Chapter 37
Chapter 37
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: Future Warnings and Factory Delivery
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"I can certainly see why the Future insisted on contracting with you."
Present scribbled away with his fountain pen, jotting down everything I'd told him into the book.
"Especially how your first customer, Choi Seong-min, inflicted an indelible wound on his family and village. That's particularly striking."
I took a sip of the tea the librarian had brought.
The premium green tea caressed smoothly from my throat all the way down my esophagus.
"In the end, though, your longed-for trade with the Bureau's incompetence birthed an even greater wound before that scar could fully form."
The fountain pen stopped moving, and Present's head turned toward me.
"As for copying the Label Library... I won't say much about it now, but I hope there won't be any more duplications in the future."
Guess they're sensitive about that one.
"Yes. I'll keep it in mind."
"Who cares about duplication or whatever. Horrifica, was it? What a hilarious group! Tell me more!"
Not as sensitive as I thought?
"The researcher's betrayal unfolding into a full revenge drama is quite intriguing."
"That's exactly what I'm saying!"
The way his voice tone and expression shifted in real time was still unfamiliar.
"Not just that—the police and boy story was touching too, and the researcher's betrayal was fun!"
"Glad you liked it."
"And trading with Tales? Even with the factory!"
I never told them that.
Looks like they're reading my past at will.
'Past's privilege, so I won't complain, but it feels weird.
"Still, the driver was pitiful. He lost his precious job because of you... and the restaurant owner too! Though that's his own karma."
"You know I had no choice."
"True, but still..."
"Past. Now I'll continue the story."
"Mm..."
"Merchant, your tale has provided sufficient value for our trade. However, given your deal with the Bureau to accept only three customers per month, it might be hard to bring stories of this caliber in the future. So I hope you'll keep sharing entertaining ones."
I nodded, and Present started to smile but stopped midway.
His pupils suddenly went vacant, his face an unreadable mask devoid of any emotion.
"Hello. Future."
"Hello, Merchant. Looks like things went well."
"Yes. Thanks to you."
"Merchant."
"Yes?"
"You don't need to know this, but I'll tell you anyway. You seem like you don't want to get directly tangled up with the world. But now you can't avoid it."
"...What do you mean?"
"Your business... it might get tough."
"Huh?"
Future smiled.
No emotion came through, but it was definitely a smile.
"Good luck, then."
With those final words as the trigger, the library crumbled away, and my vision filled with the familiar sight of the shop.
That look on your face... you must have returned.
"..."
What's wrong?
"Just... something feels off."
I don't know what you heard there, but you won't have time to dwell on it.
"Right."
The Shop is correct.
Today is the day to report to the Label Library, but it's also the day the first truck arrives at the Shop.
Time passed.
Knock knock—
Someone knocked on the door.
The Shop is an isolated space, so doors shouldn't be knocked on.
In other words, this isn't the work of a human.
I tucked the Label Library into the drawer and flung the door open.
"Long time no see, Merchant."
Through the thick fog outside stood the familiar shape of a truck, and in front of it, a mannequin dressed in a sharp suit.
"Hello, Factory Owner."
"Meeting you so soon really makes time fly."
The Factory Owner chuckled heartily as the driver's door opened and someone stepped out.
"Hey, it's you."
"Hello..."
It was that driver from before.
Thought he'd been fired.
"No matter how I thought about it, you're someone who worked for our company. Firing you out of the blue didn't feel right, so I decided to keep you on driving."
"Then what does the Factory Owner do?"
"I ride along."
In other words, nothing.
He just tagged along with his employee to get a look at my face. Poor driver.
Still, at least the firing that Past pitied didn't happen. Small mercies.
"Now then, back to business. Shall we begin?"
"Yes. Mind if I inspect the goods first?"
"Of course. This way."
The Factory Owner walked to the back of the truck and opened the trailer. Inside were stacks of familiar items.
Infinite Pig's Flesh, Eyeball Candy, and even non-melting ice cream.
"Brought these two since you handled them before, and I figured you might want the non-melting ice cream, so just a small batch for now."
"Ah, thank you."
Non-melting ice cream would be useful for anyone, so I could even sell it to civilian customers going forward.
80 Infinite Pig's Flesh, 80 Eyeball Candy, 40 non-melting ice cream—that's 200 total. Pay with 100 fingers.
A few days ago, I got 70 fingers from selling Momentary Dream. Still short 30.
But I planned for this.
This is where selling the Carpenter's Gloves for 20 hands—instead of legs or arms—pays off.
Trades with Tales are essentially bartering.
Even if I had 5 million hearts, if they want fingers, no deal.
But what's attached to hands?
Fingers.
Deal possible.
"Shop, 100 fingers please."
Got it.
A heavy box shoved its way out from the drawer.
Inside, no doubt 100 fingers rolling around in their original form.
No need to open it.
"Let me just check."
With that, the Factory Owner opened the box.
"Wait—what?!"
Ugh.
Uuuugh.
No, why expose the cross-sections like that!
My eyes were watering at the sight of those vivid strawberry-colored finger innards, but the Factory Owner was grinning ear to ear.
"Ooh! Excellent trade, thank you. Can't even compare to the Fine Dying Restaurant!"
"Then... uuugh. I'll move the goods now."
"No need! It's only proper that we handle loading them into the Shop."
The Factory Owner stretched his arms high overhead.
"Driver, take these goods inside the Shop."
"Yes... sir."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Deep in the ruins that were once part of the capital—far from prying eyes—dozens of people had set up shop, drawing in customers.
Customers and merchants alike wore all sorts of masks, making identities impossible to discern.
"How about this? You won't find it easily."
In his hand was a Momentary Dream.
A Bureau-controlled item. How did it end up with this guy?
"No, over here! That guy's a total scammer. I can do it cheaper."
On the opposite side, he badmouthed his rival to lure customers.
Selling Momentary Dreams too, but with a diverse lineup besides.
Food, tools, even 'phenomena'—every category on display.
Prices in dollars.
Unlike Tale shops, it was the most rational, normal trading method imaginable.
Wonder where they sourced all this.
"One Momentary Dream, please... this won't get me caught, right?"
"Heh, what're you worried about? No one'll know."
You've been made, idiots.
While the squad leader was out on assignment with Woo-seok, I'd heard reports of strange phenomena lately and came to investigate solo.
Even with the capital in ruins, other regions were intact—how did things rot this fast?
Masks were even provided at the entrance for newcomers.
With sales on this scale, there had to be a boss operating separately.
Rounding up these merchants now wouldn't nab the head.
Acting alone could ruin everything anyway.
Time to gather intel first.
"Hey."
"Ah! Customer. What can I get you?"
"What's that tape?"
"This? Nothing special. Tape that never comes off once applied. Best to avoid skin contact."
The merchant grinned sleazily.
The cultured Tale shop merchant almost seemed preferable.
"What's the product's name?"
"Name? Didn't catch it when I bought it."
Bought it?
"Then who'd you buy it from?"
"Heh, buddy, spill the supply chain and how are we supposed to eat?"
Never expected it'd be that easy.
"Hey! You buying or not?!"
"Sorry, no dollars on me."
"What? You messing with me?!"
Need to head back to the Bureau and report.
"Hey! Stop! Hey!"
Leaving it like this would blow up into a bigger mess.
"Hey, you bastard!"
Better call in the response team for a sweep.