Webnovel Author In The Apocalypse World

"A hundred—no, five hundred crystal cores per orange, though I know even that is still far too low. The institute simply doesn't have enough cores to offer more. If that doesn't satisfy you, we could sign a contract, and you would receive half of any future research profits. Would that work?"

Only then did the surrounding researchers realize that this miraculous orange had been brought in by Mr. Kim.

They all looked at him with eager expressions.

Kim Haru's mouth opened in shock.

The five-hundred-crystal-core price tag astonished him.

Thinking about how many crystal cores he'd effectively consumed, even someone as indifferent to money as Kim Haru felt a pang of regret.

However, if he didn't have many oranges, selling them at this high price would be perfectly reasonable. But thinking of the extensive orange grove back at his farm…

Kim Haru shook his head.

Jang Dojung's face fell slightly, though he wasn't ready to give up. Adjusting his glasses, he began explaining, "Mr. Kim, I know the oranges you have are incredibly precious. Even if you could sell us just a few—or even just one—it would be immensely helpful. The institute would try to extract the beneficial elements and maximize their effectiveness. If we could analyze their structure and eventually produce them on a large scale, the profit and contribution to the world would be enormous."

"Sir, consider it an investment. I assure you, in my capacity as the director of the research institute, this investment will yield returns."

Before Kim Haru could get a word in, Jang Dojung's earnest pitch rolled over him like a wave, leaving him momentarily speechless.

"Ahem." Jang Dojang, who had been observing from the side, cleared his throat, finally prompting Jang Dojung to realize that Mr. Kim seemed to have something to say.

"Oh, sir, what is it you'd like to say?"

"I have plenty of oranges." Kim Haru's first words prompted an instant cheer from everyone nearby, startling him. "It doesn't need to be so expensive—fifty crystal cores per orange."

He'd decided that this would also be the price when he eventually stocked them in the Green Basket Vegetable Shop.

Initially, he'd thought about setting the price at twenty crystal cores, but now, knowing the oranges' exceptional quality, a slightly higher price seemed fair.

The researchers were astonished.

This unexpected turn of events was like a miracle they hadn't dared hope for!

Or rather, it wasn't heaven that had granted them this miracle—it was Mr. Kim!

"Mr. Kim, you're a good man!"

"Mr. Kim is the best!"

"Thank you, Mr. Kim!"

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"Mr. Kim, we love you!"

Ahem, the "love" wasn't necessary.

With his ears turning bright red, Kim Haru quickly followed Jang Dojung to the meeting room to discuss the institute's orange procurement in detail.

In the end, with Jang Dojang as the witness, Kim Haru and Jang Dojung signed a contra mct.

From now on, as long as he had oranges available, Kim Haru would supply the institute with one hundred oranges each month at a price of fifty crystal cores per orange. Should the institute need more, they would have to purchase them directly from his shop, Green Basket Vegetable Shop, where no special stock would be reserved for them.

Once the research institute developed products from the oranges, no matter the type, Kim Haru would receive a twenty-percent share of the profits.

Initially, Kim Haru hadn't wanted so much, but Jang Dojung, worried that Haru might feel it was too little, even wanted to give him a larger cut. After negotiation, they settled on twenty percent.

This was no small gain.

Kim Haru was very pleased with the outcome. It was truly an unexpected surprise.

Of course, Jang Dojung also considered it an unexpected boon for the research institute.

"Oh, right, when the institute needs its monthly share, just send someone to pick it up at the shop," Kim Haru said. "I'll let Hwa Jian know, so it's arranged." He wasn't keen on making frequent delivery trips by himself.

Jang Dojung eagerly agreed.

Watching all this, Jang Dojang finally couldn't resist making his own request. "Mr. Kim, I was wondering—do you happen to have enough oranges left? I'd like to place an order on behalf of the Safe Zone Commander's Office as well."

The oranges for the Safe Zone Commander's Office wouldn't primarily be for eating. They'd serve as impressive offerings when hosting guests from other safe zones. The Pyeongseong Safe Zone was always subtly looked down upon by visitors, and despite the disdain, they still had to smile and act courteously, especially since they occasionally needed assistance from others.

The thought of such moments made Jang Dojang uncomfortable, though he hadn't found any other way to push back.@@novelbin@@

But with these oranges…

Just imagine—if others tried to make backhanded comments about the Pyeongseong Safe Zone's lack of prosperity or progress, they could casually serve a plate of these oranges with a simple, "Pardon our humble offerings; we may not have much in Pyeongseong Safe Zone, but our oranges are quite tasty."

Just picturing the look on their faces made Jang Dojang feel delighted.

With that, Jang Dojang added, "We don't have any research products to share profit from, but we're willing to purchase oranges at a rate of sixty crystal cores per piece. If you feel that price is too low, we're open to negotiation."

Kim Haru: "..."

How could he put it? It defied everything he'd expected.

In Kim Haru's memories, a fruit vendor would typically offer a wholesale discount to organizations or groups that placed steady, long-term orders—generally below market price. One side sought to pay less and bargained, while the other side tried to secure a steady buyer by reducing prices.

But here? Everyone seemed to be bidding for higher prices!

Kim Haru wasn't greedy. "How many would you like?"

Jang Dojang resisted the urge to say, "As many as possible," and, after calculating the usage frequency for the Safe Zone Commander's Office, replied, "Let's match the research institute's order—one hundred per month."

Kim Haru agreed.