Chapter 37: Mandragora (3)

Pure white clouds parted.

I was soaring through the sky, riding on Dania’s broad and sturdy back.

With every beat of Dania’s massive wings, the air trembled heavily, and fierce winds roared around us.

Each scale on those wings sparkled in a different hue, reflecting the sunlight and shimmering brilliantly.

The light wrapped around my face and body, creating a mystical scene as though I were surrounded by a curtain of rainbow light.

Swoooooosh!!!

Clouds smashed against my face and scattered, opening a path through the sky.

Though the wind was strong, it didn’t resist; instead, it harmonized with Dania’s speed and direction.

The cold air brushing against my skin was sharp yet refreshing, while Dania’s body heat warmly seeped through.

And so, I soared across the sky on Dania, who shimmered in a rainbow of colors.

Wherever Dania passed, both the sky and land beneath were brightly dyed in multicolored light.

It was a breathtakingly beautiful sight.

That’s when it happened.

KRAAAAAA!!!

GRRRRRRRRRR—

A monstrous roar that shook the heavens and earth.

Beneath us on the ground, an uncountable number of monsters surged forward like waves.

Orcs, ogres, trolls, goblins, minotaurs, cyclopes, hydras, and more.

From low-tier to mid- and high-tier monsters.

This was a massive monster wave.

But there was something different about this wave.

Their eyes gleamed red, their skin was twisted in a dark crimson hue, and a mad, frenzied aura swirled around them.

If they were to cross the continent like this, not a single blade of grass would survive in their path.

It was a nightmare, a massive monster wave that foretold a cataclysm.

“Dania.”

As I looked down at them calmly and called out to Dania.

Dania opened her mouth wide.

GOOOOOOH—!

Prismatic energy gathered rapidly into Dania’s maw.

It swelled swiftly in size, soon growing to the size of a small meteor.

Elemental Breath.

KWHOOOOOOOOM!!!

The moment Dania released her breath, multicolored beams exploded forth, tearing through both sky and land.

Fire, water, wind, earth, lightning, these elemental powers mixed together, crashing down like a colossal storm, sweeping away the monster wave.

Flames burst and spread like explosions, followed by freezing winds that iced over the enemies.

The earth’s power surged up, raising massive boulders to block their advance.

KRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!

The breath that obliterated the monsters all at once bloomed into a giant mushroom cloud.

A vast and awe-inspiring explosion, as if the sky and earth had collided.

Not a single monster survived that explosion.

“Phew.”

I let out a breath I’d been holding as I looked down at the now-cleared monster wave.

But at that very moment,

SHHHHRREEEEEEK!!!

A beam of light shot up from the ground and flew straight toward me.

“What the…?”

Before I could react, the beam was right in front of me.

‘What is this?’

Now that it was up close, I could see exactly what it was.

Its root stretched out like a thick stalk, with little limbs resembling arms and legs.

A living tonic, no doubt about it.

It was,

A mandragora?

Gwooooooo~!

As it shrieked at me from right in front of my face.

My entire field of vision flipped.

“Gah!”

I shot upright in bed, gasping.

The familiar surroundings came into view.

A massive glowing crystal embedded in the ceiling.

Next to me, Dania and the guardians were peacefully asleep.

‘It was a dream.’

Phew.

How could a dream feel so real?

‘It was vivid… almost like a prophetic dream.’

Somehow, I had a gut feeling that it wasn’t just a dream.

‘Could Dania really become like that once she reaches her adult form?’

Hundreds of meters in body length.

A majestic and glorious form, like something straight out of myth.

And that breath attack, its destructive power went beyond terrifying.

It was a sight that made me truly understand why dragons are called the strongest and most fearsome race on the surface.

“Those monsters, driven mad by something… huh?!”

As I turned my head, I jolted in surprise.

Because the mandragora I saw in the dream was lying right next to me.

“What is this?”

I picked it up with my hand—it was unmistakably a Mandragora.

But… isn’t it smaller than yesterday?

Guuuuuuoooooh!

Just then, I heard the cry of a Mandragora.

Turning my head, I saw the same Mandragora from yesterday sluggishly making its way toward me.

“Why is a Mandragora… Ah!”

When I looked back at the spot where I had planted the Mandragora, I understood the reason.

“The newly planted ones have all grown.”

This one must’ve been harvested after it fully matured.

“But why isn’t this one moving?”

Guuuuuooooh—!

At my words, the thing slowly waved its arms and legs.

“So… once it produces seeds, it stops moving? Is that what you’re saying?”

I got the general idea.

Now that I think about it, I recalled reading on SuperNet that once a Mandragora releases its seeds, it can no longer move.

‘Then what about this one?’

The first Mandragora—the one that begged for its life yesterday.

I didn’t fully understand.

But whatever.

Fine.

“Looks like you did your job well.”

Upon checking, I could see the evidence, signs that a newly grown Mandragora had emerged from the ground and then gone back in.

“Alright. You pass. I’m promoting you to full-time staff.”

From now on, this one’s the manager of the Mandragora field.

Guuuuuuoooooooooh!

At my words, it dropped to its knees and bowed.

Wow.

This thing’s really no different from an intelligent being.

“Your name is…”

I figured I should give it a name. What should I call it?

I thought for just a moment.

And decided quickly.

“Mandrian. Yeah, from now on, your name is Mandrian.”

It was a name without much meaning.

I just added “-rian” to “Mandragora.”

But then—

Fwaaaaaaash!

Suddenly, a burst of five-colored light radiated from its body.

「The name has been etched into the Mandragora’s soul.」

「Mysterious power now dwells within ‘Mandrian’.」

「Mandrian’s potential has greatly increased.」

Guuuuuuoooooooooh!

Mandrian raised both arms to the sky and let out a triumphant roar.

It was a cheer as if it had just won the lottery.

“Too loud, idiot.”

Guuu…

At my words, Mandrian quickly deflated.

But deep down, I was secretly shocked as I watched the little guy.

‘What is this? Its energy just surged all of a sudden?’

Mandrian’s internal energy had more than doubled.

Was being given a name really that significant?

“You’re Mandrako.”

The mandragora in my hand.

Just in case, I tried giving it a name.

Gueoo?

Mandrian simply tilted its head at me in confusion.

Nothing happened.

‘Doesn’t work.’

It must’ve only happened because Mandrian is a special individual.

Well, that’s fine.

The stronger it becomes, the easier cultivating mandragoras will be from now on.

“Mandrian. From here to over there. All of this is land for planting mandragoras. Take good care of it.”

Gueoooooo!

Mandrian let out a roar full of determination.

Good.

The mandragora issue was settled.

‘Now, when will the Seondo ripen?’

It was taking longer than expected for Seondo to absorb the Breath of the Seed.

With a bit of regret, I licked my lips and picked a leaf from the Clearwater Herb.

‘I should finish what I started yesterday.’

A stew boiled with Nagattara meat and mandragora.

Bubble bubble!

Before long, the Clearwater Herb water started to boil.

I put in the Nagattara meat first and let it boil for a long time, then added the mandragora.

Ssssh!

A subtle, deep aroma slowly spread through the air.

As the soup continued to boil, it took on a clear bluish hue, accompanied by a rich forest scent and a gentle herbal fragrance.

As it bubbled more, the deep and rich aroma unique to Nagattara meat started to bloom, an earthy, woody scent, as if infused with the spirit of the land and trees.

The meat’s rich acidity and a hint of savory umami rose softly, blending with the mandragora’s fresh grassy scent to complete a refreshing yet nutty aroma.

“Chuchu!”

“Popo!”

‘Kyuu! Seojoon! Something smells yummy!’

Drawn by the smell, Dania and the guardians, who had been fast asleep, got up.

They crowded around the pot, drooling.

Probably even hungrier from just waking up.

Growl!

That went for me too.

[I’m hungry! Let’s just eat!]

[Kyuu! Yay!!]

“Chuchu!”

“Popo—!”

The moment I said it, they all cheered excitedly.

I divided the stew into bowls and handed out both the broth and the ingredients.

The Nagattara meat was only for me and Dania.

For Popo and Chuchu, I cut up some of the mandragora and served it in the broth.

Slurp.

I took a spoonful of the broth right away.

Clear and refreshing.

It filled my mouth completely.

“Kaah!”

Now this is it.

An exclamation burst out of me without thinking.

This flavor, it really makes you crave a shot of soju.

Another mouthful.

Slurrrp!

The chewy juices of the Nagattara meat seeped in across my tongue, releasing an intense yet sweet flavor.

Then the cool aftertaste of the Clearwater Herb trickled smoothly down my throat, leaving behind a refreshing finish as if I had sipped dew from deep within a forest.

‘Delicious.’

I kept marveling inwardly as I scooped up the solid ingredients too.

Crunch!

The Mandragora, with its soft, tender chew, had a faintly bitter note that added a unique depth of flavor.

The chewy and springy texture of the Nagattara meat harmonized beautifully, making every bite a joy.

[Kyuuuung! Seojoon!! This is so delicious!!]

“Popo!”

“Chuchuchu!”

Everyone responded with fiery enthusiasm.

The group, including me, licked the bowl clean—without leaving behind a single drop of broth.

「Your total mana has greatly increased.」
「Your Level has increased!」
「Your Level has increased!」
「Your Level has increased!」

After finishing the meal, I gained three levels!

Just like that, I had reached level 37.

And now, level 40—where the third path might unlock—was just around the corner.

「Guardian <Popo>’s level has increased! 109 → 110」

Popo finally hit level 110!!

「Guardian <Popo> has reached level 110. Gagia’s power awakens further.」

Oh?

What’s this? Gagia’s power is awakening even more?

I’ll have to look into that more closely later.

「Guardian <Chuchu>’s level has increased! 147 → 148」

Chuchu also leveled up to 148!

Chuchu’s nearing level 150 too, huh?

And then… our Dania—

「Elemental Dragon <Dania>’s level has increased! 114 → 115」

「Elemental Dragon <Dania>’s level has increased! 118 → 119」

Dania went up a whopping five levels.

Such explosive growth potential.

As expected of a dragon—they truly are something else.

If I fully awaken my Dragon Blood, and complete both the Dragon Heart and Dragon God Physique,
…could I become like that too?

Anyway, Dania now only needs one more level to reach 120.

[Kyuu! Dania’s head is itchy!]

At Dania’s words, I looked at its head, another horn was starting to poke out.

Looks like its second horn will sprout soon.

“Aww, our Dania. You’re growing so fast.”

I gently rubbed the bump and comforted Dania.

After spending some time soothing it—

“Wait here for a moment. I’ll go check if I can bring back a new friend.”

[Kyuu? A new friend? A Guardian?]

“Yeah, that’s right.”

「Okay! A new friend. I’ll wait!」

Leaving Dania in the care of Popo and Chuchu,

I stepped into the First Path, the Guardian Room.

And then, the sight before me made me gasp.

“OH!”

Because—

Flaaash!

Amidst the massive stone slabs placed at the center, one of the slabs was emitting a brilliant light.

A new Guardian.

Who could it be?