Chapter 23

Chapter 4

The Successor of the Blacksmith's Forge

The media of various countries began to report one after another that the first Second Job had appeared.

South Korea.

"Do you know what a Second Job is? When you obtain a Second Job, the range of weapons you can use expands, and new skills and stats are generated. Additionally, it is said that you receive two additional stat points every time you level up. Let's hear more about this from reporter Jo Sung-jin. Jo Sung-jin."

"Jo Sung-jin here. At 1 AM Korean time today, it was announced by S.A Group that the first Second Job in Satisfy had been obtained. The type of Second Job has not been revealed, but experts predict that there will be countless types of Second Jobs due to the vast content of Satisfy. The biggest advantage of obtaining a Second Job is that you receive 12 stat points instead of 10 every time you level up, which is very significant..."

United States.

"James, what is the identity of the first Second Job that has appeared?"

"S.A Group has stated that they have no intention of revealing the information about the Second Job that has appeared. This seems to be a decision to protect the personal information of the Second Job holder..."

United Kingdom.

"Here's a surprising breaking news. The first Second Job holder is Mongolian."

"Mongolian? Don't Mongolians not even know what Satisfy is?"

"Haha, indeed, looking at this statistic, Mongolians seem to have little interest in Satisfy. While about 60% of the population in typical developed countries play Satisfy, only about 3% of Mongolians play it."

"Oh dear... According to this statistic, 68% of the British population plays Satisfy. The fact that not a single person among those 68% of British people obtained the Second Job, which appeared in Mongolia, makes it seem like we're advertising to the world that British people lack talent in games."

China.

"Given that S.A Group is known for strictly managing customer information, the reason they revealed that the first Second Job holder is Mongolian is speculated to be a means to promote Satisfy in Mongolia."

"S.A Group's intention to dominate the world through Satisfy is clearly revealed here. They plan to make all the people in the world slaves to Satisfy. In the future, the Earth might even be under the control of S.A Group. Fellow citizens, you should receive treatment for Satisfy addiction from now on..."

Japan.

"Since a fellow Asian is the first Second Job holder, I feel excited and proud. When will Japan have its first Second Job holder?"

"As you know, 71% of the Japanese population enjoys Satisfy. The number of Japanese people who excel in Satisfy is very high. Even the new Epic Job holder who appeared two months ago was a Japanese person. I predict that a Japanese person will be the second Second Job holder."

"73% of the South Korean population plays Satisfy, which means that South Koreans enjoy Satisfy the most in terms of population ratio. Is there any possibility that the second Second Job holder will appear in South Korea?"

"Perhaps, if the second Second Job holder appears in South Korea, it might be with the help of S.A Group..."

"By the way, it seems that there is no particularly outstanding figure in South Korea except for Yura, who is ranked 5th in the integrated rankings. Considering that Satisfy is a game created by a South Korean company, it's an ironic situation."

"By the way, there is a rumor that S.A Group is sponsoring Yura."

"Is that so? What is the source of the rumor?"

"That... it's on the internet..."

"Be careful with baseless statements. It could turn into an international issue."

"Sorry..."

The interest in the first Second Job was so high that the media of all countries around the world aired special programs about it.

Meanwhile, Shin Young-woo, who had escaped from the underground prison and logged out after parting ways with Rabbit, had a good night's sleep.

As soon as he woke up, he boiled some ramen and sat in front of the TV, trembling as he watched the news.

"Envious, really... Getting 2 more stat points every time you level up, that's completely broken. Who the hell got the Second Job all by himself? Ah, forget it. I'm so jealous I could die."

Shin Young-woo could not even imagine that the first Second Job holder would be someone he knew well.

***

Dinner time with the whole family.

I announced to my family,

"I won't be going to the labor agency anymore."

To me, it was a shocking statement!

"My son Young-woo! Have you finally found a job? Well done, my son! I believed in you!"

"Wow, brother! You're becoming a working adult? Congratulations! What should I prepare as a congratulatory gift?"

"Sniff, I've been worried about you working at construction sites. It must have been tough for you, right?"

I had expected such reactions from my family.

But reality was cold.

Father slammed his spoon on the table and shouted,

"Are you going to start being unemployed again!"

Mother sighed.

"No matter how hard the job is, you can't just quit... How will you pay off your debts and get married in the future?"

Se-hee clicked her tongue.

"How can a grown man be so irresponsible? How can you think of living off your parents even at your age? I'm ashamed of you, really ashamed."

How could this be... Is this what family members say to each other?

"Who said I'm going to loaf around at home?!"

I shouted in excitement.

"Why do you think that not going to the labor agency means I'll be unemployed? Can't you think that my son, my brother, has found a new job?"

Se-hee widened her eyes as if really surprised.

"What? Did you find a new job, brother? Is there a place that will hire you?"

Mother muttered in a voice that everyone could hear.

"Is he going to do a convenience store part-time job...? Convenience store part-time jobs might be easy, but the hourly wage is much lower than construction work..."

Father asked with a serious expression,

"Young-woo, you're not going to be tricked by a friend again and join a pyramid scheme, are you?"

"Ah, no! That's not it! I've got an amazing job!"

"What is it?"

"To put it simply, I'm going to be a pro gamer! I'm going to make money through games! I'm a blacksmith in the game, and I can sell the items I make for real money! Right now, with a bit of luck, I can earn more than working at the labor agency, and eventually, I might earn a CEO-level salary! Because a powerful merchant in the game has promised to support me!"

"..."

Suddenly, in the silence, Father, who had been drinking cold water, spoke with a voice full of anger.

"So, you want to stay in your room and play games all day, is that it?"

What? Why are you angry?

"To put it simply, yes. The more I play, the more money I can make. I might have to live in the capsule all day. Hehe."

Smack!

"Ugh...!"

A spoon hit my forehead directly.

Mother brought Father a new spoon, and Father threw it at my forehead again.

"Yah! Why? Why are you doing this, for goodness' sake!"

"Go to the labor agency tomorrow."

"No, why? Didn't you hear me? I'm going to make money through games!"

Mother wiped her tears.

"Oh, your brother is really going off the rails now. What can we do, Se-hee?"

Mother, who was sobbing, made Se-hee angry, and she shouted.

"Please grow up, brother! How do you plan to make money through games? If you had the talent, you wouldn't have accumulated so much debt over the past year, right? Face reality!"

"No... The situation is different now. I've become a legendary blacksmith, and I've opened a new destiny... Through various events, I've reached a point where the best merchant in the game has offered to help me..."

"Stop talking about games! You game addict!"

"..."

I tried to explain in detail, but no one listened to me.

Looking at this chaotic scene, I doubt that even if I explained properly, my family would understand and believe me.

And the next early morning.

Because of my sobbing mother, I had to change into my work clothes and go to the labor agency.

While working on the site, I planned for the future.

I need to level up and complete the job change quest, but the most important thing is to make money.

'First, I'll accept Rabbit's offer.'

I don't know exactly how Rabbit plans to make me rich, but I'm confident it's not just empty talk. Since he was the second-in-command of a large merchant guild, he must be a capable person. I think I can trust him as a business partner.

'If I can use Khan's blacksmith shop as a base, it will be very convenient... Hmm, I need more time to play the game. But to do that, I need to convince my parents that I can make money through games.'

I can always catch news related to Satisfy on TV or the internet.

My parents must have seen countless stories of people who became famous or rich through Satisfy.

But they still don't think I can make money through Satisfy.

That's because, as Se-hee said, over the past year... or rather, 13 months, I've only accumulated debt while playing Satisfy.

'It's not unreasonable for them not to trust me... To convince my parents, I need results.'

That evening.

After returning home from work, I immediately logged into Satisfy and went to Khan's blacksmith shop.

"Ah, Grid, you're here!"

Khan's expression was incredibly bright.

Not only that, but the worried looks on the faces of the residents I passed on the way here were gone.

'Has peace returned to Winston? It seems Yufemina and Rabbit have done a good job.'

I asked Khan,

"Has Rabbit come by?"

Khan's expression darkened rapidly.

"Well, a letter arrived for you."

Khan handed me a letter.

[To Mr. Grid,

It's Rabbit. Due to the enormity of my sins against the residents of Winston during my time as the second-in-command of the Mero Merchant Guild, I could not receive a full pardon from Lord Stein. Therefore, the business plan with you has to be abandoned. Grid, with your abilities, you can become the richest person on your own. Seek advice from Mr. Khan and create excellent works. Mr. Khan's artistic sense