Gugune White Sundae (2)
A little while ago.
Chuchu heard it.
What?
Seojun muttering that it would be nice if he could get some Seondo seeds.
'Chu!'
Chuchu's eyes sparkled.
Because a way to obtain Seondo seeds had come to mind.
"Chuchu!"
Flash.
He immediately teleported outside the lair.
And dashed toward the place he remembered.
Huh? But something's off.
He'd been running for a while now.
Why weren't those beings he remembered in sight?
"Chu?"
He tilted his head.
Sniff sniff.
He flared his nostrils, sniffing the scents in the air.
Then, faintly from far away, a thick forest aroma.
"Chu!"
For some reason, those beings had moved locations.
Chuchu shot off like an arrow in that direction.
And so, he arrived at the place.
A dense forest scent overflowing with vitality wafted out.
As he entered.
@Groooaaarrr!
Beings revealed their presence toward Chuchu.
They were tree spirits.
Elatria.
Yes, this was the place where Elatria gathered to form a forest.
Elatrium.
Chuchu remembered.
With the power of the Elatria.
Even flowers and trees that struggled to bear offspring would readily produce descendants.
『What··· brings··· you··· here··· child··· of the··· great··· being···.』
A massive ancient tree.
The one at the front among them spoke.
"Chuchu! Chuchu chu! Chuuu!"
Chuchu straightened his back, waving both arms in the air as he shouted.
『You wish··· to make··· the··· Seondo··· fruit··· bear··· seeds···?』
The Elatria could communicate with Chuchu.
"Chuchu!!"
Whoooosh!
As Chuchu nodded, a cool breeze swept through.
The Elatria were laughing.
『The··· Breath··· of Seeds··· is··· needed···.』
Breath of Seeds.
The tree spirits' breath that boosted the chances of plants bearing seeds.
That was what Chuchu had come to get.
『But··· Seondo··· is a··· noble··· seed··· thus··· much··· breath··· is··· required···.』
"Chu-!"
Chuchu understood the Elatria.
They were beating around the bush.
But what it meant?
If you take, you must give.
"Chuchu!!"
Chuchu nodded and stretched his back tall.
He'd long since figured out the Elatria's tendencies.
He'd prepared in advance, knowing this would happen.
He shoved both hands into his belly pouch.
And when he pulled them out.
Shwaaa!
A cool fragrance spread through the air.
What Chuchu had prepared was none other than Qingming Herb.
"Chuchu!"
Chuchu confidently held the Qingming Herb high in the air.
『Hoo··· hoo··· hoo···.』
The Elatria began to take interest.
Even those with eyes closed had opened them at some point, fixing their gaze on the Qingming Herb.
"Chu!"
Chuchu nodded, pleased his idea was right.
Elatria.
Tree spirits.
Of course, they inherently possessed the traits of trees.
Which meant?
They loved water the most.
That's why they adored the water squeezed from Qingming Herb leaves.
But the Qingming Herb grown in the Dragon's Lair.
Its water tasted far superior to regular ones.
The Elatria sensed the difference with ghostly precision and showed interest.
『Good··· Qingming··· Herb··· but··· insufficient···.』
Yeah.
Look at their sizes.
One Qingming Herb wouldn't even tickle them.
He'd probably need to uproot every last one from the lair to satisfy them.
But he couldn't do that.
"Chuu!"
So he'd prepared more.
The next card.
Shwaaaa!
A cool, sweet fragrance filled the air.
『Ooh··· that is···.』
『Lunadria··· Frost··· Grass··· good···.』
Not just the first Elatria, but others began showing interest too.
The yin energy from Lunadria.
It was a favorite treat for the Elatria.
『Let us··· trade···.』
『I··· first··· follow··· order···.』
『I will··· give··· more··· Breath··· of Seeds···.』
Trade offers poured toward Chuchu.
Chuchu's plan was a resounding success!
"Chu!"
Now, who's the boss here?
Chuchu crossed his arms and tapped his foot.
"Chuchu!"
Meaning he'd give to whoever offered the most Breath of Seeds.
Chuchu smiled brightly and thrust out his hand!
Plop!
A golden furball emerged from a hole in the lair floor.
"Chu!"
Chuchu, who had suddenly vanished, was back.
"You little guy! Where'd you run off to without a word?"
"Chuchu!"
At my words, Chuchu scampered over and hopped onto my shoulder.
And then rubbed against me affectionately.
"Sheesh."
As my voice started to rise, he acted all cute to defuse it.
I missed my chance to scold him.
This guy's sharp.
"Alright, alright. Got it."
The fluffy fur texture made my lips curl up unwittingly.
"Chu!"
Seeing my mood lighten, Chuchu hopped back down to the ground.
"Still, next time you go out, tell me first. Got it?"
"Chuchu!"
He nodded vigorously.
What a cute little guy.
I can't even get mad at him.
Pat pat.
I ruffled his head with my index finger.
"Churr-!"
Chuchu let out a pleased squeak.
"Popo! Popo!"
Seeing me and Chuchu.
Popo, who'd been fidgeting nearby in case I got angry, hopped over in relief.
"Popo!"
"Chuuu."
As Popo approached, Chuchu climbed on top and nuzzled him.
Aww, you guys.
Having fun, huh.
Then.
Suddenly, Chuchu perked up his head.
"Chu!"
He hopped down and raised both arms high.
Straightened his back.
And patted his belly pouch as if to say, expect something good!
"What's up?"
"Popo!"
Me and Popo tilted our heads.
"Chuchu chu!"
Looking at us, he shoved both hands into his belly pouch.
Plop!
He pulled something out.
Three small, crystal-clear orbs like morning dew.
"What's this?"
I tilted my head as he placed the three crystals on my palm.
About the size of my finger joints.
These small crystals held a soft glow.
Up close, they sparkled faintly, blending gentle green and blue hues.
'Warm.'
And the crystals on my hand gave off a soft, warm heat.
Along with a faint woody scent and the vital energy of sprouting buds.
◈ A mystical breath infused directly by the tree spirit, Elatria. Imbues magical energy into tree fruits to enable them to bear seeds. Activates the tree's life energy, creating conditions for seed generation.
Whoa···.
I checked the level with Elixir Master, and it was no joke.
Lv110.
I examined it more closely.
'Seeds?'
I blinked.
Oh my god.
No way.
I whipped my head around to look at Chuchu.
"Chuchu!"
Chuchu put his hands on his hips and shrugged proudly.
"Whoa. Did you seriously go get this for the Seondo seeds?"
"Chuchu!"
Chuchu nodded at my words.
Damn.
Chuchu, you lucky charm.
And here I was about to scold you without knowing.
Bro's sorry, Chuchu!
"Chuuu!"
I scooped Chuchu up in both hands and rubbed my cheek against him.
Chuchu seemed to like it, squeaking happily.
"So, we just use this here?"
I pointed at the bud on the Seondo tree that was about to bear fruit.
"Chuchu!"
Chuchu nodded.
Alright.
Let's give it a try.
I brought the Breath of Seeds close to the bud.
Then.
Shiiiine!
Tiny streams of light from the crystal began flowing into the tree.
Vrrrrm!!!
The bud trembled, wrapped in green and blue light.
"Oh···."
I let out a small gasp at the thick vital energy even I could feel from the side.
Soon, all three Breath of Seeds vanished completely.
My instincts told me seeds would form in this Seondo fruit.
"Nice. Chuchu, where'd you even get something like this?"
"Chuchu!"
Chuchu clasped his hands to his chest, looking up at me like, did I do good?
"Haha. Yeah, yeah. You did amazing."
Then a sudden thought hit me.
"Chuchu, can you get more of these?"
"Chuchu!"
Chuchu nodded eagerly.
Then reached into his belly pouch.
Clatter!
"Whoa, what!"
There were at least twenty more Breath of Seeds.
And Chuchu pointed at the Qingming Herb and Lunadria.
"You can get more if we have those?"
"Chuchu!"
Got it. Noted.
Tomorrow, plant more Qingming Herb and Lunadria with extra priority.
'Gotta use these every time the Seondo bears fruit from now on. And···.'
Glance.
The spirit herb planted next to the Seondo line.
Mandragora.
That one has to succeed too.
'Boiling Nagata meat and Mandragora in Qingming Herb water would taste insane···.'
Thinking of samgyetang from boknal made my mouth water.
Ah! Yeah.
Mandragora cultivation success is a must!
I turned to Chuchu.
Alright, time for a cherry tomato party for our hardworking Chuchu?
"Chuchu!!"
"Popo!"
At the mention of cherry tomatoes, they both bounced excitedly.
Originally.
I'd planned to head to the magic training chamber with the Magic Training gear I'd just bought.
But as they say, even diamond mountains are best after a meal.
Feast first for our hardworking Chuchu!
"Cherry tomatoes plus roasted sweet potatoes and roasted potatoes!"
"Chuuu!!"
"Popo!"
Let's have a feast party!
"No further improvement is possible."
"Yes."
Gu Donghyeon.
He nodded calmly at the doctor's words.
"Such a shame, so young···."
"They said he was so promising."
"Even the heavens are heartless."
The doctor and nurses muttered softly as they left his room.
Thanks to his exceptionally keen hearing, Gu Donghyeon caught every word.
A bitter smile tugged at his lips.
After the temple declared him untreatable.
He'd been admitted to the country's top hospital to borrow the power of magitech medicine.
But as expected, the verdict was irreversible.
He'd tried everything possible.
'Ah, one thing left.'
The mysterious potion he'd received from that superhuman called Mad Mage earlier.
Or could you even call it a potion?
He made a strange face at the green-and-brown jelly inside.
A name he'd never seen.
Gaia Slime?
No trace even on Superhuman Net or Gold Lounge searches.
Where the hell did Mad Mage get this?
'Is that why he told me not to ask questions.'
The more he learned, the more mysterious the guy became.
Was he really someone who'd reached the top of the Abyss Tower, as rumored?
I'd thought no superhuman could surpass Eden Carter in level or prowess.
But maybe Mad Mage had.
Sniff sniff.
Gu Donghyeon first opened the potion vial and smelled it.
Surprisingly fragrant and sweet.
Slime fluids were supposed to stink.
But this was different from the start.
'Let's drink.'
He didn't fully trust Mad Mage's words yet.
But no reason not to, either.
No point in him sending this rare item just to lie.
Slurp.
The moment he put the Gaia Slime's Fluid in his mouth.
"···!!"
His eyes shot wide open.
"Ah!"
A gasp escaped involuntarily.
Smooth and sweet flavor.
Like tasting gelato.
Cool, silky jelly texture.
Melted smoothly on the tongue, filling his mouth.
Fresh honey and tropical fruit scents blended.
A subtle natural aroma mingled, like a faint brush of petals, leaving a refreshing aftertaste.
Chew chew.
Gulp.
"···!"
The Gaia Slime's Fluid left a cool, sweet lingering taste.
He'd had no appetite lately, but this revived it instantly.
He scraped and devoured every last drop.
Then.
Whoosh!
Hot heat surged across his face.
"Ugh."
Thud.
Gu Donghyeon collapsed onto the bed.
Overwhelming drowsiness hit him.
"Snoore···."
As he fell instantly asleep, his body.
Vrrrrm!
Emitted faint brown and green light that enveloped him entirely.