Chapter 19
Chapter 19
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: The Cauldron and the Slime's Flower
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Lee Yoo-hyun spent two full days completing the herb-gathering quest Dun had requested. Drenched in sweat, he dumped the massive pile of greens from his back in front of Dun.
“Do you know I got a new herb-gathering skill?”
“Jackpot.”
“Where’d you even pick that up from?”
“From you guys.”
Lee Yoo-hyun let out an incredulous laugh.
“So, are we finally hunting monsters now?”
“Nope?”
As Dun lifted one corner of his mouth in denial, all the tension drained from Lee Yoo-hyun’s shoulders.
“Not yet.”
[F-Grade Quest] Cauldron Crafting.
Content: Gather clay from the riverbank and craft a large cauldron!
Reward: Large cauldron, 20 EXP
Penalty for failure/refusal: Soul Contract penalty
Lee Yoo-hyun sighed at the new quest that had popped up.
“A soul contract really is some scary stuff.”
“Yeah. Now that you’re contracted with me, your life’s pretty much set in stone, so quit wasting time regretting it and get going.”
Lee Yoo-hyun started to argue back but soon realized it was pointless and trudged off toward the riverbank.
While he was off gathering materials for the cauldron, Dun sifted through the piled-up herbs with his hands, checking if they’d been picked properly.
He sorted them by their effects: herbs for stamina, herbs for boosting stats, and so on.
“What’s this one?”
As he rummaged, Dun found a herb he hadn’t asked for. It must have gotten mixed in when Lee Yoo-hyun zoned out mid-picking and started yanking up random plants.
It had an odd look to it. It bore bluish fruits—or wait, on closer inspection, they seemed more like flowers.
[Rare] Slime’s Flower
Description: A rare flower that strengthens monsters living in grassy areas. It earned the name “Slime’s Flower” due to its resemblance to slimes. If a human eats it, they die.
When he plucked the flower, the system automatically registered it as an item and displayed its info.
“So it’s called Slime’s Flower, huh.”
Dun pondered the “humans die if they eat it” part, wondering if he should try making some poison.
[Wan’ i’...... Wan’ i’......]
But the slime climbed onto Dun’s hand holding the herb and oozed toward it.
“You want it?”
[Wan’ i’......]
The description said monsters in grassy areas loved it, and sure enough, the slime was trying to hug the flower to its body.
“Nope, don’t wanna give it.”
[Why...... So mean......?]
“Not that, but I’m not giving it to you.”
Watching the slime desperately inching toward the flower sparked some mischief in Dun. He peeled the slime off his hand and dangled the herb just out of reach, twirling it teasingly.
He shook it tantalizingly close but never quite letting the slime grab it. The slime got so mad it turned bright red. Its body bubbled and steamed.
[Hngh....... Hngh.......]
Then, unable to hold back anymore, it started bawling, tears plopping out.
Dun hadn’t expected the slime to cry and panicked, quickly handing over the flower.
“Geez, don’t cry over something like that, you wimp.”
[Mea......! Mea......!]
The slime grumbled endlessly about how mean Dun was while tucking the flower into its body. The flower didn’t get absorbed—it just floated around inside the translucent slime.
Now with the flower, the slime stopped crying and beamed happily.
[Thank oo...... Love oo......]
Having turned pink after getting the flower, the slime nuzzled against Dun’s arm.
“But you can’t absorb it, so you gonna keep it floating in there? Want me to boil it in water for you to eat?”
[Okay...... Thank oo......]
“Uh......”
Dun hadn’t realized the always-loving slime could get mad and cry like that, so he mumbled awkwardly in response.
With its anger subsided, the slime oozed up onto Dun’s knee and wiggled around. Inside it, the flower spun in circles. The stem part dissolved into the slime’s body, leaving just the flower floating.
The slime’s expression looked much brighter than before.
“You like it that much?”
[Mm......]
“Me or that herb—which do you like more?”
Dun snickered as he asked, and the slime paused, mouthing silently like it was thinking hard.
[Dun mos’......]
As it nuzzled and answered, Dun felt satisfied.
“What’re you doing with the slime?”
Lee Yoo-hyun, who’d been watching Dun and the slime’s little show, asked while hoisting the massive cauldron he’d made on his back.
“Oh, you made it? Hand it over.”
Ignoring Lee Yoo-hyun’s question about the slime, Dun crooked a finger toward the cauldron.
Lee Yoo-hyun glanced at the flower floating in the slime’s body, then set down the cauldron—which was twice his size—in front of Dun.
“But what’s that flower do? Picked it ‘cause it looked cool.”
“It strengthens monsters.”
“And humans?”
“Kills ‘em.”
Lee Yoo-hyun clicked his tongue at that. He’d yanked it up absentmindedly and kept it because of its unique look, hoping it had some special effect.
Dun smirked at how obviously disappointed he was, then dumped all the sorted herbs into the cauldron.
He pulled a long wooden sword from his inventory, tensed his whole body, and suppressed his strength.
“You’ve got an inventory too?”
“Subspace pouch.”
Lee Yoo-hyun’s eyes went wide seeing the wooden sword materialize from thin air, but Dun brushed it off lazily since explaining was a hassle.
“You’re not really from here, are you, Dun?”
“Correct.”
“Well, then, I actually am from here.”
“Yeah. Now quit yapping.”
Dun gripped the wooden sword tighter, took a deep breath, and tensed his muscles.
Thud-thud-thud-thud!
He pounded the herbs in the cauldron into a fine chop—about a hundred times per second, probably. He’d held back his strength as much as possible, and his breath came ragged anyway. The herbs quickly turned into a thick mush.
“Phew...... wiped out.”
“You’re no ordinary guy.”
“Shut it. Now pour some water in here.”
Brain-freeze crown prince, no-fun-no-feels (zero thrills, zero chills).
Dun had wondered why the seemingly dignified guild master had such a weird nickname, but now he got it. The guy just dropped lame jokes once you got close.
Lee Yoo-hyun handed Dun some ice water from his inventory.
“Good work.”
“I know. Now fill this thing to the brim with water.”
At Dun’s order, Lee Yoo-hyun hustled again and filled the cauldron with water.
“Finally done.”
“Yep. Now rest.”
“How many minutes?”
“Like a day? So log out or something. You’re gonna grow mold in there.”
Lee Yoo-hyun thought for a moment, nodded, and logged out.
“Probably starved for two days straight.”
The demo version of the Hunter Capsule Lee Yoo-hyun used synced hydration between game and reality, but not food—so no matter how much you ate in-game, your real body would still go hungry.
Dun had thought he logged out at night when heading home, but nope. He’d been tirelessly picking herbs overnight to speed through the quest.
According to Lee Yoo-hyun, frequent logouts raised the death risk, so he avoided them.
Still, playing for over two days straight seemed extreme.
Lost in thought, Dun sat on the rim of the giant cauldron and stirred its contents.
The thick, nauseating green sludge started bubbling on its own—no fire under it or anything. Dun fought back the urge to puke and steadfastly kept stirring.
This vile brew was a potion for Lee Yoo-hyun’s growth.
He’d learned the basics of potion-making by peeking over Rihaowel’s shoulder. Never tried it himself, but this rough attempt seemed to be working.
Once the herbal mixture had boiled down enough, Dun caught five nearby Remyrings, tossed them in, and stirred.
The potion was coming together.
Dun lifted the wooden sword from the cauldron and dabbed a bit on his tongue to taste.
“Urghhh!”
Even that tiny bit made him want to hurl instantly. With nothing in his stomach, he just spat out the liquid.
Panting hard, Dun twisted his lips into a smirk.
You’re screwed, Lee Yoo-hyun.
He’d have to down the whole cauldron.