Telecommunications Business (2)
“First, let’s think about the best way to distribute the 100 units we’re giving out for free.”
Seon Yul and Cheon Li Yu had no intention of just handing them out randomly, simply because they were free.
They planned to maximize promotional impact by carefully considering the method and distributing the free magic-stone mobile phones strategically.
“Most likely, starting with magic users from Earth–104–”
But at the moment, Cheon Li Yu was about to share her opinion…
The shop door opened, and someone walked in.
Someone familiar to Seon Yul, but a stranger to Cheon Li Yu.
It was Elzard.
“Ah…”
Seon Yul recognized Elzard and turned his head toward her.
Naturally, Elzard also recognized Seon Yul.
“Found you.”
It looked like Elzard had searched the entire Fortress of Freedom to find him.
“Instructor, how did you–”
“I told you to contact me! Why didn’t you contact me even once?!”
“Contact…? Ah… well, I don’t really like working under an organization…”
“Wasn’t that decision too hasty? Let’s talk a bit more.”
Elzard had already been contacted by Nelgado.
Nelgado had told her to find the newbie climber he had mentioned before, explaining the reason as well. After receiving that message, Elzard searched the Fortress of Freedom thoroughly to find Seon Yul.
Because of that, she was highly certain that the irregular standing before her was the climber of the Tower of Life who had recently become a major issue.
Having pieced together the situation, Elzard intended to persuade Seon Yul no matter what.
“No matter what you say, I have no intention of working as a designated climber.”
Seon Yul spoke firmly.
He believed that speaking this way would prevent unnecessary prolonged conversation.
“You don’t have to be a designated climber. Even without that, there are many things we can do together.”
Nelgado had told Elzard to bring back the newly appeared supernova climber at all costs.
He had even promised to revoke her disciplinary action immediately if she succeeded. So Elzard had no intention of insisting on the designated climber status.
“…You want something, don’t you?”
Seon Yul saw through her intention instantly.
That was the only reason she would lower herself like this.
“…Should I be honest?”
“Yes, please be honest.”
“If you just meet one person with me… I’ll do anything I can to help you.”
Elzard, being someone who always acted straightforwardly, spoke plainly.
“Who would I be meeting?”
“The person in charge of managing the Tower of Life. His name is Nelgado. Honestly, even if you meet him, you can just ignore whatever he says. Oh, come to think of it, we haven’t even introduced ourselves yet.”
“You can call me ‘Absolute Safety.’”
Seon Yul had no intention of revealing his real name to anyone, so he used an alias even on Earth–001.
He shortened “Absolute Safety First” into “Absolute Safety.” That was the name he chose to use.
“Absolute Safety… I’m Elzard. Anyway, you can do whatever you want… just please meet him.”
“If I just meet him, you’ll do anything you can to help me?”
“As long as it’s not something really strange, I’ll agree to anything.”
Elzard wanted to escape her disciplinary status as soon as possible and return to her original department, even if she had to push herself like this.
“Hmm…”
After hearing her out, Seon Yul thought for a moment.
Originally, he intended to politely refuse everything and send her away.
But after listening to her, a very good idea came to mind.
“Can I make that request first, and then meet this Nelgado person afterward?”
“Yes, that’s fine. What’s the request?”
From Elzard’s perspective, hearing the request first actually put her at ease, so she nodded without hesitation.
“I made something… and I want you to distribute it to skilled irregulars or locals. And while handing it out, tell them that if they want to buy it, they can come to this shop.”
“Is it product promotion?”
“You could call it promotion… but you should try using what I give you. Then you’ll understand it’s not just a simple promotion.”
“Promotion but not promotion… I don’t know what it is, but you seem very confident.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Seon Yul smiled and nodded.
In his view, someone like Elzard who used primitive communication tools, such as World Tree leaves, would experience something close to cultural shock.
“That kind of request is no problem at all.”
“Good. Then let’s go meet this Nelgado person right away.”
After hearing her answer, Seon Yul immediately stood up.
Now that he knew who Nelgado was, he could roughly guess what he wanted to say, but talking to him wouldn’t be an issue.
Even if a dangerous situation arose…
He just needed to prepare in advance.
As long as he could respond, he could always escape, and once he escaped, retaliation would be easy.
So Seon Yul went with Elzard to meet Nelgado without much concern.
***
To get straight to the conclusion, Seon Yul rejected all of Nelgado’s proposals.
However, he agreed to one request from Nelgado: when it came to conquering the top floor of the tower, he would coordinate with the Management Bureau beforehand.
In truth, conquering the top floor was the most important aspect of any tower, so even freelance climbers normally discussed it with the managing authority.
So Seon Yul was simply agreeing to something that was already obvious.
Naturally, Nelgado was very disappointed, but he also knew there was no benefit in upsetting Seon Yul, so he didn’t push too hard.
Instead, he wanted to maintain a relationship with him, so Seon Yul gave him a magic-stone mobile phone as well.
“The number is 001–2000–1112, and the usage is…”
Seon Yul kindly explained how to use it. He had already done the same for Elzard, whose number was 001–2000–1111.
After hearing the explanation, Nelgado spoke with disbelief.
“So with this small device, you can communicate with someone far away? Like a World Tree leaf?”
“Yes, that’s right. And since it works in real time, it’s actually better than a World Tree leaf.”
“Then is this… a new type of magic tool?”
“Strictly speaking, it’s not exactly a magic tool… but if it’s easier, you can think of it that way.”
After finishing the explanation, Seon Yul gave Nelgado 20 more phones.
“Share these with people around you and try them out. Each phone’s number is written on the box.”
51 units to Elzard. 21 units to Nelgado.
That should be enough to spread among skilled irregulars and locals.
Even as they parted, Nelgado still didn’t fully believe Seon Yul—but it didn’t matter.
Once he used it himself, he would have no choice but to believe.
Seon Yul planned to give the remaining 28 free units as promotional gifts to customers visiting the shop.
The free units were specially made versions of the disposable magic-stone mobile phones.
They could only be used for about 2–3 weeks.
Compared to the commercial versions, which lasted 6–8 weeks, their usage time was clearly shorter.
‘Even before 2–3 weeks, people will react…’
Seon Yul expected reactions much sooner.
Once people saw others using the phones, they would naturally become curious.
What followed was obvious.
‘I should prepare in advance.’
After further discussion with Cheon Li Yu, they set the initial price at 7 kg of magic stones.
Originally, they had planned 5 kg, but the price increased due to something Cheon Li Yu said:
‘We’re selling the phones and managing the network… shouldn’t communication fees be included?’
She was right.
Selling hardware and software but charging for only one didn’t make sense.
So Seon Yul added 2 kg as a communication fee, making the final price 7 kg.
They had about 9,900 units ready.
Selling all of them would yield nearly 70,000 kg of magic stones.
With that, they could invest further into satellites and expand coverage beyond the Fortress of Freedom to all of Earth–001.
Cha Seong Hyeon had estimated that about 20,000 satellites would be needed.
They only had about 20 so far.
The cost for 20,000 satellites: about 200,000 kg of magic stones.
A massive amount… but manageable if the business succeeds.
‘The competitor is World Tree leaves… there’s no way this fails.’
Seon Yul believed the success rate was nearly 100%.
Because there was effectively no real competition.
***
For a while, Seon Yul and Cheon Li Yu focused only on the shop, not climbing or hunting.
They gave away all 100 free units as promotional gifts.
Elzard and Nelgado likely distributed theirs as well.
Now, all that remained was to wait.
Seon Yul expected the results in about a week.
But surprisingly…
The response came in just three days.
“Th-that item! Can I get more of it?!”
Elzard rushed into the shop, asking with an excited expression.
“That item? Oh, you mean KTM–001?”
“Yes, yes! That!”
The disposable magic-stone phones were named KTM.
Since it was the first production batch, they added “001.”
KTM stood for “Korea Telecom Mana,” though they only used the abbreviation.
“How many do you need?”
“As many as possible.”
Elzard had already recognized its potential.
He likely planned to profit by securing large quantities.
“Would 500 units work?”
“Is that all you have?”
“Yes, for now.”
Seon Yul had no intention of handing everything to one person.
He planned to maintain control over distribution.
“How much for 500?”
“3,600 kg of magic stones.”
He deliberately quoted a higher price.
“Th-that expensive?”
“That’s the original price. If it’s too expensive, just take 100.”
“…Then I’ll take 100 for now.”
Elzard paid 720 kg and bought 100 units.
Having realized its value in just three days, he planned to resell them at a higher price.
But since Seon Yul controlled the market, such profit strategies wouldn’t be easy.
Only Seon Yul could sell more cheaply.
And as if to prove it…
Customers began flooding into the shop.
At last, a “KTM” craze had begun sweeping across Earth–001.
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