Its size was roughly similar to that of a slime. In terms of herbs, it was quite plump.
“Woofy, put it down.”
Thunk!
As Woofy let it down from its mouth, the herb, which looked like a doll, energetically wiggled its chubby legs as it approached us.
“Whoa?! Who are you?”
-Kyuu!!
It still gripped an extra-large dog chew with its tiny hands. Now, I realized it wasn’t running towards us. Seeing the hole where the Millennium Ginseng was planted, it stuck its head into the hole and remained very still, as if pretending to hide.
“Does it think it’s hiding?”
With its head hidden, it awkwardly held the dog chew, which was both funny and cute.
No, now is not the time to think about how cute it is.
Could it be… is it the Millennium Ginseng?
-Sniff sniff sniff.
-Squeak.
Woofy came closer, sniffing and poking its nose as if protesting to get its chew back.
The herb, no, what was clearly the Millennium Ginseng, made a cute noise while still pretending to be an herb.
“Can I touch it?”
Ara was already touching it as she asked. Meanwhile, I pulled out the carrot juice I always carry and drank it just in case.
The Millennium Ginseng had become a monster. Last time, I received a notification saying it had gained spirituality. Could it be because of that?
Having drunk the carrot juice, which allowed me to see the monster’s status window, I examined the Millennium Ginseng lying prone.
[?? (Spirit of the Five Elements)]
[A plant that has gained spirituality. It has become a spirit. Be cautious as newly born spirits are very curious.]
[!!This is not an ordinary plant. The spiritual herb (靈草) has become a spirit, harboring a more powerful energy.’]
[Abilities: Five Element Circulation, Vitality Recharge, Spirit’s Blessing]
“Whoa.”
As I examined the explanation, I quickly took notes while marveling. Five Element Circulation? Vitality Recharge? What’s Spirit’s Blessing?
“Are you okay? Are you the Millennium Ginseng?”
The Millennium Ginseng wiggled its toes, perhaps tickled by Ara’s touch. By now, it was certain it was the Millennium Ginseng.
“Well, our Woofy lost its chew. Come here.”
Through Bokkeum, I retrieved another extra-large dog chew. Woofy expressed its joy, wagging its tail like a propeller.
“But how did you lose your chew to such a tiny thing? Oh, my poor Woofy.”
After tousling its fluffy fur and handing over the chew, I approached the scene where Mark2, Bokkeum, and Ara were still petting the Millennium Ginseng, hiding its head.
-Squeak.
“I didn’t bully! I never bully!”
It seemed like the Millennium Ginseng was saying not to bully it. But Ara, anyone would misunderstand and think you’re bullying it from this scene.
“What should we call it? Millennium Ginseng? Soo?”
-Squeak?
The Millennium Ginseng responded to my voice, cautiously peeking out of the hole with round eyes.
Judging by its appearance, it looked like a mascot one might see at an amusement park, and its behavior made it even cuter.
“Come here, little one. I mean, Soo.”
“Oh, its name is Soo!”
Ara, seeming to like the name I casually called out, started singing “Soo, Soo.” If I hadn’t named it, Ara might have named it Squeak.
‘Squeak? Not a bad name.’
However, the Millennium Ginseng still didn’t seem interested in coming out despite our calls. In the end, I decided to use a forbidden method.
“Bokkeum, are you ready?”
Bokkeum.
Understanding my words instantly, Bokkeum started taking out food, precisely, my crops.
I wondered if spirits eat crops, but we had already experienced spirits before. After all, the Kkumuris are spirits of purity!
“Well then, shall we have a snack first?”
“Snack? What about Soo?”
Ara swallowed nervously but was worried about Soo first. Ah, seeing our kind-hearted Ara made me feel emotional.
“Ara.”
“Hmm?”
I whispered quietly in Ara’s ear.
“If we start eating, Soo might get interested, and we can share food and naturally become friends.”
“Oh, wow! Are you a genius, Kyu-seong?”
Ara exclaimed with sparkling eyes. I chuckled awkwardly and roughly prepared the crops.
-Kuu?
Oh! Oh! It seems interested.
Before I knew it, the smell of my crops began to spread through the forest. Since I planned to eat without cooking, I just peeled and cut the crops to make them easy to eat.
“Let’s eat well.”
“Let’s eat well! Mmm~! This looks delicious! This is really tasty!”
Ara, who was unusually enthusiastic, exclaimed while holding the food. However, her gaze never left Soo.
-Squeak.
Finally, Soo pulled its head out of the hole. It stared blankly at the crops I had laid out and then looked at the dog chew in its hand.
-Squeak?
“Ahem! This is how you eat it!”
Crunch! Munch!
Ara began eating the carrot deliciously. The carrot juice splattered, quickly releasing a sweet aroma.
-Squeak Squeak!
Soo’s eyes widened in surprise. It trembled slightly and quickly shuffled over to us.
“Oh? Do you want to eat too?”
-Squeak.
“Hmm. Choose what you’d like to eat.”
Still carrying the dog chew like a beloved toy, Soo gazed longingly at the carrot Ara was eating.
“Do you want the carrot? Here it is!”
Noticing this, Ara promptly offered the carrot she was eating.
-Squeak.
“It’s okay. I can eat something else.”
Having received the carrot, Soo tilted its head, unsure of what to do while holding the carrot.
-Squeak.
“Gasp! Can’t you eat it!?”
“What?”
Can’t eat it?
What did Soo say to make Ara so surprised? I couldn’t understand what it said since we didn’t speak the same language.
-Squeak.
“Kyu-seong! Help! Help!”
“Uh, uh, okay, okay. What’s wrong?”
Nodding, I made my way over as Ara gestured wildly.
“Soo can’t eat hard things!”
“Oh, really? Should we make it into juice?”
“Oh! You’re a genius, Kyu-seong!”
I immediately pulled out another carrot from Bokkeum and blended it in a manual mixer. Gripping the handle, I turned it, and the carrot was soon finely blended. A lot of juice came out as well, and I strained the blended carrot to separate the juice.
After blending roughly three mini carrots, I collected just the juice, and Soo watched the sloshing orange liquid with anticipation.
“Here it is!”
Ara handed the carrot juice directly to Soo. Soo looked at the container holding the carrot juice and suddenly tipped it over its body.
“Huh?”
A carrot juice shower?
Surprised by Soo’s unexpected action, I jumped up, but seeing Ara clapping her hands, I sat back down.
Clap clap clap.
“How is it? How is it!?”
-Squeeeak!
Oh? Soo’s body looks plumper?
Of course, it was a subtle change. But seeing the carrot juice quickly absorbed as if it disappeared confirmed it wasn’t my imagination.
‘Its way of eating is unique.’
It’s still a plant after all!
Then Soo jumped around happily, and Ara, excited, started dancing too. Watching their awkward movements made me smile naturally. Is this what they mean by feeling happy just by watching?
“Haha.”
“Kyu-seong! Dance with us!”
-Squeak.
I ended up dancing with them. Of course, I had never taken dance lessons, so I was just as awkward as Ara.
“Kyahaha! Kyu-seong Kyu-seong is so funny!”
“Huh?”
-Squeak! Squeak Squeak!
Ara and Soo laughed at my dance. Am I really that bad at dancing?
‘I shouldn’t have underestimated Ara!’
I didn’t know I was a terrible dancer too! In the end, I took dance lessons from Ara. Soo watched from the side and mimicked us, with Bokkeum and Mark2 joining in as well.
“Hahaha.”
-Squeak.
Wiggle!
Bokkeum.
We all laughed as we watched each other. Aren’t you guys just too cute and adorable?
After the intense dance session ended, we returned to eating. I finely ground other crops and made juice to give to Soo. Each time, Soo would pour the juice over its body like taking a shower and relish it.
-Squeak~!
Soo smiled contentedly.
“Is it delicious? Is it delicious?”
-Squeak!
“Kyu-seong’s food is the best!”
Cute little ones.
I decided to mix the leftover crops into pancake batter and make savory pancakes. I didn’t intend to cook, but it would be a waste not to make them. I took out a burner and pancake batter through Bokkeum, mixed it with water, and added chopped onions and the ground crops.
Sizzle-!
Sizzle sizzle.
I poured the batter into a preheated pan. Soon, a golden, savory aroma spread.
“Hehe.”
Ara watched with a hopeful expression. I placed the finished pancakes one by one on a plate.
Wiggle~!
Bokkeum.
The slimes jiggled as they stared at the pancakes on the plate.
“Be careful; they’re hot. Oh, will it be okay?”
“It’ll be fine!”
As soon as the pancakes were made, they disappeared into the bellies of Ara and the slimes. Meanwhile, our cute Ara tore pieces of the pancakes and fed them to me as well.
‘Mmm!’
They’re delicious as expected!
Soo, watching from the side, showed interest.
-Squeak.
“Do you want to try it?”
-Squeak!!
Soo struck a powerful fighting pose as if facing a great challenge. As I flipped the pancakes, I watched as small pieces of pancake entered Soo’s mouth.
-Squeaaak!!
“Oh!”
“Are you okay?”
For a moment, I was surprised by the intense reaction, but Ara translated Soo’s response.
“It’s delicious!!”
Judging by the reaction, it seemed like Soo was tasting something with its mouth for the first time.
I suspect that Soo typically absorbs nutrients in liquid form, and tasting something with its mouth only allows it to experience the flavor.
‘Like the Alfeheims.’
Fairies can taste my food but still need the honey from the Meluca flower.
Of course, this is just my speculation, but it was a relief that Soo found it tasty. It could have felt it wasn’t delicious because its taste might differ from ours.
-Squeak, Squeak!
“More! I want more!”
“Alright. Let’s have a pancake party today!”
I took out five more pans and started cooking simultaneously. Once you get the hang of it, making pancakes isn’t too difficult, so it was doable.
-Squeak.
“I’m full!”
“…Huh?”
I was just about to start making more!
Soo couldn’t finish even one pancake and had to stop. Wow, you don’t eat much, do you?
“I can eat more!”
Wiggle!
Bokkeum.
It’s okay, Soo.
We have slimes with us!
The wild pancake party wasn’t over yet!
Cliche Novel 