Chapter 14
Before coming to the auction house, Do-jin had discussed a certain business idea with Ra-hee.
“You obtained access to the Shop System?”
“A limited membership model? There would definitely be profit in that.”
At first, Do-jin had simply been happy that the Shop System had opened for him.
He had thought of it purely as a personal benefit.
But once he broadened his thinking a little...
“Other Players can use the Shop System too.”
By now, the three men had moved into the second-floor VIP room where Ra-hee was waiting.
The VIP room was thoroughly soundproofed.
It was perfect for discussing secrets among a small group.
“Of course, only with the permission of the Player who has access to the Shop.”
Do-jin had gotten the idea from something his companions had done before the regression.
Back then, how had it worked?
Do-jin, who could not access the Shop Window, would tell his companion which Item he wanted.
Then he would give Gold to the companion who had Shop access.
The companion would purchase the Item and transfer ownership to Do-jin.
By that point, everyone had already revealed every card they could possibly use in order to survive.
There was no rule saying only the Player with access had to benefit from the Shop System.
Back then, Players had used every possible method they could think of.
To become even slightly stronger.
To save even one more person.
Now...
Do-jin was simply using one of those methods earlier.
“...”
“...”
After listening to Do-jin's explanation, Tyron and Oliver looked at each other.
They were clearly interested.
But they were also wondering whether this could really be trusted.
Do-jin watched their expressions and continued.
He needed at least one condition like this if he wanted Tyron to trust the proposal.
“However, I'll charge slightly more Gold than the Shop's listed Item price.”
“Think of it as a service fee.”
“...”
The word fee seemed to convince the two Americans more effectively than any long explanation.
They exchanged brief nods.
Oliver, the manager, stepped forward.
“I'd like to know the amount of that fee.”
“And if possible, the requirements for becoming a member of this Shop service.”
As expected of a manager who had survived countless negotiations in a country famous for lawsuits and contracts, his questions were sharp.
Fortunately...
Do-jin had brought someone specifically for situations like this.
“You can discuss the details with me.”
Ra-hee finally spoke.
A young businesswoman who had already discussed Do-jin's Shop-sharing plan beforehand.
And an elite widely considered a possible successor to the head of a massive conglomerate.
Until now, the Guild Master of Test Guild had quietly listened to the three men's discussion.
Now she finally stepped in.
The service fee would be ten percent of the Item's purchase price.
Most membership requirements were similar to those of ordinary private membership services.
But one unusual condition was emphasized above all others.
“Confidentiality...”
Tyron gently ran his hand over the Item he had just purchased through the Shop System.
It had come from the D-rank Shop.
So it was not made of Mithril or Adamantite.
Still, its striking surface had been constructed from a High-Grade Magic Stone.
It was a very useful weapon.
And the price was far cheaper than Tyron had expected.
If I tried to buy this through an auction, it would've cost at least three times as much Gold.
That was why Tyron could not understand Do-jin's insistence on secrecy.
“Hey, Lee.”
“Why are you keeping this membership system secret?”
“If you made it public, you could collect Gold from all over the world.”
Do-jin answered immediately.
“Are you serious?”
“...”
Honestly...
Tyron had not been completely serious.
The more members joined, the more competitors there would be for Shop Items.
Eventually, Do-jin's Shop would become no different from an ordinary auction house.
“I intend to operate this Shop as an exclusive privilege for a small number of people.”
By the time they had carefully discussed the details, ignored most of the auction, completed Tyron's membership, and used the Shop System together for the first time...
Do-jin and Tyron had naturally begun speaking casually to one another.
“I only intend to invite Players who deserve access to this Shop.”
“And I qualify?”
“More than enough.”
Tyron Maxwell was undeniably talented.
“So what, are you going to start emailing Rankers you think qualify?”
“No.”
Rankers.
At that word, Do-jin chuckled.
For just a moment, he had confused the Rankers in his memories with the Rankers of the tutorial era.
At the present time, "Ranker" referred to the very best Players within each country.
Right now, Kim Su-ho is one of Korea's Rankers.
Before his regression, after human civilization had collapsed and humanity itself had been pushed to the brink...
The title Ranker had come to refer only to an extremely small number of people.
At the end, you needed to be at least Level 100 to even be called a Ranker.
Now he had returned to such a peaceful era that people who might not even have reached Level 70 were called Rankers.
If he had been alone...
Do-jin probably would have burst out laughing.
“...”
But once his thoughts reached that point, the smile on his lips became bitter.
He quickly suppressed the emotion.
