Chapter 68
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Translator: MJK
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: I Want to Eat Strawberries Too (Politely)
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I headed to the garden, holding the [Seed of the Forgotten Fruit Tree] I'd received from Shin Seung-ah.
Before planting it, I glanced at the two bizarre plants dominating the center of the garden.
One was the [Heart Seedling of the Sun Bird], planted just a few days ago.
But even after all this time, it remained ashen gray, showing no signs of growth whatsoever.
The other was the [Disaster Flower] I'd brought back from Okinawa and tucked into a corner.
Pa aaa—
It looked nothing like the eerie thing that had once dyed the whole world red.
All traces of its ominous aura were gone, leaving behind a quietly blooming flower, beautiful in its simple crimson hue.
'Huh?'
As I alternated between the two plants, realization dawned on me.
The energies emanating from them were fundamentally the same at their core.
One brimmed with extreme yang energy.
The other pulsed with extreme chaos.
Their natures differed, but their roots pointed to the same origin.
'Right, back then for sure.'
[Skill: Absolute's Herb Garden has acquired a new trait.]
[Trait: Taiyin Soil (Incomplete)]
After sprinkling Moon-White Spiritual Water, my garden had taken on a potent yin energy.
Thanks to that, the crops gained mental clarity effects, but it was still in an incomplete state.
'So, to complete it...?'
[To fully complete Taiyin Soil, you need potent solar (☉) energy to counterbalance it.]
I had no doubt that this [Heart Seedling of the Sun Bird] would provide it once mature.
Theoretically, then, using the Disaster Flower—which shared the same energy—as fertilizer on the seedling...?
'But I can't sacrifice the Disaster Flower just to grow that.'
As I stared at it, the Disaster Flower's petals quivered as if reading my thoughts.
It seemed to instinctively know it held the key to nurturing the seedling.
"No way."
I chuckled and opened the door to Okinawa.
From the exact spot where the Disaster Flower had been planted, I scooped up a full shovel of that black, oily soil.
"Its energy is so intense, this should be plenty."
Okinawa's soil still radiated the Disaster Flower's lingering heat like a volcano.
I scattered it around the [Heart Seedling of the Sun Bird] like fertilizer.
Kwaaaaaa...
The moment the soil touched down, the garden's chilling yin energy clashed violently with the seedling's scorching yang force, shaking the entire plot.
Right then.
Parururu...
The Disaster Flower's petals in the corner fluttered free on their own, drifting to the clash point and gently enveloping the energies.
[Skill: Absolute's Herb Garden (EX) has awakened a new trait!]
[New Trait: Yin-Yang Harmony has been unlocked.]
[Description: Freely imbue crops with yin or yang attributes.]
Until now, crops influenced by Moon-White Spiritual Water offered mental stabilization (yin) effects—clearing complex thoughts and calming the mind.
[Yang Attribute: Ignites lost passion and motivation in those feeling apathetic or stuck in a rut, recreating the thrill of starting something new.]
Cool rationality (yin) and burning passion (yang).
I could hardly wait to see how crops blending these two would turn out.
In high spirits, I planted the [Seed of the Forgotten Fruit Tree] right beside it.
"Grow well."
I wondered what miraculous fruit this harmonious soil would bear next.
Even the waiting felt like a joy.
A few days later, I headed to Seoul to scout around Saint Mary International School, where we'd decided on So-ye's enrollment.
"Not a bad idea to check it out. Might as well time the commute while I'm at it."
Old Man No rode along beside me.
Truth be told, this was partly at his insistence.
Childless himself, he'd lit up like it was his own kid starting school, fussing over every detail and offering endless advice.
I appreciated the gesture.
"Man, this place is impressive."
"Sure is."
Saint Mary International School.
Even before the Tower appeared, it was renowned as an elite academy for the top 1% of Korea's elite offspring.
Famous for its rigorous standards on grades, background, and character alike.
"My nephews all bombed the paperwork—grades weren't up to snuff."
"They loved So-ye, though."
Background-wise, we had nothing to boast about.
But the school had been thrilled by her top-tier grades and iron will, maintained solely through online classes amid her hospital stay.
"Traffic's brutal, though."
From the rural house, an early-morning drive took just an hour.
But rush-hour congestion was another beast. Round trip would eat up four hours easy.
"Commuting's a real issue. Back when I lived at the Bureau, it didn't matter, but now with home office... this gridlock is killer stress."
"You only go in three days a week, right?"
"Yeah, Valhalla's perks let me coast like this. Poor So-ye with daily school runs."
"What about me?"
He had a point.
Even if I drove her myself, I'd have to return to Seoul for pickup daily or kill hours nearby.
Neither was simple.
"Somewhere close to hang out would be ideal... but this area's sky-high prices despite not being central—all thanks to the school."
Chatting at a café across from the school gate, my eyes locked on a building opposite.
A cozy five-story commercial structure right in front of the school.
'Wonder what that goes for.'
I pulled up its listing on my terminal.
Saint Mary's prestige had long inflated the area's value to Gangnam levels—a prime, stable commercial zone.
'About 18 billion won, huh.'
Not an insurmountable sum.
Just had to haggle with the owner—would they let go of such a gem easily?
'Oh, right—that guy.'
I fired off a message to Viper on Tower Market.
Viper, could you look up some building info for me?
Of course, info fee paid generously...
I'll check right away.
No, we should settle the fee first.
I knew Viper's rules.
Money moved him.
No matter how close or trivial the request, he always demanded fair pay upfront.
Not a finger stirred until funds cleared.
That ironclad discipline was why he ruled the info trade.
What are you saying? Those crops you sent last time were the best I've ever tasted!
This is the least I can do for free.
But he flatly refused payment.
Before I could respond, intel arrived in under a minute.
The owner sunk into massive debt from bad investments. Can't even cover bank interest—up for auction next week.
Cash upfront? They'd welcome you with open arms.
He even sent the contact info.
Truly grateful. I'll list some new crops soon.
For real? That's all I'm waiting for!!!
Chat done, I called the owner right away.
"Yeah, interested in buying that commercial building. Can we contract now?"
-Huh? The building? It's not even listed...
"Cash lump sum work for you?"
-!!!
And just like that, my first real estate investment closed in ten minutes.
"Wait, Agent Jang... that's possible?"
I just smiled at Old Man No's question.
Simple reason.
I wanted So-ye's commute to be as painless as possible.
That weekend, we threw a little party at home.
The wild strawberries the kids had picked last time.
Transplanted to my garden and left a few days, they'd transformed unbelievably.
Muruk muruk—
A tiny vine no bigger than my handspan had overgrown half the plot, its leaves bursting with baby-fist-sized crimson berries dangling everywhere.
"Strawberry buffet today."
Sweet-tart strawberry soup, thick with fresh-pureed berries.
Strawberry sandwiches: fresh-baked bread slathered with mashed berries and cream cheese.
Velvety strawberry pudding from garden-fresh eggs.
A towering pile of whole berries with a chocolate fountain cascade.
I'd pulled out all the stops from early-morning cooking class lessons.
"This is my best shot."
Amateurish maybe, but brimming with heart—my personal strawberry course.
The veranda overflowed with sweet, fragrant strawberry bliss.
"Oppa, what is all this...?"
So-ye stumbled out, rubbing sleep from her eyes, mouth agape at the fairy-tale spread sparkling in morning sun.
"You love strawberries. The kids brought 'em for you, so I planted them."
"Whoa! Oppa best! Muryong best! Hasuo best!"
Sweet scents wafted through the air.
"Just breathing feels like happiness!"
She loved it even more than I'd hoped.
-Hmurgh?
"Kkiyot!"
"Pwaaeng!"
"Kko go kok!"
Muryong, Hasuo, Gorani, even the chickens.
The whole family buried in berry heaps, blissed out like they'd conquered the world.
Sususu—
Then, a massive shadow silently appeared in the yard corner.
The White Snake, invited ahead of time.
Couldn't ignore that aroma—its expression betrayed a spark of excitement.
"This pudding's amazing!"
So-ye took a spoonful of strawberry pudding, face lighting up in ecstasy.
Achak!
Gorani crunched a huge berry like an apple, whole.
But the most ecstatic?
-Hmuuuut...?!
Muryong.
Like tasting heaven's sweetness for the first time, its whole body quivered in rapture.
Muryong dunked its face straight into a bowl of strawberry juice, splashing gleefully.
"Muryong, slow down."
Bowl emptied before I finished, it charged the strawberry cake—its body size—and hugged it tight, devouring wildly.
"Can't rein that one in."
Time passed, everyone patting full bellies in satisfied stupor.
That's when I noticed something off about Muryong.
"Hey, Muryong... why the color change?"
Its once-pure-white mochi body was now thoroughly strawberry pink.
-Hmurt?
Muryong blinked cluelessly, licking its reddened forepaw.
Tasting the sweetness, it licked furiously.
Too many berries—bathed inside and out in strawberry juice.
"Muryong looks like strawberry candy!"
So-ye clutched her sides laughing.
The yard rang with joyful laughter.
Chalak!
I snapped a photo, smiling.
Today's happiness stacked up precious as ever.
Meanwhile.
The old chipmunk meticulously gathered the ripest, reddest berries from its cherished wild strawberry vine.
Tribute for the mighty new chicken overlord.
Tadak, tadak!
Mouth stuffed, it scampered excitedly toward the chicken's yard.
"Kkeun kkeun?"
But near the yard, an irresistible sweet aroma halted it mid-step.
Peeking from bushes, the yard was paradise.
"Kyarrur!"
The chicken and family reveled amid berry mountains, laughing happily.
Fruits huge and gleaming—dwarfing the chipmunk's humble offering.
Tuk—
Unthinkingly, it dropped its mouthful to the ground.
No courage to join that joyful scene.
Just swallowed hard, watching enviously from afar.