While Kyu-seong was enjoying time with his family, the awakening industry was experiencing turbulence within just a day.
“What, what’s going on?! Suddenly, the Chinese side has canceled a large number of contracts and deals with the European Union?”
“Are we dreaming? Some major guilds in Japan are also showing suspicious movements similar to China’s.”
The headquarters of the Awakening Organization and the top guilds in South Korea were in chaos. The intelligence and information teams, who were monitoring the international situation, promptly reported the sudden events to their superiors, and the response was one of surprise.
“Hmm, it’s embarrassing. They moved faster than us.”
“Still, thanks to this, we have a reason to act. Let’s move.”
Soon after, the South Korean guilds also began to move as a group. Unlike China and Japan, they did not act openly but exerted pressure behind the scenes. The justification was the Awakener captured during the attack on Kyu-seong.
– Distribute shares of the dungeon raid profits to the guilds and Awakeners who were affected.
The demands were simple, but they were by no means trivial.
“What on earth is going on?!”
The European Awakening Union was already in a state of emergency due to the unexpected actions of the Skyscraper Guild and the mistake of the Dark Shadow agent. And with national-level sanctions beginning to spread among the Asian powers, they were caught off guard.
“That’s what we want to know! What is happening?!”
In the end, heads of state and representatives from various countries flew directly to the UK, voicing their frustrations. It was not easy to overlook the rare unity among the Asian powers, which typically didn’t collaborate so easily.
“We are analyzing the cause.”
“Analyzing the cause?! Is that all you have to say? Contact the Asian side immediately and find out what’s going on!”
Even Edward, who held the most influence within the Union, found the situation spiraling out of control. This led to infighting among the factions within the Union, who began to tear at each other viciously. Eventually, Edward lost his position and was expelled from the Union, replaced by a new representative from the UK.
All of this happened within a single day—less than 24 hours.
However, they still did not realize that the reason for the sudden actions of the Asian powers was all due to a single individual.
And that individual, who could be considered the cause of all this, was…
Crunch!
“Mmm! Despite its appearance, this is indeed a chili pepper! It’s just the right amount of spiciness, too.”
…happily eating a chili pepper.
***
“What’s this?”
After a night’s rest, we woke up the next day to check on the newly harvested chili peppers.
“It’s a chili pepper.”
“Isn’t it a paprika?”
Seon-ah looked at the chili pepper quizzically. After sniffing it, she confidently corrected herself.
“It’s definitely a chili pepper.”
“Is it spicy?”
“Yeah, just from the smell, you can tell it’s got a spicy kick.”
For reference, the item effect of the chili pepper was as follows:
[Magic-Infused Chili Pepper LV.1]
[When consumed, increases memory retention]
[When consumed, greatly enhances cold resistance for 3 minutes]
Not bad at all.
I’ve heard that in some dungeons, the environment is more challenging than the monsters themselves, so this crop’s effect could be quite useful.
In fact, I’ve heard that the crops I had casually supplied were performing remarkably well.
“I heard that the monster affinity effect of the Layla and the 0.3-second invincibility of the sweet potatoes have saved the day several times.”
I’ve also heard that the potatoes, which increase stamina and reduce hunger, have significantly reduced the burden of carrying food in dungeon raids.
It seems that even the crops I hadn’t given much thought to were turning out to be quite helpful.
“The taste is unusual.”
While confirming the effects of the chili pepper, Ara was nibbling on a red chili. The red chili was definitely spicier than the green one, and Ara described the spiciness as “unusual.”
“Let’s dry the red chili peppers and eat the green ones fresh.”
We decided to use a light exposure machine prepared for the chili farming to dry the red chili peppers. First, we spread out a mat and laid the chili peppers, which looked similar to bell peppers, in rows. Then we set up a metal frame over them and installed the machine. It was done in no time.
“You’re quite handy with this.”
“So, do I look like a professional farmer now?”
“You were already that a long time ago.”
My father waved his hand dismissively as he spoke.
While we were drying the chili peppers, Seon-ah briefly went to check on Pururuk, and soon after, some welcome guests arrived.
“Hello, Father! Mother!”
“(20≦)/”
“♡\(^U^~),♡”
It was Frey and the fairies.
They seemed busy after successfully cultivating Meluca, but they had come to cheer us on, carrying a bunch of fruits.
“Oh my, Frey, you’re here. And you little ones, too? It’s been a while.”
“And what are those fruits?”
My mother and father each reacted differently.
“It’s been a while! These are the fruits of a plant called Meluca!”
“Why did you go to the trouble? I could have come to get them myself.”
“Hehe, we were getting bored with nothing to do…”
Frey and the fairies scratched their heads awkwardly.
Come to think of it, this was perfect timing.
I called Soo, who was playing with Ara and Gomgom off to the side.
“Soo!”
– Sooo
Soo immediately responded to my call, waddling over, and seeing this, Frey was shocked.
– A plant is running over!
– (((;ᄆᄋ))
– (((;ᄆᄋ))
As Soo approached me, it looked in awe at the fairies flying around on the starlight bugs.
– Soooo
– Reveal your true identity!
Seeing these cute little ones together doubled the cuteness.
It was a shame that Seon-ah couldn’t witness this scene.
“Soo, it’s finally time for you to use your powers.”
-Soooo
“Okay, let’s start with the Five Elements Cycle! Ah, hold on a second!”
Soo had three abilities: the Five Elements Cycle, Vitality Recharge, and the Blessing of Spirits.
I hurriedly fetched an unfinished elixir from the storage and handed it over.
“By the way, the Five Elements Cycle isn’t some kind of attack skill, right?”
-Soooo
This isn’t going to work.
“Ara, translator! Please come here!”
When I called Ara, she quickly ran over, leaving whatever she was doing with Gomgom.
Gomgom, despite Soo and Ara leaving, stayed in place, wriggling diligently.
‘They say when kids are quiet, they’re up to something…’
For now, I let it be and asked Ara to translate.
“Translate this for me!”
“I’m going to ask Soo to use its powers now, can you ask if it’s an attack skill?”
“I’ll ask!”
As Ara immediately conveyed my words to Soo, Soo shook its head.
-Soooo
“It’s not!”
“Then what are the effects of the ability?”
-Soooo
“Don’t know!”
So simple and clear!
Watching this, my parents chuckled, while Frey wiped away cold sweat.
– My title as the cutest is in danger… What a terrifying plant!
Wait, you had a title like that?
After hearing Frey’s unexpected concerns, I asked Soo to use its ability.
“Let’s start with the Blessing of Spirits!”
-Soooo
The name seemed less dangerous than the Five Elements Cycle, so I chose it first.
And then…
[A Blessing of Spirits descends on the dungeon.]
[The probability of random effects occurring increases slightly for three days.]
[All living creatures in the dungeon are energized.]
[The chance of a bountiful harvest increases significantly for one week.]
“Wow, what is this!”
Everyone looked at me with wide eyes at my exclamation.
Ah, I guess only Awakeners like me can see this message?
As I explained the ability Soo had used, my parents and Frey stared at Soo in amazement.
“Soo, you’re amazing!”
– It even took my cheering job! What a scary plant!
Soo seemed perfectly fine after using the Blessing of Spirits.
For such a remarkable ability, it didn’t seem exhausted at all.
“Soo, when can you use the Blessing of Spirits again?”
-Soooo
“I can use it once a month!”
Ah, I see.
Since it’s an ability that influences the entire dungeon, the cooldown was understandably long.
But considering the effect, it was a good deal.
“Alright, now for the big one: the Five Elements Cycle!”
-Soooo
I also wanted to try out Vitality Recharge, but the name was so straightforward that I could guess its effects.
So, I was most excited about the Five Elements Cycle.
-Soooo
“Where should I use it?”
“Oh, it’s a targeted ability!”
I immediately pointed at the unfinished elixir.
If it fails? I can just make another one!
Saaaaa
A divine aura quickly gathered.
Something resembling leaves, whose origin I couldn’t discern, wrapped around the elixir bottle, and soon, tiny flames, small water droplets, and earth-like particles floated around it.
And then…
Plop!
The tiny elements slipped into the bottle.
“Oh?”
Everyone was quietly watching this fascinating scene, but as I glanced around, I noticed Soo confidently putting its hands on its hips.
-Soooo
That pose—looks like it learned it from Ara.
“It’s done!”
“Really? Let’s check it out!”
– Gulp.
A tense moment.
I slowly examined the elixir.
[Elixir of the Five Elements]
[A mysterious potion imbued with the energy of the Five Elements.]
[Upon consumption, greatly increases affinity and resistance to the Five Elements permanently.]
[Upon consumption, can heal critical injuries. (Once per day)]
[Upon consumption, removes all debuffs. (Once per day)]
“Did it work?!”
Though it didn’t have the same impact as when Soo was a millennium-old plant, the important thing was that this could be mass-produced.
Of course, we’ll have to wait for winter.
‘Being able to make a potion that can save a life every six months!’
If you looked closely, the number of effects was fewer compared to the Millennium Ginseng, but if you considered each one individually, the effects were actually better.
– Is it, is it done?
“Yeah!”
– Should I drink it right now?
It was a monumental moment.
But wait a second!
“Hold on, should we call Seon-ah too? I want everyone to see this together!”
– Of course!
I asked Woofy to bring Seon-ah and Mammon over. It didn’t take long before the two arrived together.
“Hello, Mammon!”
– Lord Overlord, at your service!
And Pururuk came along too?
Commander Pururuk and Kongkong, who both looked much more lively than when I first saw them, were nestled in Seon-ah’s arms.
– Ah, ah… Lord Overlord’s parents!
Mammon, who hadn’t been told about my parents, was startled upon seeing them. Flustered, he ended up hiding behind Ara. Quite unexpected.
“Hello there, little one? You must be Mammon?”
“You seem to rely on Ara a lot.”
When my parents extended a hand first, Mammon shyly peeked out.
Then Ara grabbed Mammon and presented him.
“Say hello!”
– Uh, ah, hello!
What a cute little one.
Seeing this, my parents seemed to enjoy Mammon’s endearing awkwardness, smiling warmly.
– Focus!
Frey, who had been distracted, gathered everyone’s attention.
Everyone turned to look at Frey.
– I will now awaken!
“Awaken?”
Oh, Seon-ah had just been brought here by Woofy, so she didn’t seem to know what was going on.
“Watch closely. Frey might soon be able to fly with her own wings.”
“Really?!”
And finally.
Frey began to drink the elixir.
Then a clear change started to appear.
Flash!
A brilliant light burst forth from Frey.
Pop!
Cliche Novel 