“I’ve been working on a plan. Want to hear it?”
- What plan do you mean? Could it be…!
It was, in fact, a trip or picnic plan!
“I want to take the Guardians and some close friends out for a trip. What do you think?”
- I’m all for it!
“Oh! You’ll let me join too, right?”
As I’d already hinted, Kasia obviously wanted to come, and it looked like Jinsu was interested too.
But I was torn about where to draw the line for ‘close friends.’
“Would it be too much to invite your whole party? I think it’d be nice if everyone could go together…”
“Uh… As long as there’s no special mission, I think we can go? Suyeon noona would obviously say yes, and if the leader says he’ll go, Janghyeon will too.”
“But would Minjun want to come? He’s likely to grumble and complain about how bothersome it is, or say there’s no point in going.”
Knowing Minjun’s personality, I could easily imagine his response.
“Yeah, probably… Haha.”
The real problem was Park Janghyeon.
He’s so polite and courteous that it’s hard to read his true feelings.
I could only guess, but the nuance was that if Minjun went, Janghyeon would go too—but he wouldn’t be the first to step forward.
“Then I’ll ask him myself. It’ll be more fun with everyone! I’ll do my best to make it happen!”
“That’d be great~ I even bought an RV so we could all go out together.”
“Oho. I thought I saw a car I didn’t recognize outside. Hyung, you must have made some money. Treat us to something delicious!”
“Hahaha. Sure. I’ll pay for everything, whether it’s a trip or a picnic.”
At that moment, Kasia asked something I hadn’t thought of.
- Shouldn’t we ask the Guardians how they feel? Maybe they don’t want to go.
“Huh? Y-You think so?”
Guess I’d better go and check.
If we go out during the day, Dakgong might not want to come, since he’s on night duty.
Daytime is when he should be sleeping.
‘Goldie….’
Goldie was the one who’d first given me hope after repeated farming failures, so he held a special place in my heart.
It was the same for the other chickens, but since Goldie came as a chick and had been the leader ever since, never leaving here, I often felt a little guilty.
“Goldie and Little Pepper are probably sleeping now, and Parong would definitely want to go, right? He’s clinging to my arm like a sticker even now.”
When I looked down at my arm, there was Parong, his head buried.
After giving him a gentle pat, I went out to meet the only Guardian who was awake—Dakgong.
When I stepped outside, Dakgong immediately caught my eye, standing guard in a dignified way.
“Dakgong!”
(You called, master-yong!)
As always, his bright and energetic manner was a delight to see.
“We’re thinking of going on a trip together. Do you want to come? It’ll be during the day, so it might be uncomfortable for you.”
(That’s fine-yong! As long as I’m with you, master, I’ll follow you anywhere-yong!)
If I’d known he’d be this happy, I would’ve taken him out for a walk sooner.
“That’s a relief~ I really wanted to have fun with you too, Dakgong.”
(Really-yong?!)
He looked so adorable with his sparkling eyes.
“Of course. I’ll let you know once the plan is set.”
(Understood-yong! I’m looking forward to it-yong! I’ll be counting the days-yong!)
“Cute guy.”
I gave his peanut-patterned bulletproof helmet a little tap.
I really had been neglecting the Guardians lately.
Little Pepper trained with Jinsu during the day and slept at night, so I rarely saw him; Dakgong slept during the day and was only on duty in the evening, so I hardly saw him at all.
That made me feel a bit guilty, but seeing him happy like this was a relief.
(After Awakening, I feel like I’ve grown a lot-yong! I’m much better at protecting you, master-yong!)
“Yeah? I saw you’d grown, but has anything else changed?”
Now that I thought about it, I’d never actually checked Dakgong’s information.
Both Dakgong and Little Pepper were Guardians, but since they were rooted in crops, I should be able to check their info.
‘I should have checked earlier. I’ve been too negligent.’
I took the opportunity to check Dakgong’s information.
[ Dakgong – Guardian ]
A Guardian born from a peanut.
A natural-born sniper who mercilessly assassinates enemies, using two peanut kernels as bullets.
- Active Skills: (1) Active Skill: It’s a Critical Hit! (2) Active Skill: Lever Rapid Fire! (Awakened)
- Passive Skills: (1) Passive Skill: Sharpshooter, (2) Passive Skill: Dark Adaptation (Awakened)
Active Skill (1) – Active Skill: It’s a Critical Hit!
: For 30 seconds, when peanut kernels hit, critical hits occur.
Active Skill (2) – Active Skill: Lever Rapid Fire! (Awakened)
: Changes from Sharpshooter Mode to Rifle Mode. Unlimited peanuts for rapid fire.
Passive Skill (1) – Passive Skill: Sharpshooter
: While in Sharpshooter Mode, you never miss your target. (Hit rate 100%)
Passive Skill (2) – Passive Skill: Dark Adaptation (Awakened)
: Grows used to darkness; in darkness, vision +50%, stats +30%.
He’s… got a crazy number of skills.
I only have one, but look at him.
“Dakgong, you’re a real monster, aren’t you?”
No wonder Dakgong’s shooting skills made sense that day when Kanghoon and Lee Junhyuk attacked.
It was before Awakening, so only the critical hit and hit rate applied, but still, those skills are absurdly strong.
“As expected from Guardian #1! So reliable!”
Dakgong blushed and squirmed under the shower of praise.
(Hehe, I’m embarrassed-yong!)
Seeing him so happy warmed my heart.
I resolved to spend more time with the Guardians from now on.
“Alright, I’ll let you know again when the trip is set. Look forward to it.”
(Understood-yong! I’ll be counting the days until I can be with you, master-yong!)
Hearing Dakgong’s cheerful answer, I turned back toward the house.
The thought of making memories with the Guardians had me feeling excited before I knew it.
When I woke up and went outside, I ran into Goldie doing his morning patrol.
(Oh, master. Good morning-chicken. Cock-a-doodle-doo!)
“Yawn~ Good morning! Everything alright?”
(It’s always the same. No trouble-chicken.)
This time, I decided to ask Goldie.
“Goldie, we’re planning a group trip. Do you want to come?”
(A trip, you say? Does ‘everyone’ mean all of us chickens too-chicken?)
The moment he said that, I realized my mistake.
I always call the chickens family, but when it came to this trip, I hadn’t considered them at all.
Kasia and Jinsu were no different, but blaming others was just an excuse.
I’m the master, after all.
“Sorry. I didn’t even think about it… The car’s not big enough for all the chickens…”
My voice trailed off, thick with guilt.
(It’s fine-chicken. If everyone goes, we’ll guard the house-chicken.)
Goldie answered as if he’d expected this, totally unfazed.
That only made my guilt feel heavier.
“Next time, let’s go on a trip with all the chickens! I’ll make sure of it.”
(Just hearing that makes me happy-chicken. I’ll be waiting-chicken.)
As I watched Goldie amble off to find feed, I let out a sigh.
‘Whew. That was close. I’m glad Goldie doesn’t mind things like this.’
He doesn’t, right…?
Next, I went to Little Pepper, who was practicing swordsmanship alone, and asked him the same thing.
“Little Pepper, do you want to go on a trip with everyone?”
(Is master going too-chu?)
“Of course. I’m included.”
(Then I’ll go-chu! Um… Is Jinsu coming too-chu?)
It was cute to see how much he cared about Jinsu, his swordsmanship teacher.
A chuckle escaped me.
“Jinsu is coming too.”
(Got it-chu.)
When I saw how happy he looked at that, I felt like teasing him a little.
“Looks like I’ll have to go just for you, Little Pepper.”
(I only need master-chu!)
“Really? I bet if you and Jinsu went on a trip alone, you’d love it.”
(No-chu! I am master’s sword-chu!)
Amused by Little Pepper’s reaction, I teased him a few more times before laying my hand on him to check his info.
[ Little Pepper – Guardian ]
A Guardian born from a chili pepper.
Acts as the master’s sword, ruthlessly cutting down enemies. Wields a flaming chili pepper sword.
- Active Skills: (1) Active Skill: I’m Angry! (2) Active Skill: Aaah! It Grows! (Awakened)
- Passive Skills: (1) Passive Skill: Flaming Sword (2) Passive Skill: Disciple of the Flame Sword Demon (Awakened)
Active Skill (1) – Active Skill: I’m Angry!
: When enraged, the body turns red and inflicts additional damage until calmed.
Active Skill (2) – Active Skill: Aaah! It Grows! (Awakened)
: Upon using this Awakened skill, size increases, along with health and defense.
Passive Skill (1) – Passive Skill: Flaming Sword
: The sword is continuously wreathed in flames, and wounds inflicted heal more slowly.
Passive Skill (2) – Passive Skill: Disciple of the Flame Sword Demon (Awakened)
: Uses swordsmanship learned from the Flame Sword Demon. Movement speed, attack speed, and incoming damage are all increased.
‘Disciple of the Flame Sword Demon? Now that I think about it, Jinsu’s sword was on fire too. Their reputations are reflected in their skills. Now I understand why Jinsu said he had something in common with Little Pepper.’
Looking at it like this, I realized just how much Jinsu’s swordsmanship lessons had helped Little Pepper.
Of course, with time, Little Pepper might have awakened his powers by himself, like Dakgong.
When I came inside, Jinsu was just putting down his smartphone, maybe after a call.
“Hyung, what did the Guardians say? Are they going?”
“Yeah, they all said yes. Oh, I didn’t ask the one clinging to my arm, but I figure he’ll go, right? How about you?”
“As expected, Suyeon noona said she’ll come. She seemed really excited.”
But Jinsu’s face gradually darkened.
Finally, he let out a sigh tinged with annoyance.
“What’s wrong? Did something happen? Did Minjun say no?”
“It’s not that… The leader and Janghyeon both said they’re coming…”
“Then isn’t that good?”
“Yes… But then the President said he wants to come too…”
“Eh!?”
Apparently, this happened when he was talking to Suyeon.
Since it was Jinsu’s call, the President—her father—was right there, and she just answered on the spot.
“Seems like noona even boasted about it. That she’s going on a trip with us.”
So the President wanted to join in, hearing his daughter’s bragging.
“Eh. But the President’s so busy.”
“I told him there was absolutely no way… But right next to me, the President… insisted he’d go, no matter what…”
A sudden silence descended.
“He’s joking, right?”
I always tried to treat people politely and kindly, but this situation really threw me off.
‘What should I do?’
There was still room in the car.
But this was way beyond my original plan.
Then I had a good idea.
“Kasia, how about inviting your Chieftain too?”
- Father?
“Yeah! Hyung, that’s a great idea!”
Here’s my thinking.
The Elf Chieftain is much older, but visually, he’s about the President’s age, so there won’t be much awkwardness.
Besides, the President has helped a lot, both materially and emotionally, with the Elf District immigration bill, and there could be more exchanges in the future, so it’d be good to introduce them.
“What do you think?”
- I think it’s a good idea. Besides you, we need to build relationships with other humans. He seemed to have a nice personality.
“The President… did he? Ah, hyung! How about making it even bigger this time?”
“How?”
Jinsu suggested we invite Kang Daehan, the chairman of the country’s biggest group.
“Isn’t that a bit much? He’s the chairman of a giant corporation. Would he even have the time…? I heard he’s close with the President, though.”
“I’ll ask anyway!”
Chairman Kang Daehan apparently stepped up personally for Minjun’s party, and Jinsu seemed to think of him fondly.
But he must be incredibly busy…
So Jinsu decided to call the President about it.
The President could directly ask Kang Daehan and, if possible, coordinate their schedules.
“I don’t know if the chairman will agree, but if he does, it’ll be an amazing lineup!”
“Seriously. A country farmer and Guardians, Hunters, the Superhuman Association President, and even the head of the nation’s top group.”
For a moment, I felt a little small among such people, but I shook it off.
I still had my cute Guardians, after all!
While Jinsu was talking to the President, I laid my hand on Parong to check his info.
[ Parong – Guardian ]
A Guardian born from a green onion.
Uses the green onion as a spear, pinning or impeding enemies’ movements.
- Active Skill: ??
- Passive Skill: ??
Active Skill – ??
: ??
Passive Skill – ??
: ??
- With no trigger yet, no skills have manifested.