Chapter 65: Out of the Lair (2)

Tok!

The scent of kiwi spread inside my mouth.

Fresh sweetness and tangy acidity blended together, spreading gently across my palate.

Crunch!

Kiwi slid down my throat without pause.

My mana fullness began to slowly decrease.

“This time……”

Grilled mandragora!

That flavor I had been completely hooked on lately.

Similar to grilled deodeok, but much richer and with a better texture. No matter how much I ate, I never got tired of it.

Crunch!

“Level has increased.”

“Oh!”

In the meantime, my level went up again.

That made it level fifty-nine.

The result of eating nonstop since earlier.

“Four level-ups in a single day.”

So this really works?

I drank water from the Cheongmyeong Water Plant to soothe my bloated stomach.

‘But I still need eleven more levels to reach level seventy.’

There was still a long way to go.

Even so, wouldn’t I reach level seventy faster than Bellerin could finish making the dimensional amplifier?

……That was what I was thinking, but then—

“Kyaa! It’s finished!”

Bellerin raised both arms high and shouted in triumph.

No way.

“Tada! It’s the dimensional amplifier!”

What Bellerin brought over—

A silver device made of mithril, about twenty centimeters in size, perfectly suited to be worn on Archeon’s forearm.

At its center was a crystal-like core that amplified dimensional energy. Fine grooves for energy distribution and ancient patterns were intricately engraved across its surface.

“I will try equipping it.”

Archeon, who had been standing by, extended his arm and equipped the dimensional amplifier.

“It fits perfectly.”

“As expected, Bellerin. You really make great things.”

“Hehe. Thanks for the compliment.”

Bellerin rubbed her nose at my words.

The more I looked at her, the more impressive she seemed.

“I will activate it.”

Bzzzzing!

The core of the dimensional amplifier began spinning fiercely.

“Dimensional severance.”

Craaaack!

Space tore open, stretching over two meters wide, revealing the world outside the lair.

“It worked!”

“Popo!”

Bellerin and Popo jumped up and down in delight at the sight.

“Wow! A passage leading outside the lair has opened!”

Dania also peeked over with interest.

“Awoooo!”

“Choo-choo!”

Grrrrrrrr!

Fenrir, Choo-Choo, and even Mandrian gathered in front of the severed space.

“Yawn.”

Only Azkai remained curled up lazily on the other side.

“Ah.”

I wanted to jump outside the lair immediately, but—

‘My level isn’t high enough.’

Because the dimensional amplifier had been used to sever space, the mana pressure was extremely violent.

With the Dragon Bloodline in my eyes, I could clearly see that turbulent flow.

If I jumped in carelessly right now, I wouldn’t even be able to collect my bones.

Now I understood why Bellerin said I needed to be at least level seventy.

‘So close, yet so far.’

At that moment, as I smacked my lips—

“Shall I try making a magic tool that can withstand the mana pressure next?”

Bellerin said something that instantly caught my attention.

When I widened my eyes and looked at her—

“If we use the Supreme-grade mana stone we got this time, I can make a magic tool that can endure that mana pressure even at level sixty!”

“Wow. Bellerin, you’re the best. Make it right now.”

“Yes! I can make this one immediately!”

She clenched both fists and struck a fighting pose.

Then she hurried off to her workspace.

Meanwhile, the dimensional space that had opened began to close.

Ssssh.

At first, I had been disappointed, thinking it was out of reach.

But now, that wasn’t the case.

‘I just need to gain one more level.’

Let’s level up right away.

‘Ah!’

Come to think of it, once I reach level sixty, I might be able to summon the next guardian too.

My eyes sparkled even more.

‘Then……’

I’ll go with the least burdensome option right now.

Azure Stone Oil.

I stepped toward it.

Before I knew it, the level of the Azure Stone Oil had reached level one hundred five.

Every time I slept and woke up, its level increased.

‘It must be because of whatever’s inside……’

Beyond the passage of the Azure Stone Oil spring, I could sense a presence.

Thump—!

As I became aware of it, my heart began to race.

‘Huh?’

What is this?

Along with confusion, my heart continued pounding.

Thump, thump, thump—

“Dragon Bloodline reacts to the presence of dragonkin and living energy.”

‘Wha……’

The owner of that presence is dragonkin?

Dragonkin refers to beings of draconic lineage.

I didn’t know exactly what it was, but it was clearly related to well-known dragonkin like wyverns or drakes.

“Come out. Can I see your face?”

I asked cautiously, but there was no response from beyond the passage.

“Hm.”

That’s too bad.

Still, someday I’d get to see it.

‘For now, leveling up comes first.’

I scooped just a single mouthful of the Azure Stone Oil.

Then, without hesitation, I swallowed it down.

Whoosh!

Along with icy cold spreading through my entire body—

“Level has increased.”

I reached level sixty.

‘Then.’

My gaze turned toward the passage leading to the guardian room.

Let’s go check.

Whether I can summon the sixth guardian.

Director Kim Do-cheol of the Superhuman Management Bureau.

If nothing else, he had an uncanny talent for sniffing out profitable opportunities.

“You’re saying you’ll mass-produce a magic insect extermination spray?”

“Yes. Through this collaboration—”

“What are you explaining for? Push it through immediately!”

He made the decision on the spot.

Swift and decisive.

Lee Jeong-won highly valued Kim Do-cheol in this regard.

Even though Kim Do-cheol was often criticized as a mere approval machine and usually stayed away from hands-on work, when it came to major, critical projects like this, he made lightning-fast decisions.

“Change the name too! What kind of name is ‘insect-type extermination spray’? Did you confirm it’s okay to change the name?”

“Yes. The magic crafts side replied that they have no objections.”

“Good. That works out nicely. And Jeong-won, it’s about time you got promoted, right? I’ll establish a special task force dedicated to magic crafts. You’ll suffer as the team leader for one or two years. Once the businesses with magic crafts stabilize, I’ll promote you straight to department head.”

“…!”

This was an opportunity for Lee Jeong-won.

And so, he became the team leader of the newly established Magic Crafts Dedicated Support Team.

The first thing they did was establish a company.

Mado Corporation.

A public-private joint venture with the government and the magic crafts side each holding fifty percent of the shares.

Once Mado Corporation was established, the first thing they did was promote the insect-type monster extermination spray received from the magic crafts side.

They also changed its name from Insect-Type Monster Extermination Spray to Insect Spray Gun.

Going forward, we plan to steadily supply the Insect Spray Gun in collaboration with superhumans from the magic crafts side.

The promotional results were a success.

It became such a massive issue that buyers from overseas flooded in.

It also elevated Korea’s international standing.

So much so that even China and Japan, which usually looked down on Korea, bowed their heads and rushed to secure the Insect Spray Gun.

“Foreign buyers are swarming in and causing an uproar right now!!”

At those words, the corner of Lee Jeong-won’s lips twitched.

The signs of a massive hit were clear.

Mado Corporation.

Just how high this joint venture, now armed with the wings of magic crafts, would soar remained to be seen.

Guardian Room.

“Oh.”

An exclamation escaped my lips.

Why?

Flaaash!

Because before me was a stone slab scattering brilliant golden light.

“Level sixty confirmed.”

“The sixth guardian, Dragon Fairy, awakens from a long slumber.”

‘Huh? Dragon Fairy?’

At the word dragon, my eyes widened.

Flaaaash!

From the pouring golden light, a small life-form appeared.

“Greetings! Master. Dragon Fairy, Lulumiel, greets you!”

Lulumiel.

The newly appeared sixth guardian.

It was a cute creature about the size of a small cat.

Shimmering silver scales and sky-blue eyes.

A long, graceful body like an elegant serpent.

Two small, pointed horns sat atop its head.

On its back were translucent wings.

Though small, the wings shimmered in rainbow hues whenever they caught the light.

Each time they moved, star-dust-like illusions scattered around.

It looked like a fusion of a fairy and a dragon.

“Yeah. Nice to meet you.”

I reached out and stroked its back.

“Luuu—”

It smiled with its eyes and let out a pleasant cry.

While stroking its back, I checked its status window.

“Level three hundred fifty-five”

“Lulumiel”

“Six out of eight stars filled”

An extremely high level.

Aside from Azkai, it was the highest.

It had eight stars total, with six filled.

‘This is impressive.’

Azkai had nine stars with six filled, so the difference wasn’t that great.

Then, what could this little one do?

“What can you do?”

“I’m a buffer!”

“A buffer?”

“Yes.”

Lulumiel continued, smiling with its eyes.

“Would you like to see?”

“Sure.”

“Yes!”

As soon as it finished speaking, Lulumiel looked at me, its sky-blue eyes sparkling.

Flash—!

“Blessing of Starlight seeps in.”

“Oh……!”

Starlight energy wrapped around my body.

Power overflowed through me.

No exaggeration—it felt like my level had jumped several stages.

“In addition to this, I can use many other buffs!”

From what I heard, it could use versatile buffs like healing, skill enhancement, and shields.

Well, of course.

Level three hundred fifty-five with eight stars.

It better be able to do at least that much.

‘I wonder what kind of synergy it’ll have with Azkai and Archeon.’

With the three of them together, even if those mantis or spider legion commanders came in droves, I wouldn’t be worried.

Just as I was about to start exploring outside the lair, a guardian with perfect timing and great abilities joined.

“Let’s head out for now.”

“Yes!”

I went out into the passage and introduced Lulumiel to the other guardians.

“So cute!”

Surprisingly, the one who liked Lulumiel the most was Dania.

Lulumiel must have looked especially cute to her.

“It is an honor to meet such a great being!”

Lulumiel bowed deeply before Dania.

“From now on, please ta— huh?!”

Dania suddenly hugged Lulumiel with both arms and rubbed her face against it.

“Ha-ha. Dania. You’re making Lulumiel uncomfortable.”

Only after my intervention did Dania finally let go.

Somehow, it felt like Lulumiel was going to become Dania’s favorite plush toy from now on.

“I-It’s an honor……!”

Lulumiel looked dazed, unable to even say it disliked it.

Poor thing. I should take better care of it from now on.

Then again, it was so cute that everyone would probably like it.

And sure enough, Bellerin was approaching with sparkling eyes.

“A new guardian arrived. Oh my, how adorable!”

“H-Hello. I’m Lulumiel.”

As they exchanged greetings, something in Bellerin’s hand caught my eye.

“Bellerin, that is…….”

“Oh! Master, this is a bracelet that reduces mana pressure! I just finished it!”

Oh!

Finally.

Then does that mean I can go outside the lair?

As I put on the bracelet, I looked at Archeon.

In response—

Archeon immediately began to manifest dimensional severance.

No, just as he was about to.

“Choo!!”

At the worst possible timing, Choo-Choo appeared.

It rushed over to me and urgently tapped the exploration device on its head.

Gesturing for me to check it quickly.

What is it?

Feeling puzzled, I played the recorded footage on Choo-Choo’s device.

“……!”

I was left speechless by what I saw.

A massive centipede legion advancing toward a canyon emitting light.

The sheer number was overwhelming.

At least several times more than the mantis and spider armies.

They just kept coming endlessly.

What on earth was over there?

‘Don’t tell me…….’

The dragon lair whose traces were discovered in the north?

As soon as that thought crossed my mind—

I realized this was no time to be standing around.

“Archeon!”

At my shout—

Archeon swept his hand.

Craaaack!

Space split open to the left and right.

I immediately dove into the opening.

Flash—!

With brilliant light swirling before my eyes—

My field of vision flipped.