Chapter 41
Chapter 41
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: Heavenly Peach Cave
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The cunning that clutched at the enemy's leg, wailing for his life, yet schemed to use the Irregular for revenge.
The composure that didn't utter a word of vengeance against me even after his comrades' deaths.
The audacity to overcome his fear and cling to me, all for his conviction in the power of money.
'Even if war breaks out with the Demon Realm, this guy's got what it takes to survive for a good long while.'
He possessed the bare minimum qualities needed to make it in hell.
"You think you'll make a fortune if you cozy up to me?"
At my question, Kwon Hyuk-sang nodded vigorously without a moment's hesitation.
"Yes, bro. I just have a gut feeling. And my instincts about money have never been wrong."
Right now, I had sources of big money flowing in, and with my regression knowledge, endless ways to earn more.
'This guy's got a real nose for it.'
True to his [Merchant of Tenacity] trait, Kwon Hyuk-sang's scent for cash was spot on.
"Do whatever you want."
"For real? Thanks, bro...!"
At my permission, Kwon Hyuk-sang bowed deeply to me.
Thanks for what?
It's not like you're earning the money just by tagging along.
"We're here, bro."
Following Kwon Hyuk-sang while hunting golden monkeys, we'd arrived at our destination before I knew it.
"It's in there?"
I gazed at the massive cave yawning open like a dark maw.
"Pretty amazing, right? I was shocked too when I saw that huge tree inside a cave."
The Heavenly Peach Tree, as expected.
I'd figured it would hide in some unassuming spot away from prying eyes, but inside a cave?
And as we neared the cave, the golden monkeys that had been stalking us for a chance to attack suddenly vanished.
As if approaching this place spelled disaster.
"What now?"
"Wait out here? Or come inside with me?"
After pondering my question for a moment, he replied.
"If I tag along and it targets me, that could put you in a tough spot, right?"
Pretending it was for my sake.
And he was under a huge misconception.
That I'd save him if he got in danger.
"So I'll wait here. But bro."
"Got any money?"
"Why?"
"Buy some recovery potions from my vending machine. What if that skeleton healer in there runs out of mana?"
Kwon Hyuk-sang glanced at Sia as he spoke.
'Not a bad point.'
Having recovery potions could only help, never hurt.
"How much?"
"Five million won each."
Should I kill him?
"Who carries five million won around in Utopia?"
A million was the norm at most. For stocking up on supplies before heading out to hunt from a portal city.
"Figured as much, so I was gonna lend you some. Heh!"
As if he'd anticipated my response, Kwon Hyuk-sang pulled out a thick stack of fifty-thousand-won bills.
I eyed the cash and asked.
"This okay?"
"What?"
"Buying your items with your own money. Doesn't that let you level up forever?"
This seemed like a systemic exploit. Hard to believe it was just a high-grade trait.
"Oh? Money put into the vending machine doesn't come back to me."
"The system takes it?"
"Yeah. And I can't buy from it myself."
Fair enough, then.
High-grade trait through and through.
"Stay here. I'll pay you back slowly when I get out."
I stared at the money he'd offered and spoke up.
"You brought this up assuming I was broke from the start, didn't you?"
This "loan" to help me.
Unless I planned to eat it and run, I'd have to contact Kwon Hyuk-sang back on Earth eventually.
"You caught on?"
In other words, accepting this money meant our connection was locked in.
"I've got sharp instincts."
Kind of cute, in his own way.
His relentless effort for his goals.
"I'll pay you back double on Earth."
"Knew it! I smelled the money on you!"
Kwon Hyuk-sang grinned.
"Alright, summoning the vending machine now, bro!"
He stretched his right hand out.
With a puff! and a puff of smoke.
"This is it, bro."
A vending machine identical to one selling sodas appeared—Kwon Hyuk-sang's machine.
I stepped up to it.
Only one item.
A long bottle filled with red liquid.
"Recovery Potion. D-grade?"
I read the label below.
Made sense that better potions unlocked with levels.
But the key question now.
"How effective is this? Just D-grade?"
I needed the exact effects of my own [Recovery Potion (D)].
"Won't reattach broken bones, but it'll stop bleeding from wounds and heal them right up."
"That much power, and it's D-grade?"
It rivaled a decent heal skill, yet only D-grade?
Shouldn't a trait this strong be hero-grade at least?
"But it hurts. A lot."
"Hurts? How bad?"
"Anyone who's tried one swears never to use it again, even if wounded."
Hero-grade revoked.
Pain like that fit perfectly for a D-grade recovery potion.
Looking closer, this guy's trait.
Seemed impressive at first, but always missing that one crucial piece.
"Where do I put the money?"
Kwon Hyuk-sang pointed with a fingertip.
"Press the black button on the bottom right, bro."
I did as instructed.
A large slot popped out, demanding bills.
Five million won: a hundred fifty-thousand bills.
If it were a normal vending machine slot, it'd take all day to feed them in.
I loaded the bills into the slot. It retracted, and a red light lit up on the [Recovery Potion (D)] button.
I pressed it firmly.
With a thunk! like a soda dropping, the potion fell.
I reached into the small door at the bottom and retrieved it.
"System-made, so the bottle won't break, bro. Stick it in your pocket, no worries."
Kwon Hyuk-sang added as I examined it.
"Got it. Anything else?"
He looked flustered at my glance.
"If you wanna get friendly, cough up more. I gotta survive to make that money, right?"
An Irregular.
Honestly, even at my level, I wasn't sure if I could handle it.
Unlike the Fire Dragon in the hidden dungeon, calibrated to my strength.
'Might have to bail mid-fight.'
So seeing Kwon Hyuk-sang's recovery potions, which I hadn't even considered.
"No other items? Think hard, man."
I got greedy for anything else useful.
"Uh, well... nothing else, bro. My level's too low..."
Did I come off too scary?
His cheerful face had stiffened noticeably.
No wonder. I'd butchered five humans in front of him in seconds.
He'd been playing upbeat on the way here, but he couldn't help fearing me deep down.
'Mustering courage for the money.'
We hadn't known each other long enough for him to be sure I wouldn't kill him outright.
"Fine, cheer from here then. I'll be back."
Seemed like no other items anyway. No point wasting time.
"Huh? Oh! Go get 'em, bro!"
I left his mix of relief and surprise behind and stepped into the cave.
"Finally, I can speak. This was stifling."
As we ventured deeper, As settled by my side and spoke up.
On the way here, Kwon Hyuk-sang had bombarded us with questions thanks to Sia's healing skills and As's intimidating form.
What my trait was. If As had other abilities like Sia. How such skeletons even existed.
Of course, I hadn't answered.
Along with strict orders to As not to speak.
'If I'm not killing Kwon Hyuk-sang, this is the way.'
If he learned As could converse normally with humans?
Post it online after returning to Earth, and it'd be a headache.
Every attention-seeker would hunt for my identity.
That'd restrict all my actions.
'Another Hyeon A-rin situation would be a pain.'
My environment for quiet kills would vanish.
People's attention was poison to me.
"One thing first, As. If you judge it too dangerous, pull out immediately."
I cautioned him without breaking stride.
In case my judgment lagged and As got destroyed.
"Worry not, human. Worry more for yourself. If you're in peril, I'll have no choice but to shield you, even at the cost of my life."
A summon's fate: protect the master at all costs if they're in danger.
No matter if a constellation, borrowing a summon's body with spirit on Earth—they couldn't escape the summon's yoke.
"Almost there."
Deeper in, the dim cave began to brighten.
I masked my presence and advanced cautiously.
The passage widened, revealing a vast cavern.
'Found it.'
A colossal tree blanketed in pink leaves.
Its roots gripped the stone ground firmly, exuding an eerie aura of ancient longevity.
'That's the Heavenly Peach Tree.'
The Heavenly Peaches I'd never encountered in my past life.
Four fist-sized, pure white peaches gleamed before my eyes.
'Guess this cave's light comes from it.'
Covered in a soft glow, radiating presence.
I halted short of the peaches, scanning the surroundings warily.
Searching for the monster monkey Kwon Hyuk-sang mentioned.
Tap! Tap!
Sia nudged my shoulder.
I followed her slowly extending finger.
Up on the cavern's pitted wall.
A monkey-like Irregular crouched motionless, perhaps asleep.
Opportunity?
No need to hesitate.
No point testing waters and wasting time. Move now, before it woke.
I signaled As and Sia to wait, then crept silently toward the tree.
The cave was deathly still.
I planted my heels first, minimizing noise with each careful step.
Enduring the tension.
'Thirty steps left.'
I'd reached right before the Heavenly Peaches.
'One for me, sell the other three. Should cover an S-grade sub-space skill.'
Heavenly Peaches had no benefit beyond the first. No stronger skills from extras.
'Ten steps. Almost there.'
Things falling into place too easily.
My bad luck must've ended with that Great Reversal Pill...
"Lee Han bro—!!!"
My name echoed off the cave walls at this critical moment.
'Is this bastard insane?'
What the hell made Kwon Hyuk-sang scream for me like that?
Just wait quietly outside.
"Lee Han. It's coming."
As's voice from behind. I looked up.
The awakened Irregular leaped from the wall toward the ceiling.
With a heavy thud, it landed squarely before me in an instant.
A gray-furred monkey over two meters tall, standing upright on two legs, stared down at me.
Utterly different species from the golden monkeys.
"Human. Stealing my peaches like a thief? Die."
The Irregular bared killing intent and swung a massive fist without hesitation.
Fierce whoosh cutting the air toward my face.
No time to gauge its power. No time to flee.
'Gotta clash head-on.'
I entered the slowed world.