For So-young, good business was always a good thing. It was good for achieving what her superior wanted, but she also genuinely enjoyed the act of selling. She had a talent for sales and loved the process.

  The fact that her "sales" would eventually lead this world into chaos was irrelevant. Doing business always created ripples; if one worried about such things, they shouldn't be in the business of making money.

  In fact, So-young knew that creating trouble often led to greater results. Every time she produced an achievement, the world grew louder, but she viewed that noise as a form of free advertising.

  So-young worked hard today as well. Those who craved power were everywhere, and the tools she sold were more than enough to satisfy them. Thanks to that, she made a handsome profit and further solidified her influence. In this line of work, there were no annoying "Karens," making for very satisfying transactions.

  Of course, it went without saying that there was a slight withholding of information. But she didn't believe the people here would understand the full truth even if she told them.

  In a sense, the tools she sold were defective.

  A properly made tool does not stimulate human impulses. It is simply a device that helps a person realize their maximum potential when necessary. However, what So-young sold was far from that.

  Her products stimulated desire and ultimately led to ruin. While she could distribute proper goods if she wanted to, now was not the time for that.

  Nor was there a reason to.

  Releasing these low-grade products into the world was a way to steer everything toward the goal desired by the world she originally came from. It was only the beginning.

  But the end would surely be much more interesting, and it was a necessary step for her home world. Therefore, her current sales operations had to succeed at all costs. No interference could be tolerated. Failure was not an option. It was time to run as hard as possible to produce results and get closer to the desired outcome. That sense of accomplishment was the driving force that kept her going.

  Having worked so hard, So-young should have gone to bed happy. Resting after a hard day's work to prepare for the next was the basic tenet of sales.

  However, today So-young received some very bad news.

  "Damn it... I told him not to..."

  So-young spat out a curse. Her subordinate—more accurately, a man who had come under her command—had ignored orders and caused a disaster.

  The man was now in police custody. She had told him to only monitor the target to avoid such an outcome, but those blinded by the prospect of merit always crossed the line, inviting their own destruction.

  Now, the man was a target for disposal. He needed to take responsibility for his mistake. Normally, he would have taken that responsibility himself, but he couldn't even manage that.

  It was a significant loss. It was also an event that was hard to swallow.

  Still, such things happen in life. So-young thought that while the "brat" was an enemy, he was certainly competent.

  But she couldn't spend all her time praising the enemy. Deciding that she would definitely make him pay for this, So-young determined the man's disposal—calculating a subtle method that would prevent anyone from tracing the act back to her.

  Sometimes, one must welcome a guest even at an unwanted hour, even if the location isn't exactly hospitable. For the Boss, Jihyeon’s current visit was exactly that.

  Having been under a lot of stress lately, the Boss had visited one of his entertainment establishments for the first time in a while. He was busy drinking away his frustrations with his subordinates when Jihyeon appeared—an uninvited guest in a place he shouldn't be.

  However, the Boss met with him without a word of complaint. He knew Jihyeon wasn't the type to come all this way for something trivial.

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  "Can we get another room? I'd like to talk to you privately," Jihyeon requested, showing zero interest in his surroundings. The Boss complied.

  The Boss, who had been partying hard until a moment ago, felt a bit hazy from the alcohol. Nevertheless, he knew Jihyeon’s words were worth listening to.

  "Coming all the way to my playground at this hour... I assume you’ve brought something worth hearing?" the Boss asked as they entered a room prepared for just the two of them. This was a specially managed room, free of any wiretapping devices, ensuring absolute security.

  Without waiting to be told, Jihyeon scanned the room and looked satisfied. He likely realized exactly what kind of room it was. There was no need for words; for the Boss, Jihyeon was a man who always got straight to the point. The Boss watched him with expectant eyes.

  "As you know, your organization is the only one left that has nothing to do with the tools. Other organizations have already purchased them, and as a result, there’s no end to the incidents they're causing," Jihyeon said, bypassing any small talk. The Boss let out an uncomfortable grunt.

  He was well aware of the situation. Many organizations that used to be under his influence were now running amok after getting their hands on the tools. It was a descent into madness. At some point, they seemed to lose track of what they were even doing.

  A gang is ultimately about making money. They don't mind breaking the law if it pays, but conversely, there's no reason to act if there’s no profit. Yet, those currently spiraling out of control had forgotten what they were fighting for. It was as if they had been consumed by the power.

  "Unlike them, you have wisely kept your distance. That is a fortunate thing. Those who use the tools are ultimately waiting only for ruin," Jihyeon said, looking at the Boss. His eyes were cold, almost like a warning. The Boss didn't like that look, but he knew he wasn't in a position to complain.

  Jihyeon wouldn't have come here just to say this. He surely had something more important to say, and the look he gave was likely a test of the Boss's caliber.

  "I learned from those cultists that tools aren't something to be messed with. I assume you didn't come here to tell me something everyone already knows... What do you want?" the Boss asked in a heavy tone, his intoxication now completely gone.

  "I came to ask you not to get swept up in what's about to happen. There might be subordinates of yours who want to use the tools; I want you to stop them. It would be troublesome if your men got caught in what’s coming, wouldn't it? Besides, after the cleanup, there will be a serious labor shortage."

  Jihyeon smiled slightly as he spoke. Realizing the meaning behind the words, the Boss couldn't help but laugh heartily.

  "I see. So that's why you came? You didn't want me to suffer damage because of some fools blinded by revenge?"

  The Boss waited for Jihyeon’s next words, knowing his true intent went deeper.

  "It’s not just that. You know what happens during a power vacuum, don't you? The police can't always intervene, after all."

  The Boss smiled. Jihyeon was suggesting that if the Boss endured temporary humiliation, a massive profit would be guaranteed. It wasn't a bad deal. His subordinates would be annoyed, but the payoff waiting at the end would be lucrative.

  "A tempting offer. You’re saying if we stay put for a while, everything left over will be ours? Even if that 'while' is going to be difficult."

  The Boss thought about the profits they would gain. For a while, it might be hard to deal with other gangs acting out. But instead of using tools for revenge, if they just waited, they could take over the assets of the other organizations. It was a solid plan, especially considering that if a power vacuum lasted too long, organizations from other regions might move in and complicate things further.

  However, whether they could hold out in the meantime was uncertain.

  "But we aren't that strong. You know how easily a fist that doesn't use a tool can be taken down, don't you?"

  Jihyeon nodded slightly.

  "But once the police move, the story changes. I’ll be moving with them. I can't tolerate those who possess the tools."

  The Boss nodded. With this much power in play, it would be stranger if the authorities didn't intervene.

  "So we just have to play dead for a while. I can't tell if I should call this a win or not," the Boss joked. It would be an annoying period. Even if the police targeted other organizations, his own men would likely face plenty of headaches.

  But the reward would be worth it. Since the police were already tolerating them to prevent a greater evil, it was better to wait and reap the benefits than to get crushed by acting out.

  "I'll leave it to you, then. It’s going to get bloody from here on out."

  Having said all he needed to, Jihyeon stood up.

  "Why not stay for a drink?" the Boss offered, suggesting he enjoy himself since he was already there.

  "No, thank you. I don't have a taste for this kind of thing," Jihyeon replied simply and walked out. It was a rather arrogant exit. But before the Boss could even dwell on it, screams erupted outside the establishment.

  "Boss! The other guys swarmed the place! But that guy, Jihyeon or whatever his name is, just cleared them all out. I don't know what the hell happened... but seeing them all flat on the ground feels pretty damn good."

  A subordinate rushed in right after the screams to report the situation. At the subordinate’s excited words, the Boss simply laughed.

  "I’ve racked up another debt. Nothing can be done about it..."

  This was no longer their stage. Realizing this, the Boss said nothing more. Instead, he returned to his original room to have one last drink with his remaining men.