07. It's Mine.
07. It's Mine.
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"That's too much, really."
Sihwan was dismantling the canteen with Bari.
Dismantling was a piece of cake since Bari could handle it with a flick of her wrist, but the problem was having to move all the stuff inside back to the warehouse.
On top of that, they had to find a new place for the shop.
"It's just unused land anyway. What's the big deal about putting up a canteen? You even own shares in it."
"...You're really as clueless as they come."
Hovering next to the whining Sihwan was Yu Ina, arms crossed.
This was supposed to be training time.
They needed to work on physical conditioning and study magic, but with Sihwan in this state, it was impossible.
"Since we're already at it, why not do it right in the city? The family gave us 5,000 gold under the guise of business support funds. That's plenty to buy some land."
"Hmm. You think? But I doubt she'll sell the land. Won't she demand shares again?"
"No way."
If the city's owner, Ha Yeon-seo, didn't interfere, they could snag a pretty decent plot.
And looking at the long-term potential, setting up in the city beat the academy hands down.
The issue was security.
Sihwan, Bari, and the others couldn't run the canteen themselves, so they'd inevitably have to hire people or use slaves. Sure, security on the 1st floor was good, but this was the Tower.
Putting human slaves as shop clerks was a safety nightmare, and hiring help? Wages aside, there was no guarantee of finding reliable staff.
Looping in Ha Yeon-seo would make it easier, but it'd come at a steep price.
"If she's not demanding shares, wouldn't it be better to just give her some for the long game? All things considered."
"You think?"
Handing over more shares needed some thought, but if it was just straight gold, he could burn through it no problem.
He'd already torched 110,000 gold on slaves—Ha Yeon-seo was small potatoes.
"And if security for the clerks is the issue, how about hiring Eleonore-ssi or Rihana-ssi as guards?"
"Ellie I get, but you think Rihana would go for it?"
"Why are you okay with me but not her?"
"Because you're my personal assistant right now."
"...That ends after graduation, you know."
Her lips puffed out at the dismissive remark.
"Then we'll hire you in three months."
"..."
"Yeah. That works. I was wondering how to keep ties after graduation—perfect solution."
"When did I say I'd do it?"
"100 gold a month salary? That's 3.3 times your trainee pay."
"You're underestimating elven pride. Don't you think it's insulting for someone who'll join the Guild to serve the Tower's advance?"
"What's insulting about it?"
"Guard duty for a single shop... ugh... this is an outrage!"
"Tsk tsk tsk."
Sihwan wagged his finger at the fuming girl.
"You're too young to get it, huh?"
"I've lived ten times longer than you?? "
"It's not about what you do. It's about how much you earn."
"Hmph. That's plebeian capitalism from 30,000 years ago. Disgusting."
Was elven pride that ironclad?
She wasn't budging easily.
"Anyway, you got money? The family support won't last long. Sales weren't even that great."
"I'll borrow some."
"..."
Such a brazen face.
Yu Ina suddenly felt her future turning pitch black.
"Anyway, hire Ellie and Rihana as guards... keep the slaves as clerks. Oh yeah, you join too. As my wife, I'll make you assistant manager special."
"Ha... are you insane?"
"No, I said I'm not doing it!"
"With a staff like that, the company'll grow smooth as butter."
"Right? Later open branches, scout Ha Yeon-seo as CEO—she's got that savvy vibe."
"And me?"
"You be the chairwoman."
What utter self-indulgent fantasy.
"Who's employing who here?"
Ha Yeon-seo showed up right on cue.
Her bobbed hair swayed, a blue gem earring glinting on one side.
She rocked a dress that looked like it'd been casually draped like a curtain, turning what could've been ridiculous into pure admiration.
Her massive breasts, boldly wrapped and spilling cleavage with bare shoulders, demanded attention in that ethereal pose.
And those sleek legs stretching from the short hem? They were insanely hot, enough to make anyone throb just looking.
"I came just in case, and you're spouting nonsense again..."
"This is all your fault."
"Oh? How's it my fault?"
"You took 5% shares—least you could do is help out, you punk. What's wrong with a canteen here?"
"You still haven't learned. Whatever, I wasn't expecting anything."
No one expected normal reactions from Sihwan.
"But why'd you come out?"
"Told you. Just in case."
"Must be nice with no real work."
"..."
"Since you're here, lend me some gold."
"..."
Ha Yeon-seo eyed him pitifully.
Was this guy clueless, oblivious, or both?
Experience said both, but he just got dumber by the second.
She was the Chief Instructor with a mountain of work—why trek out here?
Sure, to check if they were dismantling properly, but she could've sent someone.
Her showing up meant something big, yet this idiot's asking for a loan.
"The Yu Family isn't broke—better to borrow as son-in-law, right?"
"Already did. 115,000 gold."
"Plus 5,000 gold business support."
"..."
Did I hear wrong?
"11 gold?"
"No, 115,000 gold."
"..."
No mistake.
What the hell did he do to rack up 115,000 gold debt already?
"...You borrowed that much... and want more?"
"Yeah. Kinda awkward asking the family again, right?"
"No... where'd that money even go?"
She looked around.
Maybe some pricey goods or Artifact?
Nothing.
"Bought slaves."
"Slaves?"
"Yeah. See these? These two, plus ten more at home."
"No... why?"
Ha Yeon-seo, utterly baffled, shot back.
Business needed every coin, yet wasting on slaves?
What the fuck?
"From doll-fucker to human-fucker... wait, he's human, so maybe not. Anyway, that's his evolution."
Yu Ina answered for her.
"..."
Doll-fucker wasn't enough—now human-fucker.
Sure, Sihwan was human, so no biggie, but blowing a fortune on that?
"No way you blew it all, right? Some left? If you had a plan."
"Nope."
"The 5,000 gold support is still there."
Bari chimed in, but it meant squat.
Borrowed cash: all gone.
She gawked, mouth agape, alternating between Sihwan's face and the slaves.
Not analyzing—just dumbfounded.
The haughty Chief Instructor, blank-faced.
Eleonore and the slaves watching paid Sihwan a nod of twisted respect.
"Always fresh, huh? In the worst way."
"Totally... always fresh... worst way."
Yu Ina and Ha Yeon-seo's combo.
They bonded hard that instant.
"You actually planning to do business?"
Sihwan's(?) cigarettes were solid.
1 gold per pack, 20 per carton—pricey but addictive. Good promo could hook core customers easy.
But that's later...
Startup would drag, rivals might sabotage, and he blew 115,000 gold on horniness from the jump.
Fucking nuts?
"Sigh... at this rate, no matter how much I promo, it's risky."
"Sell 500 cartons, that's 100,000 gold. Easy."
"To sell 500 cartons, you need 500 elites happily opening wallets. And they're picky as hell. Got it? You moron."
She slipped a curse from sheer absurdity.
"So? Gonna lend or what?"
Another sigh in front of him today.
No end in sight.
"...What for? No raw materials even? Mining underground... ridiculous. Anyway, where's the money going?"
"Land, duh. If you hadn't nixed the canteen, no loan needed."
"Suck it up. Don't blame me. No permission, and you think you're golden?"
"Anyway, land in city costs, city's security sucks compared to here so need guards. Money out the door."
"Land and labor? Peanuts. 5,000 gold covers it."
"Gotta buy mansion-sized. Bus platform, showroom too."
"Already plotting that? Sell cigs first."
"What? Mad?"
"Not mad?"
"Yeah? Then trust me and lend the gold."
"..."
Total bullshit.
Could she really trust this guy?
Suddenly doubted if her 5% shares were a steaming turd.
'Fucking lunatic.'
Normally, affection would've snapped by now.
Clean break.
But...
Weirdly, the worse he got, the more drawn in. Even a thrill—panicking inside, playing cool.
"Fine... borrow from me...? No regrets?"
"What's that sudden?"
"Our family's touchy about money. Me too."
"Yeah. Figures."
She closed in suddenly.
Grabbed his shoulder, leaned in—subtle perfume and ripe woman scent hit like a wave.
"W-what?"
Throb!
Her huge tits squished soft, heating him up.
Too sudden.
Even Sihwan panicked.
First time this close—head spinning.
Dazzling beauty right there didn't help.
"Stats are trash, all you got's a talented doll, Noblesse wife, buncha slaves. Slaves? I got plenty. Yu Ina Instructor? She's yours, sorta. Doll? Loyal only to you, so value's iffy regardless of skill. Right?"
"Back off. Why cling?"
Embarrassing scene brewing, he pushes—but a mere human like Sihwan can't budge her.
Looks to Yu Ina for help, but she flinches at Chief Instructor's vibe, does jack.
Probably pride.
Forced marriage, no love. Him with other girls? Whatever.
They'd talked that out—Sihwan there in the car.
Just days ago, so butting in now? Nah.
Her thinking, anyway.
"I'll lend. Any amount. But..."
She pressed closer.
Red lips, hot breath tickling his ear.
Throb!
Pathetic hard-on from nothing, her overwhelming sexiness leaving him frozen like a virgin.
"If you can't pay back, you're mine."