Dimension Merchant (2)
A gigantic logistics warehouse, bustling with many employees moving busily.
In the midst of it all, Hubert was quietly observing the hectic scene when an old man approached him.
“Hehe, it seems the sorting is mostly done, so we can start sending the next shipment soon.”
The old gentleman, dressed in a completely white suit that stood out from the working uniforms around him, was Frances, a demon of the noble rank dispatched from the Demon Realm’s Hubert Association headquarters to the mainland.
“Thank you for your hard work. With you here, Lord Frances, everything goes much smoother.”
“Ah, it’s nothing much. Since Lady Hela ordered this directly, it’s like cracking a goblin’s skull for me! Haha!”
In response to Hubert’s praise, Frances, specialized in mental manipulation, casually laughed and stroked his chin.
Though still not accustomed to the demon realm’s old sayings, it was undeniable that he was being a great help.
Since trade with the demon realm requires strict security, even managing workers had to be done carefully.
‘No matter how automated the system is with magic engineering, the verification process is absolutely necessary. In that sense, Frances, who excels in crowd control, is the perfect candidate for this task.’
Turning his gaze back, Hubert watched the employees in working uniforms busily moving about.
To be more specific— they were demons disguised as humans who had been dispatched along with Frances to this headquarters.
“To think they can maintain such efficiency without rest or food. They truly are the best workers, unmatched by humans.”
“…Hmmm, hearing such praise makes me feel a bit strange. Still, it would be wise to at least give them a break. I’m here, so I doubt anything major will go wrong, but if frustrations build up, the likelihood of slowdowns increases.”
“Don’t worry. I’m not that ruthless a businessman.”
Hubert replied with complete confidence.
Frances turned to look at him with a somewhat sour face.
His eyes were as if to say he viewed Hubert as “a merchant of darkness who not only trades with demons but exploits them for free,” but that couldn’t be true at all; it must be a misunderstanding.
This side was paying sufficiently for the work done, after all.
‘Of course, since these workers were sent from the demon realm, I made sure to compensate them accordingly based on their realm’s standards.’
Moreover, to alleviate concerns about food and shelter, a dormitory and dining hall had been set up on one side of the warehouse, making Hubert a remarkably conscientious businessman by anyone’s standards.
The reason they couldn’t go outside the premises was a necessary issue for security.
“…Ahem, I understand why Lady Hela selected you… Hm! By the way, it’s truly impressive. I’ve heard of the Hubert Association’s reputation, but I didn’t expect you to handle such a workload this smoothly.”
In response, Frances, at a loss for words, glanced around and changed the subject.
The volume of goods coming and going here was far from small.
A hub for interdimensional trade, crossing shipments arriving from the demon realm and those being sent there.
Goods piled up inside the warehouse were being carefully sorted and moved according to an automated system and the labor of the demons.
Just like a logistics center you would see on Earth.
“Well, this logistics hub has been in the works for quite some time. It would have been quite troublesome to transport goods in large quantities if it were inside the city.”
Hubert chuckled and shrugged.
This massive warehouse was the most meticulously built logistics hub of the Hubert Association, located in the southern area outside Tarak.
Its interior could fit a considerable village, and it was surrounded by rigorous barriers and security devices, making it a nearly impenetrable fortress where no unauthorized person could enter.
‘Still, trade with the demon realm ending here is relatively convenient. Other warehouses probably have carts arriving and departing endlessly even at this very moment.’
Naturally, the city wasn’t thrilled about having to collect taxes with all this movement of goods, but convincing those who had already gone beyond dominating the area to the point of having most of the local economy reliant on them was no difficult task for the Hubert Association.
The leftover scraps for their mouths didn’t add up to much anyway.
“This opportunity has come thanks to Lady Hela, hasn’t it? Truly, the hard work paid off.”
At Hubert’s sly words, Frances looked at him with a peculiar gaze.
While his physical strength couldn’t compare to Frances, he was not someone to be easily underestimated.
In fact, he was quite remarkable enough to understand why he was chosen by Hela.
‘The monopoly on goods from the demon realm has truly fallen into the hands of those who lead the continent’s top merchants…’
At this very moment, a terrible monster, capable of swallowing the world’s market whole, was awakening.
If he hadn’t been in the same position serving the same master, Hubert would have surely thought of removing him before he grew any larger.
‘…But as a servant of Lady Hela, the more successful he is, the better. After all, this situation itself is her will.’
With a short sigh, Frances turned his gaze away from Hubert and looked toward the constantly bustling violet gate through which goods were flowing.
‘That thing is really amazing. I never thought the Demon King’s powers could be used in such a way.’
Every time he looked at it, a deep sense of awe rose from within.
In truth, no matter how exceptional Hubert’s skills were, if that gate didn’t exist, trade itself would not have been possible.
‘Of course, it could be that after some lower-level workers came in to be worked to the bone, only lifeless goods come and go for the long-term maintenance…’
Even that was an extraordinary achievement.
Right now was not the time for a “continental invasion,” anyway.
Doing tasks like breaking through pathways like that wasn’t something she could do easily, but thanks to the special ability “World Invasion,” which drastically lowered the costs required to break through interdimensional barriers, it had become possible.
It was rather funny that those abilities were being used for trade and not invasion.
“Then I will take my leave. I’ll leave the remaining work to Lord Frances. If there’s any trouble, just let my secretary Diana know.”
“Hehe, what trouble could there be? It’s just exchanging piled-up goods periodically. If a problem occurs, I’ll handle it without causing too much fuss, so don’t worry too much.”
Well, his mental manipulation would be hard to escape unless one were a transcendent being, so it was an unnecessary worry.
After all, that was precisely why he was appointed as the head of this warehouse.
With that, Hubert nodded slowly and passed through the heavy security systems and out of the warehouse.
Clatter! Clatter!
Buzzing—
Hee-haw!
“Whoa…? The horse got excited! What’s going on? Grab the reins quickly!”
“Hey! Move that over here! Handle it carefully, it’s precious!”
“Are you the merchants from the Talia Kingdom? Let me see… This way, please.”
As soon as Hubert stepped out, accompanied by his guards into the security zone, his eyes were filled with a multitude of busy people.
Wherever he looked, large and small buildings were standing, spacious roads were neatly arranged, and various carts and merchants hustled about.
This was the true face of the large trade complex built under the leadership of the continent’s top merchant, the Hubert Association.
“Phew— this is splendid.”
For a moment, Hubert gazed at the scene with satisfaction and let out a deep breath.
This scene was the culmination of exclusive rare goods, an endless flow of funds, the shadowy might of vampires merged with major information organizations on the continent, and the utilization of top-tier connections established throughout the world.
‘It’s been a long journey. The Hubert Association has been established for several years now. No, considering it achieved the status of the continent’s top merchant in just a few years, it might even be considered a short period.’
A grin involuntarily broke out.
Of course, this was just the beginning.
As trade with the demon realm officially kicked off, the influence of the Hubert Association would only increase, not diminish.
He would ensure that this happened.
‘That’s right, my path as the world’s top merchant, Hubert, starts here.’
However—
As if to encourage his resolution—
《The entity has accumulated enough karma to unlock latent possibilities. Special skill “Dimension Merchant” acquired.》
A sudden message line appeared right in front of his eyes as he just began to take his first steps.
A notification informing him of acquiring a merchant-related skill, which he had thought he would never get, except for “Analysis” and “Cipher Decryption.”
*
Awakened ones sent to this other world with a system acquire skills that match their accomplishments.
They train their bodies, wield weapons, practice magic, develop resistance through toxic ingestion, or engage in life-and-death battles.
Or perhaps they obtain special items or consume rare elixirs.
Unlike the indigenous people of this world, those blessed by the system were enabled to grow rapidly in any circumstance.
“Dimension Merchant… what a grand name. While it isn’t incorrect, it’s quite something.”
In that sense, it wasn’t surprising that Hubert, enhanced by the additional compensation of “Avatar,” acquired the skill itself.
Except it was indeed a merchant-related skill that was almost thought to be non-existent after several years of trading.
‘Still, it seems there were related skills after all. Seeing it emerge now means the conditions to acquire it were much stricter than standard skills.’
I gently smirked while checking the skill Hubert had acquired from the massage chair placed in one corner of the living room.
There was no doubt about the occasion he received “Dimension Merchant.”
As indicated in the message window, it was because he had begun trading with the demon realm, going beyond selling Earth products. His associated karma exceeded a certain threshold.
And this was clearly far beyond the realm of “ordinary commerce,” unlike the otherwise possible ordinary transactions.
Yes, it was akin to something that could not possibly happen without the influence of abnormal powers.
“What a bizarre skill system. Physical activities require only some training, yet acquiring skills like these relates to specific powers,” he thought.
Perhaps if he had started with a related unique skill, it would have been different.
Like a mental manipulation ability to increase another’s favor or a power to greatly increase his luck.
Of course, it had nothing to do with Hubert, who had only possessed the “Appraisal” skill while effortlessly growing the Association based on the foundations that other avatars built until now.
At least until now.
‘The effects of “Dimension Merchant”… perhaps this higher skill, achieved through a difficult path, has a lot of extra abilities attached.’
Starting from increasing the favorability with first-time contacts to charisma boosts, an enhanced eye for valuing items, and even inexplicably raised physical abilities.
But most importantly…
‘Interdimensional trade enhancement.’
With a serious look on my face, I stroked my chin.
Understanding the limitations and usage methods of the skill would be best learned through direct experience.
Still, through the changes, I could gauge what might be possible—
“This… is it possible for Hubert alone to transcend dimensions?”
The results were quite shocking.
He could stabilize the passage between the demon realm established by Hela and even pioneer new routes.
Moreover, if it came with the “World Invasion” aspect that reduces the costs of transcending dimensions…
‘…Though mastery will be an issue, the potential is indeed opened. My feelings are quite complicated.’
Never did he think Hubert, a mere merchant avatar, would possess such ability.
The cause of the achievement that would become the foundation of his growth, the “summoning of the Dimensional Teleportation Circle,” and the first great feat he had accomplished, “returning to Earth without using the Karma Shop,” could actually become a reality.
Thus, naturally, I felt quite conflicted.
“Well… for now, the priority is to become familiar with the ability. Anyway, it’s good to have more good things.”
There was no need to worry about it immediately.
The more abilities one had, the better, and those collected abilities would surely come in handy when needed someday.
The problem he needed to focus on right now was elsewhere.
《The unused Karma points have exceeded twenty million. The special trait “Karma Shop Ver.2 Update” changes to “Karma Shop Ver.3 Update.”》
Thanks to the ongoing trades, his karma had rapidly increased.
Finally, it had reached the awaited figure and brought along another transformation.
*
A cluttered office, filled with all kinds of odds and ends.
“Phew, I’m going to lose all my hair at this rate.”
A man with dark skin cradled what little hair he had left carefully.
His cautious gesture was an attempt to soothe the damaged roots caused by recent overwhelming stress, but of course, such actions would have no effect—there was no mystery behind the act.
“Please, let today pass without any accidents…”
If others who knew his usual demeanor saw him now, they would not be able to believe their eyes.
The number of people he had melted alive with poison easily reached the thousands, yet here he was, praying in a rather pathetic manner.
Yet he had his own complaints.
“Please… this isn’t easy to control information in a place like Africa. If you cause trouble, we’ll have to clean it up on this side…”
His colleague from the savage lands of Africa frequently caused accidents, and as the person responsible for this region, he had so much to manage that he couldn’t even handle other tasks.
He had expected it to reach this point to some extent, but when the reality struck, it was impossible to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Ding—
But against his wishes,
The familiar sound of an alert echoed quietly through the office.
-Director! We have a huge problem! The Executioner has…
“Aah.”
The urgent voice of a subordinate buzzed in through the contact network.
The Buncheon Society’s Southeast Asia branch director squeezed his eyes shut.
‘At this point, whoever it is, whether it be Hahoe Mask or a saint, I just wish someone would hurry over.’
He slowly lowered the hand that had been cradling his head.
Even with the utmost care, the number of hairs tangled around his fingers was extraordinary, but it was probably just a simple feeling.
…Unless he genuinely felt as if he might burst into tears.
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