Chapter 66
Chapter 66
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 66
Chapter Title: Kim Jin-ah (4)
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One week later, at the shop's opening time.
Wah wah.
In front of the Demir Workshop, located in a prime spot in Apgujeong-dong, a massive crowd had gathered.
“P-Please sell it to me!”
“I’ll buy it! I’ll pay 10 million won extra!”
“Hey! Workshop Master Demir! Can’t you produce more stock?”
The moment the doors opened, the people who had been waiting surged forward in a rush.
Then.
Pick a weapon within your turn, pay the skeleton clerk, and done!
“Heh heh, no need to rush so much. Come in slowly!”
“Card or cash? Sorry, but we don’t offer interest-free installments.”
Demir’s subordinates had fully adapted to the job by now.
They understood the concept of credit cards and installments.
Skeletons swiping cards.
Most of the reporters there were snapping photos of that exotic sight.
“What? Only 20 items again today?”
“How are people supposed to buy if it’s like this?”
“We came right at opening and it’s already sold out! If you’re in business, shouldn’t you at least stock up properly?”
The hunters vented their frustrations.
But the only ones to hear those complaints were the skeleton clerks.
“Heh heh heh. We’re just doing as we’re told.”
“Why take it out on us?”
It was clear arguing with the grinning skeletons would get nowhere.
“Hmm.”
Kim Jin-ah and I watched the scene from the rooftop.
“Business is still booming.”
Savoring today’s 400 million won in sales achieved in under a minute.
I slurped on my caramel macchiato.
Nothing beat caramel when you wanted something sweet.
At this rate, I’d pay off the 10 billion won loan in no time and get rich quick.
And the best part?
Zero production costs.
The pile of ore was still endless, the staff were skeletons, and the production line was my bones.
It was pure honey.
Kim Jin-ah smiled beside me.
“You see? That’s the power of marketing.”
She was right.
Truth be told, the performance of Demir’s standard gear was just a tad above average B-grade.
Compared to top-tier B-grades from places like Baekdon or other workshops, it fell short.
Of course, the overall design was flashy enough not to lose to anyone.
“Hee hee, I knew this workshop would do well. I’ve got a real knack for this stuff. Oh, did you hear?”
“What?”
“Demir products are selling for double or triple on the black market.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yeah, that’s why people flock here like that. Even if it’s not for personal use, buying one turns a profit. There’s even a new buzzword now: DrTech.”
“DrTech...”
“It’s a mashup of Demir Workshop and investment. It’ll probably hit luxury brand status soon.”
“Nice.”
I clapped in admiration.
I’d expected it, but it still felt exhilarating.
My workshop ascending to world-class luxury status.
“...”
Of course, Kim Jin-ah didn’t know yet.
That I could craft up to S-grade weapons.
Or that this level of profit didn’t even scratch the itch.
I glanced back at the shop, which closed in under an hour, then at the hunters outside.
It was still bustling.
“Anyone snag a purchase?”
“Anyone get a spear? I’ll buy it! Premium price!”
“I got a spear. How much did you buy it for?”
“Name your price.”
“Starting bid.”
Holy crap.
A black market forming right in front of the shop.
Some might think I’m losing out, but I decided against raising prices.
The real profits from Demir Workshop wouldn’t come from small fry like that anyway.
What we sold now was just “ready-made goods.”
Selling to a few at high prices.
Was less profitable than selling cheap to many more.
* * *
“Ha.”
Another week passed.
Kim Jin-ah looked exasperated.
“They’re being this blatant about sabotage?”
There was one reason for her sour expression.
Just as expected, the Ohsung Workshop had started meddling.
However.
‘Shin Jong-oh, that guy. More of a thug than I thought.’
I hadn’t anticipated them going this far.
Renting the building next door and holding a promo for much better B-grade items was fine.
The world ran on market logic after all.
Selling cheap would just bleed them dry.
Demir Workshop’s popularity held strong.
Every opening, the produced items sold out.
A few days passed like that.
“We’re taking over this street!”
“Pay a toll if you wanna pass!”
“Did we rent the whole place? Yeah, we did—what’re you gonna do about it? Piss off if you don’t like it.”
A gang of suited hunters marched in and started an illegal blockade in front of the shop.
Who sent them? Obvious as day.
Kim Jin-ah panicked.
Even someone as sharp as her.
Had only studied market logic and legal angles.
Street thuggery like this was a first.
“Those jerks. Dirty, despicable bastards.”
Grit!
I approached her as she ground her teeth on the rooftop.
Compared to her, I was utterly relaxed.
The secret to staying calm in situations like this was simple.
Clear a couple of unrated dungeons.
Then this stuff looks like kids playing.
“Jin-ah, no need to respond.”
“Huh? But the last two days... we opened and couldn’t even sell. This violates association laws... and of all opponents, it’s a mega-corp among mega-corps.”
Capitalism was dirtier than it seemed.
The moment they bribed the judge, they’d twist any law to make us lose.
Or assassinate the plaintiff to drop the case.
“Hey, no need for that.”
“...How can you be so chill, customer?”
As she tilted her head, I grinned.
“Look below. We’re not the ones blocking the road—they are. People aren’t idiots; they know those are Ohsung goons. Who do you think that anger turns to?”
“Ah... so in the end, they’re just tanking their own image?”
“Yeah, and besides.”
Swish!
I handed her a freshly published article.
[Shock! Exclusive Breaking News! Amje, Gi So-yul! Reveals personal weapon info to press!]
[‘Dagger for Assassins’ (S-grade). Who owns this cheat weapon with 500% damage boost?]
[Gi So-yul, “Infinite thanks to Demir Workshop Master who crafted my S-grade weapon.”]
[Hot topic ‘Demir Workshop’—a forge that can craft S-grade weapons?]
Truth be told, I’d just learned myself.
For whatever reason, Amje had blasted it to the press.
Right on cue.
“This is...”
Kim Jin-ah’s pupils dilated as she swiped through the articles on her smartphone.
“...Ehhh? An S-grade weapon?”
She was stunned.
What was an S-grade weapon?
Right now, it was priceless rarities worth whatever the market bore!
And they could craft it?
“Truth is.”
I faced her shocked expression and spoke.
“I have zero interest in ready-made sales, not even a speck. What I care about is VIP limited editions only. In other words, crafting S-grade weapons. Everything else? I’ll pour into training.”
“R-Really? Why tell me now!”
Kim Jin-ah looked flustered.
“If you’d certified it sooner, 10 billion won’s nothing. Banks would’ve emptied their vaults to loan you...!”
“No need for that much cash anyway. I’ll earn it from now on.”
“Aah...”
“Probably, they’ll swarm soon.”
“Y-Yeah, probably.”
A hunter who could craft S-grade weapons born in Korea?
Prime-time special, front-page news material.
And so.
“Over here!”
“Demir Workshop!”
“Joo Dong-hoon! Come out!”
“You just got B-grade rating! What’s the process for S-grade weapons? When did you awaken as a producer?”
In front of the illegally blockading hunters, reporters and crowds surged.
“W-What? These guys.”
“G-Get lost?”
The suited hunters panicked, but couldn’t stop the wave of people.
They had no right to.
‘Alright.’
I clapped my hands.
Time to scale this up?
* * *
- Hello, reporters.
- I’m Demir Workshop Master, Joo Dong-hoon.
Using the scroll from Demir I’d used before the Giant Dragon.
‘Amplification’ (A-rank) made my voice boom.
“Whoa, it’s Joo Dong-hoon!”
“Younger than I thought?”
“I know that guy! The one who went viral three years ago getting Necromancer powers, right?”
Reporters and customers buzzed.
I looked down at them from the rooftop, and they pulled out smartphones and cameras to film me.
- That’s right. I’m a Necromancer. A bit freakish one, though. As the articles mentioned a few times, my skeletons are producers.
Reporters murmured at my words.
“It’s true! Skeletons hammering away.”
“Whoa, that’s a novel unique ability? Necromancers are OP in production too? Necromancers are all cheats anyway.”
“Wait, so some puny skeletons craft S-grade weapons?”
“This is getting exciting?”
Hunters’ eyes sparkled.
Soon, a question flew from someone.
“I have a question!”
It was a reporter with a booming voice.
- Yes, go ahead.
“There were people illegally occupying in front of the shop for two days. Do you know who they are? If so, can you explain why?”
- No idea. Don’t care. I just sell goods from the shop. Nothing else interests me.
“Got it. Thank you.”
I deliberately avoided mentioning Shin Jong-oh.
A way to say he was small fry to me now.
My gaze wasn’t on Ohsung Workshop anyway.
Ohsung Group? Maybe.
Of course, I had no intention of letting it slide.
I’d make them pay for touching me, somehow.
That was my creed.
“Daetongil Times reporter! How often can you craft S-grade weapons? You gifted one to Amje this time—planning to gift more? Or sell?”
Oh?
The question I’d been waiting for.
- Demir Workshop’s VIP weapons will be custom limited editions. As for the cycle you asked, it’ll be random. I can’t focus solely on this. Maybe once a month, maybe once a year.
The crowd, buzzing about weapons, fell silent.
All ears perked, as expected.
The Daetongil reporter asked again.
“So, when’s the next S-grade weapon?”
- The dagger gifted to Amje was No. 1, and No. 2 will be crafted tomorrow right away.
“...!”
“No. 2?”
“He can craft another S-grade right away?”
“Who’s the owner of No. 2?”
- Bidding ends tomorrow. All interested rankers, merchants, hunters—submit your max bid to the workshop skeletons. No. 2 goes to the highest bidder.
This edition’s concept: weapons for the rich.
Of course, concepts would change per issue.
We at Demir had class beyond mere money.
“...!”
“Bidding war...!”
My proposal spread instantly via articles and hunter boards.
Racking up explosive views.
Spreading worldwide.