106. Earth's Jo-ryeokja #1
Labyrinth Day 58. Before Omega came to the shelter. I headed over first via the warp device to visit the machine factory.
I brought four monsters along. Kinogine Arachne and Blood Jellyfish Princess, plus the puppet Niara Nephensis and Zapan.
We're not storming an enemy base or anything. This crew should be plenty for an escort.
[Zapa~n! This place looks fun! So many cool things!!]
[Piii! Hi everyone!]
The Princess waved hello to the robots. For reference, after one more night's sleep, her condition had fully recovered.
[Welcome.]
[Pleased to meet you.]
The robots remembered the Princess and bowed politely, then bent at a full ninety degrees toward me in deep respect. Looks like Omega had imprinted my presence into their memory banks.
As we exchanged greetings with the robots—
[Poyng?]
Omega, passing by the warp device, spotted us and tilted her head.
[Gauntlet. What brings you here, poyng?]
"Just came to hang out. The survey team visited once, but I've never been myself. Thought I'd take it slow and check out the village."
[Poyng poyng! Then I'll give you the grand tour myself!]
"Aren't you busy?"
I eyed the mechanical parts dangling all over Omega's body.
She was clearly in the middle of transporting components for assembly.
[I am busy. There's a ton to build from Mechanic Hydra parts. Poyng poyng.]
"Then don't worry about guiding us. We'll just wander around on our own."
[No way! Poyng!!!]
"Why not?"
[Being with you makes me happier than building machines! That's why I said I'd visit once a day! Poyng poylong!]
Omega flung off the parts hanging on her and stuck right to my side.
[But it's strange. Poyng poyng.]
"What's strange?"
[I used to only care about building machines. But not anymore. I still love making machines, but now I like you even more, Gauntlet. The Helper Trait is truly amazing and great. Poyng poyng.]
This emotion defies analysis. Can't even pinpoint the source of the trait. Maybe the Helper Trait is the true power befitting a dominator of the Ancient Labyrinth.
Omega rattled on like a machine gun.
"So, you've given up researching the taming ability?"
[Not at all. I'll take my time researching it slowly. Of course, right now, building machines from Mechanic Hydra parts comes first. Studying the Helper Trait isn't something that wraps up quick. Oh, and more importantly than that—being with you, Gauntlet. At least two hours a day. Poyng poyng.]
Omega guided us nonstop, chattering away. Reaching the village center, she wagged her tail, pointing out spots and introducing the place.
[Zapa~n! Amazing! Fun! So exciting!]
Zapan's eyes sparkled as she looked around, but my reaction was lukewarm.
Sure, it's an impressive village. Feels like stepping into a slightly off-kilter futuristic city, full of mysterious machines I've never seen—easy on the eyes.
But those upsides couldn't cover the clear downsides.
'No normal food for living creatures anywhere in this village.'
This is a machine village. Nothing edible for organic life.
There are buildings like restaurants, but they sell stuff like oil for machines—not nutrition for folks like me.
And no leisure spots either. Machines don't have hobbies? Everyone's just obsessed with work.
That was the village's fatal flaw.
'Seeing it with my own eyes... "Machine Factory" fits perfectly.'
I inwardly admired Neo Hyung-seok's naming sense. Guy's got a knack.
Anyway, no way I'd move my base here later. Visiting for fun now and then would have to suffice.
While Kang Geon toured the machine factory.
At the same time.
Three women in black suits, guided by security guards, passed through the grand gates of a lavish mansion and entered the courtyard.
In order: Seo Dan-bi, Shin So-mang, Ha Yu-mi.
Earth's Jo-ryeokja.
And the mansion they were visiting belonged to Seo Dan-bi's friend, chaebol heiress third-gen Hwang Mi-reu.
"Ugh, why hold the meeting at your actual family home... You have your own place... Sigh, not sure if I even belong here."
Crossing the courtyard, Seo Dan-bi glanced around nervously.
Seeing this, Shin So-mang eyed her curiously and whispered,
"Pruru. Why you shaking like a leaf? Gotta pee?"
"Don't be ridiculous. You a kid? Say 'pee' or 'piss' properly."
"Gotta pee?"
"......"
"Then go behind those bushes and piss."
"There's bathrooms inside, why the hell there, you psycho... And it's not piss."
"Then why you trembling and looking around?"
"Worried about running into Mi-reu's mom."
"Why can't you?"
"Can't. Her mom's got a thing against low-status or broke folks—like us. Superiority complex so bad she doesn't treat 'em human. Best case, you're a slave."
"For real? Wow, people like that still exist?"
"Her mom's power-trip vid went viral once. Can't curse out my friend's mom, but she treats me like dirt every time. Makes me wanna kill her."
"If we bump into her, we might get kicked out on sight."
"Mi-reu invited us, so unlikely. But if her mom's in a foul mood, we're gone. She takes it out on randos."
The Jo-ryeokja whispered quietly, following the guards.
Women on the garden terrace waved them over warmly.
"Dan-bi! Over here!"
"Right here!"
Seo Dan-bi's friend, Hwang Mi-reu. And the dimensional mage, Sage Lunaris.
The three Jo-ryeokja reached the terrace; the guard tactfully left.
"Hey. Why your family home of all places?"
Seo Dan-bi sat by Hwang Mi-reu, still scanning around anxiously.
"It's smack in the middle between Yu-mi's place and So-mang's. Easiest spot."
"True... Wait, why not count my place?"
"Do we have to?"
As Seo Dan-bi and Hwang Mi-reu chatted, Shin So-mang and Ha Yu-mi took seats too.
Five gathered today for the Jo-ryeokja meeting, naturally.
Hwang Mi-reu and Sage Lunaris as provisional Jo-ryeokja.
"Alright, everyone. Chit-chat later—straight to business. Important stuff today."
Ha Yu-mi clapped lightly.
The Jo-ryeokja meeting began.
Earth's Jo-ryeokja had been feeling a growing sense of crisis lately.
The cause? Jo-ryeokja Rise Nova.
Patron Rise Nova. Leader of planet Lumina, amassing vast wealth.
With him generously backing Kang Geon, Earth's Jo-ryeokja felt their own relevance fading.
So after discussion, they decided: Us Earthlings will support Kang Geon just as much as Rise.
Impossible for the original three alone, but they had a solid backer: chaebol third-gen Hwang Mi-reu.
With her, matching Rise wasn't out of reach.
And Hwang Mi-reu wasn't opposed to supporting Kang Geon.
She'd heard they'd recommend her as the sixth Jo-ryeokja.
"Hmm. You sure you'll really nominate me next?"
"Totally. Trust us."
"If Geon wants an expensive invite ticket, you'll be next Jo-ryeokja for sure. We'll coin-support daily and always credit you."
Seo Dan-bi and Ha Yu-mi assured her. Hwang Mi-reu grinned, imagining watching diverse monsters as a Jo-ryeokja.
"As a kid, dreamed of being a chosen one like in monster anime protags... Who knew I'd fulfill that impossible dream as an adult. Heh."
Her heart was already the sixth Jo-ryeokja.
"Got it. I'll support big time! Oh, and not just coins... Uh, civilization building? Village stuff? Send fertilizer, seeds for farming?"
"Farming outta nowhere?"
Shin So-mang, mouth full of tiramisu cake, tilted her head.
"Gotta farm for a village. Can't hunt forever for food."
"Mmm. Can you farm in the labyrinth?"
"Dunno. Never seen it on broadcast. But let's try. Who knows."
"Mmm. Whatever."
Hwang Mi-reu turned from Shin So-mang to Seo Dan-bi.
"And Dan-bi. Can we send live creatures?"
"Live ones? Checked once—possible, but fees are insane. Varies by creature, humans basically no."
"I'll cover fees. Send livestock then."
Their meeting continued. 10 minutes, 20, 30...
Hwang Mi-reu, not even official Jo-ryeokja yet, led discussions on support plans.
Monster countermeasures too, naturally.
Time passed. As support talks wrapped—
Topic shifted naturally to Sage Lunaris's condition.
Health progress? Dimensional powers back?
The three asked curiously. Sage said much improved, but not enough for dimensional magic yet. Regrettably.
Conversation flowed casually after, munching snacks and drinks like ordinary girls.
Then Ha Yu-mi scanned the other four quietly.
"Y'know, isn't it weird how quiet everything's been lately?"
"Weird? How?"
"Pruru, you just coast through life, huh."
"Overthink and you age fast. Anyway, what's weird?"
"The world's state. Nertoob's monster chaos, but government's no response. Same overseas."
"Just dismissing as urban legends?"
"Nah. Tiny cases of real monster damage. Recent deaths too. No action? Clearly off."
"Ah, that CCTV clip? Normies would think human perp. Polls say costumed human mostly."
Ha Yu-mi set down her cup with a sigh.
"Beyond that, more weirdness."
"Like?"
"Nertoob vids. Most obvious fakes, but some look real? Those get deleted."
"Only real-ish ones deleted? How you know?"
"Work with Geon stream open, monitor monster uploads constantly."
"Psycho... But yeah, real ones vanishing is sus."
"Right? So I got a theory. Wanna hear?"
All eyes on Ha Yu-mi. Seo Dan-bi nodded slowly; she continued.
"Think possession or parasite monsters crossed to Earth. Taking over elites, media—suppressing opinion. Simple reason: When big monster invasion hits, humans unprepared. Prepping the ground for invasion."
"That's a stretch. More like covering to prevent panic—makes sense. You into conspiracy stuff?"
"Not hating it."
"......"
Seo Dan-bi stared coldly, dismissing it as nonsense.
"If it's panic control, good—they're aware and prepping. But my theory's worth considering."
Someone took her seriously.
"So... Parasite monsters manipulate opinion to urban legend status, block defenses till big invasion?"
Sage Lunaris asked. Ha Yu-mi nodded vigorously.
"Exactly. Fantasy worlder—quick on uptake."
"Hmm... Possible. Where'd you hear about big invasion?"
"Just speculation. Monsters appearing bit by bit—figure big one's coming."
"...I see. Anyway, I'll look into parasites myself."
"Huh? You believe my theory?"
"To avert worst future, consider all possibilities."
"She buys it..."
"...?"
As they talked, a woman approached the terrace, calling Hwang Mi-reu.
"Mi-reu. Your friends?"
Hwang Mi-reu's mother.
"Yeah. Friends."
The other four stood, bowing politely.
She scanned them slowly.
"Have fun, then."
Smiling softly, she turned toward the mansion.
Seo Dan-bi stared blankly at her back till the door shut, then nudged Hwang Mi-reu.
"Hey... Why's your mom acting weird? Ate something bad? She's chewed you out for hanging with weirdos like me before."
"Changed a lot, right? Dad too—super mellow lately. Dunno why... Good's good."
The Jo-ryeokja and Hwang Mi-reu didn't notice.
Hwang Mi-reu's mom, now inside, peering through the window intently.
Of course.
'Hmm... Why's she staring?'
Sage Lunaris had noticed from the start.