Chapter 35: The Noisy Neighbour (4)

[Ondal Bear Tribe]

• Affiliated Dimension: DITOD-0624B
• Number of Members: 57
• Satisfaction: 70/100

“There aren’t even sixty people.”

Suho felt a pang of disappointment as he checked the Dimensional Panel of the Ondal Bear Tribe.

“There were a little over thirty gathered by the riverbank, so the rest must be the elderly and infirm, right?”

When the topic of the flood came up, this was Suho’s train of thought.

Stop the flood.

They can farm more land.

If surplus food is produced, Suho will take it to feed the Dwarves.

“Hmm, can they cultivate a larger field with such numbers?”

Just as he was feeling unsure, a voice spoke from beside him.

“The bears might naturally have an innate talent for farming. We should try it out before making any judgments.”

“You’re right. There’s no need to judge without seeing first. Let’s take a closer look at the fields first.”

Suho activated the Skill: Dimensional Vision.

Inside the suitcase, the entire landscape shifted.

Suddenly, a vast empty field stretched out.

“Is this land left fallow because of the flood?”

“Quite spacious. If they farm this well, they could easily feed thousands.”

He moved his vision a bit further.

Neatly arranged paddies appeared.

“The paddies! Crops are growing.”

“Oh, these bears are quite skilled. Such neat farmland hasn’t been seen in a long while, even with my deep experience.”

As Balryong said, the farmland spread before Suho’s eyes was excellent.

The paddies carved sharply at precise angles.

The crops looked healthy even from afar.

At the edges, ears of grain were laden with kernels.

“Amazing.”

Suho couldn’t help but be impressed.

“If that’s the case, then the bears definitely have a knack for farming. The question is whether they have the capacity to cultivate even larger areas.”

“Yeah, that’s not something you can tell just by looking here.”

Suho moved his vision back toward the riverbank.

There, the Ondal Bear Tribe residents and the Shaman were still bowing their heads.

Suho spoke to the Shaman.

“Shaman, I have a few questions.”

Ondal Sora lowered her head so deeply it almost touched the ground, clearly flustered.

“Please lower your tone of speech. Just calling me Sora will be enough.”

“Alright, then I’ll call you Sora. Mind if I ask you something?”

Pat pat.

Ondal Sora’s fluffy tail trembled.

“Of course, Great One. Please speak whatever you wish.”

“Do you, the Ondal Bear Tribe, have the capacity to cultivate more extensive land?”

“Yes, we can easily cultivate farmland several times larger than what we’re farming now.”

“I just saw it. There’s a vast area left unused because of the flood. Can you handle all that? Your numbers don’t even reach sixty.”

Ondal Sora’s tail trembled once more.

“Great One! You know exactly how many of us there are and the state of the land, as if reading the lines of your palm! Grandma was right after all!”

Thinking how the previous Shaman would be baffled, Ondal Sora raised her body.

Carefully bowing her upper body, she brought her hands to the ground.

Pa pa pa pa pak—!

The ground began to churn.

In an instant, Ondal Sora stopped moving, having carved paddies and rows into the soil.

“Our Ondal Bear Tribe is skilled at digging the land like this. We may be clumsy, but we pride ourselves on taking care of crops better than anyone else.”

“Impressive skill. I’ve seen enough.”

With that level of skill, they could farm all the fallow land and have some left over.

“Thank you. If it’s something the Great One needs, just say the word.”

The stage was set.

Suho smiled wryly.

“If I stop the flood, do you intend to farm the unused land?”

“Oh! If we can contribute even a little to your achievements, our Ondal Bear Tribe will do anything.”

Just then,

[Dimensional Mission [Stop the Flood!] acquired.]

A message appeared.

‘Huh? A mission popped up?’

It’s not something I need.

Suho hurriedly checked the mission details.

[Stop the Flood!]

• The Ondal Bear Tribe has left wide farmland fallow due to flooding. Prevent flood damage so they can harvest more crops.
• Reward: Ondal Bear Tribe Satisfaction

***

More than fifty Ondal Bear Tribe residents.

All gathered in an open space.

“Grandma, what are you doing? Why are we all here?”

“The Great One is going to perform a miracle. The Shaman said it’s important for everyone to come see.”

“Who’s the Great One?”

“The one who drove out the Butcha Pack. A truly remarkable being. Even this old woman hasn’t seen him yet.”

The elderly had not participated in the attacks.

Therefore, they had never seen Suho.

“So, he’s a kind person?”

A young Ondal Bear’s voice was answered before Grandma could reply.

“That’s not a person. The Great and Mighty Guardian Deity who will protect our Ondal Bear Tribe from now on. So you must serve him well.”

“Ah, Shaman! Really? Is he truly a god?”

“Soon, you will see. Now step back quietly.”

“Yes!”

The children stepped back.

Ondal Sora gazed skyward with a pounding heart.

A voice came from the empty air.

“Then let’s begin. Everyone, please don’t come forward. It might be dangerous.”

At the end of the words, a massive spear blade appeared from the air.

Suho drew out the Supply-Model Strong Iron Spear.

‘This spear is never used as a weapon.’

Originally, it was mainly used for hitting people, but now it was being used to dig.

Suho plunged the spear into the ground.

Kukom—!

Even just that made the legs of the Ondal Bear Tribe tremble.

“Ah! Grandma! An earthquake!”

“I-it’s alright. Don’t be scared, sit down.”

“Yes.”

The Ondal Bear Tribe residents sat on the ground and watched silently.

Gradually,

Dr-dr-dr-dr-dak.

Meanwhile, Suho moved the spear’s shaft, digging into the ground.

He was digging a channel. If the floodwaters overflowed, they would be directed through the paddies instead of flooding the fields.

Parallel to the river.

Long and deep.

Suho repeated the movements, digging the channel bit by bit.

After a few minutes, a deep trench was dug across the farmland.

‘If I connect the end of the trench downstream, the first step is complete.’

Suho withdrew the spear.

“Sora, tell everyone to step back. It’s going to get a little dangerous from here.”

“Yes, understood!”

Ondal Sora shouted loudly and moved the people back.

“Grandma, what now? Looks like the channel’s done.”

“I don’t know. This old woman has no idea. You made a stream in no time at all. Truly a Great One. The Shaman was right.”

“Hmm, really impressive.”

As the children whispered among themselves,

Suho stretched out his hand.

Thunk.

“W-why are you suddenly grabbing my neck like this?!”

“Balryong, I need your help.”

“What are you talking about? What could I possibly do?”

“That channel—I want you to melt the ground a bit. Melt it first so it hardens firmly after.”

“N-no way! I haven’t even received three Vampire Chickens Spicy Stage 3 from you yet. And don’t keep trying to use me as a tool!”

Suho’s sharp glare cut through him.

“I remember what you did in the last dungeon.”

The humiliation you caused me.

I will never forget!

“…I don’t know what you’re saying, but somehow I get the feeling if I refuse, something terrible will happen.”

“You’ll do it?”

“Fine. But don’t forget to give me those promised three Vampire Chickens Stage 3 afterward.”

Suho smiled slyly and shouted.

“Okay, go Balryong Killa!”

He shoved Balryong’s arm back into the suitcase.

“Don’t call me that!”

Balryong snapped.

Vrrrrrrrrrr—!

Breath fire was unleashed.

Suho skillfully moved his hands, melting the ground of the channel.

“Is that possible! A dragon. A legendary dragon!”

The Great One summoned a black dragon.

“The dragon breathes fire!”

“Hyuk! Grandma! The dragon appeared!”

“A dragon! The Great One summons a dragon! Haha, this old woman will see a rare sight before she dies.”

A commotion broke out.

Meanwhile, Suho worked diligently with his hands.

“Done. All melted.”

“Well done, Balryong Killa. I’ll ask for your help again next time.”

The moment Suho pulled Balryong from the suitcase,

The awaited message appeared.

[Dimensional Mission [Stop the Flood!] completed.]

[Ondal Bear Tribe Satisfaction increased by 20.]

***

“Oh—Great One! You truly are the Guardian Deity of the Ondal Bear Tribe!”

Ondal Sora’s tail trembled violently.

Having dealt with the Butcha who almost drove the tribe to ruin,

Saved the captured siblings,

And now solved the longstanding flood problem.

Ondal Sora’s heart raced uncontrollably.

“I am the Shaman. I cannot remain still when it comes to the tribe!”

Determined, Ondal Sora moved.

“Soso, go bring some Bear Kiwi Fruit. Hurry.”

“Shaman, what do you need the Bear Kiwi Fruit for? There’s only one left from this month’s harvest.”

“To offer a prayer. Go quickly.”

The maiden ran off.

Ondal Sora ordered others nearby to bring different items.

Shortly after, a hastily made Ritual Altar by the riverbank was complete.

“Krruk—You have gained wonderful believers, Suho. Congratulations.”

“…What on earth.”

No, suddenly a grand altar?

Offering sacrifices to a living person?

“It looks like you’re really going to make an offering. Look, they even brought offering items.”

As Balryong said, colorful fruits were placed on the makeshift altar.

Ondal Sora knelt and began to pray.

“Heaven’s Guardian, Master of the River, Great One who commands the Black Dragon…”

Suho couldn’t bring himself to listen to the words of self-praise.

“Ugh, it’s awkward. I can’t keep listening… Huh? What’s this?”

Just as Suho tried to step back,

Something appeared before his eyes.

Thunk.

Balryong caught it with his forepaw.

“Looks like fruit that was on the altar?”

“Could it be the offering really came back to me?”

Probably thanks to the Exchange Skill.

Suho smiled wryly and picked up the fruit.

Then he exclaimed,

“What the hell is this mess?”

***

[Bear Kiwi Fruit]

• Fruit of the Bear Kiwi Tree that bears fruit once a month. It stimulates the user’s body, producing beneficial effects. However, the effect is unknown until consumed, and it cannot be used more than twice a month.
• Item Grade: Advanced
• Upon consumption, you may choose one possessed attribute to increase by 1 to 3 levels.

Suho admired the Bear Kiwi Fruit.

“Only once a month, but it’s basically a free level-up.”

Its grade wasn’t very high.

The stat increase was modest for a medicinal item.

Still, it had a unique advantage.

“Although the quantity isn’t much, it’s good to know I can get one every month.”

The Bear Kiwi Tree grows wild on the mountains behind the Ondal Bear Tribe’s village.

It’s an impossible species to artificially propagate, and it produces only one fruit per month.

Still, one fruit per month is enough for Suho to consume.

“Feels like a steady income.”

He couldn’t help but feel good.

“The Great One is in a good mood.”

“…Eat some chicken. What else do you want?”

Suho shut down Balryong’s suggestion with “chicken.”

“Oh! Really? I’ve been working hard today, and my throat’s dry. Volcano! Volcano, please.”

“Sure.”

Suho quickly placed the order.

“Then I’ll try some too.”

Pat pat pat—

While Balryong fluttered about, Suho bit into the Bear Kiwi Fruit.

A fresh, tangy flavor passed down his throat.

[Muscle Strength increased by 3 levels.]

All three levels at once.

From the very first bite, the highest stat increase.

Suho was fully satisfied.

Ding dong—

The shop door opened.

“Chicken?”

No.

“Looks like this is the right place. Brother.”

Hmm?

Ondal didn’t come, but Jae came looking first?