Chapter 27
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: Lair?
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Lair?
Life in the new house was incredibly happy.
At first, it took some time to adjust to the spacious place, but that spatial difference vanished in an instant once I was in front of the top-of-the-line computer and the plush bed. Mealtime with premium snacks and my stockpiled mana hearts was pure bliss, too.
Of course, by far the best part was the "secret base room."
It preserved the vibe of my old one-room apartment but was far larger and more comfortable. I set up furniture and piled on blankets to create a massive secret base.
With Yongyong stationed out front like a guard dog, I flapped my wings inside while watching YouTube. It was fun, but my satisfaction with the secret base quickly waned.
It was certainly cozy, great for hiding, and the space was just right...
'But it lacks a certain dignity, a sense of majesty...'
"Hmm..."
As I sat there, chin in hand, lost in serious thought, Yoo So-jeong poked her head into the blanket fort.
"Is something troubling you?"
"No, it's not really trouble..."
I couldn't sleep atop a mountain of gold like Taesan, but settling for a blanket fort was beneath the dignity of an SSS-Rank dragon.
An SSS-Rank Gold Dragon's lair had to be far more splendid and sturdy than this!
"Miss So-jeong! I've made up my mind!"
"About what?"
"I'm going to make a lair!"
Yoo So-jeong tilted her head.
"A lair, you say?"
"Yes! A lair! Don't all dragons need one? So I'm going to build an incredibly sturdy, flashy, impenetrable lair that no one can enter!"
I crawled out of the blanket fort and began explaining to her.
I gestured wildly with my hands, feet, and wings to convey the grandeur of the lair.
Soon, she nodded and pulled out her tablet.
"Understood. Shall I order extra goose-down blankets and memory-foam pillows? A Tempur mattress can be delivered express, too."
"No! It's not on that level!"
Evidently, she saw my lair as merely an extension of the blanket base.
"I'm going to make something far grander. For materials, um..."
I paced back and forth in the hallway, running through the needed supplies in my head.
'What would be good? It needs prestige, and it'd be best if no light gets in...'
Once I'd selected all the materials, I told her.
"First, I need several sturdy wooden pillars—for hanging blankets and curtains. And premium blankets, plus blackout curtains to block out all light!"
"Yes. Got it."
"And also... Ah!"
I'd almost forgotten the most important thing. Something absolutely essential for a Gold Dragon's lair.
"Gold! I need about 100kg of gold!"
My shout made Yoo So-jeong's fingers pause on the tablet. She glanced at me for a moment before speaking with an odd expression.
"Madam Lee Da-yoon. Allow me to explain the quote for your requested materials."
"Sure. How much?"
Yoo So-jeong tapped the tablet a few more times.
"The wooden pillars, premium bedding, and blackout curtains come to about 30 million won total. And at current market rates, 100kg of pure gold is around 60 billion won."
"...Huh?"
"Including shipping, the total cost is estimated at roughly 601 billion won."
Crack—
Something in my mind seemed to fracture.
"Th-that much?"
60 billion. How many chickens was that?
Even calculating with cheap 60,000-won chickens, that's a million birds. At three per day, it'd take nearly a thousand years.
That was thirty percent of my bank balance.
All for one little secret base?
The 100kg of gold I'd seen online was only about half a mattress in size...
"Th-then, make it 5kg..."
There was no rule saying the whole base had to be solid gold. Plating would do.
As I mumbled in a smaller voice, she entered something on the tablet.
"Understood. Shall I order gold leaf for plating?"
"Um... I still want to touch an actual gold bar, so please get that."
"Got it. I'll prepare it as quickly as possible."
While I was gaming and mulling over the secret base's structure, a clamor of footsteps echoed from outside the door.
'What? I didn't order delivery.'
One thing I'd overlooked: Yoo So-jeong's "as quickly as possible" was a far cry from my idea of fast.
Clank—
I paused my game and opened the door. There were those same "moving company workers" from before.
They hauled the materials into the room with military precision at her direction.
In just five minutes, the room was filled with countless pillows and blankets, pillars, and finally, one large gold bar.
Before starting work, I sized up the ordered gold bar.
'About the size of a walkie-talkie...'
Curious, I tried lifting it, but it was awkward with one hand. Using both, a heavy weight pressed down.
"Ooh...!"
I was startled by the unexpected heft, but gazing at its gleaming form made my eyes spin.
Later, when I made a fortune, I'd have gold crafted into all sorts of shapes to fill the base—coins, bars, dragon figures... Filling one room might take a ton? I could earn that cranking out S-Rank weapons.
Imagining my goal made my current self feel a bit shabby, but it fired me up all the same.
Yes, time to create a true lair, leagues beyond the blanket fort.
The process was simple. Visualize the finished lair and press the skill button hard.
'First, wooden pillars for the frame, blackout curtains for walls and ceiling to make a dark, cozy cave vibe. Luxury wool carpet on the floor, and inside, mountains of plush goose-down blankets and pillows.'
This was just the structure—the lair's true value went far beyond.
'Mana-powered heating and cooling for perfect temperature anytime. And most importantly, plate the pillars and entrance in gold so anyone can tell it's a dragon's lair!'
Brilliant design. No workbench or blueprints needed—just my perfect mental blueprint.
I immediately activated the skill on the gathered materials.
"Treasure Forge!"
[Materials: Wooden Pillars x6, Premium Goose-Down Blankets x3, Blackout Curtains, Pure Gold 5kg... and more]
[Current forgeable items: Sword, Necklace, Shield, Axe +2]
With my level-up, new forgeables were available. This time's choice was set.
[Portable Architecture]
I selected the new item type. All that remained was to press the button.
Squeeze.
The moment I did, every material in the room was enveloped in dazzling golden light. I felt a massive mana drain like when forging S-Rank weapons, but the Dragon Heart refilled it without pause.
When the light faded, the sight of my dreams unfolded before me.
"Wow..."
Taking up half the room was a massive, geometric tent-like structure. It resembled a unique large tent, but its presence was anything but ordinary.
Beautiful patterns embroidered with gold thread adorned the entire black fabric, and the entrance was an elegant arch of pure gold and wood, exuding luxury.
I cautiously stepped inside, and a completely different atmosphere enveloped me.
The blackout curtains blocked all outside light perfectly, but mana stones on the dome ceiling illuminated the interior softly like a starry night sky.
A plush carpet covered the floor, and piles of blankets and cushions tempted me exactly as I'd wanted.
Hop!
I leaped straight into the blanket pile, and softness embraced my entire body. I'd worried about summer heat lingering, but supplying mana instantly cooled the air to the perfect chill.
'Right! Yongyong!'
I had to bring my precious spoil of war, Yongyong, to a place like this.
As I headed to the living room to fetch him, Yoo So-jeong, who'd just ended a call, asked me.
"Madam Lee Da-yoon. Is the lair complete?"
"Yes! Come see!"
I grabbed her hand and pulled her into the lair room. The moment she saw what I'd created, she brought a hand to her mouth in astonishment.
She examined the secret base's exterior for a long while. Then she took a few photos.
"Miss So-jeong, aren't you coming in?"
"Right away."
Yoo So-jeong entered and looked around.
"...The ceiling is beautiful."
"Totally awesome, right?"
"It's an excellent piece of architecture. May I take photos to attach to the report?"
"Yes! Take as many as you like!"
Snap, snap.
Yoo So-jeong smiled as she inspected the lair inside and out. Seeing her expression while checking it out, it was clear she thought it was amazing too.
'...Come to think of it, this lair counts as an item. I forgot to check its grade.'
The thought hit me late. I opened the item's info window to check.
And the instant I saw the name and description, I couldn't help but be flustered.
Golden Cradle for Baby Dragons (A)
A portable cradle designed for young, frail baby dragons to rest safely and cozily. The soft golden glow inside stabilizes the young dragon's mind and body, promoting healthy sleep and pleasant dreams. The auto-temperature control system maintains an optimal environment to prevent colds. Fulfills a young dragon's lair desires.
"Cra... Cradle?"
The description was even more outrageous.
"...Baby?"
An absurd noise burst from my mouth.