The Cook of a Perished World - Chapter 141
Episode 141: Where are you trying to scam?
A merchant merchant came to visit our guild.
He had a history of giving me the information I requested in the past.
Thanks to this, we were able to conduct a direct transaction with our guild.
At that time, I just thought, ‘I guess I heard the sound of an underground waterway by chance~’ and moved on.
Now I see it.
I think there was a reason why I was able to obtain information.
[Ingredients Identification (Enhancement)]
[Lee Sang-hyeop]
[Lowest Merchant Lv.9]
[Attribute]
[Lowest Information Acquisition Skill]
‘Information Acquisition Skill?’
Even among our unit members, I have never seen anyone with such characteristics.
It’s probably a trait that only merchants have.
We too are gathering information around us through Jeong Soo-ah’s [Spirit Eye] and Tae-jun’s [Astrology].
However, for now, I am focusing on exploring the dangers within Chuncheon.
There was no way to find out information about other regions.
According to this merchant:
A city north of here.
There is a fairly large human force located there.
‘Besides, it’s Yanggura….’
The cities where the Green Mane Tribe is located are Cheorwon and Hwacheon.
It was the northwest outskirts of Gangwon-do.
‘According to Ariela’s words, it is impossible to escape Gangwon-do because of the black wall. Then….’
The city where we are located is Chuncheon.
And Yanggu they are there.
If you open a defense line in two cities.
Those monsters were in a position where they were surrounded, with no way out.
If only we could form an alliance with that force.
You may be able to see huge benefits.
“That uphill. “Let’s do this together.”
“that. Lieutenant Kim? “That person…”
“Ah.”
That’s why I joined this conversation.
Lieutenant Kim seemed a little embarrassed when I suddenly joined the conversation.
He also boasts quite a long career as a barge owner.
“Sergeant Shin Young-jun. “He is one of the most senior soldiers in our unit.”
“…!”
“Youngjun. “Still, when we’re talking, I have to say something and intervene.”
“I’m sorry, Lieutenant Kim. “Still, I think I need to tell you.”
It is a well-known fact that there is only one officer in our unit.
The person involved, Lieutenant Kim, was naturally recognized as the commander of our unit.
“Sgt…!”
Being the most senior soldier means.
It means that he is the next most powerful person in the unit after Lieutenant Kim.
“Nice to meet you. My name is Lee Sang-hyeop and my occupation is a merchant…”
“Yes. Nice to meet you.”
After giving a light nod to Sang-hyeop.
He looked at Lieutenant Kim and said.
“I’m sorry for interrupting, Lieutenant Kim. “I think it would be better to go up there.”
“Hmm… Is there a reason why it has to be like that?”
“We don’t even know how people in other regions are doing.”
Lieutenant Kim will listen to me anyway.
There was an agreement externally that it would be better for him to take on the role of commander.
Since I have other people’s eyes, I also needed to act with respect for Lieutenant Kim’s authority.
“If merchants come and go and exchange, it will become easier to obtain information from other regions. “This deal itself may be more helpful to both sides’ survival.”
“Hmm.”
“furthermore. “Our unit can’t stay here forever.”
Let me finish my sentence.
Lieutenant Kim closed his eyes for a moment, as if he was in trouble.
and.
“That is correct.”
No, it’s old?
First of all, it was a lie I told because I had to pretend to persuade Lieutenant Kim.
It’s not all lies, though.
It’s not like the intention is full of good intentions.
‘The important thing is to contact forces that can form an alliance.’
This merchant is the one who has information about that group in the north.
I’m going to put a spoon in his ass.
Anyway, Lieutenant Kim wouldn’t even think about going against my words.
He pretended to be worried, then looked at the merchant and opened his mouth.
“Did you say Mr. Sanghyup?”
“Yes!”
“As for your offer… honestly, I’m a little skeptical. “We are currently in a difficult situation even in defending the area around Chuncheon City and Inje County.”
“That kind of thing.”
“In particular, expeditions to other regions require soldiers to take risks. “I don’t want to force my soldiers into a battlefield that isn’t even sure to be safe.”
“but!”
“I mean, it was like that just a moment ago. “After hearing what Youngjun said, my thoughts changed a bit.”
Lieutenant Kim continued speaking after drinking a cup of coffee in front of him.
“Our 12th Corps is originally in charge of defending Gangwon-do as a whole, not Chuncheon City. However, contact with other units has been lost, and it is difficult for our unit to defend a city alone.”
“….”
“Because of that situation, I intentionally turned a blind eye, but… our unit’s role does not change. To defend the entire Gangwon-do. “We may not be able to send soldiers due to lack of strength, but we need to check the situation in other cities.”
“That’s what you said.”
“That uphill. “Our unit will provide support.”
“Oh oh…! thank you!”
Didn’t I think it would be accepted so easily?
Sang-hyeop was greatly surprised and repeatedly nodded.
“It’s nice to go up.”
Lieutenant Kim said while receiving the greeting.
“yes. “If you’re curious…”
“Do you have anything worth selling?”
This city was underwater until not long ago.
Since most of the things on the ground have become unusable.
Despite being a big city.
There were fewer useful items than in Inje-gun, where we came from.
I wondered if there might be something I could sell to people in other regions.
“haha. “I never thought the soldiers would say that.”
“?”
The attitude of the merchant was as if it was asking something obvious.
“You have combat rations, right?”
“iced coffee.”
Oh, right?
I didn’t think of that either.
Because it is a very common item in our unit.
I don’t often think of it as being a valuable item in other places.
“As you know. We live in a world where food is still scarce. “No matter how you try to get food by farming, it takes time, and you can’t eat monster meat… Besides, won’t winter come soon?”
“Winter… I see.”
Lieutenant Kim nodded, sighing.
winter.
The forces of nature are powerful.
The civilization that had enabled us to overcome nature in the past has been destroyed.
When winter comes, even awakened people are bound to have restrictions on their activities.
Needless to say, the situation of the general public.
There is still some time left, though.
Ordinary people need to start preparing now to survive the winter.
“Lieutenant Kim. “When winter comes… a lot of people will die.”
“hmm. “Most of those who died probably died of starvation.”
“yes. Preserving food would be essential to survive. It is rare for food to be preserved long enough to survive the winter. But you can even get buffs if you eat it, and it’s delicious.”
The value will skyrocket.
“Actually, combat rations are rare even in this city. It’s probably a place where there are soldiers who make combat rations. “Because the supply source is right nearby.”
“As the supply from our side increases, the value will likely drop.”
“…Keuhum.”
I suddenly cleared my throat.
Both people’s eyes turned towards me.
“huh? Did you say Mr. Youngjun? “Is there anything that makes you uncomfortable?”
“no. no. Don’t worry. “You two, please continue talking.”
When I heard that my cooking was less valuable.
I feel somewhat sad.
“anyway! “It means that although it is a precious combat ration here, it is an incomparably valuable item in other places where there is no way to even obtain such combat rations.”
“Hoo.”
“Take these combat rations somewhere else and bring back valuable items. Those valuable items are exchanged for combat rations here, where the price of combat rations is relatively low. “Go back there and sell it… and repeat this.”
“What if I repeat it?”
“Money is not a copy… Those scraps of paper are being used as toilet paper. “Anyway, it can be copied!”
Ultimately, this means that it is a structure that can bring great benefits.
They say our top priority is to make contact to form an alliance.
There is no need to refuse if you can benefit from it.
“Then what do you want from us? “I guess you came here because you wanted something.”
“yes. “I am confident in trading as it is my job, but… honestly, I am in a position where I could easily die if I encounter just one group of zombies on the way up.”
“There’s nothing we can do since you have a non-combat position. “The business is to ask for the loan of escort troops.”
“As a bonus. I would really appreciate it if you could also invest in combat rations. I was thinking of using the reward I received last time as a starting point. “The bigger the scale, the better.”
Invest.
The situation is such that there is no shortage of combat rations.
It’s not a bad thing if you can invest some money and get useful items.
The question is how efficient the investment is.
“If you just do that… I will of course repay you for the combat rations you invested in. “I will give you 10% of the profits from this transaction!”
“10%?”
I thought it was too little.
Before those words could be said, Sanghyup began to explain.
“I guess it’s not a bad deal. Even if you stay still, your wealth will increase. Of course, there is nothing lacking for soldiers, but isn’t the more the better? Also…”
Sang-hyeop continues to explain.
The more I hear that.
I’m not saying this deal is bad for us… no.
I started to feel like this was going to be an overwhelmingly beneficial deal for us.
“Hmm. “Does this mean you will give in that much?”
“Yeah! And blah blah blah.”
“Huh! “I think this is a deal that only benefits us.”
“Haha, in the hope of maintaining a good relationship in the future…”
“Hmm. Hmm.”
Not only me, but Lieutenant Kim also seems to have a similar situation.
The figure is 10%.
That merchant made a huge concession.
I started to think more and more that the ratio was beyond reasonable and unconventional, but –
“Wait a minute.”
so that.
I said, interrupting him.
“ah! Did you say Sergeant Shin? “Any questions?”
“Let’s make it 30%.”
“…yes?”
The merchants were talking excitedly and persuading us.
His face became a little stiff.
“That’s what we take. “Let’s take 30% of the profits.”
“…Yes?”
After hearing what I said, Sanghyup seemed to wonder what kind of nonsense I was saying.
He said with an expression of resentment.
“This is ridiculous! Even the 10% ratio was a huge amount paid to me, taking the damage, in order to maintain a good relationship in the future! “But it’s three times that much!”
“40%.”
“…If I make a contract like that, I will lose money even if I go up-”
“50%.”
“…Lieutenant Kim Hyun-seok! “Please say something!”
“Me, me?”
Lieutenant Kim, who was watching the conversation between me and the merchant, looked at me with anxious eyes.
I can roughly guess what those eyes mean.
‘After listening to the story, 10% seems like a very good deal, doesn’t it?’
‘If we ask for too much and get rejected, aren’t we the only ones at a loss?’
‘Wasn’t it Youngjun who asked you to join Sanghaeng? Why are you suddenly making such a ridiculous request?…’
Well, I guess that’s roughly what it means.
But that’s just a thought that comes from not knowing anything.
‘Unless you want to starve tonight, just shut up and do as I say.’
I looked at Lieutenant Kim with those eyes.
That was enough.
“Hmm. I don’t know the details of the transaction. “I will leave the detailed ratio adjustment to Sergeant Shin Young-jun.”
“That kind of thing…!”
Even Lieutenant Kim, who seemed to have gotten over everything, took my side without hesitation.
The commercial association is frustrated as if the sky is falling.
“It’s really unfair. I guess the soldiers haven’t done business well. “This kind of deal can’t be good for either side.”
“6ㅎ….”
“Okay! Until there.”
Let’s try to bring up the idea of lowering it to 60%.
He quickly reached out his hand and covered my mouth.
“Let’s make it 550%. 50%. great.”
Sang-hyeop nods his head while breaking into a cold sweat.
I thought as I looked at that.
‘I guess 50% was the appropriate price.’
actually.
Until I heard his explanation, I thought that 10% was a very advantageous deal for us.
This is an offer they made at the cost of risking money to gain our favor.
But let’s think about it calmly.
10% of net profit?
‘Only 10% is responsible for investment as well as escort?’
There’s no way a deal like this would be profitable.
If you think about it a little, you will find the answer.
nevertheless.
Lieutenant Kim, as well as myself, were almost fooled into thinking that the 10% ratio was reasonable.
The reason is obvious.
[Identification of food ingredients (enhancement)]
[Lee Sang-hyeop]
[Characteristics]
[Improved reliability at the lowest level]
[Proficiency in speaking at the lowest level]
[Skill]
[Price strike]
[Catching a bully]
You can make it feel believable even if you hit it at an absurd rate.
It must be the influence of that skillset.
‘Where are you trying to scam me?’
Generally, you can’t look at other people’s status windows.
I have [Identification of Food Ingredients (Enhanced)].
From the perspective of my job, other humans are just a type of food ingredient.
It’s not difficult to peek at the status window.
Thanks to looking at the characteristics and skills in advance, I was able to make a cool-headed judgment.
If it wasn’t for that, I would have definitely been caught.
Probably 50% is a reasonable price.
From 60% onwards, wouldn’t it have been a structure where that side really suffered losses?
“Good deal. thank you.”
“Ha haha… That’s me. Hehehe.”
Although I think it’s a bit embarrassing.
A merchant is a profession that must pursue profit.
I don’t really want to say anything about this.
‘But I have no intention of getting caught.’