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“Future's Day? What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Ah! I should’ve mentioned it earlier. Future's Day is the week starting on the last Monday of September every year, when the young lords and ladies who’ve just completed their debutante ceremonies head out for a dungeon expedition.”
“Dungeon expedition? If they’ve just finished their debuts, they’re only fourteen, right? Isn’t that way too dangerous?”
Fourteen—that was middle school age in Korean years. Kids who should be grinding math cram school or hitting up PC bangs, diving into dungeons? It sounded insanely risky, but Cache covered her mouth and grinned.
“It’s called a dungeon expedition, but it’s mostly a social event to build camaraderie among the young lords and ladies after their debuts. They usually only go down to the relatively safe first floor or so.”
“Oh, got it.”
“They gave it this grand name—Future's Day—for the event honoring the young lords and ladies who’ll lead the West Continent someday. But really, it’s an annual festival that lasts a whole week.”
“A festival?”
“Yes.”
Cache nodded briefly at my question, smiling warmly.
“The young lords and ladies only spend a day—or even half a day—inside the dungeon, but since all the prominent West Continent families participate, their knights and retainers come along too.”
“Ah…… so that’s it?”
I let out a soft exclamation, and Cache beamed again.
“Exactly. It’s not just the young lords and ladies—the sheer number of people from noble families turns the last week of September into a bonanza for merchants every year. A prime chance to rake it in!”
Hearing her out, I couldn’t help nodding. Seasonal sales…… yeah, that tracks.
Like selling fireworks at summer beaches. Flowers for graduation or Parents’ Day. Pocky on Pocky Day. Events always boost sales.
“Cache, then we need custom products for the young lords and ladies, plus bundled deals tailored for the noble retainers—”
“Ehehe, Director. This is Cache you’re talking to. I’ve got it all prepped. You entrusted the first-floor shelves to me—did you think I’d half-ass it?”
Classic Cache. Perfect as long as she stays off the booze. I was starting to think I wouldn’t miss Manager Lee so much anymore.
“Great. Just one thing: from now on, give me a heads-up on events like Future's Day—seasonal ones, or even monthly specials. We’ve got to give our Beauty Tower guests every opportunity to seize the moment.”
Hospital marketing seemed simple but was tricky as hell…… back home, anyway. Even with opening events or seasonal promos, you could only discount non-insured services.
Stuff like ‘Leave a five-star review for a free drink~’ you see on delivery apps? Off-limits for hospitals. Asking for positive reviews to spread the word was fine, but offering gift cards or freebies as incentives? That crossed into quid pro quo territory under medical laws.
But here? Who gives a damn. The only hospital around hacks off limbs, so aggressive promo’s hardly a scandal.
Still, glancing at the products Cache had laid out on the stall, they looked awfully basic for noble high-end stuff. Plain and safe.
“Cache, these for Future's Day prep seem, well…… a bit vanilla, don’t you think?”
Back home, I wasn’t just any doc. TV appearances were routine, and my collab esthetic line with top makeup artist Jung Woo-mool had been a megahit.
Nothing like that here.
“Oh, these are for the knights and maids—they’ll love ’em. Future's Day kicks off the last Monday in September, but the young lords and ladies usually arrive around Wednesday.”
“Hm…… Wednesday.”
“They hit the Dungeon Zone on Friday.”
“Aha, so today and tomorrow are stocked for the early-arriving knights and maids from each family?”
“Spot on.”
Cache flashed a toothy grin at my question.
“To you, Future's Day might sound like just for the young lords and ladies, but these first two days are a festival for knights and maids too. That’s why I set it up this way.”
“Hm……”
“High-end stuff on display today and tomorrow? Won’t sell—too few buyers. Plus, it might turn folks off.”
True enough. Knights and maids on salaries had limited cash. Wandering into what turns out to be an unaffordable luxury shop? Instant buyer’s remorse.
No 12-month installments here—just cold, hard cash.
But dedicating two days solely to them? Not my style. I wanted the whole pie.
“How about this? Today and tomorrow, keep the stall as-is for knights and maids, but display luxury items inside. When they buy, mention there’s high-end stuff for young lords, ladies, or family retainers.”
“But won’t that just breed resentment……”
“That’s why no sales on the luxury ones—just testers.”
“Testers?”
Cache tilted her head, eyes wide like a bunny.
“Samples for customers to try. Like how you’ve been helping with sunscreen or lotions? Testers let them sample solo, no assistance needed.”
“Aha! So they get to test products fit for young lords or ladies first!”
I nodded as realization dawned on her face. Then my brain started churning.
“Even if it doesn’t lead to immediate sales, knights and maids might spread good word. Could turn into real business……”
“Exactly. Cache, handle the final prep. I’ll double-check the tester lineup in the warehouse.”
“Yes, sir! I’ll be ready to sweep up the gold!”
* * *
“Different daily deals for deserters—er, retainers! Mon-Tue special! Beauty Tower discounts for maids and knights!”
During Future's Day break—Monday and Tuesday—our Beauty Tower was hands-down the hottest spot in the Frederik Dungeon Zone.
“Oh my! Look at that lip tint! So many shades!”
“They’re all similar yet totally different.”
“Hohoho, ladies, they say no two reds are alike under heaven. Check these maid specials—buy now and……”
Color cosmetics for maids flew off the shelves without Cache’s hawking.
Not everyone was thrilled, though.
“Unbelievable! Erase scars? Even top-tier potions from magic towers can’t do that—Beauty Tower claims it can?”
“Of course, sir. It’s not cheap, but our scar treatment—”
“Nonsense! A knight’s facial scars are badges of honor! Heard this gold-grubbing freak tower rolled into the Frederik Dungeon Zone—rumors don’t lie. Let’s go!”
“Yes, Captain.”
While grateful maids scooped up goods with sparkling eyes, knights…… well, some caused scenes. Like that captain from Count Rufus’s order, scoffing at the scar treatment brochure.
No need to sweat the edgelords. Maids are padding our coffers plenty.
Tuesday afternoon now. The knights-and-maids festival was winding down.
Time to show thanks. I approached Cache, mid-pitch.
“Clear out all knight specials. Switch to maids-only till close.”
“Thought you’d say that. Knights are all prickly—only potions interest them.”
Cache was on the same page.
Next phase, then.
“Good. Wrap strong today, and for big buyers, drop a hint.”
“Hint what?”
“Say if their young lord or lady shops here, we’ll throw in extras of their choice.”
“Ah! Genius, Director!”
Cache’s eyes lit up. The sweet scent of gold wafted in.
Classic Cache—tell her one thing, she gets two. Middlemen thrive on margins.
Maids lost in color’s allure—how well would they play matchmaker? Exciting.
Monday-Tuesday, the retainers’ fest zipped by. By Wednesday, Beauty Tower traffic shifted noble-heavy.
“From here to here. All of it.”
“Two—no, three of each shade.”
“Hm…… pretty. Can’t decide, so I’ll take ’em all.”
Young lords and ladies were flexing noblesse oblige at Beauty Tower, not even asking prices. Their lavish spending fattened my wallet.
Top-notch maids who’d hooked us up got extra perks beyond promises. Generosity pays dividends.
Like tourists raiding duty-free, the flex fest raged Wed-Thurs.
“Cache, Walter. Great work these past days. Clinic’s morning consults only today—stall too.”
Today: Friday, September 30th by Ailene calendar. Young lords and ladies dungeon-bound. Cache and Walter, after five days of sales and guiding, looked beat.
“Got i—”
“Ehehe, no biggie! It’s for the grind. Slacking after one push kills momentum. Walter looks fine—full stall ops!”
“……Yeah, I think full ops works for me too.”
His shaky pupils said otherwise. But for Cache—base pay plus bonuses? No work-life balance.
Respecting staff wishes is boss 101.
“Alright, then. I’ll wrap morning consults and—”
“Anyone there! Please help us!”
“……?”
Clattering hooves. Harsh echoes laced with desperate cries.