I was momentarily stunned by the Apostle’s words.
“System, does this ‘synchronization with another dimension’ have anything to do with what the Apostle just said?”
[Upon verification, yes.]
[As the Tinyfolk conquered that dimension, its ownership has been subordinated to the Dimension’s Master.]
[Once the synchronization of that dimension is complete, you will gain administrative authority over it.]
A dimension invasion is shocking enough, but managing that dimension?
In other words.
“Our business partner just got duplicated?”
This was a joy on a completely different level from the temple they built.
Having more territory to manage means more resources to utilize.
And that will serve as a greater catalyst for the Tinyfolk’s growth.
While indulging in these happy thoughts, I felt the need to understand the situation more objectively.
“First Apostle, when did you start preparing for this?”
This was planned since the moment the Dimension’s Master was enraged.
The explanation went like this.
The anger over losing precious Tinyfolk to those invaders.
The First Apostle felt that same anger and, from that moment, planned to crush and conquer their dimension.
Our teacher, the previous First Apostle Lukraina, said the only way to repay the Dimension’s Master was to conquer them.
Since then, the Tinyfolk had prepared for war, staking their racial mission on it.
And this was the result.
“…Well done.”
No, we are merely glad to repay even a fraction of what we’ve received.
“Still, I hope not too many lives were lost.”
Winning is great, but if we suffered heavy losses, it’s no different from a defeat.
[Would you like to review the war results?]
“Yes.”
[War results briefing.]
[Total mobilized forces: 525, consisting of 230 warriors and 295 hunters.]
[The war was fought once.]
[Surviving forces: 180 warriors and 150 hunters, totaling 330 surviving soldiers.]
[Two cities were captured, and approximately 1,210 members of the foreign race were taken prisoner.]
Losing 40% of our forces to capture several times that number of enemies?
“How was that possible?”
[Analysis of the battle: High understanding of the enemy race and significant penalties affecting them were key factors.]
“Penalties?”
The Tinyfolk consume relatively more stamina for the same actions, with a high food consumption rate—a racial penalty, so to speak.
Similarly, the enemy race had a major penalty that greatly influenced the war’s outcome.
O Dimension’s Master, we shall sever their supply lines and offer them to appease your wrath.
“Wait a moment.”
First Apostle.
Your determination to quell my anger is commendable, but killing them all won’t do.
“Your revenge alone has already soothed my anger. There’s no need for that.”
Then what shall we do with them?
“Hmm…”
That’s something to think about now.
What characteristics and abilities this race has.
And where they can be utilized.
If I learn more about them, I might find other uses.
[The dimension synchronization is complete.]
[Congratulations. You are now the master of the Bloodkin dimension.]
[From now on, observation of the Bloodkin dimension is possible.]
[The Bloodkin reverently welcome their new Dimension’s Master.]
[The Dimension Management System has been enhanced.]
System messages popped up one after another.
It had been synchronizing this whole time, and now it was finally done.
“Hmm.”
The barrage of messages was all intriguing.
It seems the enemy race is called the Bloodkin.
“System, observe the Bloodkin dimension.”
[Initiating dimensional observation.]
The map before my eyes flipped like dominoes.
The terrain that unfolded was starkly different from the lush green of the Tinyfolk’s dimension.
“So this is the landscape of their dimension?”
[Correct.]
“It’d be tough for a civilization to grow in a place like this.”
Most of the visible terrain was rocky.
Even the distant mountains were made entirely of stone.
Naturally, the landscape was dominated by deserts.
An environment where growing vegetation was practically impossible.
Yet, in this harsh environment, the Bloodkin villages were surprisingly substantial.
Comparable to the capital Core?
This raised questions.
“How did the Bloodkin survive?”
If the Tinyfolk were placed in this environment, survival would be unthinkable.
They’d likely wander the desert and starve.
Yet the Bloodkin managed to survive in this impossible environment.
“System, can you display detailed information about the Bloodkin?”
I need more data on them.
[Bloodkin]
[Characterized by long fangs and ears.]
[Some individuals possess the ‘Bloodbloom’ ability, temporarily enhancing their physical capabilities by consuming blood.]
[Specialized in deeply exploring technology.]
[Consume relatively little food.]
[If they cannot periodically consume blood, their abilities drastically decline.]
[Happiness: -80%]
In a nutshell, the Bloodkin are a high-risk, high-reward race.
They can boost all their abilities by consuming their own blood, but they weaken significantly without it.
“So they ended up in the wrong dimension.”
For the Bloodkin’s civilization to thrive, one of two conditions must be met:
Either a race to plunder or the ability to raise livestock.
They need a reliable source of blood, but look at this dimension.
“It’s useful for securing steel, copper, or iron ores, but not suitable for raising livestock.”
Perhaps.
Their invasion of our dimension was a last resort.
“I understand the Bloodkin. Now, how to use them?”
Even a brief thought revealed many possibilities.
First, treating the Bloodkin as slaves for the Tinyfolk, providing minimal blood to use them as laborers.
With just blood, they could work like an infinite power source, drastically increasing production.
“Or we could use them as scholars.”
While the Tinyfolk quickly learn and apply the technologies I impart, they struggle to innovate on their own.
If the Bloodkin invent new technologies and the Tinyfolk adopt and spread them, the civilization’s development could accelerate.
“Both options aren’t bad. Hmm…”
After much deliberation, I made my decision.
“System, summon all the Apostles.”
[Summoning the Apostles.]
O Dimension’s Master, you called for us?
“Yes, I’m going to tell you how to handle the Bloodkin.”
Please speak, and we shall obey.
“First, integrate them into Core.”
The Bloodkin’s villages are in an environment too harsh for survival.
It’s best to bring them all to the capital Core to promote growth.
“Create a separate district for them slightly outside the capital. Teach them the Divine Language (Hangul) and assign them appropriate tasks.”
The Second Apostle will follow your command.
“Let me make one thing clear: the moment any discrimination occurs between you and them, there will be severe consequences.”
We will inform all Tinyfolk.
The moment discrimination between races arises, who knows what problems could erupt.
‘Especially since they naturally produced an Apostle without a Dimension’s Master…’
They might obey for now, but if discontent builds, the Bloodkin could rise up and split the dimension in half.
That must be prevented.
“You must do your utmost to restore their impoverished lives.”
Understood.
For now, that’s the directive for the Bloodkin.
There are many ways to use them, but the priority is reducing their anxiety and the Tinyfolk’s hostility.
That alone will take a considerable amount of time.
They’ve killed each other for survival and revenge, after all.
“But time will sort it out.”
Once enough time passes for the Bloodkin to integrate with the Tinyfolk, and their rock-bottom happiness rises, I’ll be able to do much more with them.
When that moment comes,
“Business expansion.”
It’ll be time to start a new business beyond wheat.
***
Managing the Tinyfolk and Bloodkin, along with the Bloodkin dimension, kept me up all night.
Arriving at work with bleary eyes, Yuha clicked her tongue.
“What fun thing kept you up all night?”
“Nothing much. Just managing a business partner.”
“That sounds rough.”
“Glad you get it. Let’s have a meeting.”
Even while I’m exhausted, the world keeps moving.
There’s no time to leisurely recover from fatigue.
“Got any ideas for business expansion?”
“If we keep acquiring milling companies, in three months, we could be running three factories.”
“Revenue scale?”
“Assuming we take over their existing clients, about 240 million won in monthly revenue.”
“Roughly five times our current revenue.”
“But there’s no guarantee we’ll secure all their clients. Plus, the big players in the milling industry are making moves.”
Yuha pulled up articles on her tablet.
[Korea Milling: In tough times, we must persevere. Flour prices reduced by 2%.]
[SJ TopSugar: 3% flour price cut to support small businesses.]
“They’re confident the mid-sized milling companies will collapse.”
“Looks like they’re trying to secure market share early.”
“Probably. Once you lock in a client, they usually stick around.”
After taking three factories, the next opponents won’t be Gangi Milling or Yuseong Milling but these corporate giants.
I reviewed the articles further and came to a conclusion with Yuha.
“Can we fight them head-on?”
“No way. They’re in a different league.”
“Right?”
It feels like we’re giving up before the fight, but their scale is just too different.
Brand value, distribution pipelines, workforce size.
No matter how much we invest, we’d just be an egg cracking against them.
“Still, giving up like this is pathetic.”
“You’re going to fight them?”
“Not head-on. We’ll use some tricks.”
I cleared the articles and spread a piece of paper on the table.
I wrote down four major corporations and, in smaller text, Ribbon Corporation.
“Big corporations supply their flour to their own businesses. The surplus goes to the external market.”
“Right?”
“And the proportion supplied to franchises is higher. The franchise market is growing.”
Not long ago, the owner of Miso Bakery complained about a franchise moving in nearby.
That’s how much of a threat franchises pose to local bakeries.
“Their pipeline is too solid to touch.”
“So what do we do?”
“What do you think? We build our own pipeline.”
“Huh?”
If they’re coming on strong with franchises, we’ll do the same.
“We’ll create our own franchise and compete.”
If we can’t win as a milling company, we’ll fight as a franchise.