Chapter 19: Give way to your face.

Counselor Park Taeyang-nim’s suggestion to take the Grade C Alchemist exam.

Naturally, it’s a suggestion I can’t accept.

A face-to-face exam, really.

I can’t even pass an ID check.

I’ve changed for the worse in just two months.

Or for the better?

“That’s sudden. It hasn’t even been a few days since I became a Grade D Alchemist. Is there a reason?”

Still, I need to understand the background behind that suggestion.

Who knows?

Maybe they’ll make an exception and change it to a non-face-to-face exam just for me?

Of course, a video call exam won’t work.

It would be great for me if they gave me Grade C easily.

10% safety inspection

30% commission

Monster material discount.

Increase in the list of monster materials available for purchase.

Because these benefits come with it.

-<Insole Slime> and <Pack Slime> are products with enough potential to work well in overseas markets.

“That’s right. Overseas people have feet and faces too.”

-So we are currently preparing for exports.

“We can’t even meet the domestic demand right now, isn’t it too early?”

This isn’t an era where exports are the only way to survive, raising voices about it. In the current atmosphere, if we reduce domestic supply to sell overseas, I feel like there will be a line of protests.

-Currently, Slime-nim’s production is growing by more than 1% every day. Also, according to the analysis lab, the demand for <Insole Slime+> is expected to peak in 100 days and decrease by more than 10% within a year.

“So the expectation is that supply will increase, but demand won’t increase that much, and will even decrease.”

-Yes. That is correct.

You shouldn’t underestimate 1% per day.

There’s something called the Rule of 70, which explains the magic of compound interest.

It’s a calculation formula that tells you how many days it takes for something to double when you divide 70 by the percentage increase per day. In other words, if production grows by 1% per day, production doubles in 70 days.

That means in a year, even with a rough calculation, the volume will be more than 32 times the current production.

Shall I tap the calculator a bit? It’s about 37.78 times. If you multiply that by 24,000, it’s roughly 900,000.

Since <Insole Slime> types use two per item, the total number of products decreases.

Assuming the ratio is maintained, it’s roughly 650,000 units.

Not a month, but a daily production of 650,000.

It is a number that makes you turn your eyes to the overseas market.

“So the calculation is that if it grows by 1% every day, there will be hundreds of thousands of products after a year?”

-That is correct.

“Did you really assume that my Slime will grow infinitely by 1% every day from now on?”

-…Doesn’t it grow?

This is why you shouldn’t count your chickens before they hatch.

“Of course there’s a limit.”

The more it eats, the less experience points it gains.

A limit will definitely come.

“I’m also curious how the calculation of growing by 1% per day came about.”

-They said it was measured by the amount of materials consumed.

“If the amount it eats doubles, does its strength also double?”

-….

“Well, let’s say my Slime’s production increased by dozens of times. My Slime isn’t going to just Divide, and there’s a limit to the range its body can reach. Can you build a factory system that produces such a large volume with just one production machine?”

900,000 units per day is 10 units per second.

Is it even physically possible to build a line that produces 10 items per second? If there were multiple machines, maybe, but there’s only one machine?

It’s not like pulling noodle strands.

It seems possible if it spreads its body very wide and thin, but those people don’t know that our Gongdori can do that.

This is exactly armchair theorizing.

-We will review it again.

“Yes, yes. Then is the topic of the Grade C Alchemist license finished?”

-No. Exports are still planned to proceed.

Counselor Park Taeyang-nim is a public official. If the higher-ups tell him to proceed, he has to proceed.

“What does exports have to do with the Grade C Alchemist license anyway?”

-It is embarrassing to reveal this, but Korea’s Grade D Alchemist license is not recognized in the international market. It is essentially treated as a private certification.

Just how foolish were they to be treated like that?

-From Grade C onwards, it receives at least minimum recognition. So we request that you acquire the Grade C Alchemist license.

“Ah. …Is that it? Is it just a request?”

Benefits! Give me benefits!

I’m not asking for anything grand. Just make the exam non-face-to-face!

-Of course, that’s not the end. Originally, to get a Grade C Alchemist license, you needed at least 3 years of experience working as an alchemist. However, we plan to establish a new clause that recognizes the number of items sold as experience if it exceeds the standard.

“So you’re saying as soon as the law is revised, you’ll let me take the exam?”

-Yes. That is correct.

So you’re telling me to study and prepare now?

Well, I guess that’s okay.

“I have severe social phobia, so can’t I take the exam non-face-to-face?”

-No, because there could be cheating.

“Like my Slime taking the exam instead?”

-Hahaha.

“I’m not kidding?”

-Naturally, no.

I, I’ve never seen a public official so much like a public official!

If you want to make me a Grade C Alchemist, give me proper benefits! Benefits!

Did I ask for anything grand as a benefit?

Just let me take it non-face-to-face!

As long as I have the skill, is my face really that important?

Or don’t revise the law that recognizes the number of items sold as experience!

Then I’ll have 3 years of time!

“There’s already a lot of controversy about preferential treatment, is there really a need to change the law?”

-The revision is not just for Alchemy Slime-nim. There have long been arguments that it’s inefficient to tie someone down for 3 years when they have clear results. There just hasn’t been a catalyst to push for the revision.

“But people don’t know that, do they?”

-It’s alright. We will take the criticism.

Oh, whatever.

I just lay down on the floor.

Ah, I don’t care. Just cut me open.

I’ll just live as a Grade D Alchemist forever.

Ha….

I swallowed a sigh and got up.

I want to just gloss over it, but the higher-ups at the Alchemy Center seem quite serious about exports.

Saying they’re revising the law means they’ve even pulled in the National Assembly, right?

With things this big, what if I throw a tantrum saying I can’t take the exam and block the progress?

They might actually come to cut me open?

“Can Grade D Alchemists not export at all?”

-That’s not the case. Even if it’s treated as a private certification, it is still a license officially issued by the government of the Republic of Korea. However, it is bound to be ignored in the market due to lack of credibility.

So we’ll be viewed the same way people from our country view Chinese wine?

“Counselor Park Taeyang-nim.”

-Yes. Please go ahead.

“If I succeed as a Grade D Alchemist, won’t those below Grade D stop being treated as mere private certifications? So, I’ll aim for the overseas market while still a Grade D Alchemist.”

-Sales will inevitably be negatively affected. Moreover, safety inspections might be conducted again overseas. The commission will also increase.

With two safety inspections, half of it will be gone.

Since we’re using an overseas sales agency in Korea, there will definitely be a commission.

If they take a commission overseas as well, I’ll barely be left with a fish head’s worth.

But for the sake of my safety, it’s a price I’m willing to pay.

“For the prestige of our country, I will sacrifice myself. I have confidence in my products. Even if they are ignored due to credibility issues, I am certain they will eventually be loved.”

-Alchemy Slime-nim…. Thank you.

“For now, let’s not focus on overseas and concentrate only on the domestic market. If the buzz continues domestically, there will be a response overseas as well. We can enter then. Please convince the higher-ups well, Counselor-nim.”

-Yes. Understood. I will do my best.

I hung up the phone.

If I set it up like this, they won’t nag me to get a Grade C Alchemist license for exports.

I barely escaped the risk of being killed.

“Phew….”

Counselor Park Taeyang.

Slime will not forget this matter.

Going back to before picking up the phone again.

Looking at my bank account, I was contemplating ‘the most efficient way to raise my level with this money.’

Wiiiiing~

An unpleasant sound was heard.

Mosquito, mosquito, what are you doing~

Looking for blood~

Annoying~

Tap.

Mosquito, mosquito, what are you doing~

Eating a meal~

What side dish~

Slime side dish~

Are you dead? Are you alive?

“Die!”

Sensing danger, the mosquito immediately attempted to take off, but the sticky body of the Slime grabbed its legs. Then, dozens of tentacles stretched out, wrapping around the mosquito’s body and pulling it down.

Drown in Slime hell!

Is this my first kill since becoming a Slime?

“….”

Nothing in particular happens.

“It’s mosquito season.”

It’s July now. The time when mosquitoes are active.

I’m an eco-friendly Slime that doesn’t emit carbon dioxide,

and as an idol Slime with a fragrant sweat, I wasn’t a target for mosquitoes.

Even now, it doesn’t seem like it sat on me to bite, but just to rest.

It must be a mosquito that followed its mom here.

Mom, you’re too much. What kind of gift is a mosquito?

Well, thanks to that, I came up with a new product line.

Mom, thanks for the gift.

<Kill the Mosquito Slime>

-A tentacle monster Slime that actively kills mosquitoes. The only good mosquito is a dead mosquito.

Oops. My inner hatred slipped out.

<Low Frequency Slime>

-A Slime that curses mosquitoes with low-frequency sounds inaudible to humans. The effect is uncertain, but there must be a curse on mosquitoes!

Hatred, calm down.

<Vampire Micro Slime>

-A tiny Slime that clings to mosquitoes and sucks their blood. I’ll turn them into mummies.

Vengeance, settle down a bit.

<Mosquito Hell Slime>

-A Slime that emits a scent to lure mosquitoes. It draws them in and drowns them. For the user’s peace of mind, mosquitoes are definitely preserved.

Ah, this might be useful?

But unless it’s an enclosed space, it might have the drawback of attracting external mosquitoes instead.

<Lure Light Slime>

-A Slime that lures blood-sucking insects with light and scent, then burns them with electricity. Blood-sucking insects must be eradicated!

This could be useful outdoors.

Its lifespan is a bit short. Since insects swarm to it, it’s also inconvenient to carry around.

<Mosquito Repellent Slime>

-A Slime that emits a scent and sound mosquitoes hate, driving them away. An item for weaklings who think of repelling instead of killing.

Let’s refine its shape into a bracelet form. This should synergize with <Mosquito Hell Slime> or <Lure Light Slime>.

<Mosquito Extermination Slime>

-A Slime that spreads neurotoxin to destroy mosquitoes’ nervous systems. A peaceful death is the only mercy I can grant.

I should also make a topical medicine.

<Bite Relief Slime>

-A Slime that secretes fluid with disinfecting, antibacterial, and itch-suppressing effects.

If I send it to the Alchemy Center as a Slime, they’ll process it into a form convenient for humans to use and sell it.

Just like they sold <Pack Slime> in a plastic container.

Production costs will go up, but that’s fine.

From now on, I can make and send these.

Ah, are you asking if I’m not sending <Explosive Web Slime>?

I worked hard to make them to raise my level and sent them.

But since they didn’t sell, the stock piled up too much….

Unless you’re a Hunter, you can’t get purchase approval, that’s why!

Once word spreads among Hunters, it’ll take off someday!

***

It started with a single video.

—

-[I stole a peek at the <Pack Slime> my sister cherishes.]

[Shh]

[Hello. Hello.]

[Today, I’m going to steal a peek at]

[<Pack Slime> that my sister cherishes.]

[Shh]

[Sister’s not home.]

[Hahaha]

[You should lock the door when you leave the house!]

[Hahaha]

[<Pack Slime> found!]

[What am I going to do with this?]

Scratching underarm.

[Sniff sniff]

“Ugh.”

[Otherworldly smell]

Wearing a white dress shirt

and tucking <Pack Slime> under the arm.

[Hahaha]

Sweatshirt zipper zipping down.

[Shall we get started then?]

[Push-ups 100 reps]

[Squats 100 reps]

[Sit-ups 100 reps]

[Running 10km]

[Drenched in sweat]

[Let’s see how it turned out?]

[Hahaha]

Riiip.

[Ta-da!]

Right underarm – Left underarm

[Yellow] [Damp] *—–* [Dry and fluffy].

“Huh?”

[Genuinely shocked.]

[Ah! It’s sister!]

[Returning <Pack Slime> to its place]

[15 minutes later.]

[Sister with <Pack Slime> attached to her face]

[Hahaha]

“How is it?”

“Touch it and you’re dead.”

[Don’t know]

[?????]

—

As the video of only the side without <Pack Slime> turning yellow gained popularity, countless people began to experiment.

Soon, verification photos showing that <Pack Slime> removes body odor and even absorbs sweat started popping up everywhere.

Surprised by the unexpected effect, people began sticking <Pack Slime> on all sorts of places.

***

Ring ring.

This person. They’ve been calling a lot lately.

“Yes, this is Alchemy Slime.”

-Alchemy Slime, this is Counselor Park Taeyang.

“Yes, what’s the matter?”

-Alchemy Slime, is <Pack Slime>… um, good for men?

What is this about now?

“Well, since it improves skin, it’s good for both men and women.”

-I mean… does it have an effect on solving men’s concerns?

Seriously, what is this about?

“Men’s concerns? Even so, it can’t treat hair loss, can it?”

-It can’t?

“No, it can’t. It’s skin regeneration, not time reversal. Though your scalp might get smooth and shiny.”

-I see….

Counselor Park Taeyang’s voice was clearly disheartened.

He’s someone who seems to resemble the sun, just like his name.

“Looks like a lot of people have been sticking it on their heads for hair loss treatment.”

-Ah, that’s not it. Of course, there are some who do that, but….

Not him, I suppose?

It’s a shame I can’t confirm since our Gongdori went into the machine.

-Um…. There’s a rumor going around that it’s good for vitality.

????

What?

Vitality?

Why?