The Hidden Lake and Apple Orchard

As the stone wall crumbled, the cavern doubled in size. That's right—beyond the fallen wall stood another, encircling an even larger area. Han Ji-woo, who had thought the space was wide open on all sides, felt a twinge of disappointment, but it wasn't just about more land. As the dusty haze from the debris settled, a lake came into view, nestled boldly in one spot. Not far from it, an apple tree stood tall, proudly displaying its majestic form.

"Water! Apples!"

Han Ji-woo's eyes lit up. Ever since arriving here, he'd been chomping on dungeon weeds. Above all, he was parched. Pushing through the rubble, he rushed to the lake, plunged his face in, and gulped greedily.

Gulp! Gulp! Gulp!

"Ahhh!"

The water was incredibly refreshing and delicious. Whether it was safe to drink didn't matter. If he starved out of fear, death was all that awaited. Better to eat and die than waste away. After quenching his thirst, Han Ji-woo shook the water from his face.

"Man, it's been forever since I had water."

Gazing contentedly at the lake, he froze.

"...Huh?"

Fish were swimming inside! Above the heads of several palm-sized fish floated these words:

The cherry salmon from Hwacheon's festival—the one he'd eaten raw as sashimi and grilled on trips! It was delicious any way, but sashimi was the sweetest. And there they were, seducing him with their graceful forms in the lake.

Gulp!

Swallowing hard, he pondered how to catch them. But no matter how hard he racked his brain, it was impossible right now.

'Can't make a fishing rod or trap.'

No bait either. Reluctantly letting go of ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the fish, he headed to the apple tree. Its trunk was thicker than Earth's apples trees. Hugging it, it spanned about half his arm span. Branches drooped heavy with apples.

He desperately wanted to pluck one of those plump beauties, but he held back. Food was scarce here—everything had to be rationed. Gobbling apples now might leave him with only weeds later.

Turning from the apples, he returned to where the Dungeon Tree sprout had emerged. A question mark hovered above it—the mark of quests, objects, or creatures.

Staring at it, Han Ji-woo tapped it lightly. A quest window appeared.

"Oh, flower seeds!"

He didn't know what kind, but maybe edible flowers. Han Ji-woo jumped into cleaning. First, the dungeon weeds—uprooted and piled with the old heap.

After weeds, progress was still under half—the rubble was the culprit. He tackled it diligently. Not too heavy, but plentiful; it'd take time.

"All I've got is time here."

Work flies if you think positive, drags if negative. Mind-controlling himself, he hauled debris. Then—

Prick!

"Ow!"

A sharp stone shard sliced his finger like a knife. Blood trickled from the clean cut.

"My blood! Already short on food."

Grumbling, he tore dungeon weed to bandage it. Resuming, he eyed the shard closely.

"This could work as a knife."

Long, one edge sharp, the other blunt—perfect knife substitute. Might need it later, so he pocketed it. Back to work, separating sharp shards for tools.

An hour later, rubble piled, he was sweat-soaked.

Finally, stones—clearing the new space spotless.

Progress hit 100%, quest complete.

With the clear message, eight seeds popped from the sprout. He collected and checked them.

Three familiar, one new—Fireflower. Sunflower seeds caught his eye most. Two each meant a pair for pollination.

"Then I can eat sunflower seeds."

And replant for fields. "Lavender's scent is so nice. Calms the mind."

Perfect for fear in isolation. "Salvia—grown-ups called it salvia back home."

Gorgeous red flowers; sweet nectar from center leaves. "Fireflower? Whatever, grow first. Sunflower field here, lavender next, salvia, then Fireflower. Haha."

Imagining his flower fields, he grinned. The barren waste was becoming livable—his heart raced. Two days ago, lottery dreams shattered; now grateful for small things. Humans adapt.

"But... just plant in dirt?"

Plenty sun and water. No fertilizer, but "Apple tree's huge, so probably fine."

Soil soft, moist. No farmer, but seemed fertile.

"Let's plant."

Planted in planned spots. Covered seeds, fetched lake water—far though.

"Scooping by hand'll take forever."

Gurgle! ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠His stomach growled.

"Mealtime?"

Eyes on apples, tempting.

"Eat first."

Even Diamond Mountains after rice. Plucked three. Wash in lake, crunch skin-on.

Sweet juice flooded like waterfall.

"Mmm!"

Eyes widened. How long since an apple? Outside, he'd skip even offered fruit. Now, ecstasy. Crisp flesh, gushing juice—bliss.

'Begone, dungeon weeds.'

Gulp! First apple gone, message popped.

"Nice, nice."

Stamina now 16. Minor, but felt lighter, refreshed. Devoured second swiftly; one left. Too good to ration.

"Ahh~"

Bit in, paused, inspected. "Seeds are big..."

Grabbed stone knife, halved it.

Slice!

"Oh, cuts great."

Better than expected. Scooped flesh, left some on rind—apple cup!

"Perfect for water."

"Yes."

Light enveloped the cup, vanishing. Reborn sturdier, roomier, glossy like pottery—not fruit.

Water in cup, sprinkled seeds.

Splash.

Process done, praying for blooms—timers appeared.

"Yes!"

Two days to flowers! But he had a skill to shorten it.

Used on all seeds. No limit, but once per target daily—resets midnight. Timers shifted: 2 days to 1.5.

'Half day left today. Midnight recast halves again.'

One night to blooms. Anticipating tomorrow, he lay on weed mat, staring skyward.

"But... is it okay to relax like this?"

Watching drifting clouds. Fire-gazing: fire-mong. Water: water-mong. Clouds: cloud-mong. Mind blank—

Every 10 minutes, happy messages.

No monsters on Floor 2. Instead, this quest:

Skill ticket nice, weapon too—but food box desperate. Floor 1 energy bars gone. Needed food before hunger killed them. Haste caused 21 trap deaths. No stairs yet.

"Ara, how much left?" Mitchell asked Seol Ara.

Checking her near-complete map, she replied gently, "About a third unactivated."

"A third..."

Mitchell scanned the group. No real meals, morale crushed by losses. They'd collapse soon.

'If only food...'

Grind. Teeth clenched—

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

Han Ji-woo again.

"Who's Han Ji-woo?"

"Not important now! Something new!"

"Ara! Shared stuff showed on map before, right? What's this?"

Seol Ara reopened her map. Nearby: apple tree and lake icons.

"Follow me!"

Leading, she stopped at a grand apple tree and lake, welcoming the group.

"Whoaaa!"

"A-apples! Apples!"

"A laaaake!"

Cheers erupted; they snatched apples, guzzled water.

"Kuh! Sweetest apples ever."

"Haaa. Livin'. Water's so cool."

"Grab max apples and water! Down we go!"

Thanks to sudden bounty, 27th Heroes started comfier than priors.

"Han Ji-woo... really you?"

Seol Ara, quenching thirst amid crowd, wiped her mouth and murmured softly.