure pride and joy. Maybe I was born a farmer, not an office drone?
At the poultry farm, chickens went berserk.
“How many...?”
Easily 500. Staring triggered a notification.
Name: Immature Farmer's Poultry Farm (Lv 2)
A poultry farm raising 517 island chickens.
Daily egg production: 683.
Condition: Good. Seedless Watermelon effect applied.
Increases egg and chick production.
“Whoa, it shows that too? So, the seedless watermelon's real use is boosting fertility, huh?”
Seemed so for chickens. But for men? Probably dual effect—fertility and vigor. Can't make kids without energy, right? This was huge.
Infertile couples spend fortunes yearly, with low success and pain for women. If this fixed it?
“This could be massive.”
Population collapse loomed as humanity's threat. Maybe this watermelon could help. Sudden humanism welled up. Grinning alone, circling fields.
“Huh? Didn't plant this.”
A new crop stood proudly in my field.