One day in Daegu, the next in Asan, Chungnam, visiting bakeries.
Dropping by every other day, the bakery owners started recognizing my face.
“Well, look who’s here! The handsome guy! Cream puffs again today?”
“Of course. Your cream puffs are so good, they keep pulling me back. Can’t you teach me how to make them?”
“Haha, no way! These cream puffs paid for this building, you know.”
“Wow, so these are the cream puffs that bought a building?”
Damn, I’m jealous.
“Something like that. Here, take an extra one on the house.”
“You sure you’ll make a profit giving these away?”
“Hohoho, if you’re that worried, just keep coming back and buying more.”
So, with friendly banter, I bought cream puffs.
“You should’ve moved your knight there.”
“No way, young man, you don’t know what you’re talking about. The chariot’s the right move here.”
“No, look, you’re getting checkmated!”
“Huh? Oh, you’re right! Damn…”
I bought croquettes while chatting about Go.
“Seems a bit quiet today, huh?”
“Sigh, a new franchise opened nearby. It’s got me all stressed out.”
“Oh, you mean Le Coeur Baguette?”
“Yeah! Why do those guys have to come to a small town like this?”
Because it’s profitable.
“Tell me about it. Your baguettes are the real deal, though.”
“This handsome young man sure knows his food!”
I bought baguettes while throwing shade at the rival bakery across the street.
While diligently practicing the basics of sales, I never stopped one thing.
“System.”
[Would you like a report on the dimension’s changes?]
“Start it.”
[Thirty years have passed in the dimension since the last report. I will begin the report on the changes in the Tinyfolk civilization during this period.]
It was observing the dimension’s growth.
[The current estimated population of the Tinyfolk is 532. With a birth rate of 2.8, it is projected to exceed 1,000 within the next 30 years.]
“Hmm, solid growth. Next.”
[Report on wheat harvest: The current farmland spans approximately 10 hectares, or 100,000 square meters. Eighty percent of this is used for wheat cultivation, with this year’s harvest totaling 38.9 tons.]
Focusing on food production paid off—the farmland’s scale is massive now.
Thanks to the Apostle’s leadership, the Tinyfolk have been working steadily.
I’m satisfied, but there’s something even more satisfying.
[Report on recently imparted technologies: The most recent technologies imparted were literacy, ancient mining, ancient calendar systems, basic mathematics, and astrology.]
Over the past week, I imparted five technologies to the Tinyfolk.
Literacy, ancient mining, ancient calendar systems, basic mathematics, and astrology.
For literacy, I expanded the use of Hangul, previously limited to the Apostle, to everyone.
I figured a shared language would accelerate civilization growth.
These technologies took root quickly among the Tinyfolk.
[All technologies have been fully imparted to the Tinyfolk.]
[A new profession, miners, has developed through specialized training in mining.]
[Calendar systems and astrology have increased agricultural efficiency by 25%.]
[The introduction of mathematics is gradually advancing construction techniques.]
The best news is the last one.
Construction techniques. “Think we’ll hit a ‘Eureka!’ with that?”
[The ‘Eureka!’ condition for ancient construction technology is the completion of a structure involving 100 or more participants. Currently, a structure with 148 participants is under construction.]
Getting a technology imparted for free is thrilling.
It’s like stumbling onto something valuable while stepping back.
But—
“They’re still building that thing?”
[Yes. The current construction progress is 65%.]
The structure the Apostle requested is still being built, even after 30 years.
I thought it was going up painstakingly slowly.
“Maybe I should’ve stopped them.”
Observing it left me speechless.
It’s like something you’d see in ancient Greece—grand temples being meticulously constructed in one corner of the village.
Thanks to the imparted mining technology, their pillar-carving skills are artistic.
No, they’re even carving intricate designs into the pillars.
I’m at a loss for words.
“It’s at 65%?”
[According to the blueprint designed by the initial Tinyfolk, yes.]
“…Alright. It’ll probably be done within the next 100 years.”
Tch.
It’s not like they’re pouring all their labor into it. They work on it during breaks or off-seasons, so—
Let’s just leave it be.
Hmm.
I rotated the map to visually inspect the Tinyfolk’s village.
Seeing it with my own eyes felt different from just looking at numbers.
Still, there’s one thing I’m a bit disappointed about.
“If the Tinyfolk had longer lifespans, their population would’ve grown even more.”
Their lifespans are short.
From what I’ve observed, they’re considered elderly by 25, so their average lifespan is around 20 years.
This leads to rapid generational turnover, which means their learning lacks depth.
“Some people spend over 40 years mastering a field, but here, it’s 15 years at most.”
Even with imparted education, the depth is shallow.
Despite 165 years passing, their civilization hasn’t seen drastic changes.
“If they could study on their own, gain new insights, and share them, that’d be great.”
[That is impossible due to the Tinyfolk’s racial traits.]
“Sigh. Fine. System, is there any way to improve their species?”
[That is currently impossible.]
Currently impossible means it might be possible someday.
For now, it’s a no-go.
Then I’ll put that on hold.
Let’s focus on what I can do now.
“System, their farmland expansion capacity is at its max, right?”
[Based on the average stamina of the Tinyfolk, the farmland opened around the village has reached its maximum capacity.]
“It’s about time.”
The Tinyfolk work the fields and return to the village.
This means the maximum farmland size is the distance they can walk in a day.
Factoring in labor conditions and intensity, it’s less than half of that.
They’ve nearly filled that limited space.
Which means—
It’s time to build a new city.
“System.”
[Speak.]
“I’m imparting new knowledge. The knowledge is the wheel.”
Honestly, I feel like the Tinyfolk might hit a ‘Eureka!’ for the wheel if I wait a bit longer.
But I can’t rely on an uncertain future event.
It’s better to use it when it’s needed.
[Imparting wheel technology will cost 500,000 won.]
“Isn’t the price getting a bit steep?”
[Costs increase for higher-tier knowledge, and as the civilization grows, the cost of imparting technologies rises.]
“Tch.”
I was tempted to hold off, but I resisted.
I’ll settle for the construction technology ‘Eureka!’ for now.
“Impart it.”
[Ancient wheel technology is being imparted to the Tinyfolk Apostle.]
[The Apostle has gained enlightenment!]
A vivid exclamation mark appeared above the Apostle, who was overseeing temple construction.
They immediately bowed toward the sky.
O Master of the Dimension, thank you for granting us new knowledge.-
“The wheel will help you with your construction projects.”
We will spread it to all, so they may freely learn and master it.-
“That’s what you should do. You’ve got work to do.”
Any task you assign, we will fulfill.-
I instructed the Apostle to build a new city.
The location was one I’d scouted earlier—a mountainous area, but close to grasslands suitable for farmland and a large lake nearby.
“It’ll take about half a year to get there on foot.”
Hup!-
“It’ll be a tough journey for you.”
For the Tinyfolk, half a year is like nearly two years for humans.
Spending that long just traveling must be daunting for the Apostle.
“But it must be done. It’s the path to your survival.”
-Your words have always been true, Master. We will trust and follow you.-
“Good. Train the next generation’s Apostle well.”
-It was an honor to meet you, Master of the Dimension.-
“Same here, Apostle Katulak.”
The Apostle, whose name I called, was deeply moved and began to sob.
Like the previous Apostles, they’re so soft-hearted.
Getting this emotional just from having their name called.
“Or maybe I’d feel the same if a god called my name.”
But I’m not religious, so I don’t have a god to call me.
I’ll just call my own name.
“Kang Jisung, you’re doing great.”
***
The Tinyfolk’s growth is the top priority, but I can’t just sit around waiting.
“If I pay this month’s and next month’s warehouse rent, I’ll be broke.”
I’ve been dipping into my limited funds, and it’s getting tight.
It’s time to move in earnest.
I adjusted the time ratio for that.
“It’s great that the dimension’s developing quickly, but it’s too much for me to keep up with.”
Ten years can change a landscape, and with the current time ratio, nearly 25 years pass in a day.
Checking the dimension’s changes and issuing new instructions daily is a burden, especially with how busy I am now.
“Let’s adjust the time ratio. Until I give new instructions, set it to five years per day.”
[Adjusting the time ratio.]
“Also, make sure I can check immediately if something happens.”
[As you command.]
With the system set to alert me if anything comes up, I’m covered.
Ding-a-ling.
“Hello, I’m back!”
“Oh, Jisung’s here?”
“Yep. How’s the cream puff today?”
“What’s there to say? It’s great as always.”
Now that we’re on a first-name basis, I chatted casually with the owner.
It seemed like the usual routine, but my eyes caught a subtle change.
The price of the cream puff went up by 100 won.
Looking closely, it wasn’t just the cream puff.
The prices of the white bread and croissants also rose.
It’s only 100 won, but when added up, it feels significant.
I grabbed some bread as if I hadn’t noticed and approached the counter.
“Boss, something up?”
“Hm? Why?”
“The prices went up. Got some new expenses?”
“Expenses? Nah, just trying to make a living.”
“What do you mean?”
“Sigh.”
A deep sigh escaped the owner’s lips.
“The place we get our flour from is struggling.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because of that damn war.”
“Oh, it’s affecting things here too?”
“Yeah. They said they have to raise flour prices this time.”
“Hmm.”
As expected, Yuseong Milling and Gangi Milling raised their flour prices, and to avoid losses, the bakeries raised their prices.
This wasn’t unique to Dajeong Bakery.
Of the 51 businesses using flour from Yuseong and Gangi Milling, 42 raised their bread prices.
For the 10 in worse financial shape, prices went up by as much as 300 won.
“They’re raising prices to hold on, but how long can they last?”
Based on the flour stockpiled in their warehouses, maybe one quarter at most.
If they can’t normalize flour import costs within that time, they’ll have to raise prices again.
And the odds of normalizing flour imports?
Next to none.
It’s not something they can fix by doing well.
They’ll inevitably have to raise prices again.
The ones who feel this reality most acutely are the bakery owners.
“Then it’s time to move.”
I brushed off the breadcrumbs from my mouth and tightened my tie.
It’s time to go secure some contracts.