“Did I hear that wrong? A slime, you say?”
Baek Tae-seop’s face was filled with bewilderment as if he had heard an entirely unexpected word.
The others had similar reactions, but since I had a history of acquiring a slime duplicator, the executives of Ara Hongryeon were not as surprised.
“I’m sorry to interrupt, but may I contact the guild to confirm this, Mr. Kyu-seong?”
“Yes, that’s fine.”
“I apologize for asking again, but you’re referring to an item related to a slime, correct?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
The secretary of the Iron Blood Guild did something on the tablet she had brought and then asked Baek Tae-seop, “Representative, is it alright if we show the list of items managed by the guild? If there are no items related to slime, we might need to present something else.”
“Hm, do that. Is that alright, Mr. Kyu-seong?”
“Yes, that’s fine.”
Soon, the secretary clicked on the tablet screen and handed it to me.
Young-seong, came over to check the list with me.
“As expected of the Iron Blood Guild.”
Young-seong nodded in admiration after roughly scanning the list.
Noticing it was inconvenient for two people to share one tablet, the secretary asked an Ara Hongryeon staff member to print out the information.
At that moment, the executives of Ara Hongryeon subtly stepped in.
“Kyu-seong is practically one of our guild members now, can’t we help him out?”
“Indeed. We can at least help him choose an item.”
“Ahem! Bring out some of ours too.”
“Well….”
The secretary of the Iron Blood Guild tried to intervene at the words of Kang Hanul and Jeong So-yeon, but Baek Tae-seop spoke generously.
“Just let it be. I don’t expect to get the antidote for free. Since I don’t fully understand Kyu-seong’s abilities, it’s better for people who know him to help.”
“What’s gotten into you? The name of Iron Blood will be tarnished.”
“Hmph! For Seung-hyun’s sake, I could even sell the guild. A mere item is nothing; I can cover it with my own money.”
Soon, the printed documents arrived, and Kang Hanul and Jeong So-yeon excitedly checked them.
Guild leader Han Seok-jun also quietly received the list.
“Oh, there’s the Jewel of Golgor.”
“So the Shield of Vitriol was here! That old man! He said he didn’t have it last time!”
“…Pettyputty’s Egg! I heard it’s quite a delicacy….”
Everyone murmured to themselves as they checked the list.
Seeing people gather, Ara also seemed interested and managed to get a copy of the list, starting to peruse it.
The printout included photos along with brief descriptions of the items, making it easier for Ara to understand.
‘But I don’t know what to choose.’
From what I overheard, there seemed to be quite a few valuable items, but I didn’t know much about them.
Just as one can see more from a high place, I had limited vision from my low position.
While I was looking for anything related to slime, Ara suddenly shouted.
“Ohhhhh!”
“Whoa, why are you shouting all of a sudden, Ara?”
Ara was holding a sheet of paper and came running to me, waving it.
“Kyu-seong, Kyu-seong! I want this one!”
“…Do you even know what it is?”
I chuckled and took the paper Ara handed me.
It listed various items, and Ara was pointing at one with her tiny finger.
“This one!”
“This one?”
As I checked what Ara was pointing at, I couldn’t help but be impressed.
[Mystery Watering Can (Normal – Growth Type)]
An item related to farming, but its exact use is still unknown.
[Item Description– A watering can used by an unidentified person. It helps with the growth of crops.]
[Item Effect – When water is left in the watering can for a day and then sprinkled on the ground, the ground becomes fertile. There are numerous hidden effects that can be unlocked through growth. The method of growth is unknown.]
Who would have thought there would be an item related to farming?
Technically, it was considered an artifact treated as equipment.
“I want to water the plants!”
“I never imagined something like this would exist.”
As I expressed my amazement, people subtly approached and peeked at the paper I was holding.
They exchanged glances and nodded at each other.
Before I could question what they were conspiring about, Kang Hanul shouted.
“It looks like you’ve made your choice! But it’s a bit lacking!”
“What do you mean?”
At Hanul’s shout, Baek Tae-seop and the secretary checked the item I had chosen.
“…A mystery watering can?”
Since it was such an unexpected item, they exchanged puzzled looks and then turned to me.
“Are you really going to choose this?”
“Yes.”
“Hmmm…”
Why are they hesitating? Shouldn’t they be pleased I chose something of lesser value?
‘Or are they wondering why I picked this?’
Regardless, the watering can was the most appealing artifact among the items presented by the Iron Blood Guild.
Moreover, since it was a growth type, it seemed much more promising. I had a feeling that as the world’s only awakened farmer, I might be the only one able to enhance this watering can.
“You’ve chosen something unique. It’s certainly of lower value compared to other items…”
“Haha! Didn’t I tell you? So let him choose one more item, old man.”
“…That’s fine, but why is Kang Hanul acting so smug?”
In the end, I decided to choose one more item.
However, since I wasn’t a combat-type awakened person who explored dungeons, most of the items were useless to me.
“Hmmm…”
Seeing my hesitation, Young-seong spoke up.
“How about this?”
“What do you mean?”
“Let Ara Hongryeon Guild choose an item they want, and you can lease it to them in exchange for money from the guild.”
Oh? That was a good idea.
I needed money anyway, and this way, it would benefit both parties.
Of course, it depended on the Iron Blood Guild’s permission and whether Ara Hongryeon wanted the item.
“As long as the item isn’t sold during the contract period, it doesn’t matter how it’s used.”
The secretary responded lightly to Young-seong’s suggestion.
Soon, Han Seok-jun and his team leaders began discussing it.
“It’s a good opportunity. Is there any equipment you need in there?”
“I’m invincible without any equipment, but if I have to choose, the Black-and-White Hood, Green Leaf Shoes, Sun Crown, Vitriol Shield, Earth and Sky Talisman, Corrosion Ring, and the Equal Longsword…”
“…”
How did he remember all that?
Han Seok-jun stopped Kang Hanul, who was endlessly listing items, and sought Jeong So-yeon’s opinion.
“And what about you, Team Leader?”
“Hey, kid. Answer wisely.”
Despite Kang Hanul’s blatant pressure, Jeong So-yeon calmly stated her preference.
“The most necessary item is the Vitriol Shield.”
“I agree.”
“But! I also said we needed the Vitriol Shield, didn’t I? What about my opinion…”
After finishing their discussion, Han Seok-jun turned to me.
“Kyu-seong, we would like to rent the Vitriol Shield.”
“Yes, go ahead.”
“How about a rental fee of 30 million won per month, with a contract period of 5 years?”
30 million won a month? Just for one piece of equipment?
If it’s 5 years, that’s 60 months. That means it’s a deal worth 1.8 billion won.
‘With 1.8 billion won, couldn’t they just buy the equipment outright?’
When I glanced at Young-seong, he nodded as if urging me to sign the contract immediately.
“Alright, let’s make the deal.”
“Can we proceed with the detailed contract terms along with your guild membership contract?”
“Understood.”
So, I secured the watering can and the Vitriol Shield from the Iron Blood Guild.
“We will deliver the items to you by tomorrow. Should we send them to the Ara Hongryeon Guild?”
“Yes, please do.”
“We will also continue to look for items related to slimes and contact you again.”
“Thank you.”
With the secret deal settled, Baek Tae-seop asked with a curious expression.
“I hope this isn’t rude, but may I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“You’ve chosen quite an unusual item. Is it related to your abilities?”
Is it okay to reveal it now?
The members of Ara Hongryeon seemed to have already guessed that I was involved in farming. That’s probably why they didn’t stop me from choosing an item like the watering can.
“Then, can we now proceed with the fruit and vegetable juice transaction?”
“Yes, just a moment.”
Besides the juice I had given to Young-seong, I had five more. I opened my backpack and spoke to Bokkeum inside.
“Bokkeum, please take out all the fruit and vegetable juices.”
Although I spoke softly to avoid others hearing, they probably did since they had good hearing. It didn’t matter anymore since there was no need to hide it. In fact, showing my abilities could be advantageous.
Plop-
Bokkeum spat out the juices.
Seeing me take out the juices from my bag, Ara whined.
“I want a snack! Sweet potatoes~ Sweet potatoes~”
“A snack? Bokkeum, please take out the snack container too.”
Bokkeum spat out various snack containers again.
Thanks to my visit home, I had sweet potatoes and potatoes made by Jae-seong and my mother, as well as tomato and Embergil pizza, salad made from baby carrots and cucumbers.
‘And for dessert, Layla too.’
Hmm? Did the atmosphere just change?
When I glanced back, Hanul and Jeong So-yeon were staring at me, drooling.
“Gulp!”
I instinctively closed my mouth and held my breath. Then, I cautiously offered.
“Would you like to have some after the contract is finished?”
“Sounds great!”
“That’s why you’re the best, Kyu-seong!”
Guild leader Han Seok-jun and Young-seong had also tasted my produce, but they didn’t react as intensely. It seemed these two particularly enjoyed my food.
Ara was already munching on the pizza.
Hanul had approached Ara, trying all sorts of charms to get a bite, looking rather pitiful.
“It smells wonderful. Did you cook this yourself?”
“I didn’t cook it. I just provided the ingredients.”
Baek Tae-seop showed some interest.
Holding the fruit and vegetable juice, I knew the aroma was irresistible.
“Would you like to join us after the contract is done?”
Just in case, I offered first, and Baek Tae-seop initially declined, saying it would be rude. But after some persuasion, he agreed.
“Thank you, Kyu-seong.”
“You’re welcome. Let’s enjoy it together later…”
“Uuughhh!!!!”
It seemed that Hanul had finally succeeded in getting something from Ara. His loud groan echoed through the reception room.
At the same time, the aroma of the food spread more intensely than I had expected, making it nearly impossible to resist drooling.
“What on earth… Are those foods also items?”
The secretary of the Iron Blood Guild swallowed hard, looking flustered. She seemed to have a rough idea of what my ability was now.
“Yes, that’s correct. By the way, even the view of Geumgang Mountain is better after a meal. Would you like to try some first?”
“Umm… the deal should come first…”
Baek Tae-seop was visibly restless. His gaze had shifted from me to Ara, who was happily alternating between eating pizza and sweet potatoes.
Hmm, this could be an opportunity to gain new customers, and influential ones at that.
I hid a mischievous smile and subtly suggested.
“The antidote isn’t going anywhere. How about you try some of this first?”
Cliche Novel 