“Whoo.”
“It’s finally over!”
I wiped the sweat beading on my forehead and looked around. The sight of the newly cultivated field spread wide before me. This place was the goblins’ residence, an open area slightly away from the mine. We had been gradually expanding it, and today we finally achieved the goal of creating a field of the desired width.
-Kirik!
-Kiririk?
The goblins, with curious eyes, helped Ara and me diligently. Thanks to them, we could cultivate a plain larger than the field in the Slime village.
“I hope winter ends soon!”
Mammon, covered in dirt, chatted eagerly with a face full of anticipation. Recently, Mammon had been making various items using minerals and was actively participating in creating the field, saying it was his duty to work in his kingdom. Despite his mischievous appearance, he was a diligent fellow.
“I’m glad winter is short.”
-Is winter usually long?
“Where I live, it lasts about four months.”
-What?! Four months! What do humans eat during that time?!
Mammon, who had no concept of seasons, was horrified and trembled with fear. In fact, the winter in the Dungeon of Gluttony was so mild that it barely counted as winter, and I was curious how he would react when he found out.
“We stock up on food in advance.”
-Aha!
“Anyway, let’s sow the seeds after winter ends. We have enough food to last through winter.”
The stockpiled food was starting to run low. Although 500 goblins didn’t eat much individually, the large number meant the collected crops quickly diminished. Of course, this would be solved once we sowed the seeds in this field after winter, and there were no issues with the lack of workers as we could utilize the goblins.
‘There will probably be fewer item crops in this field.’
Recently, I learned that slimes not only excel in farming but also play a crucial role in turning crops into items.
Especially, the crops managed by Mark2, who had agricultural skills, had a 100% chance of becoming items. Sometimes, the crops even leveled up, thanks to Mark2.
Therefore, I guessed that the fields with significant goblin involvement would have a considerably lower proportion of item crops. However, since we were cultivating mainly for food, it didn’t matter much if they weren’t items.
“I’ll assign some slimes to teach you how to manage the crops with the goblins.”
-The Great Lord’s grace! I will make sure all my subordinates learn it well!
I patted the energetic Mammon on the head. Having completed all the planned tasks on time, it was time to prepare to leave. Today was the day to visit the Ironblood Guild. Since I had already prepared the luggage the day before, I just needed to take Ara and Bokkeum with me.
‘I’ll also bring Seon-ah.’
We planned to meet halfway to the Ironblood Guild. I really missed having a car at times like this. I should consider getting one soon.
“Then we’ll be off now.”
-Already? You should at least have a meal before you go…
“Sorry, I have a schedule today. I’ve been busy lately, so I haven’t been able to take care of you much. I’m sorry, Mammon.”
-No, it’s fine! It’s only natural for someone like the Great Lord to be busy! I’m grateful for the attention you give us!
Despite his small stature, he spoke fluently. I smiled again, patted his head, and returned to the Slime village with Ara.
“Bokkeum!”
Ara took care of Bokkeum, and I checked if I had forgotten anything, then nodded.
“I think we’re ready. Shall we go now?”
“Yes!”
Ara held Bokkeum in her arms, and I held her other hand as we left the dungeon.
Boom, boom, boom.
Thud, thud, thud.
As we came outside, we saw the construction in full swing. My father was also there.
“Are you heading out?”
“Yes. Please take care, Father.”
“Don’t worry.”
In just a few days, considerable leveling work had already been done around my dungeon. Not only were they leveling the ground, but they also had to compact it, finish it, and connect the roads, so there was still a long way to go, but it felt refreshing.
“Oooo.”
Ara’s eyes sparkled as she watched the construction work.
It seemed to touch some romantic notion in her heart.
“I want to try it too. Thud, thud, thud!”
“You might have to do it when we build something inside the dungeon.”
“Oh! I’ll do it splendidly!”
I held Ara, who was mimicking construction enthusiastically, and we descended the mountain to catch a taxi.
We soon arrived at the place where we were supposed to meet Seon-ah, who was already waiting.
“Ara!”
“Seon-ah Seon-ah!”
Despite having seen each other the day before, they were excitedly chattering away.
Seon-ah took Ara from my arms, and we headed toward the Ironblood Guild.
“Ah, I’m nervous.”
“There’s nothing you need to do, so don’t worry.”
“Yeah, but I still feel anxious.”
I understood her feelings, considering she was my little sister and a bit of an awakening nerd.
Visiting the second-largest guild in the industry and meeting the president would naturally make anyone nervous.
As we neared the Ironblood Guild, a sense of strange excitement and tension filled the air.
Finally, the vast premises of the guild came into view, and like last time, someone was waiting at the gate.
“Oh! It’s Baek Seung-hyun!”
Seon-ah recognized him and murmured.
Just as she said, Baek Seung-hyun was waving at our taxi.
When we saw him last, he could move, but his complexion was pale and he seemed unwell.
Now, he looked fully recovered, with a healthy glow in his face, which was a relief to see.
“Kyu-seong, Seon-ah, and Ara, welcome to Ironblood.”
As soon as we got out of the taxi, Baek Seung-hyun greeted us warmly.
I responded in kind, noting his improved appearance.
“You look much better than when I last saw you.”
“Ha ha. It’s all thanks to you, Kyu-seong. I think I’ll be able to return to the industry soon.”
“You’re coming back?”
“I’m still considering it. After spending so much time bedridden, even though my body is fine now, there are other difficulties.”
Then Baek Seung-hyun extended his hand to Seon-ah, who was standing shyly next to me.
“Nice to meet you, Seon-ah. I’ve heard about you from Kyu-seong. I’m Baek Seung-hyun from the Ironblood Guild.”
“N-Nice to meet you. I’m Lee Seon-ah.”
She had turned into a perfect lady.
Seeing her like this made me want to tease her, so I grinned.
Seon-ah gave me a half-glare in response.
“Ha ha ha. You two seem very close. I’m envious.”
“Kyu-seong Kyu-seong and Seon-ah Seon-ah are very close!”
“That’s right. How have you been, Ara?”
“I’ve been well! I’m glad to see you healthy, Baek Seung-hyun!”
We entered the premises in a cheerful mood.
As before, a vehicle was waiting for us, and we soon headed to the guild building.
“I heard you’re here about Iron Blood Entertainment.”
“Yes, that’s right. Ara received a contract proposal.”
“Hmm, that must have been arranged by Director Kim Tae-yang, not my father.”
“Awakener Kim Tae-yang?”
“Yes, he recently became a director at Iron Blood Entertainment. He’s effectively the head of the entertainment division.”
“Huh.”
Bloodborne Kim Tae-yang, an entertainment agency head?
Of course, within the Ironblood Guild, Kim Tae-yang was the most active in entertainment activities. With his lively personality and cute appearance, often contrasted by his intense demeanor, he was an Awakener who had conquered advertisements, movies, and variety shows. Moreover, being a Level 8 Awakener, he was also the busiest person within Ironblood.
‘And now he’s the head of an agency as well… full of energy, that one.’
While I marveled inwardly and got lost in thought, we arrived at our destination. We headed straight to the Ironblood Guild’s meeting room under Baek Seung-hyun’s guidance.
“The president and director are already inside,” said the president’s secretary, who was waiting in front of the meeting room, nodding at me.
Inside, President Baek and Kim Tae-yang, whom I hadn’t seen since the orphanage event, were waiting.
“Welcome, Kyu-seong!”
“It’s been a while, Kyu-seong.”
I greeted them and took a seat, with Seon-ah following closely behind me, looking stiff.
“What should I do, it’s Kim Tae-yang,” I heard her whisper, and I suspected the Level 8 Awakener Kim Tae-yang heard it too.
When I glanced at Kim Tae-yang, he was looking at us with a playful expression.
“Ahem, ahem. Hello there,” Ara interjected at just the right moment. For some reason, she had adopted a solemn and serious demeanor, probably because I had explained to her beforehand that this was a contract related to her.
“Oh! So you’re the star of the day,” Kim Tae-yang responded playfully, and Ara nodded solemnly.
“I am the star.”
“…She’s really cute,” Kim Tae-yang remarked with admiration, making me feel proud. Our Ara was indeed very cute.
“Approved.”
“?”
What did he mean? I tilted my head in confusion at Kim Tae-yang’s sudden statement, and President Baek sighed deeply.
“Director Kim, I asked you to restrain yourself, didn’t I?”
“I’ll restrain myself from now on.”
President Baek gave me an awkward smile and apologized.
“Director Kim mentioned that he didn’t get a proper look at Ara during the last event and wanted to see her in person to form an impression. It seems she has left a positive one. I apologize for his somewhat capricious nature.”
“Oh, so you liked our Ara?”
I wasn’t too bothered by it. In fact, I was more struck by the fact that Kim Tae-yang liked her.
“Yes, I definitely want to sign her.”
“Thank you for the kind words.”
“Shall we start discussing the contract details then?”
Kim Tae-yang swiftly brought up the topic. However, I calmly took out Bokkeum.
“Are you in a hurry?”
“Hmm?”
As Kim Tae-yang looked at me and Bokkeum with a puzzled expression, President Baek and Baek Seung-hyun’s faces lit up with anticipation.
“We’ve cleared our schedules for you today, Kyu-seong!”
“Same here!”
Their enthusiastic responses made Kim Tae-yang’s expression even more peculiar. Seeing this, President Baek gently prodded him.
“Director Kim, you still have some time, don’t you?”
“Not much, but I can spare a bit.”
“Hoho. Director Kim, you haven’t forgotten whose goods you enjoyed last time, right?”
“But the contract…”
Kim Tae-yang, who always seemed relaxed, was unusually flustered. Perhaps things weren’t going as he had planned.
I intended to delay the contract a bit and first win them over with a bribe.
A bribe in the form of crops!
‘If you sign with our Ara, you can often enjoy delicious food.’
Once they realized that, they would likely agree to most of our demands in the contract.
Hehe. Even I thought it was a brilliant strategy.
“Kyu-seong Kyu-seong is smiling weirdly again. It’s been a while.”
Ara muttered, looking up at me with wide eyes. Smiling weirdly, Ara? This is all for you. Hehe.
“Alright, shall we have a quick bite and then discuss further?”
Cliche Novel 