Chapter 22
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: New Sales Outlet
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"Yes? Somewhere else?"
Yu So-jeong explained.
"Yes. The Korean hunter community is currently suffering from a chronic shortage of items."
"Item shortage?"
Even just looking at the Azure Rose Guild, they had piles of material items stacked up, and items dropped from dungeons too. An item shortage? It was hard to wrap my head around.
"Yes. Materials are steadily supplied from dungeons, but there simply aren't enough production-type Awakeners to process them. This is especially true for high-grade items."
She glanced at me through the rearview mirror before continuing.
"The U.S. has 'Midas,' the European Union has 'Hephaestus,' and Japan has 'Yodo Gong.' All of them are A-Rank or higher Awakeners. They supply countless items to their countries' hunters. It wouldn't be wrong to say their economies are sustained thanks to them."
There was a hint of bitterness in her voice as she said it.
"But Korea didn't have any notable production-type Awakeners."
It was a matter directly tied to hunters' lives and the nation's security. The mood naturally grew heavy.
"That's why the government is planning to build a platform for item sales. We originally intended to import items from overseas producers, but if you'd join us, Miss Ida Yun, we could reduce that reliance."
I might not care much about national security, but if it meant protecting the safety of people I knew, it was something I had to do. Still, I had some concerns about accepting the offer right away.
"Hmm... It sounds important, but do I really have to sell through that platform? Honestly, there's something that worries me."
"What might that be?"
"My personal information, mostly."
Just getting involved with the Azure Rose Guild had already sparked a bunch of people online trying to track me down. If I joined a government project on top of that, the number of people hunting for me would skyrocket.
"If my identity gets exposed... Ugh, it'd be a nightmare."
Yu So-jeong seemed to see right through my worries.
"The Management Bureau is aware of that issue. We can't control information completely, but countermeasures are in place."
"Countermeasures?"
"Yes. All sales will be conducted strictly anonymously. Your items, Miss Ida Yun, will be sold alongside those from other producers and dungeon drops. Just like the government releasing its stockpiled items onto the market."
It was a reasonable plan. Mixing my items in with a bunch of others would make it hard to pinpoint who made what.
My anxiety eased a bit, but a nagging doubt lingered in the corner of my mind.
'Do I really need to go this far?'
Selling to the Azure Rose Guild alone could supply items domestically. I needed another reason to get involved in this venture.
"Does it pay well?"
Money, straight up.
Patriotism was nice, protecting people was great, but nothing motivated me like numbers hitting my bank account.
Yu So-jeong answered smoothly, as if she'd prepared for it.
"Yes. After minimal platform operating costs and a 5% tax, all profits go to the producer."
"95%?"
Even private deals between individuals came with more taxes than that. Buyers usually footed the bill, but that money could still end up back with me eventually.
In that sense, this offer was groundbreaking.
"Yes. The government prioritizes strengthening domestic hunters' power over profits."
I didn't hesitate.
"I'm in! Let's do it right now!"
"Understood. I'll pass it along to my superiors."
Yu So-jeong replied with a rare smile.
"So how do I deliver the items? Do I have to go there myself?"
"No. As your dedicated handler, I'll take care of receiving, registering, and settling everything. You just focus on crafting, Miss Ida Yun."
"Wow, that's convenient."
Perfect conditions. I'd craft items comfortably at home, and Yu So-jeong would handle sales and deposits. Was there a better job out there?
As I pondered what to make, how much to price them, and what materials to use, I remembered one I'd prepped.
'Right, the Golden Mana Locket.'
An A-Rank mana recovery necklace. Perfect to start with.
I'd hand it over once I got platform details from Yu So-jeong.
"I have a pre-made A-Rank item. I'll make a few more and show you."
"Yes. I'll inform my superiors."
The car soon pulled up to my place. As usual, I handed over my laundry bundle. Yu So-jeong gave a light nod and left.
Back in my room, I flopped onto the bed.
How much money could I rake in from this new item sales outlet? Staring at the ceiling, I fantasized about my future earnings.
Billions per item, scaling up to trillions... I'd be rich in no time. As long as I didn't devour too many Baby Dragon Heart Fragments.
"This is the life..."
I rolled around hugging a dragon doll that looked just like me. Its soft texture and cozy scent lulled me into bliss.
Come to think of it, I should name this doll. I'd be keeping it forever.
'They say naming an object brings it to life.'
Usually in a bad way, but as a dragon, it'd work out for me!
"Hmm... What should it be?"
I tumbled across the bed, clutching the doll. Dreams of riches could wait—this name was priority.
"Got it!"
I held the doll high like in The Lion King.
"From now on, your name is 'Yongyong'!"
They say vulgar names keep things healthy and long-lived. Hoping the doll lasted, I repeated "Yongyong" in my mind.
A few days later, word spread that item sales on the government-run platform would start soon. The 'K-Item Platform'—a mix of stodgy government vibes and shady game currency exchange feel.
Hugging Yongyong, I checked my phone. Sure enough, Hunter Gallery was ablaze with the new hot topic.
[Government that can't control prices is doing a platform lol]
Taxes will take a ton and it won't even work properly.
No one's expecting anything, right?
Taxes melt away slowly~
It's their own league anyway. Nothing to do with low-rank hunters like us.
[Heard they're even releasing A-rank items on K-Item Platform?]
Probably dungeon drops or bought overseas with taxes.
Is there even a domestic producer who can make A-ranks?
Obvious. Probably release a few for show and done.
Guilds with money will be lighting up to buy those.
Reading the overwhelmingly negative posts, I could feel the discontent toward the government. Then the doorbell rang.
Ding-dong!
"Who is it?"
"It's Yu So-jeong."
I opened the door to find her holding a neatly packed shopping bag.
"Your laundry from yesterday."
"Ah, thank you."
As I took the bag, a pleasant scent wafted from the freshly laundered, sun-dried clothes. I didn't know how her laundry skill worked, but the results were always top-notch.
Now sitting casually on the floor like always, Yu So-jeong asked me.
"Could I hear about the item you mentioned before?"
"Ah, right. One sec."
Four identical lockets sat on my desk. I hadn't made many since I only had a few scales left.
"Here."
She took them with her usual blank expression.
But the moment she picked one up, her face cracked, eyes widening.
"This is...!"
Her voice trembled faintly.
After staring at the info window hovering over the item for a long while, Yu So-jeong snapped back and looked at me.
"Miss Ida Yun. Do you know the value of this item?"
"Hmm... It's A-Rank, so pretty expensive? Like 10 billion won?"
She shook her head at my answer.
"No. The material cost alone would typically be around 30 billion won. Add labor, and it starts at a minimum of 50 billion."
"Fifty billion?"
It was a necklace made from just two scales and a bit of fluff. Took less than 10 seconds to craft. And each one worth 50 billion?
'Necklaces aren't main gear, so they're supposed to be cheaper than this.'
Yu So-jeong continued with a serious expression.
"And this item will sell for at least 100 billion won."