How to Raise Your Skeletons

“Oh, it actually worked. Thank you. I’ll use it well and pay it back.”

“But, dear customer.”

“Yes?”

“Rather than opening several stores next to Ohsung, wouldn’t it be better to grow one store in a prime location?”

“Hm, would that be better?”

“Yes, rather than focusing on competing with Ohsung, it would be more constructive for your future to grow big enough that Ohsung can’t touch you.”

Oh? She wasn’t wrong. I had started this for revenge, but there was no need to get too hung up on Shin Jongoh.

“Teehee, so I did a bit of research. There’s a building for sale in the Apgujeong area’s bustling center. It’s a three-story, 330m2* building, and since it’s a quick sale, it’s pretty cheap…”

≈ 3,230 ft2

“Really? How much?”

“About 8 billion won.* It’s a bit old, but it should be perfect with some renovations.”

≈ $6.15 million USD

Kim Jinah’s voice was full of enthusiasm. Whether she found my business idea interesting or she was just invested in managing the 10 billion won loan, she was being quite proactive.

It was convenient for me. However, I was curious about one thing.

“Hm, but in that case, does location matter that much? After all, my business is selling high-performance items. If word spreads, people will line up even if I set up on the southernmost island.”

“Oh, dear customer, didn’t you want to grow Demir’s Workshop into a global brand? Location is important not only for customer access but also for the brand’s prestige.”

“Hm, you’re right. The first step is always crucial. As you said, investing in one good location is better than spreading out across multiple smaller ones.” I nodded.

Once I had decided, the process was swift. With her help, I quickly purchased the building and started renovations.

“Master, the building is quite old. Just leave it to me, the great Demir!”

—Clang! Clang!

The building’s condition didn’t matter. There was nothing to worry about with Demir’s craftsmanship, which could create something out of nothing, although it wasn’t quite at its peak, like in his prime…

“First, we need to reinforce the steel frame. And why is the building shaped like this? Even if the babies of my tribe built it, it would look better than this! I can’t tolerate this as an artist!”

There was a burning passion in Demir’s eyes.

—Clang! Clang!

The building slowly transformed over the course of about a month. It didn’t become a flashy, shiny, glass building like the others in this area. But instead, it adopted an artistic, medieval architectural style.

As I watched the transformation, I continued my training on the side. Even though I had stronger minions now, I focused on training Boney 1, Boney 4, and Boney 5, trying to narrow the gap between them and the awakened ones.

After some time passed…

“Ooh.”

“Haha, do you like it, Master?”

The building was complete.

“Not bad. It’s unique yet blends well with the surroundings.”

“Haha, I’m glad you think so, Master! Would you like to see the inside?” Demir, looking pleased, led me inside.

The interior was incredibly luxurious. It glittered with gold, as if designed to cater exclusively to VIPs.

“That woman, Kim Jinah, is quite something. She explained everything so clearly, it was like she was drawing a picture in my mind. Honestly, I just followed her instructions.”

“Wow.” I admired the interior as I walked around.

The first floor was for selling mass-produced items. It was where Demir’s B-rank products were displayed for sale without any limits on quantity.

In contrast, the second floor was reserved for limited edition items. In one corner, there was a small workshop for Demir, and the rest of the floor was filled with clean display cases, like a museum. Soon, those cases would be filled with S-rank items.

[‘Air Purification’ (B-rank) is active in this zone.]

[‘Security System’ (A-rank) is active in this zone.]

“I’ve put in some effort too. I’ve enchanted this place so that you’ll be immediately alerted if someone tries to tamper with the items without unlocking them. And Air Purification is a given.”

“Wow, as expected of Eldrin. Your attention to detail is impressive.”

“You’re too kind, Master. Your praise fills me with joy!”

“R-Really, now…?”

I walked up the stairs to the third floor.

[‘Air Purification’ (B-rank) is active in this zone.]

[‘Security System’ (A-rank) is active in this zone.]

[Set Temperature: 24˚C*]

= 75.2˚F

“Wha…?”

It was a cozy, modern home complete with a soft sofa, fluffy bed, TV, table, clock, and even a terrace with a view of the Han River and Olympic Avenue.

“This was my idea. After that scoundrel Shin Jongoh messed with your living space, you’ve been living like a nomad. I couldn’t bear to see Demir’s master without a proper home,” she said.

“…”

Even my living situation was resolved. This was incredible.

“I’m really touched.”

“Haha, it is I who should be touched. You’ve given me the chance to use my skills in this world.”

“You all speak so beautifully and kindly.”

I was lucky to have a unique authority to command such loyal subordinates.

Next up, the rooftop.

The rooftop was a training area. It was like a replica of the open field I often visited in the mountains, complete with dozens of steel dummies. Honestly, this was the part I liked the most.

“You’ve really outdone yourselves, ” I sincerely praised their hard work.

The location of the new store wasn’t bad. Most importantly…

“Demir’s Workshop! Official Opening!”

“Apgujeong, a new hot spot?”

“Business magnate Yoo Sangdon says, ‘Competitors are always welcome.’”

Thanks to the buzz generated by the Hunter Board and the media, a crowd gathered on the first day of the grand opening.

We had about 20 weapons on display. These were the ones I had made sporadically while working on the building. The price was set at 20 million won* per weapon, regardless of type. This would be the standard price for Demir’s mass-produced items moving forward.

≈ $15,385 USD

“Excuse me, can I take a look at the weapons?”

“Huh? But where are the clerks? Why are there skeletons…?”

The curious crowd was slightly taken aback to see short skeletons manning each weapon station.

—Clack, clack.

The skeletons, each holding a hammer, grinned as they clacked their teeth together. But the most surprising thing was…

“Haha, welcome, human! Right this way! This is a sword! Though it’s a mass-produced item, it boasts extraordinary performance thanks to the craftsmanship of the great Demir!”

“Come this way! Look at this bow! See the craftsmanship? Only a discerning eye can appreciate the subtle differences that determine the quality of a piece!”

The skeletons were speaking!

“Master, my summoning skill also seems to be evolving. Although it’s not yet fully awakened… I believe these are the souls of those who were most loyal to me 500 years ago. They even helped with the construction of the building.”

Demir had revealed this to me about two weeks ago.

Honestly, it was shocking. If that were true, it was a tremendous boost in strength! Not only did I have Demir, but now I had 10 additional dwarves. This was practically on par with the White Swine’s production capabilities.

And if these minions grow and learn to use summoning skills themselves?

That would form an infinite chain of blacksmiths! I controlled Demir, and Demir controlled an army of craftsmen! The very thought sent shivers down my spine.

Anyway, the existence of talking skeletons was enough to shock the visitors. I had freaked out the first time I saw them too, so I could understand how first-time customers would feel.

“Oh my goodness!”

“A skeleton… is talking? And… it’s acting like a salesman?”

“A talking skeleton! An undead is speaking! I have to record this!”

The workshop, already known for being unique, was about to get even more attention.

In any case, on the first day, all 20 weapons sold out in less than an hour. We made 4 billion won* in sales in just one hour. We closed the doors immediately after.

≈ $3 million USD

About two hours later, Kim Jinah arrived with a congratulatory flower pot and was surprised.

“Wow, everything’s sold out already?”

“Should we have prepared more?”

“Hmm, no, I think it’s fine. The demand for these products is limited in this market anyway. The fewer we release, the more exclusive they’ll feel.”

“But wouldn’t it be better to take advantage of the attention and release more all at once?”

“Dear customer.”

“Yes?”

“I’m the youngest MBA graduate from Harvard. You can trust me when I say that marketing is all about patience. Just wait and see.”

* * *

At the same time…

“Phew.”

Gi Soyul, her black hair tied up, was soloing a dungeon.

[A-rank Dungeon – ‘Palace of the Minotaurs’]

It was a dungeon she occasionally tackled solo to gain practical combat experience.

—Thud! Thud!

A massive minotaur swung an ax the size of a human.

—Swish!

Her movements were sharp and swift. Her form vanished in the path of the creature’s swing.

—Swish!

Then she reappeared behind its head.

—Slice!

“Moo!”

With a single strike for each, one after another, the minotaurs fell. Soon, the palace corridor was littered with bodies of the fallen.

This is unbelievable.

The Palace of the Minotaurs was a dungeon that appeared about once a month. This meant she had run it several times. However…

Clearing the corridor this quickly?

Usually, it took her about an hour to clear a single corridor. But this time, it had only taken 20 minutes. It was as if the dungeon had become easier.

“All because I changed my weapon…”

Gi Soyul absentmindedly looked down at her hand, or, more precisely, at the dagger in her hand.

[Item: A Dagger for an Assassin]

[Rank: S]

[Type: Dagger]

[Description: A weapon crafted by the legendary blacksmith Demir and his master, inspired by a certain assassin! With incredible focus and passion, its performance has surpassed its blueprint.]

[Effect 1: Dexterity increases by 50.]

[Effect 2: Attack speed increases by 200%.]

[Effect 3: After entering stealth, the first attack deals 500% additional damage.]

[Effect 4: Ice magic resistance increases by 30%.]

It was the source of this insane damage boost.

Gi Soyul quietly caressed the weapon. The pleasant chill ran up her arm, all the way to her heart.

“I’m a weapon just for you. I was made only for you,” it felt as if the weapon was whispering to her.

Should I let him know?

Gi Soyul was a mid to high-tier ranker at the time. She was a potential target for villainous rankers who aimed to move up by taking her down. That was why she kept as much information about herself hidden as possible.

Such as the information about my weapon.

If information about her weapon were to spread, so would knowledge of how to counter it. That would only create a weakness. But…

Mr. Donghoon asked me to promote it.

Revealing the information about a weapon was the best way to promote it.

Usually, she would have completely ignored such a request. But this time, she couldn’t. First, out of gratitude, and second, because she simply felt like it.

But wouldn’t that be dangerous for him too?

This weapon was an S-rank item, after all. S-rank weapons were so rare that even world-class workshops like the White Swine treated them as major projects.

If word got out that a blacksmith could produce S-rank items independently in such a short time, he could easily become a target for global criminal organizations.

In that case…

There was only one solution: she would have to become his protector once again.

With my abilities, I can at least protect Mr. Joo Donghoon.

—Clench!

Gi Soyul clenched her fist, resolving herself. It definitely wasn’t because she wanted to return to him. A blacksmith capable of crafting S-rank weapons was a national treasure.

I’m just doing it out of patriotism to protect a national treasure.

—Swish!

With her decision made, she charged deeper into the dungeon.