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HEL SCANS
[Translator – Prøks]
[Proofreader – Prøks]
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Chapter 43: Insane Cost Effectiveness (1)
The Awakening Board on GateNet was buzzing with activity.
It was all because of the consecutive bizarre news updates.
―(Verified) Wow, I scored some amazing loot haha. There were real + weapons at the Ilsung Equipment Store haha.
―They really sell weapons like that? How much did you buy it for?
―9 million won haha. Hurry up and run to the equipment store haha. They only sell 20 special items per store per day.
―What? Ilsung going bankrupt or something? If you go to the auction house, they usually start at 2,000 won, right?;;
―(Verified) Armor is insane, right? Bought it for 700 haha. Want to buy more, but it’s limited to one per person, damn.
―Ah, damn, I rushed over and it’s sold out, what the heck?;;
―The stores here are also going crazy. Within 5 minutes, it’s like ten awakened individuals have arrived;;
―Hey, have any of you heard any news about Lee Seoyoon? Lately, she’s been too quiet…….
―Are they maybe tackling some hidden gate or something? Is that really important right now? + Items are popping up like crazy?
―Why are there so many plus items popping up? Aren’t these supposed to be items that even the blacksmiths can’t pull out easily?
―Yeah. I consider myself a decent blacksmith, but I can’t easily come across plus items. I have to craft all day long to maybe get two or three. It’s like playing the lottery.
―That doesn’t make sense, though? There are only 100 Ilsung equipment stores nationwide. If they release 20 each, that’s 2,000 per day;;
―They’re really selling them? The person in front of me just bought a plus item;
―How can they handle 2,000 units? Are they selling what they’ve collected so far?
―Nope, not that haha. Just saw the notice on the Ilsung homepage. They say the event will last at least a month.
―…A month means 60,000 units, right? How is this possible?
―Don’t know. But according to the notice, even after the event ends, plus items will continue to be displayed regularly, so they hope we use it frequently. They want to give us excitement like treasure hunting haha.
―…Are they really going bankrupt, guys?
―Wait, so bankruptcy isn’t the issue right now? How are they supplying items like mine haha. Did they perhaps hire a famous blacksmith?
―Nah, I don’t know much about the crafting sector, but even the top blacksmiths couldn’t churn out items like mine in such numbers. Can they even manage to produce 50 a day if they’re really good?
―You mean they can only make 50 even for normal rank items?
―I told you, it’s like playing the lottery haha. It’s not something you can just pull out at will, you know?
―Yeah. And if there’s a blacksmith that skilled, why would they bother with low-level items instead of making high-level ones? It’s like shredding money in real-time haha.
―???? Did you happen to see any potions displayed in the corner? Those are plus items too, right?
―……Huh?
* * *
Ranked 2nd in the domestic industry, DORIM Group held a board meeting for all its subsidiary company executives.
Chairman Cho Chunghoon looked at the executives with a flushed face.
“Report.”
One of the sweating executives struggled to stand up.
“This month, sales in the electronics department have decreased by more than 50%. Export volume has also sharply declined…”
“Hey, Director Kim.”
“Yes, Chairman.”
“What do you think the problem is?”
“Our analysis suggests that the main reason is the advertising videos on the Maverick Channel. The replay views exceeded 100 million and it became a huge hit even overseas…”
“I know that too. So, are you telling me we just lost all our market share in electronics domestically and internationally just because of that? Were we not in enough trouble domestically that we had to drag this overseas too?”
“Oh, no! We also launched a counterattack by deploying A-list celebrities for advertising…”
“So, if we plaster ads everywhere, can we catch up to Troublemaker’ NewTube views?”
[TL/N: Changing mangmani -> troublemaker]
“Well, that’s…”
The executive’s face turned pale.
100 million views couldn’t be achieved domestically alone.
They needed to attract international attention.
“Do you think using A-list celebrities will work overseas?”
“That’s a ridiculous idea.”
“That’s just a domestic ad.”
“Overseas advertising? If we had known that, Dorim would already be the world’s number one appliance manufacturer.”
“The reality is that we may be number one in the domestic appliance market, but we’re barely scraping by in the top 7 globally.”
[TL/N: This ranking is for the appliance market only]
“This kid, can we catch up?”
“Uh, I don’t think so. It was a very unique video…”
The executives looked glum.
Ilsung’s advertising model was just too strong.
The eldest son of the number one chaebol in the country.
On top of that, he’s a world record breaker.
He had heard that he’s already built a huge fandom overseas with his bad boy image.
Cedric, who also appeared in the ad, is known by his nickname ‘Bone Knight’ and is enjoying immense popularity.
‘How can we beat them?’
The impact was already on a massive scale.
Rumors were already circulating that Ilsung’s brand was starting to be seen as premium.
“Kim Minwoo is just a chaebol’s son who’s full of himself. Once he started doing ads, people started to think that Ilsung products are only for the rich, right?”
“What are you going to do about it! Ilsung is taking advantage of the situation by making a premium version of their products and selling them like crazy, so what are you going to do?”
“W-We’re also going to make a premium version to follow the trend…”
“If you’re just going to follow Ilsung’s ass, why are you sitting in that chair? You need to come up with a solution!”
Director Kim was very frustrated.
Ilsung was not something he could catch right now.
To catch them, he needed to have something special on his side.
Even though the quality was a bit ahead, they were being crushed in terms of image.
Dorim used to be the undisputed leader in the domestic appliance market, but now it’s seen as outdated.
‘How can we overcome this?’
Even if the chairman’s grandfather were to come back, it would be difficult to reverse the situation.
Kim, the Director of the appliance company, wasn’t the only one trembling with fear.
Kim Minwoo’s advertising campaign had had a devastating effect on the company.
Sales at all of the affiliated companies had been in freefall for a long time.
Kim was just an example now.
He was being made a scapegoat to send a warning to the other directors.
“Pack your things and get out. Now!”
“…Thank you for your time, Chairman.”
Director Kim, looking ashen-faced, was escorted out of the meeting.
It was as good as being fired.
Chairman Cho’s tirade didn’t end there.
He slammed a newspaper down on the table.
[Ilsung Group Makes Bold Move in Equipment Market! Massive Release of Plus Items! Number of Daily Visitors Increases by over 1,000%!]
[Potion Also Releases + Products, Creating Long Lines of Waiting Customers…]
“Director Lee.”
“…Yes, Chairman.”
“You’ve heard the news, haven’t you?”
“Yes. It seems like those bastards have done it again. They’re selling equipment at almost half price, so they must be bleeding money.”
“Even considering that, it’s still a profit if they can kill off competitors like us. Don’t you already see the writing on the wall? All the other retailers are going to be empty soon.”
“That’s true.”
“So, what are you going to do about it? Are you going to be like Director Kim, just stand there and take it?”
“No! I’ve contacted the craftsmen to make as many low-cost equipment as possible to secure plus items. I’ve also released the plus items that we’ve been stockpiling at low prices…”
“Is that all?”
At that moment.
Lee, the director of the equipment company, looked serious.
“Chairman, the amount of equipment that Ilsung is releasing is not something that can be handled by just a few craftsmen.”
“I know. So what?”
“There must be a special craftsman behind this situation. His skill is probably related to the production of plus items. We will scout him at all costs.”
“That’s right. You have to know how to get to the heart of the matter! There is no answer to fighting a war of numbers. We have to catch the guy who is behind this.”
Chairman Cho’s face finally relaxed a bit.
If he had tried to fight a stupid battle of numbers, the other guy would have just cut him off.
This was not the amount that could be produced by pressuring the craftsmen.
It was clear that Ilsung had a special card in their hand.
“Even if it costs tens of billions of won, I will support you unconditionally. So, you must find that guy and catch him.”
“Yes. I will find him at all costs. I will give him whatever he asks for. If we catch that craftsman, it will be the same as winning.”
“That’s right! That’s the spirit of Dorim!”
Only then did Cho Chunghoon’s face relax.
He had been running like a bulldozer up to now.
Was it thanks to his hard work?
The past 20 years have been a period of leap for Dorim.
The market capitalization, which was almost twice as large, was narrowed to one-third.
There was hope that if he worked a little harder in his generation, he would be able to regain the top spot.
Cho Chunghoon had no intention of being knocked out here again.
‘This is a turning point.’
He had to break Ilsung’s momentum. Otherwise, he might never be able to catch up in the future.
That’s how Ilsung’s recent actions were so unsettling.
At that moment,
One of the Director’s raised his hand.
“Director, do you have something to say?”
“Chairman. The situation is in Ilsung’s favor now. The reason is simple. They have built a sophisticated brand image through Kim Minwoo.”
“That’s right. That’s why we have to find that craftsman and catch him. If we do that, we can turn the situation around.”
“That’s right. That’s the only way to win.”
The Directors nodded in agreement.
They all knew that this was a critical moment for Dorim.
They had to do something to break Ilsung’s momentum.
“That’s true.”
Kim Minwoo’s advertising campaign had been incredibly successful.
It had helped to make Ilsung a household name all over the world, and its value could be estimated in the tens of trillions of won.
And the effects were still being felt.
Every time he made a move, he was under the spotlight from both domestic and overseas media.
It was as if a walking superstar had turned the tide.
“So the solution is simple. Why don’t we create our own star like that? After all, you have a very talented son, Executive Vice Chairman Cho…”
[TL/N: This position is not final. Will finalize it as I get more context]
Director Choi glanced at Executive Vice Chairman Cho.
Cho Pilwook
A-rank achievement holder.
He was one of Chairman Cho’s two sons.
However, despite his outstanding achievements and his own high level of nearly 300, he was not given any major responsibilities. The reason was simple.
Cho Pilwook, like Kim Minwoo, belonged to the ‘troublemaker’ group.
They put him in the guild and gave him a fancy business card, but they didn’t really use him in the company’s business.
That was his position.
“…Ahem! Are you suggesting we use Executive Vice Chairman Cho?”
“Yes. Of course, Executive Vice Chairman Cho may have been a little extreme in the past, but where can you find a young man who doesn’t get into trouble in his hot-blooded youth?”
“Hmm…”
Chairman Cho pondered.
Normally, he wouldn’t even have to consider it.
Hot-blooded youth?
Cho Pilwook’s accident record was far beyond that level.
If he hadn’t covered it up with money and power, he would already be in jail.
In that situation, bringing him into the public eye wasn’t a good idea.
But now, things are a little different.
The vanguard Kim Minwoo had already made a successful debut in a blaze of glory.
Why would it be impossible for Cho Pilwook?
In a time when public opinion was favorable towards troublemakers, Cho Pilwook might even be able to make a name for himself with his bad boy image.
Chairman Cho looked at his son.
“…How about it, can you do it without causing any trouble?”
“…Father! I’ve changed a lot! If you just give me a chance, I’ll do my best, no matter what!”
Cho Pilwook was overjoyed.
He thought he would never be able to return to the company again, pushed aside by his older brother.
But now, an opportunity had arisen.
It was all thanks to the precedent set by Kim Minwoo.
“What are your plans for your debut?”
“I’ll have to make a big splash. I’m thinking of clearing an A-rank gate and then starting a NewTube channel. I’ll make the name of Dorim known!”
“Hmm… talk to the guild master.”
“Thank you! Father!”
With those words, all the spotlight of the gate raid would be on him.
‘I’ll definitely return to the company on this opportunity.’
If even a 1-level player could create such explosive public opinion, why couldn’t he? Cho Pilwook’s confidence was brimming.
There was just one thing he didn’t expect…
[(Breaking News) Kim Minwoo copycat syndrome? Chaebol troublemakers all open NewTube channels!]
[(Breaking News) More than 50% of chaebol heirs open NewTube channels! All of them are criticized for creating clickbait NewTube channels full of troublemaking.]
[(Breaking News) Can’t break their bad habits? Some channels are resorting to outrageous behavior like raffles with crazy prizes and free money to attract viewers…]
[(Breaking News) A terrible backfire! Sales of companies that have opened NewTube channels with their heirs as troublemakers have plummeted dramatically as a boycott movement takes hold…]
“What are these guys doing?”
Kim Minwoo chuckled as he read the news headlines.
They all followed the same pattern.
Have their awakened heirs clear a gate and make their debut.
Even some of the troublemakers were included in this.
As if those who couldn’t break their bad habits could do well on NewTube.
It was a ridiculous idea.
In the end, they all got caught up in criticism and were forced to stop, making their situation worse.
‘They don’t seem to understand that you can’t just copy and paste success.’
If that were the case, anyone could become a star.
There’s a whole different level between the original and the imitation.
Cough
“Yeah, yeah. They’re all idiots, right? That’s what my dad thought too.”
It couldn’t get any better than them tripping and falling on their own faces.
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HEL SCANS
[Translator – Prøks]
[Proofreader – Prøks]
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