Level Up Machine

Chapter 104 Catching the Golden Fish (2)

“Ha, Han-seong, why don’t you enjoy a bit too?”

Yeong-sik said with a wide grin. Han-seong looked at him with a distorted expression.

“What are you talking about…

“Come on, your friend is saying so too. Why don’t you join us?”

Han Jun-man said, smiling contentedly like a fisherman who had caught a big fish. The women that Han-seong had pushed away approached him again and seated him.

“Hehehe. Thank you, Han-seong.”

“Haha, Yeong-sik, was it? You are a young man who appreciates refined tastes! I’ll cover everything today, so please enjoy to your heart’s content!”

With a hearty laugh, Han Jun-man gestured to the women who were holding Yeong-sik’s arms. The women, catching his signal, nodded slightly with tense expressions.

“Of course, if you wish, you can enjoy a passionate night as well.”

“Oh? Really? Th-then…”

Yeong-sik, blushing, glanced at the ample bosoms of the women clinging to his arms.

Watching Yeong-sik, who looked like a perfect fool, Han-seong kept his mouth shut tightly. He sipped his drink, looking at Yeong-sik with complicated eyes.

‘He must have something in mind.’

Considering the cold and calculating demeanor Yeong-sik had shown so far, Han-seong didn’t think he was acting thoughtlessly.

Han-seong watched Yeong-sik with a burning heart.

After that, the drinking party continued for more than an hour. Yeong-sik and Han Jun-man were almost buried under women, leaning their bodies and getting quite drunk.

“Hahaha! Yeong-sik, did you say you’re a 61st-round summoner? I can’t believe it! With your enjoyment of the atmosphere, I thought you were a seasoned summoner!”

“Hehe. Is that so?”

Yeong-sik answered with a shy smile. Han Jun-man’s eyes sparkled as he asked him.

“By the way, how does the Eclipson Guild manage to make things like refrigerators and microwaves?”

“That’s a guild secret…”

“Hahaha. Well, you see, I have a hidden class as a mechanical engineer. I’m the only one who can make them!”

“Ye, Yeong-sik!”

Han-seong called out to him urgently. Han Jun-man’s eyes sharpened.

“Oh, is that so? Then, can you make other machines too?”

“Of course! Later, I plan to make and sell air conditioners and fans! The continent of Elnote is generally hot and humid, you know!”

“Oh! That’s a great idea! This makes me even more eager to do business with you, Yeong-sik.”

Han Jun-man shouted excitedly, clenching his fist at the idea of making other machines.

Fans and air conditioners! If they started selling these items in the predominantly hot and humid eastern and southern parts of the continent, excluding the short winter, they could generate even more profit than refrigerators.

“How much does it cost to make one refrigerator?”

“Hehe, it doesn’t cost that much. About 20 silver? With that amount of iron ore, I can make one.”

Han Jun-man’s eyes gleamed at his words. His nostrils flared with excitement.

’20 silver for the cost!’

Considering the profit they could generate once refrigerators became widespread, it was a very cheap cost.

Han Jun-man looked at Yeong-sik, who was divulging all the information with a silly grin.

‘A 61st-round rookie, huh.’

Han Jun-man’s eyes burned with greed as he looked at Yeong-sik. He twisted his lips and spoke in a subtle voice.

“But Yeong-sik, you know that the distribution side takes a larger share than the original producers, right?”

“Huh? Is that so?”

“Haha! Of course. The distribution side handles everything from actual sales to marketing.”

“Hmm…”

“Of course, I understand that Yeong-sik’s products are incredibly valuable. But for the sake of a good relationship going forward… How about finding a compromise on the percentage split?”

Han Jun-man said this while glancing at the women sitting next to Han-seong. They began to undress and clung to Han-seong.

“Ah! Oppa! Isn’t it too hot in here?”

“Yeah, oppa, don’t you feel hot too?”

“Ugh, j-just a moment…”

Han-seong, overwhelmed by the sudden display of bare skin, blushed with an embarrassed expression.

Confirming this, Han Jun-man turned back to Yeong-sik.

“So, I think a 50-50 split would be fair. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“I-Is that so? Indeed, splitting it evenly is best. Haha…”

Yeong-sik glanced at Han-seong and forced an awkward smile. Han Jun-man laughed heartily and nodded.

“As expected! With your straightforward nature, I knew you would say that! Haha. Don’t worry. We’ll make sure you are seated on a pile of money. And of course… surrounded by beautiful flowers.”

“Flowers…?”

Yeong-sik looked at Han Jun-man with a puzzled expression.

“Huh? Oppa, why are you so clueless?”

“Fufu. He must be curious to see what my petals look like.”

The women clinging to his sides pulled their clothes down slightly, exposing their voluptuous bodies seductively.

“Ah, yes! Right, flowers everywhere!”

Yeong-sik grinned broadly at the beauties hanging on his arms.

“Yeong-sik! What on earth are you doing?”

Han-seong, unable to bear it anymore, jumped up from his seat. How could the 80-20 split suddenly become 50-50? It was madness.

“What? No, that’s…”

“Have you lost your mind because the Guild Master and Ara have been treating you kindly lately? What are you thinking?!”

Yeong-sik stammered, watching Han-seong nervously. Han-seong grabbed Yeong-sik’s arm and pulled him outside.

“Hahaha! The mood has darkened. Let’s meet alone next time, Yeong-sik.”

Han Jun-man waved to Yeong-sik as he was pulled outside.

—Thud.

The door closed, and silence fell.

“Is this enough, master?”

The woman who had been clinging to Yeong-sik asked him.

Han Jun-man nodded with a sly smile.

“This is an unexpected windfall. Who would have thought that a summoner who can make modern items is just a naive rookie…”

Han Jun-man burst into laughter, unable to contain his glee. Having someone who could create items that could dominate the entire continent was a golden opportunity. This was the best news a merchant could get.

‘If I can sweet-talk him, I’ll rake in an enormous amount of money!’

Only the wealthy nobles, with their abundance of money, could use ice magic to keep their food cool in the Elnote Continent.

In this situation, if refrigerators were introduced, it would cause a sensation across the continent.

‘If done right, this could be our chance to expand into the south as well.’

Han Jun-man chuckled, licking his lips.

“Emily.”

“Yes, master.”

“Bring me the communication orb. I need to talk to the Guild Master.”

The half-naked woman bowed deeply at his words.

His greed-filled eyes were fixed on the tightly closed door.

—

“What are you thinking?!”

Outside, Han-seong urgently shouted as he dragged Yeong-sik into a secluded alley. At first, he thought Yeong-sik had a plan, so he stayed quiet.

But no matter how he thought about it, he couldn’t understand Yeong-sik’s actions. It was as if he was openly asking to be taken advantage of.

Yeong-sik, with his mouth shut tight, looked around. In the secluded alley, there was no sign of anyone else besides him and Han-seong.

Yeong-sik, now calm and collected, spoke as if he hadn’t just been acting like a fool moments ago.

“It was perfect timing.”

“What? What do you mean?”

“If we had stayed longer, it could have aroused unnecessary suspicion. You pulled me out at just the right moment.”

Yeong-sik said in a composed voice. Han-seong let out a frustrated laugh and asked,

“…Was it all an act?”

“Yes, it was.”

“Why did you put on such an act? It was a pointless performance.”

Seeing Han-seong’s confused expression, Yeong-sik chuckled.

“Han-seong, did you see how Han Jun-man just accepted the initial percentage split?”

“…Yes. But wasn’t that because he was seduced and planned to reduce the percentage later?”

“Exactly. This means the Goldrun Guild was looking for an easy mark to exploit.”

Han-seong looked at Yeong-sik with a face that said, ‘Isn’t that obvious?’

“Since they were looking for an easy mark, I provided them with one. When there’s a fool to exploit, they’ll try to milk it for all it’s worth.”

“W-Wait a minute, Yeong-sik. I don’t understand. What’s the benefit of doing this?”

Han-seong asked, his expression hardening. Yeong-sik replied with a relaxed demeanor.

“Han-seong, do you think the Salvator Guild can grow to rival the Leviathan Guild within a year?”

“…That would be difficult. But isn’t that why we’re trying to strengthen our forces with business ventures?”

“Yes, that’s right. But do you think we can gather that much money within a year using normal methods, even if our business succeeds?”

“…What are you getting at?”

A fierce smile spread across Yeong-sik’s face. His eyes turned into those of a predatory beast.

“It’s difficult to earn that kind of money through normal methods. That’s why we’ll use different methods.”

“We’ve already set the bait for them. All we need to do now is wait.”

“…What are you talking about?”

A laugh escaped Yeong-sik’s lips. It was a laugh filled with enjoyment.

“We’re waiting for the Goldrun fish to bite the bait.”

Han-seong looked at Yeong-sik with an expression of confusion. He couldn’t fathom what Yeong-sik’s ‘different method’ entailed, despite the foolish act he had just put on.

“To be honest… I have no idea what you’re thinking, Yeong-sik.”

“Haha, that’s fine. You’ll understand in due time.”

Hearing his voice, Han-seong’s expression hardened.

‘What on earth is he…’

Han-seong stared blankly at Yeong-sik’s back as he walked ahead.

Although Yeong-sik appeared to be about the same age as him, he exuded an intimidating level of cunning. Han-seong, who prided himself on being smart, felt like a child who knew nothing when he listened to Yeong-sik.

Yeong-sik chuckled lightly as he moved forward. Han-seong followed behind him, his expression complicated.

“Don’t worry so much. If I’m right, Goldrun will definitely take the bait.”

Yeong-sik licked his lips, his eyes shining sharply.

“And once they take the bait.”

Yeong-sik stopped and turned his head toward Han-seong.

“We’ll devour them from head to toe.”

A deep smile spread across his face.