By the time the sun began to rise over Seoul, Kang-dae walked out of the gambling den with a bank balance of 650 million won. He had more than enough to buy the building, but his body was exhausted.
[Ding! Warning: Host's stamina is at 10%. Success rate of upcoming negotiations will drop by 40% if you do not rest.]
"No time," Kang-dae muttered, splashing cold water on his face in a nearby public restroom. "The subway announcement is tomorrow. If I don't sign the papers today, the price will skyrocket."
He arrived at the office of 'Golden Real Estate' at 9:00 AM sharp. The agent, a sharp-featured woman named Ms. Choi, looked at Kang-dae's cheap clothes and messy hair with clear disdain.
"The Myung-dong building is a prime piece of land, even if it is old," Ms. Choi said, checking her watch. "The owner is asking for 700 million won. Do you even have the down payment?"
Kang-dae activated [The Eye of Business].
[Target: Ms. Choi. Current Thought: The owner is desperate to sell because of hidden gambling debts. He will accept anything over 450 million won.]
[Lying Detection: Active. She is lying about the 700 million won price tag.]
Kang-dae leaned back in the chair, a calm smile on his face. "I'll give you 480 million won. Cash. Right now."
Ms. Choi froze. Her pen stopped moving. "That's... that's an insult. The owner would never—"
"The owner has a debt to the Manshik Syndicate that is due at noon today," Kang-dae interrupted, his voice like ice. "If he doesn't have the cash by then, he loses more than just a building. Tell him 480 million, or I walk out that door and he can deal with the Syndicate himself."
Ms. Choi's face went pale. How could this kid know that? It was a private matter.
[Ding! Negotiation Success Rate: 95%.]
"I... I need to make a phone call," she stammered, rushing out of the room.
Ten minutes later, she returned with a stack of papers. Her hands were shaking. "The owner has agreed. But you must transfer the funds immediately."
Kang-dae signed his name with a flourish. As the digital transfer was confirmed, a massive golden screen erupted in his field of vision.
[Ding! Main Quest 'The First Empire' – COMPLETED!]
[Reward: 5,000 Experience Points. Level Up!]
[Special Reward: You have unlocked 'The Tycoon's Aura' (Passive). People will now find it harder to look down on you.]
[Hidden Reward: You have gained a 5% stake in the upcoming Subway Line 7 expansion!]
Kang-dae stood up. He felt a strange, magnetic power radiating from his body. Even Ms. Choi found herself bowing slightly as he walked toward the door.
He had done it. He owned the land. Now, he just had to wait for the world to find out how valuable he had become.