I Am A Wizard Who Can Travel Between Earth And The Other World

"You've never done it before, I see. It's a basic safety feature. That's why securing the design data is just as important."

"I'll personally ensure its protection," Walter vowed, nodding vigorously.

"You can also handle negotiations with the security firms. Coordinate with Jay on the details."

"Understood," Walter answered swiftly. "For top-tier security, firms typically take 8% of sales, with the percentage dropping by 1% at each lower level."

It was a request for Gin to specify the security grade.

Without comparable magical artifacts to reference, he had no way of gauging its value objectively.

"Let's settle at 4%," Gin decided, opting for a mid-range solution. With his majority stake, he had no desire to waste time haggling over minutiae.

Besides, this was only the beginning; more projects would follow.

Over time, he had begun to see the benefit of having Jang act as a public face. It was wise to establish multiple connections, and though Jay had been instrumental in bringing him into this world, Gin remained cautious.

Trust was earned, not freely given. Despite their partnership's current success, it hadn't started on the best terms.

Just as the conversation seemed to conclude, Walter hesitated, then spoke carefully. "By the way… could you restructure the sigils so they can be inscribed in separate parts?"

"To prevent leaks?" Walter asked, already nodding.

"Yes. We plan to compartmentalize the process so that no one artisan knows the entire enchantment."

It was a common practice in workshops, but one that extended development timelines. Gin pondered for a moment before his eyes gleamed with understanding.

"I'll split the sigils for you."

With a swift series of adjustments, he fragmented the enchantments and explained the assembly process to Walter. The speed and precision left Walter dumbfounded once more.

"You made changes to the enchantment," Walter noted hesitantly.

"This final step seems unnecessary, and there are differences in the middle sections too…"

Walter smirked. "I refined it a bit. The final step is crucial—it must be completed by you personally. That's the key to maintaining security."

"I'll handle it myself," Walter Promised solemnly.

With that, Gin set the shield aside. His work at the workshop was complete, but there was one more thing that piqued his curiosity.

"Earlier, you mentioned something about underground workshops. What are they exactly?"

"Ah, I figured you might not know. They're not exactly legal, so most people don't talk about them openly."

"Illegal workshops?"

"Not just illegal—think of them as part of a black market network."

"A black market? So they produce and sell artifacts off the books to avoid taxes?"

"Taxes are part of it, but many use extreme methods in their research. That's the main reason."

"Extreme methods? Like human experimentation?" Gin asked half-jokingly, only for Jang to confirm it with an unsettling calm.

"Yes. Some of the more disreputable places trade in slaves for that purpose."

Gin paused, unsettled.

He hadn't expected his offhand remark to be true.

"Underground workshops take contracts through the black market," Walter continued.

"They often deal in dangerous artifacts—things related to curses, mental manipulation, and necromancy. Though, they occasionally make standard artifacts if the price is right."

The more Walter explained, the more appalling the situation became.

"It's best to steer clear of them," Walter warned.

"If the city government targets you for any connection to the black market, you'll face more than just minor inconveniences."

"It's fascinating, but I have no intention of getting involved," Gin replied with a faint grin. Still, the fact that such a network operated so openly suggested that the city authorities were aware of its existence.

Perhaps they allowed it to persist for their own benefit.

"Thank you for the information. Now, we should also think about scaling up production."

Walter's eyes sparkled with excitement. "You've already designed the shield for mass production?"

"No, not yet. I want to observe how sales go first."

Walter's face fell slightly, disappointment etched into his features.

"Mass production doesn't guarantee success," Gin added. "We need to monitor the market response."

"I understand. Leave the logistics to me. I'll ensure its success," Walter declared with renewed determination.

With a nod, Gin left the workshop.

He had other matters to attend to—one of which involved resolving some loose ends regarding his café business. His official documentation made things much easier.

Running a business in this world was surprisingly convenient when you had both funds and connections.

Money wasn't an issue. His last expedition had earned him more than triple the contracted amount—along with a troll carcass and a promised relic.

The future brimmed with potential, and Gin intended to seize every opportunity.

Contrary to Gin's expectations, the storage facility housing the mutant carapace troll was located in the heart of the city. In his mind, a warehouse was something akin to the herb storage depots he had visited in his dealings with pharmaceutical companies—remote, heavily guarded, and situated on the outskirts of urban areas.

He had assumed this facility would be the same, requiring additional security for such a rare and dangerous specimen.

Yet, upon arrival, the reality was strikingly different.

The warehouse was not a standalone facility hidden in isolation, but part of a sleek, multi-story skyscraper. It was a secure, highly specialized structure designed for storage on a grand scale.

Professional security personnel patrolled the premises, each equipped with formidable gear and displaying the disciplined presence of trained ability users. Gin quickly assessed them as competent, capable individuals.

Beyond physical security, the building itself was a bastion of magical defense.

Layers of protective enchantments wove through its very architecture—spells to obscure internal details and prevent unauthorized entry along unapproved paths.

The magical defenses were intricately interconnected, a delicate web that both concealed and protected the valuable contents within.

Gin paused in front of the towering structure, tilting his head back to take it all in.

Thirty floors rose into the sky, each designed for specialized storage.

The entire skyscraper served one purpose: to safeguard treasures, artifacts, and rare items.

As he stood there, silently admiring the impressive security measures, a guard approached him with a polite but cautious demeanor.

"How can I assist you, sir?" the guard inquired, his tone professional but respectful.

"I'm here to inspect the condition of an item in storage," Gin replied.

At the mention of an inspection, the guard's posture shifted slightly as he offered a deferential bow.

"Ah, of course. You must be a client. Allow me to assist you with the procedures. Please, follow me," the guard said, gesturing toward the entrance.

With measured steps, Gin followed the guard into the building, his mind quietly noting every detail of its defenses.

He had a feeling this facility held more secrets than it appeared on the surface.