Chapter 18
Chapter 18
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: The Herb-Picking Quest
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Lee Yoo-hyun successfully completed all of Rihaowel's quests.
During the hunts for the leeches and Ellic, he leveled up once. Normally, it should have been two or three times, but since he had built up a decent level by now, the pace was naturally slowing.
After collecting all the items from the leech corpses and Ellic's bodies, Dun and Lee Yoo-hyun went to find Rihaowel for their rewards.
When they checked the general store and she wasn't there, they wandered around the village.
Rihaowel was on a hill where the sunset was gently sinking, biting into an apple. In her hand was a book on magic potions. It seemed more like a prop—she wasn't reading it, just holding it while spacing out at the sun and munching on her apple.
"Mom. Lee Yoo-hyun finished the quests."
Rihaowel, who had been leaning against a tree, spotted Dun and smiled. She stretched out her arms and tightly hugged Dun as he climbed up the hill.
"Yeah?"
As Dun burrowed into Rihaowel's embrace, she stroked his head. Looking down at Dun with warm eyes, Rihaowel turned her head toward Lee Yoo-hyun, who was standing awkwardly in front of her.
"I can't give you the reward right now, so come by the general store later and pick any two items you like."
"Ah, thank you."
Lee Yoo-hyun gained the experience points awarded for quest completion and gave a faint smile.
"You're setting off on adventures with Dun starting tomorrow?"
With the sunset at her back, Rihaowel was unbelievably beautiful. Sunlight soaked into her silver hair subtly tinged with purple. Her mysterious purple eyes, gazing at Dun, were filled with reluctance.
Lee Yoo-hyun stared blankly at Rihaowel, who looked about his own age, fiddled with his earlobes, and nodded.
"Yes."
Lee Yoo-hyun spoke a bit shyly.
Rihaowel, who seemed troubled at the news of Dun leaving on adventures, gazed off into the distant horizon.
Rihaowel pulled Dun's shoulders in tightly and muttered.
". . . It feels like a bit of a pointless request, but."
[D-Grade Quest] Keep Dun Safe!
Content: Ensure Dun doesn't get hurt during adventures.
Reward: 200 exp
On Failure: You may be killed by Rihaowel.
Lee Yoo-hyun read the quest window that popped up in front of him. His eyes widened briefly at the absurd content and penalty, then he scratched his cheek.
"Should we head home and grab some dinner?"
Rihaowel kissed Dun on the forehead and beamed. Dun grimaced and rubbed his forehead with his arm. He grumbled but still took Rihaowel's hand and helped her up.
"If you so much as scratch my daughter."
Rihaowel brushed past Lee Yoo-hyun, tapping his shoulder.
Lee Yoo-hyun stiffened at her chilling words and nodded rigidly. Was it just his imagination, or had her tone shifted slightly?
"Why's your brow furrowed again?"
Dun asked worriedly, looking at Rihaowel's creased forehead.
"I don't get to see you during the day. We can't even eat together."
"I'll be back at night. Don't get all mopey."
Dun's ears turned red as he looked at Rihaowel, who wasn't hiding her sulkiness.
"Being upset is being upset. So for that, dinner tonight is pork ribs. I'm gonna check if there's meat on those bones."
"?"
* * *
For Rihaowel's quest reward, Lee Yoo-hyun picked a tent and a night lantern. Dun had told him to choose those.
Up until now, he'd been eating and sleeping in the personal training ground Dun had prepared, but from now on, he'd be doing it in hunting zones.
Lee Yoo-hyun's current level was 35.
To get him to level 50, Dun took him to the Remiring habitat. Remirings were bizarre monsters that looked like ducks with slimy bodies—smart enough and strong enough to be a perfect match for Lee Yoo-hyun's current level.
The area near the Remiring hunting grounds also had plenty of processable resources. Besides Remirings, there were moderately strong monsters around, so it would allow Lee Yoo-hyun to level up efficiently.
When Dun said they were heading to the Remiring hunting grounds, Rihaowel asked him to deliver some weapons. The Selk Academy nearby had ordered wooden swords and real blades for their swordsmanship classes, as their stock had run out.
The 'Selk Academy' near the Remiring habitat was close to the capital and the imperial palace, with many nobles' villas around, making it famous as a noble academy.
Since it catered to the demands of wealthy nobles, it was usually high-level players who took the quests there, so plenty of high-level players wandered the academy looking for quests.
The weapons Rihaowel sold to Selk Academy all had heal magic enchanted on them, instantly treating any wounds. Because they handled such special weapons, the academy only bought from Rihaowel.
Since it was a place they frequented anyway, Dun happily took on Rihaowel's errand.
If it had been somewhere unfamiliar, he could've played dumb about not knowing the way, but oh well.
[Huh? Huh?]
He'd brought the slime along too. He'd thought about leaving it in the room since it might die, but it threw a massive tantrum and refused to be left behind.
[Lv. 28] Slime in Love
Lee Yoo-hyun wasn't the only one who'd grown a lot—the slime had too.
A slime at level 28. It was on the verge of breaking level 30. It was probably the highest-leveled living slime around.
The fact that the most pathetic monster could keep getting stronger was fascinating, so it seemed fine to keep bringing it along. He was curious what would happen if a slime hit level 100.
Even top rankers weren't level 100 yet, but imagine a weak monster like a slime beating rankers.
That'd be badass. Sounded pretty fun.
"Alright, time to seriously level up."
"Yes, sir!"
After setting up the tent at the Remiring hunting grounds, Lee Yoo-hyun responded energetically. They'd pitched it near the teleportation circle that led back to Dun's room.
"Should I take care of the monsters?"
Lee Yoo-hyun seemed oddly excited. Probably thrilled about the real deal starting.
"Nope?"
Dun tossed him a large basket.
"First, go pick some herbs."
[F-Grade Quest] Pick Herbs
Content: Pick the herbs Dun requested. [View List]
Reward: 100 exp
On Failure/Rejection: Soul Contract Penalty
"Herbs...?"
Lee Yoo-hyun, who received the quest, echoed in confusion.
"Yeah, hurry up and pick."
Lee Yoo-hyun hesitated at the ridiculous quest but rolled up his sleeves.
When the harsh sunlight slowed his work, Dun gave him a sun hat to block it.
Lee Yoo-hyun looked dissatisfied with the task but said nothing and silently plucked the plants.
While Lee Yoo-hyun sweated and toiled, Dun crunched on the strawberry ice Rihaowel had packed that morning and nagged.
"You're damaging the roots. Dig into the soil and pull them so the roots don't break."
Lee Yoo-hyun rolled up his slipping sleeves and diligently dug, careful not to damage the herb roots.
"No, you dense idiot. Don't yank it out root and all. Separate the root and stem before pulling."
Dun pointed accusingly and clicked his tongue.
"For ones with flowers, just take the petals! Can't you do it right?"
Lee Yoo-hyun crouched picking herbs, his mouth tightening. Unable to endure Dun's nagging, he turned his head. He was making a pouty face at Dun.
"What're you looking at."
As Dun lounged lazily in the tent yawning, Lee Yoo-hyun grumbled and resumed picking diligently.
"You really... feel like a section chief."
"What?"
"Nothing. I'll work hard!"
Lee Yoo-hyun turned back and grabbed the plant stem.
"But what does picking herbs have to do with leveling up?"
"Don't question it."
"Got it."
No real connection. The reason for making him pick herbs was for Dun himself.
This area was full of plants like 'Loquyrin' that boosted stamina, so he was plucking them all while he was here.
Of course, there were herbs for Lee Yoo-hyun's growth too. But more for Dun's stamina.
Dun flipped through the pages of a book titled 'Uses of Common-Looking Plants' while shifting around. There weren't many herbs that boosted stamina. Plenty for HP or MP, though.
"Don't look my way—hurry up."
[Hurry! Hurry!]
Dun scratched his belly and urged Lee Yoo-hyun on. The slime nagged from the side too.
"Can't you see my hands working from your view?"
Lee Yoo-hyun twisted his body so his hands weren't visible in Dun's line of sight and spouted nonsense.
"But."
"My hands are moving too fast for you to see."
Dun set down his book and stared intently at Lee Yoo-hyun's back.
As if aware of his guilt, the briefly silent Lee Yoo-hyun glanced back at the wordless Dun.
Dun's face looked ready to kill him any second.
"I'm sorry. I was being dramatic."