Round 9

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Dungeon crops were indeed a first for me, as were all crops in general, but they were the first of their kind anyway.

Honestly, I had only heard stories about Layla and had never actually seen or eaten one before.

They were not only hard to find, but also scarce in number, so most of the awakened who came to the dungeon for subjugation would eat them on the spot, as far as I knew.

“So this is how it opens.”

It looked like a cabbage.

However, the outer leaves were blue, and when you peeled these cabbage-like leaves, there were fruits inside.

‘Is it about the size of a melon?’

Due to the outer leaves, it looked as big as a watermelon, but the fruits inside were definitely smaller.

Unlike vegetables like tomatoes or carrots, this was classified as a fruit, and I was particularly excited about it.

“We should plant all these seeds again.”

There was a section underground already being used for leisure, and it seemed like a good place to plant them.

“But when do we harvest? Is it almost done?”

Squirm!

In response to my question, the slime wriggled.

Hmm, from what I gathered through three days of Slime Language, it seemed there was still a bit left.

Squish! Squirm!

Still, it was going to be soon, so no need to rush.

…That seemed to be the message.

“So how soon is soon? Not today, right?”

Squirm!

“Tomorrow?”

Squish!

“Tomorrow it is?”

It was going to take a little longer even though it was almost fully grown.

Considering the growth rates of the crops, Layla seemed to take a long time. Or maybe all dungeon plants are like this?

“I should also check the growth rate of Embergrill. Oh! Before that…….”

I busily wrote something down in the notebook I had brought with me from my last trip out. It was for recording the growth rates, harvest times, and other details of the crops I had grown so far.

At the same time, I recorded information about the slimes in another notebook.

“Hmm, good. Now, shall we go down?”

As I climbed down the ladder, I saw a field where the sprouts had not yet grown. Considering that tomatoes or carrots took at least a day, there seemed to be some time left.

Squish!

Just then, Poispois approached and wobbled its body at me.

It jiggled like pudding as I nodded.

“What is it?”

Squish! Squish!

“You want me to follow?”

Could this really be the influence of a Slime Lord?

I was vaguely able to interpret the slime’s gestures.

Squirm!

“Alright, let’s see what it’s about.”

As I followed the creature, I glanced at the other slimes; the Physical Resistance Slime was swimming in a pond, and Mark2 was rolling around in the field.

“They’re having a good time.”

It was a refreshingly peaceful scene.

I could watch this all day and not get bored.

Squirm!

“Oh! Is this the place?”

Poispois led me to a secluded wall. Something was off.

“It looks man-made?”

From a distance, it wasn’t noticeable, but up close, it was clearly artificial.

Squirm?

Poispois also tilted its head, looking puzzled at the wall.

It seemed it had found the wall but didn’t know what it was.

Tap tap!

“There’s a space behind this.”

Tapping lightly, I could tell there was a hollow space behind the wall.

“Should we break it?”

Squirm?

“Hmm… No cracks, right?”

Squirm!

Moreover, Poispois was definitely the slime I had told to report anything unusual if it merged—since memories and experiences were shared upon fusion, it seemed neither identity was lost when merged.

“Nothing else?”

But first, I examined the wall further.

I touched, tapped, kicked, and even tried scraping it with Poispois.

Squooosh-

“Hmm, not this either.”

Was it time to bring out the pickaxe again?

I had vowed never to use it again.

“Sorry, Poispois. I didn’t want to use the pickaxe again.”

Squirm?

Talking nonsense, I had come down with the pickaxe from the surface.

Just as I was about to strike the wall, my body suddenly stopped.

Do you think there’s something behind this wall that you’re acting like this?

“Hmm.”

I leaned on the pickaxe, lost in thought.

I didn’t know what was behind the wall, but it couldn’t hurt to be cautious.

‘Now that I think about it, dungeons often have a lot of piece.’

Especially dungeons where mutations have occurred—I had heard they need to be thoroughly searched. Dungeons with mutations are said to definitely have hidden treasure rooms or pieces…

“Should I make a small gap?”

There was no need for me to go personally.

Couldn’t I just send a slime?

“Poispois, are you ready to explore?”

Squirm, squirm?

“Haha, it seems you’re also excited about the adventure. I’ll send you right away!”

Squirm?!

Ignoring Poispois’s gestures, I raised the pickaxe high and struck the wall powerfully.

Thud!

“Ah!”

Is this the power of an Awakener?

I didn’t break through the wall, but the pickaxe lodged in it on the first try.

Using the principle of leverage, I wriggled it a bit more, and the crack widened.

“If I strike it three more times like this, will it connect to the back?”

It was just a scratch on the wall so far, but if I hit the exact spot of the crack, it seemed like I could make a hole.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

The pickaxe struck precisely in the crack, showing high accuracy. Soon, I felt the end of the pickaxe become loose.

“Oh, there’s a hole.”

I put away the pickaxe and peeked to the other side, but it was too dark to see anything unlike this side.

“Poispois, are you ready?”

Squirm, squirm—

“Let’s go on an exciting trip! Just you, of course.”

I sent Poispois through the hole made by the pickaxe. True to its nature as a slime, it slipped right through the narrow gap.

“If it’s dangerous, come right back!”

I said that, but no response came.

As I waited in front of the wall for a moment, other creatures wriggled over.

“Having fun?”

Squish?

“Poispois is on a solo journey right now. Let’s all pray for a safe trip.”

Hopefully, our Poispois finds a treasure room…

No, that it returns safely.

It seemed sincere for a moment, but that was a mistake.

After about 5 minutes, Poispois returned with a jiggling sound.

Squish!

“So, did you find anything? Was it safe?”

Squirm—squirm—

Seeing Poispois touch the pickaxe, it seemed there were no problems. It probably meant it was okay to break through.

“Good. Everyone wait here. I’ll break down the wall quickly.”

I rolled up my sleeves and lifted the pickaxe energetically. Knowing there was no danger, I was ready to break through the wall.

‘Piece! Hidden treasure room!’

Wait for me, treasures! I, Lee Kyu-seong, am coming!

* * *

“Hmm…”

Choi Young-seong, a former research head of the Ara Hongryeon and a renowned researcher despite not being an Awakener, came home with tomatoes and carrots and examined them intently.

Of course, only the executives of the Ara Hongryeon and a few research members knew this fact.

“Toxic resistance, maybe I can enhance this somehow?”

In the makeshift lab set up at home, Choi Young-seong gave his weary eyes a brief massage.

As he rubbed his eyes, Choi Young-seong heard someone’s voice.

“Honey.”

“Huh? Why? What’s up?”

Choi Young-seong immediately got up and headed to a room on the side.

The room was set up like a hospital room, equipped with various medical devices.

“You came home early today but you’re not resting, what are you doing?”

“Um, I just discovered something.”

A woman was lying in the hospital bed.

It was a familiar scene, as she had been ill for a long time.

“Don’t overdo it. What will we do if you get sick too? Hehe.”

“…Okay. I won’t overdo it.”

Choi Young-seong tightly held the hand of his wife and only family, Kim Si-young.

Her hand was bony but felt warmer than anything else in the world.

“I’m sorry.”

“What are you talking about all of a sudden? Don’t be like that, it’s unnecessary.”

“Because of me, you left the guild, you’re always looking for items or treatments for me, staying up all night researching…”

“What nonsense. It’s not because of you; I just got tired of it. And the general store was something I always wanted to do. I also originally liked researching…”

“I feel so fortunate to have met you.”

At Kim Si-young’s words, Choi Young-seong finally fell silent

However, his trembling hands spoke volumes about his emotions.

“So, if I die, don’t think about me anymore and find someone good to be happy with…”

“Kim Si-young, stop teasing me and go to sleep. Don’t talk nonsense.”

“Hehe. Did you catch on?”

Kim Si-young’s face was pale and looked devoid of strength as she gave a weak smile.

Seeing the Awakener who was once called a mainstay of the Ara Hongryeon lying in such a pitiful state tore Choi Young-seong’s heart into peaces.

“Don’t you regret it? Being with someone like me.”

“Why are you like this today? If you keep it up, I won’t give you what I brought for you.”

“Huh? What you brought for me?”

“Yes.”

Choi Young-seong showed her the last tomato he had left, mostly used up in his research.

“I mentioned it before, right? I have a younger brother-like figure.”

“Ah, Kyu-seong?”

“Yes, him. This is a tomato he recently obtained, and it’s incredibly tasty.”

He didn’t mention that it was an item that could induce toxin resistance. After all, Kim Si-young, being an Awakener herself, would know once she tried it.

Choi Young-seong handed the tomato to Kim Si-young and fell into a faint contemplation.

‘Can I get more?’

His wife, Kim Si-young, had been poisoned by one of the monsters known as the Seven Deadly Sins.

Most of the Awakeners who participated in that subjugation had died, and those who survived were merely waiting for their death, poisoned.

‘If I could just research this tomato a bit more, maybe I could find a clue…’

As a former research head of the Ara Hongryeon, he knew the incredible value of the tomatoes and carrots that Lee Kyu-seong had brought.

He knew it was shameless to ask for more, but he was willing to make even greater requests for his wife’s sake.

“Uh?!”

Kim Si-young’s face briefly brightened after eating the tomato, and Choi Young-seong smiled faintly at her reaction.

“How is it? Tasty, right?”

“This is a tomato? Honey, this is an item, isn’t it?”

“Yes. I found something amazing from somewhere.”

“Isn’t there any more?”

“Uh? Well, that’s…”

It was awkward to say that he had used them all for research. Instead, he took Kim Si-young’s ring finger and said,

“I’ll get more. I told you, Kyu-seong brought it.”

“Isn’t it too much to ask? It’s not just an ordinary tomato…”

“Just pay the right price for it. Besides, it’s already time for bed. Let’s sleep.”

“If you sleep with me, I’ll be able to sleep too.”

“Ah, let’s just sleep for today.”

Though he grumbled, Choi Young-seong lay down beside Kim Si-young, pretending to be reluctant. His mind was filled only with thoughts of somehow saving his wife.

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