A hotel located in Yeouido, Seoul.
Inside a private room, the leaders of South Korea’s top three guilds were all gathered.
Johann of Terror.
Baek Tae-seop of Iron Blood.
Han Seok-jun of Ara Hongryeon.
Ara Hongryeon, which had risen to the third place among guilds in South Korea, now had a status that arguably surpassed even that of Terror and Iron Blood.
Day after day, positive news articles about Ara Hongryeon were being published.
Not only were their achievements and contributions highlighted, but also their social service activities and charitable donations were reported weekly.
As a result, the public viewed them as a guild that, despite being the busiest, never neglected its warmth and generosity toward society.
However, ironically enough—
All of this was made possible thanks to Lee Kyu-seong.
The ability to clear more than ten dungeons a day, the funding for donations and social services—everything was made possible by Kyu-seong’s crops.
He had even set up an automatic system to donate a portion of his earnings.
“He once said he didn’t have many personal expenses.”
Han Seok-jun thought to himself, feeling pleased, hoping that more people would follow Kyu-seong’s example.
Meanwhile, the other two guild masters, wearing serious expressions, looked at Han Seok-jun, who was smiling brightly.
“You seem to be in quite a good mood after renewing your contract with Lee Kyu-seong.”
“Huh? Ah, haha. Well, I will make sure this new contract does not cause any major harm to your guilds. I’ll adjust things accordingly.”
“Sigh. It’s truly unfortunate. We somewhat expected this to happen, but it would have been nice if you had informed us beforehand.”
“Haha, well, that’s exactly why I invited you both here today. Let me reiterate—Kyu-seong personally entrusted me with ensuring that you two wouldn’t feel left out in the new contract.”
As he spoke, Han Seok-jun handed them the prepared contract.
Johann and Baek Tae-seop, who had been feigning indifference, swallowed hard as they read through the details.
“…This is…”
“Are you sure about signing a contract like this?”
Johann asked in a puzzled voice.
Han Seok-jun gave a troubled smile before responding.
“Even though Ara Hongryeon is achieving its highest performance since its founding thanks to Kyu-seong, South Korea is still struggling with an increasing number of dungeons that are not being cleared in time.”
“That’s true.”
“It’s a bit embarrassing to say, but the core principle I established when founding the country’s first guild was ensuring the safety of its citizens. Profit was never my top priority.”
“Hmm.”
Baek Tae-seop cleared his throat.
In the early days, Han Seok-jun and Baek Tae-seop had been close enough to form a party together, but their differing priorities eventually drove them apart.
As a result, Baek Tae-seop shaped his guild into a corporation that maximized profits, while Han Seok-jun maintained a smaller, community-focused guild.
Neither path was right or wrong—both had become indispensable to South Korea.
“This contract reflects our guild’s founding philosophy combined with Kyu-seong’s intentions. Ara Hongryeon will supply at least 70% of its crops to both Terror and Iron Blood. In return, both guilds must meet a minimum performance quota each month.”
“And how will the profits be distributed? I don’t see any mention of that in the contract.”
Johann asked, and Han Seok-jun smiled.
“The profits will be entirely yours.”
“Whoa. Isn’t that too favorable for us?”
“Kyu-seong’s crop production was too overwhelming for Ara Hongryeon alone to handle. Simply receiving the supplies benefits not just Kyu-seong but also South Korea as a whole.”
“Hmm, that’s true. Ara Hongryeon’s performance alone has significantly boosted the country’s dungeon-related exports. That leads to economic prosperity as well.”
Baek Tae-seop ran calculations in his head.
South Korea had been struggling to assert itself between China and Japan, both recognized as awakened superpowers.
However, thanks to Ara Hongryeon’s explosive growth over the past year, the country had finally begun to make a name for itself.
And now, if both Terror and Iron Blood joined in?
Of course, the key factor was Kyu-seong’s supplies.
“The contract includes details on the supply distribution.”
Kyu-seong’s production capabilities had grown tremendously—he could now deliver an enormous amount of crops monthly.
Having personally visited Kyu-seong’s dungeon, Baek Tae-seop knew that his production capacity would only continue to rise.
Lee Kyu-seong—his abilities were limitless.
It had only been two years since he signed with Ara Hongryeon.
In another ten years—no, just five—his production could increase three or four times over.
‘No, not just three or four times. If I exaggerate, could it even be ten times more?’
If that happened, South Korea would no longer be a minor player among awakened nations—it could become a superpower selling resources to others.
The idea that a single Awakener could shift the fate of an entire nation was somewhat terrifying.
But Baek Tae-seop and the other guild leaders knew one thing for certain—
Lee Kyu-seong was not an evil man.
In fact, he was one of the kindest people they had ever met.
Moreover, he had no greed—just an ordinary citizen who simply wanted happiness for himself and those around him.
“Speaking of which, I have something to share as well.”
Baek Tae-seop, lost in thought, took out an item and handed it to the other two guild masters.
It was unexpected, so they looked at him with curiosity before accepting the papers.
As soon as they read them, their expressions brightened, and they offered their congratulations.
“This is wonderful news. Congratulations, Director Baek.”
“That’s truly great to hear. I’ll make sure to attend.”
“Haha. Thank you, both of you.”
What Baek Tae-seop had given them was a wedding invitation.
His son, Baek Seung-hyun, was finally getting married.
His fiancée, Awakener Oh Min-joo, was about to officially become his lifelong partner.
They had delayed the wedding due to health concerns, but now that Seung-hyun had fully recovered and completed his rehabilitation, they could finally celebrate this joyful occasion.
“Have you told Kyu-seong yet?”
“Seung-hyun and I plan to personally deliver the invitation to him.”
“Kyu-seong will be delighted.”
This, too, was a future made possible because of Kyu-seong.
Had he not created the antidote, this future might have never existed.
“Seeing this invitation reminds me—thank-you messages keep arriving from all over the world. One day, I’d like to arrange for those people to meet Kyu-seong in person.”
“Ah, you’ve been exporting the antidote, right? I heard you’re selling it at nearly cost price after considering transport fees…”
“It’s all thanks to Kyu-seong. But we don’t sell it to just anyone. Buyers need to provide proof of poisoning.”
“Ah, I see.”
The once-tense atmosphere had completely thawed, replaced by a warm and lively energy filling the room.
That night, the three guild leaders spent hours talking—about Kyu-seong, about their bright future, and the countless possibilities ahead.
***
The Skyscraper Party leisurely returned home after finishing their dinner.
Ryu Wang-jin waved his hand casually, saying, “See you tomorrow.”
“I’m glad he liked it.”
Still, Yoo Bi-hong kept checking my reaction on his behalf and whispered to me quietly.
“Guild Master Ryu Wang-jin is extremely busy, so he won’t be able to visit often. From now on, we’ll contact you in advance before coming. I apologize for the intrusion today, Kyu-seong.”
Ryu Cheon, who was with him, also bowed her head slightly, expressing both gratitude and apology.
“It’s nothing. I’m just grateful to have gained such an adorable spirit thanks to you.”
Son Ogon. Our Thunder Monkey.
No matter how I thought about it, it seemed like a spirit born from Ryu Wang-jin’s abilities. The fact that lightning struck just as storm clouds gathered was proof of that.
It looked like our Son Ogon would be very helpful in the future. If we laid down electrical wiring, we could use Son Ogon to generate electricity without any trouble.
“Then, we’ll see you next time. Have a good evening.”
“Yes, take care.”
Seon-ah whined, insisting that she wanted to take Ara with her, but I managed to send them off with Yoo Bi-hong and Ryu Cheon.
“I guess I have to start calculating the estimates tomorrow.”
After the guests had left, my father spoke while looking at Son Ogon.
He was probably planning to design the electrical wiring.
Since things had come to this, I thought it wouldn’t be a bad idea to install streetlights in each village as well.
There were many places that required electricity.
Right now, life was in a strange mix of modernity and primitiveness, with some areas relying on mana stones and others remaining completely undeveloped. If we could introduce electricity, we could eliminate many of these inconveniences.
“A month should be enough.”
“That long?”
“It’s a large area. There are several villages, after all.”
“That’s true.”
“We’ll also have to install wiring in every house in Gonol Village so that people can live comfortably. But will this little guy be able to handle all that electricity?”
“Don’t worry about that.”
Ryu Wang-jin had already verified it thoroughly.
According to his assessment, our Son Ogon had power equivalent to a Level 7 Awakened Spirit.
At that level, providing electricity to an entire city wouldn’t even be a challenge.
“Hearing this really makes me realize how powerful high-ranking Awakeners are.”
If a Level 7 Awakened was this strong, just how powerful were Level 8 and Level 9 Awakeners?
There were plenty of them around me, but I had never truly felt the extent of their strength. Probably because I had never joined them in dungeon raids.
Son Ogon stayed behind on Sky Island.
I had planned to bring him down with me, but he stubbornly insisted on remaining up there.
Seon-ah and Yoo Bi-hong, who knew a little about spirits, said that Son Ogon probably needed time to adjust.
They also mentioned that even if I didn’t carry him around, I could summon him instantly whenever I needed.
“But am I really his master?”
There was no formal contract or anything like that.
Well, I could figure that out later. He listened to me well enough anyway.
“Kyu-seong, your dungeon is full of surprises. You never get bored, do you?”
“Haha. Thanks to that, every day is enjoyable.”
I supposed I should be grateful.
While Ryu Wang-jin was here, the other Seven Deadly Sins members and the Kyler family hadn’t shown up.
Just in case, I kept checking the mini-map to avoid them, but luckily, our paths never crossed.
“Is the hot spring still the same?”
“Of course.”
“Then I’ll go enjoy a soak!”
“Sounds good. Is there anyone you’d like to take with you?”
“I want to go with Bell, but I don’t know where she is.”
“Bell, huh…”
I checked the mini-map.
Bell was already at the hot spring with the other Seven Deadly Sins members.
They were all having a great time together.
“Looks like he’s already at the hot spring.”
“Wow, you can check that kind of thing?”
“Yes. I can see the locations of most of my familiars. At least, within this dungeon.”
“Amazing! I’ll head there right away! Do you want to come too?”
“Hmm… Ara, Cheong, do you want to go to the hot spring?”
When I asked, Cheong was already dozing off, and Ara was gently taking care of him.
“We’ll go a little later.”
“We’ll put Cheong to sleep first and then join you.”
“Alright. See you there.”
I left a slime and a Kkumuri with Jung So-yeon for protection, and we went to tuck Cheong into bed.
Looking at his drowsy face as he wriggled, getting ready to sleep, I felt a sudden urge to tease him—but I held back.
“Sleep well.”
“Yeah, you played a lot today, didn’t you?”
“Mm-hmm!”
As soon as we laid him on the bed, he quickly fell asleep.
Now, it was our turn to get ready for the hot spring.
We packed our pajamas in advance and happily made our way there, chatting along the way.
Upon arriving, we were met with a lively, bustling scene.
Slimes, Kkumuris, goblins, gnolls, rabbits, cats, fairies—and even our parents.
The Seven Deadly Sins were there, as well as Jung So-yeon, who had arrived earlier and was happily splashing around.
“Everyone’s already here except us!”
“Looks like we’re the last ones to join!”
Actually, it was natural—every night before going to bed, we would take a bath in the hot spring.
That way, we could sleep soundly and wake up feeling refreshed the next day.
Sometimes, like today, we would fall asleep instantly like Cheong, but that was the usual routine.
“You’re here! Ara, let’s play together!”
“Okay!”
Ara, now changed into her swimsuit, ran excitedly toward Jung So-yeon.
After sending Ara off, I finally got to relax and enjoy the hot spring in peace.
“Honey, don’t drink too much. You know it’s not good to drink alcohol while taking a bath.”
“Just one sip!”
As always, my parents looked peaceful.
A fairy had settled on my head, drying itself lazily.
“It’s so limp, like dried fish.”
Such a cute little thing.
Thanks to it, I felt my body relaxing as well.
It had been a tiring day—what should I do tomorrow?
First, I’d check the fields as usual…
Gloop.
“Huh? Oh, hey. Wait, you’re Headbutt, right?”
I almost didn’t recognize it at first.
Its appearance was so clean after the hot spring bath.
Gloop, gloop.
“Still training hard these days? Let me see.”
[Headbutt (Slime) LV.2]
-A normal slime.
-Liquid Synthesis Possible
Skill: Headbutt LV.5
…Wait, am I seeing this wrong?
Why is the slime’s level only 2, but its Headbutt skill is already at level 5?
“Come to think of it, I said I’d upgrade it to level 3 and forgot.”
I had been merging slimes regularly.
But since I was focusing on the ones nearby, the slimes from the mine area had naturally been neglected.
Wriggle, wriggle.
Before I knew it, a lot of slimes were floating around me.
Some I hadn’t seen in a while, while others I recognized from the fields.
Gloop!
One of them eagerly started explaining something to me.
“Huh? What is it?”
Gloop, gloop.
What? Apples?
What about apples?
“No way… It can’t be harvest time already.”
The apple trees had grown to about my height, but from what I knew, they still needed more time before bearing fruit.
Gloop!
“Alright, alright. Should I check on them tomorrow?”
Gooooloop.
The slime nodded in the water.
It looked adorably silly.
Alright, then. Tomorrow, I’d do a full check on the fields.
I needed to find out what was happening with the apple trees.
Now that I thought about it… I was craving apples.
Cliche Novel 