The Investment Contract
After barely talking the two out of taking out a loan, I had them draft up a contract.
"A contract?"
Their eyes widened round.
"Yes. You said you have about 3,000 gold on hand right now, correct?"
"That's right. Business in Shin-dong Village wrapped up booming this time."
"Then I'll take 3,000 gold for now."
"What about the other 3,000 gold?"
"Consider it as me receiving that money and reinvesting it right back into Berry Merchant Group."
"Pardon?"
The two merchants' voices shot up an octave.
"Honestly, I was just going to sell the gems and take the cash, but after talking with you two, investing seems like it'll bring bigger returns."
"……."
The pair stood there for a while, mouths agape, blinking blankly, before snapping to and responding.
"You're saying you'll invest with us?"
"Yes. Any issues?"
"Issues? None at all! We're grateful, sir."
"Then draw up the contract."
"Yes, sir! Right away."
The two huddled, whispering busily as they bustled about.
-Get the document!
-Uh, where'd I put it?
-We printed extras just in case. Should be in the back.
-Oh, oh yeah. Here it is.
…They'd even prepared contracts anticipating an investment. Talk about thorough preparation. These guys are made for this business.
They scribbled furiously on the paper before handing me two copies.
"Read it over, then sign here."
[Berry Merchant Group - Investment Contract]
Total Investment Amount: 3,000 Gold
Investor: Hura
Both sheets were identical. I signed each and handed one back.
One of them slid a copy back to me.
"Our investor needs to keep one, of course."
"Ah, right."
I took it, folded it neatly, and stowed it in my inventory.
"I'd like to at least double my investment."
"Double? We'll make it tenfold."
"Thank you so much, Hura-nim. You won't regret this."
The two bowed deeply to me.
"I trust you. Looks like more time's passed than I thought. Well, I'll be going now—"
Thud.
As I rose from my seat, a hand grabbed my arm.
"Where do you think you're going? Don't you want to hear how we'll use your generous investment?"
"…Pardon?"
"You're an investor in Berry Merchant Group now. You ought to know how we'll manage the funds, right?"
"…You'll use it wisely, I'm sure."
"Have a seat, just for a bit. We have a duty to explain to our investor."
"I, uh… I'm busy."
"It'll be quick."
"No…"
"We were planning to transport and sell goods first to build up initial capital. The strawberry-flavored potions are our Berry Merchant Group's creation, too. But thanks to you, investor-nim, we can skip a few steps. So, here's the thing. Next phase: establish a base in a city and…"
* * *
Swish swish.
Droplets clinging to my hair flew everywhere under the towel's relentless assault.
I'd just gotten off my convenience store shift and showered.
"What to make for dinner today~?"
Humming as I dried my hair, I froze at an unfamiliar sound.
Ding dong.
"…Doorbell?"
No one ever visited, so the doorbell—which had started ringing lately—felt strangely alien.
"Who is it?"
A super excited voice came from the other side.
-Sis is here! Open up!
"…Pardon?"
Beep. Click… Slam!
I cracked the door cautiously, but Sis flung it wide and strode in boldly.
"Just showered? Here, take this!"
She kicked off her shoes at the entryway and shoved a bunch of bags at me.
"…What's all this?"
I took the bags and asked.
"Eh, ingredients. Meat, veggies, tofu, that stuff."
"Why?"
"Make something tasty with it."
"……."
Ever since she'd barged in that one time, demanding food and games, Sis had been dropping by occasionally to play games before heading home.
"Ugh… such a pain."
I grumbled as I unpacked the bags.
"Whatcha making?"
"…Sundubu jjigae." [soft tofu stew]
"Yesss! Soonjji incoming~!"
As I prepped ingredients one by one, Sis washed her hands and poked around the kitchen.
"Need help?"
"Wash those veggies over there."
"Hehe, got it."
"Wash 'em thoroughly!"
"Got it!"
While I chopped and prepped the rest, Sis meticulously rinsed the veggies as instructed.
"What've you been up to in-game lately? Still in Shin-dong Village?"
"Yeah. Was gonna continue my class quest, but it just… cut off."
"Ah, heard from Ptah-nim. Demonic Chef, right? Hidden class?"
"Yeah."
"But why's it so weak?"
"…Dunno. You're just OP, Sis."
"You can't stick around Shin-dong forever. Got plans?"
"Eh. If that quest geezer doesn't show, maybe storm Demon King's Castle."
"Northwest Deadlands?"
"Yeah."
"Nothing there yet. Events might spawn stuff later. Right now? Empty. Most players don't even know it's there."
"Just saying. No real plans."
Chop chop chop.
I diced veggies deftly and asked.
"You?"
"Still fixing the robots Ptah-nim gave me."
"She said she'd give 'em once fixed."
"Gonna fix 'em anyway."
"Going well?"
"Not easy. Feels harder than my PhD thesis."
"…That bad?"
"Totally! Gotta keep mana flowing nonstop, steady at 70%+ output. Super finicky. Heard of uncertainty principle in physics? Like that. Basically—"
"Ahem. Veggies done?"
"Ah, here."
I trimmed Sis's washed veggies quick, fired up the pot.
Oil in the hot pot, sauté green onions and meat. Add minced onion, garlic, gochugaru, sugar, salt, soy, sesame oil—stir-fry on.
Sizzle.
Delicious aroma rose.
Stirring the pot, I quizzed Sis.
"How long you been playing to hit Rank 3?"
"Forever. Since launch, pretty much."
"Know most high rankers?"
"Most."
"Like Rank 5 Molrangkau?"
"…Molrangkau?"
Sis scowled.
"What? Bad blood?"
"Guys can't resist a pretty face."
"……?"
"Total jerk. Heavy customization, too. Might even be a dude."
"…Hope not."
Pour water in pot, boil, add sundubu and prepped veggies. Crack an egg in last—done.
I set the finished sundubu jjigae on the tiny dining table that doubled as my desk.
Sis scooped rice into bowls, grabbed spoons and chopsticks, sat opposite.
"Looks delish."
"Dig in, Sis."
"You bet."
Sis slurped a spoonful, then went wild with delight, chowing down.
I chuckled, spoon in hand.
This is why I cook.
"Aigoo, what am I gonna do with a lil bro who cooks this good? Someone might snatch you up."
"……."
I just ate, ignoring the bait. Reacting every time tires me out.
But her next words threw me.
"Bro."
"Yeah."
"Better than some game girl with sketchy ID—how 'bout Dahyun?"
"What?"
"Be real. What's your deal with Dahyun?"
"What deal? Friendly fairy guide and her player customer. She told you everything."
Sis grinned slyly.
"Psh, not that. Romantically."
"……?"
I blinked at her blankly.
What the—?
"Seems nice. Likes you, too. Older sis not your type?"
"……?"
What nonsense is this? A beauty like that liking me?
Probably sees me like Sis does—fun lil bro.
Families always hear what they wanna hear, believe what they wanna believe. Lil bro landing a hot corporate girl? Dream come true.
But consider her side? Same as wishing I could fly.
I gawked, dumbfounded; Sis snickered.
"Hura, you've never had a girlfriend, have you?"
"…Think I dated once in elementary."
Sis pinched my cheek hard.
"Aww, so cute~"
I fired back, tweaking hers.
"Heh. Bet outsiders think you've dated tons."
"I had fans, y'know?"
"I went to all-boys schools."
"Still dated who I wanted."
"Want your bro that wild?"
"Stew's cooling."
"One, two, three—let go."
"One."
"Two."
"Three."
We released cheeks and resumed eating casually.
"Not planning to clerk forever, right?"
Sis rubbed her reddened cheek, asked.
"Nah."
"Dahyun knows a restaurant owner hiring."
"Oh yeah?"
With 3,000 gold—30 million won—in the bank, I was set.
Even blowing 1 mil a month on rent and living? Over two years easy.
Was just thinking of quitting to hunt a real food gig.
"Interested?"
"Hell yeah! What kinda place?"
"Didn't hear details. Dahyun's checking soon."
"Cool. Ask then."
"Knock 'em dead, bro! Show 'em what you got!"
Sis winked.
"…Never a dull word from you."
* * *
True to Sis's word, Dahyun swung by the store next day.
Jingle jingle.
"Hello, customer-nim!"
"Hi, Dahyun-ssi."
"Know what Tteokbokki Cult's up to lately?"
"Why so into Tteokbokki Cult?"
"It's fun."
"Not to me."
"Why? You're the boss."
"I know nothing."
As usual chit-chat, then Dahyun casually brought it up.
"Oh, someone I know runs a snack shop, short-staffed. Interested?"
"Hmm… What kinda place?"
"Snack bar near schools. Elementary, middle, high nearby—lunch rush is insane."
"Hmm… Pay?"
"Minimum wage here?"
"Yes."
"5,000 won over minimum, plus sales bonuses."
"……!"
My eyes lit up.
1.5x minimum plus performance pay? Jackpot.
But I played cool.
"Hmm… Hours?"
"Weekdays only, 10 AM to 4 PM. Peak lunch hours."
"Hmm…"
I stroked my chin, pretending to mull.
Treasure sale means I'm flush. No meals to worry for 2-3 years.
Time to ditch this clerk life.
Great terms. No-brainer.
But I kept chin-stroking, hesitant pose.
"Hmm…"
Dahyun eyed me annoyed.
"Why the constant 'hmm's?"
"Gotta hold high ground in negotiations."
"Your lip keeps twitching."
"I'll watch it next time."
"And I'm just the messenger. Why negotiate with me?"
"……."
…Huh, true.
Dahyun was the kind soul relaying the job tip.
I dropped my hand.
"…Practice."
"For what?"
"Future chef me, negotiating with restaurants."
"Thinking far ahead."
"Kinda my thing."
"So, you in?"
"Hell yeah. When to start?"
"When can you?"
"Uh, soon as they find a temp."
"Great. Call me once hired. I'll put in the word."
"…Pardon?"
"What? Don't wanna give me your number?"
Dahyun glared.
"No, it's—"
"It's what?"
"Not that—"
"Not what?"
"…Gulp."
I stepped back instinctively.
Dahyun leaned over the counter instead.
"You haven't messaged lately."
"Huh? Have I not? Been busy…"
"Don't like talking to me?"
"N-no, of course not."
"Then why?"
…Her eyes are scary.
I mumbled.
"…Don't have your number."
"Ah."
"……."
"……."
Dahyun flushed, handed over a business card.
"H-here."