Connections Are a Merchant's Greatest Asset - 1
"Good work today, Mr. Jeong."
"Eh, just doing my job."
"No, no. You're a diligent young man. These days, kids just scrape together enough for themselves and dip in and out whenever they feel like it."
"Well, some people are like that."
"They shouldn't be! You gotta work hard like you, save up, get married, all that. Got a girlfriend?"
"Nope."
"Aigoo, and you're such a fine-looking guy. Want me to introduce you to someone I know?"
"No thanks, I'm good."
It was a bit overbearing, but the affection dripped from every word.
Well, it's not that hard to deal with.
Gatherer work was basically paid by the day. Not a contract with five days a week for a monthly salary. But the pay was decent, so young folks often slacked off and prioritized their free time.
I'm in a position where I need to save up a bit...
I didn't have anywhere to spend money right now. Still, if possible, I wanted to hold as much cash as I could.
Might need it for Lisa, or somewhere else.
I didn't need a ton of money immediately. I wasn't living extravagantly, and there weren't many places to blow it. But if the moment came when I needed funds, having a big stack would let me handle whatever came up.
To protect Lisa's Rangers, I might need Earth's weapons. Or the next world I traded with might demand something more special than water.
Starting to save then would be too late. Better to hustle now, in the downtime, and stockpile every penny.
"Anyway, today's done—"
I glanced at the hunters filing out of the waiting room, then whipped my head away desperately.
"There you are, Isu-ssi!"
She spotted me?
Getting caught meant hassle. Nothing good came from us knowing each other.
But the blonde girl bolted over and planted herself in front of me in an instant.
"I was worried you might've missed me."
"...How'd you get here?"
"I'm an Academy student too, you know? Field training. Unlike some people, I wrapped it up perfectly and cleanly."
I sighed, eyeing her.
She had the air of a romance novel lady. A bit young, but surely plenty of admirers at the Academy.
To me, though? Just an 'inconvenient person.' Nothing more, nothing less.
"I really... I'm so sorry for running off like that. I want to apologize properly. Please, pretty please accept it?"
Her stare burned. Passersby shot me looks like, What's this guy's deal now?
Dangerous.
"I know a great restaurant. I even made a reservation today because I was determined to invite you. You'll come, right?"
I weighed the risks and rewards seriously.
Damn, this is why I avoid running into her...!
Academy students—most of them, anyway—came from rich families or hunter parents.
Worst case...
Her folks looked loaded enough to bury me without a trace.
But turning her down isn't smart either.
She'd booked a restaurant. Iron will to drag me along.
If rejecting her apology bruised her 'feelings'—or worse, pinged her parents' radar—
"Sure. Let's go."
No choice. Had to roll with it now.
"Really? Thank you so much!"
I let out a complicated sigh and trailed after her like she was towing me.
/////
"Nice place."
At least it wasn't private. Other diners nearby. Low odds of a squad of burly hunters swarming to off me.
"Right? My parents don't come to spots like this much, but I like the simple vibe. Classy without being overpriced."
I was stunned inside.
This isn't 'not overpriced'?
The menu prices alone made my head spin.
Couldn't fathom her words.
"This is my allowance limit... Bear with me. Compared to what I did, it's cheap atonement anyway."
"Now I'm the one who feels sorry."
"Speak casually."
"Sh-should I...?"
I wanted to cut to the chase, but she wasn't spilling her guts yet.
"Oh, right—I haven't introduced myself. An Roje. Academy student, as you know."
"Jeong Isu. Gatherer."
"For real? No fancy title or anything?"
"Nope."
I sliced into the steak, sipped the wine. Amid the tangled mood, the food was indescribably delicious.
"Hey, Isu-ssi?"
"Listening."
Her eyes told me: this was the pitch. Everything before was buildup for this one line.
"Wanna do business with me?"
"Business?"
My first thought: Kid's got no clue...
But mocking her outright? Unwise. Eat the meal, nod along, then bow out politely with 'practical issues make it tough.'
"Yeah. Business."
Roje gazed at me, her face a perfect mix of refined grace and innocent cheer—total contradiction.
"Tell me more."
"That pistol of yours. It could make bank, right?"
"Meaning?"
"After this mess, using it in exams is basically 'approved.' Until they change the rules over complaints, anyway."
"Probably."
"Think about it. I know Yuha well—she'd never touched a gun before. If a total newbie can shoot that cool with it—"
"Real firepower's zilch. That's Yuha's power, not the gun's—"
Roje shook her head firmly.
"The expulsion exam for shooting students? Holographic monsters popping up—you just hit 'em."
"So?"
"Firepower's no issue. You can get bullets... Before the exam, enchant 'em with blessings or attributes, boom—problem solved."
A use for the Gremlin Pistol I hadn't considered, knowing what it was from [Wasteland 2]. I'd struggled to find any value in it.
"We're not selling the pistol."
She licked her lips teasingly, leaning in.
"We're selling desperation to kids on the expulsion brink... A shot at staying in school."
Don't underestimate kids. Her idea was solid.
"What do you think? Sounds fun, huh?"
This could make money. Damn good idea. Model it after Yuha, hawk it to desperate students—nice profit.
"Brilliant. Amazing. Killer concept."
"Right? I wanna take a cut for the idea... That's fair?"
"One problem, though."
"Yeah?"
"I don't do deals with kids."
Roje's face iced over instantly.
"Ha... You think I'm a joke? Steal my idea, enjoy the meal, and walk? Think I'd let that slide?"
Her resentful glare chilled me to the bone.
"Do it solo? No way. How're you advertising to Academy kids on expulsion eve?"
"Well—"
"Oh, right—Yuha. But oops, she's got no friends."
"Yeah, she seems friendless."
"So—"
I chuckled, shaking my head.
"Misunderstanding. Not what I meant."
"Then what? Can't work with a kid like me—"
"Bring an adult."
I stated it flatly.
"Someone to 'lend their name.' Your mom or whatever."
Even if legal, kids in the mix? Trouble hits, can't handle it. Safety first.
"Mom's too busy for this. But I get the worry. Recording our chat?"
"Obviously."
I grinned, waving my phone.
Roje burst out laughing.
"Figures. The guy who recorded his cafe talk with Yuha would be cautious. Got it."
"...Yeah. No one else but you, so take your time finding someone."
"Perfect—I got one. My sister's unemployed."
"Oh?"
Hard to picture. Roje screamed old-money elite family.
"That's settled. Anything else?"
"No direct deals with kids. Parents only."
"Come on, Isu-ssi. Charging so much you need parents?"
"Sell the pistol for 100 won, still gotta go through parents. Selling kids sketchy stuff? Problems."
Roje pouted at me.
"These students get huge allowances?"
"Not everyone. Some on scholarships. Parents buy, period."
If a kid buys from a 'shady merchant' to dodge expulsion, parents view me sour. And I'm weak. Academy parents could incinerate me on a bad vibe alone.
Move carefully. No room for misunderstanding—clean and perfect.
"Fine. How many can you make?"
"Need time, but more than the expulsion-risk kids. Don't sweat it."
"Asking your ability? Rude?"
"Secret for now. Nothing fancy."
"Cool. Practical talk, then. Pricing's key, right?"
I nodded with a smile.
"Yeah. Start there."
As a [Wasteland 2] vet, pricing a Gremlin Pistol felt ridiculous. Shops charged fortunes for a bottle of water—you'd get pity change for the gun.
A cup of water on this table? Might cost hundreds, thousands of those pistols.
"Mm... I priced it personally. Not set in stone—I'll respect your call."
"Good..."
"You know costs, set margins. So... how about this?"
Roje held up one finger.
"Say it right."
"100 million?"
"You're insane?"
I snapped at her reflexively.
Roje stared back, eyes wide with fear.