Chapter 53
Chapter 53
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: Game Changer
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It was a massive store right in the heart of Gangnam, but the downside was that there were more employees than customers.
Woojin glanced around the empty store with a faint smile.
'From now on, they'll be so swamped they'll be begging for a break.'
"Welcome! Looking for anything in particular?"
An employee rushed over with a beaming smile. With no customers around, it was inevitable.
"I'm here to check out washing machines, air purifiers, and some small appliances. Do they deliver right away if I buy here?"
The employee's face lit up at his words.
It had been a while since a real paying customer showed up.
"Oh, absolutely! Right this way. Our new AI-powered washing machine is flying off the shelves. It has a big front display that recommends the perfect wash cycles and..."
The employee guided him to the latest model, boasting about its flashy features.
Woojin narrowed his eyes out of habit.
'Hmm, the skill...'
Nothing special. Woojin asked the employee,
"Is this the most expensive one?"
"Ah... If the price is too much, we have some great value options under a million won over here..."
"No, the most expensive one."
The employee's mouth stretched from ear to ear at Woojin's words.
"Right this way! We have our 'Signature Line.' Latest AI, lifetime motor warranty!"
The product the employee showed him was a top-of-the-line washing machine priced at 2.55 million won. Woojin's eyes sparkled.
'Found it.'
Items with a clear purpose like washing machines tended to have similar skills.
But the so-called luxury ones with a solid base started at a higher level.
Unenhanced at Lv. 2 meant just three enhancements would push it to 'Stain Removal Lv. 5.'
That was how efficient the enhancement would be.
"We'll take this one for now. Thanks. We'll just browse on our own."
The employee bowed politely and stepped away.
Sangjin poked Woojin in the side.
"You like this? Isn't it too pricey?"
"Stain Removal Lv. 2. Killer, right? We're going full 'ultra-premium' here."
"Huh? Lv. 2 right out of the gate? Insane."
"Yeah, cheap stuff really is penny-wise and pound-foolish."
Sangjin nodded.
Woojin headed straight to the next section.
This time, air purifiers.
Sure enough, the priciest model had 'Air Purification Lv. 2.'
Next up: small appliances.
"Hmm... What small appliance would be a winner? Anything that screams 'jackpot'?"
Sangjin pondered, scanning the area. Hair dryers, humidifiers, microwaves, blenders... Products flew past his eyes.
'Dryer overlaps with the goblin towel a bit... Humidifier would turn the room into a foggy Amazon jungle...'
Then one product caught Sangjin's eye.
"Huh?"
"Thought of something?"
"Bro, what about this?"
Sangjin pointed to a sleek black electric shaver on display.
"This? That's for guys."
"Nah, women use these too nowadays. For hair removal. Super popular."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Check the skill."
Woojin appraised it.
"Straightforward. 'Hair Removal' skill."
Sangjin snapped his fingers.
"Nice! No worries about nicks then."
"You think?"
"Yeah, no 'Cutting' or 'Sharpness,' so it won't slice skin—just shave the hair clean off. Jackpot."
"Alright, electric shaver it is."
And with that, the three sample products for Yoo Daeho were decided.
DH Group headquarters, chairman's office.
Chairman Yoo Daeho narrowed his eyes at the boxes Chief Secretary Kim had brought in.
"These are... from those friends?"
"Yes. Just arrived via courier. They look identical to our top-end product line, but..."
"Let's take a look."
He opened the electric shaver first.
Yoo Daeho rubbed his chin.
He'd shaved that morning, but by afternoon, stubble was already prickling.
"Let's see..."
He pressed the shaver to his jaw.
Vrrr—shh.
"...!"
No resistance at all.
No rattling vibration from cutting whiskers, no cold bite of blades.
It felt like brushing with soft fluff. Wondering if it was broken, Yoo Daeho checked the mirror and froze in shock.
"...This can't be real."
The shaved spot was smoother than a baby's skin—flawless, like he'd never grown a beard in his life.
Pores completely clear of stubble. Perfect hair removal.
"Ha?"
Yoo Daeho called his secretary.
"Chief Kim. You try it. Your beard's tough, isn't it?"
"Ah, yes. Understood."
Chief Kim approached skeptically and applied the shaver.
His skin was sensitive, beard coarse—electric shavers always left it red and irritated.
That's why he stuck to wet shaves.
But orders were orders.
Vrrr—shhh—
Not even a snip from the thick whiskers.
They just erased like pencil marks under an eraser.
"!!!?"
"Ch-Chairman! This... no sting at all! No tugging sensation! It's even moisturized like I applied lotion!"
Next, the air purifier.
Power on—and the vast chairman's office air transformed in an instant.
Not the smoggy urban haze, but crisp freshness like forest air after rain or wind atop Seoraksan peak, tickling his lungs.
Yoo Daeho inhaled deeply.
"Hooo..."
His mind cleared sharp as glass.
His usual throbbing migraine eased.
"Feel it, Chief Kim?"
"Unbelievable. I'd always doubted air purifiers... This leaves no room for doubt."
"Heh, yeah... Feels like a forest bath."
Finally, the star: the washing machine.
Needing separate water hookups, Yoo Daeho and Chief Kim headed to the employee laundry in the headquarters basement.
Installation done, Yoo Daeho asked Chief Kim,
"Chief, got anything filthy? Something really nasty."
Chief Kim thought a moment, then fetched a rag from the corner.
A monstrosity caked in shoe polish, grease, and grime—on the verge of being trashed.
"This work?"
"Perfect."
Chief Kim tossed the revolting rag into the machine.
No normal washer could handle that completely.
Not a performance issue—a physical limit.
"Standard mode, sir. About 20 minutes."
"Got it."
Vreeeng—
The hefty premium machine spun silently.
Twenty minutes later.
Ding-ding-ding—
A cheerful chime signaled completion.
Chief Kim swallowed hard and opened the door.
"...!!! Ch-Chairman... L-look at this..."
His hands shook.
Yoo Daeho checked the rag.
"Ha...?"
The pitch-black rag gleamed snowy white.
No shoe polish stains? No grease? Not a trace.
Even the wrinkled, frayed fabric had revived—stiff and springy like fresh off the factory loom.
"I-Is this possible?"
Chief Kim touched it with trembling fingers.
"No fiber damage... What is this...?"
After that much agitation, fibers should've frayed—but nothing.
Yoo Daeho shivered.
This wasn't washing. It was reversion.
Restoring laundry to its pre-soiled state. A miracle.
"Heh, heh heh..."
Yoo Daeho let out a hollow laugh.
Premium? Luxury? Words fell short.
Game Changer.
A term for a decisive person, event, idea, or product that completely flips the outcome or flow of something.
These three products were game changers without question.
The moment Kim Woojin's products hit the market, the global home appliance order would crumble and reform.
At this revolutionary performance, people would gladly pay double—triple—and line up.
Yoo Daeho grabbed the phone with conviction.
Ding-ding-ding, ding-dee-ring-ding, ding-ding-ding—
Woojin's phone blared noisily.
"Ugh, that ringtone sucks. Change it."
"Not my problem."
Woojin checked the screen.
– Chairman Yoo Daeho
Speaking of the devil.
"Oh, it's the chairman."
Sangjin perked up and paused what he was doing.
"Yeah? Answer it."
Woojin hit speaker and picked up quick.
"Hello."
[Yes, Woojin. Yoo Daeho here.]
The tone was electric from the start.
Woojin grinned and asked,
"Heh, checked them out?"
[Haha... I don't even know where to start...]
Yoo Daeho's voice brimmed with uncontainable excitement.
[Our appliances look like toys after your touch. I doubted my eyes seeing that rag from the washer. This isn't innovation—it's revolution.]
Woojin smirked.
"Glad you like them. At that level, 'ultra-premium' fits without shame, right?"
[Shame? This'll rake in cash! Let's sign the full contract tomorrow! We've got tons to do!!]
"Take it slow on the contract. We need prep time too."
Woojin replied leisurely.
"So, ready with what you promised?"
[Ah, of course. Just sent the coordinates.]
That night drinking with Yoo Daeho.
Woojin had made one request.
Secure an unreleased C-rank gate.
With Yoo Daeho's influence in Korea, it shouldn't be hard.
Yoo Daeho added,
[It's yours now. My guards have the entrance sealed—no ant could sneak in. Won't ask why a C-rank specifically.]
He figured it was training or something secret involving Jihyun Yoo.
"Thanks. We'll put it to good use."
Call ended. Woojin showed Sangjin the screen.
"See?"
"Whoa... He really gave it? A whole C-rank gate?"
Sangjin's eyes widened.
Bosses level 20+ needed at least C-rank.
Sangjin already knew how to awaken.
Woojin had tipped him off.
"You're becoming an awakener now."
Sangjin's voice quivered faintly.
"For real...?"
"Yeah. But I'm worried, man."
"About what?"
"What kinda power does a shady, materialistic guy like you get? Man, not sure if this was smart..."
"...You're my bro, you know? Insulting me insults you half the time."
"...True that?"
Woojin chuckled and asked,
"So? When do we go?"
Sangjin thought a moment.
Then looked up with eager eyes.
"Right now."