Chapter 408: I Believe in You, Vice Chairman Theo.
“Morik, did you hear? A new store has opened in the empty building on the outskirts of the shopping street.”
Chiren, the owner of a shield shop, said to Morik, the owner of the sword shop next door.
“Really? Wasn’t that the store that went out of business a few years ago?”
“Yes, they opened a potion shop, but Luca lowered the potion prices by half, so they couldn’t stay in business.”
“So what are they selling this time? If they’re selling items that overlap with ours, we should go and do something about it.”
“No need for that. They’re selling crops.”
At Morik’s words, Luca, the owner of the potion shop, approached and said,
“What? Crops?! Pfft! Can they even pay the taxes selling those?”
“Exactly, they’ll go out of business soon.”
“Should we place bets on how long it takes them to go bankrupt?”
While the merchants of the shopping street were betting on how many days it would take for Sejun’s store to fail,
“Buy some crops!”
“We sell delicious and effective crops!”
In front of Sejun’s store, the voices of Ururuk children promoting Sejun’s store began to resonate.
The children, wanting to help Sejun who hired their parents, and their parents working at the store, took the initiative.
The voices of the Ururuk children, who had filled their stomachs with sweet pancakes and milk since morning, were very energetic.
Thanks to this, even though it was on the outskirts of the shopping street, hunters, hearing the voices of the Ururuk children, started to visit Sejun’s store one by one.
“What is this?”
“This is a crop called Magical Cherry Tomato, which, when consumed, provides a boost for 10 minutes…”
In response to the hunters’ questions from the Green Tower, the Ururuk staff eagerly explained the effects of Sejun’s crops.
The hunters here looked similar to humans but were quite different.
They all had burly muscles and a single horn on their foreheads, regardless of gender.
Being from a world called Neta, they were referred to as the Neta tribe in the tower.
According to what the Ururuk tribe told them, the Neta tribe maintained a healthy body throughout their lives, so they weren’t very interested in dieting or cancer.
Therefore, the crop prices were discounted compared to what was sold on Earth. A localization strategy, so to speak.
“Oh! This works better than the potions sold in stores! I’ll take one of these and one of those.”
“That’ll be 5 tower coins.”
After hearing the staff’s explanations, the hunters purchased some crops and left.
“Hey, I heard that the crops here taste better and work better than the nasty potions sold at the potion shop!”
“Yeah! Elkeas tried them, and they really taste good!”
Soon, a huge crowd started gathering in front of Sejun’s store. Thanks to the initial rush and the word spreading about the effectiveness of Sejun’s crops among the hunters.
And then,
Ah, it’s the taste! I need to focus on the taste!
Watching the Neta tribe hunters, Sejun realized what he needed to use as a selling point.
“Cuengi, bring out the steamer.”
Kueng!
[Understood!]
So, he started steaming corn, sweet potatoes, and potatoes in front of the store.
As the crops steamed, a sweet aroma began to spread.
And then,
“Sniff sniff. Where’s that smell coming from?”
“Wow. It smells really good!”
As the hunters in line looked around to find the source of the smell,
“Kids, come over here for a moment.”
“Yes!”
Sejun called the Ururuk children and had them walk around with baskets of steamed crops, cherry tomatoes, and carrots. Of course, for selling.
Hehehe. Now that I’ve spread the smell so much, they’ll naturally want to eat, right?
“Are you selling that?”
“Yes!”
“Can I have one?”
“Me too, give me one!”
As Sejun predicted, the hunters, already captivated by the smell, bought Sejun’s crops while waiting in line.
“Oh! This is really delicious. This one boosts stamina?”
“This tangy cherry tomato boosts magic power!”
Eating deliciously, they decided which crops to purchase.
As Sejun’s store was bustling with customers from the very first day,
Thud. Thud.
A hunter, towering a head above the others and carrying two giant axes strapped in an X shape on his back, tried to enter Sejun’s store, ignoring the long line.
However,
Kueng! Kueng!
[Not allowed! You have to line up!]
Cuengi, who was promised two five-star stamps later, was guarding the entrance with a somewhat intimidating face.
“What?! You dare to… to me, the great Twin Axe Kran…”
Enraged by Cuengi’s obstruction, Kran tried to raise his momentum, but
Kueng!
[If you keep disobeying, you’ll be in trouble!]
“Ugh! I understand! I’ll get in line!”
Under Cuengi’s fierce aura, Kran quickly became a meek lamb.
“Meow… What a pity, meow!”
Theo, who had been waiting for a chance to make the official first slave of the Green Tower, looked regretfully at Kran, who obediently backed down.
But,
Thud. Thud.
The opportunity to make a slave soon arrived.
“Trhahaha! There’s a new store starting business here? Let’s collect some rent. Tell the owner to come out!”
A giant green troll came looking for Sejun.
A short while later.
“Why did you want to see me?”
“Hahk!”
Kueng!
“Kyoo-Kyoo-Kyoo-”
What… what is this?
Krrta, the youngest member of the Immortal Clan, was bewildered by the beings surrounding him. Each one exuded an unusual aura.
Especially the three, excluding the owner, emitted such a murderous aura that his legs trembled and cold sweat broke out.
“How dare you show hostility to me, a member of the Immortal Clan?! Do you all want to die?!”
Despite his fear, Krrta tried to act tough. In this world, the loudest voice often wins.
“You’re noisy, meow! Chairman Park, let’s teach him a lesson, meow!”
Kueng! Kueng!
[You dared to show hostility to my dad! Cuengi is angry!]
And in this world, the strong one is the law.
Thwack!
Krrta saw something pink flash before his eyes and lost consciousness.
“Puhuhut. The first slave of the Green Tower, meow!”
Thunk.
Theo lifted the unconscious Krrta’s thumb and stamped the slave contract.
[You have gained one slave.]
[All stats increase by 0.01 due to the effect of the <Title: Slave King>.]
Thanks to this, Sejun’s stats also increased.
“Since he’s interfering with business, Cuengi, move him behind the store for now.”
Kueng!
[Got it!]
At Sejun’s words, Cuengi grabbed one of Krrta’s legs and dragged him away.
***
Black Tower’s Administrator Area.
“Khehehehe. What is our Sejun doing?”
Aileen, who had resolved not to give Sejun any more food until she could cook something decent herself, was looking for him.
However,
“Kreung?”
Even after searching the entire Black Tower, she couldn’t find Sejun.
“Where did he go? Search for the Mid-level Administrator.”
When Aileen used the crystal orb to locate Sejun,
[Searching for the location of the Black Tower’s Mid-level Administrator.]
[The location of the Black Tower’s Mid-level Administrator has been found.]
[The Black Tower’s Mid-level Administrator is currently on the first floor of the Green Tower.]
The location appeared in the crystal orb.
“Kreung?”
Why is Sejun at the Green Tower?
“Khing. Don’t tell me he ran away because of my cooking?! Sejun, I’m sorry! Come back!”
Aileen hurriedly tried to contact Sejun.
***
About 30 minutes after the troll came,
“You bastard! How dare you mess with a member of the Immortal Clan?!”
The squad leader of the Immortal Clan, having received a report that their youngest member had been attacked, appeared with three subordinates.
“Puhuhut. Welcome, meow!”
Thud.
Of course, they became good prey for Theo the slave hunter.
[You have gained 3 slaves.]
[All stats increase by 0.03 due to the effect of the <Title: Slave King>.]
Sejun’s stats also benefited greatly.
Drag. Drag.
This time, Cuengi moved the trolls to the back of the store in two trips.
One hour later,
“You bastard! How dare you mess with the Immortal Clan!”
101 trolls appeared, disrupting business.
Ah, what’s going on?
“Guys, suppress them for now.”
Sejun, angry at the trolls for disrupting his business, gave instructions,
“Let’s teach them a lesson, meow!”
Kueng!
“Kyoo-Kyoo-Kyoo-”
The trolls were quickly dealt with.
[Ukta, Immortal Clan’s Mid Boss]
Leaving just one.
There was something to ask.
“Do you bastards know who’s backing our Immortal Clan…”
“Yeah. Not interested.”
Why are you boasting about connections? I have connections with the dragons.
“But why are you interfering with our business?”
Sejun ignored Ukta’s words and asked what he was curious about.
“What?! That’s because…”
Ukta momentarily lost his words at Sejun’s question.
“It’s because you didn’t pay the rent!”
“So you’re saying I need to pay rent?”
“That’s right.”
“This is my land, why should I pay a rent?”
“You still have to pay. If you don’t, you won’t be able to survive in the Green Tower.”
“What?”
“The person backing our Immortal Clan is one of the power players of this Green Tower. We’re just managing below the 50th floor of the tower according to that person’s orders.”
“Power player? What floor is this power player from?”
“From the 93rd floor.”
Ukta answered with a proud expression at Sejun’s question. Why are you so proud?
However,
“What… that’s nothing.”
For Sejun, who mingled daily with those from the 99th floor, it was truly nothing.
“What? How dare you call the 93rd floor nothing…”
Thwack.
Sejun knocked Ukta out, who was getting agitated, by hitting the back of his head…
“You bastard!!!”
Oh?! He didn’t pass out?
“Cuengi.”
Kueng!
Thwack!
“Ugh!”
At Sejun’s call, Cuengi struck Ukta’s head with the staff of justice.
That must hurt. You should have just fainted when I hit you…
As Sejun looked at Ukta, who had passed out after being hit by Cuengi, with pity,
Thunk.
[You have gained one slave.]
[All stats increase by 0.01 due to the effect of the <Title: Slave King>.]
Theo took Ukta’s stamp.
Shortly after, the sky grew dark,
“Kids, good job. Eat dinner and rest.”
Sejun closed the store.
“Sejun nim, here’s today’s earnings.”
The Ururuk tribe brought the money earned from selling crops to Sejun.
31,213 tower coins.
There were many customers, but they didn’t make a huge profit.
“Guys, come here. You worked hard today, so I’ll give you some pocket money.”
Compared to what he was earning these days, it was really a small amount, so Sejun gave the money to the Ururuk children who had worked hard on the promotion.
He then added some money to buy a building worth 500 million tower coins in a residential area where the Ururuk tribe could live.
After purchasing the building, on the way back to the store,
“Good job today! See you tomorrow!”
Sejun saw Neta race people leaving the tower.
Could that be the exit of the Green Tower?
Sejun suddenly became curious.
Can I go out through there too?
So he cautiously approached the exit.
However,
[You are not a being protected by the Green Tower.]
[You cannot use the Green Tower’s exit.]
[You need special permission from the Green Tower administrator to leave.]
Messages appeared, and an invisible wall blocked Sejun.
“Special permission from the Green Tower administrator?”
If it’s the Green Tower administrator… Brachio-nim?
I guess I shouldn’t leave then.
Although Sejun was curious about the outside, it wasn’t worth meeting Brachio.
At that moment,
[The Black Tower’s administrator is tearfully saying it’s all her fault and is pleading for you to return quickly.]
“Huh?”
Why is Aileen acting like that all of a sudden?
He didn’t know what was going on, but it seemed like he needed to return quickly.
However,
“If I just leave, the Immortal Clan and that so-called power player won’t leave things alone…”
Leaving immediately was concerning because of the Ururuk tribe.
“Vice Chairman Theo, I’ll tell Ophelia to send some subordinates here. Until then, please protect the store and the Ururuk tribe.”
So, he asked Theo, who could come and go using the his bag.
“Meow?! You’re leaving me behind, meow?! I don’t want to, meow! Take me with you, meow!”
Naturally, Theo refused.
But Sejun had a few cheat keys to handle Theo.
“I believe in you, Vice Chairman Theo.”
“Puhuhut. Leave it to me, Vice Chairman Theo, meow!”
Chairman Park said he believes in me, meow!
With just those words from Sejun, Theo’s expression changed.
*****