Round 242

Prev | TOC | Next

“That’s how it is!”

Ara, who had rushed over, gently patted the head of the crying child. The blue-hued child flinched in surprise, looking up at Ara with wide, sparkling eyes.

Now that Ara was standing next to the child, it was clear—the kid was shorter than Ara. A little one next to another little one.

“Who… who are you?”

The voice was trembling with fear. As expected, it belonged to a frail-looking boy, matching his delicate appearance.

Even though the child was naked and lacked any distinctive features to determine gender like Ara, he gave off the impression of being a boy.

“I am Ara! Don’t you remember me?”

“Ara? I don’t know who you are.”

“??”

The child’s peculiar way of speaking was as unique as Ara’s.

Confused by the odd response, Ara tilted her head and then looked at me, clearly seeking help.

“Hello?”

I approached cautiously and greeted the little one. His eyes lit up in an instant.

“Dad?”

“Ha ha ha…”

Somehow, this situation felt familiar. It seemed this child, like Ara before him, also regarded me as a father figure.

Though a bit flustered, I’d built up tolerance thanks to Ara, so I comforted him naturally.

“I’m Lee Kyu-seong. What’s your name?”

“Uhh…”

The boy hesitated for a moment, fiddling with his hands nervously.

“I don’t know who I am…”

“You don’t know?”

He was a peculiar child who expressed his emotions and state of being in the form of “something is coming.”

Before long, the other kids gathered around, curious about the boy who had been called the ‘Azure of Apocalypse.’

“Whoa, he looks like Ara!”

“He didn’t look like this before. Did he change like Ara did?”

“Hello, hello!”

Surrounded by the sudden crowd of children, the boy sat down abruptly. Tears welled up in his eyes.

“Wuuuu…”

“Don’t cry! It’s okay, good boy!” Ara approached and patted his head.

The boy, who had been shedding tears drop by drop, looked up at Ara.

“I’m scared…”

“It’s okay! There’s nothing to be afraid of!”

“Scared… goes away?”

“Yes! Just trust me!”

Ara suddenly had a flash of realization, her expression brightening. She grabbed the boy’s face firmly.

“Huh?”

“I’m your big sister! Got it?”

“Big sister?”

So now there’s a new younger sibling, following Soo. Based on appearances, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call this one a younger sibling too.

Compared to Soo, they actually looked more like real siblings.

“Big sister!”

The boy suddenly threw himself into Ara’s arms. Ara patted his head, her face brimming with pride.

“Yes, I am your big sister! Did you see that, Kyu-seong Kyu-seong?”

“Huh? Oh, yeah. Our Ara’s a big sister now.”

Should we head outside for a bit?

Carrying both Ara and the boy in my arms, we stepped outside. Mammon, Ras, and Frey couldn’t take their eyes off the new child. Even the goblins and Gnoll, who were working nearby, showed interest in the new face.

Each time someone approached, the boy burrowed deeper into my embrace with a tense expression.

“Cheong, are you okay?”

“Hmm?”

Cheong tilted his head, looking at me curiously. Come to think of it, should his name just be Cheong?

“Cheong? Cholong? Which one sounds better?”

Since he was called the Azure of Apocalypse, we simply referred to him as Cheong for now, but I should start thinking of a proper name.

Still, the name feels a bit harsh. The Apocalypse—isn’t that the thing about end-of-the-world prophecies?

“How can someone so cute…”

Well, come to think of it, the other kids here are all demons representing the Seven Deadly Sins. Judging by Ara’s explanations, she’s openly labeled as the demon of gluttony, so I guess there’s no point being surprised.

“Are you Cheong now?”

“I’m Cheong, big sister? I feel curious!”

While I was lost in my own thoughts, the little ones were chatting amicably among themselves.

Cheong, now noticeably more relaxed, was curiously petting Ras’s fluffy fur, his eyes sparkling with wonder. Such an adorable little boy.

Unlike Ara, he didn’t have tiger-like ears.

‘Even without animal ears, he’s quite unique.’

His pale skin and dark blue hair already gave him an ethereal, dreamlike appearance. Although after the emergence of Awakened beings with unusual features, such appearances weren’t all that shocking anymore.

“How about Muwol? It’s a name I had in mind.”

“What about Raphael? Isn’t that cool?”

“He’s so teary, why not call him Drippy, Great Lord?”

It seemed everyone had their own ideas for Cheong’s name, as if they’d been waiting for this moment.

But since all of the names reflected their personal tastes, it was hard to choose one.

“Hmm, what kind of name do you want?”

When I asked Cheong, he looked up at me with eyes that seemed on the verge of tears. The sight tugged at my heartstrings.

‘Ugh.’

This is too much for my heart to handle!

“I like Cheong.”

“Alright, from now on, your name is Cheong.”

“Yay!”

Cheong beamed brightly, letting out a clear, joyful laugh. Ara, excited that a name had been decided, shouted happily as well.

“Cheong it is! That’s a good name!”

“It’s a good name. I feel happy!”

Growl.

At that moment, the familiar sound of a stomach rumbling echoed from Cheong. Ara had also been hungry right after she had materialized, hadn’t she?

“I feel hungry.”

Cheong’s face turned sorrowful as he looked at me, his expression heart-wrenchingly pitiful.

Everyone’s faces softened with empathy and fondness.

“We need to get him food, quickly!”

“There’s food in my village. I’ll fetch some right away.”

“Do you want honey?”

Cheong seemed to have become everyone’s little sibling. 

Watching this, Ara puffed out her cheeks.

“I’ll take care of Cheong!”

She shouted as if declaring her role as the big sister and then lifted Cheong into her arms with pride. She turned to me and said, “We’re going to the village, Kyu-seong Kyu-seong!”

“Uh, yeah. Let’s do that.”

I needed to introduce Cheong to Seon-ah anyway. Why not take everyone to the Slime Village and throw a small welcome party?

Gathering all the kids in my arms, we hopped onto Purr. It was big enough for everyone to ride.

On the way to the village, I debated whether to check Cheong’s status window. Being a slime, it should be possible, and I was genuinely curious about his abilities.

“Everyone’s here?”

Seon-ah, who had just finished organizing the World Tree mushrooms, was taking a break when she spotted us. She hadn’t seen Cheong yet, but as soon as she noticed the small boy in Ara’s arms, her eyes widened in surprise.

A child carrying another child—it was an unbearably adorable sight.

Cheong, who had closed his eyes against the wind while riding Purr, finally opened them, revealing his bright blue irises.

“Who’s this?”

“And who are you?”

“I’m Cheong. I feel scared.”

Cheong shrank back at the sight of a new face, his small frame trembling. But then his stomach growled again, and his cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

“I feel hungry.”

Seon-ah’s heart melted completely at the sight.

She swayed as if dazed, but her gaze remained fixed on Cheong until the very end.

“Oppa, I think you owe me an explanation. Where did you pick up this child from this time?”

“Pick up? Child…?”

Was he really a child of mine?

If I thought about it, as the Grand Lord of Slimes, all slimes could technically be considered my children. Hmm.

“Lee Seon-ahSeon-ah! My little sibling! It’s Cheong!”

“Ara’s sibling?!”

“Cheong is very hungry!”

“Being hungry is unacceptable! Oppa, let’s get some food, quick!”

Seon-ah hurried toward the storage area.

As she ran off, I called after her to grab something for the kids while I moved to prepare a proper meal.

While Seon-ah served fresh produce as appetizers, I’d cook up something more substantial!

In the meantime, word of a new family member seemed to have spread through the village, and slimes and Kkumuris started gathering around. Even GomGom and Soo tagged along.

“Ah, hello.”

Cheong, now out of Ara’s arms, bowed politely, and the slimes bounced around as if to welcome him.

“Alright, what would our Cheong like to eat?”

“What do you want to eat? Eat as much as you want, little brother!” Ara watched Cheong with eager eyes.

Not just Ara—Mammon, Ras, and Frey all gazed at him with excitement.

Seon-ah returned, having gathered just about everything available, followed by slimes carrying produce balanced on their heads.

Aren’t these little guys just too adorable?

“Uh…”

Faced with the mountain of food before him, Cheong looked more bewildered than anything.

Ara grabbed a carrot as if demonstrating.

“You eat it like this.”

With an energetic crunch, Ara bit into the raw carrot.

GomGom, inspired by Ara’s example, managed to pick up a sweet potato and bit into it. 

Crunch!

As the aroma of fresh produce filled the air, the other children, their appetites stirred, each grabbed something that caught their fancy.

Cheong watched for a moment, then picked up the nearest potato.

“It’s round and round!”

He examined it curiously before biting into it raw. His eyes widened in surprise, sparkling with awe.

“How is it? How is it?!”

Ara, still munching on her carrot, asked excitedly.

Cheong threw his hands in the air and shouted,

“It’s tasty!”

“It’s tasty!” Ara cheered alongside him, raising her arms in celebration.

Even GomGom joined in their little cheer.

Rooar!

“Yay! I’m glad you like it, Cheong!” Frey chimed in, sipping on a strawberry with a delighted expression.

Meanwhile, I was busy making stir-fried vegetables, candied sweet potatoes, steamed rice, and a mild soybean paste soup. My main goal was to feed Cheong, but with so many kids, it was going to take a while.

‘I need more kitchen staff… Cooking for all the kids alone is getting impossible.’

The Dungeon of Lust.

I’d have to visit it.

Bringing Mammon, Ras, and Ara should make it safe enough. If I recall correctly, Ashu was there. I must bring her here!

“Ta-da! The food is ready!”

I quickly served the dishes that were finished, starting with a large batch of stir-fried vegetables—the fastest to prepare.

“Bokkeum! (Stir-fried Vegetables)”

At Ara’s shout, Bokkeum tilted his head as if wondering if he’d been called.

The stir-fried vegetables, with their enticing aroma, lured the children, but they all waited, letting Cheong take the first bite.

“Are you waiting?”

“You go first, little brother!”

“Is it okay for me to eat first? I feel worried.”

“It’s fine!” Ara declared confidently.

Encouraged, Cheong cautiously reached out. Not knowing how to use chopsticks or a fork yet, he simply grabbed a handful with his hand.

Click!

Seon-ah, now standing off to the side, was snapping photos and recording videos.

Seon-ah, could you focus on helping the kids instead of acting like a paparazzo?

“Nom.”

With a soft, cute sound, Cheong popped some stir-fried vegetables into his mouth. His eyes widened again, and he exclaimed,

“It’s tasty!”

Prev | TOC | Next