Popo (1)
Whoosh!
Particles of light mingled with the soil, drifting down.
This is... mana!
They were mana particles.
"What did you do to the dirt?"
"Popo!"
Popo bounced over at my words, hopping energetically.
It spun around me, repeatedly chirping "Popo!"
"Ugh. I don't get what you're saying, but... did you make the soil more fertile or something?"
"Popo!"
It hopped in place again.
That seemed like a yes.
"Hoo..."
Sure enough.
I'd thought it was because of its bodily fluids mixing in.
But the soil particles themselves felt finer, purer.
Should I plant some spirit herbs here?
Higher-quality ones might grow.
"So your ability makes soil fertile?"
"Popo!"
It spun in circles as it replied.
No?
"What else can you do?"
"Popo-!"
It jiggled at my question.
Then it suddenly whipped around toward one side.
Eh? That's—
"Popo!"
It jiggled wildly, surging forward.
"Wait, hold on!"
I hurriedly called it back.
Dania was in that direction.
Thankfully, it stopped at my words.
"What were you planning?"
I rushed to block Dania and asked.
"Popo! Popo!"
It oozed across the floor, spreading out.
What the heck does that mean?
"Popo! Popo!"
"Hmm."
I still had no idea what it meant.
But it felt like it was trying to do something helpful for Dania.
Right, it's a guardian.
This lair's master was Dania.
So Popo served her too.
Logically, it wouldn't harm its master.
"Go ahead and do what you were gonna do."
"Popo!"
It jiggled toward Dania again.
"Popo! Popo!"
And then—it swallowed Dania whole?!
"Wh-what?!"
I blinked in shock.
Inside its translucent body, Dania was visible.
"Popo-!!"
bestows upon .
's growth rate greatly increases for <24 hours>.
"Whoa."
What was this?
Growth Blessing?
Ha.
I hadn't expected that.
A gasp of admiration escaped me.
"No need for a nanny now."
Ruuuumble!
Green and brown radiance poured endlessly from Popo's body enveloping Dania.
Imagining Dania thriving amid that glow brought a smile to my face.
"Take good care of Dania for me."
I left her with Popo and sat back at the herbs.
Time to brew more Taeumyangjeong elixir.
"One vial of Gongcheong Oil and one Baekyang Herb root."
I placed them in the Huncheon Furnace.
Then synthesized.
Activating .
Fwaaash!
The result?
Success, of course.
Congratulations. and have successfully fused.
The difference this time?
It was Lv99 Taeumyangjeong.
Jackpot.
Spirit Herb Master for the win!
"Gotta take a sip right away."
Gulp.
As the Taeumyangjeong slid down my throat.
Fireworks exploded in my mouth again.
Cool and hot sensations mingled in ecstasy.
Mana surged through my body, sending shivers up my spine.
Mana capacity greatly increases.
"Kuhh."
Five levels up again.
Last time, from Lv4 to Lv9.
This time, Lv10 to Lv15.
This was Lv99 Taeumyangjeong!
Insane.
Five levels from one sip of elixir.
If I chug another when I'm hungry later, and one tomorrow, I'd hit Lv20 in no time.
Did that even make sense?
From Lv1 to over Lv20 in three days.
Unprecedented, and likely never to be matched.
No wonder it's EX-grade.
My lips twitched.
How fast was the quickest from Lv1 to Lv10?
Curious, I checked the Superhuman Net.
Subject: Who was the fastest superhuman to level up from Lv1 to Lv10?
Everyone knows the fastest early-game leveler was one of the Twelve Heavens.
The strongest superhuman, Eden Carter.
He went from Lv1 to Lv10 in just 28 days.
An unprecedented record.
Will anyone ever beat it...?
Yes.
It's me.
"Haha."
I chuckled, elixir in hand, heading to Popo and Dania.
"Still got a ways to go?"
The words had barely left my mouth.
Plop!
Popo detached from Dania.
"Popo-!"
It cried its name with a hint of fatigue.
"Overflowing with vital energy, plain as day."
Fresh life force radiated from Dania, thanks to Popo.
『Kkyu-ung... so warm!』
Dania kept murmuring about the warmth.
I asked her casually.
"Dania, hungry? I brought Taeumyangjeong. Wanna taste?"
『Kkyuuu-! Yes, Dania wants to taste!』
Instant reaction.
No surprise—she'd loved it last time.
"This batch is even tastier."
Pour, pour, pour!
I drizzled it over her head.
『Kkyu, kkyuuuuwuuu! So yummy!!』
Dania savored the Lv99 elixir in bliss.
Her voice alone made me happy.
And with it.
Ruuuumble!!
Golden radiance enveloped Dania's body again.
As expected.
I now knew what that glow meant.
Dania's leveling up too.
Yeah.
Dragons, the ultimate lifeforms—even hatchlings couldn't start at just Lv1 post-hatching.
They probably hatched at a certain level.
What level, though?
No clue.
Superhuman Net had zilch on it.
No way it's Lv100 at hatch...
Pfft. A laugh escaped.
Nah, probably not.
Adult dragons Lv500 then?
...Nah.
Whatever.
Just hatch healthy, whatever the level!
『Kkyuuuuwuuung-!』
Leaving joyful Dania behind, I approached Popo.
"Popo..."
Definitely exhausted.
From sharing life force with Dania, no doubt.
"Can you have some of this too?"
I dangled the Taeumyangjeong in front of it.
It perked up, bouncing eagerly.
"Popo! Popo!"
"Yeah, yeah. You can eat it."
Obvious from the look.
I poured some for it too.
This batch used a whole Baekyang Herb and proportional Gongcheong Oil.
Plenty to go around.
Pour, pour, pour!
"Popo-!"
Hop, hop!
Its eyes, once ·_·, curved into happy ∩_∩ half-moons as it bounced everywhere.
"Loves it, huh."
It could taste it too?
Gotta feed it more often.
I could produce plenty now.
Then.
An unexpected system message popped up.
"...Whoa."
Watching a level-up past Lv100.
Rare sight.
"Popo!"
"Popo~!"
"Popo!"
Its joy peaked with the level-up.
Spinning around me, chirping its name like a song.
Eyes still ∩_∩.
Cute little thing.
I stroked its squishy body.
Reminded me of Bokshil, the dog from my countryside days.
Always wagging its tail, circling me.
Thinking of Bokshil got sentimental. Crossed the rainbow bridge. Miss her.
"Ahem. Let's get along from now on."
"Popo!"
I shook off the mood, chuckling, and petted its head.
Fluffy like Bokshil—nice texture.
Then I stood.
Next task.
"Let's sprinkle Taeumyangjeong on the spirit herbs."
Might trigger something special.
With quiet hope, I sprinkled away.
Pour, pour, pour! On Lunadria.
Pour, pour, pour! On Baekyang Herb.
Pour, pour, pour! On Cheongmyeongsucho.
Pour, pour, pour! Even on potatoes and sweet potatoes.
Just in case.
It might be poison.
So only on some for now.
"Done."
I stretched and stood.
Plant new spirit herb seeds in the soil Popo tilled later.
And get more seeds.
BangbaeDongFoodie.
Sell him more herbs and crops.
Ask about other seeds.
Speaking of, Hong Seolhwa...
No word on Seondo peaches yet?
Makes sense—not easy to find.
The thought crossed my mind—
Jackpot.
Speak of the devil.
Perfect timing.
Hm.
I hesitated before asking.
Bit nosy.
And prying into her issues might offend.
Her response was calm.
From that calm, I sensed her long suffering.
Only pain-numbed people react that way.
Her words lit up my eyes.
As expected.
She needed Taeumyangjeong.
I glanced at the vial I'd just used.
About a third left.
This much should help.
Let's sell it.
Hong Seolhwa sounded shocked and excited.
Chat continued a bit.
We finalized the trade.
***
Private trade completed.
"Ah."
Hong Seolhwa gasped at the transparent vial of pink liquid.
Obvious at a glance.
Real Taeumyangjeong.
She added 500k coins to the 500k she had ready.
500k coins—50 billion won.
Huge for normals, but a drop for Taeumyangjeong.
Couldn't even buy the Seondo seeds with that.
Still.
Emotion welled up in her.
What an angel?
Mom sent from heaven?
The thought hit her.
I'll repay this kindness.
She barely held back tears, staring at the vial.
Lv ??? (Unmeasurable)
Again, immeasurable level.
Confirming it.
She knew.
This would heal her.
Gulp, gulp.
She downed every drop without pause.
Moments later.
Rooooaaar!!!
In lotus position, brilliant golden radiance bloomed behind Hong Seolhwa.