Round 18

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A new day had started again.

After a full day of fieldwork and feasting on potatoes the previous day, I was on the first floor, planning my next steps while waiting for my abilities to cooldown.

“Hmm, I should replant this area with these…”

The potatoes that hadn’t turned into items were mostly eaten. Instead, the ones still growing, which might become items, were all planned to be replanted as seedlings.

“That way, they should turn into magical potatoes.”

A new variety of potatoes that seemed superior to those ‘imbued with magic.’

It was a natural step since I also had to clear a quest that required discovering new crops.

Glancing around, I saw a Rookie harvesting magic-infused tomatoes. Judging by the state of the plants, it looked like it might be the last harvest soon.

“Once it’s done, I’ll replant magic cherry tomato seeds here, and Layla has already been replanted…”

Since most of the work was done by the slimes, my main job was to plan and oversee.

While scribbling in my notebook, I started thinking about going out again.

“By now, Young-seong should have seen the results of the fruit juice analysis, I’m curious about the Ara Hongryeon dungeon raid, and I need to pass some ingredients to Jae-seong.”

Of course, I planned to use my abilities before heading out. While humming and scribbling in my notebook, the time came.

I currently had six slimes.

Poooh, Mark2, Poispois, and three Rookies.

Neglecting slime synthesis while making fruit juice meant I suddenly had three Rookies.

“Today, it’s your turn.”

I could have synthesized Mark2 and Poispois, but I left them for now. Instead, I decided to create a new Level 2.

[Slime LV.1 and Slime LV.1 will be synthesized.]

[The merging slimes will share all memories and experiences.]

[Slime LV.2]

[An ordinary slime.]

[Capable of liquid synthesis]

Ability: Acrobatics LV.1

Last time it was running, and now another strange ability emerged.

“What use is acrobatics to a creature without limbs?”

Initially, Mark2 and Poispois felt like a stroke of luck. Of course, I hadn’t yet utilized Poispois’s poison, but it seemed much more useful than running or acrobatics.

After using liquid synthesis, I used the remaining tomatoes and Layla to make more fruit juice.

After creating one more Rookie, I prepared to go outside.

I gathered the remaining potatoes—only three left—along with the last harvested magic cherry tomatoes and another Layla to pass on to Jae-seong.

I made sure to take the pre-made fruit juice and shouted to the hardworking slimes,

“Report immediately if there’s anything to report when I return! Especially when you harvest!”

Wriggle!

Poo-

After giving firm instructions, I stepped outside, and my phone immediately began to vibrate.

“Hmm…!”

Checking it, sure enough, it was Young-seong and Kang Hanul. Had they already come out of the dungeon?

“It’s only been two days.”

The message indicated they had successfully raided the dungeon. It also mentioned that the fruit juice and paralyzing poison I provided had played significant roles.

“I’m glad it was helpful.”

As I was reading the message, another unexpected note popped up.

-Brother! Our Seok-jun wants to see your face. He wants to meet the hero of this raid. Maybe drop a hint for him.

“What?!”

Seok-jun? Could it be Han Seok-jun, the guild leader of Ara Hongryeon?

Kang Hanul was in fact a significant heavyweight.

But to think that the head of the Ara Hongryeon Guild wants to meet in person…

“When was this sent?”

Checking the time, it was a message from a few hours ago.

Without any hesitation, I immediately sent an OK sign.

-I just left. It would be an honor to meet Guild Leader Han Seok-jun.

Making connections can’t be a bad thing.

Plus, it might just be smooth talk, but it seems like my items were somewhat helpful, so I think I managed to create a good impression.

Ding!

-Oh! Should we meet at o the cafe we met last time? Looks like I’ll be coming with Seok-jun.

The reply came immediately.

And I assumed I would be the one to go, but when I heard that he would come to this side, I hurriedly left a message.

-I will come to you.

This is Ara Hongryeon, after all.

If it’s an invitation from the guild leader, I could fully tour the guild inside. It’s a place I’ve long admired, so just the thought was exciting.

‘I might see the awakeners from Ara Hongryeon Guild! Perhaps Jeong So-yeon, David, and Yoo Si-hu as well?’

I’m just a Level 1 awakener, so it was hardly likely I’d run into those formidable ones.

Probably the lowest tier awakener in the Ara Hongryeon Guild would be Level 4.

Ding!

-Oh! Will you do that? Then sorry, but I’ll be waiting!

– Kyu-seong, if you happen to see this, could you get one more fruit juice?

I just made two more fruit juices.

After saying I could do it, I also mentioned that I was invited to join Ara Hongryeon.

Ding!

– Then I’ll wait on the Ara Hongryeon side. Let’s meet there.

After finishing the conversation, I immediately started to descend and headed to Seocho-gu, Gangnam, where the Ara Hongryeon guild is located.

While on the subway, I took a moment to check the internet.

There, there were a flood of articles about Ara Hongryeon.

‘What’s happening now?’

At first, I flinched, thinking it might be negative news like before, but upon reading further, the content was unexpectedly positive.

– 27 hours! That’s all it takes to solve a Level 4 dungeon!

– New world record! Ara Hongryeon guild did it again!

– Predator Kang Hanul, “Who said we failed?” Roaring at everyone!

Haha.

These are indeed very interesting topics.

I read each article in detail as if I were receiving compliments myself.

The articles were full of praise, astonishment, and acclaim. The comments were mostly positive, except for a few twisted ones.

– Truly the first guild in Korea. Is this the power of experience?

– Crazy, 27 hours! The previous record was 52 hours, almost halved LOL

– See? This is the power of kimchi.

– But things changed immediately with Kang Hanul’s participation. Is Jeong So-yeon still lacking experience?

└ She’s still the youngest level 6 Awakener in our country, so her potential is higher, isn’t it?

└ That’s unknown.

I lost track of time reading the articles and comments.

Suddenly, I had arrived in Seocho-gu, where the building of Ara Hongryeon is located.

As soon as I got off the subway, I could see the glittering building of Korea’s first guild, Ara Hongryeon, in the distance.

“Wow.”

This was only my second time seeing it in person.

It was the first time I came to motivate myself when I was pouring money into trying to awaken.

‘I never thought I would come back here.’

The feeling was strange.

I thought I would never return to such a place after only receiving a Level 1 assessment for the vague ability I had gained through awakening.

With my shoulders squared, I headed towards Ara Hongryeon.

Although I was still just a Level 1 Awakener, like before, the substance had changed.

I was a dual Awakener now.

And I possessed a unique competitiveness with farming skills that only I could do.

“Ah! Young-seong!”

Just then, Young-seong was sitting on a bench near the building. He saw me and waved with a smile.

“I’m sorry for calling you out so often these days.”

“No. First, take this.”

I handed over the fruit juice I had prepared.

Young-seong looked sorry as he saw the two fruit juices I had prepared.

“I’ll transfer the money right now.”

“Young-seong, you don’t need to give me 20 million won like last time.”

“No. This item is worth that much.”

[20,000,000 won has been deposited.]

“I actually want to give more. But I’m only giving this much because I think you might feel burdened. All I have left is money now.”

I felt a bit guilty receiving such a large amount again. If it were a stranger, I might inflate the price to get more, but Young-seong had helped me during tough times.

And I felt even sorrier knowing why he was buying this fruit juice.

“From now on, if I make something new, I will sell it to you first.”

“Ha ha! I’d appreciate that. Still, I intend to pay a fair price without slashing it.”

“How about the analysis results?”

“This time, since it’s an important item, I checked it myself. Like you said, it’s harmless to the human body. Still, I did some clinical trials just in case, and it was fine. Now, all that’s left is to let my wife try it.”

“Then today…?”

“Yes.”

I felt nervous without realizing it.

Probably, Young-seong was even more nervous. Yet, his calm appearance seemed remarkable.

“I hope it goes well. If you run out of fruit juice, let me know anytime.”

“Thanks, Kyu-seong.”

Since I couldn’t keep Young-seong for long, we said our goodbyes after that.

After he left, I walked towards the entrance of the Ara Hongryeon building.

‘I’ve never seen someone poisoned eat it, so I don’t know how effective it will be. What if it doesn’t work well? Ah, then I’ll improve the crops and raise the level…’

Having met Young-seong, my head was filled with thoughts of fruit juice and poison even as I entered the building of Ara Hongryeon.

So, I accidentally bumped into someone standing in my way.

Thump!

“Ah! I’m sorry.”

“No problem. May I ask who you are visiting?”

I looked up to see a tall, bodyguard-like young man smiling and asking kindly.

“Ah, I am Lee Kyu-seong. I have an appointment with Kang Hanul and Guild Leader Han Seok-jun.”

“…You are Lee Kyu-seong?”

“Yes.”

“Please wait a moment.”

I glanced around and saw quite a few people.

And I could tell that most of their gazes were directed at me.

‘What’s going on?’

Engrossed in thoughts of fruit juice, it was hard to assess the situation right away. Then, I caught snippets of whispering voices.

“Who is he that he has an appointment with the team leader and the guild leader?”

“Exactly. Who is this unfamiliar face?”

“Just some weirdo, right?”

Ah!

It seems there was some misunderstanding.

Honestly, even I would think it strange if some nobody suddenly appeared claiming to have a meeting with the guild leader and team leader of Ara Hongryeon.

Just then, the man who had asked me to wait a moment came back to me.

“By any chance, are you Lee Kyu-seong, the Level 1 Awakener?”

“Yes.”

Do I really need to embarrassingly verify my Awakener identity?

Honestly, it was embarrassing to be revealed as just a Level 1.

“There was no prior notice given so our staff went to check. Could you please wait a moment longer?”

“Ah, thank you.”

What’s with this guy?

Didn’t he prepare anything in advance?

Obviously, the situation was ripe for misunderstandings.

Of course, the man in front of me maintained a polite demeanor, but the people around did not.

“A Level 1 Awakener?”

“Our guild has done something impressive lately, but still, not just anyone should be allowed in…”

I waited awkwardly under their piercing gazes, as people seemed to expect me to be thrown out.

‘Why don’t they go about their business instead of staring…’

After what felt like 5 minutes.

One minute felt like ten in this awkward situation, and I scratched my head and slowly looked around.

‘Wow, typical Ara Hongryeon. The building is incredible.’

The interior seemed to be made from byproducts of dungeons. As the saying goes, if you can’t avoid it, enjoy it; so I took the opportunity to earnestly explore the guild’s interior.

“Huh?!”

Someone exclaimed in surprise.

As the commotion spread, everyone looked in one direction, and naturally, my gaze followed.

‘Wow, it’s Jeong So-yeon?’

The poster Awakener of Ara Hongryeon, who I had only seen on TV or online, was walking towards me.

The healthy-looking woman approached, her long hair flowing.

“Uh?”

What? Why is she coming towards me?

And as if confirming my suspicion, she came straight up to me and asked.

“Lee Kyu-seong?”

“Yes, I am Lee Kyu-seong.”

“Hello. I’m Jeong So-yeon. Nice to meet you.”

“Yes. Nice to meet you too.”

What’s going on?

While I continued to be baffled, she gestured.

“I’m sorry that things weren’t prepared in advance. Please follow me. I’ll take you to where the team leader and the guild leader are.”

“Ah, yes!”

The murmuring among the people grew louder.

But I was just as bewildered, so I followed her for the time being.

Seeing her in person, she was much prettier.

‘What am I thinking right now!’

Trying to gather my thoughts, Jeong So-yeon who had pressed the elevator button turned to look at me.

“Lee Kyu-seong?”

“Yes.”

“That item. I heard you made it.”

That item?

She must be talking about the fruit juice and the poison?

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Before I knew it, some of the people I was with had subtly followed us.

Why don’t they go about their business instead of sticking around?

But this time, the looks I received were not of negativity but of curiosity and anticipation.

“Kyu-seong.”

“Yes.”

“I want it.”

“Excuse me?”

Jeong So-yeon, her eyes sparkling, suddenly blurted out something strange. At the same time, a cheer-like murmur erupted from those around.

“Kyu-seong, I… wan..t yo..u..!”

“What are you talking about…?!”

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