157. Zapan's Gaze
In Kang Geon's hideout within the Ancient Labyrinth, a monster shaped like a vending machine gazed blankly around with dazed eyes.
It had been created under Earth's influence, tamed by Kang Geon the moment it was born, and like a few others, it followed him devotedly, calling him Dad. This was Zapan.
"Zapaaan..."
Kang Geon was chatting with his Jo-ryeokja, while the other monsters rested in their own ways.
"Ahem. Today's liquids are even fresher and tastier."
Muttering shyly to itself, Zapan took in the sight of everyone one by one, waiting patiently. It desperately hoped someone would ask for a drink. Dispensing liquids was Zapan's very reason for existing—its sacred mission.
Is no one thirsty today...?
Zapan looked crestfallen, staring at Kang Geon... no, Dad. Should it approach first and offer a cola? The thought crossed its mind briefly, but it quickly dismissed it. Dad looked busy talking with the Jo-ryeokja. His serious expression made it clear this was important.
Though Zapan might seem thoughtless at times, it was actually quite perceptive.
Can't interrupt when he's busy. I'll talk to Dad later.
Zapan averted its gaze from Dad. Just as it scanned for any thirsty monsters again—
[Duumba!]
Hop! The Hedgehog Summoner God leaped lightly, landing right in front of Zapan.
[Hellooo yot! Here for a liquiiiid yot!]
[Zapaan! Come on in!]
A bright smile spread across Zapan's face. Whenever someone came seeking its liquids, it was always a joyful moment.
[What liquid can I get you!?]
[Haven't decided yot! Don't rush meee yot!]
[Got it! I wasn't rushing, but I won't anyway! Take your time!]
[Hmmmmm. What drink todayy yot. Duum, duumba.]
The Hedgehog Summoner God stroked its chin in thought, then summoned two Abyss undead spirits. It began wiggling its hips in a dance right in front of Zapan.
[What to driiiink yot!]
[Duumba!]
[Duuuumba!]
[Such a tough choooice yot!]
[Tough, duumba!]
[Tough, duuuumba!]
[Zapaann...]
The Hedgehog stopped dancing. The spirits halted in sync. Having decided, it raised one arm high.
[Duumba! I've decided yot!]
[Decided? What'll it be!]
[Gimme a liquid that evolves me when I drink it yot!]
[Uh... I don't have anything like that...]
[Then make one yot! Whip one up yot!]
[Zapaann...]
Zapan scratched its side with a finger. As it struggled with the absurd request—
Thud.
Something heavy landed on the Hedgehog's head.
[Duumba?!]
[No forcing it yong. You're troubling Zapan yong.]
Squish squish. Bastet Daong pressed down on the Hedgehog's head with her front paw, adding that it shouldn't bully Zapan.
[Bullying's no good yong. Friends should get along yong.]
[Duumba? I didn't bully yot!]
[Forcing impossible requests is bullying yong.]
[D-D-D-Duumba?!]
The Hedgehog's eyes widened, mouth agape. It creaked its head toward Zapan like a rusty machine. After locking eyes briefly, it bowed its head in admission.
[Sorryy yot! If I upset you, I apologize yot!]
[Zapaann... It's fine, no hard feelings.]
Bastet watched warmly, then passed the Hedgehog and approached Zapan.
[I want milk yong. Just five bottles yong.]
[Zapaan! Right away!]
Rumble—Five plastic bottles of milk poured from Zapan's lower body.
[Thanks yong. I'll enjoy it yong.]
Bastet gathered the bottles, sat nearby, and poured them all onto the floor. Just as she lowered her head to lap it up—
[Kyuu...]
Melody Fox crept closer slyly, not facing front but backing up with her rear out. Bastet instantly grasped her intent. The wagging tail made it obvious—she wanted milk.
[Daong? You want some too, Melody yong?]
[Kyuu.]
[Then share with me yong.]
[Kyuaa!]
Lap lap. And so the two amicably shared the milk poured on the floor.
Meanwhile, the Hedgehog, who had been staring intently at Zapan's display—
[Just water for me yot!]
[Zapaan! Water coming up!]
Thud—A bottle of water dropped from Zapan's lower outlet. The Hedgehog grabbed it, emerged, and said,
[Thanks, I'll enjoy it yot!]
With the bottle balanced on its head, it scampered off.
Next came Azeras.
[Zapaan! Welcome, pretty Azeras!]
"Yeah."
Azeras held a large furry garment—something she'd knitted as a new hobby. She held it out to show Zapan.
"Made this custom for you to wear."
[Za, Zapaan? For me?! Thank you!!]
"No need to thank me. You provide us drinks every time, so this is repayment."
With that, Azeras carefully dressed Zapan in it.
[Thanks! I'll treasure it!]
"I said no thanks needed. And a beer... no, two cans, including Art Pega's share."
[Ung!]
Azeras took the two beers and left. Next approached the hell gatekeeper, Nightmare.
[Pping.]
Nightmare, popping in via warp device for a break. It was their first meeting today.
[Zapaan! New friend! Nice to meet you!]
[Pping!]
[Want something to drink?]
[Pping!]
[Pick anything from my display!]
[Pping, pping!]
Nightmare floated into the air, pointing its tail at a canned coffee on the display.
[Coffee it is! Got it!]
Rumble—Ten canned coffees rolled out one by one. Nightmare extended its tail long, carefully wrapping them up.
[Pping!]
With a beaming smile, it planted a light kiss on Zapan's surface in thanks and departed.
More monsters followed in line.
[Siii!]
[Cola! Siii!]
Dog Spider pack visiting the hideout.
[Zapan. Six more beers, please.]
Art Pega Unicorn, refilling after drinking with Azeras.
[Corn silk tea, extra strong pleeease!]
A portal above the warp device; Deep Guardian poking its head through.
[Zapaan! Open wide!]
[Yesss!]
Next, Snake Head from the desert village.
[Zapaiaan! Snake Head here! Long time!]
[Orooro! Cola please!]
[Ung! Your usual Max Cola, right?]
[Oro! Obviously Max Cola! CocxCola tastes bad!]
Rumble—Max Cola emerged from the outlet.
[Zapaan! Drink up!]
[Chuuuiii. Thanks.]
Then, behind Snake Head holding the Max Cola, a cat from the desert village appeared—a representative SS-grade cat that had migrated from the Solorb world.
[Nice to meowt you nyang.]
[Nice to meet you! What'll you have?]
[No drink nyang. Just wanted to see your face in person nyang.]
[Zapaan? Why my face?]
[I'm your fan nyang. My favorite nyang. Always cheering from the screen nyang.]
[No idea what you're cheering, but thanks anyway!]
[Nyanyang. But why didn't you migrate to our desert village nyang? Your infinite water supply would be perfect nyang.]
[I can't leave! Gotta stay by Dad forever!]
[Hmm. How about visiting occasionally to help with water nyang?]
[No way! Dad said villages must produce their own water! Don't rely on outsiders unless it's unavoidable! Or the village might collapse without help!]
[Nyaaang... Not even rare visits nyang? The Cat Crabs work so hard, I was planning a group vacation to our Solorb world nyang...]
This cat prioritized residents' welfare, especially the hardest-working Cat Crabs, and had planned a group vacation for them. Splitting it in halves wasn't an option—to foster unity, all would go together.
For reference, Solorb disliked Cat Crabs, calling them imposters in cat skins. Initially reluctant even for visits, but after the SS-grade cat's persistent persuasion and praise of their cuteness, Solorb relented: Hmm, they do look kinda cute up close.
Learning of the vacation plan for Cat Crabs, Zapan agreed to help.
[Oh, that's unavoidable, so I can assist! Call me when needed! I'll talk to Dad!]
[Thanks nyang. As expected, our Zapan has a kind heart nyang.]
The cat licked Zapan's face in thanks, then hopped lightly onto its head, grooming the top while chatting.
[As thanks, I'll share something good nyang.]
[Ung? Something good?]
[You're young, not fully using your powers nyang. Only making known or tasted liquids... But my eye says there's more nyang.]
[Zapaan?]
[You can probably combine... no, synthesize liquids nyang. Try now nyang. Succeed in precise synthesis, and unlock your true potential nyang. Hone it, and you might create entirely new liquids nyang. Well, by extracting and mixing existing ones repeatedly nyang.]
[No clue, but I'll try as you say!]
With the cat's guidance, Zapan began experimenting.
A long time passed. Finally, Zapan succeeded in creating a new liquid.
[Zapaan! I did it! Thanks to you!!!]
[Congrats nyang. Drink more variety from now on nyang. Broader synthesis, more creations nyang.]
With that, the cat declared its role done and returned to the desert village.
And then—
"Yangyang. Thirsty yang. Gotta ravage my throat with something cool yang."
Merino Ulla toddled up to Zapan.
[Oh? Merino-pan! Perfect timing!]
"Yangyang?"
[Made a new mood-boosting liquid! Try it!]
"Mood-boosting liquid yang?"
Zapan dispensed a plastic bottle of purple liquid. Merino picked it up curiously, tilted her head, then chugged it down.
After emptying it, she wiped her mouth with her forearm and gave a curt review.
"Tasty yang. Drank well yang."
[Feeling better?]
"I'm always in a good mood yang."
[Zapaan...?]
For reference, Merino had a unique constitution that could process anything, filtering out harmful components automatically.
As Zapan puzzled over her—
"Hm? New drink? Not just known ones, but something never tasted before?"
Kang Geon approached, having overheard.
Zapan shifted focus from Merino, dispensing another purple bottle.
[Zapaan! Synthesized a brand-new liquid!]
"Didn't know that was possible. Our Zapan's amazing."
[Zapaan! I'm amazing! The cat's amazing! Dad's amazing too!]
Kang Geon grabbed the bottle and drank without hesitation. His face twisted instantly.
"......"
[Zapaan! How is it? Feel good, Dad?]
Kang Geon spat it out.
"...This is drugs."
[Zapaan?]
It wasn't harmful to his body now, but no need to drink it.
"Zapan, don't make this anymore."
[Why? I aimed for mood-boosting. Any issue? Is it bad...?]
"None here would have problems, but it's hardly 'good.' If Earth Jo-ryeokja drank it, big trouble."
[Zapaan... I made something weird... Sorry......]
"No need to apologize. Harmless to us anyway."
Kang Geon didn't scold Zapan at all. Instead, he praised creating something new again.
"Learn from this failure. Make a proper one next time. Don't get down. Got it?"
[...Ung! Next one super good!]
Comforted, Zapan perked up, vowing to develop a truly beneficial, innovative liquid next—and never fail again.