"The storefront has gotten much cleaner since that boy Cheol arrived."
After a long while, President Nakamura visited the rice shop.
Clerks who usually slacked off were suddenly working like their lives depended on it.Since President Nakamura runs several businesses besides rice trading, the shop is mostly managed by the branch manager.
That's why I concluded the manager had no idea about the shady things happening under his nose.
Because Manager Han's spending habits tell the truth.
Even though he works at a rice store, his lifestyle is… unusual.
"Welcome, President," Manager Han said with his friendliest smile, bowing deeply.
Above his head, translucent text appeared.
[Han Sang-hee]– Age: 35– Occupation: Manager at Nakamura Rice Shop– Confidence: 42%– Traits: Opportunist / Swindler– Chance of Life Success: 85%– Special Note: High chance of becoming a servant of Cheol(?)**
An opportunist.A swindler.
However…
There was that little question mark at the end — meaning there's a real chance he could become my subordinate one day.
'With this special note… I really might succeed.'
In turbulent times like these, opportunities grow bigger.
"Cheol is a very diligent fellow."
For three months straight, I worked myself half to death for this moment — to hear the manager praising me to the president.
"He wakes up earlier than anyone, fills the water jars, sweeps the yard… He's quick with deliveries, and our partners like him. He's just naturally hardworking."
It was obvious the manager was buttering me up so he himself would look good.People will flatter anyone if it helps them survive — that's human nature.
But right now, I couldn't afford to say anything about the manager's wrongdoing.
Even if I reported it, would President Nakamura believe a lowly servant like me?
No trust has been built yet.
That is the most important point.
I'm still the lowest of the low in this rice shop.Pointing fingers helps no one.
So for now, I must keep observing quietly.
I have prepared — now I must wait.
"Bring me the ledger."
"Yes, sir."
Whenever Nakamura visits, the first thing he checks is the ledger.
After reading for a long moment, his eyes narrowed.
"The number of retail grain customers has dropped."
That was a dagger thrown at the manager.
"O-oh? Is that so?"
A manager admitting ignorance to his own boss — that's practically a confession of incompetence.
He's digging his own grave.
"Didn't you know?"
"I'm sorry. So many people come and go… I couldn't keep track."
"True, but who writes the books?"
"Seongsik does. He went to elementary school, so he's good with numbers."
In these days, an elementary school graduate is considered elite.
"There are many mistakes," Nakamura said.
"…Is that so?"
In other words — he never checks the ledger.
Trust is slipping through his fingers.
"Sales have also dropped."
"Isn't that true for all rice merchants? Poor people cut back on food first."
"Do you really believe that?"
Another disappointed glare.
Even in hard times, food is the last thing people cut.
They don't even know what the Engel coefficient is…
Poor people spend more of their income on food when things get bad — not less.
"N-no? Is that wrong?"
"Cheol."
Suddenly, President Nakamura called my name.
I quickly ran to him.
"Yes, sir!"
None of the clerks call him "Master Nari."I'm the only one.
Because when you're low-ranking and powerless, your words are your only weapon.
Flattery is survival.
"Why were you sitting there?"
Truthfully, I'd been eavesdropping.
Then — another message appeared.
[A Moment of Choice]
1. Expose the manager and make him your enemy.2. Flatter the manager to increase goodwill.
It wasn't a dramatic situation, but the system still marked it as a critical decision.
'Manager Han… he won't be fired yet.'
I'll have to see him every day.
Flattery then. Number 2!
I chose immediately.
Time to answer.
"The manager told me that if the displayed rice looks neat, customers will buy more. So I was picking out the impurities."
Nakamura looked at the manager again.
"Is that so?"
"It is, sir," I said.
Of course, the manager never instructed me.But saying this earns me goodwill where I need it.
The manager gave me a faint, grateful smile.
"Then why is there bran mixed into my grain?"
The atmosphere thickened.
Nakamura's eyes were sharp.
This rice shop is known for selling high-quality rice and mixed grains.Quality is the foundation of its reputation.
Another point against the manager.
"Some rice from Gimhae arrived last month—"
"So you knew there was a problem?"
Nakamura's voice chilled.
"I-I didn't know at first…"
"Then we will cut ties with Gimhae."
A merchant must never deal with untrustworthy partners.
Especially someone like Nakamura.
And that was their very first transaction.
Meaning: the Gimhae seller had zero credibility.
But the strangest thing was—
Why buy from faraway Gimhae at all, when Gimpo and Icheon were long-standing, trusted suppliers?
'He must have pocketed some of the transport costs…'
Or bought cheaper low-quality grains and sold them as premium.
Either way, he was rotting like spoiled rice.
And yet —
This large rice shop trusted a Korean enough to put him as manager.
That means Nakamura doesn't discriminate.He values ability.He once trusted this man greatly.
But that trust is almost gone now.
"More important than profit is trust."
"A merchant may travel ten miles for a single coin of profit… but good products must always be sold. Trust is worth more than money."
"Yes, sir… I understand."
He answered quickly — too quickly.
Nakamura nodded, then turned to me again.
"Cheol, I heard you can read and write?"
An unexpected question.
But this was exactly the moment I had been preparing for.
'Why now…?'
No matter.A chance is a chance.
"Hehehe… Yes, sir," I said, trying not to smile too widely.
My moment had come.