Chapter 147

 

I could tolerate it once. Though it was bothersome when people came to see me bearing gifts, it wasn’t entirely unpleasant. 

But that should’ve only happened once or twice—somehow, these visitors managed to fill an entire room with gifts over three days, Seung-yeon collected an unmanageable number of business cards, and not a single potion we had prepared was sold.

Of course, many wanted to buy potions. The desire to own a Master’s potion was understandable, but with our limited production capacity, I preferred selling to proper customers rather than collectors, so I rejected all their requests.

When I was about to write a notice myself out of frustration, a call from the website administrator to Seung-yeon revealed how these people had dominated my reservation list.

“They’re buying them at premium prices. The current rate has easily surpassed a million won…”

“Are they insane? It’s not even an admission ticket, and they’re selling it for money?”

“Yes… We had set up the system to require Awakened information verification upon entry to prevent this, but there was a loophole. It seems they could change the registration name during the few hours between when the reservation was made and when the data was transferred to us. Now many people are making reservations just to profit from them…”

Using such cowardly methods!!!

I could only sigh in astonishment, having never imagined such a thing. Seung-yeon, who had suffered alongside me for days, forced a smile and said.

“But they said they’d fix the system before today’s applications to prevent name changes. A warning notice will be posted soon.”

“That’s a relief… This is fucking difficult.”

Thanks to the administrator’s quick action, we could finally meet normal customers from the next day onward. There were still scalpers mixed in, but only about one per time slot, which was nothing compared to before.

Some merchants came to protest the suddenly changed system. However, they were expelled without even crossing the fence thanks to Elfmok’s skills, while the real customers finally entered. 

Perhaps thanks to the previous ordeal with those people, I wasn’t particularly nervous when facing my first real customer.

“Hello. I’m Kang Eui-jin.”

All ten pairs of eyes that had been following me around widened simultaneously. Unlike the previous sub-guild leaders and headquarters directors, these innocent faces were quite amusing. Just then, a young woman stammered loudly.

“I’m, I’m a fan!”

“My fan?”

When I asked about this unexpected outburst, several others in the group eagerly chimed in.

“Me too, I’m a fan too! I’ve really wanted to meet you.”

“You once saved your life with my potion. I’ve been a fan ever since. Please always be happy!”

For some reason, my heart tingled. The corners of my mouth rose involuntarily, but I tried to maintain my dignity as the owner by pressing my lips together.

Still, I couldn’t completely suppress the smile that leaked out.

My fans! They must all be people with good character and intelligence. That’s why they make such rational and wise judgments.

All kinds of nice words floated through my head, but strangely, all that came out of my mouth was a simple thanks.

“Thank you. …F-feel free to look around! Ask if you have any questions.”

I had immediately kicked out the previous visitors after 30 minutes, but I told these customers they could stay and enjoy themselves as much as they wanted until the workshop closed. 

As a result, from the very first time slot, more and more people accumulated until not just the workshop but even the garden was filled with customers.

While helping a customer who had only awakened a month ago choose a potion, I suddenly looked up and glanced around. 

The excited faces of the customers, the scent of potions floating everywhere, and the sunlight streaming through the large windows—this was exactly what I had wanted my workshop to be.

***

I got excited on the first day and sold too many potions, which led to a shortage the next day. I had to rush down to the basement to make more. I also didn’t know how to do “accounting,” so I wrestled with the store terminal until falling asleep at dawn.

We had relied solely on our inventories without much thought and only ordered packaging paper with the workshop design printed on it after seeing a customer break a potion while carrying it out.

Through various trial and error, the workshop operation gradually found its footing. I was so busy that I couldn’t properly welcome Seong San-ha and noona when they briefly stopped by, but more than anything, it was fun, and I was happy.

And during that time, the two towers in Korea finally permitted hunters to enter.

[On the third day since entering the tower, the main teams of large guilds are competing, overtaking each other while climbing the towers. They’ve already reached the 7th floor in Seoul and completed entry to the 10th floor in Jeju Island. Although Korea started later than other countries with towers, out of 11 countries, Korea ranks first in speed and fourth in floor level…]

‘Right, I should have looked into the towers too.’ 

I was too busy lately to find time for that. I stared, mesmerized, at the interior view of the tower shown on the news. The constellation bodies mixed in the sky looked mystical.

The hunters breaking through the tower and hunting monsters in competition seemed like a story from another world.

‘No, it actually is another world. This is perfect for me, researching in my workshop. If it weren’t for this…’

As I was looking at the faint Castor mark on my palm, Jin-myeong, who was entering with a box of materials, saw the TV and opened his mouth with an ‘ah.’

“Boss, did you hear? New materials have appeared at the wholesale auction today.”

“New materials?”

“They came from the Tower. Items brought out by hunters who got stranded midway. They’re completely new—nothing like what we’ve seen before.”

“Really? Jin-myeong, can you get me some tomorrow?”

Jin-myeong shook his head with an apologetic expression.

“It’s going to be difficult for now, boss. They just came out today, so the quantity is low. Plus, since they’re materials from the Tower, which is a hot topic these days, there’s a lot of competition. But more will be available soon, so I’ll secure some good ones as soon as I can. Please wait a little longer.”

“Well, it’s not urgent anyway. I’ll leave it to you, Jin-myeong.”

“Got it! I’ll do my best!”

Jin-myeong smiled innocently. As soon as he left, it was time to open the workshop.

Su-cheol was busy calculating without a moment’s rest, and Seung-yeon was fully occupied explaining potions. I was also in the middle of attending to customers.

“So, you’re saying I should avoid ice-attribute potions as much as possible?”

“Of course. Depending on the dungeon environment, it might be worse than not taking one at all. Aren’t you in your seventh year? How do you not know this? Elemental attributes are something you consider when choosing equipment too.”

“You’re right. It’s a good thing the boss told me now.”

He smiled as he answered, and just as I was about to call him an idiot, a voice from behind caught my attention.

“Are you serious? Do you know how far I came to get here? I had to transfer subways three times! And now you’re telling me I can only take a few?”

“Uh, sir. We can’t sell in such large quantities. There are customers from out of town as well, and our potion stock is limited…”

“Are you planning to shut down after today? You must have more in storage.”

At the counter, Su-cheol was struggling to deal with a persistent man. Because of the noise inside the workshop, I could only catch bits and pieces of the man’s quiet but insistent complaints.

‘Who the hell is this jerk?’

I raised an eyebrow and got up from my seat.

“Noona, hold on a second.”

“Huh? Oh… okay.”

A sigh of disappointment came from the customers who had been waiting for the next explanation.

As I walked toward the counter, Seung-yeon also rushed over, probably having heard the commotion. Su-cheol, upon making eye contact with me, looked like he was on the verge of tears.

The man flicked the card he had on his finger, sending it flying. It hit Su-cheol’s chest and fell weakly to the ground.

“I know all about the additional options, so don’t even think about giving me bad ones. I’ll be checking them one by one. Oh, and since I’m buying 100, I get 100 samples too, right? Pack them individually—30 healing potions, 30 mana potions, 30 vitality potions.”

“I don’t want to.”

“W-what?”

The man, who had lifted his head in anger, realized the voice wasn’t Soochul’s and turned around. When our eyes met, he looked momentarily flustered before forcing a casual smile.

“…Is there a problem?”

“The problem? Get the fuck out.”

“W-what did you just say?”

“I’m not selling you potions. Get lost.”

The workshop fell silent in an instant. Dozens of eyes turned in our direction, and the man, his face flushed red, let out a disbelieving chuckle.

“What are you saying? I made a reservation through the proper channels! And now you’re just kicking me out? What about the time and money I spent getting here? What about the effort I put into booking this in the middle of the night?”

“I said, get out of my workshop.”

“I’m calling the police—! Let go of me!!”

I grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and dragged him toward the door. He struggled, but he was weak—clearly not a combat type. I glanced down at him with a cold stare. A discolored blue stain on his sleeve caught my eye.

‘A potion maker?’

“Kang Eui-jin! Potion Master Kang Eui-jin is attacking a customer! Someone record this! Potion Master Kang Eui-jin is assaulting a customer!”

“Oh my…”

“What’s wrong with that guy? Is he insane?”