Chapter 010
[Chapter 010]
< Metallic Sprout >
10
I sat on the veranda and stared blankly at the black ticket in my hand.
Tower entrance ticket.
Just a few days ago, it was something from another world that had absolutely nothing to do with me.
‘Dimensional Shop.’
When you clear a floor in the Tower, you get Tower currency called gold as a reward instead of cash.
And the story was that you can only use that gold at the Dimensional Shop, which is one per floor.
‘Come to think of it, I vaguely remember.’
During my Bureau days, I had heard about the existence of the Dimensional Shop.
But information about what kind of goods were traded there or how the shop was operated was top secret information that even C-Class and below employees didn't have access to.
I only knew it as a place like a league of their own that only the top-tier rankers could use.
According to Lee Seok-ju, in that shop, rare items that can never be obtained in the outside world appeared randomly.
‘For instance, something like these seeds I got from the Rock Lizard.’
Obtaining seeds as spoils from a monster must have been lucky.
Whether it was a miracle created by my EX-Rank skill or luck that broke through an absurd probability.
The important thing was the expectation of how much more great things would be at the Dimensional Shop, where the essence of the Tower gathers, if even from a monster such rare seeds could be obtained.
‘What if I can get the items I need from that shop?’
It was necessary to check.
The seeds of legendary spiritual herbs that are said to grow only inside the Tower.
It was certain they would be miracle seeds fundamentally different from the seeds of the outside world, having grown while soaking in the Tower's mana.
Perhaps the only hope to cure So-ye’s illness could be obtained from that shop.
“Do the shop items look the same to everyone?”
“There’s also a story that they look different according to rank.”
“Ah, I see.”
“And sometimes a skill-exclusive slot opens. A special sales stand that recommends items that perfectly fit that Hunter's characteristics. Of course, what comes out is random.”
According to Lee Seok-ju, it meant the probability of items fitting my characteristics appearing becomes higher.
“But Kang-hyun, do you have equipment? My unused equipment wouldn't fit your frame, and the ones at the Bureau would be too old.”
Entering the Tower with a bare body is no different from a suicide act even on the 1st floor.
“For now, I’ll just face it head-on.”
Because there’s no need to be scared even before entering.
* * *
After the people left, silence found the house again.
‘Equipment.’
I said I’d face it head-on, but I had something I trusted.
I took out the [Golden Bone Grass Seeds] I got from the Rock Lizard from my chest.
“Wouldn't this be able to fill the lacking defense?”
The monsters that mainly appear on the 1st floor of the Tower are low-rank monsters like Giant Ants or Goblins.
Even if the number of individuals is large, it’s a level a C-Rank Hunter can handle easily.
But according to the data analysis from my Bureau days, the biggest cause of failure in the 1st floor raid was carelessness and lack of equipment.
The problem was that for me with the physical ability of an E-Class, even a monster's sharp jaw or a rusty dagger could be a fatal threat.
Right.
And one low-rank mana stone that came from my chest.
As I thought deeply, I approached the Gorani dozing off next to the shed.
“Gorani, come here.”
The Gorani ran quickly at my call and bowed its head before me.
I hung the low-rank mana stone on the Gorani’s neck.
“You’ve been patrolling around the house every night lately, haven't you?”
This was a rural backwater with many wild animals.
With many mountains and deep forests, it’s dangerous to the point that there are stories about bears appearing at night.
I knew the Gorani was circling around the house every night to block the approach of other wild animals.
“It’s a prize for guarding the house well.”
A mana stone acts like an MP potion for Hunters to use skills.
And for monsters or animals not used to handling mana, it acted like a kind of powerful battery.
Just possessing it strengthened physical abilities, and in critical moments, one could explode the energy to protect oneself.
“It’ll be helpful if a dangerous situation comes. Got it?”
“Kkiyot!”
The Gorani wagged its tail excitedly, as if it liked the mana stone hung on its neck.
-Hmyoo.
Just then, Muryong approached.
“Ah, this?”
Since I gave one to the Gorani, it seemed to think the remaining one was its.
Muryong pointed its small front paw at the mana stone the Gorani was wearing and then cried while pointing at itself again.
That appearance was exactly like a child begging for a toy.
“That mana stone is the size of your body, it would be burdensome even to carry it around.”
-Hmyoo....
Muryong, who became dejected at my words, flopped down on the spot and expressed dissatisfaction by tapping the veranda floor with its thin tail.
I took out the Golden Bone Grass seeds from my chest and showed them.
“Look at this instead.”
-Hmyoo!
Muryong stuck to me right away.
The Golden Bone Grass seeds, unlike ordinary seeds, were black and hard like smooth black iron.
An appearance like well-forged pebbles.
When I shook it near my ear, even a faint sound like a small steel ball rolling inside was heard.
“I’m going to plant this here.”
After clearing away the Hasuo vines, I prepared a new spot next to them.
But as I touched the soil, there was a slightly strange part.
‘But why does this soil feel so damp?’
Looking closely, the soil wasn't just damp.
Should I say it felt jelly-like and sticky.
“No way....”
On the corner of Muryong’s mouth as it feigned innocence on my lap, a faint soil trace was smeared.
Apparently, this fellow was munching and spitting out soil while I wasn't looking.
‘Is it delicious?’
No, rather than that....
It suddenly occurred to me that earthworms eat soil and spit out nutrient-rich worm castings to make the ground fertile.
‘Could it be that this fellow is also like that?’
While having such thoughts, I planted the Golden Bone Grass seeds in the spot where I had carefully dug up the soil.
* * *
At the same time, MK Sphere Tower.
“Manager, Executive Shin is looking for you.”
“Got it.”
Manager Kim Min-jun of the Hunter Management Team sighed and stood up.
The call of a superior called a witch is always a tense thing.
“Did you call, Executive?”
“Manager Kim, the Hunter Lee Seok-ju matter. What happened?”
The youngest Executive of MK Sphere, Shin Seung-ah.
She was a legendary figure who rose to the position of Executive alone while her entry-level colleagues were still at the rank of manager or deputy head.
Shin Seung-ah’s judgment and information power were something no one in the company could follow.
“Yes, as a result of confirmation, Hunter Lee Seok-ju was clearly suffering from the mana poison injury of the Poison Mist Wyvern until the day before the raid. It remains in the records as well. There is no possibility of a trick.”
“But he completely recovered in one day and broke through the 40th floor?”
“Yes. We also don't understand that part. Currently, the cause is unknown.”
Shin Seung-ah was lost in thought for a moment, then finally took her eyes off the monitor and looked at Kim Min-jun.
“Manager Kim.”
“Yes, Executive.”
“Meet Hunter Lee Seok-ju tomorrow. For the pretext... let's see, guild transfer and salary negotiation would be good.”
“Pardon? But Hunter Lee Seok-ju has high loyalty to the Bureau, so he won't respond to negotiations.”
“It doesn't matter even if the negotiation fails.”
“Pardon? Then why....”
“Go and naturally bring up the story about the injury recovery. Whether he met a doctor who performed a miracle, or if there was a hidden ace potion. Even down to whether he ate something good.”
Shin Seung-ah’s resolute voice contained the weight of an absolute order that could not be questioned.
“B-but what if he bites? What if he really tries to transfer....”
“It’s actually a good thing if he really transfers. A person of Lee Seok-ju’s caliber coming to the company? Do you think there’d be nowhere to use him? And we can uncover the secret of that recovery more directly. Think of it as a meeting combined with that too.”
Shin Seung-ah’s way was always like that.
If even a 0.1% possibility was seen, she first went for it, and the problems arising in the process were solved with overwhelming ability.
The sight of subordinates being flustered was just an incomprehensible sight to Shin Seung-ah.
“We need a clue. Whatever it is, if it’s a clue that can save Hunter Yu Jin-hyuk.”
Shin Seung-ah said so and tapped the documents on Kim Min-jun’s desk.
“Manager Kim, I’m not making you doubt a subordinate's work ability, am I? I trust you can handle this level of work on your own.”
Shin Seung-ah’s voice was cold, but not hysterical.
A leader's voice that trusts the subordinate's competence and expects matching results.
Kim Min-jun was startled and lowered his head.
“A-ah, no! Executive! I’ll contact him right away and set up an appointment for tomorrow morning!”
“Report only the result. You know, right?”
“Yes, I will keep it in mind!”
Kim Min-jun hurriedly ran out of the office.
Cold sweat flowed down his back.
‘That witch!’
It was only 6 months ago that Executive Shin Seung-ah took over the Hunter Management Team.
But during that short time, the atmosphere of the team changed completely.
The entire team began to move nimbly and efficiently toward goals to a degree incomparable to the previous loose and complacent atmosphere.
Shin Seung-ah eliminated unnecessary reporting systems and boldly delegated authority to capable team members.
Furthermore, she clearly rewarded achievements more than anyone else.
Of course, she also coldly held one responsible for the results.
“I used my annual leave tomorrow!”
Kim Min-jun grumbled, but he couldn't help a faint smile hanging on the corner of his mouth.
It was hard. It was really terribly hard.
But at the same time, it was exciting.
This intensity different from before, this tension of having to test and prove his ability to the limit.
‘I will pull MK Sphere to the 1st guild.’
It was what Shin Seung-ah had said before the team members on the first day she took over the team.
To survive under that capable monster and achieve that dream, he had to produce results somehow.
* * *
The next day, Kim Min-jun was out to meet Lee Seok-ju early in the morning.
“Manager Kim Min-jun?”
“Hello! Hunter Lee Seok-ju!”
Soon Lee Seok-ju arrived and after sharing simple stories, they got to the main point.
“...So, do you have no intention of coming to our MK Sphere? For the salary, just call the amount you want first.”
“Haha, it’s an excessive offer. But I don't have intentions of leaving the Bureau yet.”
It was the expected answer.
“Oh, I see.”
After Kim Min-jun showed an expression of regret, he naturally turned the topic.
“Well, I heard the Bureau atmosphere is good lately. It’s thanks to you breaking through the 40th floor, Hunter. Truly amazing. Especially since it’s an achievement made by overcoming an injury.”
“Don't mention it.”
“If it’s not rude, may I ask the secret? Actually, even in our guild, there are many Hunters suffering because of that Poison Mist Wyvern poison. Even just what kind of potion you used....”
“Well, the potions used at MK Sphere would be much better items.”
Lee Seok-ju smiled and drew a line.
But Kim Min-jun couldn't give up.
“Perhaps there is a new drug newly developed by the Bureau? Or a hidden A-Rank healer.”
“There’s no such thing.”
“Then what on earth...?”
Kim Min-jun’s question.
‘Is it because of Hunter Yu Jin-hyuk.’
Because it was a fact everyone knew that the results of Hunter Yu Jin-hyuk belonging to MK Sphere were sluggish lately.
Lee Seok-ju thought for a moment. But, he can't say everything.
Because that wouldn't be polite to Kang-hyun.
He calmly says only the existing facts.
“It wasn't a potion.”
“Pardon?”
“There is one person to whom I owe a debt of gratitude. I just drank the Hasuo-boiled water that person gave, saying he grew it directly in the countryside.”
“Hasuo... are you saying?”
An expression of disappointment passed over Kim Min-jun’s face.
‘Damn it.’
He thought there was some great secret, but wasn't it an absurd folk remedy story.
It seemed Lee Seok-ju said it knowing that telling this much wouldn't have any impact.
If he reports this as it is....
‘Is this all the result you found, Manager Kim?’
Shin Seung-ah’s emotionless gaze was vividly drawn before his eyes.
She wouldn't scold or get angry.
She would just stop expecting competence without saying a word.
That was more terrible for Kim Min-jun than any scolding.
He didn't want to lose his superior's trust.
He didn't want to be branded as an incompetent subordinate who couldn't even handle this level of work properly.
He had to grab even a bit more of a clue and return.
“May I ask about that person?”
“That’s difficult. Because he’s a friend who wants to live quietly right now.”
Lee Seok-ju firmly drew a line.
“Ah, then asking more would be rude. I’m sorry for asking a difficult question.”
Kim Min-jun couldn't ask more and stood up.
The negotiation fell through, but it wasn't that there was absolutely no gain.
‘The person he owes a debt to, countryside, Hasuo....’
Small but clear clues.
Because there was something to report to Executive Shin Seung-ah.
* * *
When Kang-hyun entered the house and went to bed.
-Hmyoot!
Muryong suddenly opened its eyes wide and jumped down to the floor.
And waddling to the spot where Kang-hyun planted the seeds, it tapped the ground with its front paw.
-....
After agonizing for a long time on the spot, it headed toward the Gorani, who was standing guard outside.
And then it pointed its front paw at the mana stone hung on the Gorani’s neck.
[That.]
“Kkiing···?”
[Give it.]
The Gorani backed away while flustered.
It was a precious treasure bestowed by the Master. It could never give it up.
“Kkiing!”
The Gorani stomped its front feet, indicating it didn't want to give it.
But, the terrible memory of that time came to mind.
The primordial being sleeping inside that small dust ball.
Even now, thinking about that time made its whole body tremble.
“Kking....”
The Gorani finally seemed to give up, and with a tap, dropped the mana stone hung on its neck.
Like a child whose most cherished toy was taken away, its large black eyes were full of distraught sadness.
-....
Muryong stared intently at the mana stone and the Golden Bone Grass.
Golden Bone Grass is an herb that inherently grows by receiving the energy of the earth, especially the essence of minerals.
The mana stone that came from the Rock Lizard was the best nutrient for Golden Bone Grass.
It was a special mana stone imbued with the power of the earth optimized for making the body solid.
Waddle waddle.
Muryong held that mana stone in its mouth and returned to the field.
It placed the mana stone right on top of the spot where the Golden Bone Grass seeds were planted.
Slid-
Then an amazing thing happened.
The mana stone began to melt with a slide while emitting light.
The rough mana contained in the mana stone was purified into clear and pure energy and soaked into the ground.
Vrrrrrr-
The ground vibrated with a low sound.
A sprout rose from the spot where the Golden Bone Grass seeds were planted.
What soared while piercing the soil was a metallic sprout that looked like a sharp blade and smelled of faint iron.
Next morning.
Kang-hyun, who came out to check the field, opened his mouth wide at the sight before his eyes.
“...What is that?”
Overnight, a mysterious grass that looked like black iron had grown in a clump in the middle of the field.
< Metallic Sprout > END