Chapter 12 : The Fruit of the Abyss

“But the fruit looks kind of creepy.”

“What do you mean creepy! It’s just pretty.”

Yuseong snapped back at Shin Jia’s words.

“What is it then, really?”

“It’s called Pilapple. Want to try it once?”

“Sure.”

Thanks to Yuseong, Shin Jia was beginning to understand the joy of food.

She accepted the Pilapple without much resistance.

“Oh, but if it’s fresh fruit…”

“Right, it came from the Abyss.”

Shin Jia stopped just as the fruit was about to touch her lips.

“P-P-Poisonous!”

Even ordinary people who only consumed energy bars knew that Abyss creatures carried poison.

When they studied history, they must have heard about how people who tried to eat food from the Abyss during the Great Cataclysm were massacred.

“If it were poisonous, would they have given it as a get-well gift?”

“Ah… I guess that makes sense.”

The Pilapple looked like a purple globe.

But when Yuseong peeled it, unlike the globe, a pure white flesh was revealed.

Crunch.

The texture was similar to an apple.

The flesh was firm and juicy.

Though it had a texture similar to an apple’s crispness, the citrusy fresh aroma filled the mouth.

[Fruity Citrus Aroma]

[Oyster Resistance Slightly Increased.]

“Huh? Oyster resistance?”

In layers where Pilapple was abundant, there lived monsters that could turn explorers to stone.

Though a future event, the healing method for oyster condition had once been discovered through this Pilapple.

Seeing Yuseong enjoy the fruit, Shin Jia bit into her Pilapple too.

“It’s fresh, but kind of sour.”

Frowning, Shin Jia still ate the Pilapple happily.

“That sourness is the real taste.”

Sure enough, Shin Jia was gradually starting to enjoy the taste of Pilapple.

She wasn’t even urged; she just picked it up and ate it on her own.

Whether it was a miracle or not, a message rang in Yuseong’s ear: his oyster resistance had increased.

“Who would send something like this?”

It was none other than the Abyss fruit.

Though Pilapple was not toxic, not many people knew that.

Most explorers solved their energy intake immediately with energy bars.

Because of that, they rarely tried to distinguish whether any Abyss creatures were poisonous or not.

Lacking interest, they had no reason to spend time and resources on it.

Still, the feeling was there.

Few people painstakingly harvested and sent Abyss fruits that grew within the Abyss.

“As expected, it’s the Federation.”

Attached to the fruit basket were a letter and a nameplate.

The nameplate read:

「International Explorer Federation, Korean Headquarters

External Affairs Bureau Executive Director Park Mi Sun」

“Oh, that lady…”

“Why? Do you know her?”

“No, no.”

But they knew each other well. She had quite a history from a past life.

Later, she even rose to head the Seoul branch.

She was stubborn but very capable.

Opening the letter, a golden metallic rod fell out.

“Wow, isn’t this an Explorer License?”

“Right. I haven’t taken the exam, but it’s right here when I woke up.”

When Yuseong brought the metal license close to his wrist, it transformed into a bracelet shape and attached itself to his wrist.

The Explorer License served as an ID and contained an embedded electronic chip that could send and receive information—a high-tech device.

“Ooh, that’s pretty cool.”

Shin Jia was impressed.

Yuseong, feeling a deep sense of accomplishment, fiddled with the license.

In his past life, he had painfully taken the license exams several times just to get the license.

Even thinking about repeating that made his blood run cold.

But this time, he had obtained the license without any exams.

Yuseong read the letter that came with the license.

‘To Baek Yuseong,

This is Park Mi Sun, Executive Director of the External Affairs Bureau at the International Explorer Federation.

First, we deeply appreciate your efforts in suppressing the riot caused by Explorer Gwak Jeong Rae.

After speaking with the Chairman, we heard that you wish to become an explorer for the Federation.

Following our internal review and information collected from Cheonghwa Electronics, we have determined that you are qualified.

Accordingly, we have enclosed a C-Rank Explorer License as a preliminary measure…’

“C-Rank?”

Surprised, Yuseong checked the license on his wrist once again.

It was indeed C-Rank, not D-Rank.

He had thought that new explorers always started from D-Rank regardless of ability.

But he had skipped that and received a C-Rank license.

“So that’s why background really matters.”

Probably capturing Gwak Jeong Rae and the sponsorship from Cheonghwa played a huge role.

‘…We believe your latent potential is greater, but regulations prevent us from granting a higher rank to newly appointed explorers.

Still, we have done our best. We look forward to your active contributions.

The Chairman has told us about your special constitution.

The fruit enclosed with this letter is the Pilapple from the Abyss.

We are not sure if it suits your taste, but it is non-toxic, so you may safely eat it.

We look forward to your next report.

Sincerely, Park Mi Sun’

“Just reading the letter, I can tell she’s a very considerate person.

She must be very sharp and calm.”

“Hahaha.”

Yuseong laughed heartily at Shin Jia’s comment.

Shin Jia looked somewhat confused, but Yuseong still smiled quietly.

“She’s skilled, for sure.”

The word ‘calm’ did not quite fit; ‘active and passionate’ would be more appropriate.

At least, she was not the type of person Shin Jia imagined.

“That’s enough. Let’s head back now.”

Yuseong stood up from his seat.

He had built up his body somewhat at CH Tower, and now that he had his license, he could officially start his expedition.

Before returning, he had spent more time inside the Abyss than outside.

Still, he felt a slight itch since he hadn’t been able to enter the Abyss for so long.

Yuseong immediately called for a nurse.

The discharge process was nothing special.

All expenses had already been handled by Cheonghwa Group, and Yuseong’s physical condition was fine.

But as he was about to leave the hospital, the nurse cautiously advised him.

“Um, but outside…”

“Yes?”

“The reporters are still waiting.”

“Reporters?”

Shin Jia’s eyes widened in surprise, and Yuseong smiled knowingly.

“Jia, put your mask back on.”

The sponsors wanted their star to make an appearance.

And powerful sponsors like Cheonghwa sometimes used various methods to ensure that.

Among them was, of course, media play.

***

In the parking lot of Seoyeon University Hospital, unexpected vans had gathered.

Mostly broadcast and newspaper reporting vans.

Lee Yul Hee, a reporter from All Daily, wearing a padded jacket, hurriedly climbed into a van.

“Ugh, it’s cold.”

“Here, have some warm water, Yul Hee.”

Inside the van, Kim Min Cheol, the driver who also acted as cameraman, waited for her.

Lee Yul Hee ate an energy bar with the warm water.

“Think he’ll come out today?”

“I just asked the hospital staff a bit ago.

They said he should be discharged around today.”

“Min Cheol, you’re a trooper for waiting here all this time.”

“Ah, what are you saying? It’s you who’s having a harder time out here in the cold, always putting on and taking off your coat without knowing when he’ll appear.”

“Well, it’s my job.”

She was wearing a neat white jacket and skirt.

Unlike reporters from other newspapers, she had special access, so she had to dress accordingly.

She had even gotten proper makeup done that morning.

“All Daily is starting the clip news with this.

I wonder if we can get proper shots with all this competition…”

Her department was trying to broaden the company’s business by making video clips.

Originally an entertainment reporter, she saw this as an opportunity and volunteered.

“Still, is it really worth reporting just to see Baek Yuseong?”

“Hm? What do you mean?”

“I think Cheonghwa must have called all the media outlets.

Since it’s advertising money, they allowed coverage, but…”

Kim Min Cheol grumbled, rubbing his chin.

His expression was filled with gloom.

Gwak Jeong Rae, called the ‘promising young star’ and often on TV, had recently gone on a rampage with a gun.

He fired indiscriminately in a traffic jam, but the police arrested him.

He later died of acute renal failure due to drug overdose.

Naturally, chaos ensued.

Many were shocked that the polite and well-mannered Gwak Jeong Rae would do such a thing.

For days, all media outlets covered the incident.

All Daily even ran it as the top headline for several days.

And the person who immediately came to mind was Baek Yuseong.

The twenty-something-year-old without even an explorer license who subdued the rampaging Gwak Jeong Rae.

How it happened, no one knew, but Baek Yuseong was also heavily sponsored by Cheonghwa Electronics, who had sponsored Gwak Jeong Rae.

The situation was absurd.

Gwak Jeong Rae drove his supercar, fired gunshots in the traffic jam, but reportedly, no one died.

By some miracle, only property damage and a few injuries occurred.

And the biggest victim was Cheonghwa.

Gwak Jeong Rae, who stirred huge social controversy, was sponsored by Cheonghwa.

And the one who heroically suppressed him was Baek Yuseong, also sponsored by Cheonghwa.

Cheonghwa had barely escaped the moral backlash.

“Min Cheol, maybe you just don’t like staying here.”

“Not really….”

“No, actually, digging into Gwak Jeong Rae is way more interesting.”

Lee Yul Hee’s sharp comment made Kim Min Cheol sheepishly scratch his head.

There was no denying her point.

Though Baek Yuseong’s coverage was interesting, from a reporter’s point of view, it was a little tricky.

The timing was bad.

Police press releases were mostly unreliable.

There were too many questionable points, like how Gwak Jeong Rae obtained the drugs and the automatic gun, and whether his death from renal failure was real.

“An unlicensed 21-year-old explorer who hasn’t even debuted subdued Gwak Jeong Rae? That sounds fishy.”

And the most suspicious thing was that the unheard-of Baek Yuseong caught Gwak Jeong Rae.

Even the press materials and Cheonghwa’s information didn’t seem believable.

Most reporters suspected that Cheonghwa was trying to raise his profile and divert attention from Gwak Jeong Rae.

Lee Yul Hee seemed to sense Kim Min Cheol’s thoughts and said,

“Honestly, the other reporters here aren’t top-tier anyway.”

Meaning, most reporters here were leftovers overshadowed by the Gwak Jeong Rae coverage.

They had come reluctantly, at Cheonghwa’s request.

“But I think differently.”

“…Differently?”

“Everyone thinks Baek Yuseong subduing Gwak Jeong Rae is just a fairy tale.”

“Yeah, that he wrestled down Gwak Jeong Rae holding a gun bare-handed…”

“Did you see the police report?”

“Yeah, it said Baek Yuseong dodged the bullets fired by Gwak Jeong Rae, then used martial arts to subdue him.”

Kim Min Cheol said, incredulous.

But Lee Yul Hee shrugged knowingly.

“If they were making it up, wouldn’t they have made it more dramatic?”

“Huh?”

“Cheonghwa and the police aren’t fools.

If it were fabricated, they would have crafted a proper scenario like they always do.”

“So that means…”

Kim Min Cheol’s expression turned serious.

“Did Baek Yuseong really catch Gwak Jeong Rae alone?”

“I don’t know.”

“…What?”

“It might be true. Either way, since we’re here, let’s get some good shots.

We can’t stay as second-string reporters forever.”

Though a little deflated, Lee Yul Hee’s words made sense.

After waiting for days, they wanted at least to capture some good footage.

Beep.

At that moment, a notification sounded on both Kim Min Cheol and Lee Yul Hee’s phones.

Kim Min Cheol picked up his phone and exclaimed,

“Oh, Baek Yuseong’s discharge process is complete.

He’s coming toward parking lot 1.”

“Reporters!”

Reporters waiting in other vans moved simultaneously.

They turned on cameras, checked sound, and rushed toward the hospital ward’s entrance.

Lee Yul Hee and Kim Min Cheol were right behind.

Kim Min Cheol led the way with his bulky frame.

“Focus on his right side of the face.

Don’t let him step out of frame, okay?

I’m curious how Baek Yuseong looks.

I hope Gwak Jeong Rae’s face gets blurred enough.”

“Heh heh, even if the body’s great, how often do you get a good-looking explorer?

As long as he’s not ugly, it’s a win.”

He captured the shot well.

The automatic doors of the ward opened.

Everyone’s awaited Baek Yuseong appeared.

“Wow.”

“Woa.”

“Whoa…? Why is he so handsome?”

Small murmurs of admiration broke out among the reporters waiting.

Especially among the female reporters, reactions to Baek Yuseong’s looks were strong.

Lee Yul Hee smiled.

“This is turning out better than I thought.”