Half an hour later…
Chishiya waved his hand.
"Sorry everyone, the magic crystals are sold out too."
"Same time tomorrow. Come early if you want one."
After sending the customers out the door, Chishiya turned to Wiz.
The two high-fived, faces full of excitement.
"Chishiya-san, you're amazing!"
"How did you even come up with such a great idea?"
"We just made another 8.2 million Eris in no time!"
"That's over 10 million in just two days!"
"That's insane!"
Chishiya smiled.
"It's just bundling."
"Plus some good old-fashioned scarcity marketing."
He hadn't expected the results to be this good though.
All 60-something magic crystals he brought from the Labyrinth had sold out.
And whether they sold for 70,000 or 90,000, both were well above the system's base price of 50,000.
A guaranteed profit either way.
Wiz nodded eagerly.
"Thank you, Chishiya-san."
"I feel like I've learned so much from you in just two days."
Chishiya began sorting the account books.
"What comes next is even more important. Once Vanir finds a larger market, we can talk about mass production."
"There's still a lot to cover."
"I'll teach you slowly over time."
———
Outside the store...
Kazuma and Aqua were backed into a corner by the crowd.
Aqua pouted.
"There are so many people here, I can't even see who's selling…"
"Kazuma, can we just go home?"
Kazuma gave her a look.
"If only you could remember who you reincarnated as."
"Would we even need to be here?"
Aqua: "Then why are you looking for him?"
Kazuma: "To ask for help, obviously."
"You want to keep sleeping in the stable?"
Aqua stared at the packed street.
"But… how do you know he'll even help us?"
Kazuma sighed.
"We've got to try…"
"Besides, we've only got enough money left for one more meal."
He reached into his pocket.
"…Huh?"
"Hey hey hey!!"
"Where's the money—?!"
Aqua slowly turned away and started whistling.
"Hey… hey…"
Kazuma's temple throbbed.
He grabbed her by the head.
"You useless goddess! Where's our dinner money?!"
"Ow ow ow—!"
Aqua began to cry.
"It's not entirely my fault!"
"The weather's so hot!"
"In times like these, a glass of premium sparkling wine really hits the spot!"
"And didn't you drink it too?"
"You can't just blame me—!"
Kazuma let go of her head.
He looked at her in pure despair.
"…So you're telling me…"
"That whole thing earlier, when you said it was someone else's leftovers…"
"You actually spent our dinner money on premium sparkling wine?"
Aqua scratched her head sheepishly.
"Well… I was afraid you'd say something if I told you…"
The light in Kazuma's eyes faded.
He was done.
Absolutely done.
"Just destroy it all already…"
Kazuma clutched his head.
"Aaaaaah—! You useless, brainless goddess!"
"What goes on in that empty head of yours?!"
"Why do you always do the stupidest things?!"
Just then...
A voice called out from behind them.
"Do you two need help?"
They turned.
Chishiya was standing behind them.
Kazuma blinked.
It's that guy from before…
———
At the Adventurer's Guild restaurant...
The three sat at a table.
Kazuma and Aqua were stuffing their faces like starving wolves.
Chishiya sipped a glass of sparkling wine and watched them eat.
He'd been on his way out of town, but then he saw them.
[Ding!]
Two new panels popped up in front of him.
---
[Name: Kazuma Sato]
[Recruitable Core Employee]
[Recruitment Perks:]
Blessing of the Goddess of Fortune: Greatly increased luck
Flexible Mind: Increases product profitability in the Labyrinth by 25%
---
[Name: Aqua]
[Recruitable Employee]
[Recruitment Perks:]
Blessing of the Water Goddess: Immune to all negative effects
Unlocks Healing Technology in the Labyrinth
---
Both were high-value assets.
Kazuma brought business luck.
Aqua brought healing.
Chishiya sipped his drink thoughtfully.
"Ahhh~!"
Aqua took a long gulp of wine and looked visibly happier.
Kazuma swallowed a mouthful of food and bowed his head.
"Chishiya-san, thank you so much."
"If it weren't for you, we'd be starving again tonight."
Chishiya waved it off.
"It's fine."
"You two just seemed like a good match. I figured I'd help."
Kazuma stood up and gave a proper bow.
"Really, I mean it. Thank you."
Aqua raised her glass.
"Cheers—!"
Kazuma quickly pushed her arm down.
He gave Chishiya an apologetic look.
"Sorry. My partner's kind of… not all there."
Aqua, now fully tipsy.
"Eh? What did you say?"
"I'm the Goddess of Water!"
Hiccup… hiccup…
She burped twice mid-sentence.
Kazuma tried to restrain her.
"Hey! Can you not embarrass us for once?!"
"Calm down already!"
Chishiya waved his hand.
"It's fine."
"Excuse me, three more glasses of sparkling wine."
"And two more plates of fried chicken."
Soon, the dishes were served.
Chishiya pushed them toward the two freeloaders.
"Eat. Don't be shy."
Kazuma sniffled.
"Ugh…"
He was touched.
This was the first genuinely kind person he'd met since coming to this world.
"Chishiya-san, you're… you're an angel!"
Chishiya chuckled and waved a hand.
"Okay, okay. Just eat."
Aqua took another sip of wine and slurred,
"Chishiya-san… are you a reincarnated person?"
Kazuma froze mid-bite.
He looked up at Chishiya.
The Magic Air Conditioners came from his store.
It all added up.
They were the same type.
Chishiya looked at the two.
Since he was planning to recruit them, there was no point in hiding it.
He nodded.
"Yes. I am."
Kazuma looked shocked.
He actually admitted it directly!
Aqua: "Huh? Then how come I don't remember seeing you before?"
Chishiya explained.
"Maybe not the same world as yours."
Kazuma nodded slowly and took another sip of wine.
"I see…"
Chishiya noticed they were finishing their meal.
Time to get down to business.
"If you two don't have a place to stay, how about working for my company?"
"I'll start you off at 2 million Eris a month."
"HOW MANY—?!"
Both of them slammed their hands on the table.
They shot to their feet.
The entire restaurant turned to look.
Chishiya rubbed his temples.
"Can you two not be so dramatic?"
Kazuma stammered.
"W-why give us so much?!"
Chishiya answered casually.
"Because you're worth it."
"Isn't that simple?"
"Of course, if the company thrives, you'll get raises too."
Suddenly...
Chishiya was stunned.
The two people across from him had tears running down their faces.
They collapsed against the table, hugging Chishiya's waist tightly.
Kazuma and Aqua: "Chishiya-san! You are truly an angel—!!!"
(To be continued.)