Ch.6363. Seo Hyo-joo (2)

In response to my father’s question, I asked,

“What kind of amazing offer is this that you’re even considering it?”

I know my father’s ambition.

I didn’t know before, but since starting to work with him, I’ve realized how much he desires to be number one in the industry.

Of course, money.

It could be about money.

Whether it’s for honor or money, what matters is that for that to happen, Gwangjin Distribution needs to become the industry leader, and to achieve that, they need to consistently make their name known to hunters through auctions.

Since Gwangjin Distribution isn’t a specialized item retailer like a department store, they don’t have many opportunities to make their name known to regular hunters and guilds outside of auctions.

Honestly, from the guilds’ perspective, they might try to find affordable and good distribution companies by doing their homework, but ultimately, what matters most in this market is the scale and assets to immediately provide what’s needed.

In that aspect, we can’t beat Hyunjong, which has a major corporation as its parent company.

The companies ranked 2nd to 10th are also struggling to overcome that disadvantage.

Maybe that’s why it’s a difficult decision.

“They say we could become a subsidiary distribution company of Golden Guild.”

Well, it’s probably not just about coming under them.

But there are conditions that amount to something similar.

“A stable supply source is important too. They said they’d contract with us for almost everything needed for Golden Guild activities. They’d also support other things the Golden Group needs.”

It’s an attractive offer.

The success of the distribution company that my father wants.

While Golden Guild isn’t at the end of that path, if a massive guild like Golden Guild reliably handles the logistics along the way, we could reach that goal much more stably than now.

Most importantly, we wouldn’t be becoming a subsidiary company.

We could supply goods to Golden Guild while continuing our other distribution business.

If that happens, with the name of being an exclusive supplier to Golden Guild, more guilds would trust us and reach out for transactions.

So instead of building trust through auctions, we’d build it through the massive corporation that is Golden Guild.

When you think about it that way, it’s not bad.

Even if an auction fails, hunters will only be a bit disappointed; they’ll still come looking if they need something.

It’s like choosing Golden Guild instead of auctions.

“Then what’s the problem?”

Looking at it that way, I didn’t see anything particularly concerning from my perspective.

Just considering the results.

Even if we increase trust through this auction, it’s uncertain whether we could achieve more than what Golden Guild offers.

“If that happens, I might not be able to match the prices for most of the items you bring in the future, Suhyeon.”

“Ah.”

Business is business.

Golden Guild won’t make deals that lose money.

From their perspective, they’re offering these conditions because they think Gwangjin Group’s items are quite good and reasonably priced.

They’re saying they might not match the prices I propose for items from the rift dimension that I’ll continue to bring in the future.

In the end, Gwangjin Distribution would have to meet Golden’s demands as much as possible, which means they might not be able to give me the amount I ask for.

“I believe what you bring, Suhyeon, will become much bigger and more valuable. That’s why I’m hesitating.”

“Hmm. Then I’d be the bad guy, I guess.”

“…Huh?”

My father believes in me.

Even though I was holed up in my room for 26 years, he trusts me enough after just a few weeks to give up a stable path. Repaying that trust is filial piety.

“Wait a minute…”

Instead of my wavering father, I stepped out of the room.

I picked up the contract from Seo Hyoju, who was having a cup of tea, and said,

“I’m sorry, but I’ll have to decline the offer.”

I was going to tear up the contract as a clear sign of rejection, but I hesitated when I saw Hyoju’s face.

So I just handed the contract back to her to express my refusal.

Hyoju didn’t look particularly surprised or displeased.

Instead, she asked me with a curious expression.

“Is it you who’s rejecting, young man?”

“Ah.”

Is this a bit strange?

“It’s my inheritance when my father passes away…”

“…Pfft.”

“Hey, you crazy fool!”

“Oh my. I’m sorry.”

Well… people really do need social experience.

I thought I’d matured and made a cool entrance, but the serious atmosphere turned awkward.

——————————–

Seo Hyoju left.

“Please don’t take the offer too personally. I created this impolite situation first. It was such an attractive item that I wanted to mobilize all of Golden Group’s resources. This won’t affect our business relationship at all. If it ever does, please expose it immediately.”

Her maturity showed why she held the position of 3rd Party Team Leader at Golden Guild at such a young age.

People naturally assumed it was because she was from the owner’s family, but she definitely seemed capable.

“Since my attempt to leverage our connection with Gwangjin Distribution failed, I’ll just have to do my best at tomorrow’s auction. I’ll definitely make up for today’s rudeness.”

“Not at all. I should apologize for rejecting such a good opportunity.”

“Suhyeon.”

“Yes?”

As I was trying to slip away to my room, feeling awkward standing in the narrow entrance, Hyoju called out to me.

“Could I have your business card?”

“…Me?”

“Yes. I really want to apologize for today.”

“It’s fine…”

“Oppa, are you crazy? Give it to her quickly.”

“I don’t have a business card.”

“At least give her your number, hurry!”

I’m a man too.

And just a 26-year-old kid.

After that awkward situation earlier, being asked to meet again made me feel a bit flustered.

But with my parents watching, I gave her my number, thinking I could just make excuses and avoid her later. Then Hyoju left.

The chaotic event that started around 8 PM finally concluded after 10 PM.

“Whew.”

Dad collapsed on the sofa still in his suit, seemingly relieved of tension.

“Dad. Do you really not regret it?”

Kim Sujeong asked.

I felt the same way.

“Listen, you two. I just went all-in on you. Make sure you can sell for more than what Golden would have paid, just like you’ve been doing.”

“Of course, Dad. This is really nothing yet. Just trust Oppa.”

“As long as I don’t die, it’s possible, Dad.”

“…Should I just bring back the leather jacket? Do you want to wear it, Suhyeon?”

“Just sell it for a good price.”

After that, Dad changed his clothes without even washing up and immediately fell asleep.

“Did Hyoju unnie contact you?”

Kim Sujeong asked about Hyoju’s contact as if they were already close.

“No. Why would she take my number for anything good? She probably took it to hold me hostage and pressure Dad.”

“Hmm… is that so? I guess someone like Hyoju unnie wouldn’t be interested in someone like you…”

“Are you getting cheeky again?”

“Ah, I’m sleepy. Going to bed. Good night, boss.”

Kim Sujeong went to her room, and Lee Jihyun naturally followed her.

Why doesn’t she go home instead of sleeping at someone else’s house…

That’s how the night before the auction passed.

———————

On her way home,

Seo Hyoju was smiling.

“Secretary Jang.”

“Yes.”

“You said there’s an alchemist providing potions to Gwangjin Distribution, right?”

“Yes. An A-grade alchemist working independently.”

“What about healing herbs? It wouldn’t have been easy to obtain such high-grade healing herbs in bulk.”

“I’m not certain, but about two weeks ago, there was an individual hunter who briefly sold healing herbs in bulk at the Hangang Market before disappearing. I think it might have been them.”

“Hmm. An individual hunter… Have you checked who it might be?”

“I only heard it was a young man. Quite handsome, and apparently threatened merchants who tried to hoard with a sword.”

“Handsome and eccentric…”

For some reason, the person she just met came to mind.

“How interesting.”

“Pardon?”

“It’s interesting…”

Another smile formed as she looked at the number she had received.

Saving the number as [Kim Suhyeon].

“He’s an interesting person.”

She had a feeling she would see him often.

A feeling that she should see him often.

She also had exceptional business acumen.

Her grandfather, the chairman of Golden Group, told her she was born for management, but Hyoju preferred being a hunter.

“I must buy it. That leather jacket tomorrow. How much have we prepared?”

“As you instructed, we’ve prepared 20 billion in available cash and an additional 40 billion in immediately liquidable assets.”

The secretary didn’t ask unnecessary questions like whether such preparation was necessary.

Both the secretary and Hyoju knew that even an A+ grade leather armor typically wouldn’t exceed 10 billion.

But this was her special privilege that she had never used before—drawing on the chairman’s personal assets. There must be a good reason for it.

“We must buy it at all costs. Buying this will give us an advantage for what comes next.”

Hyoju thought it was good that she visited Kim Gwangjin’s home today.

From her perspective, it wasn’t the typical atmosphere of a small to medium-sized hunter distribution company.

An apartment in a decent location and price range.

But inside, an A-grade alchemist and a son who makes decisions on behalf of his father, the company president.

If that son is the owner of the healing herbs of unknown origin?

The A+ grade armor of unknown origin might also be connected.

In that sense, the [Kim Suhyeon] number she saved today might be an extremely valuable acquisition.

More valuable than the humiliation of being firmly rejected when Golden Guild proposed an exclusive deal to a company.