Chapter 26: Vivani? Vivani! (1)

Grrrrr—

Water poured down like a waterfall beneath the split zipper of the suit case.

“Ack!”

Suho jumped in surprise and zipped it back up.

Then he lowered the case and looked down.

“Ah, water can’t be flowing!”

Like the frozen world of the Dwarves in the freezer, water didn’t flow there and spill out here.

Suho quickly calmed his startled heart.

He checked the messages he hadn’t seen while busy zipping.

[Dimension [DITOD-0624B] has been discovered.]

[New entity [Vivani] discovered.]

[Initiating communication with new entity [Vivani].]

“Vivani?”

Unlike the Dwarves, the name alone didn’t reveal their identity.

But it wasn’t completely without information either.

‘Something should show up on the Dimensional Panel.’

Suho checked the Dimensional Panel.

[Dimensional Panel]

[Number of connected dimensions: 2]

[Connected entity list]

-ESKHJ-0702L

ㄴ Red Hammer Dwarves

ㄴ Mad Dragon Balangkaar

ㄴ Light Hide Dwarf

-DITOD-0624B

ㄴ Vivani

• Select the entity’s name to view detailed information.

[Exchange Rating: Normal]

• The more connection attempts and targets increase, the rank rises.
• Rank increase boosts influence over connected dimensions.

[Dimensional Missions: 2]

Just as expected, the Dimensional Panel had changed.

“It’s a completely different dimension.”

The number of connected dimensions had increased to two.

The dimension’s name was different.

It was clearly a world distinct from where the Dwarves lived.

[Vivani]

• Affiliated Dimension: DITOD-0624B
• Number of members: 10
• Satisfaction: 5/100

“The number’s pretty small.”

Even fewer than when first meeting the Dwarves.

Could they be new residents this time as well?

Suho’s gaze immediately shifted to the satisfaction score.

“The satisfaction is at rock bottom.”

It meant the Vivani species was having some kind of problem.

If so, the task was clear.

“I need to understand their problem and accept the Dimensional Mission.”

By solving the mission, he could build rapport and earn rewards.

“But first, I should greet them properly.”

Suho rummaged through the desk drawer.

After finding a pen, he pulled out a tissue and tied it to the end.

“This way, they’ll be less startled when I reach out.”

It was a method he thought of to avoid surprising others, like with the Dwarves.

Making a makeshift flag, Suho approached the suit case.

Gural, gural—

When he unzipped it, the stream of water flowed out again.

“It’s not an explosion, but seems like a dammed river… maybe?”

He saw a deck made of wood and mud.

The dam wasn’t high enough, so water was still spilling over.

Suho peered closer.

In the middle of what looked like a river turned reservoir, an island floated.

‘An island? Not a typical one. It looked like piled wood and branches.’

The hill-like shape was made from fallen leaves and branches.

‘But why can’t I see any Vivani?’

Should I call out?

Suho pushed the flag back inside the suit case.

Then he gently shook it, rattling it softly.

“Hello, Vivani everyone. I’m Won Suho from Earth.”

There was no movement.

Suho raised his voice slightly.

“Vivani, are you there? I won’t hurt you. If you have any problems, I want to help.”

He waved the flag a bit more energetically.

After a moment, a reaction came.

Poom—

The water’s surface rippled and something round popped out.

It was the head of a life form.

‘It’s a beaver!’

Suho thought the name Vivani sounded fishy from the start.

What appeared was truly the head of a beaver.

While Suho was still surprised, brown hair peeked around and discovered the flag floating in the air.

“Huh! What’s that thing?”

Then, wide-eyed and with a strange accent, it exclaimed.

Suho, almost heart-attacked by the Vivani’s cute appearance, composed himself.

“Hello, Vivani. I’m Won Suho. I live in another world.”

The moment Suho’s voice was heard—

“Uhh-hap—”

Splash.

The Vivani shouted a bizarre scream and disappeared underwater.

“This might take a while.”

At least they hadn’t pushed his hand away, which was a relief.

Suho tried again.

“Vivani, I won’t hurt you. I want to help you all.”

He repeated this several times.

Poom—

A head emerged from the water again.

“Who’s there? Where are you?”

The Vivani with only its head out looked around and asked.

Suho waved the flag in response.

“I’m over here, Vivani.”

“Huh! The flag’s talking!”

The Vivani widened its eyes in surprise.

Suho quickly added an explanation.

“This is just a flag. I’m a human.”

“The flag is not actually talking?”

“No, it’s just that your world and mine are connected. Since I seem a bit big to you, I showed you the flag first.”

“Big?”

“Here, I’ll show you my hand.”

Suho retracted the flag and slightly showed his fingers.

“Huh! That’s a giant! Are you going to eat me?”

“No, I’m a human here to help you. The giant appearance is just a side effect from the connection between the two worlds.”

“Side effect? What’s that? But you really won’t eat me?”

“Yes, really.”

The Vivani climbed onto the hill.

‘It really looks like a beaver. Even that flat tail.’

A soft tail, a plump body.

A round face with protruding front teeth.

Everything was exactly like a beaver.

Except for one thing.

‘Walking on two legs is a bit strange.’

Cute, but still odd.

Suho thought while watching the bipedal Vivani.

“Oh, it’s tough.”

The Vivani sighed deeply, then spoke.

“I’m Bobby. Call me Bobby.”

“Yes, Bobby. I’m Won Suho.”

“Okay, Suho.”

Thud.

At that moment, Bobby collapsed onto the ground.

Lying flat on his belly.

‘What’s he doing all of a sudden?’

Suho’s surprise lasted only a moment.

He noticed something strange about Bobby.

‘His fur’s all dull and patchy. Looks like he has malnutrition.’

Some patches had sparse fur.

Some places were so thin that bones showed.

His face was also pale.

‘Could he be sick?’

At that moment, a message arrived.

[Dimensional Mission [Vivani Vigor Recharge!] acquired.]

A first mission from the new dimension had appeared.

***

[Vivani Vigor Recharge!]

• For some reason, the Vivani have no energy at all. Let’s boost the minimum energy so the Vivani can survive.
• Reward: Vivani Satisfaction.

Suho smiled wryly as he read the mission details.

‘Vigor recharge? The information’s too vague.’

Both the mission content and his conversation with Bobby offered little clue to a solution.

‘If it’s a food shortage, there’d be a mission to provide food.’

If it’s sickness, there’d be a mission to heal.

That was how things worked with the Dwarves.

But this was more vague and abstract.

While Suho pondered, a voice came from nearby.

“Is that shameless behavior what you call attending upon my presence with chicken?”

It was Balryong.

He looked irritated since Suho had delayed ordering chicken.

“Let me solve this first and I’ll order it. Just wait a moment.”

“Tch! Human, those who lose faith in gods have no value to live.”

“What’s your problem?”

Suho ignored Balryong and focused on Bobby. There had to be a hint.

“You really want to put my garlic chicken on hold?”

“It’s not time to eat yet. Just wait a moment.”

Flapping wings—

Balryong fluttered anxiously nearby.

When Suho kept avoiding eye contact, Balryong sank onto the bed with a gloomy face.

“A human who puts a rodent dying from magic exhaustion first over me? Such an ungrateful bastard.”

But the complaint tickled Suho’s ear.

“What did you just say?”

“Ah, nothing. I said nothing.”

“Say what you said just now again. Hurry!”

“You’re actually a rare good human who knows mercy these days.”

“No, not that. Before that.”

“Before?”

“That rodent dying from magical exhaustion?”

“Yes, that!”

Suho felt he’d found a lead.

Seeing Balryong’s confused expression, Suho asked again.

“So that Vivani is drained of magic power, huh? That’s why it’s so weak?”

“Right. That much I know when I see it.”

“Then how can we give it energy?”

“….”

Balryong closed his beak and gave a silent glare.

Looks like he wouldn’t say more before the chicken arrived.

Suho shook his head and took out his Smartphone to order.

“One garlic chicken, please. If I solve this well, I’ll treat you to the trending Vampire Chicken, Spicy Level 3 .”

That was the price for Balryong’s silence.

Suho smiled wryly, shaking his Smartphone.

“Oh, really? Trending popularity? So good, huh? Level 3? Isn’t there a level 4?”

“Nope, level 3 is the last. Anyway, that’s later. How do we fix magical exhaustion?”

“Feed it food with magical energy. But something the rodent can eat. Hmm, looking at its condition, overloading magic won’t be good. Pouring too much right before exhaustion causes problems.”

Balryong explained carefully, as if lecturing about the Vampire Chicken Level 3.

The moment Suho heard that, a thought struck him.

He pulled something from the Dimensional Bag.

“Will Vitality Water work?”

Vitality Water.

A fatigue recovery drink offered as a service to costomers.

It was an item obtained from the wholesale owner.

“Perfect. Feeding that will restore basic energy. However—”

“However?”

“There’s likely a fundamental cause for this rodent’s state. If that’s not solved, it will eventually return to this condition.”

Suho hesitated for a moment, then stopped.

“I’ll think about that later. For now, let’s solve the Dimensional Mission first.”

Determined, Suho moved close with the suit case.

“Bobby! Bobby!”

He called out for a long time.

Bobby responded, still lying flat.

“Why are you calling? I don’t have energy to talk.”

“Try drinking this. You’ll feel better.”

Suho transferred the Vitality Water with his trade skill.

A bottle appeared on Bobby’s belly.

“Huh? What’s this? Where did it come from all of a sudden?”

“I sent it to you. Open the cap and drink. You’ll gain energy.”

Perhaps due to the sudden appearance of the Vitality Water, Bobby managed to sit up.

“I’ll drink it now that I’m up.”

He had been completely exhausted.

But Bobby decided to try the liquid.

The mysterious happenings since earlier gave him hope.

‘I won’t be able to protect the others if I stay like this anyway.’

Bobby gulped down the Vitality Water.

Then,

“Woo—!”

He shouted and leapt up.

Splash—

Bobby disappeared underwater again.

“Say something before you go.”

Does he like it or hate it?

Splash.

While Suho was at a loss, Bobby climbed back onto the hill.

Splash, pop pop pop poom—

Behind Bobby, small Vivani appeared one after another.

“Disgusting little creatures. They sure showed up in force.”

Ignoring Balryong’s words, Suho counted the Vivani.

The Vivani huddled on the hill.

Bobby stepped forward.

Raising his short front legs over his head.

Clack!

He clasped his hands together and said,

“Please give us more!”

***

[Dimensional Mission [Vivani Vigor Recharge!] completed.]

[Vivani satisfaction increased by 10.]

When Suho handed over the remaining Vitality Water for the Vivani to share,

the Dimensional Mission was completed.

“Dad, Dad, this is delicious! I feel energized!”

“Can I have some more?”

“I feel stronger, but I’m still hungry.”

The Vivani floated and splashed around the river.

Suho would usually want to stop them from getting too messy, but his expression was uneasy now.

‘The satisfaction only went up by 10.’

Bobby was happy to receive the Vitality Water.

He repeatedly expressed his gratitude.

The young Vivani regained their energy.

Yet the satisfaction only rose by 10.

‘There’s a fundamental problem.’

There was a cause that couldn’t be solved just by boosting energy.

That was why the Vivani satisfaction didn’t increase significantly.

Ultimately, Suho’s task was clear.

“Bobby, Bobby.”

Suho called again.

Bobby stuck his head out over the water.

“Why did you call?”

After gaining Vitality Water, his attitude had become very friendly.

Suho asked what he was curious about.

“Why were you so drained of energy?”

Bobby’s eyes drooped as he climbed the hill.

“Well, the thing is…”

Bobby began his story.

At that moment, Suho had a premonition.

‘This is a mission!’

A strong feeling that the next Dimensional Mission was about to appear.