Chapter 208
Chapter 208
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 209
Chapter Title: Nayeo-ju Saves the World Part 2 Ch. 29
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Still, there was one hopeful fact: I now had a bit of an idea about Master Jeong Hee-ok's personality.
A principled stickler who hated pretense and wasting time.
With someone like that, half-hearted flattery would only backfire.
"Yes, sir. That's why I need your permission, so I came here in person."
"Hmmm."
Master Jeong Hee-ok narrowed his eyes.
"You thought showing up like this would make me give you permission?"
"No, I thought even if I came, you wouldn't give it."
"Then why come?"
"Maybe you'd appreciate the effort. I'm pretty lucky, after all, sir."
"You sure talk smooth."
"Thank you, sir."
Master Jeong Hee-ok snorted again at my banter.
Then, his face turning serious once more, he asked me,
"What if I don't give permission? What then?"
I answered without the slightest hesitation.
"Then I won't go through with it."
"Why? If you're worried about legal issues, we could tweak the design a bit?"
Oh, that's an option.
I hadn't thought of that.
If we made merchandise with a design that wasn't identical—clearly referencing it but with some differences—we could probably dodge any legal trouble.
But is that what I want?
"Hmm. Give me a moment, sir."
I took a second to gather my thoughts before speaking.
"When I first thought of making Justice Guild uniforms into merchandise to sell, I wanted to create high-quality goods even if the margins were slim, sir. I just want to show off how cool our Justice Guild uniforms are."
"......"
"As you know, we've been through a lot lately. So when we first got the uniforms, everyone was over the moon. Can you imagine? Us having uniforms—and ones made by Master Jeong Hee-ok, no less. These uniform merch items we're planning are a way to share that pride with our supporters. That's why we need it. The value of being 'official merchandise' approved by you, Master Jeong Hee-ok."
I met his piercing gaze head-on with a smile.
"That's why I had to come in person and beg like this. Because only you, Master Jeong Hee-ok, can grant that value in this world."
I'd said everything I wanted to say.
If Master Jeong Hee-ok were the type to melt for charm and sweet talk, I'd pull an all-nighter doing just that.
But since that wouldn't work on him, honesty was my only play.
As I finished speaking and bowed my head slightly to convey my earnest request, a heavy sigh escaped from Master Jeong Hee-ok.
"......I'm picky. I don't settle for half-baked or mediocre when my name's attached."
"I figured as much."
"So if you bring me some yawn-worthy merch that doesn't meet my standards, I won't approve it, no matter what you call it."
"Does that mean...... you'll approve it if we make something of decent quality?"
"I'll look at it first and decide."
"Thank you, sir! We'll spare no expense to make it top-notch!"
"No need to drag out the obvious. And who said 'decent quality' was enough? It has to satisfy my standards!"
Darn, tried to sneak that one by.
Didn't work.
I nodded quickly and bowed again in thanks.
"Thank you so much, sir!"
"Don't come dragging in some sackcloth rag. I'll chew you out till you're in tears."
"Hee hee."
His eyes still scowled at me, but there was no mistaking the fondness in them.
Though it was the look you give a neighborhood troublemaker...
"You're really not related to Master Je-hwa?"
"Sir! I swear, no relation!"
"Why not?"
"Because there's no relation!"
"Tch. Can't waste the tea I poured. Finish it before you go."
The conversation kept going after that.
Surprisingly, Master Jeong Hee-ok and I clicked well.
Especially since we both hated beating around the bush and preferred straight talk.
The chat continued, one thing leading to another, until his assistant—the same one who'd brought me here—knocked to remind him of his next appointment.
"Alright, sir. I'll bring the samples back when they're ready."
"Make sure they're done right. Properly."
"Yes, sir. I'll handle it. See you later!"
As I bowed and left his workshop, his voice followed—gruff, but brimming with that same fondness.
"Don't sneak off elsewhere. Follow the way you came and enjoy the flowers as much as you want."
We sent the usage permission contract to Inyeon Guild's legal rep, scoured for manufacturers who could produce high-quality jackets, and finally nailed a satisfactory sample.
True to my word, I took the samples back to Master Jeong Hee-ok's workshop and got his approval.
With the final hurdle cleared, we gathered in the conference room with the office team to place the official order.
Kim Ji-hee handed me the prepped plan.
I skimmed the neatly organized document and asked,
"First batch is 500 pieces?"
"Yes, about 100 per size. Should we bump it up?"
"No, it's not that."
I double-checked the order total.
"This'll all sell, right?"
"Of course, Team Leader!"
"We're actually worried people might complain the initial stock is too low."
The team reassured my sudden bout of cold feet, but once spooked, my confidence didn't rebound easily.
"I'll sign off for now."
Even after approving the order form, my expression stayed glum. That's when Gu Eun-ah piped up with an idea.
"Team Leader, if you're still nervous, how about prepping some bonuses?"
"Bonuses?"
"Like event exclusives—little extras bundled in. Sometimes people buy merch just for the bonuses."
"But to get that effect, don't they have to be amazing items?"
"They don't need to be amazing. Just something with collectible value."
"Collectible value, huh..."
"The best are ones that spark that collector's itch. Like photo cards."
Photo cards. Or 'pokas' for short.
It reminded me of my idol-fan days—buying physical albums for the random poka inside.
No one knew which member's it'd be.
Random drops.
"Random pokas would definitely boost impulse buys."
"And think about it, Team Leader. If we make pokas from our guild hunters' selfies..."
I pictured it for a second.
Kang Han's selfie as a poka.
"I like it."
Even I'd want one.
"Let's get five selfies from each for now."
Front camera for the first time today lololol
...
Here!
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I did my best for these
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