Convenience Store 24: The Tower of the End 1st - Chapter 67



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If you want to enjoy episode 67, conquer it (1)

‘You’re not even thinking about buying a store, you’re thinking about buying a building? Haha… … .’

Honestly, I thought it was just a congratulatory call for receiving a star from the gourmet guide.

‘What on earth is this old lady thinking? Even if she sells the building to me, there’s no benefit for her.’

I don’t know what my grandmother is thinking.

Anyway, this is an opportunity!

‘I wanted to expand the size of the store anyway. Of course, there are still many things to solve.’

First of all, the purchase price of the building alone is 7 billion.

On the other hand, the assets I currently have available are about 5 billion.

I’ve also spent a lot of money recently leveling up.

Above all, the fact that I declared a No-Strategist zone a while ago did not have any effect on sales.

‘Even if you manage to get all the money you need, there are still problems after that.’

We need to kick out the tenants who are still doing business in this building so that the cafe can expand smoothly.

‘Did I drink too much kimchi stew? Let’s think about that later and first consider whether or not to purchase the building. 2 billion won… … Since the cafe brings in a little over 300 million won every month… … I should be able to save it all up in about 6 to 7 months.’

And if you consider the profits you’ll get from the tower.

That period will be further shortened.

‘But I can’t guarantee that the building won’t sell until then… … Oh, come to think of it, that’s what my grandmother said.’

Grandma Okja said she would give me half a year to probation.

Even this time, without any conditions.

‘You’re not going to sell the building for half a year? I heard that grandma is secretly a bit cunning.’

On the surface, it looks like he gave me half a year of free time.

In fact, real estate with large sums of money, such as buildings, do not sell in a short period of time.

‘I heard that it could take anywhere from a few months at the shortest to a year or two at the longest. What the heck, is that important right now?!’

A towel filled with my grandmother’s calculations, a towel of pure goodwill.

The most important thing was that there was a generous six months of free time.

‘I was planning to level up with my spare money anyway, so this turned out well.’

First of all, I planned to raise my current level to 40 and gain new abilities.

The reason is simple.

I recalled the conversation I had with Lee Ji-soo from Cheon-gong Orb a while ago.

[We’re trying to recruit as many people as possible… … but it’s not easy. It seems like the players are more tired than I thought.]

Lee Ji-soo said that he was having difficulty recruiting members for the (new) advance team.

Most of the people who could have been of help have lost their will to attack.

Even the conquerors who have the will are in a difficult position because they don’t have the skills to conquer.

‘I don’t know if the new ability I gain will be a breakthrough, but I guess I should try anyway.’

New abilities are possibilities.

Do you know?

Could we use this possibility to solve the current predicament?

‘Even if that’s not the case, there’s no harm in leveling up.’

“Accumulate gold coins.”

Tiring-

[Use gold accumulation. Would you like to level up using 50 gold?]

‘okay!’

[Gold accumulation has been successfully applied. 50 gold will be deducted.]

[Level increased by 1.]

Several times, vivid golden waves rippled across my body and then disappeared.

Let’s reach level 40, which I had planned to do.

[Additional costs apply to unlocking abilities after level 40.]

[The amount required to unlock the ability is 5,000 gold.]

A slightly different message than before came to mind.

‘… … Huh? You need 5,000 gold instead of 3,000?’

The cost of developing abilities has increased.

‘I expected the cost to increase as the level goes up, but this increase is too large!’

That’s 2000 gold, but when converted to cash, it’s a whopping 2 billion!

‘I have to spend almost all the gold I have… … .’

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t worried.

But the time of worry was not long.

‘What’s the big deal? If I earn more, it’ll be over.’

I have great money-making tools: raiders and natives.

If you work hard to sell them the goods, you will quickly be able to make up for the amount of goods you consumed!

‘Yeah! Let’s go all out here. If you can suck up this much money, you must have some seriously awesome skills!’

[The amount required to bloom this ability is 5,000 gold. Would you like to bloom it?]

“Do it!”

[5,000 gold will be deducted.]

‘The building… … Goodbye for a moment.’

This is just a brief separation to prepare for a more glorious reunion.

‘I wish I had the ability to move the hearts of the raiders a little bit… ‘

When a moment of time passes like an eternity.

[You have acquired the ability ‘Convenience Store Upgrade (Lv1)’.]

Finally, the long-awaited woman’s voice rang out.

‘… … Hmm? Convenience store upgrade?’

It seems like a slightly different ability than I expected.

You can’t rashly judge the effectiveness of an ability just by its name.

‘Just think about things like pop-up stores. Anyway, let’s check out their capabilities first.’

Kim In-seong

Lv: 40

Strength: 30

Stamina: 18 (+1)

Intelligence: 34 (+12)

Agility: 20 (+5)

Bonus Stat: 5

Unique Ability: Convenience Store Owner

Derivative Abilities: Instant Food Manufacturing, Certification Mark, Bundle Invincibility, Universal Interior, Pop-up Store, Convenience Store Upgrade (Lv1)

Titles: [Miracle Survivor], [Eternal Friend of the Elves], [Master of Fenrir], [The One Who Conquered the Ruler of the Sky], [The First One to Clear the 50th Floor]

Convenience store upgrade (Lv1)

Description: Upgrade your convenience store for better service and hospitality.

Content: New special facilities and customer service are added.

Special: Passive

‘Oh, um… … simple.’

The explanation was simpler than I thought.

‘So, you’re saying that the convenience store facilities are being upgraded?’

Just by looking at the word ‘passive’ written in the special notes section, you can easily guess the ability.

‘It’s good, but… … it’ll be hard to persuade the raiders.’

How can the expansion of convenience store facilities be directly linked to attracting attackers?

‘In the end, do we have no choice but to go with option 2?’

I thought this situation might happen, so I thought of another way.

‘I think it would be quite effective if you put pressure on them with things sold at convenience stores… ‘

Provide various benefits to those who actively participate in conquering the top.

It makes more people come forward to attack.

This was the second plan I had in mind.

‘However, if you put restrictions on purchasing products, you won’t be able to make much money.’

If you sell products based on your strategy and contribution.

The number of products I sell will decrease and the amount of money I make will also decrease significantly.

‘Should I still do it…? … Ah, I don’t know. Let’s first check the ability.’

* * *

Hwaaaaaaaah-

When I arrived at the convenience store, I looked around.

‘Oh?’

Certainly, something has changed a lot.

‘Wow, the inside is quite spacious?’

Originally, it was a space that could easily accommodate dozens of people.

It has now become so large that you would believe it is a convenience store in a downtown area.

‘The display shelves have also been expanded. This way, we can display more items.’

But it was still too early to be surprised.

“Wow, what is this?”

I couldn’t help but admire the objects placed in one space.

Clank-

I threw its door wide open.

Then, a distinct cold air seeps between my fingers.

‘This is a freezer?! Wow, this is awesome!’

Previously, frozen foods were not allowed to be brought in because they were difficult to store.

This makes a difference.

‘You could also bring something like ice cream! And it would be nice if you sold frozen foods too.’

A microwave oven suddenly appeared next to the refrigerator.

If we have that, it would be good for selling frozen foods too.

‘Ehhhh, this was worth investing 5000 gold in.’

Honestly, a freezer and a microwave cost 5000 gold?

It was obviously a crazy price, but considering that no electronic equipment could be brought into the tower.

And when I think about the money I could make using them, it was a bargain.

And that wasn’t the only surprising thing.

Tiring-

[The newly established customer response service is activated.]

[You can now set up your customer loyalty system.]

[Would you like to check out our customer loyalty system?]

‘Customer loyalty system? I’ll have to check it out.’

I slowly read the message, and soon my eyes widened.

‘This is… … .’

“Poohahahahaha!”

It’s an amazing system.

I can’t believe I can use this system.

‘This is okay. No, it’s not okay!’

This goes beyond simply being ‘okay’.

‘Wait, if I use this system, I can make money and also raise the will of the raiders?’

* * *

The next day, lunch.

Hwaaaaaaaah-

“Tch!”

Let’s throw a long pole on the ground.

The bags that were hanging on the pole are now lying limply on the floor of the convenience store.

‘This bag is so uncomfortable. I wish it had more subspace pockets. I guess I’ll have to sneak a word with Lee Ji-soo next time.’

You can’t use a bag inconveniently forever.

I hummed a tune as I went about putting the products on the shelf.

‘Hmm, how beautiful.’

I opened the freezer wide and poured the ice cream inside.

From expensive ice creams like Colledor and Pongpre to various bar-type ice creams.

‘Okay, ice cream is enough. Here’s… … .’

Chorrrrrrrr-

The compartment next to the ice cream is filled with various frozen foods, such as cream udon and meat sanjeok, which can be heated up in the microwave.

Soon the shelves were filled with products.

Empty-

I turned my gaze at the strange sound I heard outside the window.

“Ughh …

“Look at that, it’s canned food I’ve never seen before… … It looks like a lot of bread came in too… … .”

“Wait a minute, I think there’s something else in there? Wait, isn’t that ice cream?!”

“Then what can I do? I can’t use it… … .”

The attackers who were clinging to the windows were sending pitiful looks.

‘Oh, don’t those guys know that the original advance party has disbanded?’

That’s why you probably don’t even know that I’ve decided to release the No-Attacker Zone.

‘But it was still really crowded.’

I wonder if the dates on which I regularly visit Elasium have spread among the raiders.

Beyond the trolls who clung to me like flies, I could see quite a few trolls.

Perhaps, a glimmer of anticipation, thinking, ‘What if?’, is what brought them here.

I chuckled and headed towards the entrance.

Daughter-

And as soon as I opened the door of the convenience store, the area that had been bustling with the chatter of the raiders suddenly became quiet.

I felt so many eyes on me that my forehead started to sting.

I slowly raised the corners of my mouth as I looked at them.

“Everyone’s face looks bright. It looks like they ate good food in a good environment. After all, food that is eco-friendly is better for your body than pizza or hamburgers.”

“Ugh… … .”

Actually, I know that too.

Healthy bread made from whole wheat, dried, nameless wild vegetables, and meat from nameless monsters.

These foods that look healthy for your body don’t taste very good.

It must have been so bad that they even shared information about good restaurants within the tower.

‘Besides, things that are not good for your health tend to taste better.’

And already, their mouths have tasted foods made with the products of civilization and scientific knowledge.

I would rather not have known than not know.

How could the conquerors, who have already experienced the stimulating taste, be satisfied with the food inside the tower?

“I wonder if the homesickness that everyone was suffering from has been cured.”

As soon as I finished speaking, desperate voices poured out from the group of raiders.

“I’m healed! I’m already cured!”

“Please sell me some cigarettes!”

I can feel it even without seeing the face.

How desperate and earnest their need is.

‘I’m finally ready to talk. As they say, people only come to their senses when they’ve been driven to rock bottom.’

You probably realize now how precious a space this convenience store, this fantasy store, is.

“I think everyone here would like to use the fantasy store.”

“please!”

A thunderous roar echoed through Elasium.

The elves who were watching this sight covered their ears tightly.

‘Wow, this is kind of interesting.’

Establishing clans and forming factions among themselves, etc.

Those who had been acting only as they pleased have now become one at this moment.

“But I’m a little worried. I can’t be sure that something like last time won’t happen again.”

“We’ll take care of that kid!”

“Please sell me something!”

Let’s all compete to raise our weapons without exception.

I smiled faintly.

“… … Good. I can definitely feel it. Your ‘sincerity.’”

“Oh! That, that means… … .”

Eyes excited with anticipation stare intently at my mouth beneath the mask.

“As of now! No-raider zone ends! Fantasy shop opens!”

Woooooooooooooooooo-

So much so that I believed I had succeeded in conquering the summit.

Shouts of joy and elation erupt from all sides.

“D, I can finally buy coffee again! Hehehe… … .”

“Soap! Soap above all else!”

The atmosphere on site was like a festival.

The raiders lined up in a more orderly manner than ever before.

“Oh, right.”

I smirked at those attackers.

“Before we reopen the Fantasy Shop, we have something to announce to you. We have new products in the Fantasy Shop, including ice cream and frozen foods.”

“Ohhhhhhhhhhh!”

Exclamations of joy and delight erupt from the conquerors.

“I never thought there would come a day when I could eat ice cream inside a tower… … .”

“The fantasy shop is a blessing from God! It’s a blessing!”

I shouted loudly toward the noisy scene.

“But! Not everyone can buy it.”

“……yes?”

“Only ‘special’ guests chosen by me can use the new product.”

I took out one of the wooden cards I had earned through the customer loyalty system.

“This is called a wood card. If you look at the bottom, you can see my certification mark clearly printed on it.”

“… … What is that?”

“Cards have grades. In addition to this Wood card, there are other grades of cards such as Bronze, Silver, etc. And only players who have those cards can purchase special items from our shop.”

As soon as I finished speaking, the murmur among the raiders grew louder.

“Oh my god… … . I need that to eat ice cream?”

“I have to have that. It’s not just any food, it’s frozen food! It’s not that crap food, it’s ‘real food’, you know, food from outside?”

“How do I get that card?!”

In response to one of the attackers’ questions, I smiled and pointed to the sky.

“It’s simple. Just attack the top floor.”

“……yes?”

“Only those who actively participate in conquering the top will be able to enjoy the benefits of my shop.”