Located in Huam-dong, Seoul, the headquarters of the Awakener Association of Korea. Since the headquarters was established, many things have happened, but there has never been a situation like this.
“Hmm…”
In the headquarters’ conference room, Director Jeon Young-joo, who was sitting at the head seat, listened to the report along with a PowerPoint presentation. She sighed as she looked at the data.
“This is unprecedented.”
“Yes, it is.”
“So you’re saying that this was all caused by just one Awakener?”
“That’s correct.”
The conference room was filled with many employees. The reason why they were all gathered here today was because of the Ara Hongryeon Guild. The guild’s unprecedented growth was unlike anything seen since guilds first appeared in Korea. Not only in performance but also in stability and efficiency, it had reached the top in the country. Initially, the headquarters had dismissed this as a temporary boom, but now it was different.
“All indicators have not only maintained for a full six months but have even grown. Is this even possible?”
Although she questioned the situation, there was no denying the figures and information. In reality, Ara Hongryeon was currently conquering dungeons across the nation. For the headquarters, which had always struggled with numerous difficult dungeons, this was like rain during a drought. However, Director Jeon Young-joo was taken aback by this sudden change.
While Jeon Young-joo was rubbing her head, Team Leader Kim Ho-jin, who was next to her, handed over another document.
“This is an Awakener named Lee Kyu-seong.”
“Hmm, suspected dual awakening…”
It was not merely suspicion; it was almost confirmed. No one gathered here doubted the dual awakening.
After briefly skimming through the report, Jeon Young-joo nodded and spoke.
“A farming ability… it’s something I’ve never seen before.”
“The important thing is that the produce from this ability are items.”
“…And he has already made contact with Skyscraper?”
“According to our investigation, they are already working behind the scenes to recruit him. There’s even news that they’ve prepared residency rights for him.”
“That’s fast.”
Jeon Young-joo secretly wiped away a cold sweat. Although she had heard about Kyu-seong’s existence from time to time, she had been too preoccupied with the dungeon of Avarice and the European Awakener Union.
However, when the European Union contacted her about Kyu-seong’s items, it became an urgent matter.
“I didn’t pay enough attention… it was a mistake.”
But calling it a mistake wasn’t entirely accurate because Kyu-seong had been acting freely until now, thanks to Ara Hongryeon’s incredible protection. Ara Hongryeon had been taking care of him so discreetly that even Lee Kyu-seong himself didn’t notice.
However, with Ara Hongryeon’s performance, the reputation of the crops gradually began to spread, and their connection with the Iron Blood and Terror Guilds naturally came to light.
“We must protect him as much as possible, even now. We can’t stop domestic guilds from competing, but letting him go abroad would be a huge loss.”
“It’s possible that many guilds within China have already noticed due to their connection with Skyscraper. Moreover, there are reports of a link with Ino Junichi of Japan, as his brother works at a restaurant under Junichi.”
“Hmm.”
Jeon Young-joo groaned in frustration and held her head.
The only consolation was that the European Union and the United States were still unaware of Kyu-seong’s existence. The European Union might have an inkling about the existence of crop items, but they still didn’t know who owned them.
“With the presence of Awakener Lee Kyu-seong, our country might become the center of a storm.”
Another team leader from across the table expressed this opinion, and Jeon Young-joo fully agreed.
“It’s too late for us to intervene now. Trying to hide it at this point would just be like covering one’s eyes and pretending not to see. All we can do now is prepare for the approaching storm.”
“I’ll first make contact with Ara Hongryeon.”
“Yes, and if I can meet Awakener Lee Kyu-seong, I’ll go see him personally. I need to establish some kind of rapport and have a conversation with him. Contacting the European Union comes after that.”
Jeon Young-joo, along with everyone at the Awakener Association, thought the same thing. If anything went wrong, they could all be dismissed. In fact, it wasn’t just about dismissal; if Lee Kyu-seong’s presence was taken overseas, it would mean losing a talent that could elevate Korea’s status.
“Protect him at all costs, even now!”
It was a moment when everyone, from the director to the newest member, shared the same thought.
***
After an unexpected meal, we returned to the dungeon. Honestly, I wanted to have a meal with the first and second team leaders, but they are such busy people that it’s hard to meet them unless they find time to see me.
“Well, everyone seemed satisfied, so…”
I felt proud for no reason. Of course, at first, everyone seemed to freeze after experiencing the effect of the Golden Carrot Soup, but I repeatedly emphasized that it was an item I couldn’t cultivate, so they should understand. Actually, it didn’t matter what they thought. If they misunderstood, it would only enhance my value.
“Hey, we’re back.”
-Neigh.
-Woof!
As always, we were first greeted by Purr and Woofy. Come to think of it, I decided to make dog chews for Purr, and now that I have some time, I should try making them. I found that some dog chews are made with grains, so I just need to figure out how to make them.
-Pant pant pant.
Purr shrank to the size of a dachshund as I petted it. When I stopped, it grew to the size of a retriever. It was always fascinating and amazing to see this ability.
“As expected, it’s not just any high-level monster.”
It could control temperature and was strong, making it a very reliable companion for us.
-Haha.
“Oh, did it come with you?”
Hearing the familiar cries, I turned to see Kkumuris sitting on Woofy’s back. It wasn’t so much riding as just being there, as if it had merely followed along. Such a sight was part of Kkumuris’s charm.
Kkumuris’s leisurely attitude was close to my ideal, fitting for someone like me who dreams of a laid-back life.
-Haha.
“What’s going on?”
Kkumuris and Ara suddenly started a conversation. I couldn’t understand, so I waited quietly for Ara to interpret.
“Do we need to go a little slower? Is it a surprise?”
“Surprise?”
Gasp!
Could it be another star-rated crop?!
But it didn’t seem like that. From listening further to the conversation, it seemed like they were building something again in the Slime Village.
Seeing them making something on their own, landscaping, and constructing buildings was quite impressive. Ah, the Goblin Village construction needs to start soon too.
-Haha.
“Can we go now?”
Finally, we got the okay sign.
Riding on Woofy’s back, we headed to Slime Village. What could they have prepared?
“Hmm?”
“Oh!”
When we arrived at the village, there wasn’t anything as spectacular as I had anticipated. There was just a peculiar clothesline-like structure connecting the buildings. Hanging on the clothesline were blocks of meju (fermenting soybeans) placed on straw to ferment.
‘I know that’s how they do the second fermentation.’
But already?
As far as I know, fermenting meju takes quite a bit of time. The first fermentation alone takes months, so why are they hanging it like that?
“Sniff sniff! What an interesting smell! Is this doenjang (fermented soybean paste)?”
Ara quickly ran over to smell the hanging meju. Having already tasted the doenjang stew made by my mother, Ara seemed full of anticipation.
“Let’s see. Oh? Is it fermented?”
I thought, “Could it be already?” It looked and smelled as though it had fermented properly.
Of course, I wouldn’t really know since it’s my first time making meju, but I did study quite a bit about making it.
“Hmm, this smell… it’s certain.”
I nodded, pretending to be an expert. Seeing this, Ara’s eyes sparkled with admiration.
“You knew just from the smell! As expected, Kyu-seong Kyu-seong is amazing! So cool!”
-Haha.
Come to think of it, these adorable creatures are even managing the meju by themselves. At this rate, I really might become a honey-sucking bee, just like my father said.
‘But the fermentation time was much faster than I expected. I’m not sure how the second fermentation will go, but it seems like the time will be shortened even more.’
By rough calculation, it seemed that the meju might be completed by the end of this month.
Doenjang! Doenjang!
Of course, it’s right to judge by tasting it. Since it’s meju made from my crops, it might not taste like the familiar doenjang we know.
Still, the smell was quite satisfactory. Also, considering crops like garlic or lettuce, there are some whose taste doesn’t differ much from Earth’s, so there was room for expectation.
“I should buy jars in advance.”
To turn meju into doenjang, it needs to be placed in a jar. This way, I could naturally make soy sauce as well.
And it would actually be nice to have red chili peppers.
Meju isn’t the only ingredient that goes into the jar; water, dried red peppers, dried jujubes, and charcoal are also needed.
Among these, assuming I buy dried jujubes as a commercial product, the rest could be sourced from here.
‘I should try making charcoal from the branches of the World Tree!’
Wow. I wondered what charcoal made from the World Tree would feel like! Just thinking about it made me excited.
“I can’t wait. Let’s start the chili pepper farm right away!”
“Oh, we’re farming chili peppers!”
Ara cheered and ran ahead.
I followed and stopped by the seed storage to gather chili pepper seeds and the light-exposure device provided by the guild through Bokkeum.
I had planned to start right after winter ended, but I was a few days late. It doesn’t matter! We can start now!
The field for the chili pepper farm was already prepared. All that was needed was to plant the seeds.
Ara and I planted the chili pepper seeds according to the designated plots. The land was about 2,000 pyeong (approximately 6,600 square meters), and although it seemed expansive, in terms of actual farming on Earth, 2,000 pyeong would hardly qualify as a farm.
‘But my crops yield an incredible harvest even on small plots of land!’
I really couldn’t argue against the saying that I was sucking honey.
“Cough!”
Suddenly pricked by my conscience, I clasped my hands together and bowed to the ground.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m giving thanks to all the farmers around the world.”
“Oh! I’m doing it too.”
Ara followed my lead and bowed beside me.
After briefly giving thanks to those who would never receive it, I took the device out from Bokkeum.
“Whew, it’s fortunate that I’m an Awakener. It’s quite heavy.”
The device was designed to be installed on the ceiling of a greenhouse. Conveniently, I had some leftover steel frames I bought over the winter, so I installed them all in the chili pepper field.
Since the machine is powered by magic stones, I was a bit worried about the maintenance cost, but I heard it was surprisingly efficient and not much different from using electricity.
As I installed the machines here and there, I started to realize that I had become a level 2 Awakener.
‘My stamina and strength have improved!’
The improvement was noticeable. If this was the case at level 2, just how strong were people like Hanul, Si-young, or Ino Junichi, whom I met regularly?
‘That’s why they can defeat monsters.’
Thinking about it again, I was glad I chose farming. Just imagining fighting monsters made me shiver.
Squirming!
I saw slimes that had approached and were wandering around the chili pepper field. Watching them roll around was both amusing and adorable.
Squirm!
“Hello, Mark2. I’ll rely on you here, too.”
Mark2 gestured as if saluting and headed into the field.
Now, the chili peppers are done.
Should I practice making charcoal with the World Tree wood now? Or should I make dog chews first?
“Either way, I need to check the internet!”
Let’s go out and start by searching online.
Cliche Novel 