Chapter 420: Chapter 420

A vast warehouse, bustling with activity, its employees moving busily among the stacks of goods.

Hubert, observing the scene, was approached by an elderly man.

“Hehehe, the sorting is almost complete. We can send the next shipment soon.”

The old man, dressed impeccably in a white suit, a stark contrast to the workers in their overalls,

…was Frances, a Viscount-level demon from the Demon World, dispatched to Hubert’s Trading Company’s Auterica headquarters.

“Thank you for your hard work. Things are much easier with your assistance.”

“It was nothing. It’s Hella-nim’s order, so it’s… child’s play. Hehehe!”

Frances, a demon specializing in mental manipulation, chuckled, stroking his beard, as Hubert praised him.

He still wasn't used to the Demon World’s… colorful expressions, but there was no doubt that Frances was a valuable asset.

‘…Even with the automated systems and the magic tools, we still need someone to… supervise. And Frances, with his crowd control abilities, is perfect for this job.’

Hubert’s gaze shifted towards the workers, demons disguised as humans, moving busily among the stacks of goods.

They were Frances’s… subordinates, dispatched from the Demon World along with him.

“Such efficiency, without even taking breaks or eating. They’re truly… the best workers, far surpassing humans.”

“…It’s a bit… strange to be praised for that. But you should still give them some breaks. They might not cause any trouble while I’m here, but their resentment could lead to… sabotage.”

“Don’t worry. I’m not that kind of… evil businessman.”

Hubert’s confident reply, his tone almost… righteous, made Frances look at him with a strange expression.

His gaze seemed to be saying… ‘You’re a heartless merchant who not only trades with demons, but also exploits their labor without any compensation…’

…but it must have been his imagination.

After all, he was paying them fairly.

‘…Well, they’re from the Demon World, so I’m paying them based on the Demon World’s standards.’

And he had even set up a dormitory and a cafeteria for them within the warehouse, so they didn’t have to worry about food or lodging.

They weren’t allowed to leave the premises, of course… but that was for security reasons.

“…Ahem, I understand why Hella-nim chose you… Ahem! This is… impressive. I’ve heard of Hubert’s Trading Company’s reputation, but I didn’t expect you to be able to handle this much…”

Frances, seemingly at a loss for words, trailed off and then changed the subject, his gaze sweeping across the warehouse.

The sheer volume of goods being processed here was… staggering.

A hub for interdimensional trade, where goods from Auterica and the Demon World were exchanged.

The warehouse, filled with countless items, was operating like a well-oiled machine, thanks to the automated systems and the demons’ tireless efforts.

Like a… logistics center on Earth.

“Well, we’ve been preparing this logistics hub for a long time. It’s much more efficient to have a dedicated facility outside the city, for large-scale transportation.”

Hubert chuckled and shrugged.

The massive warehouse, located south of Tarak, was one of Hubert’s Trading Company’s most important assets.

It was large enough to contain an entire village, and its defenses, reinforced by magic and technology, were impenetrable.

‘…And the trade with the Demon World is relatively simple, since it all happens within this warehouse. The other warehouses are constantly receiving shipments from all over the continent.’

Of course, the city wasn't happy about it, as they were losing out on taxes… but it wasn’t difficult for Hubert’s Trading Company to… persuade them.

After all, the… compensation he offered was… insignificant.

“And it’s all thanks to Hella-nim. My hard work has finally paid off.”

Frances looked at him with a strange expression, his gaze… unreadable.

Hubert’s combat abilities were… insignificant compared to his own… but he couldn’t underestimate him.

He was a remarkable individual, a worthy… subordinate of Hella.

‘…He has a monopoly on the Demon World’s resources. And he’s the head of the largest trading company on the continent…’

A monster was being born, a being that could potentially devour the entire world’s economy.

If they weren't on the same side, he would have… eliminated him before he grew too powerful.

‘…But he’s also Hella-nim’s servant, so it’s a good thing. And this situation… it’s all part of her plan.’

He sighed softly and turned away from Hubert, his gaze fixed on the purplish gate, where goods were constantly being transported between dimensions.

‘…That’s… incredible. To think she could use a Demon King’s power like that…’

He couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe every time he saw it.

Even with Hubert’s abilities, this trade wouldn’t have been possible without that gate.

‘…Of course, to maintain its stability, only non-living materials are being transported now, after a few… low-level workers were… sent through…’

But even that was an incredible feat.

It wasn't the right time for a ‘continental invasion’.

Creating a stable portal wasn't easy, even for her… but she had acquired the perk 「World Invasion」, which significantly reduced the cost of interdimensional travel.

It was ironic that she was using it for trade, not conquest.

“Then I’ll be going now. I’ll leave the rest to you, Frances. If there are any problems, contact my secretary, Diana.”

“Hehehe, there won’t be any problems. It’s just a simple exchange of goods. And even if there’s an… incident, I’ll handle it discreetly. Don’t worry.”

Well, it was true that few could resist his mental manipulation, unless they were transcendent beings.

That was why he had been appointed as the head of this warehouse.

He could handle the trade and deal with any potential intruders… discreetly.

Hubert nodded and left the warehouse, his bodyguards following closely behind, passing through the layers of security.

Clip-clop! Clip-clop!

“Whoa! The horses are getting agitated! What are you doing? Hold the reins!”

“Hey! Move that over here! Be careful, it’s valuable!”

“Are you from Michael’s Trading Company, from the Talia Kingdom? Let’s see… This way, please.”

He left the secure area and then saw it.

A bustling scene, countless people moving busily, large and small buildings lining the streets, and numerous carriages and merchants coming and going.

It was a massive trading complex, built and managed by Hubert’s Trading Company.

He exhaled slowly, a satisfied smile on his face, as he admired the scene.

This was the culmination of his efforts, the result of his meticulous planning and execution, his access to rare and valuable goods, his seemingly limitless funds, the support of the vampires, his unparalleled intelligence network, and his connections to high-ranking individuals all over the world.

‘…It’s been a long journey. It’s been several years since I established Hubert’s Trading Company. Or rather, is it… too short, considering that I’ve become the largest trading company on the continent in just a few years?’

But this wasn’t the end.

Now that the trade with the Demon World had begun, Hubert’s Trading Company’s influence would only continue to grow.

He would make sure of it.

‘…This is my path, the path of Hubert, the greatest merchant in the world.’

And as if to… encourage him,

《The individual’s accumulated karma has reached a certain level, unlocking its potential. You have acquired the special skill “Dimensional Merchant”.》

…a sudden message appeared before him.

A skill related to… commerce.

Something he hadn’t expected to acquire, as he didn’t have any skills besides 「Analysis」 and 「Cryptography」.

Awakened individuals, transported to other worlds with the system’s assistance, acquired skills based on their actions and achievements.

Physical training, weapon mastery, magic practice, poison resistance…

Or surviving life-or-death battles, acquiring rare items, or consuming valuable elixirs…

Unlike the natives of those worlds, they were blessed by the system, their growth accelerated, their potential limitless.

“‘Dimensional Merchant’… That’s a… grand title. Though it’s not exactly… wrong.”

So, it wasn't strange for Hubert, who also received additional bonuses from 「Avatar」, to acquire a skill.

Except… it was a merchant-related skill, acquired after years of… trading, a skill he had almost given up on.

‘…So, there were merchant skills. I guess the requirements were just… incredibly difficult.’

I, sitting in the massage chair in my living room, looked at the skill’s description, a strange expression on my face.

There was no doubt about how he had acquired it.

As the message had stated, it was because his ‘karma related to trade’ had reached a certain level, after expanding his business to the Demon World.

And unlike ordinary trade, which didn't involve any… supernatural elements, this was clearly… beyond the realm of ordinary commerce.

It was… impossible without the influence of otherworldly powers.

“This skill system… it’s so… inconsistent. You can acquire combat skills just by training… but for something , you need to be involved in… interdimensional trade?”

Perhaps it would have been different if he had started with a relevant unique skill.

Like a mental manipulation ability that enhanced his charisma, or a luck-boosting skill.

Of course, it didn't matter for Hubert, who had built his empire from scratch with just 「Empathy」 and the support of his other avatars.

‘…The effects of “Dimensional Merchant”… As expected of a high-level skill with difficult requirements. It has a lot of… bonus effects.’

Increased charisma, enhanced appraisal skills, improved physical abilities, a boost to trustworthiness…

But the most important one…

‘…Interdimensional trade bonus.’

I stroked my chin thoughtfully, my expression turning serious.

The best way to understand a skill’s limitations and applications was to… use it.

But he could at least… speculate based on the changes he had observed—.

“…Could this mean… that Hubert can travel between dimensions himself?”

…And the implications were… significant.

He could not only stabilize the existing portal to the Demon World, but also create new ones.

And combined with 「World Invasion」, which reduced the cost of interdimensional travel…?

‘…It won’t be easy, considering the proficiency requirements… but it’s still a possibility. This is… unexpected.’

He hadn’t expected Hubert, an ordinary merchant avatar, to acquire such an ability.

It even meant that his own ‘first great feat’, returning to Earth without using the Karma Shop, which had allowed him to acquire the 「Interdimensional Transfer Formation Summon」 perk, the foundation of his current power… might actually become… possible.

“Well… I’ll have to get used to it first. But it’s still a good thing.”

There was no need to worry about it now.

More options were always better, and those abilities, accumulated over time, would eventually prove useful.

He had other things to worry about right now.

《Your unused Karma points have exceeded 20 million. The perk “Karma Shop Ver.2 Update” has been changed to “Karma Shop Ver.3 Update”.》

His Karma balance, rapidly increasing thanks to his ongoing trade with the Demon World,

…had finally reached the next threshold.

A cluttered office, filled with various items and documents.

“Huu… I’m going to go bald at this rate.”

A man with dark skin gently touched his thinning hair, a worried expression on his face.

He was trying to… soothe his damaged hair follicles, stressed by the recent events… but of course, his actions, devoid of any magic or supernatural power, were completely ineffective.

“Please… let today be a peaceful day…”

It was a… pathetic prayer, coming from him.

A man who had poisoned and melted countless people, his victims numbering in the thousands.

But he had his reasons.

“Please… this isn’t Africa, where information control is easy. I’m the one who has to clean up your messes…”

His colleague, a fellow Awakened from the savage lands of Africa, was constantly causing trouble, his reckless actions disrupting his work, preventing him from focusing on his other duties as the regional manager.

He had anticipated some… difficulties… but the reality was far worse than he had imagined.

And as if to mock his prayer,

…a familiar notification sound echoed through the room.

-“Branch Manager! We have a problem! The Executioner is…!”

His subordinate’s voice, frantic and urgent, through the communication device.

The Southeast Asia Branch Manager of Heaven’s Turn Society closed his eyes tightly.

‘…I don’t care if it’s Hahoe Mask or the Saint… Just… someone… please…’

He slowly lowered his hand from his head.

An unusually large number of hairs were tangled around his fingers… but it must have been his imagination.

…Or he would start crying.