Chapter 2: Monopolizing the Dimension  

I chugged cold water.  

Searching for instant noodles in the pantry to cure my hangover, I filled a pot with water.  

Even as I moved naturally, my eyes were glued to the message.  

[The Tinyfolk await your instructions.]  

[Would you like to activate the Dimension Management System?]  

“…Tinyfolk, huh.”  

The first thing that came to mind was the Pygmy tribe.  

A people considered “tiny” because even adults rarely exceeded 150 cm in height.  

But the Tinyfolk mentioned here probably weren’t like that.  

More likely, they were closer to the hobbits you’d find in The Lord of the Rings.  

Yes.  

That kind of race fits a fantastical status window like this.  

“Why are these guys waiting for my instructions?”  

As I stirred the noodle broth into the bubbling water, I recalled last night.  

And quickly, one thing came to mind.  

“Oh, that spam.”  

That spam message claiming I could become the master of the world for just 100,000 won.  

The impulsive, irrational action I took was the only evidence that could explain this situation.  

I immediately grabbed my phone to check the spam number.  

This number does not exist…  

Of course, it was a nonexistent number.  

If this were all, I’d think I’d gone insane from the shock of being fired.  

But thankfully, exactly 100,000 won had been withdrawn from my account.  

Relieved that money was spent.  

I must be crazy to feel relieved about that.  

“Let’s think calmly.”  

Alright, let’s look at it this way.  

This is a service I bought for 100,000 won.  

I don’t know what abilities it has or what help it can offer.  

But if it’s a service I can use…  

[Would you like to activate the Dimension Management System?]  

“I’ll activate it.”  

Understanding it fully comes first.  

[The Dimension Management System is now activated.]  

[The current dimension has not been named.]  

[Displaying observed information.]  

[Sentient beings residing in the dimension: Tinyfolk (100%)]  

[Civilization level: Ancient Era]  

[Dimension environment: Ocean (50%), Grassland (20%), Desert (15%), Mines (5%), Forest (5%), Glacier (5%)]  

[Resources within the dimension: Undeveloped.]  

“Oh!”  

It reminded me of an interface from a game I briefly played long ago.  

A simulation game where you choose a civilization and develop it.  

Each civilization had unique traits, making every playthrough fresh and fun.  

The problem was its addictive nature and long playtime—I nearly didn’t make it to college because I couldn’t stop.  

It wasn’t exactly the same, but it brought back fond memories, so I felt a bit nostalgic.  

I shoved some chewy noodles into my mouth while exploring the management system further.  

Normally, I’d be rushing to get ready for work.  

But now, I’m unemployed.  

A job that lets me use time more freely than anyone else.  

“Can I learn more about the Tinyfolk?”  

[Tinyfolk]  

[Short in stature.]  

[Short lifespan, and even simple actions consume a lot of energy.]  

[Highly dexterous.]  

[Quick to learn new technologies.]  

[They are currently welcoming their new ruler.]  

[Happiness: 100%]  

“It’s pretty detailed.”  

This told me one thing.  

This system freely provides information about the world—no, the dimension.  

If that’s the case, could it do this too?  

“Can you show me the dimension as a map?”  

[Initiating Dimension Observation.]  

The Dimension Management System displayed a map.  

The first thing I saw was a vast grassland.  

In that grassland, dozens of child-sized figures were waving their hands.  

They must be the Tinyfolk described by the system.  

Their small stature confirms it.  

“Can I see other areas too?”  

[Adjusting to allow free movement of the observation perspective.]  

After the message appeared, I touched the map, and it moved like a globe.  

This is pretty fun.  

As I dragged the map around to examine the terrain, I got a rough sense of the dimension.  

“It’s wild, totally wild.”  

It was completely different from the civilized world.  

If I had to compare it to reality, it resembled the scenery of the DMZ’s demilitarized zone.  

Naturally, the Tinyfolk’s civilization level wasn’t much different from the Paleolithic era in history.  

“…They’re kind of cute, though.”  

They looked a lot like bearded dwarves or big-footed hobbits.  

As I kept observing, a small question popped into my mind.  

“So, what can I do with this?”  

A holographic system window?  

Cool.  

Showing me another dimension with a civilization?  

Interesting.  

But that’s it.  

If you ask whether it’s worth 100,000 won, well…  

“System, this isn’t all, is it?”  

The Dimension Management System remained silent.  

So quiet that I thought, No way, really?  

Just as a chill started to creep in—  

[The Tinyfolk, welcoming their new dimensional master, offer a portion of their food as tribute.]  

Suddenly, a few small berries dropped onto my desk with a thud.  

They looked like wild strawberries.  

The same berries the Tinyfolk were eating earlier.  

“…What the hell.”  

The Dimension Management System itself was already absurd, but I’d somehow accepted it.  

But this? This was damn ridiculous.  

My head felt like it had been hit with a hammer, throbbing.  

Confused but needing to confirm, I asked,  

“System, can I receive items from that dimension?”  

[You can summon a portion of the items offered as tribute.]  

“Are there any issues with these items?”  

Creating something from nothing is impossible.  

These are just two wild strawberries, but receiving larger quantities could cause problems.  

[Tributes are considered produced within the dimension’s laws and logic.]  

“So, no one questions the production or distribution process of these items?”  

[Items summoned as tributes are treated as such.]  

This is a scam.  

A perfect scam.  

My brain couldn’t keep up with the phenomenon before me.  

But.  

If I accept this craziness, this is an opportunity.  

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, just like the first text message claimed!  

Calming my racing heart, I confirmed a few more things.  

“System, does the dimension’s time flow one-to-one with this world?”  

[The dimension’s time ratio can be adjusted at the dimension master’s will.]  

[When not observing, time flows at the default setting.]  

“Can I rewind time or something like that?”  

[Altering the dimension’s timeline comes with a significant cost.]  

[It is strongly advised against.]  

After checking various details with the system, I was convinced.  

“This will work.”  

The Tinyfolk currently lack the capacity to produce anything significant.  

But.  

If their population grows?  

The amount of goods produced will increase.  

If their civilization level advances?  

The range of producible items will expand.  

If I can build a foundation and stably receive resources…  

I can start a business with that.  

And with that company—  

“I’ll acquire Spectrum.”  

If I was kicked out for lacking business acumen, I’ll prove your judgment was wrong.  

What better revenge is there than that, compared to messy media ploys or lawsuits?  

“Let’s do this.”  

I haven’t lost my rationality.  

I’m simply accepting this irrational phenomenon based on logical reasoning and cold calculation.  

I pushed aside the half-eaten noodles and grabbed a notebook and pen.  

I began listing what needs to be done now, what can be done, and what must be done eventually.  

“First, focus on raising the dimension’s civilization level.”  

For a group of fewer than twenty Tinyfolk, survival takes priority over production.  

Their civilization level needs to reach at least the Bronze Age, if not the Iron Age.  

Only then can I receive tributes worth selling.  

But do I just wait until then?  

No way.  

“Let’s prepare sales channels in advance. The items to sell…”  

Considering their civilization and production levels, the viable and marketable items would be—  

“Primary products.”  

Start with food, the foundation of sustenance.  

Securing distribution channels and building a business foundation is the top priority.  

Once that’s settled, the next business step is—  

Advancing their civilization from the Bronze or Iron Age to the Medieval era, then the Renaissance.  

If I keep growing it?  

Bam!  

I instinctively slammed my fist on the desk.  

My hand stung, but I felt no pain.  

A greater thrill, adrenaline, coursed through my body.  

“Good.”  

The plan is still rough.  

There’s a lot to refine.  

But I’ll tackle it step by step.  

Just like when I founded Spectrum.  

*** 

“Dimension Management System. Show me the Tinyfolk through dimension observation.”  

I opened the dimension’s map again.  

The Tinyfolk were once again looking up at the sky, waving their hands.  

I smiled briefly at their praise but quickly focused on closely observing their civilization level and condition.  

“They’re nomadic, relying mostly on gathering for food.”  

Whether due to a lack of hunting skills or preservation techniques, there was no meat in the tribe.  

They don’t even use fire and rely on basic stone tools.  

It’s easier to think of this as starting from scratch.  

“The first priority is food.”  

Human civilization began when people learned agriculture and settled in one place.  

So, the Tinyfolk need to learn agricultural techniques.  

“System, you said I could advance their civilization. Can I teach them agriculture?”  

[Scientific technologies can be imparted to sentient beings.]  

[The list of currently impartable technologies is as follows.]  

The system immediately displayed a tech tree of scientific advancements.  

At the bottom of the list, as expected, was agriculture.  

“Good. Teach them agriculture.”  

[Golden Age!]  

[Due to the Golden Age, the cost of imparting technology is discounted by 50%.]  

[Imparting agricultural technology requires 100,000 won.]  

[Would you like to proceed?]  

“It’s paid?”  

Unbelievable.  

There was no mention of this.  

[You did not ask about investment costs, so no response was provided.]  

“Fine, I didn’t ask.”  

Damn it.  

Why does it have to be money?  

It reminds me of that envelope of cash I left behind in front of Yoo Jinsang.  

“Alright, it’s an investment.”  

Considering the business plan, an investment of 100,000 won?  

That’s a bargain.  

So—  

“Proceed.”  

[Ancient agricultural technology is being imparted to the Tinyfolk.]  

[Some Tinyfolk have gained enlightenment!]  

When I opened the map to observe the Tinyfolk, exclamation marks appeared above some of their heads.  

They gathered the others and began spreading their ideas.  

“Hmm.”  

I couldn’t make out exactly what they were saying, but the mood was positive.  

At this rate, it won’t take long to establish proper farmland.  

“But first, they need a settlement.”  

I pointed to the nearest riverbank I’d noted while scanning the map earlier.  

Living near a river ensures access to drinking water and protein from fish.  

It’s no coincidence that famous ancient civilizations started near rivers.  

“System, can I instruct the Tinyfolk to settle there?”  

[Direct instructions consume 10,000 won per instance.]  

“…Even a single command costs money? Tch.”  

This is going to be more expensive than I thought.  

Still, being stingy with investments makes business success harder.  

[Instruction: Move to the designated location and settle.]  

Once the instruction was delivered, exclamation marks appeared above all the Tinyfolk’s heads.  

They immediately packed their belongings and began moving.  

With swift steps, they reached the designated spot and settled in.  

Then, using the skills they’d learned, they began tilling the land.  

The full-scale development of the dimension had begun.