Chapter 145. Money, damned money.

Translator: Leyy3

In the new region, Kang Chul-In had to spend every day without rest.

There were just too many things to do.

Building their fortress, making new farmlands, finding water sources nearby, building roads, etc.

"I don’t want to see a single person slacking off, so make sure that you all work hard! Everyone that is caught slacking off will be punished."

While Kang Chul-In gave these strict orders,

"Those that have a high and efficient work rate will be given incentives and work bonuses for their work."

He also gave rewards to those who worked hard, as to increase the work efficiency of the workers.

“Milord.”

But to this, Timothy seemed like he was going to cry.

“P-Please can you reduce the rewards? As each day goes by, the economy of the territory is getting poorer and poorer. Even though we reduced the pay of the officials and cut the spending rate...”

Timothy’s words made sense.

After their move, the money of the Laputa territory was being spent at an extremely quick rate.

This was because they weren’t getting a stable source of income other than from Lee Chae-rin’s mines.

And as the one that took care of the economy of Laputa, Timothy had an extreme headache going on.

“You can use my personal money to spend on this. Wouldn’t that work?”

Looking at a map in his office, Kang Chul-In answered as if it wasn’t a big deal.

“Milord.”

But listening to this, Timothy’s face darkened even more.

“I think Milord is misunderstanding something here.”

“....?”

Shaking his head, Timothy handed a report to Kang Chul-In.

“Please, take a look at this.”

“What is it.”

“This is the record of Milord’s spending. Please take a look after...”

Like Timothy said, Kang Chul-In looked at the report.

And...

“It’s a minus...”

Kang Chul-In’s face stiffened.

“That’s right... it’s been over 2 months since Milord’s personal money has also hit rock bottom.”

And with a desperate expression, Timothy begged Kang Chul-In to reconsider his decision.

“Milord, I really think that we have to take back the rewards... Even though the citizens are living a plentiful life due to Milord’s generosity, it’s hard for the officials.”

“How bad is it for you to say that?”

“Commander James goes around with holes in his socks.”

“...”

“For Sir Podolski, he’s had to go hunt some boar meat himself since he lacked the funds to eat a feast with his friends. As for Secretary Lucia, she’s going around without makeup, since she lacks the money to buy new products.”

“...”

“And that’s not even it... Commander Michael of the White Lion...”

“Enough!”

Feeling that he wouldn’t want to continue listening, Kang Chul-In interrupted.

The trade between Earth and Pangaea through the Galaxy Corporation, the money from Lee Chae-rin’s mines, and money earned from their conquest activities--- the money that Kang Chul-In had earned last year was a truly astonishing sum.

But now, where had all that money gone?

Kang Chul-In felt lost and sad, as he himself hadn’t spent all that money. He only used some of it buy cars, as that was his only hobby.

Money and gold were like floating clouds to Kang Chul-In, as they kept on escaping his grasp no matter how much he earned.

“Timothy.”

Finally, Kang Chul-In opened his mouth again.

“Yes, Milord?”

“How much money do we need? Tell me the exact sum of money we require.”

“If we want to continue this... I think that at the very least, we would need 23,000 gold.”

At such an enormous sum, Kang Chul-In’s expression hardened.

“Milord, that’s why we need to reduce the rewards and slow down the construction...”

“No, no.”

But Kang Chul-In shook his head stubbornly.

“We don’t have time, Timothy. Continue as we are.”

Kang Chul-In had felt that as of late, Baruk Al Yusuf wasn’t up to any good. They couldn’t delay any longer on the construction.

“M-Milord, then at least reduce the incentives and the rewards...”

“Timothy.”

Kang Chul-In spoke quietly.

“Even though I am the Lord of the people, would the citizens look up to me if I asked them to work for me without getting paid? That’s not a Lord; that’s a slave trader.”

“B-But...”

“The promise of a Lord is heavy.”

“Milord...”

“I know that we are running out of money and that our account balance is in a negative.”

“Yes...”

“But we still have time, don’t we? If on the day that we need to give out the rewards we are still lacking money, we can think of reducing the rewards then, can’t we?”

“But...”

“Don’t worry, I’ll bring the money we need by that time.”

“R-Really?”

At Kang Chul-In’s confident words, Timothy’s eyes widened.

“I really don’t understand why people comment like that when I make a promise. Why is everyone like that? Am I really that untrustworthy?”

“Well, Milord always makes some unbelievable promises... After all, how many promises has Milord made that sound truly achievable for a normal human...”

“Has there been a time where I didn’t keep my promises?”

“T-That’s true, Milord. Milord has always made the seemingly impossible into something that’s possible.”

Timothy nodded.

“Then trust me. I will definitely bring the 23,000 gold by the deadline day.”

“Yes! Then this Timothy will continue working like this, believing in Milord!”

Timothy said enthusiastically.

After all, there was no subordinate who wouldn’t relax when their Lord said they would bring money. And just like Timothy had said, Kang Chul-In was a man who made the impossible into something that could be done. There was no way that Kang Chul-In would fail to bring back a ‘mere’ 23,000 gold.

---------

Even though Kang Chul-In had promised Timothy, it was indeed hard for Kang Chul-In to find a way to get that much money.

“Old man.”

Which was the reason why Kang Chul-In went to go find old man Kwon. It had been a long time, so he was planning on ripping(?) old man Kwon off.

“Oh, you’re here? Kuhaha!”

Without knowing Kang Chul-In’s intentions, old man Kwon greeted him enthusiastically.

After the Omega Clan had been crushed into pieces by Kang Chul-In, it seemed as if old man Kwon was spending his days without worry.

As a result, old man Kwon’s body had bulked up to the point that even some bodybuilders had to blush in shame. He was truly worthy of being called an ‘old monster’.

“Anyway, why are you here? Have you finally found a way to suddenly mass-produce the plant that helps grow hair?”

Old man Kwon said enthusiastically.

This was something that old man Kwon hoped for, as it would help their company grow explosively.

“Not yet.”

Kang Chul-In shook his head.

“Though there is some progression in that, we still need some time.”

“Tzzt, that’s a shame. Then...”

Licking his lips, old man Kwon’s gleaming eyes showed his enthusiasm. To this old man, Kang Chul-In was an existence akin to that of Santa Claus, bringing him unexpected presents.

“Have you brought a new item?!”

Though old man Kwon clenched his fists, what Kang Chul-In said was:

“I’ve come here to take your money.”

“...”

“You only have to give me... 40 million dollars.”

“...!”

“In a week. Oh, and that has to all be in gold.”

As Kang Chul-In said this so shamelessly, old man Kwon’s face paled. It was a hard task for even old man Kwon, turning 40 million dollars into gold and giving it all to Kang Chul-In.

“I know that you can do it.”

Kang Chul-In pressured old man Kwon.

“That’s true, but...”

“You’ve made a lot of money up until now.”

“...But I spent a lot of money on making a branch of the company in Japan...”

“Think of the mass-production of the Hair Bros, old man.”

“Of course, it's possible that a mere 40 million is nothing... Whatever. Fine, consider it done. What can I do if you ask for it? Huhuhu~. Look at this robber of a man.”

“...I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Since this would be at least 10,000 gold of the required 23,000, Kang Chul-In didn’t flinch when old man Kwon called him a robber.

“But, there’s a condition.”

“Condition?”

“I mean, I can’t just give you 40 million dollars for free. Just take a request from me.”

“Say it.”

As he didn’t think a single request could be worth 40 million dollars, Kang Chul-In accepted it readily.

“Then... Get me a pet.”

“...A pet?”

Kang Chul-In tilted his head in confusion as the conversation took an abrupt turn.

“Yes, that’s right. A pet. I can’t live like this. My pride is being ruined because of those damned pets! Dammit!”

Old man Kwon suddenly raged, and even his face turned red out of anger. It seemed as if he were truly angry.