Chapter 4: Cheongha’s Water God

I confirmed the buff-type food ingredient item. The father of the farmer was from a different dimension and was a member of the Seonggye priesthood.

Therefore, it was unlikely that this was an ingredient from any other dimension.

(Father of the farmer): Exactly. The food you call Earth’s cuisine is precisely the food from my homeland.

This was a unique experience, a precious one I couldn’t have otherwise.

I expressed my gratitude to him for providing a delicacy I could never obtain on Earth.

[Tanggeum Item {C-Grade Food Ingredient}]

• Description: A buff-type food ingredient item imbued with special power. It is sturdier and contains more moisture than regular ingredients.
• Effect: Increases health stats by 1 for 5 minutes, and if consumed by someone with a mana sealing curse, it lifts the curse.

‘It lifts the mana sealing curse?’

The mana sealing curse was one of the worst curses for adventurers like me. It could happen when you were ambushed by monsters during a raid or when your guard slipped.

Sometimes, if luck was really bad, your mana would get sealed.

Usually, it lasted about five minutes or, at worst, five seconds… but when time was precious, even one minute or one second mattered.

The Tanggeum item had a stronger effect than I had expected.

“Father of the farmer, do you have many of these?”

[Father of the farmer]: Don’t you see them? These kinds of things are everywhere around me.

I was speechless.

I must have become closer to the priests since my last visit.

As soon as I saw the father’s chatting window, I knew he was already thinking about taking out a few more Tanggeum items.

(Father of the farmer): Are you going to eat that on an empty stomach? Eat some grilled fish first, then I’ll give you more. Supporting others can be quite burdensome.

I didn’t know if living alone as a farmer really was such a burden… but there had to be a reason.

I took the salted, grilled fish out of the container.

Since the scales and innards had already been cleaned, I bit into the flesh.

Though there were some tiny bones, I managed to spit them out.

“Hooh… this is really delicious!”

Too many unbelievable things had happened in just a few days.

After enduring the harsh reality, eating grilled fish made me feel like I was finally returning to normal.

Is that why the flesh of freshwater fish melted softly in my mouth?

The savory flavor combined with the slightly sweet aftertaste stirred within, making me smile unconsciously.

*****

The father of the farmer was watching the system window from his own little room.

The priests could watch the community chat and Jinwoo’s broadcasts through the system window.

They could even host their own broadcasts and invite other priests as viewers.

The farmer’s father rarely watched broadcasts from other priests while engrossed in his own farming.

But then he accidentally caught Jinwoo’s broadcast…

“What luck, what fortune!!”

Having received grilled fish from Jinwoo, he was happier than anyone else.

Being able to peek into human daily life was novel enough, but to receive fish he had never tasted in his whole farming life?

And the fish was so delicious.

“…This incredible taste exists in the world? This is insane, insane.”

Moved by the melting fish flavor, he filled his basket with Tanggeum items wandering near the coast.

“Sending support.”

[Notification: The farmer’s father has sent buff-type food ingredient items as support]

[Tanggeum Item {C-Grade Food Ingredient} ×5]

• Description: A buff-type food ingredient item imbued with special power. Sturdier and more moist than regular ingredients.
• Effect: Increases health stats by 1 for 5 minutes, and if consumed by someone with a mana sealing curse, it lifts the curse.

“…! Thank you!”

I bowed deeply.

I had expected to receive more Tanggeum items, but getting five at once filled me with gratitude.

Glancing at the chat room, the priests’ reactions were positive. They were unfamiliar with grilled fish as a food item, but seeing everyone enjoy it was heartening.

“Living like this wouldn’t be so bad.”

If I could live just a little longer than a year, that would be enough.

This thought struck me anew.

“Don’t overthink things.”

For now, I would enjoy the remaining year. Having awakened the rare trait of being able to communicate with the priests, I decided to carry only happy memories.

With that mindset, I entered the chat room.

“Seonggye members, you’ve all met before, right?”

(Member 1): This guy really has a sharp tongue.
(Member of the Rainlight Shrine): Spinning words again.
[Father of the farmer]: Well, yes, we’ve met once.

I couldn’t believe these priests.

I thought those fools only became priests after they started hosting community chats.

No matter how noble a priest might be, if they spend all day chatting, their brains are bound to rot.

“Later, Seonggye members, please teach me about life. I’m curious.”

(Member 1): …My life? I’ll tell you later.
(Member of the Rainlight Shrine): Yeah, me too, later.
[Father of the farmer]: As for me, I was born into a poor farming family and farmed all day. My skill as a farmer surprised my peers, and that’s how I was recognized as a priest. Nothing special.

It was far from a simple story.

Much was summarized in just a few lines of chatting.

And it was an unusual story — from a dimension other than Earth.

I vowed to one day understand all these priests’ homelands.

“The sunset is beautiful.”

I looked out over the river from the town square, the sun sinking slowly.

The sunlight reflected off the clouds, painting a beautiful sunset.

Its colors shimmered on the river surface, revealing an even more breathtaking scene.

I took another bite of the grilled fish.

[Cheongha’s Water God]: What a great atmosphere, hello everyone.
(Member 1): Newbie spotted.
([Member of the Rainlight Shrine]): Cheongha’s Water God… I’ve heard that name many times.
[Father of the farmer]: ? Newcomer. That name appears often in this community.
[Cheongha’s Water God]: Hello everyone. By the way… do you know Earth? Did humans broadcast inside the Seonggye?

I paused for a moment.

Cheongha’s Water God? So that means…

“Habaek?”

A god from Korean mythology associated with the Amnok River.

Habaek was the grandfather figure of Dongmyeongseonggwang, the founder of Goguryeo.

In the founding myth of Jumong, Habaek appears as Cheongha’s Water God, and now this Habaek had become a viewer of my streams?

Though Habaek appears in Chinese mythology too, he is regarded as a different god due to differences in the river and the depiction.

“So, that means I might be a descendant of Habaek.”

[Cheongha’s Water God]: Hmm… that’s how it is. Yes, you are my descendant.

While I gathered my thoughts, Habaek explained everything to the other priests.

[Cheongha’s Water God]: I didn’t expect Goguryeo to spread to this dimension. Hey, aren’t you going to greet me?

That Jumong’s grandfather Habaek had become a viewer like this.

Ah, suddenly I felt strange. My heart raced.

“Greetings, welcome.”

I greeted him while hiding my true identity, and the four priests who had gathered around us laughed softly.

[Cheongha’s Water God]: That’s right, always greet others. You must treat others like precious guests. Understand?

[Cheongha’s Water God]: I taught my subordinates how to treat others, so I’ll teach you how to behave with those below you.

[Cheongha’s Water God]: Originally, those above must care for those below. Don’t rush to respond when feelings are tense; premature benevolence can backfire. Keep this in mind.

The fool’s comments suddenly became interesting.

[Notification: Legendary Priest, Cheongha’s Water God, has learned a skill!]
[B-Grade Skill, ‘Water Shield’ acquired!]

• Description: A unique skill of Cheongha’s Water God, Habaek. Creates a shield of water around the user that blocks attacks. Duration is 10 minutes and consumes 10 mana.

Habaek was no joke.

Not a mere user trapped in some community chat.

Habaek was a proud god of the Korean pantheon associated with the Amnok River.

Habaek, my light.
Habaek, my god.
Habaek, me.

Because of this, the four priests who became my viewers all supported me.

All the support I received was exceptional.

The A-Grade Skill of invisibility, the B-Grade Skill Water Shield, and buff-type food ingredients unavailable on Earth.

Among them, three were EX-Grade Skills. Thanks to those, I managed to cling to life despite the odds.

I thanked the priests once again.

Then I attempted to use a tribute skill on Habaek.

[Cheongha’s Water God]: Hehe, a descendant who knows how to repay kindness. In that case, I’ve eaten a lot of fish before.

“If that’s the case… how about this, sir?”

I took out pork belly from my bag. I spread cooking oil on the frying pan and quickly grilled the pork belly.

Generally, the taste of pork differs greatly from fish.

I couldn’t say it was better, but I was confident that pork would be a new experience for Habaek, the river god.

I placed the grilled pork belly on a plate and offered it as a tribute.

[Cheongha’s Water God]: _ This is delicious. It’s my first time tasting something like this!

I could hear the satisfied sound from Habaek’s voice.

(Member 1): …I want to try that too, seriously.
([Member of the Rainlight Shrine]): Can I have some too?
[Father of the farmer]: …I definitely want to try some.

“One tribute skill per priest, so I’ll be the only one to offer it.”

There was plenty of pork belly.

I promised to share the grilled pork with them.

And…

“Please prepare something to give me in return. I look forward to it.”

You give to receive.

(Member 1): Nothing beats freshly grilled pork.
([Member of the Rainlight Shrine]): That’s right. A greedy person deserves to be slow.
[Father of the farmer]: As priests, being chewed on this much by a mere human is harsh, but what can you do? I’ll find something.

I was satisfied.

And then, suddenly.

“Help!!”

The sound of a scream echoed along the riverside, and someone’s voice reached my ears.

[Member 1]: Hey, hurry up!
([Member of the Rainlight Shrine]): Hurry! I’m curious!
[Father of the farmer]: Those humans are trying to take our stuff! We can’t just stand by!
[Cheongha’s Water God]: One must always help those in need.

The excited priests called out to me urgently.