Chapter 137
Chapter 137
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 137
Chapter Title: Chapter 25: Sprouting (6)
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That memory showed the creature absorbing a massive amount of mana pouring toward it.
The bright field of vision meant it had just emerged from the mother's body. Right after birth?
‘Why is it showing me this?’
As I eyed it suspiciously, a sudden thought flashed through my mind.
To confirm, I first examined the corpse of the dead mother.
Sure enough, there was no milk.
‘Maybe it’s not female?’
No, the pups’ condition was too raw for that.
The umbilical cords hadn’t even been cut, and the blood on their bodies had simply dried as is.
‘Well, hermaphroditic or whatever... there are all sorts of variables.’
For now, it was undeniable that this dead one had given birth to the pups.
But no milk? So how had it originally fed them?
‘No way... it feeds them mana?’
That’s why the mother had poured out mana before dying?
They did squeal and wriggle in a way that looked an awful lot like begging for food.
To test, I let some attribute mana flow outward.
My mana flowed into one of the living pups.
A moment later, when I pulled it back like scraping it together, the flow cut off abruptly.
“Squeak, squeak, squeeee!”
The reaction was almost immediate.
The pup began thrashing pitifully, squealing in distress.
When I released the mana flow, the thrashing stopped, and when I cut it off again, it wailed desperately.
‘Bingo.’
Unlike typical mammals suckling milk from their mother, these things seemed to feed on mana.
Injecting a decent amount wouldn’t cost me much anyway.
So I kept channeling attribute mana steadily.
The thing, smaller than my fist, guzzled it eagerly.
Its desperate gulping made its will to survive crystal clear.
Then, at some point, no more mana flowed in.
Like it was full and couldn’t eat another bite.
It had stopped squealing too, so its belly must really be stuffed.
I quietly watched the pup wriggling lazily on my palm, as if it were its bed.
‘If I leave it like this, it’ll die.’
Freshly born and unable even to walk properly.
Left behind, it’d be monster chow in no time, one in ten thousand chance otherwise.
‘Should I take it with me?’
I’d considered absorbing its mana to figure out what that white dot meant.
But if it was some unknown type of mana, no need for me to guinea pig it.
‘It’s not big enough to be a threat yet.’
Watching it until I knew what it was didn’t sound half bad.
“Tch.”
Clicking my tongue briefly, I picked it up and stood.
I wasn’t thrilled about the unexpected companion.
‘A pup’s gonna be a handful.’
Training and hunting already ate up my time—now this?
I shot it a reluctant glance but pulled a spare towel from my inventory and wrapped it up anyway.
‘No choice.’
Its mystery outweighed the hassle for now.
Once I figured out what it was, I’d decide whether to absorb it or not.
Cradling the bundled pup, I left the area.
* * *
“That concludes everything.”
Jordan smiled as I signed the final contract.
Only then could I stretch with a long yawn.
‘Real estate dealings are a pain anywhere you go.’
Not grueling, but exhausting and tedious once done.
Transferring ownership of a two-story building for our party’s base fit the bill perfectly.
Especially since we were outsiders, making procedures a bit more convoluted.
But it was decided, so we pushed through the annoyance.
All legal steps wrapped up on the fifth day after the main scenario ended.
At least in regions under Perel Kingdom law, we were in the clear.
With the contract done, the broker and landlord rose to leave.
As Jordan saw them off, I inspected the interior.
‘Size is plenty.’
We’d accounted for recruiting more members, so space wasn’t an issue.
Bellego’s vault, spoils from system-recommended missions.
We’d poured in our hard-earned funds without skimping.
‘Location’s prime too.’
Close to the temple route and not far from the merchant district.
‘Natural light’s a bit lacking.’
But we wouldn’t be here much during daylight anyway.
Nodding in satisfaction at our new digs, I felt Jordan approach after the others left.
“I heard you’re heading back home for a bit starting today.”
I nodded agreeably.
“Yeah, before the advance.”
The front lines, split into three main sectors, had decided on further pushes southward from Habon Castle in the south.
Destination: Billea Castle, two weeks west. Final date set for half a month from now.
‘Internal decision two days ago, so...’
That left 13 days until the next main scenario.
A firm timeline made planning easier.
Top priority: return to Earth.
‘Clear out all personal business this time.’
Yang Tae-ho needed to donate a liver to his wife, for one.
So we scheduled a full week for returns starting today.
‘Surgery in two days, five for recovery.’
Plenty for players.
Reconvene in Bihar in a week for war prep.
‘Might as well—I need a trip too.’
Servers linked over five months ago.
Jong-hoon and I had agreed: every six months if alive.
Next main scenario would lock us in for months, so now was the time.
Robole to Habon and beyond—advances planned in sequence.
Large-scale wars loomed ahead.
Perfect window.
Yang Tae-ho and Kim Yul had already headed to Earth.
I was just delayed by the building contract.
At my mention of returning, Jordan rummaged in his bag.
“Then this...”
It was a hefty stack of papers.
“Investigation results on the shelter you found earlier.”
“Oh.”
The underground bunker near Bicheta Castle.
“I’ve added notes for anything you might not know. Should be straightforward, but if there’s anything unclear, just comment—I’ll reply promptly.”
“Thorough as always. Thanks.”
“I should be thanking you.”
Pushing up his glasses with a soft smile, Jordan continued.
“The shelter you discovered will be used by the Order’s forces under our management. Ideal spot for a supply warehouse.”
Palawo owned it, Order used it.
‘No freebies there.’
Even other orders charged Palawo for aid.
No such thing as charity between them.
Harmony, sure—but competition and checks too.
Seeing Jordan so pleased meant Palawo scored big on that bunker.
‘Steady revenue stream secured.’
We’d handed it over for exactly that. Good outcome.
Palawo’s growth meant gains for me too. Time to nurture it.
“Glad it worked out.”
I replied flatly, stowing the papers in my inventory.
I’d check them on Earth.
“I’d love to see you off, but I must meet the smiths right away...”
“Don’t worry. See you when I’m back.”
Temple first for Earth return.
His bringing the report anyway clued me in—he had other plans.
“Thanks for understanding. Safe travels.”
Never planned a send-off anyway, so goodbyes were brief.
After Jordan left, I shouldered my pre-packed bag and headed to the temple.
Standing before the gate I’d used countless times in Bihar, the map popped up as always.
Bihar’s map, black expanses dominant despite more colors now.
Normally, I’d pick Bicheta or Robole.
But today, my eyes drifted elsewhere.
[Return to Earth]
Bottom-left of the map, edge of vision. Untouched since servers linked.
I’d deliberately ignored it.
Feared I’d crave return if I went.
Focused on life here to avoid that.
Now, steeling myself for a long-overdue trip, I felt a mix of nerves and awkwardness.
Deep breath before departure—I hit the button before I could hesitate.
[Return to Earth? (Y/N)]
Yes.
Light flared across my vision.
[Moved to Earth.]
Familiar yet strange effects; eyes blinked open to a new system window.
[Congratulations on your safe return!]
Beyond the bold text, modern furniture and computers—Jong-hoon’s lab.
The space felt a tad alien now.
I opened the desk’s second drawer.
My pre-departure belongings sat neatly preserved.
Grabbed my phone, waited for it to boot, and stepped to the window.
Grayer skies than Bihar’s, cars on asphalt, dense skyscrapers.
Over twenty years of this view, yet it felt foreign.
Staring to readjust, I noticed the thick coats on passing people.
Time since I left hit home.
‘Five months...’
Left in early June heat; returned to late November chill.
Phone confirmed the date. I froze there a bit.
Reality I’d taken for granted now needed time to sink in.
Ten minutes or so passed.
Re-entering my distant world, I finally called Jong-hoon.
But talking proved tough.
『Ah... Professor Seo’s in surgery now. Can’t connect.』
“Got it. I’ll leave a message.”
With him operating, I texted my return instead.
No time to dawdle.
Packed up and left the lab.
Once clear of the hospital, I pulled out the other phone from my bag.
Dialed the sole saved number.
‘Wonder if he’ll pick up.’
Longer rings than expected fueled doubts.
‘Changed numbers?’
Then I’d track him down and set him straight.
Rings dragged; my steps quickened down the hall.
Luckily, no need for that hassle.
The line cut, a stiff voice answering.
『Hello?』
Damn System