There was a time when I bought a heap of Beef in Hoengseong to bring Kasia from Eliya.
Everyone, including me, ate with satisfaction, so there’s no harm in going again.
When I visited the same store in the Hoengseong market as last time, the owner lady seemed to remember my face and greeted me warmly.
“Hey, aren’t you the young man who bought so much last time! And today you’re with a pretty lady? How many servings will you take today? By chance, will you…?”
Her voice was full of excitement and anticipation.
Since I’d already decided to make a purchase, I decided to live up to her expectations.
“I’m buying a lot again this time.”
I ordered 30 geun of each cut.
As expected, even if there’s some left over, it’s better to have plenty.
I also don’t want to be stingy with things like this.
“I’ll get it ready for you right away~”
Leaving behind the beaming lady as she contacted the nearby stores, I left the shop.
Just imagining the Elves getting excited over this was already making me happy.
“Shall we go home?”
- Let’s do that.
Maybe it’s because Kasia is meeting so many people for the first time outside Chilcheonri, but she looks visibly exhausted.
- Haaam.
As I hurriedly drove, it seemed Kasia was really tired—before I knew it, she’d fallen asleep.
I drove as carefully as I could, making sure not to wake Kasia, and returned home.
“Kasia. Kasia. We’re here. Wake up~ Let’s go inside and rest.”
- Hmmnya? We’re already here. The ride was comfortable.
After hearing Kasia praise the car, I remembered I needed to send a thank-you message.
Just as I picked up my smartphone to send a short message to President Kang Daehan, Kim Sanghyun called me at that exact moment.
“I was just about to contact you. I received the car well. Thanks to you, I rode it back home today. Hm? Gochu?”
On the other end, Kim Sanghyun was excitedly explaining.
The S-class Gochu, which had previously been called a national power-level Gochu and had its grade raised due to some criticism.
Apparently, it had become a huge hit.
[ Gochu – S ]
A luxuriously grown, well-ripened Gochu.
Raised in fertile land infused with the power of the Spirit of earth and nourished with healthy chicken manure fertilizer.
After being praised by its owner and then scolded, it gained both personalities—so now the spiciness becomes exactly as the eater desires.
Protector Bonus: +1 stage
- Upon consumption, permanently increases Agility by 1. (Limited to first time only)
- Special Effect: Spiciness adjusts to eater’s preference, and even excessive consumption brings no side effects.
Not only did it receive global attention as the first S-grade crop, but the fact that it even increases Stat made things even crazier.
Up until now, Eggs, Peanut, and Gochu—these three were selling like wildfire and were called the Three Commanders, but with the arrival of S-grade Gochu, Gochu became number one, and the remaining Eggs and Peanut dropped to second place.
And thanks to the S-grade Gochu being as spicy as you want and having no side effects, even foodies uninterested in Stats, or people who like spicy food but couldn’t eat it due to stomach issues, started to seek it out, driving the price way up.
“I did notice that the recent payments have gotten a lot bigger.”
In fact, since only the leftovers from the Association of Superhumans were sold, it was a product known only to those in the know—but once it hit the internet, the sales volume skyrocketed.
Then, Kim Sanghyun asked an unexpected question.
“If Elves farm it, will it have the same high grade?”
I’d just assumed that with Spirits helping, it’d be easy to mass-produce the crops.
But I’d forgotten that for them to sell well, they’d need to be as high grade as the crops I raised.
“Uh… I guess I should check before making Elves the full-time farmers. I thought about it before, but forgot soon after… Thanks to you, I remembered just in time. I’m always grateful.”
Deciding to test it out as soon as possible, I ended the call.
‘Hmm. I’ll have to run an experiment.’
It might be that the crops I raised turned out high grade because of the good land and water, but according to the Information Window, it was through Soul Link with me that their grade improved.
‘So would the grade change if someone other than me raised them?’
I mulled over the Information Window content for a moment, but shook my head.
It’s not a matter of ‘who’ raises them, but ‘how’—in other words, whether Soul Link is established or not.
If my guess is right, other people—like Elves—could also raise high-grade crops, as long as there’s Soul Link.
As long as I occasionally check in at the Elf Village and look after things, there shouldn’t be any problem.
Right then, the Beef I’d bought in Hoengseong arrived.
Gathering them up, I headed with Kasia to the Elves’ new settlement.
For some reason, everyone had gathered together and the place was bustling.
“Hello.”
- Welcome. Is that in your hands, perhaps…?
Hope was rising in the Chieftain’s face.
“Yes, it’s Beef.”
- Oooh… is it, by chance, Hanwoo…?
“Yes, it’s Hanwoo.”
- You came at the perfect time. We were in the middle of an important meeting.
To think they’d fuss over the difference between Hanwoo and imported Beef after eating it several times.
I smell a connoisseur.
“I’ll wait over there until you finish.”
The Chieftain’s bright expression immediately turned to disappointment.
- Didn’t I tell you before? You’ll be treated the same as I am.
“But still, these are matters within the tribe…”
- To us, you’re no different from an Elf. No, from now on, you are an Elf. Come here.
With the Chieftain’s firm tone, I eventually moved to the center of the Elves.
“What are you discussing?”
- We’re thinking of giving this place a new name. Isn’t this a new home for our Elves?
The place where the Elves lived before was ‘Eliya’.
Since they’d left and settled anew, a new name was needed as well.
- Do you have any names to recommend?
“I’ll let you know if I think of one.”
The Elves freely called out names they thought were good, and those were added to the voting list.
Elf Village, Village That Loves Beef, Eliya2.
They really don’t seem to have a knack for naming.
Not wanting any of those to be chosen, I thought hard, but nothing really came to mind.
So I just quietly observed the meeting…
But everyone’s expectant eyes were focused on me, as if waiting for me to drop something big.
Just as I was starting to feel the pressure, a brilliant name suddenly popped into my head.
“Elysium…”
I only muttered it softly, but the noisy atmosphere instantly quieted, enveloped in silence.
- That’s a good one.
As soon as one Elf spoke, breaking the silence, the place erupted again as everyone started talking at once.
- What does it mean?
- It sounds similar to Eliya?
- Won’t it get confusing?
- Tell us what it means!
The Chieftain, watching this, calmed the crowd with a single word.
- Silence!
In an instant, it became so quiet you could hear birds chirping.
Normally, the Elf tribe had a relaxed atmosphere, but the Chieftain’s authority was absolute.
Of course, respected Elders existed, but they were treated separately.
- The word is nice, but can you tell us what it means?
“There’s a place called Elysium in the mythology of another country. It means ‘the place where good people go after death.’”
- The place you go after death?
The Chieftain’s eyebrow twitched at the uncomfortable word.
But maybe because it was me, he seemed to calm his emotions.
“And it has another meaning. Paradise. Utopia. Since you left your previous world and settled in a new utopia, I thought it would be fitting.”
The Elves seemed to chew over my words—some fell into deep thought, others nodded quietly.
The Chieftain also seemed to focus more on the meaning of the word.
- We had no suitable name, but I like that one.
- I agree.
- Me too!
Buoyed by the Chieftain’s approval, the Elves who’d been quietly nodding now voiced their agreement.
Then, at some point, Elder Elf Crea chimed in.
- It means you’ll help this place become our utopia, yes?
“Of course. As much as I am able.”
With a gentle smile, Crea nodded.
With both Chieftain and Elder agreeing, the name was all but decided.
No Elves voiced any objections, so it was as good as settled.
- From now on, this is our second home, ‘Elysium.’
- Waaaaaah—!
The Elves cheered so loudly the mountain shook.
Surprised birds flapped and flew away in a commotion.
- Once again, you’ve helped us.
“I’m glad to be of help. While I have the chance, there’s something I’d like to request.”
- Go ahead.
With the Chieftain’s permission, the Elves waited for me to speak.
So, I brought up the reason I’d come—to talk about farming.
“The crops I raise are high grade and considered highly marketable. But I’m not sure if the crops will turn out the same if you take over the farming.”
The Chieftain nodded, urging me to continue.
“I expect it will work if my Soul Link ability is established, but I’d like to select a few Elves to help test and verify this.”
- You have Kasia living with you—do you need others?
“Kasia and I have been connected for a long time, so she wouldn’t make an accurate sample. I’d like to expand the sample size with others.”
- Makes sense. Anyone willing to volunteer?
Though I’m known as a benefactor among the Elves, I hadn’t spoken much with any of them or had a chance to get close, so I figured no one would volunteer.
But contrary to expectations, five people raised their hands—including an unexpected face.
“Kari Nu?”
- Ah, do you know Kari Nu?
“I’ve had a few chances.”
Kari Nu had helped with the initial Porti harvest, and I’d seen them every time I visited Eliya.
- The acting Chieftain himself will take part? Good. Kari Nu, lead the Elves and learn well.
‘So that’s why Kari Nu was always by the Chieftain’s side—he was acting Chieftain.’
Maybe because Kasia, the next Chieftain, left the tribe, or maybe he was acting Chieftain even before then, but now Kari Nu was joining in.
- Yes.
I’d thought he was just taciturn toward me, but after a short answer, he quickly gathered the volunteers.
Not stopping there, I also asked for more Elves to be dispatched.
In the future, for the Elves to live as farmers, they’d have to cultivate much more land, so having more trained ahead of time would make things easier later.
- I’ll send those especially skilled in handling Spirits. But not too many.
“Why not? It’s essential for the Elves’ future.”
- We need to build homes too, don’t we? We’re busy building houses right now. Once that’s done, I’ll send more.
Come to think of it, Eliya was full of giant trees that served as their sanctuaries.
But since there aren’t many such trees in Korea’s mountains, they had to build houses separately.
“That’s true. Understood.”
With the Chieftain’s confirmation, the meeting concluded.
- Elysium. I like it very much. What a relief.
“Huh? Why is that a relief?”
- Golden, Dakgong, Little Pepper, Parong. I was so worried you’d come up with such strange names.
“Uh… What?”
Kasia’s words were shocking.
Does she really think my naming sense is that bad…?
- Why are you making that face? It’s true. Come along now. We’re visiting Crea.
“Uh… uh? Uh…”
Stunned, I followed Kasia with a foolish look on my face.
- I’ve been waiting. Our Kasia kept staring at me as if she had something to say.
- Did I? Hehe.
Seeing Kasia grin like a child, I couldn’t help but smile too.
Somehow, Kasia always acts cute in front of Elder Crea.
- By the way, I didn’t know you had a talent for naming. Elysium. It’s a name I truly like.
“Maybe I’ve become an Elf too. Seeing as I came up with a name that appeals to Elves.”
Kasia lowered her head and quietly chuckled.
Tch.
Crea didn’t seem to understand, but it’d be a secret between Kasia and me as she asked the purpose of our visit.
- So, what did you want to ask this time?
- About Soliya, which I asked about last time. Where does it grow the most?
- Hm? Didn’t I say before? It doesn’t grow much in Eliya. That’s because the climate is too suitable for plants.
- What about in other regions?
Crea paused to think for a moment, then nodded slowly for clarity.
- Looks like you’re planning to look for it elsewhere. Hmm, let’s see…
Crea narrowed her eyes as if searching for a faint, old memory.
- The harshest environment among all the regions… There’s only one place. I know that Soliya grows well there.
“Where is that?!”
Surprised by the unexpected information, I raised my voice without realizing it.
- You can’t get there by ordinary means. Of course, you can’t reach it even with Kasia’s Portal.
- Why not?
- It’s where the Dwarves’ city, the City of Fireheart, is located—Eternal Winter.
I’d never heard of that name before.
When I’d met Dwarf Brogan the Red Hammer, I hadn’t heard the name of his city or world.
But he must be that Dwarf, right?
“Does it mean eternal winter?”
- That’s right. It’s always cold there. They settled there on purpose.
“Why would they do that?”
- Only they know for sure. But I can say one thing for certain: you shouldn’t go without being truly prepared.
- If Kasia’s Portal can’t reach it, how do I get there?
- You can only go if they invite you. They’re as closed off as we Elves are.
Now, I had another reason to visit the world of the Dwarves.
They live in a frigid, closed land, and ordinarily, it’d be impossible to meet them—but I have a way.
Recently, Brogan the Red Hammer gave me a piece of paper as a bonus.