Chapter 192

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 192

Chapter Title: Managing Favor

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Ancient Forest.

This was a place that existed back in the era when the ancient gods were active.

Which meant there was something noteworthy.

In other words, it was still an era when the ancient gods were active—which also meant magic stones were scattered everywhere in abundance.

Along riverbanks, on the ground, up in the trees—magic stones were ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠just lying around all over the place.

Considering how rare magic stones usually were in trial zones, farming them here was an absolute must-do, regardless of anything else.

Even if we couldn't farm the Vitality Stones.

Shh.

I pocketed the latest magic stone I'd found and pulled out my compass. The Starlight Navigator's Guidance immediately began pointing toward the next one.

I dove right into magic stone farming without hesitation. At first, I'd ride Draco to get around, then switch to walking once I was close.

'Nice, snagged another one.'

Without Draco, I couldn't farm Vitality Stones or magic stones—the forest was just too vast. Skarbar could run around to its heart's content, which said it all about the scale of this place.

I used telekinesis to tuck yet another magic stone into my pocket. Then I headed back toward where Draco was waiting, pulling out a Home Run Ball and holding it out.

"Eun-jeong, here, ahh."

"...I can eat it myself."

"So you don't want it?"

"That's not it..."

Ri Eun-jeong, who'd been sticking close by my side, leaned in and took the Home Run Ball from my hand with her mouth.

"Here, another one."

I kept her tucked against me as I fed her bite after bite.

"That's enough already... I've eaten plenty."

"Eat more. You're too skinny."

I had to fatten her up. Honestly, watching her all skin and bones in this otherworld made me sigh sometimes. And she was even skinnier than that other one.

She wasn't quite skeletal, but she reminded me of those super-skinny models. You know the type—bodies women aspire to, but guys aren't all that into.

"From my perspective, it's worrying. What if you collapse while walking?"

"I'm not that weak."

"Still, your belly's not full yet, is it?"

Her expression, the feel of her stomach—everything screamed she needed more food. I held out another Home Run Ball.

"...Thank you."

Ri Eun-jeong eagerly snapped up what I offered, a smile spreading across her face.

'Ri Eun-jeong smiling...'

I'd never seen it before. The thought hit me suddenly. If someone went ten years without a reason or chance to smile, what the hell were they even living for?

"Eun-jeong."

"?"

"From now on, just trust me and follow my lead. I'll make sure you have plenty to smile about."

"......"

Ri Eun-jeong stared at me for a moment, then smiled.

"I trust you. I always believe what Comrade Min-jun says. But you need to build some strength too."

"Huh?"

"A man that weak ain't no good. Getting beat up by a woman? When we get back to the rest area, let's train together."

"Sounds good."

Our Eun-jeong needs some pussy and ass training. I grabbed her butt.

"Eep."

She startled for a second but soon melted into my touch, leaning against me and enjoying it quietly.

I fondled her ass and pussy, then held my hand out in front of her. She eagerly sucked my cum-soaked fingers clean.

No hesitation at all.

We'd pretty much crossed every line there was.

Of course, when I accidentally brushed her asshole while groping her ass again...

"W-what are you doing?!"

She shoved me away in shock, sending me tumbling to the ground.

"M-Min-jun! You okay?! S-sorry!"

She rushed back, helped me up, and fussed over me in a panic. But overall, things with Ri Eun-jeong were going great.

'Gotta tie her up and pound that ass when we get back to the rest area.'

I'd probably get beat up pretty good for it, but that had its own appeal, didn't it?

"Hm?"

Just then, the air split open, and a wind spirit popped out. Its foul temper marked it as Shin Seo-yeon's.

Pure spirits take after their master's personality. Sure enough, it spotted my spirit and flew over to harass it relentlessly.

But my spirit—unlike my own temperament—was fierce and fought back just as hard.

"Hey, hey, both of you, cut it out."

Gusts of fierce wind whipped around, turning into a full-blown gale.

"I said stop."

I finally broke up the pointless brawl. Shin Seo-yeon's spirit opened its mouth.

「Hey, we're done over here. The stele shattered. But the sun's rising ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠in 20 minutes.」

About 12 hours had passed.

Deducting time for meals and travel, we'd netted 12 stats each.

'Not bad.'

I'd collected 8 magic stones in that time too, so today's farm was a success.

"Alright, let's wrap up. I'll head your way, so get ready to head back."

We made it back to the lodging without issue.

Telling Draco to head home took less than 5 minutes. Guessing we'd left early for some reason, I tossed it food the moment we arrived.

Nom nom.

It devoured it eagerly.

I approached the one person hesitating in front of their Draco.

"Eun-jeong, give me your hand."

"Huh?"

"You're short on points, right?"

"N-no... I..."

"No refusing what I give you from now on. Got it?"

I kneaded her ass as I said it, and she nodded obediently, accepting the points.

Of course, her eyes went wide when I transferred a million points, leaving her stammering.

"Uh-uh?"

"Take it. Can't have my girl scraping by for money."

"B-but."

A million points was pocket change to me.

[Remaining Points: 71,624,115]

With over 70 million, anyway.

I grinned, and she looked like she might cry.

"Th-thank you."

"Come on, your Draco's waiting for dinner."

"Y-yeah."

No joke—she really seemed about to tear up, so I quickly changed the subject.

The notifications kept coming—her favor rising nonstop.

Every time she bought meat from the general store and tossed it to her Draco, it ticked up.

Like a dam of pent-up emotions finally bursting.

I watched with satisfaction, then slipped between the other two struggling girls, groping their asses as I opened the trade window.

"You two are short too, huh?"

"As expected of Min-jun!"

"Min-jun oppa's so perceptive!"

I fingered Ju Ah-hyun and Kim Yu-rim's pussies while handing each a million points. No playing favorites—especially not when we're all together like this.

"We'll take turns sucking you off all night."

"Right on your favorite spots, Min-jun."

And girls who knew how to repay a favor deserved extra spoiling.

"You're all back."

Kim Jong-su and the ten North Koreans approached, waving.

"Yeah, something like that. Heading back from a supply run?"

"We were fetching construction materials today."

Nod.

That was one of the tasks the villagers handled. They were all drenched in sweat because of it.

"Wanna go wash up together?"

"Sure."

We headed to the underground spring together.

True to form, the water was cold and refreshing, and the space was massive—big enough for the 300+ villagers plus all us players without crowding.

Villagers stripped down to bathe, but players kept their clothes on, giving it a mix of giant bathhouse and water park vibes.

I asked Kim Jong-su,

"The mood feels a bit off, though."

"Ah, about that."

From what he said, this was the deal:

After me and my group bought Dracos and bailed, the pissed-off village chief's daughter Kubara worked the remaining players like dogs.

-You trying to get kicked out?! Get to work! I catch anyone slacking!

"She was ruthless. Though compared to the complete control zone, it was kid stuff. Still, resentment boiled over. Someone even said it was worse than loading cargo. No idea what that means."

Damn, she really cracked the whip.

'Makes sense—if they were hauling construction materials in this heat, lugging logs from outside...'

Anyone who's lifted a log knows how heavy they are. Especially the ones from the Ancient Forest—huge and dense.

The faces of those resting in the spring were slack with exhaustion, while others ground their teeth in fury.

"That fucking bitch. I'll kill her before I leave."

"Fucking little shit."

Kubara's rage had the players fuming now.

'Feels like it'll blow up eventually, but whatever—not my problem.'

Long as I profited, I was good.

I considered tossing out some food gifts to build favor just in case, but luckily, it wasn't needed.

A few approached me.

"How'd the mountain dragon hunt go?"

"Any progress?"

I shook my head.

"Smarter than expected. With so few of us, they slip through gaps easily, and we waste time fetching food for the Dracos. Hours fly by."

"Yeah... eight people is too few."

"You must've had it rough."

"Nah. We're at least keeping them from evolving while chasing them down. You all should join soon."

"Ugh, we should... but that bitch. Doubt she'll keep her word."

"Hoo, yeah."

They sighed and ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠wandered off.

Some asked my girls, but we'd prepped our story, so no worries there.

"The eight of you must be sweltering—good work."

"Buying us time is a godsend."

If anything, our excuse made them think we were suffering, so no hard feelings toward us.

With our images polished and bodies cooled, we emerged refreshed.

"You guys head back first."

"What about you?"

"Gonna check the village with Eun-jeong real quick."

"Take long? We're eating. Do it after if it's not urgent."

"Nah, 15 minutes tops."

"Oh, okay."

Shin Seo-yeon must've thought we were sneaking off to fuck—misunderstanding. I took Ri Eun-jeong and strode off.

"Where we going?"

"To receive a blessing."

"Huh?"

"We've shared so much intense love—gotta report to the goddess."

"Th-that's indecent!"

Her face turned beet red for real.

"Haha, kidding. Job's done, so time to pray."

"Oh... But didn't we pray at the statue when we entered?"

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"That was just courtesy. Gods aren't satisfied with lip service."

"Huh?"

I entered the Whisper of the Wind shrine.

A warm breeze greeted me as I entered.

Was it my imagination? It carried joy and anticipation.

'Knew it—she watched everything we did today.'

Then again, time to deliver. I pulled the items from my inventory.

"Magic stones? Why...?"

I held up seven of the eight I'd gathered today, placing them before the small goddess statue without hesitation.

Whoosh!

Multicolored lights shimmered, and the shrine shook violently.

"Wh-what?"