I woke up much later than usual because I stayed up late last night watching the battle on Ceres. Looking at the clock, it was past 11:00 AM.
“Ugh…”
My body felt heavy. Perhaps it was because of the continuous tension, even though I wasn’t the one fighting.
“Guardian! Are you awake?” Aria peeked her head through the bedroom door.
“Yeah. I just got up.”
“That’s good! I’ve prepared brunch for you!”
When I went out to the living room, a simple sandwich and some fruit were prepared on the table.
“Thanks, Aria.”
“You’re welcome! I was nervous too, watching you help Paladin Leon yesterday.”
As I took a bite of the sandwich, I checked the sales status of the Rocket Store. Although I had spent many coins on emergency support yesterday, sales were luckily continuing at a steady pace.
**[Daily Sales Status]**
Barbarian Warpaint (Improved): 147 cases
Apprentice Paladin Dispatch: 89 cases
Lamia Potions: 343 cases
Living Armor Rental: 76 cases
‘Warpaint is starting to sell in earnest. Changing it for ceremonial use was effective.’
As I finished my breakfast, the hologram flickered, and a new message notification appeared.
**[A message has arrived from Apprentice Paladin Leon.]**
“Leon?”
I hurried to open the message.
— To the Rocket Store Operator,
We were able to defeat Berias and protect the Agnes Holy Capital in yesterday’s battle. It was all thanks to the help of the Rocket Store. To be honest, yesterday was an emergency, so I couldn’t offer proper thanks or payment. Now that the urgent cleanup is finished, I wish to officially express my gratitude on behalf of the Saintess, the Archbishop, and the Agnes Holy Knights. Rocket Store Operator, you have given hope to Ceres. — Leon
“A proper expression of gratitude.”
The moment I read the message, a system notification appeared.
**[Rewards for the Holy Capital of Ceres Salvation Operation are being distributed.]**
: Horn Fragment of Berias
: Cursed Obsidian of the Demon
: Blessing Scripture of the Saintess
: Influence System Stage Unlocked
None of them seemed ordinary. I felt the need to check each one in detail.
**[Horn Fragment of Berias]**
Grade: Rare
Description: A fragment that fell from the horn of the mid-level demon, Berias. It contains concentrated demonic power and can be used to craft powerful weapons or armor.
‘A demon’s horn. I hope I don’t get cursed. Still, it’s a Rare material, so it’ll be useful later.’
**[Cursed Obsidian of the Demon]**
Grade: Hero
Description: A magical gemstone that Berias possessed. It is a material imbued with powerful mana. If used without purification, it is powerful but may result in a curse.
‘Wait, the curse is on this one, not the horn.’
Finally, the most important item appeared.
**[Blessing Scripture of the Saintess]**
Grade: Hero
Effect: Upon use, removes all negative status effects from nearby allies and weakens undead and evil spirits.
Special Ability: Divine Light — Instant annihilation effect when used on undead-type enemies.
Uses: 1 (Single use)
Description: A scripture personally consecrated by the Agnes Saintess. Combined with the power of the Saintess and the Goddess, it possesses powerful purification strength.
‘This could be a joker card against high-level undead in an emergency.’
Looking at the description, it was specialized for purification. It seemed like it could save my life in a moment of crisis.
‘It’s single-use, but I’ve gained a powerful card.’
“But what is this Influence System Stage 2 unlock?”
When I opened the system window, a new screen unfolded.
**[Influence System Stage 2 has been unlocked!]**
**[New Feature: Branch Office System]**
Description: When the Rocket Store’s influence in a specific world reaches a certain level, a ‘Branch’ can be opened in that world. Once a branch is opened, the residents of that world can also become members of the Rocket Store and trade directly.
“A branch?”
I read the description again.
“Aria, look at this. Does this mean the people of Ceres can use the Rocket Store too?”
“Wow! Then does that mean other Paladins besides Leon can become members?”
“It looks like it.”
As I scrolled down the screen, specific conditions appeared.
**[Branch Office Opening Conditions]**
– Achieve 10% or more influence in the corresponding world (Current Influence: 15%)
– Establish a cooperative relationship with a specific power in the corresponding world
– Initial operating funds: 1,000,000 coins
“The influence is quite high. Is it thanks to yesterday’s battle?”
“Definitely! The entire Holy Capital saw the Rocket Store’s help firsthand!”
However, I had only met the conditions for now. It seemed that a branch required its own separate supplies and stock. Reading the brief explanation, there appeared to be cases where certain races had poor relations or were systematically prohibited from contact.
‘I mean, looking at the features I saw on the decorations, even vampires can become members of the Rocket Store, but the Paladins wouldn’t want to interact with them.’
This meant I had to act as a sort of trading post middleman. What kind of items could I bring in, and which races could I interact with? I needed to start making a proper checklist.
“…This is going to be a lot of work.”
But considering the potential profit, this level of effort was nothing. In the meantime, an additional message arrived from Leon. News of the branch office must have reached that world as well.
— Since yesterday’s battle, many soldiers and Paladins have learned about the Rocket Store. They all want to become members. However, since the branch hasn’t opened yet, they are unable to join. I heard there’s a feature for advance member registration; could you possibly accept them?
“Advance member registration?”
I tilted my head. “Is this possible?”
**[Advance Member Registration]**
Description: Before a branch office opens, the membership information of the corresponding world’s residents can be registered in advance. Advance members are automatically converted to official members upon the branch opening and receive a 10% discount on their first purchase.
‘Oh, this isn’t bad.’
I sent a reply to Leon.
— Advance member registration is possible. Send me the list of people who want to join. They will be converted to official members as soon as the branch opens, and a 10% discount will be provided for their first purchase.
— Understood. However, it looks like it will take some time to organize the list.
— I’ll be waiting.
About an hour after I sent the reply, the list arrived. Just how much did he write?
**[Ceres World Advance Member Registration List]**
Saintess Isabella — Agnes Saintess
Archbishop Hellenius — Agnes Archbishop
Great Knight Marcus — Captain of the Saintess’s Guard
Knight Elias — Vice Captain of the Saintess’s Guard
“Why is this so long?”
The list continued on and on.
Final count: 287 people.
“Two hundred eighty-seven?” Aria shouted in surprise. “Isn’t that almost the entire Agnes Holy Knights joining?”
“Seems so.”
I checked the list while scrolling. It included not just Paladins, but priests and nuns as well.
“Let’s register them all for now.”
**[Advance member registration for 287 people has been completed!]**
**[They will automatically be converted to official members when the branch office opens.]**
After finishing the advance registration, another message arrived from Leon.
— Operator, I have one more request. Part of the Agnes Holy Capital was destroyed during yesterday’s battle. The walls collapsed, and residential areas were burned down. Thousands of refugees have lost their homes. We need many materials and food for reconstruction. Can we receive help from the Rocket Store? Of course, we will provide payment.
My heart felt heavy as I read the message.
‘Right, just because the battle is over doesn’t mean everything’s finished.’
“Guardian, you’ll help them, right?”
“Of course.”
I sent a reply to Leon.
— Reconstruction support is possible. Send me a list of the necessary supplies. You can pay the cost slowly later. Let’s focus on the urgent recovery first.
Once I sent the reply, a detailed list of supplies arrived along with a message of gratitude from Leon. It included construction materials, food, medical supplies, and daily necessities. Looking at the list, the numbers were enormous, equivalent to rebuilding an entire city.
‘Since Agnes is a medieval-level city, I can handle it. If it were a modern city, it would be impossible.’
“Besides, this isn’t a one-time thing.”
The reconstruction of the Holy Capital would be a long-term project. Everything couldn’t be solved at once, and they would continue to need additional supplies in the future.
“Then the trade with Ceres will continue from now on.”
I immediately got to work. I accessed the shopping mall and ordered the necessary supplies in bulk. For materials that couldn’t be found in general shopping malls, I contacted Yun Tae-seong and made a request.
“This should be enough to hold them over for a while, right?”
After completing all the orders, I contacted Leon.
— I’ve finished preparing the supplies. I’ll start shipping them sequentially from now on. Because the volume is so large, I can’t send them all at once and will have to split the delivery over several days.
— Understood! Thank you so very much!
I started the first delivery. Dozens of rockets flew toward Ceres. The image of Ceres appeared on the hologram screen. In the screen, Leon and the Paladins could be seen looking up at the sky in shock.
*Thud! Thud! Thud!*
Boxes attached to parachutes began to drop one after another. Timber, stone, food, and medical supplies.
“Th-this is…!” Leon shouted with a trembling voice. “These are the supplies sent by the Rocket Store!”
The Paladins, soldiers, and even the refugees all began to cheer. A short while later, a message arrived from Leon.
— Operator! Thank you truly! To send this many supplies… You have truly saved Ceres! The Saintess also conveys her deep gratitude. May the Goddess bless you!
I breathed a sigh of relief.
“That went well.”
“Guardian, you’re so cool!” Aria said, sitting on my shoulder. “You saved Leon and the people of Ceres!”
“It’s not over yet. Recovery will be a long-term battle, and they’ll continue to need supplies.”
And while I did feel sympathy, I wasn’t helping for free either.
**[Ceres Specialties]**
– Holy Water: Water refined only in Agnes Cathedral. Fatal to undead and demons, and has wound-healing effects.
– Brilliant Magic Crystal: A magic crystal mined only in the northern Ceres mines. Has the effect of amplifying healing magic.
– Silver Wheat: A special grain grown on the plains of Ceres. It has three times the nutritional value of regular wheat and has a stamina recovery effect.
– Flower of the Goddess: A rare flower that grows only in the holy lands of Agnes. It has the effect of purifying poison and curses.
– Demon Horns and Leathers: Materials from demons hunted by the Holy Knights. Used to craft powerful magic-resistant armor.
When the branch office opens, I will be sending supplies there, but it seems I can also receive a supply of Ceres’s resources by establishing a regular contract. Every single one was a material that would spark the interest of Earth’s hunters.
“Let’s start with the holy water. This will be incredibly popular with the hunters on Earth.”
Currently, dealing with undead-type monsters on Earth was quite limited. While I had a regular supply sent by Marco, the quantity wasn’t that large, and much of it was set aside for my own use.
“But if I sign a contract with the City of Agnes, we won’t run out of stock. Then clearing undead dungeons will become much easier. Hunters will be going crazy trying to buy it.”
“The crystals look good too! Healers will love them since they amplify healing magic!”
“Right. And the silver wheat will surely be loved by chefs.”
They were people already frantic to develop and discover new recipes. A few hours later, the Ceres specialties arrived, with Leon stating they had prepared as much as they could send immediately.
Silver wheat 50kg, holy water 20 liters, brilliant magic crystal ore 5kg, and 20 stems of the Flower of the Goddess.
“Wow, is this the silver wheat?” Aria peered at the wheat curiously. Unlike regular wheat, it had a faint silvery luster.
I sent the entire amount to Lee Jun-ho and decided to categorize the rest, sending a portion to the Association. But it was right then.
“*Gao?*”
Mago had approached at some point and was staring intently at the brilliant magic crystals.
“Mago?”
“*Gao!*”
Mago’s eyes began to sparkle. It then stretched out its front paws, trying to snatch a crystal.
“No!” I quickly lifted the box. “I’m going to send this to Yun Tae-seong. You can’t eat this!”
“*Gaooo.*” Mago looked up at me with a pitiful expression. It began to wag its tail and act cute.
“No. I said no.”
“*Gaooooo…*”
“I’ll give you some later when I get more. Not right now.”
“*Gao!*” Mago turned away with a dissatisfied expression. However, it kept glancing back toward the crystals.
“If I don’t watch those, he’s going to eat them secretly.”
“Guardian, I think it’s better to send them quickly!” Aria said worriedly.
“I should.”
I hurried to load the remaining crystals onto a rocket and sent them off. Mago watched the rocket fly away with a look of regret. Both of them sent messages of gratitude, sounding incredibly pleased.
“The response is good, as expected.”
“*Gao!*”
“Sorry, Mago. I’ll definitely give you some next time.”
Leaving the minor happening behind, I began preparing in earnest for the opening of the Ceres Branch.
“There’s a lot to do.”
“Guardian, I’ll help too!” Aria flew around enthusiastically.
“Thanks, Aria. Let’s get ready together.”
My heart pounded as I thought about the things to come. The Ceres Branch Office wasn’t just a simple expansion. It was the start of a business on a completely new dimension.
“This will be fun.”
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