Several days had passed since the Park Youngil incident.
During that time, the shop had launched a new product, and reviews started pouring in.
[I’ve tried the new spear!]
-I tried the newly released spear this time, and it’s another hit! Perfect grip, outstanding durability, and the spearhead is really sharp. Especially the [Piercing Enhancement (Low)]—that’s amazing! Monsters just fall like flies. So what’s the conclusion? Why are you still hesitating? Go buy it now. Buy two. Don’t complain about sold-out stock or limited quantity. Hah—
ㄴ This guy posts a review as soon as a product is released.
ㄴ It’s great that they upload video reviews right after release. It definitely feels better than just checking the Options.
ㄴ The quality of this shop’s products can’t be fully captured in videos. You have to swing it yourself.
ㄴ Anyway, I heard this new item is good too.
ㄴ But why a spear? Boss, please bring some longswords next time, okay!
ㄴ Seems like they change the product every day.
ㄴ I heard longswords will be on sale soon.
ㄴ Jackpot! This place is gonna become a holy ground for them, haha.
Comments kept piling up.
“The response is pretty good.”
All the reviews were positive.
A smile formed on Suho’s face as he read the favorable comments.
“The product is solid, and thanks to the reviews, it seems like sales are picking up.”
The hunter who first bought the short sword, Yang Sujeong.
She always bought the new products first whenever they were released and never failed to leave a review.
‘Hunter Yang Sujeong, so loyal.’
At first, Suho thought she was a rogue-type hunter, but recently, she had been more of a thief class.
Of course, she bought the spear along with every new item.
Who was this person?
Naturally, Suho’s curiosity was piqued.
‘But there’s no need to be too curious about the customer’s personal information. Next time, I should at least give her some service.’
Suho organized his thoughts.
“Giant-nim”
Just then, a familiar voice reached Suho, who was lying on his bed.
He put down his smartphone and walked over to the refrigerator.
Tarunga was standing near the entrance.
“Tarunga, is it time?”
“The equipment repairs are finished.”
Because of the lava water, the gear had suffered a lot of damage.
As soon as Suho returned, he entrusted the repairs to Tarunga.
“Please send it over.”
“Yes, here you go.”
The Red Gray Guardian entered the Dimensional Bag.
When Suho took it out, the equipment was back to the exact condition as when it was first made.
“Looks brand new. Good job.”
“That much is natural. I’m sorry, but the rest of the equipment is still being crafted, so I couldn’t bring it yet.”
Suho had asked to make new equipment using Park Youngil’s items as materials.
“It’s okay. It’s more important to make it well than to rush it. Since the three of you are working together, it should turn out well.”
“Heh heh, we’re doing our best to maximize the potential of the materials. Please wait just a little longer.”
“Take your time. It’s fine.”
Having gone through such a rough experience, Suho’s yearning for strength grew even more.
He knew from experience that nothing could be achieved by just one or two attempts.
Ding-dong—
The sound of the shop’s door opening was heard.
Suho finished his conversation with Tarunga and stepped out of the room.
“Welcome.”
He greeted the visitor and observed the person.
An elderly man with a strong presence.
Small in stature, but his eyes were extraordinary.
‘This doesn’t feel like someone here to buy something.’
The old man opened his mouth, confirming Suho’s suspicions.
“You are Hunter Won Suho, right?”
***
Suho placed a mixed coffee on the table.
“This is all I have to offer.”
It was something he had prepared recently for guests.
He hadn’t expected to be dealing with this figure.
“It’s fine. I like mixed coffee.”
The elderly man lifted the cup with a relaxed expression.
For the Sangwangryeonju (Merchant King) who dominated the item market in the Republic of Korea, his taste was simple.
For a while, only the sound of tea being sipped filled the shop.
When the tea was finished, Sangwangryeonju spoke.
“I was a bit late because I was pondering how to start this conversation. First, I want to thank you. Thank you, Won Suho, for saving my son’s life.”
Sangwangryeonju stood and bowed his head.
“You needn’t go that far. I was fighting to protect my own life, too.”
“But the debt of life does not disappear.”
Sangwangryeonju replied with a deep gaze.
He had been observing Suho since the moment he entered the shop.
‘He looks like an ordinary young man.’
Unfair contract terms, the dungeon expedition with Jeong Hyeona, the pickpocket’s arrest…
Although Jeong Hyunsu didn’t know, Sangwangryeon was aware of all the information.
Suho’s abilities shown throughout that process were also part of that information.
‘Achievements don’t lie.’
Skills are often betrayed.
Sometimes those with skill fail, and sometimes the opposite occurs.
But repeated consistent achievements never lie.
This was a truth Sangwangryeon had realized after decades of activity in the market.
‘I thought Hyunsu was just acting rashly…’
The young man before him clearly had something special, even in Sangwangryeon’s eyes.
Jeong Hyunsu probably saw it too.
‘That guy has a keen eye.’
A faint smile spread across Sangwangryeonju’s lips.
At the same time, he decided how to proceed with today’s matter.
Sangwangryeonju spoke.
“When you owe a debt, the right thing is to repay it. That’s my philosophy. So I have a question for you, Won Suho. Is there anything you need?”
He asked with the nuance of ‘Just say whatever you want.’
‘Well, this isn’t a blank check.’
Suho was at a loss for words.
If his heart had been completely unburdened, he might have answered easily.
But complicated circumstances weighed on him, making it hard to request anything freely.
“I didn’t do it expecting anything in return, so it’s hard to ask.”
“I understand. I thought you might say that…”
Sangwangryeonju smiled faintly and continued.
“So I brought a gift prepared at my discretion. You made a contract with Hyunsu, right? After the contract period ends, you agreed to lend yourself to any dungeon, right?”
“Yes…”
“I want to do something similar. Whenever you want, feel free to ask me for anything you want. If it’s something I can help with, I’ll do my best.”
Suho’s eyes widened.
This was a promise from Sangwangryeonju.
A promise from an ordinary person carries a different meaning and effect.
“Hmm..”
Suho was silent.
“It’s alright. It’s not excessive. It meant that much to me.”
Originally, Suho had planned to receive supplies and daily necessities for free.
But Sangwangryeonju’s thinking was different.
‘There’s no need to loosen ties unnecessarily.’
For Sangwangryeonju, business was a bond of connection.
That’s why, rather than swapping out existing deals, he chose to give new benefits.
‘It’s better to keep this connection with this friend.’
One request.
That would make the bond with Suho even stronger.
“Understood.”
Suho answered.
If the matter became troublesome, he would simply not ask.
But Sangwangryeonju’s gift was not finished.
“Besides that, there’s one more thing I want to give you.”
Sangwangryeonju gestured outside.
Ding-dong—
A man in a suit entered the shop.
He was carrying a tablet.
“Did you call for me, Lord Ryeonju?”
“I will explain.”
The man showed the tablet screen to Suho.
On the screen were photos of several buildings.
‘Shopping malls? Why show me these?’
Addresses and small maps were drawn.
Most were near the Association, and some were near Dongdaemun, where Sangwangryeonju was based.
“Why are you showing me this?”
“Choose one of these. They are buildings already purchased. The current shop seems a bit cramped, so I prepared these.”
“Yes?”
“If you don’t like the location, I can buy one of these buildings for you now. I’ll take care of the taxes cleanly, so don’t worry.”
Was he really offering a building as a gift?
Suho was utterly dumbfounded.
Though his income had increased recently, Suho had lived as a commoner from the start.
The idea of receiving a building as a gift was astounding.
“Um… I guess I’ll take it.”
“Take it. Don’t think this is a bigger favor than ‘please.’ Since I’ve accepted your ‘please,’ receiving the building doesn’t change anything special. Haha.”
Sangwangryeonju laughed heartily.
He wasn’t wrong.
“Alright.”
“It’s hard to choose just by looking at photos, so take a look around yourself. This friend will guide you anytime. When you decide, just tell him.”
Sangwangryeonju pointed to the man in the suit.
“Yes, thank you.”
“No, I’m the one who should be thanking you. Well, I have to get going now because of my busy schedule. Can I come by sometimes for coffee again?”
“Yes, Hyunsu’s father.”
“Oh ho—what a pleasant expression. Hahaha.”
Leaving a cheerful laugh unlike an old man’s, Sangwangryeonju departed.
“Is my territory finally expanding?”
Only Balryong’s reckless voice echoed through Suho’s house.
***
Suho remained speechless for a while.
A building owner!
This was something Suho had never imagined.
He was the type who wouldn’t even consider changing his cargo truck.
“How long are you going to keep me stuck in this cramped place?”
“You’ve eaten so much chicken that I smell like chicken radish! Why don’t you throw out the chicken boxes already?”
“Enough with the irrelevant talk. Hurry up and choose! I want to check out my new territory.”
Balryong was more positive than Suho expected.
As a result, Suho spent several days thoroughly inspecting the buildings Sangwangryeonju had prepared.
And today, Suho made his decision.
‘I’m going to move.’
The shop was inherited from his grandfather.
Traces of memories remained here and there.
But that wasn’t the real reason.
“It’s not about inheriting the shop itself, but about my grandfather’s wish that I don’t wander.”
His grandfather had watched over Suho’s drifting.
That was why he hoped Suho would live peacefully by continuing the shop.
The will had that meaning.
‘More important than the shop itself is grandfather’s heart.’
Of course, Suho had no intention of quitting the shop.
On the contrary, he planned to properly grow it in the new building.
After much thought, Suho chose a building.
It was a three-story commercial building not far from the current shop.
Suho pushed his phone toward Balryong.
A photo of the building appeared on the screen.
“This is good, right? The size is just right, and the location is close.”
To maintain customers, proximity was better.
With the mine case ongoing, it wasn’t a concern to be far from the Association.
“Good. Still not up to my standards, but better than a cramped basement room. From now on, work hard to acquire territory befitting my status.”
“Understood, great Hatchling.”
“Humm!”
….
Swiftly, everything proceeded.
Not long after choosing the building, the moving day approached.
The shop’s interior, including household items, had been prepared in the new building.
This was all arranged by Sangwangryeonju’s side.
“People really need money to live like this.”
Suho marveled at Sangwangryeonju’s capabilities.
“Enough pointless talk. Let’s hurry and move! No, I’ll help with magic too. Decide what to move first.”
“Why are you so diligent?”
“I haven’t said it until now, but I’ve never spent my life in such a cozy place.”
“Alright. When we move, I’ll even buy you a baby bed.”
“Baby bed?!”
Ignoring Balryong’s outburst, Suho checked the shop and the house.
‘There’s not much to bring.’
There was no need to take the canvas and table.
The new building was fully equipped.
‘I just have to worry about the refrigerator and suitcase.’
Besides that, he only had to pack his computer and clothes.
Since he had a Dimensional Bag, he didn’t need to hire movers.
“What about this television? Why haven’t I ever turned it on until now? Other stores always keep theirs on.”
At that moment, Balryong, running back and forth between the shop and the room, pointed.
“That thing? Um…”
Maybe the power went out on day seven when I was staying here?
“Why do you look so uneasy?”
“Looks broken. I haven’t turned it on since then. I thought it might blow up.”
“Then just turn it on and see. Why are you hesitating?”
There had been smoke before.
Hopefully, it wouldn’t explode.
“Okay, let’s turn it on.”
Suho plugged in the cord.
The TV doesn’t light up.
There was no sign it was working.
“Is it broken?”
“Wait, let me try the remote.”
Suho pointed the remote at the TV.
He pressed the power button.
Click—
The TV turned on.
But what appeared on the screen wasn’t news, entertainment, drama, or sports.
“What is this? A spaceship?”
“A spaceship bridge from a movie filled with all kinds of machines and screens.”
The entire screen was occupied by this image.
“That’s a small creature moving around.”
Balryong pointed at the screen.
A tiny Moon creature was wandering about.
“No matter how I look at it…”
As Suho leaned closer, muttering,
[You have discovered Dimension AUFTP-44]
An astonishing message appeared.