Appointing My Right and Left Arms
Weekend morning. Rica-unnie's breakfast was the trendy spring onion bibimbap that's all the rage these days.
At first, I was a little meh about it? Honestly, when there's a ton of veggies on the plate, it kinda feels like I've turned into a cow or something.
"Rica-unnie, this is super yummy!"
"I'm grateful you're enjoying it. Computers and smartphones are quite useful. It was easy to obtain recipes."
"It's insanely delicious, love it to bits! Thumbs up! Thumbs up! Deluxe double thumbs up!"
You just have to give it thumbs up with both hands, right? Now I get why that ajusshi who goes "As long as it's not meeee" loves it so much.
Maybe it's because I haven't tried stuff I'm good at, like when I ate namul side dishes at Seo-ah's place!
The sesame oil is so fragrant, the fried egg is crispy outside and gooey inside like a pro chef's, the spring onions are crunchy and sweet, and the seasoning pairs perfectly!
"This doenjang jjigae is yummy too! It goes so well with the bibimbap!"
Thinking back, I used to eat stuff like this all the time at my old job, so why did it feel gross seeing it again?
Who knows! Anyway, Rica-unnie's cooking is delicious, and that's all that matters.
"But come to think of it..."
Suddenly it hit me. The plants see me and go "Mommy, mommy," but is it okay that I'm just chowing them down?
"Is something wrong? Is there a problem with the food?"
"No, it's not that. They all talk to me through Plant Empathy, you know? Is it okay if I eat them?"
"Ah, that issue. Do you remember yesterday? What did the golden apple tree say?"
"Ah!"
Right! That dumb, bitter yakitori tree said something like that!
It deliberately told me to eat its fruit, I think?
"All plants will rejoice at returning to Chorok-nim."
"Eung? Why's that? Isn't it usually painful, with tears streaming down?"
"Not at all. Since Chorok-nim is the mother of all plants, returning to her is the greatest honor for them."
"I don't quite get it..."
Every time they call me "mommy," my head gets all jumbled. They all call me that when I talk to them through empathy—do I have to get used to this?
"Hehe... If you keep working hard like this, you'll understand it all someday."
So as long as I keep doing what I'm doing? The plants aren't sad when I eat them; they go "Yay yay" instead?
"So I just gotta keep at it, right? Got it!"
She says I'll get it eventually, so I'll just let it slide for now.
"Then I'll polish off the rest!"
"Eating too fast might give you indigestion, so savor it slowly."
...
"Huaa... My belly's so full."
Rubbing my tummy and flopping onto the fluffy sofa. This is paradise. I could stay like this forever...
"Deobseok-i, you sleepy too?"
Nod nod. The sunlight pours in through the window here, so I always get a bit drowsy after eating.
Especially after lunch. Rica-unnie says she doesn't nap, but I keep getting sleepy.
"Wanna go for a walk, Deobseok-i?"
Energetic nod nod. This guy loves walks. Especially after all the chomping he's been doing lately.
Okay, just a bit longer lying here, then walkies. Like 10 minutes. 10 more minutes... Uuung, so sleepy... Maybe 30 minutes...
—Ding dong!
"Hoek!"
My eyes were just barely closing when the doorbell jolted me awake!
"I'll check. Lady Chorok, please keep resting."
"I just woke up. I was gonna change and take Deobseok-i for a walk..."
I bolted up and pattered after Rica-unnie to the intercom.
Wonder who it is. Jihye-unnie next door? Or someone from the next building over...?
"Ah! It's Seonhwa-unnie!"
Yup, Seonhwa-unnie. But on the screen, she's not in her super elite suit today?
"I'll open the door."
—Click!
"Good morning. Chorok, Diabolica."
"Good morning! What's up, Seonhwa-unnie? And no suit today?"
"Ah. It's my day off today. It's the weekend."
"Aha!"
I keep forgetting since I don't go to work like before? Days blur together lately, weekdays and weekends.
"I have some business. I'd like both Chorok and Diabolica to hear this."
"Eh? Me too?"
What's this about? They usually talk between themselves...
"Yes. It's regarding your long-term goal of establishing a guild. I have some guidance to provide."
"Eung... Even on the weekend, it's work huh. You okay?"
"No need to worry. Things have actually improved. The Director ordered exemption from other duties and dedicated support until your program's end."
"Program... You mean the Awakener Protection Program...?"
"Yes. It ends when you join a guild or establish one."
So that means I'll be parting with Seonhwa-unnie soon? That's kinda sad...
"What's wrong? Something bothering you?"
"Well... You've helped me so much and we've been together, but you're leaving soon? I don't like that. If I make a guild, can't you join us?"
I've been thinking about it forever. The program would end someday. Seonhwa-unnie couldn't help forever.
It made my head spin, so I just ignored it. Thinking about it makes me wanna cry buckets.
"Chorok... Actually, I have a goal of my own."
"Yes...?"
Is this a rejection? If it is, I'm diving under the covers and wahhh-ing...
"Hearing your dream made me think about it bit by bit. And after receiving such a great favor from you, I've decided for sure."
"Eung? From me? I didn't do anything though...?"
What goal? What's going on? I didn't do anything. A favor from me?
"Ah, I see. No wonder Officer Bong's mana flow felt off... Lady Chorok, remember yesterday? We shared apples. Officer Bong was there too."
"Ah! Don't tell me because of the apple?"
Seonhwa-unnie mentioned it yesterday— I remember clearly!
She said getting hurt by monsters beyond the gate is worse than puking rainbows— some bad disease.
Did Seonhwa-unnie have that and it hurt?
"...You recognized it right away, coming from beyond the gate."
"Didn't you see it during registration? Mana operation reveals everything. I just don't pry into secrets."
"So Seonhwa-unnie's still sick?"
"Thanks to the apple you shared, symptoms are recovering bit by bit. So I'm preparing for rehab too."
Gasp. So I get to see the secret super deep-sea pineapple special agent's power I suspected?
Everyone around her talked like she's a senior bigshot, and even Iron Fist Grandpa hinted at something.
"...So I'd like to join your guild. If that's alright?"
"Yes! Of course! Seonhwa-unnie, let's do it together!"
"With Management Bureau experience filling our gaps, and considering the mana I sensed, I have no objections to recruiting her. Welcome, Officer Bong Seonhwa."
See? Rica-unnie approves too. Third guild member locked in!
"Rica-unnie's my right arm! Seonhwa-unnie's the left arm!"
That's how you say it, right? They're helping so much, it fits.
"Hehe... An honor." "Hehehe... Excellent."
Both smiling wide. Nailed the line!
Me, guild master (scheduled), cool confirmed!
"...Then, for our future guild, let's continue with the guidance. First, details on guild establishment."
"I remember. A few months and I can establish one, right?"
"Yes. Keep clearing low-risk gates steadily, or a few big ones, and conditions are nearly met."
"Less than I thought..."
Not the big ones like with Jihye-unnie, so lots of small ones?
"Now that we're family, I'll pass on gate info going forward."
Yup yup. Gotta keep grinding. Jihye-unnie said she'd call for jobs too, so aim there.
"Once that's done, next is guild HQ site selection."
"HQ? Like building a big fancy thing?"
"You can register residence as HQ, but don't you plan more members beyond us?"
"Yeah. To help clueless, struggling folks!"
"Recommend securing minimal grounds then."
Uu... Gotta scout land? Tough alone.
"How about using the Yusung Special Purpose Farm Research Institute site we're renting?"
"Ah, right! Our garden spot—perfect, no?"
Rica-unnie nailed it! We can do whatever there, I heard.
"Chairman Lee would approve no issue. Site selection solved."
"Now I have a question for Officer Bong. About post-guild revenue generation."
"Yes. Smart to consider maintenance costs now."
Eee... Complicated stuff. Can't chime in...
"Like the Idun Tree, cultivate gate flora on-site for high value, or use Chorok-nim's abilities to improve Earth crops for sale?"
"Me? That works too?"
"Of course. All plants gain possibilities via Chorok-nim's growth. Was planning to suggest once the farm's sorted."
"Economically viable... And I've seen Chorok's power up close—high potential."
So plant new buddies there, grow apples, cabbage, watermelon, bananas, make bank?
Sounds fun! Get to wield my powers fully!
"That covers discussion for now. Chorok, any plans today?"
"Mm... Walk with Deobseok-i."
"Aha. Then fine. Care to join with Diabolica too?"
"Where to?"
"Hunter Training Center. I owe it a visit—spacious, perfect for Deobseok-i's walk."
"Yeah? I'm in! Rica-unnie?"
"Training center... If Lady Chorok wants, anytime."
"Then let's go, Seonhwa-unnie!"
Afternoon. Training center. This place is huge. Didn't know Seoul had spots like this.
But that's not the issue.
"Thanks for cooperating with rehab."
"No problem. I've wanted to see Officer Bong's skills."
The two are prepping to fight inside the training center.
How'd it come to this?
"Lady Chorok, please watch and judge."
"Eee... Me really?"
"Give the signal. I'm ready."
"Same here, Lady Chorok."
Both leaving it to me? No complaints then. Time for the signal.
"Three! Two! One! Get set—next battle!"
—Boom!
They clash right on my mark!