Reconstruction
"We've been together for so long~ My dear old home~"
Humming a melody that suddenly popped into my head, I stuffed all sorts of luggage into the turtle's shell. No doubt about it—the turtle might lack in combat power, but its utility was straight-up cheat-level. Turtle, you're the ultimate even for moving house...!!
Anyway. Excluding Gomdori, the balance among my four companions was spot-on. Nyangnyang handled pure firepower. Mae covered scouting and sub-firepower. The turtle managed defense and some utility. Penguin brought pure utility. So what power did the bear doll hold? Unfortunately, I couldn't check right now. After deciding to head to Haven, I'd leveled up other skills.
What had changed? The answer: I'd put another point into Rapid Growth. The skill description hadn't changed much, but the difference was tangible. It wasn't just faster speed—the yield had nearly doubled. That precious skill point investment was paying off big time. Seeing its massive effect, I started feeling confident I could feed not just Haven, but way more people.
"Feels like I could feed a thousand, even ten thousand people no problem?"
A sentiment like the country grandma who always packed me meals. Never thought I'd end up thinking like this. Who knows what the world throws at you.
"Butler, I brought the Eternity whatever-nyang."
The White Tiger returned loaded with fruit from the naturally regrown Eternity Forest Tree. Sadly, moving the tree itself was too much hassle, so we left it here. Someday, this place near my house might be filled with those trees. I'd sown the seeds here—for the future.
Likewise, we left the Bomb Flower farm as-is. If someone else took it, no big loss to humans. Just pack extra seeds.
I crammed all the front- and back-yard plants and essentials into the shell. Never been too attached to stuff anyway, so I skipped anything Haven could provide.
With prep done, I decided to walk with my companions for the first time in ages.
Before leaving my beloved home, I took one last look around. The house I'd lived in even before the apocalypse hit. Hadn't been here long, but without it, surviving in Seoul would've been tougher, right? Well, that's just an IF timeline. Who knows—maybe I'd have awakened as an EX-rank and become the universe's strongest Druid, obsessed over by the government and S-ranks.
"Makes me think staying in Seoul might've been better?"
Of course, assuming I just survived till awakening.
I'd have toughed it out somehow—my vitality's tenacious.
Anyway. A bit nostalgic, I wandered around, reliving the desperate memories of the past few months as I headed down slowly.
The familiar rural scenery unfolded along the path. No owners left in these houses now, but I passed slowly, thinking of the kind old folks.
Next, the outer road. Past fierce battle sites, I reached the spot where I first met Seola.
"Scored some cola here."
"I remember-nyang."
"Met Seola too."
What if I hadn't met her? No trade with Haven, and those people would've died, orcs swarming like the collapsed seawall—right to my doorstep. I'd have fled the house to survive. Worst-case scenario.
But I devoured them all, right? Didn't happen.
We wiped the orcs, reclaimed peace. How long it'd last? Unknown. But plenty of time to prepare.
Continuing along the outer road, the city came into view. No construction here yet, same as before. But no monsters? Pretty nice.
"Falconer, time to hide your form, perhaps?"
"Shall I?"
Truth be told, I'd considered revealing everyone. But the majority opinion was no. All from my companions, somehow. They wanted me to show my face to humans as little as possible.
"Monsters recognize the butler for a reason-nyang. If photos spread and one spots it, they might come here-nyang."
"This one agrees. Caution is wise. Master wields great power, but combat prowess is lacking."
Something like that. So we stayed hidden.
Why come this far to hide? Mae would've spotted any people en route and alerted me.
"Got it."
Mask and hood pulled low. Sunglasses from Seunghwa locked on tight.
Riding the White Tiger's back, we advanced slowly. Walking this silent city alone really drove home the apocalypse vibe. Past bent signals and collapsed overpasses. Through ruined building lots, into a park.
But not a tree left in the park. All burned to ash. Orc blood and filthy mana soaked the soil—no life could grow here.
"......"
But voices whispered from below.
"Hold up."
"Got it-nyang."
I dismounted, touched the ground. Fingertips sensed surviving seeds and roots. Life clinging on in this hell.
A strange emotion stirred as my mana seeped in, flowing to the plants.
Stimulated seeds sprouted; roots shot stems. Life blooming in the ruined city. Soon, the park looked almost restored.
"...This isn't Rapid Growth."
Not that skill. What power did this? Questions arose, but I shrugged it off. Good is good.
But people noticed the sudden grass—patrolling Awakeners and soldiers. Nice to see them splitting patrols evenly.
"...No way."
"Dru... Druid?"
I waved lightly to those who spotted me, remounted. Time to reach the new home before it got later.
The site for my new home was surprisingly the old city hall gate spot. Flattened to barren field. The gate void felt weird. Just days ago, desperate battles here.
Now, just a few humans and building materials behind them.
"They really erased the orc fortress without a trace."
"Utterly unbelievable speed."
I approached as guided, scanning around. No familiar faces. Wrong spot? As I turned to leave—
Someone waved from afar: Private Seunghwa Jeong. The maknae handling all the chores. But perfect pick this time—no one met me more.
He'd installed stuff at my house too.
"Ah, you came? Druid."
"This the place?"
"Yes. Wanted to give a nice house, but no intact ones in the city."
"Can't be helped. Orcs trashed everything."
"Thanks for understanding."
"But how do you build here?"
I got no fitting house, but building one overnight? Baffling. Figured they had an Awakener for it.
"I'll introduce you to the engineer."
Following Seunghwa to those folks. But they ignored my arrival, whispering among themselves.
What were they saying? Strained to hear—terms like materials, square footage. Nonsense to me.
"Ahem!!!"
Seunghwa cleared his throat loudly. They finally noticed, jumping.
"Dru... Druid!!!!"
"You're early!!"
Their enthusiasm made me step back instinctively. Glanced at Seunghwa: Explain.
He did, clear as day.
"Everyone here worked construction. They're the biggest help rebuilding Haven's city."
"Ooh."
Makes sense—designing a wrecked city from scratch would excite them.
"And this is the C-rank Carpenter Awakener."
"Carpenter Awakener?"
Makes sense after seeing that F-rank Laundry God on Ark.
"Kim Yohan."
"Hayun Seong."
Sudden gasps from everyone.
"I-Is that the Druid's name?"
"Eh, yeah?"
Military already knew; no secret. Plenty of Hayun Seongs out there.
"So when's my house done?"
"We were waiting to ask something."
"Ask?"
"See this empty lot?"
"Yeah."
"It's all for your house."
"...Huh?"
I whipped around—huge plot. Bigger than my old university campus? Like 4-8 soccer fields.
All mine?
"Ah, not the building itself. You needed farm space, so wide lot."
Old house yard was cramped. This? Could split Rapid Growth usage.
"We'll fence the perimeter. Okay?"
"Sure."
"Now, the house. What style? 2-story mansion, 1-story, villa, etc. Just say. No apartments."
"...Not big on that stuff. Something my companions can live in too."
"Got it. I'll handle."
Yohan stepped forward, slammed hands into the ground.
Whoosh—whoosh—building materials materialized in midair.
Where from?! Panicking, the house built in real-time.
"Move it!!! Move!!!"
Helpers grabbed nearby materials, detailing as they went. Seamless teamwork—house rose insanely fast.
Mesmerized, an hour passed.
Suddenly, a grand mansion stood before me.