Chapter 5

The guy nodded as if he were human.

"Alright, wait and see."

What could I change to make it better?

Should I convert a few packets of ramen into better ramen through "Quality Conversion"?

No, I want something more delicious today.

I just got dumped and fired; I can't just sit at home and eat ramen!

'Let's dig deeper.'

Excavation, start.

I buried my face in the lower cabinet and began rummaging through the clutter and food items with a full hand.

Cup ramen? This is even worse.

Jajja-geti? It can only turn out to be Jajangmyeon.

Nurungji? Why did I even buy this?

Purringles? No way.

At that moment, something familiar caught my eye.

'Right! They were here!'

Canned tuna.

What if I "Quality Convert" this?

I quickly took them out and counted them.

"One, two, three, four... "

A total of 10 cans.

I handed them all to Tam.

──The power of "Quality Conversion" is activated.

──Item: Standard canned tuna

──Quantity: 10

──The estimated processing time is 5 minutes and 30 seconds.

──Do you want to start the conversion process?

I held my empty stomach and waited for 5 minutes.

──Quality conversion is complete.

──Please "consume" the converted item.

──Time limit: 5 minutes

What Tam spat out were two cans of tuna that only looked different on the outside.

"What...?"

It had gone cold and stale.

This wasn't what I expected.

These days, prices have gone up so much that 10 cans cost quite a bit, Tam...

Still, I had to "consume" them, even if it was with a heavy heart.

"Damn."

Should I make some tuna and kimchi stew?

But with only 5 minutes to "consume," I couldn't wait for the stew to cook.

I had to eat them raw.

In a fit of anger, I popped open the can.

But the meat inside was a bit strange.

"Huh?"

A luscious, deep red color.

A glossy sheen that flowed like a coating.

A plump block that seemed to burst with juice when bitten.

...It was sashimi.

And it was as fresh as if it had just been caught.

"Ah!"

I was in shock.

I was considering cleaning out my supplies.

For a moment, I doubted my eyes.

'Sashimi in a can?'

But I had just been to an all-you-can-eat tuna restaurant yesterday.

There was no way I could be confused.

This was definitely sashimi.

And the quality was superior.

The all-you-can-eat tuna sashimi wasn't bad, but this was clearly of a different grade.

It was as fresh as if it had just been sliced from a freshly caught tuna.

"Really, I'm going crazy..."

My mouth watered involuntarily.

At that moment, a system message appeared.

──【Subspace Workbench】realized it likes tuna.

──"Lucky Strike" has been activated, applying a bonus efficiency to "Quality Conversion."

"Oh, my..."

I didn't have time to be stunned.

I immediately searched the upper cabinets and the refrigerator.

Soy sauce, red pepper paste, vinegar, oil, and salt.

I intended to enjoy it in every possible way.

"Ah!"

I was glad I didn't settle for ramen.

It was a good decision.

"I'll enjoy this!"

First, I dipped it in oil and ate it with kim.

"Mmm."

It melted, it melted.

I couldn't keep my tongue still.

Next, I tried it with salt.

Eating a tuna that had lived its life in the sea, dipped in salt again—what a paradox, but it was delicious.

As soon as I took a bite.

"Ah..."

The South Pacific descended into my mouth.

The subtle sea smell, the chewy texture, and the salty taste were all wonderful.

I took a bite with red pepper paste.

A bite with vinegar.

"I'm going crazy."

As the seasoning attack intensified, the sashimi maintained its vitality, wriggling like cotton candy before disappearing.

There was nothing left after that.

The two cans, each 100g, were filled with sashimi, amounting to about one serving.

But it wasn't enough.

Emotionally, it was woefully insufficient.

'I should have bought more canned tuna...'

There was nothing I could do right now.

But to be able to enjoy such a feast at home with just two cans of tuna—what a luxury.

'Thank you, thank you, thank you all!'

I decided to think positively.

Who eats sashimi as a hangover cure?

Short on sashimi?

Then I'll fill up with spicy soup.

I immediately boiled two packets of ramen.

*

After eating, I rested a bit and prepared to go out for second-hand trading.

I brushed my teeth while in the shower.

"Mmm─"

British toothpaste was still top-notch.

The greasy mouth from the sashimi, ramen, cold rice, and zero cola was instantly purified.

British food is said to be terrible, but is that why they make such good toothpaste?

"Rinse, spit!"

Don't people feel this way?

When you find a good product, you want to recommend it to your friends like a proud parent.

[ Try it. ]

There were even ads for razors that said the same thing.

This toothpaste was exactly like that.

But was it just the toothpaste?

Just by turning my head a little in the bathroom, I could see all the daily necessities we use.

Shampoo, body wash, soap, toothbrush, razor, shaving cream, towel, slippers.

What if I "Quality Converted" all of them into high-quality products?

Mmm, just thinking about it made me happy.

'Quality of life? I'll raise it properly.'

Of course, the conversion efficiency was only about 70%, so buying good products might be cheaper.

But still.

'Finding what's good is a hassle.'

The flood of advertisements.

When you search for which shampoo is good for your scalp or which shaving cream is less irritating, all you get are ads.

Trying to distinguish between ads and information articles often leaves you exhausted, so you end up buying anything.

But if I leave it to Tam, he'll bring me the best toothpaste, graphics card, and tuna.

"You have a bit of a high taste?"

Tam was an excellent collector and a reliable curator.

I trusted that I could leave anything to Tam.

So I'll give it to Tam first.

If the items Tam gives me are really good, I'll buy them with my own money from then on.

Plus, "Lucky Strike" often happens.

Thinking about this, the me in the mirror was smiling.

It was so funny that I laughed again.

"Hehe."

Today, I'm overflowing with strange joy.

Has there been such an exciting day recently?

Getting dumped?

Fired?

Sure, go ahead.

"Quality Conversion" is all you need.

*

5:00 PM, in front of the Glass Bank at Sinchon Station.

I came out to do a second-hand trade.

[ NotredameBreadShuttle: I've arrived. Please let me know when you get here. ]

While waiting for the message, someone approached and greeted me.

"Hello! Are you the seller of the 3080 card?"

A woman in a tracksuit with a snapback hat.

"Ah, Badjoa?"

"Don't call me by my nickname in the street, NotredameBreadShuttle."

That's right.

My face felt hot.

"......Yes. Please check the item."

I handed her a paper bag containing the graphics card box, and the buyer opened the box slightly, then put it back as if there was nothing else to see.

"Can I transfer the money to your account? 1.7 million won?"

"Yes."

"But I left my phone at home. I'll transfer it from this ATM. Is that okay?"

"Yes, go ahead."

She entered the ATM room and input my account number, then I waited.

"I've transferred it. Can you check it?"

A little later, a text message arrived.

────────

Deposit

1,700,000 won

Lee Jisu

Balance 5,932,153 won

────────

"It's been deposited. Use it well, and let me know if there are any issues."

"Okay! Then, can I have your number...?"

"Excuse me?"

The buyer, despite her gentle tone, boldly snatched my phone.

She pressed some buttons and handed it back to me.

When I received the phone, it was already calling an unfamiliar number.

"That's my number."

"......?"

"No, it doesn't have any other meaning... I'm a bit of a computer illiterate, so if I have any questions, I'll call you!"

"Ah... Yes."

I answered, but I was puzzled.

Isn't this possible through the Hongdangmu Market chat?

"Thank you!"

In the meantime, the buyer bowed and quickly ran out of the ATM room.

I watched her back and brought up the text message again.

────────

Deposit

1,700,000 won

Lee Jisu

Balance 5,932,153 won

────────

Right, 1.7 million won!

This is the income for the first day after quitting my job.

If I can earn this much, everyone will quit.

Let me think.

If I do this every day, my monthly income will be 5.1 million.

1 year will be 60 million.

"Ah."

An annual salary of 60 million.

A sum that seemed unimaginable, even a dream, in the past.

But now it's possible.

"......"

My head spun, and my body felt like it was floating in the air.

Then, the old lady from my dream naturally came to mind.

[ Don't worry about such things. Really. I'll make sure you never have to. ]

This is all thanks to the old lady.

By the way, she also gave me my name.

Shinyuwon.

She said she felt regret for not taking her children to an amusement park because she was too busy making a living, and she wanted her grandson to live a life like an amusement park every day.

'Grandma... '

It's a good thing.

It's a good day.

Why are my eyes stinging?

Am I getting old?

"Ahem."

Someone came in, so I made a fake cough and left the ATM room.

Then I called my mother.

"Mom, what are you doing?"

[ Oh, my son! I'm working. ]

1.7 million won.

With this money, I could buy 100 cans of tuna and still have some left, but I should first ask if the family needs anything.

"Mom, should we get a dishwashing machine at home?"

*

After ending the call and buying a few things, I returned home, and a notification from Hongdangmu Market came.

It was the buyer's manners review.

[ Perfect product, clean manners, punctual! A flawless trade! Even though I forgot my phone, you were considerate. I'm leaving a good review with a warm heart on this spring day :) ]

Then a KakaoTalk notification came.

It was 'Badjoa' whom I had saved earlier.

Her profile picture caught my eye first.

A photo of her laughing with friends on a university lawn.

[ Badjoa: Um... ]

[ Badjoa: This might be a bit presumptuous, but... ]

Why is she doing this?

Is there a problem with the graphics card?

[ Shinyuwon: Yes, please speak. ]

[ Badjoa: What department are you in? ]

What department?

[ Badjoa: I feel like I've seen you before. I think I met you last week at the student union building! :) ]

Student union building?

I haven't been to school since Teachers' Day last year.

"Ah..."

I'm such a fool.

My love cells are all dead.

[ Shinyuwon: I've graduated. You might be mistaken for someone else. ]

[ Badjoa: Graduated? ? ? ]

[ Badjoa: You look so young! ]

Her reaction gave me a feeling.

A gentle spring breeze.

[ Shinyuwon: Haha, thank you. Enjoy your game! ]

But I gave a vague answer and threw my phone on the bed.

I'm not in a position to date.

I need to earn 60 million!

"Where did I put that?"

The business card the owner of SeolPC gave me with the graphics card box. I called the number on it.

"Hello, sir! This is the person who bought 9 graphics cards this afternoon. I was wondering, how much stock do you have of other products?"

I'm considering cleaning out your inventory.

*

A few days passed.

The best way to forget something is to stay busy.

I was obsessed with making money like a madman.