Chapter 84
I did warn them in advance, but I wonder if they'll really be okay without me... I can't be too sure.
The Dullahan had shown some improvement last time with Rune nearby, but Perdikion wore his likes and dislikes on his sleeve. Rune couldn't help worrying if he'd be overly conscious of the Red Dragon's moods.
It won't change in a short time. I hope this journey helps them build a decent rapport.
If that happened, even without meeting face-to-face later, just exchanging Mokoji Stones would keep their bond alive—and that would be a win.
⟨Amelia⟩: Come to think of it, it feels like you've only been giving to me. I want to give something back too...
As he pondered, another line floated up.
Rune already had the Seal of Water in mind via Amelia, so he smoothly broached the topic.
⟨Rune⟩: If you insist, there's one favor I'd like to ask.
⟨Amelia⟩: Y-Yeah? What is it?
Rune paused at the sight of the clear blue text, then wrote swiftly.
⟨Rune⟩: Before we head into the Cursed Dungeon this time, could you give me the Seal of Water?
It was necessary for proper rewards from the dungeon, but handing it to Rune—a non-Blue Dragon—was no small matter.
He already had arguments ready if she showed any hesitation.
The Mokoji Stone went quiet, then after a long pause, text appeared.
⟨Amelia⟩: If you need it, of course.
Rune's eyes widened at the unexpected permission.
⟨Rune⟩: Really?
⟨Amelia⟩: Yeah. You saved my parents, Rune. And I heard you were officially commissioned by them to completely purge the darkness from the Cursed Dungeon.
She knew.
It wasn't surprising that she knew about the commission.
Rune affirmed it straightforwardly.
⟨Amelia⟩: I know purging the darkness and restoring the dungeon to its original state will ultimately benefit us more. Without you, we Water Clan folk couldn't have lived in our home for much longer.
The Cursed Dungeon, once the Water Lair, had originally been called the Wave Dungeon.
Even if the Water Clan purified the darkness and curses that had corrupted it, restoring its true form would take centuries.
But if Rune handled the darkness, curses, and poison directly, it could revert instantly.
⟨Amelia⟩: I already have the Seal of Water.
⟨Rune⟩: For real?
⟨Amelia⟩: Yeah... My parents and I, as the Water Clan's representative, think it's absolutely necessary for you because of the Cursed Dungeon's nature. And...
The text slowed, as if it was hard to say.
Yet it carried an unbelievable calm from the child who had endured overwhelming power in her frailty.
⟨Amelia⟩: My parents said that when they took on the darkness and curses, they thought they might die and leave me behind.
Amelia's parents had recognized her excellent purification Word of Power ability as sufficient for an Elder.
And so, in their still-recovering but poor condition, she had temporarily received the Seal of Water to act as the Water Clan's head.
This is an unexpected boon.
As Rune thought that, the Mokoji Stone's text continued.
⟨Amelia⟩: Lady Christina came just in time, and with her help, I safely inherited the seal. As a provisional Elder of the Water Clan, I'll give you the Seal of Water. It's my duty to repay the favor we received from the Darkness Clan.
The little mermaid who used to avert her eyes at the mere sight of Rune now carried herself with real poise.
⟨Rune⟩: Thanks, Amelia.
⟨Amelia⟩: I saved my parents thanks to you. You helped me escape feeling like a helpless child. The Seal of Water isn't much compared to what I received.
Her words brimmed with goodwill.
⟨Rune⟩: I'll message you once more before we go, then.
⟨Amelia⟩: Yeah. I'll be waiting.
Rune ended the satisfying chat with Amelia and turned a lingering glare at the one list he'd been putting off.
Just this one left, huh.
Touching the Mokoji Stone brought up the flood of unread messages from Jed—the one who'd left the most.
Rune shook his head at the blurry-eyed sight of endless trivial chatter left without rest, even on days off.
Let's get this over with. Once this guy's done, I'm free.
Rune's fingers moved.
⟨Rune⟩: Jed. What're you up to.
A reply came lightning-fast, as if he'd been waiting.
⟨Jed⟩: Lord Rune! Aigoo, how long has it been? You're too much, truly! Do you know how much I've been pining for your reply? You've seen all the messages I sent up top, right!? They're filled with my research and anguish from this time. I poured my heart into them—you must've felt the pity. This kind of work can't be done without tears! I desperately hoped you'd recognize my efforts, but how could my lord ignore them? I lived in fear you'd cast aside this loyal servant! But I trusted and waited, and now you see me—such relief. This Jed is truly weeping!
This guy... He increased the max mana characters per message.
Fatigue hit hard already.
It hurt to see his talent wasted on weird flattery, but he had to stop Jed's fingers before another wall of text.
⟨Rune⟩: Should I not give it to you?
⟨Jed⟩: Have you been well, Lord Rune?
Jed turned polite fast, without even knowing what "it" was.
He always needed a poke in the ribs to converse properly.
Honest rascal.
Finally quiet, Rune slowly typed atop the Mokoji Stone.
⟨Rune⟩: Remember what I said before?
Jed instantly recalled Rune's words to the material-seeker: "Level up your skills."
⟨Jed⟩: Of course! As you see, I've greatly extended the message length for offline posts on the Mokoji Stone! Those daily morning achievement tales weren't just idle chatter!
So that's what his experiments were.
The endless trivia was Jed's research log.
And he'd actually achieved results per Rune's orders—no grounds to stop him.
Objectively, it was a huge gain.
⟨Jed⟩: There are plenty in the human world who can't read or write. Soon, I'll add simple images or lines beyond text. Plus, through the Musketeer Merchant, we've sourced water-attribute magic stones to research deep-sea materials.
⟨Rune⟩: I see. You're doing well.
I heard he set up a shop, but sourcing magic stones means the Musketeer Merchant's become quite the outfit.
Handling mana stones also meant Jed's personal skills had leaped forward.
The more he heard, the better the results sounded.
Not missing a beat, Rune rated half-sincere pleas like "I've worked myself to death, Lord Rune!" as passing.
⟨Rune⟩: Good work. As promised, I'll send monster byproducts from the deep-sea field. Use them for gear crafting and research. Heungmi will deliver—cover black market buys with that too.
⟨Jed⟩: Eek! How much are you sending!?
⟨Rune⟩: Enough to make you sob and collapse in awe.
⟨Jed⟩: Pardon? Items that impressive? Coming to the human world, I've seen plenty of wonders—thinking of old me might be a bit unfair!
⟨Rune⟩: No joke.
Jed went silent for a while, then a short, hastily typed reply appeared.
⟨Jed⟩: Thank you. lol
This guy excitedly typed a novel, erased it, and sent that.
Rune knew Jed's type well.
The one who'd stretched "upset" to absurd lengths moments ago was now greedily envisioning the dungeon goodies in his grasp. Crystal clear.
Hope he doesn't shake Paralium and put on a fire show in excitement.
Anyway, these materials weren't free.
Rune got to business.
⟨Rune⟩: I need you to make something. It's important, so do it right. See the item first, then decide if I send more later.
⟨Jed⟩: If my lord says so, of course! Tell me—what is it?
⟨Rune⟩: Heungmi will deliver it. Make it first.
Telling him now would make Jed clamor to come craft it himself for the dungeon. Better via Heungmi.
He can't refuse anyway. Seeing these goods, he'll perform miracles to make it.
The item's trickiness wasn't his problem.
Rune praised his past self for leveraging Jed's greed and ambition.
Once that's made, prep for the Cursed Dungeon is basically done.
Rune hid his intentions and wrapped up casually.
The next day, Rune—barely recovered—returned from dawn training and collapsed onto his bed, wiped out.
Exhausting, but every day felt rewarding.
My response time's improved a lot. Two or three hours' rest is enough now.
A huge leap from lying sick all day before.
Heading to the drawing room for lunch at last, Christina greeted him while magic-shifting food plates.
"Oh, Rune. You're up already?"
"Yeah."
Rune slumped into his seat with tired eyes, Baekya's perm-fried feathers from who-knows-what training.
Heungmi entered holding the drowsy Baekya.
They look beat too.
Heungmi's sulky sleep-face, Baekya half-eyed and blinking.
Perdikion held his spot sternly but propped his chin, staring blankly.
Teaching wasn't easy—he was just as drained.
Christina smiled pityingly at them and urged food.
"You've all worked hard. Let's eat up."
She'd clearly put thought into rewarding their growth efforts.
Fish steak topped with roasted almonds and lime scent.
The moist, shreddable white flesh like fresh mozzarella was divine.
And the deep-sea crab Rune requested when Christina left—gloriously red and steamed—graced the table.
"Deep-sea crab. Steamed in mana-rich salt for juiciness and tenderness."
A dish using the mana salt and crab he'd asked for in her lunchbox.
Realizing now it was all scheming, Christina shot Rune a subtle side-eye.