Round 23

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In the midst of a room cluttered with various items, a man seemed to have fallen asleep while working on something.

“Ugh?!”

Suddenly, he woke up and wiped the drool from his mouth.

“When did I fall asleep? Ugh.”

Choi Young-seong stood up from his spot and stretched. Then, he checked the work he had been doing the day before.

“Um…”

He had bought four bottles of fruit and vegetable juice from Kyu-seong. Two of these were used for research purposes, and the other two were administered to his wife, Kim Si-young, whose condition he was monitoring.

He faintly hoped that this juice could be the key to detoxification.

“It’s a detoxifying agent like I’ve never seen before. It’s impossible to synthesize with current technology.”

Having lived through the era of first-generation awakeners, Choi Young-seong had conducted all sorts of research. He was confident he had mostly unraveled the mysteries of dungeons and awakening powers.

However, his confidence had significantly waned after his wife, Kim Si-young, was poisoned. Despite utilizing all his knowledge, her condition had not improved, and he was gradually losing hope.

“We can cure her.”

But a glimmer of hope had reignited his fading determination.

Thanks to Kyu-seong’s capabilities, a strong light of hope had emerged, and recently, Choi Young-seong was researching more vigorously than he had in his youth.

Just as he was about to check on his wife’s condition after briefly tidying up his research…

“Hey, honey? Are you done for the day?”

“…Huh?”

Choi Young-seong couldn’t believe his eyes.

It had been years since Kim Si-young had spent her days confined to a bed.

He could hardly remember the last time he saw her walking.

Yet, there she was, struggling but slowly walking with the support of the wall.

“Honey, look at this. I got up. Surprised?”

“Ah, how can this be…”

Stammering in disbelief, Choi Young-seong quickly rushed to support his staggering wife. She felt frail, but unlike before, there was strength in her body.

“Ah…”

“Why are you crying? Shouldn’t you be happier that I’m up?”

“No, I am happy! I’m crying because I’m happy!”

Despite her pale complexion, Kim Si-young playfully spoke to Choi Young-seong, who was tearfully shouting.

Regaining his composure, he helped her back into the room.

“You shouldn’t be moving around yet. Why did you suddenly do this?”

“I wanted to make you happy. I guess I succeeded?”

Choi Young-seong immediately checked Kim Si-young’s physical condition with a machine powered by mana stones. The machine quickly assessed her condition and showed results.

“Ah!”

The results were significantly better than before. It was clear that the toxins in her body had substantially weakened.

“All this with just two bottles of juice?!”

It was astonishing.

For the first time, a real possibility of complete recovery seemed within reach.

“How is it? Am I much better?”

“Yes, but you still shouldn’t overdo it. You haven’t moved in a long time, so your muscles and body are quite weak.”

“Got it. Today I just wanted to surprise you. I’ll try not to overdo it from now on.”

Kim Si-young said with a broad smile.

Seeing her much brighter than just a few days ago, Choi Young-seong struggled to hold back his tears and smiled with her.

“We can cure you. A complete recovery is possible.”

“It feels like a dream. I wouldn’t have believed it before, but experiencing it myself, it really seems like I can recover.”

“I will make sure you recover. We can go back to how things were!”

“Yes!”

Kim Si-young and Choi Young-seong looked at each other and smiled brightly.

“What’s the first thing you want to do when you’re completely cured?”

“Um… First, I want to thank the person who helped cure me.”

“Kyu-seong? Right. I’ve been meaning to contact him but got distracted.”

Suddenly, he felt a strong urge to share this joyful news with Lee Kyu-seong. Although Kyu-seong was likely unreachable inside the dungeon, Choi Young-seong decided to leave a message first.

“Kyu-seong! We need more juice!”

In his haste, Choi Young-seong had yet to send his words of gratitude.

* * *

After spending about a day in the dungeon, Jae-seong returned home, indicating he needed to prepare something more.

“Hmm, it’s still synthesizing.”

Even after a day, the synthesizing process was still ongoing, which was starting to worry me.

“Young-seong’s data didn’t have much information… Is there nothing else I can do?”

Information about slimes was scarce.

Most of the papers were just formalities filled with complicated terms, and often, the information I discovered myself was more substantial.

I understood it now.

Other monsters yielded by-products upon defeat, each with varying values, but slimes were deemed useless.

Gurgle! Gurgle!

Just then, Poispois, having finished its task, climbed onto my lap on the floor and shook its body as if to protest.

“They’re not useless. They’re cute like this!”

Surrounded by slimes that provided healing by their mere presence, I acknowledged that they weren’t favored for their lack of aggression and frailty. No one seemed to pay them much attention.

Should I check if I’ve received any messages from Young-seong? It’s about time.

‘Since I haven’t used my ability today, checking messages first wouldn’t hurt.’ 

I might still need more fruit and vegetable juice, but if not, synthesizing slimes could be a good option.

Harvest time for other things was approaching, so I decided to step outside and contact Young-seong.

I made sure to tell the slimes not to mess with Poooh before I left the dungeon.

“Oh?”

There was a new order for more juice from Young-seong. I wondered how the treatment was going.

‘Hanul must be busy.’ It was unusual for him not to contact me.

He usually left lots of messages, so his silence felt somewhat disappointing. However, instead of reaching out to him, I decided to call Young-seong.

Ring-ring-ring—Click!

“Hey, Young-seong! Hello.”

-Ah! Kyu-seong! Thank you! Really, thank you!

The abrupt gratitude in his voice led me to guess that the results were favorable.

“I was just curious about the results. Your voice sounds like it went well?”

-Kyu-seong, don’t be shocked. It seems like the item you created is effective. Not just effective, but there might be a possibility for a complete cure!

Oh! This was indeed welcome news.

I could understand why Young-seong sounded so happy.

“You asked for more juice, how much more do you need?”

-As much as possible for now!

“Got it. I’ll start making it right away.”

-Where should we meet? The cafe we met last time?

Then I heard a woman’s voice over the phone.

-I’d like to see Kyu-seong too.

“Oh? Is that your wife?”

Her voice sounded lively, which really seemed like she was in good condition. Seeing it for myself would be great, especially if the juice had significantly helped her.

“Then I’ll come to you, brother.”

-No, no need to strain yourself. I’ll come to you.

“No, no, I’ll come to you. I’ve finished all my work anyway.”

I was eager to see the results for myself.

The fact that something I created could save someone felt profoundly significant.

‘To think that I, who was almost useless, could become someone who saves lives…’

And it was all due to my unique ability.

While crops could somehow be produced by others, only I could turn them into juice through liquid synthesis, making it entirely my accomplishment.

-I’m really sorry…

“It’s okay. You’ve always come to me; I can come to you this time. Plus, I’d like to see your wife. Please send me the address.”

-Thank you.

After hanging up, I checked the address; it was in Yongsan.

It seemed his home wasn’t far from his shop.

As soon as the cooldown for liquid synthesis was over, I immediately made two more batches of juice.

This time it included magical mini carrots.

[Magical Vegetable Juice LV.1]

Ingredients: Magic cherry tomatoes, magic mini carrots, Layla.

Effects:

– For 20 seconds, allows the user to discern information about monsters based on their mana.

– Enhances detoxification effects.

– For 1 minute, eliminates hostile reactions from monsters, excluding dungeon bosses.

“Wow.”

Just changing the carrots improved the overall effect, probably because the ingredients were tied together as a magical set.

‘The detox effect is enhanced. Could this really cure Young-seong’s wife?’

With the juice ready, I headed to Young-seong’s house, filled with anticipation.

“Are you here?”

“There was no need for you to come out.”

Young-seong greeted me as I arrived at the house.

As we entered, a voice called from inside.

“Did you come?”

“Yes, I’m here.”

That voice belonged to Kim Si-young, the former vice guild leader of Ara Hongryeon  Guild and a legendary awakener.

I followed Young-seong to where she was.

“Hello, I’m Kyu-seong Lee.”

“Oh my. Such a handsome young man. I’m Kim Si-young. Thanks to you, I’m still hanging on.”

Young-seong made an awkward face as Kim Si-young spoke playfully. Seeing them, I felt an even stronger sense of mission.

‘I will definitely cure her.’

I didn’t want their story to end sadly.

I wanted to see their happiness with my own eyes.

“Brother, here’s the juice.”

“Ah, thanks.”

“Kyu-seong, did you awaken a unique ability?”

“Yes. It’s called liquid synthesis.”

I used to be shy about mentioning it, but now I could proudly state the name of my ability.

Especially now, feeling that liquid synthesis was far from being an insufficient power.

“Ah, so you create the mysterious item with that ability.

“You wouldn’t believe how many times Ara Hongryeon  Guild has contacted me because of this.”

What? Ara Hongryeon  Guild contacted because of me?

“I had no idea about that.”

“You were invited to Ara Hongryeon  Guild, remember?”

“Yes, that was the day I met with you last time.”

“After you left that day, not just Hanul but also the guild leader himself contacted me.”

“What did they say?”

“They were just curious about you. They asked if you had any hobbies, what you like, stuff like that.”

Well, my produce did make a big impact.

Once you taste it, it’s hard to forget.

After some small talk, Young-seong finally checked the juice. I gave him a sly smile and whispered softly.

“It’s been upgraded, that one.”

“Huh? What did you say?”

“It’s gotten better. Ah! Since your wife is an Awakener, she should be able to perceive its effects.”

“Let me see.”

Intrigued by my words, Young-seong handed the juice to his wife. She then began to recite the effects of the item.

“Upon consumption, can verify information about monsters for 20 seconds… stronger detoxification… neutralizes hostile reactions for a minute?”

“What?! The text has changed?”

“Hehe. My juice is continually being improved. It might get even better in the future.”

“I mean, that’s…”

I had hoped for a dramatic reaction, but seeing Young-seong’s shocked face, I guessed it was good enough. Anyway, good is good, and I waited eagerly for his wife to drink the juice.

“Are you thinking of researching it again?”

“Um, just take one for now and observe the effects…”

Then, his wife drank the juice in one shot. She finished it and smiled satisfactorily.

“It’s not only good for the health but tastes great too! Thank you, Kyu-seong. These days, this is what I look forward to.”

“That’s a million won right there, honey!”

Hmm…

I hadn’t thought about it, but realizing a million won had just disappeared made me feel somewhat uneasy.

I smiled and ignored Young-seong’s comment about the cost, watching his wife as I rummaged through my bag again.

“What are you looking for now?”

“I brought a gift.”

I had a surplus of carrots from the recent harvest.

It wasn’t enough to sell like usual, just enough to enjoy with people around me.

“What is that?”

“Carrots.”

They were indeed carrots, but their unusually small size made them quite unique. I picked up a carrot as if it were a strawberry and handed them out to Young-seong and his wife.

“Try this.”

“Getting juice and now this…”

“This is just a little extra.”

Young-seong seemed to feel a bit guilty, or perhaps he was contemplating more research.

In the meantime, his wife bit into a carrot.

Crunch!

Soon after, an expression of satisfaction burst forth, fulfilling my hopeful anticipation.

“What is this! It’s incredibly delicious?!”

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