Chapter 21: A New Family Member (2)

[To fix Arkeron, we have to fix the energy core!]

Energy core?

That red magic I saw earlier, swirling and burning near Arkenon’s heart—

She must be talking about that concentrated core of magical power.

Okay.

So that’s the problem.

At least now I know exactly what’s wrong.

Then how do I fix it?

[Kkyu! The dwarves! If they hammer away, it’ll be fixed in no time!]

“Dwarves?”

[Yeah! Dwarves! They’re great with hammers!]

Huh.

At first, I didn’t get what she meant, but as I listened, a certain race came to mind.

“Wait… You mean Dwarves, right?”

[Right! Dwarves! Dwarves! Little people! Good with their hands! They’ll fix Arkeron real good!]

Oh.

So there’s actually a Dwarf among the Guardians?

‘Nice!’

This was really good news.

Why?

‘If a Dwarf is one of the Guardians, I can ask them to craft gear for me too, right?’

Which means…

I won’t have to worry about equipment anymore.

There’s a rumor that even an ordinary iron sword becomes a legendary blade in a Dwarf’s hands.

‘Then…’

If I buy gear from the <Platinum Lounge Channel> and then have the Dwarves reforge it?

That might get me endgame-tier equipment.

But that’s something to think about later.

Right now, I need to fix Arkeron’s problem.

“Is it impossible to fix him without a Dwarf?”

[Kkyu. Feeding helps a little!]

“Feeding?”

By feeding, she probably means mana.

Let’s test it out.

Drip, drip—

I took the remaining Tai Ying Yang Essence and poured a small amount near the energy core.

Vrrrmm—!

A response came instantly.

From the previously dim core, a faint red mana began to swirl again.

[Ke…ron. Mas…ter. It’s… nice… to… meet… you…]

Creak, creak!

He moved like a machine all rusted over, but managed a greeting.

“Yeah. Nice to meet you too.”

[From now on… the safety… of the lair… is… my duty…]

Fsshh—

Before he could even finish his sentence, the red glow faded.

What the—!?

That wasn’t even a full minute!

This thing… has terrible fuel efficiency.

Even a Ferrari burning gas on asphalt would be better than this.

‘Looks like I’ll be burning through a lot of elixirs until a Dwarf Guardian shows up.’

Now that I’ve added another member to the family, I’ve got even more mouths to feed—magically speaking.

I’ll have to ramp up my cultivation of spirit herbs.

Then, a thought struck me.

‘Wait. What if I put a Immortal peach Seondo, in Arkeron’s energy core?’

If the Immortal peach bears fruit properly…

Maybe it could replace part of Arkeron’s power source?

I can’t say for sure.

But I had a flash of intuition.

It might just work.

‘Alright. Let’s wait and see if the Immortal peach ripens properly.’

For now, I decided on a stopgap solution for Arkeron.

“Take a break for a bit.”

I propped Arkeron up beside Dania and turned to look at Chuchu.

“Chuchu!”

Nom nom nom!

In the meantime, Chuchu had stacked potatoes and sweet potatoes in front of himself and was munching away happily.

“Popo!”

Next to him, Popo was bouncing around with smiling eyes like this: n_n

It was as if it was asking, “Tasty, right?”

“Chuchu!”

Chuchu beamed and nodded in response.

These two… they can communicate?

That’s amazing—or maybe not the point here.

“Wow. I really do need to plant more potatoes and sweet potatoes.”

The stock was already running low.

I had planted some in the newly tilled soil that Popo prepared, but clearly, that won’t be enough going forward.

We needed to increase the yield.

Might as well plant some other crops while I’m at it.

List of crops suitable for dungeon cultivation:

Shine Muscat grapes, cherry tomatoes, carrots, green onions, etc.

Currently, I have A-grade cherry tomato seeds.

I asked <Bangbaedong Gourmet> and he got them for me right away.

He said they’ll get the rest soon, so I’m waiting.

Alright, then I’ll plant all the cherry tomatoes before going to bed tonight.

Just thinking about cherry tomatoes makes my mouth water.

I used to be called a cherry tomato maniac at one point.

I wonder what they’ll taste like when grown here?

No doubt they’ll taste amazing.

Heh.

Pushing away the saliva welling up in my mouth, I turned my head slightly to look at Chuchu.

“Chuchu!”

It had eaten so much that it was patting its now round belly with its tiny hands.

What a cute little rascal.

“Did you eat a lot?”

“Chu!”

I approached and asked.

It jumped up and raised one hand high, shouting proudly.

Its eyes sparkled like stars—seems it really enjoyed the sweet potatoes and potatoes.

So cute. Way too cute.

Without thinking, my index finger reached out.

As I stroked its head, it let out a purring sound.

“But hey, Chuchu, I’m curious about something.”

“Chu?”

“If you’re a gatherer, what do you usually gather?”

The moment I finished asking, Chuchu stood up on two legs and pushed its belly out.

Then, it placed both hands on its waist and proudly declared:

“Chuchu!”

So full of confidence.

Then it shoved both hands into its belly.

Huh? What?

It has a belly pouch?

Pop!

When it pulled its hands back out, it was holding two gloves.

Golden gloves, the same color as its fur.

They looked extraordinary at a glance.

Then it put the gloves on.

Swish!

Back into the belly pouch.

Next, it pulled out a safety helmet.

Plopped it on its head.

Swish!

One more time into the pouch.

Lastly, it pulled out a vest that wrapped snugly around its body.

“Chuchu!”

Ta-da.

Now fully geared up, Chuchu wore a proud expression.

“Heh, wow.”

That’s incredible.

Its belly pouch was like the magic pocket from that old cartoon I watched as a kid—Dora*mon or something.

“Chu—!”

Chuchu pointed at the leftover sweet potatoes and potatoes from earlier.

Then pointed to its belly pouch.

And looked up at me.

Huh?

“You’re asking if you can take those sweet potatoes and potatoes with you?”

“Chuchu!”

It nodded enthusiastically at my words.

“Uh, sure.”

As soon as I gave permission, it grabbed the food and pop! stored it in its belly pouch.

Then gave me a salute of loyalty.

“Chuchu!”

And immediately began digging.

Pabababababat!

“Uh…”

In the blink of an eye, Chuchu dug into the ground and vanished.

A fist-sized hole appeared in the floor of the lair.

Looks like it really went off somewhere to gather supplies.

“This little guy is something else.”

Still, who would’ve thought it’d literally dig a tunnel into the floor?

“Popo!”

As Chuchu disappeared underground, Popo looked down the hole with a worried expression.

0_0

“It’s okay, it’s okay.”

Even as I patted it, I could feel how glum it was.

Seems it’s already grown attached.

But wait, do all the guardians here not know each other beforehand?

From how things are playing out, that seems to be the case.

Dania didn’t seem to know either. She just seemed to have some knowledge about them.

I think I now understand how the guardians of this lair were arranged.

Most likely, it was someone like Dania’s parent who put everything in place.

If that’s the case, will that “parent” figure ever show up here someday?

While I was momentarily lost in thought—

Hmm?

A notification popped up from <SuperNet>

***.

Taesan.

Aleksei Volkov.

He closed his eyes, feeling the power overflowing from every fiber of his body.

“So this is what it feels like to finally reach level 80, a level I’ve dreamed of even in my sleep.”

A feeling like he could do anything.

Seollang, the leader of the recent monster wave—

He killed it in a single blow.

Before reaching level 80, he would have struggled against that monster for days on end.

“I even considered retiring…”

The monster waves were growing stronger.

Monsters on par with Seollang had begun appearing frequently.

The average level of the superhumans here, himself included, was around 70.

And yet, each day was a struggle.

If he hadn’t broken through to level 80 this time…

He might have truly retired very soon.

“Thank you. Truly.”

The Archmage Emperor—whose face he didn’t even know.

He had gladly granted his request.

Transparent Public healing oil.

How much was that worth?

“Even a mountain of gold likely wouldn’t be enough.”

Perhaps it was a treasure that would soon become impossible to obtain.

And yet, just because Aleksei was the Guardian of the Northern Hemisphere, the Archmage Emperor offered it freely, without asking for compensation.

That gesture—

That sincerity moved him so deeply,

He couldn’t speak for a moment, overwhelmed with emotion.

It was the moment he felt more fulfilled than ever for guarding this place over the past decade.

“Archmage Emperor. No matter what happens from now on, I’m on your side!”

The Guardian of the Northern Hemisphere.

He was a man who knew how to engrave a favor onto his heart.

Flick.

He summoned the <SuperhumanNet> channel.

And began typing a message to the <Archmage Emperor>, putting his whole heart into each word.

To say thank you.

That he would never forget this favor.

That even on this cold and unforgiving land—

Even when the moments come when he wants to give up—

He will remember the Archmage Emperor’s kindness, and never fall into despair. He will never give up.

……….

[Taesan of Northen Hemesphere]: ……Even if you stacked gold into mountains, this treasure would still be too rare. I’m so grateful for…

Each drop—each and every drop must have been incredibly precious, and yet you…

…so freely gave it to me… (snip)… Even if the sun were to set forever, the gratitude I carved into my heart today… (snip)… Thank you. Truly, thank you. I hope someday I can repay this favor, Archmage Emperor.

……….

***

“Uh…”

A personal message from Taesan had arrived.

A long, long message.

Each word overflowing with gratitude.

It was clear just how thankful he was.

Especially since he believed the Transparent Public healing oil was incredibly difficult to obtain.

He seemed deeply moved by the fact that I had offered such a rare item so easily.

“The truth is… I’ve got more of that essence than I know what to do with.”

I glanced sideways at the spring where the essence pooled.

One thing I’d discovered after using Transparent Public healing oil continuously:

The spring had diminished somewhat at first.

But if left alone, it would slowly refill on its own.

As long as I didn’t use it recklessly, the spring wouldn’t run dry.

“Best if Taesan doesn’t find that out.”

He seemed truly moved.

No need to ruin that sentiment.

“Still, I’m glad.”

From Taesan’s message—

I confirmed he had reached level 80.

That settled it.

This elixir in the Dragon’s Lair—

Especially the Transparent Public healing oil—was indeed a breakthrough potion capable of propelling someone past level 80.

Hong Seolhwa had broken through the level 80 wall using her custom-made elixir Tai Yin Yang Essence, which had also been made with the Transparent Public healing oil.

Now Taesan had done the same.

“I guess it’s not just the concentrated Yin energy doing the work.”

The Dragon’s Lair.

There’s definitely something special about this place.

Come to think of it, even with the <Elixir Master (SSS)> trait skill, it still made no sense that spiritual herbs and crops would fully grow in just one day.

“Popo must also have the ability to amplify that mysterious force.”

There are still many secrets about the Dragon’s Lair I don’t know yet.

“I’ll uncover them slowly.”

Shaking off idle thoughts, I checked the <SuperNet> again and then the <Gold Lounge Channel>.

“So that’s why there’ve been so many notifications—Taesan hit level 80.”

A comment I had left on Hong Seolhwa’s post—

Had exploded with replies.

……….

[Chaimsung (S)]: Pilgrimage complete.

[Gahui (SS)]: Ahhh. Archmage Emperor-nim. I really want to get some of that Transparent Public healing oil you sold… Is there any way? 😭

[Sarangbi (?)]: Hello Archmage Emperor-nim. I wanted to talk about the Public healing oil…

[Diphamas (SS)]: Wow. After Spicy Punch-nim, now even Taesan-nim… Archmage Emperor-nim, what kind of sorcery are you pulling—

……….

“Woah.”

Most of them were asking how they could obtain the Transparent Public healing oil.

Some were pleading, some even begging. Occasionally, a few had the gall to demand it—like I owed them something.

“What’s with these people?”

Acting like I’m holding onto something they left with me.

I didn’t understand it, so I ignored it.

Even if I didn’t respond, other superhumans were already showering them with insults.

“Hm.”

I checked the comments and exited the post.

‘Huh?’

A username caught my eye.

As if drawn in, I clicked on the post.

……….

Username: [GuguneWhiteSundae(S)]

Title: Hello. This is Gugune.

Content: It’s been a while since I gave an update. A lot of you have been cheering me on… but unfortunately, my mana circuit has been deemed irrecoverable.

I thought I had survived… but to think something this serious would happen…

Haha. Yeah.

I still can’t believe it.

To those who supported me… I’m sorry to bring such bad….news…

……….

The post was quite long.

Apparently, the author had received an irreversible diagnosis for their mana circuit.

A sad situation, but one that’s not all that rare.

However, what truly caught my eye was—

‘Gugune White Sundae.’

A well-known white sundae sausage restaurant in my old neighborhood.

And the owner of that restaurant was—

‘Donghyun, my old buddy.’

I already knew he had awakened as a superhuman, but could it really be him?

‘So that’s why he hasn’t been in touch lately…’

If this was the reason, then everything made sense.

I tried to send him a private message, but the option was disabled.

……….

[Emperor Archmage(?)]: Hello, Gugune. I have something I’d like to tell you privately. Would you mind accepting a DM?

……….

I left a comment on his post and exited the <Lounge Channel>.

Hopefully, he’ll check the comment and reach out somehow.

If it really is Donghyun after all—

‘Popo’s body fluid.’

Maybe that could help.

I had checked—it seemed Popo could produce as much of it as needed, as long as it was well-fed.

That’s what friends are for, right?

I haven’t revealed my identity to him, but…

I owe him a lot.

Might as well pay that debt now.

“Huwaaah…”

Once everything was taken care of, sleep started to overtake me.

I should get some rest first.

Pkyuuuu…

Dania was already off to dreamland.

I laid down next to her to sleep.

“Popo!”

Popo hopped over excitedly.

It came to my side and closed its eyes—U_U

Goodnight, Popo.

And just like that, we drifted into a deep slumber.

Then the next day—

“…Huh?”

The scene before my eyes—

It left me speechless.

Because—

Saaaa—!

A wave of blue shimmered over the area where we had planted spirit grass and crops.