Chapter 93
Translator: MJK
Chapter: 93
Chapter Title: Kkokko's Special Egg
Republic of Korea Blue House, President's Office.
"...Chief of Staff, what did you just say?"
The president paused while reading the report, removing his glasses with an incredulous expression.
The chief of staff swallowed hard, his voice trembling as he repeated the briefing.
"The entire Xiao family from China has expressed their desire to immigrate to Korea and naturalize."
"Hah."
The president let out a disbelieving chuckle.
The Xiao family.
The root and shadow of China's hunter world.
Their wealth, military power, and personal networks were said to surpass the national strength of most mid-sized countries.
For such a colossal clan to pack up overnight and move to Korea?
"That's not all. The entry list includes... S-rank healer Liu Liu."
Bam!
The president slammed the desk without realizing it.
Not out of anger, but overwhelming joy he could barely contain.
"Liu Liu... the genius healer known as the Hand of God?"
"Yes, sir."
"But hasn't Hunter Liu been in a coma for the past three years? Are they saying she's coming over in a vegetative state?"
The chief of staff responded cautiously to the president's concerned question.
"There's no specific mention of that. However... we estimate there's a possibility of recovery, or that she may already have recovered."
"!"
Korea's chronic weakness in the hunter world: the absence of an S-rank healer.
Now, talent overflowing that gap was walking right in.
"This isn't just a national strategic asset... it's something beyond that!"
The president couldn't hide his excitement and stood up.
An S-rank healer was called a walking shrine of resurrection.
Their presence determined the stability of top-tier dungeon raids and served as the strongest deterrent in shows of force between nations.
Recruiting Liu Liu would be like giving wings to a tiger for Korea's hunters, who were always rated as half-strength due to lacking sustainability despite top-tier offense.
"Normally, to bring in an S-rank talent like this—especially a healer—from another country, you'd need astronomical transfer fees at minimum, years of behind-the-scenes work, and diplomatic bloodletting. Even then, success is slim."
Yet the mere fact that this near-impossible feat was being discussed was astonishing.
"...But if this is true, China won't just sit idly by, will they? Those prideful folks letting a national treasure defect?"
"Of course there will be backlash, as expected. But the Xiao family is already liquidating assets and preparing to move in utmost secrecy, leaving China with little grounds to intervene. And furthermore..."
The chief of staff continued.
"The one orchestrating and guaranteeing all this is none other than Gorani-man himself."
"!"
At that name alone, the faint unease on the president's face vanished.
The man who saved Okinawa and shifted the attitudes of the US and Japan.
With Gorani-man backing it, even China wouldn't dare act recklessly.
"If it's his will, there must be reasons or plans we don't know about. He's not one to act carelessly."
"Exactly. Just like with Okinawa."
"Incredible. Truly incredible. What our government couldn't achieve in decades, he handles in mere days."
He soon issued orders in a grave tone.
"Convene the Foreign Ministry, Justice Ministry, and National Intelligence Service. Spare no top-level administrative support for special naturalization procedures! This is a national blessing."
"Yes, sir!"
"The Foreign Ministry couldn't pull this off in a century. Gorani-man has gifted us a future stronger than any nuclear weapon."
His excitement unrelenting, he walked to the window overlooking downtown Seoul.
Decades and trillions in budget poured in, yet the S-rank healer shortage unsolved.
One man was on the verge of resolving that national crisis.
"Think about it. All we've done for him is some tax breaks, and he's handed us the entirety of our national security."
The chief of staff bowed deeply in agreement.
"You're right. It's frightening that one individual's influence surpasses national power, but... right now, it's nothing short of awe-inspiring. Thank heavens he's a Korean citizen."
"Damn right it is."
The man who averted disasters, cured incurables, and now bent a foreign mega-clan to his will.
It was time to ponder what they could offer Gorani-man.
Morning at the countryside home.
A very special dish unlike the usual sat on the breakfast table.
Sizzle—
Eggs frying on the pan, crackling away.
Even the color was extraordinary, nothing ordinary about it.
"Wow..."
So-ye sparkled with awe.
The yolk glowed a deep, vivid orange, while the white puffed up fluffy like clouds yet springy with elasticity.
Above all, the aroma was unreal.
No fishy smell at all—just a rich, nutty savoriness filling the kitchen.
This was the first egg laid by Kkokko after her complete transformation.
"Here, dig in."
I placed the soft-boiled egg atop her rice.
Pop!
Burst the yolk, and thick, nutty goodness seeped between the grains.
One bite, and...
"...!"
My eyes shot wide open.
Flavor and nutrition in perfect harmony.
A dense, mouth-filling nuttiness.
Freshness didn't even begin to cover it—the taste pulsed with vitality!
Pure 100% protein and essential nutrients absorbing straight into my body.
[Item: Miracle Perfect Food]
An egg containing the essence of Kkokko, transcending the limits of a mere chicken. Consuming it perfectly replenishes any nutritional deficiencies, strengthening muscles and bones. Better than ginseng for growing children or recovering patients.
"Oppa! This is so good! The egg is super sweet!"
Even picky So-ye polished off a full bowl of rice.
"My body feels lighter. Like it's getting stronger from the inside."
Liu's frail body soaked up the vital nutrients it craved.
"Kkokko's eggs are totally different now. Kkokko, how'd you do it?"
"Feels like the energy I lost over three years rushed back in one go. Thank you, Kkokko."
"Kkokko..."
Praise poured in, and Kkokko bashfully lowered her head.
Relieved and happy that her egg helped the family.
She rubbed her wings shyly, as if vowing to lay even tastier ones tomorrow.
"Come to think of it, where's Hasuo?"
I glanced around and spotted him in the corner of the table.
Hasuo cradled his share of yolk in his root hands like treasure.
Too precious to eat, inspecting it from every angle.
"Eat up, there's more."
At my words, Hasuo steeled himself and delicately slipped the yolk into his mouth.
Munch, munch.
A brief silence fell.
Then.
"Ppoeeng!"
Hasuo's eyes flew open wide.
So delicious and surprising—his new forehead eyebrows wiggled like waves.
They scrunched in delight, then shot up in shock, dancing busily.
Flutter!
Moreover, the leaves sprouting from his head stiffened upright in an instant, gleaming with luster.
Thanks to the egg's nutrition, his pale body bulged with power like Popeye after spinach—visible to the eye.
"Ppoeeng! Ppoeeng!"
Thrilled, Hasuo snatched the remaining yolk bits and dashed outside.
Straight to his personal herb garden, naturally.
Dig dig!
He dug at light speed, trying to plant the leftover yolk in the soil.
The ambitious farmer's instinct to grow an egg tree.
"No, that won't sprout even if you plant it."
I stopped him, and Hasuo scratched his eyebrows with his dirt-caked root hands, looking glum.
So adorable I had to scoop him up and pat his butt.
"These eggs are Kkokko's gift, got it?"
"Ppoeeng..."
Hasuo's eyes went round at my words.
As if finally realizing, he gazed at Kkokko preening majestically in the yard's center.
"Ppoeeng!"
Soon, Hasuo clenched his fist with resolve.
Repay a favor received—that's the rule.
Crunch, crunch!
He bolted to the garden and dug faster than ever.
Target: earthworms.
Not just any—premium ones plump with the garden's spiritual energy.
"Ppo!"
Hasuo neatly presented the earthworms before Kkokko and bowed deeply.
While she ate, he fetched a giant mugwort leaf and fanned her gently from the side.
Sweat beading on his forehead, yet his eyebrows wiggled earnestly as he fanned without pause.
"Kko... kkook?"
Kkokko blushed but accepted the heartfelt service graciously.
After the meal, massage time.
Hasuo kneaded her sturdy thigh muscles with his delicate root hands.
"Ppoeeng?"
"Kkokkok."
His devotion was tongue-to-the-floor levels.
"Can't rein him in."
Searching every corner for better earthworms for Kkokko, Hasuo halted before the empty lot where the dead persimmon tree once stood.
"Ppoeeng?"
Sensing something, he pressed his ear to the ground, sniffing the soil intently, then urgently beckoned me.
"Ppoaeeeng!"
Signal: something's here.
'Huh? That spot...'
I looked at the empty lot in the yard's corner that Hasuo pointed to.
L'd left it vacant since its energy felt off from the start.
'That's the place.'
I'd once planted the market's hardiest persimmon sapling there.
But it blackened from the roots and died overnight.
'Not barren soil—it's overflowing with ley line energy.'
It looked like a barren wasteland without a single blade of grass, but the opposite was true.
Raw power surging from deep underground—too hot and immense for ordinary life to handle without bursting.
A land breathing primal force beyond even [Absolute's Herb Garden]'s control.
'Now that I think about it.'
Liu's seed.
For its massive energy, no better spot than there crossed my mind.
What if that overflowing energy served as the ultimate fertilizer?
"Hasuo, you've found an incredible holy site."
"Ppoeeng!"
I stroked his head, and he puffed out his chest proudly, eyebrows quirking smugly.
Truly our home's miraculous youngest.
"What an astonishing child."
Then, Liu, who'd been watching from behind, murmured softly while gazing at Hasuo.
Her eyes lingered on his tiny, dirt-covered root hands.
"This one... defies fate itself."
Liu smiled gently and continued.
"Born as a spirit herb destined to be consumed and vanish, yet now living more vibrantly than anyone. Farming, making friends, helping its master."
Liu couldn't look away from Hasuo.
Unlike her, withering in submission to decreed fate, this little life proved its worth and forged its own path.
"Not everyone has to live by the script..."
Liu's gaze hardened.
As if finalizing her resolve while watching him.
No more hesitation or fear.
"Gorani-man."
"Yes."
"I've decided."
She looked me straight in the eye, voice firm and resolute.
"I want to plant this seed—and my new fate—right here."