Chapter 6: The Basics of Business

To check the full-scale wheat production, I adjusted the dimension’s time ratio.

[Adjusting the time ratio to its maximum. One year in the dimension will take one hour in your world.]

“There’s a maximum limit?”

[The maximum is one hour in your world equaling one year in the dimension, and the minimum is one second in your world equaling 0.001 seconds in the dimension.]

That’s new information.

“Couldn’t you have told me this earlier?”

[The usage of the Dimension Management System is vast. Additionally, all systems are disassembled and reassembled based on the master’s requests. Therefore, it is impossible to fully master all of the system’s capabilities.]

So, while there are some predefined abilities, they can be modified based on my requests.

The advantage is that I can use it organically; the downside is I can’t know all its limits.

“Hmm.”

As someone who meticulously reads manuals when buying electronics, this was a bit disappointing.

So—

“System, you said it takes about an hour for a year to pass in the dimension, right?”

[That is correct.]

“Then let’s use that time to learn more about the system’s limits.”

The dimension and the system.

They’re undoubtedly essential tools for my future business strategy.

Understanding them deeply isn’t optional—it’s a must.

“First, System, let’s start with your definition…”

For about an hour, I chewed over, dissected, savored, and thoroughly explored the system.

It was a productive time.

If the system had a personality, it would’ve been fed up and run away by now.

Still, I didn’t learn as much as I’d hoped.

As the system boasted, its potential to influence the dimension was immense.

For example:

[Would you like to alter the dimension’s natural structure? The cost will be 15,490,000 won.]

I could change the dimension’s resources as I pleased.

Turn grasslands into mountains or deserts into pastures.

This meant I could produce whatever resources I wanted.

The problem is the cost.

“It costs that much for one change?”

[The cost of altering the dimension’s natural structure increases with each change. Additionally, consuming too much of the dimension’s energy could lead to its collapse.]

“So, the dimension could disappear?”

[That is correct.]

Even as a god, reckless spending could lead to ruin.

Ugh.

Good thing I checked, or I might’ve burned through my funds.

[One year has passed in the dimension. Would you like to maintain the time ratio?]

The system’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

“Revert the time ratio to normal. And initiate dimension observation.”

[Executing the instruction.]

As the system’s voice faded, the dimension’s map unfolded.

In that one year, the Tinyfolk’s village had changed again.

They were gathered in the village center, celebrating noisily, and it felt like their population had grown.

Checking each one would be fun, but—

That’s for when I have time.

“System, brief me on the changes over the past year.”

Now’s the time to efficiently use my top-notch assistant.

[Beginning the briefing on the Tinyfolk civilization’s changes.]

[The current estimated population of the Tinyfolk is 58, an increase of about 20 from last year.]

[The farmland has expanded 1.5 times compared to last year, and production has increased approximately threefold.]

[The farming techniques you directly imparted have been effectively applied.]

Thanks to the techniques I implanted in their minds, their harvest yield has increased.

They’ve secured slightly more food than expected.

This number will likely keep growing steadily.

“Good. Next.”

[Regarding the imparted technologies: The recently imparted pastoral technology has fully taken root. Those with the role of shepherds have been selected, and they are managing all the livestock.]

[Currently, they are raising five pigs and ten chickens.]

“Not a lot.”

[It is estimated to be due to sharing human food with the livestock instead of producing separate feed.]

If they’re sharing food meant for people, it’s no wonder growth is stunted.

“What technologies can address this issue?”

[Imparting classical pastoral technology and classical irrigation technology will resolve the matter.]

“Good. Impart those technologies.”

[Imparting classical pastoral technology and classical irrigation technology will cost 800,000 won.]

“…The costs are growing exponentially.”

The cost difference between ancient and classical technologies is about double.

How much will modern technologies cost later? I can’t even imagine.

“But I have to do it. Stopping investment here means it’s over. Proceed.”

[Classical pastoral technology and classical irrigation technology are being imparted.]

Once the imparting was complete, an exclamation mark appeared above the head of the red-haired Tinyfolk, the Apostle.

They immediately bowed toward the sky.

O Master of the Dimension, thank you for granting us new knowledge!-

“Good. Use it well to raise the livestock.”

We will keep it in mind!-

That wraps up the briefing.

Reviewing the changes, there are still areas to refine.

“Apostle.”

What is your command?

“I’ll tell you the direction you should take.”

The Tinyfolk’s top priority is population growth.

A larger population means more food production, and surplus food allows for the training of specialized workers.

Once they reach that point, the Tinyfolk’s greatest strength will shine.

The Tinyfolk are a race specialized in nurturing artisans.

If they reach the stage of specializing in artisans, their civilization’s growth will accelerate tremendously, and the value of the tributes they send me will increase significantly.

Understood.

The Apostle nodded after hearing the direction for the Tinyfolk.

Let’s see how much they understood.

“So, what do you think you should do?”

We will prioritize expanding the farmland to increase wheat production.-

“Exactly. That’s the immediate task.”

To grow the population, they need more food.

It’s a roundabout way, but it boils down to: Keep doing what you’re doing, but harder.

O Master of the Dimension, we will follow your grace and will.

“Good. Your prosperity is my prosperity.”

We will keep it in mind. Oh, Master of the Dimension.

“Yes?”

We seek your permission for one thing.

This is the first time the Apostle has made such a request.

“Go ahead.”

May we build a structure to honor you, Master?

“A structure?”

Yes. We wish to make your existence known to all who are born and to proclaim that we exist because of you.-

“….”

Wouldn’t it be better to put that labor into farming?

That seems more efficient.

After calculating efficiency for a moment, I asked the Apostle,

“Will that make you happy?”

Yes. If everyone knows you are with us, we will always be happy.-

“Then I permit it.”

I’ve decided to prioritize their happiness.

If a seemingly useless structure gives them strength, I’m happy to allow it.

Thank you.

We will do our utmost to build it without tarnishing your glory.

“Do it moderately, alright? Moderately.”

I permitted it, but I hope they only use minimal labor.

That’s my honest feeling.

After our conversation, the Apostle stood and gathered the other Tinyfolk in the plaza.

From their actions, it seemed they were properly relaying my instructions.

The Tinyfolk listened attentively, some with exclamation marks above their heads.

“System, that’s not a technology imparting, is it?”

[The ‘Eureka!’ condition has not been met, so no technology has been imparted.]

“Can you tell me about the ‘Eureka!’ condition?”

[The ‘Eureka!’ condition has not been met, so it cannot be verified.]

If I could just trigger ‘Eureka!’ consistently, I could save a ton on raising the Tinyfolk.

It’s a shame, but I’ll treat it as a stroke of luck when it happens.

“End dimension observation and revert the time ratio.”

[How would you like to set the time ratio?]

“Do I even need to say?”

Maximum ratio, obviously.

Thirty years in their dimension will take 30 hours here.

During that time, I’m not sitting idle.

I set out to hustle.

My targets are Yuseong Milling and Gangi Milling. Their clients.

In the milling industry’s market share, these two fall under “others.”

Most people probably don’t even know they exist.

I didn’t either until I researched them thoroughly.

Not many places use these two milling companies.

Their main revenue comes from small bakeries in Daegu and Asan, Chungnam.

It sounds shady, but I need to win over those bakeries.

Get them to buy my flour, one way or another.

Step one for that—

Ding-a-ling.

“Welcome!”

“Hello.”

I entered a bakery on my shortlist.

I grabbed a pair of tongs and scanned the interior.

I already did my research online.

The decor is outdated, but this bakery has been in business for over 10 years in this neighborhood.

Their best-selling item is cream puffs, filled with sweet custard that captivates customers.

I put a few cream puffs on my tray and picked up a loaf of white bread.

“Please ring this up.”

“That’ll be 5,400 won.”

“For all this, just 5,400 won? Isn’t that too cheap?”

“We get our flour cheap. Plus, I own the building.”

Oh, that’s new information.

With an envious look, I made a bit more small talk before leaving the bakery.

I tossed the purchased bread into the back of my rented car and headed to the next bakery.

There, I bought their best-selling item and made small talk, just like before.

I visited a total of 51 bakeries.

“That’s a lot.”

Since I bought at least one item at each stop, the back of my car was overflowing with bread.

I’ll be eating bread until I’m sick of it.

“But thanks to that, I’ve made connections and gathered some good intel.”

The owner of Dajeong Bakery, the first stop, owns the building and has two daughters.

The owner of Gaeun Bakery, the second stop, has a son who just started college.

The owner of Our Wheat Bakery, the fifth stop, is worried about declining customers.

It’s trivial information.

Just small talk, at best.

But turning it into business intel is what makes a true entrepreneur.

I munched on a slice of white bread while piecing together the fragments of information.

One common thread is the owners’ long-term business stability.

The newest bakery opened seven years ago.

Most have been around longer.

And for all that time, they’ve been getting flour from Yuseong Milling and Gangi Milling.

If they’ve maintained those relationships, their trust must be strong.

Even if I offer flour at a lower price, they won’t easily switch suppliers.

Even if I sold flour at 100 won per kilo, they wouldn’t change.

That’s the loyalty built from years of business.

That loyalty won’t break easily, no matter how much flour prices rise.

They likely believe that once the market stabilizes, the companies will lower prices again.

But Han Yeri said it.

The flour market is about to shake up.

Her intel has never been wrong.

“Prices won’t go down.”

They’ll only go higher.

Enough to put a crack in their solid trust.

That’s when I step in.

Until then?

“I’ll eat bread and build rapport.”

Frequent visits and building familiarity.

That’s the basics of business, the basics of sales.