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Chapter 39
A bright sunny morning.
I stared seriously at the piles of gold bars neatly arranged in the middle of the living room.
‘Okay, let’s go over this again.’
I slept like a baby last night.
Woke up perfectly in the morning.
Got dressed and came downstairs and then—
“…100 billion won was delivered?”
Well, yes, I did once say that I wished for 10 billion won after taxes—enough to live comfortably forever.
But we all know that was just a wish…
And now that wish was literally sitting in front of me?
“This is insane.”
Seeing 10 billion won in cash felt… complicated.
Partly because it was the first time I’d ever seen that much money.
“Grandpa.”
And what made it even more absurd was that it wasn’t money I earned—Grandpa had prepared it overnight.
While I stood there gawking, Grandpa casually approached me.
“What. Too little?”
“N-n-not at all?!”
Absolutely not!
“Anyone who thinks this is too little is crazy!”
“Hmph.”
“I mean it—I’m not short on money. What you already gave me was more than enough.”
Since he pitied my pathetic financial situation, Grandpa brought huge gold bars every week.
Just one bar could feed two people comfortably.
And he brought several. Every. Week.
There was zero chance of running out of living expenses.
If anything, I had so much extra money I was eating only the finest lamb every day.
Even before today, the amounts he casually threw around were wild…
But today? It was 10 billion won.
I swallowed hard as I stared at the gold bars filling the living room.
‘No doubt about it.’
The person I saved must be unbelievably rich.
This is beyond an average noble house wealth level.
Probably a merchant house or a major imperial family.
What kind of aristocrat tosses around money like this?
“Still, isn’t having too much better than running out? If it piles up too much, just take all of it.”
“No way, it’s your money!”
“I saw your eyes shaking.”
…He really notices everything!
But honestly—how much do I even spend?
It’s not like I splurge—my only indulgence is food.
Even if I tried, I wouldn’t spend much. Meaning. I’d basically pocket nearly all of that 10 billion.
Of course I got tempted!
“But… how did you withdraw this all at once? Wouldn’t the bank try to stop you?”
I’ve never had huge bank funds, but I heard if you try taking out a large sum, even the branch manager runs out begging to know why.
And 10 billion?
They’d probably chase him outside crying and asking if the bank did something wrong.
“They didn’t say much.”
“Really?!”
“Yes. And who would dare complain when I withdraw my own money.”
“W-well… fair enough.”
Technically correct.
“…Can I ask one more thing?”
“What is it.”
“Grandpa…”
This was the underworld.
And he was too rich.
“Are you… a loan shark…?”
“…”
“Ah—sorry, that came out weird…”
But seriously—who else handles this kind of money?
Only loan sharks could, right?
“Never in my life have I heard that one.”
“I’m sorry…”
“No, it’s a valid question.”
He stroked his chin thoughtfully.
“I’m not a loan shark. Though I do handle financial business.”
“Sorry, what?”
“Grandpa has more money than you think. Some inherited, some earned through hard work. This is nothing.”
He jerked his chin toward the gold bars, relaxed as ever.
I shut my mouth silently at that display of wealth.
“If you ever need more, say so. I can bring however much you want.”
That wasn’t a bluff.
“Maybe I should raise your weekly allowance.”
He wasn’t joking.
“How much should I add per day? Name your price.”
That’s what real wealth sounded like.
In the end, I didn’t take the money.
There’s a reasonable limit.
Getting a fortune overnight was too overwhelming.
And even if he’s rich, grabbing billions casually felt rude.
‘S-sure, it hurts, but still…’
Better to refuse than accept and feel awkward later.
No regrets.
‘Please NEVER bring such a huge amount again! What if I get spoiled?!’
‘You can get spoiled. Grandpa can afford it…’
‘No! You can’t raise a kid like that!’
God, that scared me.
I knew Grandpa was impulsive, but not more impulsive than me.
Still, since I sent it back, he’ll put it away again, right?
Thinking confidently that he’d handle his finances wisely, I stretched and looked at my desk.
I’d made 5 potions this morning.
Practice really does make perfect.
Soon I could easily make 10 a day.
Time to earn some money!
I’d only officially release them later, but for now, I’d make about 50 as samples.
‘And sell to a few key customers first.’
Plus give some to influencers so rumors would spread.
Word of mouth is king.
Gilbert even said he knew good candidates and would introduce them later.
Once I secured a few key clients…
‘I just sit and watch the money roll in.’
Until the official release, I’d only sell tiny amounts to build hype.
‘Can’t flood the market too early.’
Rarity exists for a reason.
Dumping too many at once would crash the market.
“That’s enough. Time to go eat.”
It was around lunchtime.
‘Food here is insane!’
No wonder Loten said he slept at home but ate here—meals here were amazing.
Not as fancy as that previous restaurant, but still unbelievably good.
No street food could compare!
And today I was eating with Gilbert to discuss the new product.
I tucked a potion bottle into my pocket and opened my door—
And ran into a wall.
“Ah!”
“!”
A strong arm hit me and I staggered back.
Someone gripped my shoulder firmly.
A glass bottle clattered to the floor from my pocket.
Startled, I looked up.
Felix met my eyes and inhaled sharply.
His gaze dropped to the floor and he murmured quietly:
“This is…”
