Go Yeon-ha, CEO of HG Fashion, arrived at the Awakened Management Office right on time for the meeting.
After hanging a temporary visitor badge around her neck, she was guided by an employee to the main conference room.
She hesitated!
‘Hmm…’
Should she go in or not?
Inside the conference room were two people.
Including herself, there would be three.
Looking at their name tags, one was from Ilseong Apparel, and the other from Daehyun Trading.
Neither was a CEO or representative.
If they had been, she would have recognized them immediately.
They looked like directors.
That meant she was the only CEO present.
‘…Did I come for nothing?’
This was awkward.
She looked a bit foolish now.
As Go Yeon-ha entered, the people rose somewhat hesitantly to greet her.
“CEO Go, p-pleased to meet you. I’m Kim Seok-jin, Managing Director of Ilseong Apparel.”
“Yes, I’m Go Yeon-ha. I guess CEO Jeong is busy?”
“He’s currently in New York attending a fashion show.”
“Ah.”
One was abroad.
Well, fashion shows are important.
“Let me introduce myself. I’m Yang Se-jun, Executive Director of Daehyun Trading.”
“Yes, Executive Director Yang. I’m Go Yeon-ha.”
She didn’t ask where Daehyun Trading’s CEO was.
That man is also always busy.
Usually busy playing around, though.
In the end, she turned out to be the person with the most free time.
A fashion company CEO with such a flexible schedule that she could promptly attend whenever a government office called.
At least a managing director and executive director make a decent lineup.
Though not final decision-makers, they’re positioned to immediately report to their CEOs if anything unexpected happens.
The atmosphere grew awkward.
No one was willing to speak first.
‘Should I make up an excuse and leave?’
All sorts of thoughts crossed her mind.
But just then!
Knock knock.
Someone knocked on the conference room door and entered.
“I’m sorry I’m late.”
Huh?
The Deputy Chief came in person?
Everyone jumped to their feet and bowed.
Go Yeon-ha did the same.
She respectfully bowed her head in greeting.
One shouldn’t underestimate a mere civil servant.
Jeon Kwang-il, the real power in the Awakened Management Office.
The man who drafted the Elite Team Player Project and developed South Korea into an advanced nation in tower climbing conquests.
As a result, Korea’s climbing floor count had matched that of the United States.
Nam Ga-eun, who emerged to fill the gap left by the naturalized Yoo Cheol-min, had established herself as a star player.
And that’s not all.
Rumors said he was the one who secured the holy sword.
Some even speculated he might know Korea’s S++ grade conquest record holder.
As someone almost certainly destined to be the next Chief, he was on par with chaebol chairmen.
No, even chaebol chairmen would find it difficult to meet him.
For this new Deputy Chief Jeon Kwang-il to personally appear in the conference room—this alone made attending worthwhile.
‘Hmm, I guess it was worth coming after all.’
Suddenly, Jeon Kwang-il showed an awkward expression.
“Um, I apologize, but I’m afraid the representatives from Ilseong Apparel and Daehyun Trading will have to meet me another time.”
The bewildered expressions of Managing Director Kim Seok-jin and Executive Director Yang Se-jun seemed to ask, “What’s going on?”
“When I sent the official letter, I requested that CEOs attend. There was a good reason for that.”
To which they replied,
“That’s not a problem. I can contact our CEO in real-time right now.”
“The same goes for me. Our chairman told me to call immediately if anything arose…”
Jeon Kwang-il sighed regretfully and said,
“I apologize again. But that’s our internal policy. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll only be speaking with CEO Go Yeon-ha. So,”
Though his tone was polite, his content was firm.
Kim Seok-jin and Yang Se-jun had no choice but to gather their belongings and leave.
Thus, only the two of them remained in the conference room.
Go Yeon-ha smiled broadly.
“Have I caught a lucky break, Deputy Chief?”
“Hmm… I can’t give you a definitive answer yet.”
“I hope it’s lucky. I came prepared too.”
“Prepared?”
Go Yeon-ha took out a binder from her bag and handed it to Jeon Kwang-il.
Opening it revealed design drafts.
There were photos too.
Models styled after Player Nam Ga-eun wearing leather armor branded with “Wildflower” and holding the holy sword.
Not just female models, but male models too.
Of course, with replica armor and a replica holy sword.
“What do you think? Our company’s chief designer spent several days working on these design drafts.”
“Ah….”
“Please review them.”
It was rather unexpected.
Suddenly presenting design drafts?
But they were quite pretty.
If armor were made like this, it would be popular in the player shop.
“I’ll review them. And CEO Go, if you don’t mind, would you accompany me somewhere?”
“Of course.”
The two of them left the Management Office building.
They walked to a secluded area behind the building.
Eventually, they arrived at their destination.
It was a steel door guarded by armed police officers maintaining strict security.
“This is….”
“The tower materials warehouse. It’s where we store material items purchased from players.”
“I see.”
At Jeon Kwang-il’s signal, one of the guards brought two thick padded jackets.
“Please put this on. The cooling system is running, so it will be very cold.”
The steel door opened, and the two entered.
It was dark.
They couldn’t see anything ahead.
And as he mentioned, it was extremely cold.
What would have happened without the padded jackets?
“I’m going to turn on the lights. Please don’t be startled.”
“Ah…, yes, yes.”
Click! The lights came on.
It was slightly blinding.
So she closed her eyes briefly before opening them again.
What’s this?
On the floor, black monster-like things…, monster? Monster, monster?
“Kyaaaaaah!”
Go Yeon-ha screamed and stepped back.
“Calm down, CEO Go. Those are all leather. Whole hides—look carefully.”
“…Eh? L-leather? A-animals? Umm, lizards? Alligators?”
“Similar. Except they came from the tower.”
What did he mean?
From the tower?
“This one is an iron-armored basilisk. This is an iron-jaw basilisk, and there’s also a long-tailed basilisk.”
“Basi… lisk, you say?”
In truth, Go Yeon-ha didn’t know much about what monsters appeared in the tower.
But she knew the names wyvern and basilisk well.
Wyvern, evaluated as the finest leather.
Basilisk, ranked below but in some aspects not inferior to wyvern.
But why were they here?
They looked like props from a monster movie.
“Is this really basilisk leather?”
“Yes. We’ve secured a total of 36 pieces for storage. You’re looking at 34 of them right now.”
Someone of the Deputy Chief’s stature wouldn’t go to such lengths just to surprise her.
Finally gathering her courage, Go Yeon-ha tentatively approached.
They were indeed whole hides.
Even the head skin had been completely removed.
“We plan to supply these hides to the private sector. Not just for making armor, but also for everyday use.”
“B-by supply, do you mean tower materials will be allowed for private companies?”
“Yes.”
Holy shit!
“And the supply target is our HG Fashion?”
“As you can see, that’s how it turned out.”
“Hmm,”
Tower materials, specifically monster leather, are very expensive and rare.
That’s why there are clear limitations.
It’s the reason they haven’t been commercialized until now.
“What about the quantity? If this is all, commercialization might be difficult.”
“Steady and continuous supply is possible. Though we’ll need to negotiate the supply price.”
“Ah!”
“They might even become as abundant as alligator leather.”
Continuous supply is possible?
Like alligator leather?
If they processed these hides well to make bags or wallets?
And also made clothes, shoes, hats, gloves, keychains, phone cases…
There would be nothing they couldn’t make.
They could make items entirely from leather or mix it with other materials.
‘And stamp them with the Wildflower brand.’
My goodness!
Just imagining it sent shivers through her body.
She realized it again.
She had really made the right choice in coming.
If she had sent someone else like Ilseong or Daehyun did, she might have regretted it until her dying day.
This won’t do.
She needed to take a closer look.
Go Yeon-ha approached until she was right in front of them.
That’s when she noticed the strange patterns not found in ordinary wild animals.
They gave a completely different impression than premium alligator leather.
They were incomparably more beautiful, luxurious, and unique.
The colors were black, dark brown, and dark gray—three types.
Her mind raced quickly.
If what Jeon Kwang-il said was true, commercialization could proceed.
Suddenly!
A thought occurred to her.
“Deputy Chief.”
“Yes?”
“You said you secured a total of 36 pieces, right?”
“That’s correct.”
“But there are only 34 in this space.”
“That’s right.”
“Then where are the other 2?”
Jeon Kwang-il grinned.
“Follow me.”
He led her to an area across from where they were, separated by a wall.
And the moment they turned the corner!
Go Yeon-ha couldn’t help but stop in her tracks.
“Aaaaah….”
There were two pieces.
Leather with a silver base emitting colorful light.
It was splendid but not excessive.
Neither cheap-looking nor vulgar.
As if the colors were alive, they dimmed and brightened, like oil paints floating on water—not completely mixing, but harmonizing, swirling, merging, and separating again.
“I-is this really l-leather?”
“Rainbow Basilisk. I guarantee even wyvern leather can’t compare to this.”
“Is this l-leather also part of the p-private supply?”
“Of course. It’s a bit impractical to make armor from this leather. It’s too flashy, isn’t it?”
She felt dizzy.
Introducing that to the market would turn the global fashion industry upside down.
Am I too excited?
Let me calm down for a moment.
“Since I’m the only one who came to the CEO meeting, does HG Fashion have priority to purchase this leather?”
“I suppose so. At least for the first batch…”
“I’d like us to have the second batch too.”
“Well, that can’t be decided now, but there’s a condition first.”
“Anything.”
“Please keep this as confidential as possible until HG Fashion commercializes this leather. Though I know it won’t be easy.”
“I’ll try my best.”
The commercialization of the leather would take quite some time.
It can’t be processed with conventional leather crafting tools.
First, they need to secure tools mixed with tower metals.
Technicians will also need training, which means they’ll all notice the existence of this leather.
Well, they can have them sign confidentiality agreements.
“Then there’s only one thing left. How much will you supply it for?”
In response to Go Yeon-ha’s question, Jeon Kwang-il sighed and said,
“Phew, that’s the most difficult issue. Normally, players receive leather like this as tower conquest rewards.”
Jeon Kwang-il showed Go Yeon-ha a piece of leather about the size of a cushion.
“This is also basilisk leather.”
“That’s right. But there’s a difference, isn’t there?”
Indeed there was.
The patterns and designs were smudged, and the light was slightly faded.
“We purchase them at ten million won per piece. We use them to make defensive gear, which we sell to players at cost.”
Go Yeon-ha nodded.
Even such leather is rare and difficult to obtain in the private sector.
There’s barely enough for players as it is.
“So I need your help.”
“Help with what?”
“Your company has leather experts or craftsmen, right?”
“Of course.”
Jeon Kwang-il handed her two envelopes.
One envelope contained an A4-sized piece of regular basilisk leather,
The other contained a piece of Rainbow Basilisk leather about half the size of a banknote.
“These are samples.”
“Ah!”
“Please discuss with them and determine the value of the leather.”
She understood what he meant.
Rather than the seller determining the price, he’s asking the buyer to decide.
“What if I undercut the price?”
“Well, then I suppose we’d have to approach someone else.”
Go Yeon-ha smiled broadly.
“Don’t worry. I have no intention of undervaluing the leather. In fact, I’d prefer to set it higher.”
Immediate profits aren’t the issue.
One must think long-term.
“I’ll discuss it with our company’s experts. And don’t worry about confidentiality. I’ll ensure nothing leaks out.”
“I’ll trust you on that.”
Jeon Kwang-il was curious too.
Once released to the private sector, what would the leather’s value be?
***
Late in the evening.
Seoul’s Cheongdam Ark Hill Apartment.
Juhyeok stood in front of the penthouse’s private elevator with an apartment management employee.
The property transfer had been completed.
Now, Bong Juhyeok was the owner of the Ark Hill Apartment.
The reason he came here today was to spend one night in celebration of the apartment becoming his property.
The security was definitely thorough.
“To use the private elevator, you need to pass through this door with the key card. You also need to tap the key card and then press the button. Without it, the door won’t open.”
“Uh, if I lose it… what do I do?”
“You can report the loss to the management office. Then the lost key card will be canceled, and a new one will be issued.”
Juhyeok rode the elevator up with the management employee.
As the doors opened, the space came into view.
The floor featured what appeared to be premium tiles, exquisite lighting, and a large front door.
“This is the entrance. To go inside, you’ll also need to use the key card.”
The apartment entrance was right there as they stepped off the elevator.
“There’s also a guide on the living room table for your reference. Feel free to call anytime if you have questions. Now if you’ll excuse me, enjoy your time.”
“Yes, thank you.”
Juhyeok used the key card to open the door and went inside.
Carefully stepping forward,
“Wow!”
He couldn’t help but exclaim.
The phrase “brilliantly splendid” would be perfect for this place.
According to Jeon Kwang-il, they had completely renovated the penthouse interior.
Tiles, wallpaper, sink, bathroom, bathtub, toilet, washbasin, built-in furniture…
Anything that might have Yoo Cheol-min’s touch was thoroughly removed.
At this point, Juhyeok summoned all his summoned beings.
“Chung! Right-hand man and trusted confidant of Summoner Bong… Huk! Wh-where is this?”
Kozak had been here before.
“Our new home. Isn’t it nice?”
Gobang, Gyeon Dallae, and Razix all had wide eyes.
“Aah, how luxurious it is, truly worth its price.”
“Spacious and high, comfortable.”
“Hoeh… amazing.”
Juhyeok pressed a switch to turn on all the interior lights.
“Go ahead and look around as you please.”
Patter patter patter!
The summoned beings scattered.
“L-look at the bathroom. It’s big enough to sleep in. The toilet is a work of art. It would be a sin to defecate here.”
“Hooh, each bedroom has its own small living room.”
“The ceiling is high. No hitting my head.”
The TV was so large it felt like being in a movie theater.
The appliances also seemed to have been replaced with new ones.
Everyone was busy touching and examining everything.
They opened the three refrigerators, inspected the high-end kitchen sink, and turned the chandelier lights on and off.
Just then.
Someone must have activated it,
With a whirring sound, the living room curtains opened automatically.
Everyone’s eyes turned in that direction.
Through the large picture window, the night view of Seoul came into sight.
Juhyeok slowly approached.
The Han River flowing peacefully through Seoul.
The procession of car lights passing along the adjacent road,
The large and small buildings with lights on each floor,
Ah, how could this artificial landscape created by humans be so beautiful?
He couldn’t take his eyes off it.
“It is beautiful, my lord.”
“Yes, it is.”
Kozak and Gobang also approached the window and gazed at the outside scenery.
“…This world must never perish. I won’t allow it.”
“The warrior will protect it too. Along with the summoner.”
“This maiden will also devote herself.”
They stood like that for a long time.
Looking at it over and over without getting bored.
But what was Razix doing?
Juhyeok turned his head to look behind him.
“Huh?”
Razix was standing firmly, confronting something.
He was trembling with anger, so much that the hat on his head was shaking.
How could even his angry appearance be so cute?
“Hoek!”
“Weeing, wing, wing!”
“Hoeeek!”
“Weeeing!”
It was a robot vacuum cleaner.
Nobody knew when it had started operating, but Razix was blocking its path.
Blocking it was futile, though.
With its artificial intelligence, it was maneuvering around obstacles to clean the floor.
“An electronic servant.”
“It seems our top servant is feeling competitive toward the electronic servant.”
That certainly seemed to be the case.
Every time the electronic servant—that is, the robot vacuum—sucked up dust, Razix stomped his feet in anger.
Though he puts laundry in the washing machine and dishes in the dishwasher, Razix always cleans the house himself.
For someone like him, that robot vacuum must seem quite threatening.
He might be afraid of losing his job.
Juhyeok understood.
Kozak was the same.
He had also fretted anxiously, afraid he might lose his job.
‘We can’t let our Razix be threatened.’
Juhyeok whispered in Gobang’s ear.
Gobang nodded.
He strode toward the robot vacuum,
Tak! Grabbed it with both hands,
Kwajik! Ppudeudeuk!
And crushed it.
“Hoeng?”
Razix’s expression brightened.
Then, from somewhere, he brought a broom and dustpan to sweep up the remains of the broken robot vacuum.
“Hoeee….”
The electronic servant was gone.
There was only one servant in this house—himself.
Razix wore a very satisfied expression.