Chapter 365: Chapter 365

“You’ve grown used to Earth, so why are you being so soft?” asked Hwang Gyeongryong incredulously.

“...Cough. Alright, I get it! Stop looking down on me!” retorted Odaigon as he steeled himself.

In fact, Odaigon had seen and learnt a lot about how humans lived on Earth, so if he wanted to support Choi Yeonseung in the future, he couldn’t keep acting like the good and generous goblin he was.

Odaigon had to learn how to live like a wicked, filthy human being. He would be cold-blooded and he would never shed a tear again!

‘Why is he having such a hard time making a decision about those terrible criminals? It’s not like we’re executing them. It’s just forced labor...’

Hwang Gyeongryong was bewildered. He found it ridiculous every time an Abyssal race said that they were scared of humans. After all, the Abyssal races waged horrifying wars, which lasted hundreds of years and caused tens of thousands of casualties, out of boredom...

‘Actually, Earth must be strange for these Abyssal races.’

On second thoughts, it was actually strange for the billions of souls on Earth to constantly kill each other. It was just that Hwang Gyeongryong had gotten used to it...

“Hah, but what do they know? I’ll show these Abyssal guys the ferocity of humans and make them tremble in fear!” Hwang Gyeongryong grumbled.

Regardless of whether the Abyssal races were scared of humans, Hwang Gyeongryong intended to rule this kingdom in a human way. The new factory area, or rather, the factory prison was very much to Hwang Gyeongryong’s liking. He thought that Choi Yeonseung’s kingdom needed an area like this.

If Hwang Gyeongryong had known that such a realm existed when he was on Earth, he would’ve sent the worst criminals here instead to a prison.

‘This factory is perfect to punish criminals and also make some profit at the same time.’

“What do you want to make instead of explosions?”

“Wouldn’t it be nice for the orcs to have weapons?”

Nod nod.

The Monkey King nodded in agreement, perhaps because he also wanted a weapon. However, the orcs next to him said reluctantly, “We want new plows and pickaxes.”

“...Don’t worry, I’ll make that for you as well.”

At that, the orcs rejoiced. “Horaaay!! Woho!” They would get new farming equipment!

“Okay. I shall take up the task of whipping those scumbags.”

Hwang Gyeongryong got highly motivated. His stay in the Abyss had been too peaceful and uneventful, and now he finally had something to do.

He would squeeze these evil prisoners to produce different things!

“Gasp. Wait... If I set up a company factory here, I can make things for free without having to spend money on labor costs, right?”

“...”

Odaigon was horrified as he listened to Hwang Gyeongryong muttering to himself. When he was on Earth, Odaigon would always be repulsed by evil entrepreneurs, and now he realized that one of them stood right in front of him.

“...Can’t you just make a mobile phone or something?”

“Huh? My company doesn’t deal with mobile games.”

‘It’s good that we don’t make those!’

If Hwang Gyeongryong had also developed a mobile game, Odaigon would’ve been too scared to stay with him.

***

Dragon Solutions.

Among Dragon Industry’s companies, Dragon Solutions focused on the development of advanced materials.

Ever since the Abyssal gate had opened, numerous industries and companies had been created. Among them, the high-tech industry had also undergone a tremendous revolution. If one closed and opened their eyes, they would already see a newly developed material being released.

On that note, things like minerals, animal materials, plants, and Abyssal monsters were a new world beyond imagination.

There were two conditions for companies to survive in this new world brought on by the Abyssal gate; they had to be able to secure various rare monster materials, and they had to be able to analyze materials and create new ones using the data.

Dragon Solutions was able to survive in this industry because they could do both of those things.

“What happened to the renewal with the Mithra clan this time?”

“We finished it with a three percent increase.”

“What about the colodra skin?”

“We’ve secured thirty thousand.”

“Wonderful.” Monali Gupta, the CEO of Dragon Solutions, nodded with a satisfied expression.

“I think the CEO is in a good mood today.”

“Let’s hope things continue to work out as they are now.”

The secretaries wished for their fortune to persist. Things had only recently started going well.

Since this was an ever-changing industry, sometimes materials which had been developed with thousands of dollars became cheap overnight, and obscure companies sometimes hit the jackpot and became top competitors.

Therefore, the people in this industry naturally had to be mentally strong.

“You have an appointment with the CEO of Peleza at one o’clock today.”

“I understand. Send ‘em in.”

Peleza, like Dragon Solutions, was a company that focused on the development of advanced materials, and they were powerful enough to keep up with Dragon Solutions!

“I don’t know why Peleza wants to meet. What’s their intention?”

“Do they need materials developed by us?”

“No matter how much they need them, there’s no way they’ll show weakness and just ask for them... We’re in competition with each other.”

Companies competing in this industry never showed any signs of weakness to each other. Even if a material developed by the other party was better, they would use their own material even if it caused them losses.

From that perspective, it was indeed strange for the CEO of a company to visit one of their adversaries.

***

“Monali Gupta, our board wants to hire you.”

“...!”

Monali was frankly surprised by the CEO’s proposal. He attempted to scout him with really generous conditions.

Peleza didn’t offer him just a huge salary, but also a share of their stocks. It was said that this industry was a market where companies stole talent from each other, but it was truly rare to get such generous conditions from a competitor.

‘This much...’

The position of CEO seemed glamorous at first, but in reality, a CEO was more like a salaryman.

The owners of the company were the shareholders and the board represented them. In comparison, the CEO was merely a temporary employee. If their performance was poor, they would be immediately fired.

Therefore, Monali Gupta would have a much better position at Peleza.

However...

“I’m afraid I must decline your offer.”

“...”

Peleza’s CEO wasn’t too surprised by Monali’s refusal. He had sort of expected it.

“Is that so?”

After Hwang Gyeongryong fell and Choi Yeonseung took his place, most experts predicted the downfall of Dragon Industry.

Dragon Industry was one of the largest companies in the United States, but that didn’t mean that it had no flaws or weaknesses.

Within Dragon Industry, there were several research companies developing new skills or technologies. These companies naturally suffered huge deficits during their research.

If the stocks were listed, the company could attract money from outside. However, Hwang Gyeongryong had been too stubborn to list the stocks of Dragon Industry, and because of that, they had to raise funds on their own.

No other company would’ve survived without listing their stocks, but Hwang Gyeongryong succeeded in holding on by pouring in all the profits he earned from raids. However, now that he was gone, all experts understandably predicted that Dragon Industry would collapse.

...But much to everyone’s surprise, Choi Yeonseung was doing a good job. No one had expected him to last this long.

-Dragon Industry succeeded in the artificial cultivation of Gorn’s Life Plant with a smart farm. Is there a new agricultural revolution coming?

-The artificial cultivation of Abyss plants that everyone thought to be impossible... It has been achieved thanks to Hunter Choi Yeonseung’s astonishing leadership!

-Choi Yeonseung was selected as the ‘Top 10 Leaders’ by Forbes...

-Dragon Artifact dominates the artificial artifact market with ‘Frozen Blue Short Sword’.

-The amazing things that happened when the world’s strongest K-hunter takes charge of a company! The United States is stunned by the amazing abilities of the Korean hunters!

...The last one wasn’t really an official media outlet but more like an independent media outlet that picked provocative titles and made a living off of gaining views. Still, there were many articles like that.

Choi Yeonseung had left a mark on the industry in the short amount of time after taking over Dragon Industry, and nobody could deny that. Moreover, he wasn’t just ensuring Dragon Industry’s success. He was also participating in A and S-grade monster raids as an individual hunter!

Seeing how a single hunter took care of high-level monsters by himself, many people started providing Dragon Industry with various forms of income, such as cores and materials.

Choi Yeonseung had really fed the companies of Dragon Industry this quarter. His performance had been so outstanding that even the executives who hadn’t approved of him had no choice but to shut up and admire him.

On top of that, Choi Yeonseung had made a buzz in the United States with his amazing feat of rescuing Senator McGlas from the constellation’s clutches.

Now anyone who belittled or disregarded Choi Yeonseung’s ability would be considered a fool. Even though he was a hunter-turned-entrepreneur, he had proven himself, and the CEO of Peleza was well aware of this.

“I think it’s your loyalty to Hunter Choi Yeonseung that prevents you from accepting our offer.”

“...?”

Monali was taken aback by the other person’s words. There was no loyalty in this cutthroat business world.

“There’s nothing to deny. I myself have heard that Hunter Choi Yeonseung has the ability to reach people’s hearts.”

The CEO of Peleza nodded as if he knew exactly how Monali felt. He had spoken with the hunters involved with Choi Yeonseung, and they all had attested that he was unique among the high-ranking hunters. It was only natural that such a hunter would be able to hold onto someone like Monali.

‘It’s just that the conditions are better here...’

Monali was completely baffled by the CEO of Peleza. Of course, he didn’t deny that Choi Yeonseung was one of a kind, but the reason he had rejected Peleza’s offer was simply because the conditions were better at Dragon Industry.

Hwang Gyeongryong and Choi Yeonseung were pouring money into reliable talents, so no matter how generous Peleza’s conditions were, Monali Gupta wouldn’t leave Dragon Solutions!

“But Monali Gupta, it would be better for you to accept our offer.”

“Huh?”

“You will see later,” said the CEO of Peleza with an eerily confident voice, causing Monali to feel uneasy.

‘Don’t tell me... Did they develop something new?’

***

[’The Wandering Merchant Who Sells Destiny’ congratulates you on your victory!]

The wandering merchant came to congratulate Choi Yeonseung. At the moment, most constellations ignored the merchant constellation, which, of course, meant that VIP customers like Choi Yeonseung were very precious.

In addition, the dignity the merchant constellation felt from Choi Yeonseung was even stronger now. Only advanced constellations had such an aura about them.

Choi Yeonseung’s evolution was truly impressive considering that he had used to tremble due to not having enough soul stones.

[The ‘Wandering Merchant Who Sells Destiny’ gives you a gift.]

“...?”

Choi Yeonseung was puzzled when the wandering merchant, who had always had high prices for his items, gave him a gift. Still, he accepted it.

[You have received a power!]

[Arrangement of Chaos]

[Rank: ?

Offer your power to the realm of chaos.]

“!”

This power allowed Choi Yeonseung to give away his powers. It seemed strange at first, but Choi Yeonseung quickly figured out what this was.

-What type of power is this?

The goddess of sloth hadn’t noticed it yet because she wasn’t human.

[The ‘Wandering Merchant Who Sells Destiny’ suggests that you use this power when you obtain a useless power.]

This was a power that allowed one to recycle other powers!

Choi Yeonseung had received quite a bit of useless powers from the boxes of the merchant constellation. However, he could now use Arrangement of Chaos to get rid of them and try to get better powers.

That was what this power was all about.

-...It’s so pathetic that I’m speechless...

The goddess of sloth was dumbfounded. It was extremely obvious what the merchant constellation was trying to do...

Even if Choi Yeonseung received terrible powers, he could get rid of them and try again... by buying more boxes!

The goddess of sloth was embarrassed by this blatant attempt to trick Choi Yeonseung.

-You think so? It seems like a kind gesture to me.

-...Are you serious?

The goddess of sloth was surprised, but after all, her standards were different from Choi Yeonseung’s, who was of human origin.