Chapter 40: The Dimensional Portal… A New Enemy?

A Quiet Plain After a Long Time

Lately, there had been all sorts of events.

Time passed in a blur.

How long had it been since such peace had settled?

Early in the morning, Woo min and his three sworn brothers climbed up to the 23rd floor of the tower, then lazily took their afternoon naps.

Except for one.

Somi.

With a cautious expression, she was inventing a new item.

Her activity had significantly decreased recently.

Bbyak and Toto were responsible for combat.

Even Choco, who wasn’t in combat, had made a huge contribution not long ago.

Choco found both the Skill Enhancement Rune and the Hitman that came from Japan.

But Somi?

The only thing she’d done was supply rifles to the rabbits.

Of course, she wasn’t treated differently or neglected because of it.

Still, there was work to be done.

Remember the glory days.

When she combined the Hair Loss Spray and the Slime Trinity.

Especially the Flower Bracelet.

It was no small feat to have handled most of the mana stones earned early on, all by herself.

But gradually, her standing was shrinking.

She couldn’t lose to the new comrades.

Time to show her abilities.

Thump thump thump.

She hammered a hammer about her size with all her might.

The pleasant sound of iron clashing against iron.

Sparks flew, and something began to take shape.

She framed it with wood and processed the mana stones.

What was she making, exactly?

Even though the ground trembled beneath her, she kept hammering without pause.

It had already been several days.

She even spared time from her sleep to create the finest masterpiece.

The result was named the Dimensional Portal.

An item that allowed free movement across the tower.

Why was it needed?

For the convenience of the mana beasts’ travel.

Just like humanity’s rapid development after Bbyak’s invention, smooth interaction would be a great help to Woo min.

Currently, Woo min owned land on the 10th and 15th floors.

Moving between the plain and the mine was very inconvenient.

Especially since the breeds that appeared were different.

The plain focused on agricultural products and seafood, while most of the mana stones came from the mine.

Bbiee Bbiee!

Excited Somi nestled into Woo min’s arms as he slept.

Groggily waking, Woo min stroked Somi’s head.

“What’s up, Somi?”

Bbiee!

“A new invention?”

Half-lidded eyes opened as he stood up, only to see a wooden door he’d never seen before.

It resembled a tool from a blue children’s childcare robot comic.

“Is this a door?”

Bbiee—

Somi explained the item simply.

Next to the door, “15th floor” was written, and all that was needed was to open it.

Not complicated.

Let’s try using it first.

Swoosh.

Writing “15th floor” on a white canvas, he opened the door.

A golden light poured forth.

The familiar landscape — the mine.

Duda?

Suddenly appearing, Duddermoles nodded their heads.

Where did they come from?

At that moment.

[The tower’s first corridor connecting different floors has been opened.]

[You can set the usage fee for mana beasts.]

[Current fee: 0 kg of mana stones]

A new message appeared.

Other mana beasts could now use it.

The fee could also be set.

Hmm, what should the fee be?

For now, better not raise it.

If other mana beasts use it, all the better.

New friends at the gate were always welcome.

***

The 13th floor of the tower.

The place exactly between the plain and the mine.

A new gate appeared with a blue light.

A mana beast with rough brown fur nodded its head.

In its hands were various fruits, a cute creature indeed.

It was Rarun.

A hidden orchard on the 13th floor.

The Rarun were harvesting apples, even as the outside Rarun remained diligent.

After picking apples, they washed them in flowing water, being careful.

Each one did their best in their assigned tasks.

Then, the gate appeared.

A first in the tower’s history.

Had such a thing ever happened before?

Even the eldest grandfather Rarun had never experienced it.

Half curiosity, half fear.

The Rarun gathered in groups.

Kuuu kuuum.

The largest and most sturdy Rarun stepped forward.

Though fearful, a delicious scent wafted from beyond.

His mouth watered.

It was something unavailable in this place.

A moment of hesitation.

Taking the first step into unknown territory was never easy.

But the leader Rarun mustered courage.

He shut his eyes tight and passed through the gate.

Then, a small message appeared.

[Usage fee is required.]

[Current 13th floor corridor is free.]

Kuu?

He didn’t understand, just sniffed the air.

He moved forward toward the fragrant place.

Then.

Bow Bow!

A brown-furred puppy started chasing after him.

Startled, the leader Rarun ran back toward the entrance.

Short legs hurriedly scurrying.

His tail wagged as he ran at full speed, but it wasn’t a match for the puppy.

And then.

Snap snap.

He was caught.

The puppy roughly scratched his face.

Before he knew it, his entire body was wet with saliva.

“Choco, what are you doing?”

At that moment.

A human man came running frantically.

It was Woo min, the puppy’s owner.

***

It was while traveling between the plain and the mine.

Suddenly, Choco sprang up and ran toward some place.

This had happened more than once or twice.

Woo min hurriedly chased after Choco.

Not far off, Choco was busy with something.

He quickly picked Choco up.

If Choco had mistakenly eaten something off the ground, it could be dangerous.

But what Choco was dealing with was not food on the ground.

It was a Rarun.

A cute Rarun with rough fur and an innocent face.

Though, it looked as if it was still scared because of Choco.

Its body trembled.

Soaked in saliva, it looked pitiful.

“Sorry. Did I scare you a lot?”

Quickly, Woo min wiped off the saliva with a towel.

As an apology, he offered a dried mango slice.

The still cautious Rarun carefully took the mango.

“Choco, apologize properly too.”

Bow Bow.

The good-natured Choco seemed sorry.

That calmed the Rarun a little.

It looked around and started searching for something.

Then it ran toward the lake.

At the water’s edge, it dipped the mango in.

Was this a Rarun trait?

After a while of blowing bubbles, the Rarun took a bite of the big mango.

Its eyes opened wide!

Kuu kuum!

It let out an incomprehensible roar, then stuffed the remaining mango into its mouth.

With a satisfied expression, it rubbed its belly.

Then it glanced at Woo min.

“Want some more?”

Kuu kuuum.

“Here.”

It handed over a handful of dried mango from its pouch and happily hopped back to its spot.

Then, it took out an apple.

A kind of barter.

But a tower apple?

Surely, that must be different from a normal apple.

[Rich in mana, Tower Apple]

Upon consumption, slightly increases maximum mana. Effect diminishes with repeated consumption.

As expected, it was no ordinary apple.

When the Rarun received the apple, a status window appeared.

Tower Apple.

An apple that increased maximum mana.

Mana was essential energy for players to use their abilities.

However, each person’s mana varied.

Recovery speed and maximum values were also individual traits.

As a player ascended the tower and grew stronger, these stats increased.

Still, maximum mana didn’t increase easily.

People called this a difference in talent.

Just like how the S-ranked Seolha and the ^-ranked Seo Rin had significantly different mana volumes, most of the difference was determined by rank.

But this apple?

It would break through the limits set by the initial rank.

A coveted fruit for any player.

Its deep red color looked delicious.

Let’s try a bite.

He roughly wiped it on his collar and bit down.

The apple’s sweetness instantly spread.

This was the first truly delicious apple.

Not the common apple flavor.

Moreover.

[Maximum mana has increased threefold.]

As described, his maximum mana rose.

The change in his body?

He didn’t really notice.

It felt the same as usual.

Well, if the system said so, it must be true.

Anyway, it was amazing.

If only he could cultivate these apples, that would be wonderful.

“Did you grow it yourself?”

Kuu kuum.

The Rarun confidently nodded.

Its cheeks were already puffed with dried mango.

“Where did it come from?”

Kuu kuuumm.

He asked curiously if there were any apple trees nearby.

The Rarun pointed somewhere with its hand.

Far off, a blue shimmer flickered.

Could that be a gate?

“Did you come through there?”

Kuu kuuuumm!

It nodded actively to his question.

So that was the corridor the system mentioned.

Hmm, then maybe I should go over too.

No. What if something happens?

But ignoring it felt uneasy as well.

Ah, whatever.

I’ll go over.

It’s a different place.

Who knew?

Maybe I could own land there like on the plain or in the mine.

For now,

“Hey guys, come here.”

Bbyak bbyak?

Bbiee—

Pachi pachi.

Bow Bow!

The four sworn brothers all gathered.

The mana beasts’ Avengers made a stylish appearance.

Now there was no needless worry.

What was there to fear with our comrades here?

Gently stroking the cute Rarun’s head, Woo min stepped into the gate.

Then.

Pat—

With a green light, a vast orchard unfolded.

Fruit trees filled every inch.

Starting from red apples, there were plums, peaches, cherries, oranges, and many more.

At that moment.

Upon entering, a new mission appeared.

[You have trespassed on the orchard controlled by the Orc army.]

[The Destroyer Katarlos has appeared.]

[If you liberate Rakul from the Orc army, you will acquire ownership of the land.]

Unlike before, this orchard had an owner.

And that owner was a monster — the Orc Katarlos.

But he didn’t seem like a good owner.

The diligent Rarun barely had time to rest as they harvested apples.

Their small hands worked tirelessly.

It stirred a pang of sadness.

The new mission was to liberate these Rarun.

The reward was enormous.

Receiving ownership of this orchard?

It was a must-do.

Free the poor Rarun and claim the orchard — a true win-win.

***

Destroyer Katarlos.

The mighty chief of the Orc tribe.

At least twice the size of the other orcs.

No wonder he was the boss here.

His monstrous power allowed him to devour nearly all the fruit harvested by the Rarun.

In the orcs’ world, where strength ruled, he was an existence no ordinary orc dared to challenge.

Swinging a huge halberd, he crushed his enemies.

He was the epitome of a brave warrior.

But today, a first-timer dared to trespass his orchard.

That was a clear insult.

He couldn’t stand by.

“Grrr!”

He summoned a subordinate nearby and ordered.

“Go deal with the intruder.”

It was probably a nobody.

Leaving the task to his subordinates, Katarlos sat back in his chair and took a bite of an apple.

It was when the apple core lay bare and thin.

Suddenly, a loud noise came from outside.

Bbyak bbyak!

The flaming phoenix appeared, its wings spread wide!