The Fifth Guardian (1)
‘Ah!’
It felt like fireworks exploding in his mind.
In an instant, his head cleared, and a thrilling excitement raced down his spine.
The contract slot of Oath of the Dragon (EX) has been expanded.
◈ Can contract with dragons.
◈ Contracts (1/5)
• Elemental Dragon (Dania)
• [Empty]
• [Empty]
• [Empty]
• [Empty]
The slots had increased to five.
His prediction had been spot on. The slots could indeed expand.
‘Whoa.’
This also meant there was a high chance of multiple Dragon's Lairs existing—not just one more.
‘I really can’t just sit around.’
He didn’t know how many more Dragon's Lairs there were,
but the thought of seeking them out as much as possible and forming the Oath of the Dragon with all of them filled his mind.
Then, a sudden realization hit him.
‘What are those grotesque creatures planning to do with the Dragon's Lairs?’
Did they have some authority to contract with dragons like him?
Or maybe a way to tame them?
That line of thinking sparked impatience.
What if they stole a Dragon's Lair from him?
The worry circled relentlessly in his head.
“Hoo.”
He took a deep breath.
Don’t worry about those guys.
Right now, he needed to focus on what he could do.
“Alright, that’s it for today. Everyone, dismissed.”
“Chu!”
“Popo!”
“Awoo-ung!”
They all rose from their spots.
He did the same.
He glanced toward the Guardian Room.
There was a good chance a new guardian had unlocked.
That’s when—
“Um, if it’s okay…”
Lucien grabbed him.
Hm? What now?
“May I… pay my respects to the Sacred Tree before I go?”
Ah, the Sacred Tree. Eldrias.
It must be truly holy to them.
“Of course.”
It’s not like greetings cost money.
“Thank you!”
Lucien’s face lit up.
He hurried straight toward Eldrias.
“Hello. Sacred Tree, this is Lucien of the Lili tribe, come to offer my first greet—”
Lucien stood before Eldrias, his expression utterly serious.
A face full of reverence.
His demeanor was like facing a god he served directly.
Just from his actions, it was clear how vital the Eldrias tree was to the Lili tribe.
‘But it’s not like Eldrias is going to respond to that.’
He was thinking how deep their faith(?) ran when—
As if mocking him, a change suddenly appeared in Eldrias’s sprout.
Woooong!
Rich green mana.
It began flowing from the leaves of Eldrias’s sprout.
“Ahh! Eldrias—!”
Lucien collapsed to the ground in ecstasy, prostrating himself.
‘What? It actually reacted?’
His eyes widened as he stared at the Eldrias sprout.
“Wow! That’s amazing.”
Bellerin had appeared beside him at some point, watching the scene in wonder.
Woooong!
The Eldrias sprout emitted even more intense green mana.
Lucien scrambled up and rushed back to him.
“C-Could I use the Forest Essence you gave me earlier?”
“On the Eldrias sprout?”
“Yes, yes!”
“Here.”
He handed over the remaining half of the Forest Essence.
Lucien took it and approached the sprout again.
Droooop—!
As the Forest Essence fell onto the Eldrias sprout,
Woooooong!!!
A dazzling white light burst from the Eldrias sprout.
Poof!
A new leaf sprouted from the branch that had only a pair of cotyledons.
“……!”
“Wow!”
“Popo!”
“Chuuu!”
They all let out gasps of awe.
Growth no one had anticipated.
“How did you do that?”
He asked Lucien excitedly.
“Ah, the Sacred Tree said it was hungry!”
“You can communicate with the Eldrias sprout?”
“We can exchange simple intents!”
Whoa. That was possible?
“Wow, you must be of noble blood!”
Bellerin suddenly exclaimed in admiration.
He gave her a questioning look, and she explained in detail.
“The Lili tribe can communicate with flowers, trees, and grasses by nature! Among them, noble-blooded Lili can even connect with exalted plants like Eldrias or Yggdrasil!”
Oh.
Lucien, this guy.
He was born with noble lineage, huh?
He looked at Lucien with admiring eyes.
Lucien scratched his head shyly.
Good.
From now on, Lucien would be appointed as the dedicated caretaker of the Eldrias sprout.
“Y-Yes? M-Me?”
“Yeah. Take good care of it.”
“It’s an honor! Leave it to me!”
Lucien accepted the offer gladly.
“Anything you need?”
If he was giving, he should also receive.
If Lucien needed something, he’d help within his means.
“Well…”
There was something.
But he hesitated, fumbling.
“It’s fine. Say it without pressure. If I can’t do it, I’ll say so honestly.”
“Th-Then… could the other Lili tribe members still in the Rainbow Forest live in Elatrium too?”
“Other Lili tribe members?”
“Yes!”
“Sure.”
More Lili tribe members?
That was great for him too.
They coexisted with Elatrium, and more Forest Essence meant faster prosperity not just for Elatrium but for all crops in the lair.
“Archeron!”
He immediately ordered Archeron to bring the remaining Lili tribe.
Archeron departed at once.
Watching the scene, Lucien shed tears of gratitude and followed Archeron out.
‘He cries a lot. Such a sensitive guy.’
Good. Now, time to check the Guardian Room?
Just then—
“……What now?”
A private message alert pinged on Superhuman Net.
Wondering who it was, he checked. It was Mr. Kim.
Oh.
The new potion development Mr. Kim had taken on.
Success at last.
Director Kim’s joy came through crystal clear in the messages.
A warm smile spread across his face.
‘What face will he make if I reveal I’m Madoje in person someday?’
Imagining it made him chuckle involuntarily.
Ah, potatoes and sweet potatoes.
He could send plenty.
The lair’s harvest far exceeded consumption.
He wrapped up the simple trade.
‘They’ll love this.’
Potatoes and sweet potatoes brought certain faces to mind.
Junho and Sua.
The two kids from Sarang Orphanage who’d always stuck close to him.
Fond memories surfaced, bringing a smile.
Then he headed to the Guardian Room.
Private trade completed.
“Ah…!”
An exclamation escaped Kim Jeonghwan’s lips.
The potatoes and sweet potatoes Madoje had just sent.
Three hundred each, plus cherry tomatoes on top.
“As a congratulatory gift…”
He couldn’t finish the sentence.
He knew full well the premium price of Madoje-brand potatoes, sweet potatoes, and cherry tomatoes.
Yet Madoje had sent them freely, without hesitation.
He’d offered money, but it was firmly refused.
Kim Jeonghwan finally accepted.
He worried refusing again might hurt Madoje’s feelings.
‘Truly grateful.’
He clasped his hands tightly in thanks.
If he succeeded further.
If he developed the lifelong dream elixir,
he vowed to deliver the first one to Madoje.
“These ingredients are too precious just to cook casually.”
After some thought, Kim Jeonghwan called Bangbaedong Gourmet, An Jaeseong.
An Jaeseong gladly accepted.
“Thank you for coming despite your busy schedule.”
“No, no. I enjoy this. It’s an honor to be invited.”
As they exchanged greetings,
another guest arrived.
“Director!”
“Well, if it isn’t you.”
“Long time no see.”
“Haha, yes, kid. Feeling better now?”
“Yes, completely recovered.”
Kim Jeonghwan hugged Gu Donghyeon warmly in delight.
Then he introduced him to An Jaeseong right away.
“Ah! Chef, this is Gu Donghyeon, like a son to me.”
“Donghyeon, this is Chef An Jaeseong.”
The man was none other than Gugune White Sundae, Gu Donghyeon.
“So you’re Gugune White Sundae. Heard about your recovery at Gold Lounge. Glad you’re better.”
“Thank you. I heard about you too, Chef. Congrats on the international competition win. Sincere congratulations.”
Gu Donghyeon’s visit was simple.
He wanted to check on Kim Jeonghwan after a long time.
By chance, An Jaeseong joined, bringing the three together.
After warm greetings, they decided to prepare a meal together.
Today’s stars: Madoje’s potatoes, sweet potatoes, and cherry tomatoes.
Dishes emerged one by one under Chef An Jaeseong’s hands.
Potato-sweet potato salad.
Potato-sweet potato stew.
Potato-sweet potato gratin.
Potato-sweet potato pancakes.
Cherry tomato marinade, and more.
“This is the cherry tomato marinade I showcased at my winning competition.”
“Wow, looks delicious!”
“Just the smell tells me why you won!”
Exclamations flowed, and a grand feast began.
“Yum, so good!”
“I’m eating till I burst today!”
The kids beamed happily, devouring An Jaeseong’s potato and sweet potato dishes.
“Uncle, thank you!”
“So grateful!”
“Eat up, lots.”
An Jaeseong smiled at Junho and the kids thanking him.
Seeing their innocent joy melted away all his worries like snow in the sun.
‘Yeah, this is why I came.’
That was why he’d gladly answered Kim Jeonghwan’s call.
After the meal,
as Kim Jeonghwan, An Jaeseong, and Gu Donghyeon chatted,
they discovered a surprising common thread.
“Come to think of it, we’ve all received favors from Madoje.”
“True. Feels like we gathered thanks to Madoje.”
“What a fateful connection.”
Naturally, talk turned to Madoje.
And they reached a conclusion.
“Since we’re here, how about brainstorming ways to show our thanks to Madoje?”
“Great idea.”
“I’m in.”
Their hearts united.
They began discussing what to do to express gratitude to Madoje.
Kwaaaaa!
Golden light poured from the stone slab.
As expected, reaching Lv 50 unlocked a new guardian summon.
Lv 50 confirmed.
The fifth guardian. The primordial mighty protector, Lava Great Tiger, awakens from long slumber.
The golden light was more brilliant and majestic than the previous four times.
“……!”
An ominous mana flow washed over him.
The moment it converged to a point—
Flash—
Kwaaaaa!!
He finally encountered the fifth guardian.
At that moment,
Archeron was rescuing Lili tribe members from the eastern Rainbow Forest with Lucien and the shadow wolves.
“Elatrium really exists?”
“Yes, it does. Our tribe has settled there…!”
“Ah, then please take our tribe too.”
A pink-haired Lili woman.
She was the leader of this group, guiding eighty Lili tribe members.
They too had faced mana depletion crisis, sinking into despair—until Lucien appeared like a savior.
“Hop on right away…!”
“Thank you.”
The Lili began mounting the shadow wolves’ saddles.
Another tribe heading to Elatrium.
But then—
Kwaaaaa!
A colossal mana crushed everything around.
The forest screamed.
A being of immense power approached at breakneck speed.
“B-Be safe!”
Lucien sensed the dire mood and pleaded with Archeron.
“Awoooo!”
“Awooo—!”
At Archeron’s command, the shadow wolves carried the Lili away at full speed.
The instant they left—
An unknown entity appeared before Archeron.
If Archeron hadn’t held the line, they’d have been caught by the tail.
“Found you.”
A grotesque form blending giant mantis and human.
Covered in steel-like green exoskeleton, it grinned ferociously at Archeron.