Episode 105
105: The Second
Branding Gold-Hand.
The idea of creating a luxury brand like Erdes sounded utterly absurd.
However, Cha Yu-kyung seemed to have her own confidence.
“Among male brands, what others have a positioning similar to Erdes?”
“Hmm… There are some, but they’re a bit ambiguous.”
“Right? Nothing comes to mind immediately, does it? But what about Gold-Hand’s current image in Lepione?”
Kim Min-joon, who had been silently pondering, recalled Geumson exploits. Gold-Hand’s network was astonishing, but his core feat was enhancement—specifically, item enhancement.
“Hmm… Item enhancement? Things touched by Gold-Hand become luxury items?”
“Exactly! That very image. Many players say a single enhancement from him is worth a billion won. We leverage that image.”
“But… will that work?”
Manager Kim Min-joon seemed skeptical. However, Cha Yu-kyung, who understood the nature of luxury brands, believed it was a viable strategy.
“Even now, you can’t just buy Erdes items. To get a desired item, you need to go through various procedures.”
To acquire a desired Erdes item, one must purchase this and that, consistently over a long period. Only after becoming a VIP does one get the ‘opportunity’ to buy the coveted item.
What if they built such a process in collaboration with Gold-Hand? What if they turned Gold-Hand himself into a luxury brand and offered Lepion enhancement opportunities to the VIPs of that brand?
This was a guaranteed business. Moreover, it needn’t be limited to male brands; female brands could be targeted the same way. After all, Lepyon was currently loved by all ages and genders.
Besides, Gold-Hand was also a player and couldn’t handle mass production. That wasn’t just an excuse or marketing ploy. Gold-Hand, who had shown clear progress in Lepione—the minimal quantity produced from his hands would only solidify the luxury image, in a way consumers would accept and envy.
“But… would Geumson agree to such a proposal? He doesn’t seem interested in anything outside Lepione… He doesn’t even seem overly attached to money.”
Manager Kim Min-joon recalled Geumson attitude and wore a doubtful expression. Cha Yu-kyung, however, just smiled.
“Really? I don’t think Geumson is that unreasonable.”
Cha Yu-kyung remembered Gold-Hand’s demeanor when Panteria’s Megan visited Korea. Gold-Hand was someone who could see the big picture. That’s why she was confident he would be interested in this venture.
‘And if we secure control over that enhancement process through Mirae? Then Kang Moo-jin and Choi Jin-woong would have no choice but to bow to us as well.’
The higher their ideals, the more essential item enhancement in Lepione would be. Just like Panteria’s Cain, who sought Gold-Hand’s help to defeat the Lich King. Therefore, if Gold-Hand was in Mirae Group’s hands, they would have to ally, whether they liked it or not.
“I’ll meet Geumson.”
“You, Team Leader? I could go… It seems you’ve been meeting him quite often lately?”
“Th-that… There are reasons for that! So, Manager Kim Min-joon, please prepare the relevant documents!”
For some reason, Cha Yu-kyung’s voice seemed to rise in pitch. But she quickly composed her expression and gave specific instructions.
“Brand preemption, trademarks, domains, and related communities—everything. All intangible assets related to him must become our group’s property.”
She insisted she had reasons to meet Gold-Hand personally. But it didn’t sound like a mere excuse.
“This isn’t just about recruiting an item or talent. It’s about preempting the future market ‘standard.’ So, it must succeed. That’s precisely why I must go.”
Yeokcheon, Asura, and even Mirae Group—behind the scenes of Lepione, massive capital and organizational power were waging a fierce war. Each trying to seize the other’s weaknesses to establish a leading system even a day sooner.
While Cha Yu-kyung was planning Geumson branding, Geumson was also checking the palace quest. His feelings were similar to Cha Yu-kyung’s, though for him, a person came to mind before inter-faction relations.
‘Will Moi-ran be okay?’
Moi-ran, who hadn’t hesitated to sacrifice in the Age of Ruin, had saved hundreds of thousands of lives. He felt a bit sorry for seemingly paving a thorny path for her future. If this incident slowed her growth, that would be a problem in itself.
“Can’t be helped. I’ll have to help her with some equipment when we meet later.”
That seemed sufficient. In truth, he wasn’t too worried. Knowing the Moiran he knew, she wasn’t the type to be broken by such adversity. She might even return stronger because of it.
“Wooorker! Worker!”
At Iron Worker’s voice, Geumson looked up. Tia on his shoulder also fluttered her wings, startled by the sound.
“Over there? Griffin, descend.”
Pee- Peeeek!
At Gold-Hand’s command, the Griffin dove sharply. They still had quite a distance to reach Prellia, but the Griffin touched down in an instant and then flew away as if fleeing.
“Tee-ak! Tit-tit-tit!”
Tia seemed angry at this, her attitude threatening revenge, but Geumson paid no mind. He had somewhere else to focus now.
“Worker, Tia. Keep watch around us.”
“Wooorker! Waatch! Waatch!”
“Tee-at! Tee-tee-tee-.”
As Iron Worker and Tia took up guard, Gold-Hand also stepped forward, surveying the surroundings.
Crunch—
Footprints marked with each step. A pure white snowfield. Surrounding it were numerous trees, skeletal and blanketed in snow.
“It’s… colder than I thought?”
Gold-Hand’s hands trembled. The ‘Desert Troubleshooter’ effect provided 20% Cold Resistance, but it seemed insufficient. With each of Gold-Hand’s breaths, a white mist bloomed.
“Wooorker!”
“Tee-ya-ya-ak! Tee-at!”
While Gold-Hand was assessing the area, signals came from Iron Worker and Tia. The signal that there was no immediate threat around. Synchronized with that signal—
Riiip—
He tore the ‘Divine Whistle Scroll,’ the reward for 1st place contribution in the Airtoss Siege. A message appeared instantly.
[Will you use the ‘Divine Whistle Scroll’?]
[This choice cannot be undone.]
The previously seen message floated up. Gold-Hand had no intention of hoarding items. The words of Holy Knight Baek Jin-joo—that the best moment is now—were etched in his heart.
Moreover, he had no intention of passing this item to others. He needed to become strong first. Only then could he prepare for the future. So, there was no hesitation in Gold-Hand’s voice.
“Use it.”
[Please designate the target.]
At this message, Gold-Hand’s voice trembled. Not from hesitation, but because it was the second use. Not the first, but the second, and that made it thrilling.
“Gold-Hand.”
The moment he designated the target, an indescribable energy poured down. Like a waterfall, an unknown force assaulted Gold-Hand.
Kwaaaaaa—!
But it was different this time. Unlike the first use, it felt as if the energy was assessing him, testing his qualifications.
A message appeared then. But a different one from the first time.
[The target has a prior history of using the ‘Divine Whistle Scroll.’]
[Assessing the target’s qualifications.]
Cold sweat trickled down Geumson back. He didn’t know what qualifications were being checked.
‘Maybe… I needed to raise Sun Strike to level 10?’
In that tense moment, another message appeared.
[Target’s qualifications confirmed.]
[All base stats and unlocked stats of target ‘Gold-Hand’ exceed 100.]
[Can withstand the Divine Whistle Scroll.]
‘Stats!’
Instantly,Geumson checked his stats.
[Player Detailed Information]
[Base Stats]
Strength: 120(+50)
Agility: 109
Stamina: 110(+50)
Magic Power: 109
[Unlocked Stats]
Luck: 112
Precision: 120
Divine Power: 116
Leadership: 120
Concentration: 120
Endurance: 105
Wisdom: 120
[Remaining Stat Points: 154]
Gold-Hand couldn’t help but feel dizzy. If he hadn’t received the +10 to all stats from the ‘Airtoss’s Savior’ effect during the siege, he might have failed. Hoarding stat points for future use had almost backfired.
‘I almost lost the Divine Whistle Scroll.’
Just as Geumson was about to sigh in relief, a freezing cold, as if to freeze his entire body, enveloped him. And the moment that coldness swiftly receded, endless system messages flooded his vision.
[You have achieved a First Record!]
[You are the first to succeed in duplicate use of the ‘Divine Whistle Scroll.’]
[The system expresses awe at your steps that defy common sense and your endless spirit of inquiry.]
[Your choice has expanded the horizon of new possibilities.]
[You have acquired the title, ‘Moon’s Left Hand’!]
[Title: Moon’s Left Hand]
Description: A hand that has embraced the moon’s power by divine grace. The source of all frost and the pinnacle of purification.
Effects:
[Moonlight Frost]: A low chance for the ‘Moon’s Power’ to imbue all crafted items. (Grants Cold and Purification attributes)
[Moon’s Authority]: In battle, can concentrate the moon’s power in the left hand to release powerful cold energy. (Acquire skill ‘Moon’s Earth’)
[The Purification stat is unlocked, and you receive a +50 bonus.]
[You have acquired the hidden skill ‘Moon’s Earth’!]
.
.
.
Reading through the cascading messages, Geumson clenched his fist tightly and shouted.
“It’s done!”
