169. Treasure (2): The Ocean's Jewel, Dragon Saliva Fragrance
Dragon Saliva Fragrance. It's a stone formed from the feces or stomach stones of sperm whales. It looks like an ordinary rock at first glance, but true to its name as the ocean's jewel, it boasts an insane value. Back in my world, even regular ambergris went for about 4 to 5 million won per kilogram, and since chunks are usually big, we're talking hundreds of millions. But if it's from a mythical creature like the Sky Whale? Forget selling it. It's an asset scholars would hoard for research, and being "mythical" means you couldn't even put a price on it—not to mention the backlash if you tried.
YasaengGrill) Okay, priceless makes sense, but it's just used as a fragrance, right?
Olfather) We'd need more research to know for sure, but that's the baseline. Coming from a Sky Whale, it must have some special power infused in it.
YasaengGrill) Like attracting ants?
Olfather) Less something like that, more something suited to a Sky Whale. Maybe exceptional purification properties.
The mention of purification abilities gave me pause. Even if it had them, what would I use it for? There might be other powers, but discovering them would take forever.
Can't just leave it sitting around, though.
I had a sub-space bag, but it still had weight, and the bag wasn't infinite. It was definitely valuable and good stuff, but utterly useless to me. I let out a dry chuckle at the irony, then decided to deal with it later.
YasaengGrill) I'll think it over slowly. It's tricky figuring out where to even offload it.
SunForever) Can't you give a little to me?
YasaengGrill) You know how to use it?
SunForever) As fragrance. I'm just really curious. Want anything for it?
YasaengGrill) Nah, nothing in particular. I'll break off a bit for you. Just watch out for bugs.
Grills, why not just chop it up and auction the pieces?
Sounds good? It's useless to you anyway.
YasaengGrill) Not right now. Got some experiments in mind. Plenty of time, no rush. Plus, I've got an idea.
Watching those ants swarm the Dragon Saliva Fragrance sparked it. If ants went nuts for it, wouldn't fish schools do the same? Might be irrelevant, but... you never know. Olfather would probably bang his head on the floor in lamentation, but whatever.
Olfather) Using Dragon Saliva Fragrance as fishing bait? That's some batshit insanity, but I'm intrigued.
YasaengGrill) Not mad? Figured you'd be bummed.
Olfather) You already gave me a piece. And I'm curious too—what'll bite? Others probably are as well.
Yeah, who fishes with whale shit lololol
Not even regular whale shit. Mythical whale shit lolol
What kind of life does Grills even live?
Fly life?
That was brutal lolol
Why? Fly life fits lolol
Surprisingly curious reactions. Well, no one else could pull this off but me. I inspected the sponsored fishing rod carefully. It looked bamboo-made, no reel for line length—just old-school tech limits. Still sturdy enough; that'd do.
Title) Off to Fish
YasaengGrill (fishing rod pic and pic of using Dragon Saliva Fragrance as bait)
Gonna try this as bait. Wonder what'll bite?
Cheonma) This lady predicts you'll hook something enormous.
SwordTasteStar) No one else would use whale shit as bait but you, Grills-nim.
YasaengGrill) Compliment?
SwordTasteStar) The positive spin is admirable.
Gotta stay positive or you'd die...
I'd have lost my mind ages ago...
Grills has it rough when you think about it.
Gallery flow was baffling as ever. Teasing one minute, pitying stares the next. I logged off and headed to the river with my animal pals.
First, removed the traps, checked the water. Whoosh! Same as always. Vast desert across the way. Nothing notable, so prepped to fish. Sprayed bug repellent just in case.
And the rest? "Wonmo. Play with this."
"Kyuu!"
Gave her a dog plushy—also sponsored. Apparently made of critter-favorite fabric. She loved it; very satisfying.
"Kkobong, when a fish bites, you pull the rod with me. Got it?"
"......"
"Answer."
"Yes."
Kkobong was on rod duty with me. All set. Hooked a chunk of Dragon Saliva Fragrance on the line. A pleasant aroma wafted up—easy to see why it's a fragrance.
Shit that smells this good. Hilarious.
I smirked and swung the rod hard. Plop! The hook hit the water. Worried about the current sweeping it, but nope.
Splash splash splash! A massive school swarmed in. The rod got heavy fast. I yelped at Kkobong to pull.
He yanked hard per orders. Tangled fish or strong bastards—they wouldn't budge easy.
"Grahhh!"
"Uwoooo!"
But together? No contest. We hauled with all we had.
Splash! A big fish leaped out.
Thrilled for a second—then disappointed. "Eh. That's it?"
Just trap-fish sized. Better as lure than bait, probably. Still, dinner secured. Brushed off the letdown and packed up.
Not bad since it works as bait...
Feels wasteful, though. Traps catch plenty without it. Questionable necessity. Olfather might find other uses in research.
Handed the flopping fish to Kkobong and headed back.
Summer days last forever.
Should be dusk, but sun blazed. Longer activity time was nice, at least. Rainy season would suck.
When's the Dragon Saliva Fragrance research done?
Olfather's first mythical poop sighting. Bound to have secrets. Only way to know: wait.
Why'd the ants want it? Just the scent?
Lots of sweet-loving bugs. Maybe ants claimed it first, scaring others off.
Lost in dumb thoughts, I turned. To the cave wall—my survival days marked.
Day 26 today?
Three days to a full month. Time flew. Outside world via Gallery only—not peaceful. El Dorado half-civil war, Blood Cult stirring.
Hoped to meet Ludwig somewhere in the Four Seasons Forest soon.
Soccer match today?
Nothing pressing, so logged in. ChangguPrincess posted match start. I chimed in.
YasaengGrill) Who's the opponent today exactly?
ChangguPrincess) The saint's here! Mid-table team today! Score prediction~?
YasaengGrill) Defense still trash, so 3-2.
ChangguPrincess) Unnerving...! But we win, so relief~!
KingLeor) Hey, then what's LeoR's score? Weak opponent today.
YasaengGrill) Up 1-0, then late stamina crash for a draw.
KingLeor) Fuuuuck, that stamina issue;; Rested a week—should be recovered?
YasaengGrill) Done hard labor myself—takes over a month to shake deep fatigue. Plus soccer pros train off-days?
KingLeor) Sounds legit. Gotta sign him next;;
LeoR rich?
Not cash—new coach next season. Wait for it.
Basically no signings lol
What about Chaeyu?
Chaeyu's team changed, so hyped. Coach gets tactics.
ChangguPrincess) Next season just shore up defense~! Dump that 100B euro trash~!
Harsh lol
Can't even now... just sucks
Fr Cone revived—what's his excuse?
Defense line too high aside, that guy's...
Predicted idly, waited quietly. Long till end—better circulate internal power.
Cold energy's fist-sized now.
Control improved massively. From pinhead to fist. Slowing growth meant perfection soon.
Finish cold control, ask Cheonma for next formula.
Day 30 exact. Did chores and power training till match end, then checked Gallery. Dinner time anyway.
[Chaeyu vs Cadrol: Match End! Chaeyu closes 3-2 as the saint foretold!]
[LeoR vs Hoonin: Extra time equalizer forces draw for both.]
"Oh?" Nailed it again. Score and all. Once or twice? Coincidence. Three? Eerie.
ChangguPrincess) Everyone shout! Grills-nim is the saint!
Make my girlfriend marry me.
Pls academy practical 100%.
Big win for me half-year.
KingLeor) Make Chaeyu relegated.
ChangguPrincess) You're the shit! Scram! Draw trash lol
KingLeor) Chalce secured? lol
ChangguPrincess) Win out and maybe~
Pilgrimage to the holy site ensued as expected. Smirked at the match frenzy, logged off. Ignored some jackpot gambling brag. Money irrelevant—my survival first.
Stepped out. Quack quack. The fish from earlier—swimming mid-air.
...What? Glitch?
World's gone mad.