“Ara.”
It was the first word Ryu Cheon spoke.
Surprised by the unexpected and unimaginable word, our guild members, including myself, looked at her with wide eyes.
“H-how did you…”
Did the guild master or Hanul tell her? Or was it Jeong So-yeon? But everyone seemed equally surprised. It didn’t seem like anyone had informed her in advance.
“Oh! What is your name?”
“Ryu Cheon.”
“Ryu Cheon! My name is Ara!”
Watching the two naturally continue their conversation, I suddenly wondered how Ryu Cheon, who is Chinese, understood Ara’s words.
“Can I touch it?”
“Yes!”
It was Korean. Although her pronunciation was a bit awkward, Ryu Cheon’s Korean was good enough to convey the meaning. Soon, I could see the peculiar sight of Ryu Cheon crouching down and patting Ara’s head.
“What on earth is happening…?”
“Kyu-seong, have you ever been to China?”
“No, this is my first time.”
As I was whispering with Jeong So-yeon, a guild member from the skyscraper guild approached Ryu Cheon and whispered something to her. Ryu Cheon, who had been busily patting Ara’s head, then looked up to confirm with me.
“Hello.”
“Oh, hello?”
To think I would exchange greetings in Korean with the famous Ryu Cheon. At that moment, guild master Han Seok-jun curiously asked what we had all been wondering.
“I didn’t know you spoke Korean, Ryu Cheon. Do you know Ara?”
“YouTube.”
Ah! I was wondering how she knew about our Ara, and it turned out she had seen Seon-ah’s video!
My question was finally answered. Given Ara’s adorable appearance, it made sense that she was being admired, but I was curious how Ryu Cheon knew her name. Now it made sense.
“I’m learning Korean these days because of Ara.”
“Excellent!”
Hanul clapped his hands in delight.
“I didn’t know you were learning Korean, Ryu Cheon. How proficient are you?”
“I can understand most of it.”
Ryu Cheon answered in a blunt but unmistakably clear tone. Come to think of it, she was not only the youngest level 8 awakener but also known for her exceptional intelligence.
“Will you eat this?”
At that moment, Ara, who had been eating some Sweet Potato Candies, suddenly handed a piece to Ryu Cheon. Despite her expressionless face, Ryu Cheon’s body showed her excitement as she received the sweet potato.
“Ara’s sweet potato…”
“It’s delicious! You should eat it while it’s warm for the best taste!”
“Should I… eat this?”
It’s food, of course, you should eat it! Ryu Cheon seemed to regard the sweet potato in her hand as a precious souvenir.
“Let’s finish our greetings at the table. Everyone, let’s get our meals first.”
Because of us, people were waiting without receiving their meals. We quickly got our food and sat at our designated seats by guild.
‘This is quite blatant.’
Although it was a designated seat, it felt like the areas were divided based on the prominence of the guilds. Thanks to this, I could sit in the same area as the Skyscraper and Ino Junichi’s guilds.
“The smell isn’t the only good thing.”
“This is amazing! What on earth is this…?”
“I heard chefs from Japan also came, so maybe that’s why? Does it make such a difference compared to what we usually eat?”
“…I won’t return even after this expedition is over.”
With such a diverse mix of people, it was hard to understand what everyone was saying. Fortunately, Ara was providing occasional explanations, so I could get a sense of the atmosphere.
“Ara is amazing. She understands all the foreign languages.”
“Our Ara is pretty impressive, right?”
She even understands monster languages, so human languages are nothing to her.
Bzzzz—
I felt a persistent gaze.
Ryu Cheon, who had taken a seat directly opposite us, was constantly moving her hands and mouth, devouring food while still gazing at Ara. At this point, it was a bit intimidating. It was like seeing a blank-faced version of Seon-ah.
“Ahem, Bokkeum, let’s eat too.”
Trying to ignore the gaze, I took out Bokkeum and fed him. Usually quiet, Bokkeum would take out his stored food and eat on his own, but I just wanted to keep myself busy.
“A slime?”
“Gasp.”
When did she get here?! Ryu Cheon, who had been sitting across from us just a moment ago, was now crouching beside Bokkeum, watching him. And she hadn’t given up on her food, carrying her tray with her, amplifying her four-dimensional image.
“This is Kyu-seong’s familiar. Cute, right?”
“Yes.”
Jeong So-yeon, who had been eating, interjected. She looked so proud, as if she couldn’t wait to boast.
“This delicious meal is thanks to Kyu-seong, and Ara is also Kyu-seong’s familiar. Truly, Kyu-seong is a blessing to our Ara Hongryeon Guild.”
“Ha, haha. Th-thank you.”
Surprise worship—it’s always thrilling.
At that moment, Ryu Cheon suddenly turned her head and asked me.
“Is Ara also Awakener Lee Kyu-seong’s familiar? This slime too? This delicious food?”
“Yes? Yes, that’s right.”
“By any chance… the antidote too?”
“Ah, yes. Actually, that’s the main reason we came here.”
Her pronunciation was a bit awkward, but her Korean was excellent. Given a bit more time, her pronunciation might even become perfect.
“Ah!”
Suddenly, Ryu Cheon stood up and hurriedly walked over to where her guild members were. I was wondering why she was acting like that when someone drew everyone’s attention.
“Although we’ve been too busy to properly acknowledge it before, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the awakened individuals from other countries who have come to support us today.”
It was a Chinese awakened speaking. He addressed everyone in English so that we could all understand. Fortunately, I had received early education to become an awakener, so I could understand English to some extent—at least enough to listen.
“I want to express gratitude to the 13 overseas guilds and a total of 103 awakened individuals who have come here.”
“Wow!”
“Thank you! We have been able to hold on because of you! Although this crisis isn’t over yet, we will express our gratitude again when it is.”
“Thank you!”
“To all the awakened individuals who risked their lives to come here, we will surely compensate you once this is all over.”
We awkwardly nodded in response to the Chinese awakened’s words of thanks.
“Ahem! Well, this is all work we are being compensated for, so there’s no need to be so grateful!”
“Lower your smile, Team 2 Leader.”
Jeong So-yeon said, laughing at Hanul, whose twitching expression was quite the sight.
“Indeed, it seems everyone’s morale is up after eating something delicious.”
“Exactly! It’s all thanks to Kyu-seong!”
“Oh, there’s no need to go that far.”
My face was burning. I waved my hand and focused on my meal. But as I ate, I started to feel it really was thanks to me.
“This is fantastic.”
Ara’s favorite Sweet Potato Candies, potato pancakes, bell peppers stuffed with potatoes, sweet potato mousse salad with Alfheim honey, fried eggplant, and beef with onions and garlic I grew—each bite surprised me.
The ingredients were great, but it was also Jae-seong’s cooking skills that made everything shine.
Soon, the surroundings fell silent. The only sound was the quiet hum of people eating.
“Mm!!”
“Huh, how can it be this delicious…?”
Occasional exclamations of admiration could be heard.
For reference, we brought more than enough food. The supply of general ingredients we had been delivering to the guilds had been temporarily halted due to this incident, so we decided to use it all up this time. Of course, we were being properly compensated. The supply contract regarding this had already been handled by Young-seong.
“Mm!”
Ara chewed with a satisfied smile. Her crescent-moon eyes sparkled brightly.
“Ara, is it delicious?”
“Yes! As expected, it’s because Kyu-seong is Jae-seong’s brother!”
She started dancing happily. Unfortunately, the dance she learned at the orphanage was postponed, so she couldn’t perform it, but at least she could show it off here.
‘But why is she dancing like she used to, rather than what she learned?’
Ara was awkwardly wiggling while continuously eating.
“Ara seems to be in a good mood.”
“Haha! I’m in a good mood too! Let’s dance together!”
Ah, no, brother, please…
Before I could stop him, Hanul was already shaking his body next to Ara. I turned my gaze away, unable to watch any longer. I could hear soft murmurs of disapproval around us.
“Hahaha!”
“He! He! He!”
Regardless, the two of them were having an enthusiastic dance battle. They were quite a pair.
“Huh?!”
Ara, who had been dancing and eating for a while, suddenly perked up her ears and turned around. Wondering what it was, I looked in the same direction, but there was only the dining hall wall.
“Ara?”
“Oh! Mammon!”
“Mammon?”
While I was puzzled, Ara resumed her happy dance.
What was that just now?
Maybe it wasn’t important.
After the thank-you speech, Ryu Cheon returned and took a seat on the floor, watching Ara’s dance. Bokkeum, at some point, had nestled into her arms like a cushion.
‘…Should I gift her a slime?’
She was a notable member of the Skyscraper Guild and famous as the youngest level 8 awakener. There was no harm in getting acquainted. Plus, she seemed to really like Ara, which made me feel good. It was also my first time seeing a YouTube fan in person.
Tap.
“Hmm?”
“Are you Awakener Lee Kyu-seong?”
I turned to see a member of the Skyscraper Guild standing next to me, speaking fluent Korean. Maybe Ryu Cheon learned Korean from him?
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“I’m sorry for the sudden request, but could you spare some time after the meal?”
“Sure, but may I ask why?”
“We’d like to consult you regarding Miss Ryu Cheon’s chronic illness.”
“An illness?!”
An illness? The precious member of the Skyscraper Guild and the youngest level 8 awakener, Ryu Cheon?
* * *
Gasp!
Mammon, who had been grinning while inspecting the gold and jewels his subordinates brought him, suddenly shuddered. He quickly looked around.
-This presence…?
It couldn’t be.
But it wasn’t a mistake either.
-Guards!
-Kirik! You called for me!
-Has any reinforcements arrived from the humans’ side?
-I was about to report that! It seems a small group of humans arrived this morning!
-Hmm…
The sensation he felt a moment ago. If it wasn’t a mistake, it was undoubtedly the presence of one of the Seven Deadly Sins like himself.
‘Who could it be? And why are they with the humans?!’
Pride, Greed, Envy, Wrath, Lust, Gluttony, Sloth. They all shared the names of the Seven Deadly Sins, but the powers they possessed varied greatly. Some were monsters far stronger than himself. However, Mammon didn’t care no matter how powerful they were.
Except for the one Sin that was his polar opposite.
‘…It’s fine. Yes! As long as it’s not Gluttony, it doesn’t matter!’
Unfortunately, Mammon’s wish was completely off the mark. But unaware of this, Mammon shouted with a cautious expression.
-Tonight! We will raid their main camp.
-T-tonight!
-I will lead the attack myself.
-Y-you personally!
The hulking guard goblin responded with exaggerated surprise, not matching his large frame.
-I-is there a need for the great king to personally step in, Kirik!
-There is something I must confirm.
-Then I will make more thorough preparations!
The guard goblin hurriedly left the room to prepare. Mammon, trying to maintain his composure, soon slumped and slowly sat down in his chair.
-Hmm… This doesn’t feel right.
Cliche Novel 