Chapter 64
Chapter 64
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: Yum-Yum Street Stall (2)
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This is a story from when I was living as Yi Young-jin.
Every holiday season, the orphanage would receive more gift sets than you'd expect.
Was it thanks to the director, who was always praised as kind by the neighbors and truly lived up to it?
Vitamin orange juice, fruit, tuna, toothpaste—you name it. Beef was rare, but holiday gifts still got our hearts racing anyway.
Later, when I was working part-time at the convenience store, the boss—my brother—bought me a "holiday gift set" of cooking oil and a No. 3 tuna can.
And I could tell right away it was way more expensive than buying them separately.
Like, seriously pricier than it had any right to be.
"Can't I just get five cans of tuna and two packs of cooking oil?"
I asked the boss, and he let out a snort, looking at me like I was hopeless.
"...That's the realm of logic. Gifts are in the realm of emotion."
"Huh?"
"I'm giving you this neatly packaged item as a gift. It has a certain price tag, and it's classy. That price includes the intent: 'I respect you.' That's the setup fee."
"......"
"If you judge gifts by logic, you can't do business."
"Got it. It's not sold on logic."
"You get it. Bro."
"Yeah. I've done home shopping, sold everything from kids' books to gift sets."
"Ah, gotcha."
"Anyway, the most important thing when selling gifts is that."
"What's that?"
"The buyer buys with pride."
"Oh."
So that's how it is.
The parents who followed after Patrasche started buying stuff like they were entranced.
Some of them recognized me and shot suspicious glances...
"Feel free to sample before you go."
"Oh, really?"
"Yes, samples are available."
Watching Nefti flash her bright smiles to draw in customers, their suspicions melted away.
"Kah... This stuff is killer. Mmm. And these pretzels? No joke."
"Right? Pretty good..."
"Good booze..."
"It's non-alcoholic. Jefrin bans liquor."
"What? Ahahaha! Right you are!"
The parent in fancy clothes said that, took a sip, munched a pretzel, and nodded.
"But I was really shocked. Who would've thought last year's Student Council President..."
"Hmph. Let's drop that. Right now, I'm just a student merchant. ...For atonement."
"Ah, I see. ...Truly impressive."
The parent's eyes sparkled as they nodded.
Atonement my ass. What crime did I commit?
But hey, if it sells, a merchant sells their own backstory too.
"...Sunbae-nim. As expected of you..."
"......"
Why are you getting emotional?
"Shut your trap and get to work."
"Y-Yes!"
Nefti beamed, and at the same time, the parent sidled up to me and whispered,
"By the way, President. That tag on that cool wolf's waist earlier... said it's good for guys..."
"Yeah. Amazing, right?"
"Whoa, so it really has those effects?"
"Yup. Man, it's not easy to explain."
"Then one drink here. And a snack set too!"
"Honey, why snacks?"
"Hey, with a drink this spicy and bold, you need something salty, right?"
"You know your stuff. Two-person set is 20,000 rin."
"Oh, not bad. The stall next door was just black bread in water for 10,000 rin."
"It's the honest taste, portion, and price. I don't lie anymore."
"...I-I see. Yes, one for me too."
Customer No. 1 bought, and then the line kept growing.
"One set for me! Does it really work that well for guys?"
"Of course. Jefrin secret recipe. 20,000 rin."
"M-Me two sets!"
"Three for me!"
"Me too!"
"I'm busy making more, so Nefti, handle the payments."
"Yes! Coming right up!"
Hmm.
Truth is, it's just potions enchanted with Stamina Up.
Bit of magic resistance, status ailment resistance, HP recovery as base option, plus various Tier 9 buffs.
All biological enhancements, so unlike magic buffs, it'll feel warm from the heart—like a real nutrient boost.
Magic sickness at sports day is canon lore.
This'll block some of it, and that's a huge difference.
"Line up. I'll sell in order."
"Yes!"
The parents bought snacks in groups and settled into the spectator seats, spreading out their haul.
Soon, students entered, and the announcer began.
Amid applause, Eve took the stage with a resolute expression, microphone in hand, and began.
"I extend my thanks to all the parents and guests who grace us today..."
Eve's boring, stiff speech ended, and the announcer took the mic again.
Jefrin's mana sickness.
Mana represents will, and with countless wills clashing fiercely at this sports day, regular folks with low mana struggle against it. Especially up close in the seats—mana sickness potions are a must.
But those potions ain't cheap.
Yet among the parents, a small murmur rose.
"Whoa..."
"Milder this year?"
"No way. President's mana is 22... Look at the front row. They're turning pale."
"But we're fine."
"...Come to think of it, remember that wolf?"
"Oh, that red one you'd wanna keep as a pet?"
"Not that. But yeah... Didn't that tag on the wolf's waist list all these effects?"
"Whoa. So this is..."
"Yep. Sold by Prince Wolfram von Loengrin... Probably not just Jefrin secret."
"Imperial secret... recovery drink."
"Heard he's selling cheap for repentance."
"...Ahem. Well then..."
"We're drinking imperial-blessed brew. That's it."
"And the warm glow... gives you energy."
"Right? Whoa."
A spark ignited among the parents, spreading like wildfire.
"By the way."
"Yes?"
"...After it ends, can we buy some as gifts? Tell other counts it's imperial secret..."
"...Whoa."
"Hmph!"
"Ooh..."
No.
The heat was never small.
It just needed a chance to spread.
Boom! Wooo! Roar! Squeal!
"Everyone's having a blast."
"Not enjoying it?"
"...Ehehe. I am!"
The roaring heat from the distant field reached even our stall, the farthest from the action. Cheers and shouts from the students carried over.
"Wanted to join the sports day?"
"...I'd be lying if I said no. But I'm really enjoying this. No bluff."
"I see. Got it."
Nefti beamed.
She's working for tuition and dreams, so probably not lying.
But she admits regrets honestly too.
"So, how's sales?"
"Hmm. Easily cleared 30% just this morning."
"Ooh! Then..."
"Normally, you'd be wheeling the cart through the students selling."
"Yes. ...Should I?"
She couldn't join sports day, and now hawk in the crowd too?
Nah.
"No. Guard the stall. That sales figure doesn't matter."
"Yes, Sunbae-nim!"
"Besides, soon you won't have time for regrets."
"Huh?"
"Fix your uniform a bit."
"...Huh?"
They'll see.
My prediction to Nefti came true.
Lunchtime at the sports day now.
Normally, parents would unpack bentos, chat about kids' futures in groups.
But hundreds swarmed my stall.
"Single file. Face this way sideways. Yeah. Ten per row, three rows. Latecomers get nothing. Front row, sit. No need perfect. Space out so everyone sees me."
I directed the parents like drilling troops, neat and tidy.
"No long explanations. But not slow ones either. Listen up, then buy quick in order—you'll get back to fun with your kids. I'll explain and sell by sequence. Rank irrelevant."
Nobles in the mix grimaced slightly, but you higher than me or what?
Anyway, explanation began.
"You're here for more of my potions, right? Too crowded, so lined up—sorry. This potion? Jefrin secret. Wolfram guaranteed. Aids HP recovery, cures status ailments. All-in-one nutrient."
Oohs and nods from the seats.
"We sell max four sets per person. 129,800 rin each. Fair price, fair product."
Grumbles of "pricey."
"See for yourselves. Nefti."
Nefti unveiled the gift sets—black cloth off—and groans turned to awe.
One closed box. One open.
Closed: sturdy red rectangle, gold lettering "Secret Potion." Gold motifs on corners screamed nobility.
Open: five fancy-bottled potions, wrapped in premium cloth.
"Buy now, get mini potion bonus. Even for gifting, sip this or regift."
"...Ooh. Oooo..."
All eyes locked on me.
No Imperial Bloodline active, yet hooked on my wares.
Too reliant on it before—testing limits.
"Cash or card ready. Max four sets. Stamp hand with mini— no extras. Got it."
"Two sets."
"One for me."
"Three please."
"No pro distribution?"
"Nope."
"...Got it. Four sets."
And like that.
Sold out.
Lunchtime total wipeout. Completely gone.
These soul-poured potion sets flew off insanely.
Late lunch then.
Packed up quick, plopped in nearby garden, quenched with Magical Sweets and leftover potions.
Mid-meal, Nefti scooted over butt-scooting style.
"Sunbae-nim. Sunbae-nim."
"What."
"How many sets did we sell? Felt like a lot."
"200 sets. Sold out."
"Huh?"
"...Th-Then, my cut is... like..."
"No skimping. Don't worry."
"Ah, yes. I trust you. B-But 200 sets... 26 million rin?"
"Roughly."
"...My daily wage's 100k rin. 260 days' worth. In one lunch hour."
"Factor in costs."
"How much cost?"
"......"
No answer.
Can't say 20k.
I stayed mum; Nefti stared hard.
"...How'd you plan that sales strategy? All calculated."
"Trade secret."
"W-We faced life and death together, adventured..."
"Still, can't spill to part-timer."
"Uw."
I didn't answer. Nefti puffed cheeks staring. No means no.
"My life's on the convenience store line. Can't share lightly. Understand."
"Then, I'll stake mine too."
"What?"
"Later, I wanna build your No. 2 store."
Eyes dead serious.
Nefti looked at me, claiming the branch manager spot.