The atmosphere at Dasom Orphanage in Incheon was unusually lively. The children had been excited for two days upon hearing that Jeong So-yeon would be visiting.
“What do you think So-yeon will bring us this time?”
“Hey! All you ever think about is what So-yeon will give you! Grow up!”
“I heard someone else is coming with her this time. Is it someone from the Ara Hongryeon Guild? I hope it’s a famous Awakened.”
“Predator Kang Hanul! I want to see him in person!”
Awakened individuals were now treated like celebrities. In fact, they were often more famous and popular than traditional celebrities because of their incredible abilities like breathing fire and flying, which were beyond the imagination of ordinary people. Naturally, the children looked up to them.
“Kids, have you finished cleaning your rooms?”
“Yes!!”
Wi Ji-hye, the director of the orphanage, smiled as she watched the children chattering excitedly. She had been running the orphanage for over 30 years and had recently found most of her worries dissipating.
‘It’s almost time for them to arrive.’
The smile never left her face as the children whispered among themselves.
“Goblin teacher is smiling again.”
“It’s probably because So-yeon is coming.”
“Well, thanks to So-yeon, all the furniture in the orphanage got replaced.”
Though she was usually strict enough to be nicknamed “Goblin,” Wi Ji-hye turned into an angel whenever Jeong So-yeon visited. Her educational philosophy emphasized manners, diligence, and sincerity, which could seem rigid, but her care for the children was genuine.
“Director, I think the guests have arrived.”
“Oh! I’ll go out right away.”
One of the other teachers informed the smiling Wi Ji-hye. As the children followed her out in a rush, they saw Jeong So-yeon and Lee Kyu-seong just passing through the main gate.
“Wow! There are so many children!”
Ara, who was on Kyu-seong’s back, pointed excitedly at the children coming out of the building.
“So-yeon, it’s been a while. Welcome. I’ve heard about you. I’m the director, Wi Ji-hye.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Lee Kyu-seong. Thank you for inviting us.”
“Oh, we should be thanking you. I heard you saved us from a disaster. I’ve already seen the news about it.”
Ara, holding Gomgom in her arms, carefully climbed down from Kyu-seong’s back. The children, who were observing Ara, quickly showed interest.
“Hey, her ears look weird!”
“Wow, animal ears. So cute!”
The older children looked at Ara holding the teddy bear and found her extremely adorable, much cuter than most child actors.
“Oh? Ara!”
“Hong-jun!”
Hong-jun, who had met Ara before, approached her. Unlike the other children who hesitated because of the strangers, he quickly attached himself to Ara.
“You really came!”
“Yes, I came!”
“And you’re wearing pretty clothes!”
“Yes, I am wearing them!”
Hong-jun’s breaking the awkward atmosphere allowed the other children to gradually approach and show their interest.
“What’s your name?”
“My name is Ara!”
“Haha, her way of speaking is funny!”
The children quickly became friends and started running around the orphanage’s playground, playing together.
Meanwhile, the adults were having their own conversation.
“Is that child your daughter, Mr. Lee Kyu-seong?”
“She’s my niece.”
Hearing the same lie as before, Jeong So-yeon glanced at Lee Kyu-seong. Startled, Kyu-seong quickly averted his gaze, pretending not to notice.
“Oh, Director, I brought some gifts…”
“Oh my! Gifts? We should be the ones preparing something… Actually, we’ve also prepared a small gift for you.”
Wi Ji-hye handed something over first.
Kyu-seong accepted the gift with gratitude and then gently smiled.
“Thank you, teacher.”
“It’s not much, but we thought there wouldn’t be anything you lack, so we prepared this.”
“I really like it. Thank you. I’ll have to thank the children as well.”
The gift Kyu-seong received was a roughly made cake that seemed to have been made by the children. Inside, there was a letter, and Kyu-seong couldn’t help but smile as he read it right there.
– What rank is Awakened Lee Kyu-seong? Is he a top-tier Awakened?
– How much money do you make? I’m curious if you earn enough to buy a lot of steamed buns.
– Thank you for saving Hong-jun.
– I want to see your superpowers!!!
The letter, filled with the children’s innocent curiosity about Awakened individuals, brought out a laugh from Kyu-seong.
“Shall we move inside for now?”
“Sure.”
While the adults went inside the orphanage, most of the children were busy playing outside, except for a few. Ara, meeting so many children for the first time, felt overwhelmed but still enjoyed herself.
“I can do this too!”
“Wow!”
While everyone outside was marveling at Ara doing a handstand with one hand, Kyu-seong began taking out the food he had prepared at home after entering the building. The orphanage teachers, already familiar with the concept of spatial expansion artifacts through Jeong So-yeon, expressed their thanks without much surprise as the endless food appeared.
“Oh my, thank you for bringing food. We’ll enjoy it.”
Secretly, they wished he had brought something the kids loved, like chicken or pizza, but they didn’t show it. However, everyone was taken aback by Jeong So-yeon’s reaction.
“Kyu-seong!”
“Yes?”
“Can I eat with you too?”
“Of course. Haha.”
Kyu-seong laughed again at So-yeon’s eager expression. He then asked if it was okay to call the children to eat now.
“Hmm, it’s almost dinner time anyway, so that should be fine. Teacher Bora, could you call the kids?”
“Yes.”
Seeing Jeong So-yeon’s reaction, Wi Ji-hye realized that Lee Kyu-seong’s food was no ordinary fare. Yet, she didn’t hold high expectations.
‘It might be delicious, but…’
After gathering the children and preparing the meal distribution, the moment they opened the lids of the containers holding the food…
“Gasp!”
“What is this smell?”
“Wow, it smells so good!”
The teachers, as well as the children who had been waiting, all gathered in astonishment.
“What on earth did you do to the food?”
“Rather than doing something special, it’s just my ability.”
“Ah! It’s Awakened Lee Kyu-seong’s ability!”
Referring to it as an ability, Wi Ji-hye immediately understood. Everyone then tried to swallow their drooling and began serving the food.
“Kyu-seong, can I have more too?”
“Of course. Eat with the other kids.”
While saying that, Kyu-seong leaned in and whispered quietly in Ara’s ear.
“I brought this for the kids, so try to eat a bit less. I’ll make more for you when we get home.”
“Okay!”
What Kyu-seong brought wasn’t just sweet potato candy. There were also sweet potato pizza and salad.
“It’s delicious! Wow!”
“What is this? I’ve never had such tasty pizza before!”
“Yum yum!”
It was quieter than expected because everyone was too busy eating to talk.
‘As expected from an Awakened’s ability!’
Everyone was silently caught between amazement and admiration.
“Kyu-seong! What exactly is this?”
“Pardon?”
“No, it’s just… this sweet potato seems different from what we had last time! The effects are different too!”
Jeong So-yeon, her eyes wide like a rabbit’s, hurriedly asked while simultaneously grabbing both the candied sweet potatoes and pizza.
[Magic Sweet Potato Pizza]
[Upon consumption, grants [Indestructible Body] for 0.5 seconds]
[Slightly increases resistance to all negative effects for 2 minutes]
[Prevents health reduction for 2 minute]
The overall effects were enhanced, and the Indestructible Body ability was added. The candied sweet potatoes had also undergone some changes.
[Magic Sweet Potato Candies]
[Upon consumption, grants [Indestructible Body] for 0.5 seconds]
[After [Indestructible Body] ends, grants Body Enhancement LV.3 for 1 hour]
The duration of the body enhancement was shortened, but the level was raised by two stages. Kyu-seong considered this a positive change, believing that having a definite ability to use at the right time was more advantageous than having a weaker ability for a longer duration.
“Kyu-seong, can I purchase these personally?”
“Of course, since we’re in the same guild. I’m actually planning to supply some to the guild.”
“Great! Honestly, not only do they taste good, but these abilities seem better than most buff items. These could become essential in dungeons!”
Having made money by synthesizing potions through liquid synthesis, Kyu-seong agreed with So-yeon’s assessment. His produce indeed had quite remarkable effects.
‘And those crops are growing in abundance.’
Most of them ended up inside slimes, but he believed that cultivating fields in the Dungeon of Gluttony could help stockpile some.
Dreaming of the future, Kyu-seong took a bite of the pizza. Slightly disappointed by the taste of the dough, he thought about making the bread himself.
‘Maybe I should learn baking.’
Before he knew it, most of the food he had brought was gone. Despite bringing plenty, seeing the almost empty containers made him feel proud.
“Ah, I’m so full.”
“But I want to eat more!”
“I’m just going to eat until I die.”
As the children expressed their satisfaction, lying down on the table, Director Wi Ji-hye approached Kyu-seong.
“This was truly an unforgettable party. I never imagined such delicious food existed. Awakened Lee Kyu-seong, you’re truly incredible.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed it. Seeing everyone so happy makes me happy too.”
As they exchanged warm conversations, a teacher approached with a puzzled expression.
“Director.”
“Yes, what is it?”
“There’s another guest.”
“Another guest? Who is it?”
“They said they’re from the Ara Hongryeon Guild…”
Naturally, everyone’s gaze turned to Jeong So-yeon. However, she looked equally confused.
“I just stopped by the guild earlier, and there was no mention of anyone coming…”
Muttering, So-yeon suddenly realized something and lifted her head.
“Oh!”
“Do you have any idea who it might be?” Kyu-seong asked.
So-yeon glanced around nervously before giving an apologetic smile.
“I told Team Leader 2 earlier that I was meeting you today. Maybe he figured it out and decided to come himself?”
“Hanul?”
As if to confirm Jeong So-yeon’s speculation, a loud, booming laugh rang out.
“Ha ha ha! This is great!”
“It’s true.”
In the distance, a figure was crossing the orphanage grounds, approaching them. But it wasn’t just one person.
“Oh, and that person…?!”
“Who…?”
A man with a physique just as imposing as Kang Hanul’s was approaching with a satisfied smile. Beside him was Guild Leader Han Seok-jun, looking exasperated as he followed along.
“Even the Guild Leader?”
“Gasp! Is the Guild Leader of Ara Hongryeon really here?”
Wi Ji-hye asked in shock, but Kyu-seong and So-yeon were equally flustered. Then, Jeong So-yeon shared another surprising fact with Kyu-seong.
“The person next to Team Leader 2, you might not know, but he’s Ino Junichi, an Awakened from Japan.”
“What? The Level 8 Awakened, Ino Junichi? The one who single-handedly destroyed a Level 8 dungeon in Japan?”
“Yes…”
Kyu-seong screamed internally.
Why on earth would such an amazing person come all the way here?!
Cliche Novel 