Chishiya was stunned.
Not just because of the sudden appearance of the system panel.
But more so… because his identity had been revealed just like that.
Vanir grinned.
"Relax, I don't mean any harm."
"What we're curious about is the civilization of your world."
"Are you really here to partner with this useless shopkeeper?"
Wiz immediately went into defense mode.
"Eh, hey hey?!"
"Mr. Vanir!"
"Please don't call me a useless shopkeeper in front of customers!"
Chishiya narrowed his eyes.
Now that the truth was out, there was no point hiding anything.
Might as well cut to the chase.
"Yes, I'm here to work with Miss Wiz."
Wiz blinked in surprise.
"Eh? You want to work with me?"
"That's right."
Chishiya pulled a blueprint from his coat.
"Miss Wiz, can you manufacture this?"
Ever since arriving in this world, Chishiya had been brainstorming ways to strike it rich.
His best idea? Magic devices fused with modern tech from his past life.
Wiz took the blueprint.
It wasn't detailed—just some basic working principles and ideas.
Wiz tilted her head. "This is a magic tool… that outputs cold air?"
Chishiya nodded.
"Yes. It's called air conditioning."
"In my world, it's a best-seller during summer."
Vanir walked over.
"This is intriguing."
"I get the feeling this will sell like hotcakes."
He glanced at Chishiya.
"Didn't expect someone who just sells magic crystals to come up with something this creative."
Wiz froze.
"Eh? Selling magic crystals?"
Vanir shot her a sideways glance.
"You clueless shopkeeper. He's the one who sold you the magic crystal."
Wiz's eyes went wide.
"Ehhhhhh?! So it was you!"
Vanir facepalmed.
"Human, please ignore this out-of-touch shopkeeper for now."
"If you're serious about this partnership…"
"How about letting our store act as your agent?"
Wiz blinked.
"Mr. Vanir—!"
"I didn't know you had such faith in me!"
"I'll work extra hard to make money!"
Vanir replied coolly.
"Don't get the wrong idea."
"I just know how talented you are… at ruining a business."
Wiz: "Eh?!"
Vanir adjusted his mask.
"From now on, we'll run this store together."
"If I leave it to you alone, our dream of making money and building a dungeon won't come true even in another thousand years."
Then he turned to Chishiya.
"You provide all the convenient inventions from your world."
"She'll handle production."
"We'll take care of the sales and guarantee results."
"How about splitting the profits 50-50?"
A fifty-fifty split wasn't bad.
But… this was still their shop, not his.
And how much money could it really make?
Chishiya knew the difference between a one-off meal and long-term meals.
He rubbed his chin.
Suddenly, an idea struck him.
"Mr. Vanir, did you say something about a dungeon earlier?"
Vanir chuckled.
"Correct."
"My dream is to build a dungeon that attracts all kinds of veteran adventurers!"
Chishiya: "If I help you finish that dream, would you work for me?"
Vanir paused.
"Help me?"
"The last person who said that nearly bankrupted me."
Wiz curled into a ball, embarrassed and clasping her hands.
Vanir: "So this time, I'll personally—"
Before he could finish, Chishiya cut him off.
"I have a dungeon."
"???"
Vanir and Wiz looked up at the same time.
Chishiya raised his hand.
A black portal opened before them.
"Would you two like a quick tour?"
Space teleportation magic?
They glanced at each other and followed Chishiya inside.
Then, they froze.
"What is this?!"
They saw countless labyrinth ants hauling stones, others mining magic crystals, everything running like a tight operation.
Chishiya explained.
"Let me show you around."
They exited the labyrinth.
There was a checkpoint at the entrance, and a huge plaque hung on the mountain above:
[Underground Labyrinth Enterprise Co., Ltd.]
Vanir was speechless.
"This is my first time seeing monsters employed like actual staff."
"Looks like I underestimated you."
Chishiya smiled faintly.
He had tasked all of this to the Labyrinth Ant Queen.
While the inner systems worked like a machine, the outside needed a presentable front.
You couldn't attract customers without a decent image.
"Mr. Vanir."
"If you work for me, you can fulfill your wish here."
"I want to make money. You want to savor the negative emotions of adventurers."
"Why not a win-win deal?"
"Let's grow bigger and stronger together."
Vanir's lips curled up into a satisfied smile.
"Interesting…"
"This place is way more fun than the Demon King's army."
"I accept!"
[Ding!]
[Successfully recruited Vanir]
[Please check rewards carefully]
Vanir: "Alright, tell me your plan."
Chishiya replied.
"First, the magic shop's name should be prefixed with our company's name."
"In return, the company will provide resource support."
"If the store profits, we'll give year-end dividends."
Vanir nodded.
"No objections here."
Chishiya turned to Wiz. "What about you, Miss Wiz?"
Wiz: "I don't really have any objections…"
"But…"
"There are still some losses on the shop's books…"
Chishiya smiled.
"That's fine. As long as you're willing to work for me."
"I can handle the losses."
Wiz's eyes lit up.
"Really?!"
"Mr. Chishiya, you're so reliable!"
"It's such a relief to have a dependable boss~"
Back at the magic shop.
Wiz pulled out the account book carefully.
Vanir stayed quiet.
His expression said everything.
"…Let's go scout the market."
He patted Chishiya's shoulder.
"Good luck."
Then he walked away without another word.
Chishiya blinked.
Why'd he leave in such a hurry?
Wiz stepped up with a smile.
"Mr. Chishiya, this is for you."
He accepted the account book.
And suddenly had a very bad feeling.
"..."
A few seconds later.
His worst fears were confirmed.
Can someone please explain…
How a tiny little magic tool shop…
Could rack up a debt of 50 million Eris?!
Wiz sighed in relief.
"Thank goodness I have a reliable boss like Mr. Chishiya."
"Otherwise, I'd have no idea what to do with this much debt."
[Ding!]
[Congratulations on successfully recruiting Wiz]
[Please check rewards carefully]
(To be continued.)