Homecoming
The return to Korea went smoothly.
“Bringing the family you rescued from the gang back to Korea. As expected of the hero of the Spice Islands.”
The Argentine government approved Enrique’s family’s immigration without a single objection. Passport issuance was a free pass.
“I knew the team leader was capable, but this much?”
“Hardly. I only said one word to the embassy.”
Han Suchang shook his head vigorously.
If even this guy was surprised, he must have been sincere.
When I asked the embassy, they said the government judged the value of Iguazu Falls far higher than a single Bronze-rank player.
“They’re worried another high-difficulty gate might appear.”
“Well, that’s fortunate. At least there’s no complaint.”
They failed to recognize the one with Monarch potential and chose to curry favor with me instead. I wondered how much Argentina would regret this decision later.
“By the way, the embassy wants to throw a gate-closure celebration party.”
“Let’s just go.”
“I’ll tell them the Association has a prior schedule.”
Han Suchang volunteered to play the villain. I appreciated the consideration, though it wasn’t necessary.
Once Enrique’s family finished all the paperwork, we returned to Korea.
“Master, who’s that kid?”
“Say hello. New guild member.”
I gave Enrique a light push forward.
“I’m not a kid!”
“Wow, he’s so cute!”
Lee Jiyoung approached without hesitation and hugged him. Because he was much smaller than other kids his age, he disappeared completely into her embrace.
“D-don’t do this.”
“How old are you?”
“Fourteen.”
“You look about ten.”
“Let go, you auntie!”
“Auntie~? Looks like this big sister needs to teach you some manners.”
Lee Jiyoung’s eyes sparkled as she looked at me. Refusing would probably earn me a massive scolding later.
“Yeah. Teach him well.”
“T-this isn’t right, Guild Master!”
“Hoho, just hold big sister’s hand and follow along.”
Enrique was dragged away. He shot me a pitiful look, but I turned my head and ignored it.
“Thank you for welcoming our child.”
Fortunately, Enrique’s parents didn’t make a fuss. Lee Jiyoung did have a rather friendly face.
“We’ll prepare a place for your family to stay right away.”
“How can we ever repay this kindness?”
“Just make sure Enrique doesn’t go astray.”
“That’s only natural as parents. If anything, we’re the ones who should be grateful for this opportunity.”
Ever since the Tower of Babel appeared, language barriers had vanished. Once they adapted to the work, living in Korea wouldn’t be inconvenient.
After the noisy introduction of the new member ended, I checked Enrique’s specs.
Enrique Deltoro. Age: 14. Race: Human. Ability: Mechanic. Job: Mecha Apprentice. Level: 131.
His unique ability, Mechanic, allowed rapid understanding of magic engineering and the power to strengthen machines by infusing them with mana. All his skills were machine-related: Mechanic Control [3-star], Mecha Crafting [2-star], Mecha Upgrade [2-star], Mechanic Trace [2-star], and Mechanic Reinforcement [2-star].
Most Mechanic ability users would have picked up extra skills because leveling with only those techniques was impossible, but Enrique had walked the Mechanic path exclusively.
“Impressive.”
“What is?”
“You’re a real one-track mind. A total Mecha otaku.”
“I did enjoy tinkering even before receiving the Tower’s invitation, but calling me an otaku is…”
“It’s a compliment. Don’t take it too badly.”
It might have sounded like teasing, but I meant it. Some of the guns Enrique had placed on the walls and roadsides weren’t purchased—they were modified by his own hands. He hadn’t stopped at simple mana infusion; he had used his Mecha modification skill to amplify the mana in the bullets.
Truly fitting for the future Machine Monarch.
“There’s a small problem, though.”
“What is it?”
“Guns are illegal in our country.”
Enrique waved his hands in disbelief.
“Don’t joke around, Guild Master.”
“I’m serious. You can only use air guns or boar-hunting shotguns under strict restrictions.”
Enrique’s mouth fell open. A moment later he screamed.
“Then what am I supposed to use to climb the Tower?!”
“Kid, did you really have to yell?”
“You told me to come to Korea trusting you! What is this?!”
“I already have a plan.”
Even in 2026, Mechanic users fought by infusing modern weapons with mana. But after the Machine Monarch rose to prominence, Mechanic players began climbing the Tower with a different combat style.
“Synchronize your mana with armor instead.”
“Armor instead of guns?”
“Yeah. There’s no rule saying Mechanic players can’t fight in close combat.”
“It’s a decent idea, but I still need an attack method.”
“Connect mana stones to gauntlets or similar gear and focus. You can release them as spheres or in a single burst, right?”
Enrique fell into deep thought at my words. Before my regression, that was the equipment the Machine Monarch used when fighting barehanded instead of piloting a Titan. It had reminded me of a hero from the movies.
“It’s possible.”
“Right?”
“Mana stone consumption will be enormous, though.”
“Make it rechargeable instead of disposable. You can also run a mana engine.”
“Output will drop, though.”
“Use the mana generated by the engine for sphere-type attacks and disposable mana stones for one-hit kills.”
“O-ohhh!”
Enrique cheered. He really liked the idea. To be precise, I had simply explained in a plausible way what the pre-regression Enrique had already used.
“Guild Master, please get me some mana stones and armor.”
“I’ll put it on your tab.”
“Do whatever you want.”
A fierce longing shimmered in Enrique’s eyes. The kid had no fear of debt, did he?
I had spent an astronomical sum to recruit Ping Lei, but most of the money invested by Gold Moon had gone into that, so I still had breathing room. Compared to what I had poured into that guy, what Enrique was asking for was practically nothing.
“I’ll get you whatever you need.”
“Thank you.”
“Before that, I have a favor to ask too.”
I pointed at the dolls lined up on one side of the training ground—the puppet weapons Kim Youngsoo used.
“Can you reinforce them?”
“Of course.”
Let’s see. I was curious how the future Machine Monarch would tune puppet weapons.
* * *
While preparing new equipment for Enrique, I checked my bank balance. Roughly twenty billion won. Rewards from clearing gates, government support funds, and prize money from closing the gates at Iguazu Falls and Buru Island. I had also steadily sold off low-value loot obtained during missions. Even after buying multiple Tyrannosaurus fossils, this much money had accumulated.
It was certainly a huge amount, but…
“Not enough.”
A sigh escaped me first. No matter how much money I earned, it felt like it kept leaking out of a bottomless jar.
At least five billion. That was the amount needed to nurture Enrique’s talent. Infusing armor with mana and modifying it with the Mechanic ability was on a completely different level from strengthening firearms. The effect relative to investment was certain, but right now it was undeniably painful bleeding.
“What troubles you so?”
Nyx approached, her hair fluttering. It seemed the drama she had been watching had ended.
“I need a lot of money.”
“I cannot fathom why currency holds such meaning for you.”
“I need to collect more fossils.”
“Have you not already devoured the essences of the primitive species?”
“Right. Only the Spinosaurid essence remains.”
Spinosaurids—or rather, the pinnacle of the Spinosauridae, the Tyrannosaurus. But primitive species included many others besides Spinosaurids: sauropods like Brachiosaurus, ceratopsians like Triceratops, and so on. They were divided into numerous groups.
“There are already hundreds of dinosaur species discovered.”
“So you intend to devour the essences of all those hundreds of species.”
“No. Not all of them.”
Once I devoured the essences of the apex of each group, fossils of lower dinosaurs would become useless. The ultimate body the primitive species had pursued. The final evolution they had failed to achieve in the past had been completed by me before my regression.
“I only need the fossils I require.”
Obtaining the fossils of various dinosaurs would cost an enormous amount of money. I had no intention of stopping. Elixirs like Dragon Hearts or ten-thousand-year snow ginseng couldn’t be bought with any amount of money. If anything, raising stats with money was the cheaper option.
“I should hire a decent accountant soon.”
I pressed my thumb against my temple. I had managed funds with the Association’s help and my memories from before regression, but there were simply too many things to worry about now. I had even founded a guild. From here on, troublesome matters would only increase, not decrease.
Knock knock.
“Come in.”
Kim Youngsoo walked in hesitantly.
“Hyung-nim, what brings you here?”
“Weren’t you in the middle of tuning the puppet weapons?”
“Ah, take a vacation.”
“Thank you, Guild Master.”
“Don’t be so cautious about saying things like that. This isn’t a company.”
“A guild is basically the same as a company. Anyway, thank you.”
“Send my regards to your wife and daughter too.”
He really was a family-oriented man. I had noticed it when he bought souvenirs last time. Since he said it would take a few days to tune the puppet weapons anyway, taking a break now wouldn’t be bad.
“When you come back, I’ll work you properly.”
“Haha, I’ll look forward to it.”
After Kim Youngsoo left with a smile, Nyx stared at me intently.
“What?”
“Do you not have family as well?”
“Ah, Grandfather?”
“Everyone else goes to see their families, yet you always seem so alone.”
“Alone, my ass.”
I replied curtly. My only remaining blood relative—Grandfather. He was still living near his hometown, tending his vegetable garden. He was remarkably healthy for his age, so there was no need to worry about his health. Even before my regression, he had lived peacefully until 2040 and passed away of natural causes.
Come to think of it, I hadn’t visited Grandfather once since regressing. I had contacted him occasionally, but I should head down to my hometown soon.
“He’s strong enough that I don’t need to take care of him. I should at least show my face once in a while.”
“He is your ancestor, so I can imagine how strong he must be.”
I couldn’t tell if that was praise or an insult.
“But why bring up family?”
“This country has a terrifying death called lonely death.”
I was momentarily speechless.
“……Excuse me?”
“You need family who will always stay close to you.”
“No. Even if that’s true, there’s no reason to mention lonely death here!”
“Ohoho, be quiet and engrave this goddess’s golden advice in your ears.”
At Nyx’s forceful words, my mouth snapped shut against my will. What on earth was she trying to say?
Nyx put on a serious expression.
“Therefore, I shall become your family.”
She spouted a completely unconvincing sophistry. I frowned.
“That seems like quite a leap in logic.”
“Consider it an act of charity, saving one pitiful contractor.”
I had no idea what drama this goddess had been watching.
“From now on, treat me like family.”
“If you insist that much.”
I supposed I should play along with Nyx for now. Then…
“Grandma.”
Smack!
Nyx’s Polar Night struck the back of my head with considerable force.
