Chapter 65
– Sir.
Kim Jina’s voice rang from the smartphone.
– Have you confirmed the deposit of one hundred billion? I told you, a day was enough.
“Oh, this really worked. Thank you. I’ll use it well and pay it back.”
– But, sir.
“Yes?”
– Don’t you think it’d be better to grow one large store in a prime location rather than opening several next to Ohsung?
“Hmm, you think so?”
– Yes. Instead of fixating on Ohsung, it would be more constructive for your future to expand until even Ohsung couldn’t touch you.
Oh.
She had a point.
It all started with vengeance, but there was no need to obsess over Shin Jongoh alone.
– Hehe, so I did some research. There’s a building up for sale in Apgujeong’s shopping district. Three floors, about 100 pyeong, listed for a quick sale at a bargain price…
“Really? How much?”
– Around eighty billion. It’s a bit old, but with repairs, it’d be perfect.
Her voice brimmed with energy.
Whether she was excited about the business or simply managing the massive loan, she was actively involved.
For me, it was convenient.
But one question lingered.
“Hmm, but does location matter that much? What I’m selling is high-performance gear. If word spreads, people would line up even if I set up on Ulleung Island.”
– Oh, sir. Didn’t you want Dmir Workshop to be a global brand? Location isn’t just about access. It’s about prestige.
“True. First impressions matter. Like you said, one good flagship is better than several small ones.”
I nodded.
Once decided, things moved quickly.
With her help, I purchased the building and renovated it.
“Master, the building is decrepit. Leave it to me, Dmir.”
Clang! Clang!
The age of the building didn’t matter.
With Dmir’s hands, even nothing could become something.
Though not quite like his prime—
“First, we’ll reinforce the steel frame. And this design? Hah! Even the children of my clan would craft better. This is an insult to artistry!”
His eyes burned with passion.
Clang! Clang!
For a month, the building slowly transformed.
Not a glittering glass tower, but a structure with the spirit of medieval architecture, infused with artistry.
As I trained on the side, I focused on Bone One, Bone Four, and Bone Five, raising their stats to close the gap with the awakened ones.
Then one day—
“Ooh.”
“Haha, do you like it, Master?”
It was complete.
“Nice. Unique, but it blends well with the surroundings.”
“Cluck, praise from Master pleases me greatly! Now, shall we see inside?”
He swaggered as he led me in.
The interior was luxurious.
As if built for VIPs only, golden details gleamed everywhere.
“That woman, Kim Jina, impressive indeed. Her requests were so precise it was like she drew them in my head. Truthfully, I only followed her instructions.”
“Wow.”
I marveled as I toured.
The first floor was for mass-produced goods—B-rank weapons from Dmir, unlimited in quantity.
The second floor was for limited editions.
One corner held a small workshop for Dmir, while the rest displayed pristine showcases, like a museum.
Soon, those would hold S-rank weapons.
[‘Air Purification’ (B-rank) zone established.]
[‘Security Settings’ (A-rank) zone established.]
“I added some touches. Any tampering without lock release will notify you immediately. Air purification is standard.”
“Nice, Eldrin. Always the thoughtful one.”
“Your praise makes life feel blissful, Master.”
“Uh, sure…”
On the third floor—
[‘Air Purification’ (B-rank) zone established.]
[‘Temperature Control’ (B-rank) zone established.]
[Temperature set: 24˚C]
“Huh?”
It was a home.
A soft sofa, cozy bed, TV, table, clock—even a terrace overlooking the Han River.
“This was my idea. Since that Shin Jongoh wrecked your home, you’ve been wandering. I can’t let the master of Dmir live without a roof.”
“……”
Even housing solved.
“Amazing.”
“Haha, but it is you, Master, who let me spread my craft in this world.”
“Why does everyone talk so pretty.”
I was truly lucky.
To have been granted a unique skill commanding such loyal subordinates.
‘Next, the roof.’
The roof was a training ground.
Just like the forest clearing I used before.
Dozens of steel training dummies lined it.
Honestly, I liked this best.
“You’ve all worked hard.”
I sincerely praised them.
—
The new store’s location wasn’t bad.
And then—
[Dmir Workshop begins full-scale sales!]
[Apgujeong, the new hot spot?]
[Mogul Yoo Sangdon: “Competitors are always welcome.”]
The Hunter forums and media buzzed.
On the first day, crowds swarmed.
Around twenty weapons, crafted while the building was under construction, were displayed.
Flat price: 20 million each.
This would be the standard for Dmir products.
“Excuse me, can we see the weapons?”
“Huh? Where are the clerks—why are there skeletons…?”
Visitors froze.
At each weapon stand, small skeletons were stationed.
Click clack.
They grinned, tapping their teeth with tiny hammers.
And the shock didn’t stop there.
“Haha, welcome! Human! This sword—though mass-produced, with Dmir’s hand, its quality is unmatched!”
“Step closer! Look at this bow! The detail in the string—only discerning eyes can tell, but such subtleties separate greatness from mediocrity!”
The dwarves spoke!
– Master, it seems my Skeleton Summon skill is evolving. Perhaps not full awakening yet, but these feel like the souls of those who once followed me 500 years ago. They even helped with this building.
He had told me that two weeks ago.
It had stunned me.
Ten dwarves, on top of Dmir?
That rivaled even Yoo Sangdon’s production capacity.
‘And if they, too, gain Skeleton Summon…?’
An endless cascade of blacksmiths!
I command Dmir, who commands hundreds.
The thought alone thrilled me.
Either way, talking skeletons shocked customers.
Even I had freaked out the first time.
“Unbelievable!”
“They talk? And… they’re salesmen?”
“Talking undead? We have to film this!”
It was already a novelty workshop.
Now it was something else entirely.
And that day, all twenty weapons sold out in less than an hour.
Four hundred million earned in one hour.
We closed the shop immediately.
Two hours later, Kim Jina arrived with a congratulatory plant.
“What? Already sold out?”
“Shouldn’t you have prepared more?”
“Mm, no. It’s better this way. The market is limited. Over-supply lessens impact.”
“But isn’t it smarter to cash in while you’ve got attention…?”
“Sir.”
“Yes?”
“I’m the youngest Harvard MBA graduate. Marketing is patience. Just wait.”
—
Meanwhile.
“Phew.”
Ki Soyul, her black hair tied back, was soloing a dungeon.
[A-rank Dungeon – ‘Palace of the Minotaur’]
To sharpen her skills, she sometimes cleared dungeons alone.
Boom! Boom!
Huge bull-headed giants swung axes the size of men.
Ssst!
Her movements were sharp and lethal.
She vanished into the path of a swing—
Slip!
—and reappeared behind a neck.
Slash!
One strike, one kill.
– Moooh!
One beast fell. Then another.
Soon, the corridors were littered with corpses.
‘Impossible.’
She’d cleared this dungeon countless times.
Normally, one hallway took an hour.
Today? Twenty minutes.
“Just from changing weapons…?”
She stared at her palm.
At the dagger resting in it.
[Item: Dagger for the Assassin]
[Rank: S]
[Type: Dagger]
[Description: A weapon crafted by the legendary blacksmith Dmir and his master in honor of an assassin. With unparalleled focus and passion, it exceeds all designs.]
[Effect 1: Agility +50.]
[Effect 2: Attack Speed +200%.]
[Effect 3: After stealth, first strike damage +500%.]
[Effect 4: Cold Resistance +30%.]
The absurdly overpowered stats.
Quietly, she caressed the blade.
A pleasant chill seeped through her skin into her heart.
‘I was made for you. Only for you.’
It was as if the dagger whispered.
‘Should I… tell him?’
She was a Ranker.
A mid-to-upper Ranker at that.
Which meant she was a target.
To survive, she hid her information.
Including her weapons.
Knowledge spread meant countermeasures spread.
But—
‘He asked me to promote it.’
The best promotion was revealing the weapon’s stats.
Normally, she would have flatly refused.
But not this time.
First, out of gratitude.
Second… because her heart told her to.
‘But wouldn’t this hurt him too?’
This was S-rank.
S-rank weapons were nearly impossible to craft.
Even Yoo Sangdon’s world-class workshop struggled to create them.
If word got out that a lone blacksmith could make one so fast?
Every criminal organization in the world would come sniffing.
‘Then…’
There was only one solution.
To act again as his bodyguard.
‘I can protect him. At least him.’
Clench!
She balled her fist.
Not because she wanted to return to him.
But because a man who could make an S-rank weapon was practically a national treasure.
‘This is patriotism. Like guarding a cultural asset.’
Ssst!
Resolute, she darted deeper into the dungeon.
(T/N: TBH, the story started slow for me but it picked real quick when he got Sunny and the Old man. I’m loving it!)