Chapter 36: You’re Just the Same, Boss

Haven’t you ever had that happen before?

When you order something from overseas, forget all about it, and then one day it suddenly arrives at your doorstep.

That fluttering excitement is hard to describe.

And that’s exactly how I feel right now.

“I greet the Dimension’s Master.”

“Right. You called me, which means that matter is finally done, yes?”

About two months ago, I gave a certain order to the Apostles.

“Yes. The investigation of the dimension you mentioned has been completed.”

That order was to investigate everything about the newly created dimension.

The First Apostle of the Tinyfolk spoke with confidence.

“First, I must report that the resources of that dimension are nothing special.”

That much, I already knew.

According to what the Dimension Management System told me, its structure wasn’t much different from the One Direction Dimension.

But our Apostles—

True to their reputation as those who would move heaven and earth to fulfill any command I gave—didn’t stop there.

“While examining the natural environment, we discovered something special.”

“Something special?”

“Yes. In the case of plants classified as trees, we observed an astonishing growth rate.”

So, other plants were normal, but the trees grew fast?

…This reminds me of that plant-type species from before.

Despite that uneasy feeling, the First Apostle continued to deliver good news one after another.

“Trees that grow in that dimension fully mature and bear fruit within half a year.”

“Was there anything strange about those fruits? Like poison or… odd transformations after eating them?”

“We were cautious, keeping the last alien species’ case in mind, but found nothing unusual. In fact, the taste was excellent.”

“Really?”

It seemed that although a bit of influence from the previous dimension remained, it had manifested in a good way, not a harmful one.

Hearing that only the beneficial traits remained meant a definite gain for us.

“Can you offer the fruit as a sacrifice?”

“We’ve already prepared the fruit to be offered as tribute.”

“Send it over.”

“Yes. Prepare the ritual!”

The First Apostle’s voice rang out, and soon, an apple appeared in my hand.

“It looks ordinary enough… System, any issues with this apple?”

[No negative elements detected.]

“I’ll trust you.”

The system had never lied to me before.

Crunch.

The moment I bit into the apple, a blissful landscape unfolded before my eyes.

It was a waterfall of sweetness.

The juice drenched every part of me, swirling in my mouth, flooding my brain with dopamine…

“Holy…”

I barely managed to pull my mind back together and looked down at the apple.

Then I took another bite.

The sweetness and savor filled my mouth once again, confirming it for me.

“This… this is something else.”

Not just something.

This was extraordinary.

No apple I’d ever eaten could compare.

“This would sell out instantly.”

Even someone who knew nothing about business would understand after tasting it.

This was a money-making product.

And of course, that wasn’t all.

“First Apostle.”

“Yes, Dimension’s Master.”

“You said everything classified as a tree grows well in that dimension, right?”

“Correct. Compared to One Direction, the trees grow faster and bear higher-quality fruit.”

“Then designate that dimension as an orchard and establish a city there. Its sole purpose will be fruit cultivation.”

“May I ask what kinds of fruits to include?”

“All of them.”

Every fruit that can be cultivated—get them all.

The First Apostle immediately said he’d gather the people.

Judging by his efficiency, the city would be completed by tomorrow, in real-time terms.

Then I’d soon have all the fruits ready as offerings.

“With that, the groundwork for the business is done.”

It was the moment a new business direction was set.

***

After finishing my initial review, I immediately summoned Jeong Yuha.

“I was about to go home.”

“Check this with me before you do.”

“This company’s the only place where I don’t get to go home.”

“You get paid well. And your incentive bonuses are generous.”

“Hehe, that’s true.”

Just two days ago, I transferred the management of Our Wheat and Neighborhood Bakery to her and added a 1% profit bonus.

No other company in the world gives incentives like that.

“So, what is it this time? Judging by that face, it’s another business proposal, isn’t it?”

“What else would a businessman talk about?”

“Don’t you ever talk about dating? Han Yeri’s been looking for you a few times.”

“I don’t have time for such luxuries. And if Han Yeri’s looking for me, it’s definitely not for something so peaceful.”

It was probably about forming an alliance within the Kangseong Group’s internal conflicts.

Most likely to ask me to become her chess piece.

Accepting that would be like drinking poison from a golden cup.

Unless she was offering a subsidiary in exchange for protection, it wasn’t worth seeing her.

“Anyway, stop with the side talk and look at this.”

“Let’s see… New business plan. The business direction is…”

Yuha’s expression stiffened as she read the first page.

Then, after flipping a few more pages, she sighed deeply.

I could already tell what she was thinking.

“You think this business has no substance, huh?”

“You can tell that just from my face?”

“We’ve worked together for years. Of course I can.”

“Good. Then I’ll say it short.”

Yuha put the business plan down.

“I’m against it.”

“Reason?”

“Do I need more than one?”

She tapped the document.

“The large-scale retail market is collapsing.”

Modern people are busy.

They’ve started seeing the time spent going to physical stores as a waste.

That shift in mindset led directly to falling profits for supermarkets.

“Just look at E-Mart, which Spectrum acquired. Everyone knows their sales kept dropping until they had to sell.”

“True.”

E-Mart had been a global brand and a retail giant.

But due to the same reasons, its sales declined year after year.

Eventually, they sold it to Spectrum for 29 trillion won.

And Spectrum later boosted its value again through distribution and e-commerce integration.

It survived only because of its online expansion.

But what about other markets?

“Just a quick search shows domestic large stores decreased by ten last year alone.”

“All closed due to low profits.”

“Yes. They tried with no-brand strategies and budget lines, but honestly, survival looks grim. At least in the domestic market.”

Only idiots or suicidal people jump into dying industries.

And I was neither.

“I’m doing it anyway.”

“Ha… CEO.”

“Vice President. Do you know what matters most in business?”

I opened a drawer and placed an apple on the table.

“The product.”

“…That’s basic.”

“Exactly. But what if it’s a dominant basic?”

I grinned.

“Neighborhood Bakery became a must-visit spot for travelers because its fundamentals are unbeatable.”

“That was also marketing.”

“Marketing only works because the product’s amazing. And I’m absolutely confident in the product for this business.”

“Ha… supermarket products are all the same.”

“Then try it.”

I slid the apple toward her.

Yuha looked at it suspiciously, then slowly took a bite.

“…”

Her pupils widened like an earthquake had hit.

I couldn’t resist teasing her.

“How’s the taste?”

“…Don’t talk. You’re interrupting.”

After glaring at me, she ate the entire apple right there.

She even licked the juice off her fingers before clearing her throat, embarrassed.

“…It’s delicious. Really delicious.”

“Right?”

“You’re making this the main item?”

“Not just apples. Other fruits too.”

I handed her the catalog I’d prepared.

She flipped through it, then rubbed her chin.

“It’s all fruit?”

“Any problem with that?”

Couldn’t be helped.

In the orchard dimension, only trees thrived.

Other plants weren’t much different from One Direction’s dimension.

“Then why not just open a fruit shop? Why a big supermarket?”

“Why not? It’s larger scale and faster profit.”

“Even in a shrinking market?”

“With fruits like these, that’s more than enough.”

No matter how tiring or inconvenient it was, people always came for true quality.

And I was betting everything on that merit—the quality of these fruits.

“The profit structure is solid. Nothing wrong with proceeding as is.”

“Of course. You prepared it yourself; there’s no flaw.”

“Then let’s do it.”

Yuha hesitated.

After a long pause, she pushed the plan back toward me.

“As Vice President, I have to say this. I oppose the large-market business.”

“Jeong Yuha.”

“I know it’ll make money. The apples are amazing, and we have enough capital. Failure’s unlikely.”

“Then there’s no problem.”

“There is.”

She slammed her palm on the desk.

“Sure, all of this makes money now—but what about later?”

“What could change over time—”

“There’s a lot.”

She spoke firmly.

“The factories are still running nonstop, even expanding because production can’t keep up.”

“I know. Planning already reported that.”

“Same for Neighborhood Bakery. The new CF deal’s signed, and marketing with the regional tourism board is already lined up.”

“I know that too.”

“And the steel division? Kangseong Steel is busy securing backup buyers in case they stop taking our materials, and managing inventory risks.”

Yuha looked straight into my eyes.

“These businesses—we’re running three of them. Each one is something other companies would dedicate themselves entirely to.”

“So what are you saying?”

“That we’re spreading ourselves too thin. And now you want to add another massive business? Does that sound right to you?”

“I’m only doing it because it’ll succeed.”

“There’s no such thing as a business that only succeeds. You once told me that yourself, remember?”

…I think I did say that during training at Spectrum.

“You said anyone claiming that was a con artist, remember?”

“…Something like that.”

“Well, that’s exactly what you’re saying now.”

She clenched her teeth.

“To me, you look like someone trying to cash out with one big hit. Like those professional CEOs you always despised. You know that?”

…What the hell.

“Yuha—no, Vice President, that’s—”

“Then say it clearly. Where’s Ribbon Corporation headed? How do you plan to take it there?”

Her words came out sharp as blades.

“You founded Ribbon Corporation to acquire Spectrum, right?”

“…Yes.”

“You’re gathering capital for an aggressive M&A later. I get that. I even supported it.”

“Then what’s the issue?”

“The issue is—what comes after?”

“After?”

“Yes.”

Her next words pierced deep into my chest.

“There is no after in your head.”

“…”

“Right now, you look like the kind of man who’ll sell Ribbon Corporation itself once you’ve got enough to buy Spectrum. Am I wrong?”

I wanted to say no.

But the words caught in my throat.

“To you, Ribbon Corporation is just a tool for revenge. And we—everyone here—are just parts of that tool.”

I wanted to deny it.

But deep inside, I knew she wasn’t wrong.

Yuha’s eyes turned cold.

“I thought you were different from Yoo Jinsang, but…”

Her words lingered in the heavy air as she left my office.

“In the end, you’re just the same, Boss.”