Day 59: The Forgotten Hedgehog
Day 59 in the Forgotten Hedgehog Labyrinth. I'd brought back weapons from the mechanical factory that even beginners could handle easily. Not for my own use, of course. I wasn't ignoring Omega's creations—they'd work fine against monsters in the Ancient Labyrinth. But the ones I'd grabbed now had less firepower than a flick to the forehead. Sure, some could hurt S-grade monsters, and Omega's masterpieces would pack plenty of punch even here. But I hadn't taken those. As I said, these weren't for me.
What I needed were weapons anyone could wield. And everything I'd brought was simple enough for ordinary people—even F-grade Merino Ulla was using them without issue.
"Yangyang! Take thisyang!"
Pssshht—!
[Kyuaa!]
The weapon Merino was firing at Melody Fox was called the Aqua Stun Gun. Straightforward name: paralyzing water pistol. That water packed a punch to incapacitate foes, developed from research on Dog Spider-001's threads. Naturally, it did nothing to an S-grade like Melody Fox.
"Heokyang! You're fine even after that? Melody-yang is amazingyang!"
[Kyuhuhu!]
Melody Fox's threat level was nerfed to B-grade right now, but it should still work on actual B-grades. The gun's power must be dialed down. Omega's essence was in it, after all.
"Everyone else, take thisyang!"
Pssshht—!
[Kuhuk...!]
[Zapan!!!]
Niara Nephensis flopped dramatically to the floor after the splash, while Zapan flailed his arms and screamed in mock agony. The water hadn't really affected them—they were just playing along like adults humoring a kid.
"Hahayang! I defeated the bad villainsyang!"
It was basically like child's play. Anyway, I planned to send these Aqua Stun Guns to my Earth helpers.
Not just the Aqua Stun Guns—I was also sending scarves Azeras had knitted through the night. I called them a bonus, but the scarves were the real stars. Made from Kinogine Arachne's silk, one of these could let you survive a nuke. Basically an invincible cheat item.
The reason for this sudden reverse support? I'd heard Earth's atmosphere was getting tense. I didn't know the details, but for my helpers' safety, I needed to arm them as best I could.
"Any word from the dimensional mage yet?"
"What?"
Makes sense—uncovering everything that fast is tough.
"Still doing cafe gigs?"
Sage Lunaris was sneakily good at repaying debts. News to me—we weren't that close. She'd cast protection on the helpers too, apparently.
"Just checking—no one's playing detective tailing suspects, right?"
"Good. Leave investigations to Sage. You civilians can't help—meddling would just hinder."
Sincere advice. Stirring things up without knowing your place is dumb. Especially with one life. Strong like Sage? Fine. But helpers as regular humans tailing monsters? Suicide, gear or no gear.
"Right. Stay home safe outside work." Only then did I relax a bit. Pruru and Mysticism might be dumb, but not reckless.
"Anyway, sending the water guns—no, Aqua Stun Guns—and Azeras's scarves. Rise, activate that function like last time."
Reverse support was normally Gold+ only. But with a Diamond like Rise Nova? Different story. Diamond perks let explorers enable it for lower grades. Used it for food last time. Probably a petty power-trip perk for high-rankers.
Rise milked his authority for power plays perfectly.
Ha Yu-mi posted a photo. Mysticism held out. Pruru, Platinum, didn't need Rise's help. Just spectating.
Rise activated the perk. Now sub-Gold helpers could receive reverse support.
Reverse support done, Earth helpers sent coins.
Not their own money—Hwang Mi-reu, Seo Dan-bi's chaebol heiress friend, funded it.
"Pruru, tell Mi-reu thanks."
Was planning that anyway. Generous pre-helper like her? Top of the list.
"Got it. Intermediate invite ready, inviting her first."
Intermediate Invite Ticket: Designate someone with recent contact (5 days) to me or my tamed for support. Easy—dispatch a monster via Dispatch Ticket, have it meet Mi-reu. Worth the cost for a whale helper. But no Vending Tracker for it—overkill investment.
Livestock/farm stuff? Later—village not ready. Especially animals; no prep means they'd die quick.
Higher ranks can send live creatures? First I knew. Thought items only.
Post-Earth coins, Rise and Ellis sent some.
Target: BoilBoil (005)
Change: BLACK → GOLD
Coins done, scouting monsters returned: Snake Head, Mummy Skeleton... and Hedgehog...? Wait, where's Hedgehog Summoner God? Sent all three.
"Guys, where's Hedgehog?"
[Ororo? Chui?]
[Hedgehog...? I know no such thing...]
"You don't know Hedgehog? What the hell?"
I asked incredulously. Chat exploded.
Helpers too. Even monsters:
"Who's Hedgehog Summoner-yang?" Merino Ulla.
[Master, Snake Head and Mummy Skeleton scouted alone.] Neo Hyung-seok.
[Hedgehog Summoner means prairie dweller. But Explorer never tamed one.] Centaurides.
[First time hearing that name-oo.] Marionette, Lilith Morphia.
[Pii, pii?]
[Kyuuu?]
Medical Mushroom-004 and Melody Fox too. Like their memories were wiped. No joking vibe.
Everyone but me forgot Hedgehog Summoner God?
Then:
[Pii? Why don't you know Hedgehog Summoner! Friends?!]
[This is weird. Why no memories?]
Blood Jellyfish Princess and Kinogine Arachne spoke up beside me. Others too:
[Gauntlet. I remember. Saw the trio scout.]
"I... know Hedgehog too..."
[Son, Mom remembers Hedgehog Summoner.]
Necro Puppeteer, Azeras, Niara, etc. Plenty remembered. Lucky—not total amnesia.
Some remember, some don't. Selective memory loss. Spotted the pattern: All forgetters shared one trait. Threat level S-grade or below.