"Tell your boss to come out."
"...."
A sudden statement hurled out of nowhere.
Ruslan, the secretary to the merchant Richmond, fell silent.
And he thought.
What did I just hear? Did I hear him right? He doubted it, and questioned himself.
Thanks to that, he was able to come to a conclusion.
"What… what do you mean by that?"
Surely, he must've misheard.
That had to be it.
It had to be.
Clinging to that faint glimmer of hope (?), Ruslan asked Kim Jangcheol. And soon, he came to realize an uncomfortable truth — that there was nothing wrong with his hearing.
"I said, bring out your boss. The one you serve, Richmond."
"What the…"
"Don't understand what I'm saying? I'm not doing business with you, I want to negotiate directly with your representative."
"....."
Ruslan shut his mouth.
And he thought.
Is this guy insane?
'What is this? Does he think he's someone important or something?'
He couldn't make sense of it.
Sure, Chuno — that bizarre potato — had gained word-of-mouth popularity in a single day, and sure, it had caused a stir. But even so, for this man standing in front of him to act as if he could deal or negotiate as an equal with the very merchant Ruslan served?
'....'
Impossible.
There's no way that could happen.
So Ruslan came to a conclusion.
'Tsk. So this is all they amount to.'
He wrapped up his internal appraisal of Kim Jangcheol.
Just because a single potato gained some fleeting popularity, he was already getting full of himself. That's the kind of man he was — someone with a shallow vessel.
Ruslan's voice turned icy as he spoke to Kim Jangcheol.
"Do you really think that's going to happen?"
"I'm doing this because I know it will."
"You'd best not cling to some reckless hope that you'll get better terms than now."
"That's my business. Are you calling him or not?"
"He's not someone who'll come so easily just because he's called."
"That's his business too."
" ...."
"I've said what I need to say."
"...You'll regret this."
"Like I said, that's my business. Just go and relay the message."
"........"
Ruslan rose from his seat, lips twitching, with his displeasure written all over his face. Without so much as a nod, he turned and left.
"Whew."
Only then did Kim Jangcheol let out the long breath he had been holding in. Meanwhile, Reivaj, who had been watching the situation unfold, was fuming.
"Just now, what are you doing?"
"Sorry?"
"I asked if you're doing business right now."
"Uh, I'm negotiating."
"Negotiating? With the Chuno meant to be offered to His Majesty?"
"Yes."
"Have you gone mad?"
Reivaj's voice was visibly shaking.
To him, the situation felt utterly hopeless. The Chuno was meant for His Majesty. It was the sole achievement from an order carried out under royal command.
And yet, before it could even be presented to the king, it had already spread through this city. That alone was more than enough to warrant a hundred fainting spells.
But now, to dare trade that precious item with a merchant?
"Sir Kim Jangcheol, if His Majesty hears of this, you will not get off unscathed. It's not too late even now. Let's break through by force if we must and get out of here. Then return to the capital as quickly as possible."
"No. We can't do that."
"...What?"
"I have a plan. Please, just watch for now."
"...."
Reivaj closed his mouth.
Because he was dumbfounded? No.
It was because of the look in Kim Jangcheol's eyes. That unwavering certainty gleaming in them. Seeing that, unbelievably, made a sense of trust well up inside him.
'What the… this makes no sense…'
You have a plan, you say.
Nonsense.
And yet, here he was, believing those words. That was even more nonsensical.
But he had no choice… but to trust.
"...Very well. You discovered the Chuno and are the key contributor to this mission's success. I will believe that you possess wisdom beyond my grasp."
Reivaj nodded, his expression grim.
From that moment on—
No one in the group spoke a word. With the sounds of the crowd still rowdy outside the inn, each of them fell into silence, their eyes fixed on Kim Jangcheol.
And Kim Jangcheol quietly thought.
'Tsk. Did I go too hard with that?'
Tell the boss to come out.
He'd never done that, not even once in Korea. Honestly, a part of him was quivering inside.
But this was something he absolutely had to do.
'...If I start the negotiation with a mere underling, I'll be treated and handled at that level moving forward.'
That couldn't happen.
To be treated like a subcontractor?
Then he'd never be able to realize the grand plan he had drawn up.
In the current situation, he had to secure seeds to continue farming, and make a safe escape from Aged Kimchi. Without this first step, even attempting that would be impossible.
That's why this opening move was the most important of all.
'I need to deal directly, on equal footing with the wholesaler.'
That's why he went with "bring out the boss."
And this attempt would most likely succeed.
'From what I can tell, that guy is definitely coming. That's the only reason they made a move like this less than 24 hours after I sold Chuno in the plaza.'
Something about Chuno struck a chord with him.
He saw something in Chuno.
And he felt greed.
He must've decided this was a prize he absolutely could not miss, something that must not be lost. Which is why he sent his secretary first thing in the morning.
…Or so he was thinking, when—
Creeeak.
The inn's old door opened.
And then came a deep, resonant voice.
"Is this the inn where the ones selling that potato called Chuno are staying?"
The man who stepped through the door had a sturdy build and was in his middle years. Every strand of his white hair was perfectly combed, his neat white beard matched his monocle, and his sharp gaze resembled that of a noble old tiger.
The moment you saw him, you could tell instinctively.
"Would you happen to be the merchant, Lord Richmond?"
"Hoho. That title is too grand for me. At best, I'm just a peddler. May I sit here?"
"Yes. Please."
The merchant Richmond moved with a crisp, confident motion as he took his seat. His demeanor toward others was also refreshingly bold.
"So, it seems my secretary was rather prickly toward you folks. Judging by how he came back whining, that is."
"I was the one being prickly. My apologies."
"No, no. No need to apologize. Doing business is like waging war."
"I suppose that's one way to put it, considering today's enemies can become tomorrow's allies."
"Hoho. You're someone who speaks my language. Indeed. Which is why, for now, we're enemies. Tossing out terms instead of swords and guns, splattering unseen blood all over the place."
"And once a satisfying contract is signed, we become allies?"
"That remains to be seen."
"Indeed it does."
Kim Jangcheol smiled faintly. And he slowly observed the merchant Richmond. His bold manner and voice. At first glance, he seemed like someone extremely likable.
But…
'Don't be fooled.'
This man's true nature was that of a hoarder.
A vile wholesaler who uses his overwhelming wealth as a weapon to buy farmers' crops in bulk at dirt-cheap prices, stockpiles them in storage, then sells them off after inflating the market price. That was the bare face hidden behind his hearty mask.
Kim Jangcheol felt like using the bloodshot eyes skill right then and there, but he laughed bitterly at the thought that staring without blinking for 200 seconds would definitely raise suspicion, and opened his mouth.
"I've heard the terms. A bulk purchase at 10% above yesterday's plaza sale price, is that right?"
"That's correct. Do you like the offer?"
"If you had heard it, we wouldn't be sitting here face-to-face right now."
"I figured as much. Twelve percent. How about that?"
"Tsk. I had high hopes since you were said to be a merchant lord."
"The richer one is, the stingier they tend to be."
"I know that well."
"So, what kind of realistic terms are you looking for?"
"Two hundred percent."
"......"
"On top of that, I want an exclusive and continuous supply contract for Chuno potatoes."
"That's the same condition I had relayed through my secretary, wasn't it?"
"No. The direction of exclusivity is reversed."
"...Surely, you don't mean to say I can't purchase any Chuno other than what you sell?"
"That's correct."
"Hoho. Sounds like your ambition is a bit excessive."
"It's not excessive."
"And why do you think that?"
"Because if you reject my offer here, I'll just find someone else willing to accept my ambition and do business with them."
"........"
"Wouldn't that be a bit, inconvenient for you?"
"Hehe. Now that's quite the threat."
"It's war, after all."
"Huh, hoho? Yes, yes, you're right. I had momentarily forgotten."
The merchant Richmond burst into laughter. And as he looked at Kim Jangcheol with eyes that didn't smile, he thought to himself.
It was unexpected.
This guy—he wasn't ordinary.
'...I thought he was just some ignorant bumpkin selling strange potatoes on the street.'
But meeting him in person, he was completely different.
Surprisingly meticulous. Smooth, to an almost ruthless degree. Not a single gap to exploit. He didn't seem like someone who'd be easily swayed.
So Richmond felt troubled.
'That potato...'
Chuno, was it?
That peculiar potato that had been sold in the plaza yesterday. Immensely large, yet shriveled and dry. The moment he saw what his subordinate had brought back, he was utterly shocked.
'The moment I saw it, I knew. This thing... could change the entire market.'
Its marketability was instantly clear.
Unnatural size.
Insane shelf life.
The way it expanded and satisfied hunger when soaked in water.
If he could pitch those strengths and get Chuno approved as a standard combat ration for the kingdom's regular army—if he could monopolize that supply contract—
Then he'd no longer be just a local power here. He'd rise to become one of the kingdom's top tycoons. That wasn't an exaggeration. It wasn't some dream soaked in fantasy and hope.
Even a strictly realistic outlook would say the same.
"......"
Just the thought of it made his heart pound.
Chuno—it was too precious to let go.
No, he absolutely did not want to let it go.
That's why.
Richmond nodded.
"...Very well. I'll accept your proposal."
"Oh? Really?"
"Indeed."
Two hundred percent of yesterday's plaza sale price. On top of that, an absurd exclusivity clause. Excessive terms, no doubt, but he found himself thinking—it didn't matter.
Because he could just get a deal with the kingdom's regular army?
No.
'All I have to do is keep trading with you until I find out where Chuno comes from.'
Richmond's gaze toward Kim Jangcheol turned icy.
A strange potato he'd never seen before.
All he needed was to find out where it originated.
And learn how it's made.
Once he had that, he could go directly to the source and buy up the giant potatoes in bulk like he always had, monopolizing the supply chain. He could even land an exclusive deal with the kingdom.
And after that?
He could discard this arrogant bastard.
It'd be even better to erase him entirely.
'So me accommodating your whims, agreeing to your ridiculous proposal—it's all only until then.'
Richmond hid his dark intentions behind a smile.
"In any case, since both sides are satisfied with each other's terms, all that's left is the signature, and we'll be allies."
"That's right. But I'm not quite fully satisfied with the terms yet..."
"There's more you want?"
"Yes. May I say it?"
"Go ahead."
"What I'm providing you is only the finished Chuno product, made from potatoes. I won't be sharing the manufacturing method for Chuno."
"Hmm... Very well."
That's fine.
He'd just find out himself.
Then he'd toss this bastard away like a dog.
Richmond nodded without hesitation.
Kim Jangcheol smiled brightly with satisfaction.
"Oh, and also..."
"There's more?"
"Yes. Would it be possible for our group to stay at your mansion as guests?"
"...My mansion? As guests?"
"Yes."
"And why is that?"
"Staying at this inn has become difficult with too many people gathering around. Also, since we'll be doing long-term business together from now on, I'd like to take some time to observe, talk, and feel how your business operates, so we can plan our future ventures together."
"Hoho. You're a man of grand dreams."
"I only want to build a business that's even a little bit helpful."
"This, this—am I taking in a tiger cub, I wonder."
"Still, a raised cub doesn't bite its benefactor, right?"
"Hahaha. Let's hope so. Very well. I shall welcome your group as guests to my mansion."
"Thank you. And also..."
"Don't tell me, again?"
"Yes."
"...Go on."
"We've got quite a few people, so we'll be needing a good number of rooms."
"So how many—"
"One room for each person, if you please."
"...Very well."
"Oh, and one more thing."
"...."
Now I give up.
Richmond half-resignedly listened to Kim Jangcheol's request.
"Our group doesn't only consist of people, you see. As you can see, we have an excessively well-developed pelican, and..."
"A pink alpaca, too."
"Yes. I'd like each of them to have a room fit for a person as well."
"Not the stable?"
"They're not too fond of stables, you see."
"…Sigh, do as you wish."
"Yes. Thank you."
"Then, now there's nothing else you want, is there?"
"Ay, I've already gotten plenty, what more could I possibly ask for."
"..."
Yeah.
That's how it should be.
If he asked for more, he'd barely be a human being.
Richmond let out a sigh without even realizing it and made a firm resolution to himself.
Let's think positively.
Since I'm only playing along to find out where Chuno comes from, inviting him to my mansion and keeping him close shouldn't be a loss. It might even make it easier to find the source.
".....Very well. Now that both sides are truly satisfied with the terms, we are indeed allies."
"Looks like it."
"That being the case, I do have one question... Where are you from?"
"Sorry? Where I'm from?"
"Yes. Since we'll be working together for a long time, you know. It might seem like a trivial matter, but I find myself a bit curious. For reference, I'm from the Gafel region. Hoho."
So tell me.
Where you're from.
Once you say that, it'll be easier to trace Chuno's origin.
Richmond asked like a spider setting a trap, and Kim Jangcheol, catching on to his true intent instantly, smiled shamelessly.
"Seoul."
"....."
F**k, where the hell is that?
[T/L: I am not getting any support from webnovel platform, so please support me and read ahead chapters on my ko-fi page "RevengerScans" : https://ko-fi.com/revengerscans ]