The Dungeon of Gluttony was being flooded with visitors.
Regardless of that, the mine continued operating diligently today.
-Clang! Clang! Clang!
-Clang!
The gnolls were working with much more fulfillment compared to before.
In the past, they merely dug tunnels and gathered food for their master, but now, they were extracting materials for their own homes, along with goblin-crafted furniture and decorative items.
Moreover, it made them proud to know that their efforts also helped Kyu-seong, who provided them with delicious meals.
-Clang, clang!
Even the intensity of the labor and the enjoyment couldn’t be compared.
With every dig, their hearts raced, wondering what material they would unearth, feeling as though they were discovering treasure.
-Clang!
A gnoll jumped up in joy after finding something.
Upon checking what had been caught on their pickaxe, it turned out to be a gem ore, a brilliant purple stone that Kyu-seong especially loved.
-Clang!
The gnoll proudly held up the ore, as if it had achieved something great.
All the other gnolls nearby looked on enviously.
-Clang, clang!
Soon, driven by the determination not to be outdone, the gnolls resumed working harder.
The gnoll that had unearthed the ore hurriedly grasped it and headed outside.
-Clang, clang!
As soon as it came out, the ore sparkled even brighter.
Just then, a goblin who had been sorting through materials clapped and rushed over.
-Kirik!
-Clang!
The two praised each other as they exchanged the ore.
Not long after, Mammon appeared, noticing the scene.
-Oh! You’ve mined a Starstone! And quite a large, high-quality one at that!
Mammon quickly inspected the ore, even donning spectacles made from minerals to examine it.
-The manifestation is also very high and clear. This is excellent.
Mammon, satisfied with the ore, smiled and then spoke to the gnoll who had mined the Starstone.
-As a reward, I’ll make you a piece of furniture or a decorative item of your choice!
-Clang, clang!
-Haha, something made personally by me? That’s for later. If you dig up an even more extraordinary mineral, I, the Goblin King Mammon, will make it for you myself.
As Mammon raised his nose proudly, the gnoll clenched both fists and shouted energetically.
-Clang!
-Yes, yes, keep working hard!
At that moment, someone with hands behind their back approached.
A dog in boots. It was Ras.
-If you dig up something good, he’ll make it for you personally?
-What’s this? Ras, are you interested too?
-Hmm.
Ras appeared to be deep in thought before heading toward the mine.
Without saying a word, Ras entered the mine, and Mammon followed with a grin.
-Well, since you’re the gnolls’ leader, you could just ask me, and I’d make something for you for free.
-I don’t ask for favors. I’ll pay the proper price and receive what’s due.
-Not saying no, though.
Ras grabbed a pickaxe and entered the mine.
Mammon, full of curiosity, followed, eyes shining with anticipation.
The mine was brightly lit thanks to the magic stones Kyu-seong had installed for lighting.
-Clang! Clang!
The gnolls joyfully swung their pickaxes, even humming a sort of labor song.
Of course, to human ears, it would just sound like “clang, clang!”
Ras ventured to the deepest part of the mine.
Once there, Ras touched the wall, checking something.
-Hmm, this spot should be good.
Though digging in an untouched area carried the risk of collapse, neither Ras nor Mammon was worried at all.
Ras was the gnolls’ leader, meaning Ras was the best at digging tunnels.
A digging expert like Ras wouldn’t intentionally cause a cave-in.
-Hrrmph!
Ras gripped the pickaxe, taking a stance.
The sight was so comical that it looked cute.
But as soon as Ras swung the pickaxe,
-KRAK!!!
A sound like lightning striking reverberated, and cracks spread across the wall.
With a forceful pull, Ras yanked the pickaxe out, causing the wall to collapse and crumble.
-Whoa!
Mammon quickly retreated to avoid the rushing wave of dirt and rocks.
The ground surged like a tsunami, with Ras standing firmly in the center, pickaxe embedded in the ground, parting the dirt like the Red Sea.
-Hmm! Not bad.
-What do you mean ‘not bad,’ you fool!
Mammon, having been buried in the dirt, popped out with a gasp, sputtering.
-Look. Isn’t this good enough?
-Huh?
As Ras insisted, Mammon, still confused, approached to take a closer look.
Soon, Mammon understood what Ras had been referring to.
-Wow!
Where the wall had collapsed, a huge cavern appeared.
Inside the cavern, unknown minerals filled the space, and in the center was something mysterious.
Something massive and round.
It looked almost like a slime in shape.
-This is・・・?!
***
“This… this is…?!”
The first words Ryu Cheon spoke upon seeing Ara.
She stared intensely at Ara, who was wearing a children’s swimsuit and even had snorkeling gear, with a shocked expression.
“Hahaha! It’s been a while, Kyu-seong!”
“Hello, Junichi. It’s been a while for Orie as well.”
I shook hands and exchanged greetings with familiar faces.
Yu Bihong, who had been watching Ryu Cheon with a sigh, smiled bitterly and greeted me as well.
“I’m sorry, Kyu-seong. I should have greeted you first, but seeing that….”
“It’s fine. Rather, I’m happy to see someone who loves Ara that much.”
“Thank you for saying so.”
“Well then, let me guide you inside. Please, come in.”
I led the guests into the dungeon.
As expected, Junichi seemed to have brought all his chefs, which made me happy as it increased the workforce.
I had been most worried about preparing food for everyone, but things were looking up now.
‘I feel a bit guilty about making the guests cook, but… Isn’t it a win-win situation? I get help, and they get to experience my dungeon.’
As we entered the Infinite Dungeon, everyone looked around in amazement. Even though there wasn’t much to see, their curious expressions were amusing.
“We need to go further in.”
“It’s nerve-wracking.”
Junichi, rarely showing such tension, nodded.
After passing through the garden on the first floor, where Rookies greeted us warmly, we headed down to the lower levels.
As we reached an empty field, Junichi asked while observing the surroundings.
“This looks like it used to be a field… the soil is so fertile. How did you manage to create such fertile land?”
“I used to grow crops here, but everything has moved now. The fertility… probably comes from my ability.”
Though, in reality, it was thanks to the slimes. But since handling slimes is also part of my ability, it wasn’t entirely a lie.
“There are even more surprising things further inside.”
Just then, Ryu Cheon, who was holding Ara in her arms, chimed in.
Junichi burst into laughter at her sudden words and nodded.
“Haha! I’m looking forward to it!”
Seeing them interact was refreshing.
A Chinese person and a Japanese person, having a conversation in Korean—it was quite a sight.
And for some reason, Ara was being surprisingly quiet.
Looking closely, she was snuggled up to Ryu Cheon, wriggling around.
‘How cute!!’
I tried hard to suppress my inner dad-mode and led the way.
Before long, the entrance to the Dungeon of Gluttony appeared.
“If you cross through this door, you’ll reach the area where our fields are. Would you like to go ahead?”
I stood at the back, watching each person enter one by one.
First, Ryu Cheon and Ara crossed through, followed by Yu Bihong, then the Japanese guests.
“Gulp.”
Junichi swallowed nervously.
Seeing this, Orie crossed through first, as if teasing him.
Since Orie had visited before with Jaeseong, she displayed the confidence of an experienced guest.
After everyone had passed through, I was the last to cross the door.
“Wow!”
“Ooh!!”
Expressions of awe, mostly in Japanese, erupted from all around.
Even Yu Bihong, visiting the dungeon for the first time, was wide-eyed, paying no attention to Ryu Cheon as she looked around.
‘Ahh.’
This moment might be the most thrilling.
As much as I enjoy people eating my food, there’s nothing more nerve-wracking and exciting than introducing them to my home.
“Well, shall we head to the village?”
“Village?! There’s a village too?”
“Follow me!”
Junichi got excited once again at my words, and though Yu Bihong didn’t say anything, the redness in her cheeks showed she was also quite excited.
As we admired the scenery and the small stream flowing nearby, the Slime Village came into view in the distance.
Since Junichi was a high-level Awakened, he must have seen it from much earlier, though he was clearly holding back the urge to rush over.
“Kyu-seong, did you know?”
“Know what?”
“I’m actually from a farming family in Japan.
So, I have a deep nostalgia for the countryside. I even go back home often to manage the fields myself.”
“Ah!”
“Even for someone like me, seeing this sight… how should I put it… it’s just so beautiful and deeply moving. Thank you so much for inviting us, even though it was such a sudden visit.”
“It’s nothing. Besides, you haven’t even fully enjoyed everything yet. I’ll accept your thanks then.”
“Hahaha! Understood!”
Seeing Junichi’s joy made me feel happy as well.
Before long, amidst the lively chatter, we arrived at the village.
It seemed like they had already seen us coming, as some family members and guild members had come out to greet us.
“Junichi!!”
“Hahaha! Hanul! How have you been!”
The two large men shook hands so vigorously that it almost felt like the air was vibrating around them.
“Hahaha! Is that all you’ve got, Junichi?”
“You rascal! How could you enjoy such a wonderful place all by yourself!!”
“Hahaha! Jealous, aren’t you? Jealous?”
Watching the two of them play around so childishly made me realize that men never truly grow up, no matter their age.
But then again, wasn’t this only Hyung’s second visit as well?
Still, it was nice to see them getting along so well.
“Would you like to look around a bit first? I wonder who should show you around….”
“Me! Me! I’ll do it!”
Ara, who had been calmly resting in Ryu Cheon’s arms, raised her hand excitedly.
Her cute enthusiasm made everyone smile and nod in agreement.
“Of course, of course. Our Ara should be the one to lead!”
“No one knows this place better than Ara, so she’s perfect!”
“Our Ara gives the best tours, you know.”
Ara’s pride grew with each compliment, and her shoulders and chin seemed to rise higher and higher.
I quickly decided before her ego could soar too high.
“Alright. Ara, would you lead the tour for us?”
“Yes!!”
“Great. I think I need to finish up a few more things here. Would that be okay?”
“Of course! There’s no one more reliable than Ara as a guide!”
“Thank you, Junichi.”
In reality, most of the work was done, and there were just a few final touches left.
Once I finished those, I’d be able to relax and enjoy myself with everyone.
‘Group hot springs, maybe?’
There were plenty of different kinds of hot springs, and the space was large enough.
Even with the people arriving tomorrow, there would still be plenty of room.
I’d heard on the way that Junichi had brought a new prototype of his latest alcohol.
He was still researching drinks with my ingredients, and I figured I should ask him to make something with some rice this time.
“Follow me! I’ll introduce you to the fields first!”
“Ooh! The fields! Kyu-seong’s crops!!”
Cliche Novel 
To the field!
tyftc
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