Chapter 91
Chapter 91
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 91
Chapter Title: [Abyssal Miner] To the Moon!
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Her complexion was rosy, her cheeks plump with baby fat—it finally felt like she was starting to look like a kid her age.
The frail little thing who'd been wasting away from mine poisoning just a few days ago now had some real strength in her arms as she hugged me tight.
Looks like that Purification Herb didn't just cure the mine poisoning—it threw in some aftercare service on top.
"Yeah, yeah, I missed you too. How's Grandpa?"
"He's sleeping inside. Come on in, quick!"
Led by Lisa's hand into the room, I saw old man Hans—who was supposed to be sleeping—propped up in bed with his upper body raised.
"Well, well, who do we have here? If it isn't Lee Jun."
"Just lie back down. Why's a weak old guy like you getting up?"
"Nah, I'm feeling much better. I should be able to get back to work soon. All thanks to you."
The old man's face had improved too. He was still skinny as a rail, but it felt less like physical recovery and more like his spirits had lifted.
His eyes sparkled with life now that his beloved granddaughter was fully cured.
"That's just how it goes, so pay me back properly later. Anyway, have you eaten?"
"Not yet. Lisa was clanging around in the kitchen earlier, saying she was making something. She's never cooked before in her life, though..."
"Mm..."
Glancing at the attached kitchen in the corner, a groan escaped my lips.
The kitchen was a total disaster, and Lisa looked a bit sheepish about it.
"Perfect timing, then. Here, eat this."
I unpacked the food I'd brought and set it on the table.
Steaming cream pasta and hearty vegetable porridge with a rich, nutty aroma.
Cream pasta for Lisa—kids love creamy, savory stuff.
Meat and veggie porridge for old man Hans—easy on the stomach and gentle for an elderly guy with a weak gut.
The Emperor of Househusbands.
At this rate, I deserved some kind of award. Or at least, that's what I thought—until another thought hit me.
How the hell did I end up like this?
I'd only come to teach her mining basics as a one-time thank-you gesture, but somehow I'd gotten roped in deeper.
"This smells amazing."
"Whoa! Pasta! Isn't this super expensive?"
"Made it at a great spot nearby. Eat it before it gets cold."
"Thanks for the meal!"
Lisa, looking much healthier now, grabbed a fork and dug in without me having to feed her.
She ate like a warrior on the battlefield.
Her mouth smeared with cream sauce as she chomped away—it was adorable.
Is this what it feels like to be a dad?
No, what dad? Get real.
This was just that level—calming, healing vibes, like petting a bunny or a quokka.
"Eat slower. You'll get a tummy ache. Here, old timer, try this. It's easy to digest."
"Heh heh, I feel bad always taking from you. Thanks, I'll dig in."
Old man Hans took a spoonful of the porridge and let out a sigh of admiration.
"Whoa, chunks of meat this big? The Emperor himself couldn't complain."
"Screw the Emperor. Oh, sorry, Lisa."
I couldn't help swearing at his nonsense, even if he was buttering it up.
Swearing in front of kids? Not cool.
"It's fine, bro. I know you're rough around the edges but sweet inside."
"Nah? I'm a bad guy, though?"
"Liar."
She didn't buy it. First time in ages I'd been honest, too.
I waited until the meal was done, then casually brought up the main topic.
"All done eating? Let me check your health. I picked up some medical skills."
"Medical skills? You? A miner doing medicine...?"
Fair enough. The guy swinging a pickaxe every day suddenly claiming doctor status? Hard to believe.
"Learned some home remedies. Pretty effective ones. I cured Lisa's illness, didn't I?"
"True enough. And you got that precious Purification Herb."
"Alright, old timer, lie down here."
I had Hans lie back and activated the [Royal Physician] trait.
Diagnose.
Yep, he's in rough shape.
Can't do much about the age, I guess.
Nothing immediately fatal, though. Good food and rest should get him back on track.
And with my acupuncture on top? Piece of cake.
"Old timer, your lungs aren't great. Joints are stiff too."
"Eh, comes with age."
"I'll loosen you up. Acupuncture's a quick fix."
"Acupuncture? What's that?"
Oh shit, slipped up.
"Oh, it's a tool from my hometown. Pointy little thing."
"You got nothing in your hands?"
"Heh heh, who do you think I am?"
Tzzt tzzt.
I used [Mana Coating], shaped it finely, and a slender blue needle of mana formed at my fingertip.
Not the crude one I'd used on Kyle's leg—this was thinner, sharper.
Since I planned to visit today, I'd practiced after treating Kyle, right before bed.
Stayed up late and woke early, so I was tired, but the results paid off.
Thin as a hair, combined with my hand skills—no pain at all.
Can't go jabbing dying old folks and kids roughly.
"That thing's a medical tool? Looks dangerous."
"Totally safe. Just relax. Tested it yesterday."
"Wait, so you only tried it once...?"
"Pfft, old folks gotta yap. Seriously."
I ignored the chattering geezer and got to work.
Here we go!
Pok. Pok. Pok.
For the record, I still hadn't memorized all the acupoints.
But with [God's Hand] guiding me, following the sensations in my fingertips, the needles hit true every time.
Hans had squeezed his eyes shut at the sight of the long mana needle, and he still hadn't opened them, oblivious that it was over.
"All done. Open your eyes."
"Huh? Did you even poke me? Felt like nothing."
"Jeez, conned your whole life? Look."
I poked his arm firmly now that his eyes were cracked open, and he stared in wonder.
"Heh heh, what an experience. No pain at all. And breathing feels a bit easier."
"Joints should hurt less too."
I'd focused on points for lung enhancement and qi circulation.
For arthritis, just pain relief and inflammation reduction.
Couldn't fully reverse worn-out joints from age and overuse.
Finished with [Massage] skill to loosen his stiff body.
"Ahhh, refreshing. Your hands are magic, kid. Said it was amateur stuff earlier, but feels pro-level."
"No big deal."
"Never been pampered like this in my life. Could die happy now."
"Don't jinx it. You got Lisa to think about."
Wrapped up, then called Lisa over.
"Next up, Lisa. Come here."
"Yes! Do me too!"
She scampered over and hopped on the bed.
Focused mana in my eyes.
What's this?
[Royal Physician]'s diagnosis only scans visible conditions.
For it to detect activated mana circuits... they must be blatantly active, visible even to my mana-enhanced eyes.
Mine poisoning is a rare disease where the body's poisoned by mine toxins, gradually stiffening up.
But mine toxins? That's another word for mana.
The power that builds up in your body from mine work—the root of 'mana adaptation'.
Did suffering through mine poisoning awaken her fully? Or was it the Purification Herb?
Either way, with the right nurturing, she could become a full-fledged mage down the line.
Found mooning potential in what I thought was trash stock.
Was getting annoyed at just handouts to a useless kid and geezer, but this makes it worthwhile.
Raise her right, slot her into the party later—perfect.
"Lisa, not really treatment for you. Just strengthening bones and muscles. Gotta grow tall."
"For real? I can get tall?"
"Yup. Trust your bro."
"Yes, bro!"
Oh man, too cute.
Targeted acupoints for growth plate stimulation and boosted metabolism.
Couldn't fix nutritional imbalance right away.
Didn't hurt—she lay still, then giggled like it tickled.
"Hee hee, that tickles, bro."
"Don't move. Might hurt if you do."
Treatment done.
"All set. Eat well and exercise a bit—you'll shoot up in no time."
"Thanks, bro! I feel super light!"
"Good girl."
She bounced around excitedly—so cute I ruffled her hair wildly, and she beamed, soaking it up without knowing why.
"Bro, but you didn't do that thing for me?"
"That thing?"
"Like what you did for Grandpa—rubbing all over."
"Oh, that."
Kids are flexible anyway, so no need. But if she wants it...
Did the massage to wrap up.
Her tiny, skinny body felt like it might snap if I wasn't careful.
Flat as a board at her age—no curves, ribs poking through her chest.
Still, kids' high body temp made her toasty warm.
"Mmm... Feels nice, bro. I might fall asleep."
"Sleep if you want. I'll wake you when it's done."
"Nooo, wanna stay with bro longer..."
Comforted by my touch, Lisa's breathing evened out into soft snores.
"Lisa? Done now."
"Mm... Lee Jun bro..."
Even telling her, she wouldn't wake. Better let her sleep.
Stroked her sleeping head—soft strands slipped through my fingers.
Even asleep, she smiled, corners of her mouth upturned.
What an angel. Hard to believe a kid like this was wasting away sick. World's so unfair.
Feels pretty rewarding, though.
Is this a doctor's fulfillment?
Still amateur-level, riding skills without real knowledge, but I kinda get why Master Heo treats patients so earnestly.
Gotta study harder when I head to [Divine Physician Heo].
As I stroked her soft hair, Hans spoke up.
"Lee Jun, thank you truly. I'll never forget this debt. Same as last time..."
"Ugh, enough already. Just stay healthy. I'll collect later."
"You bet I will."
Wrapped up, stood to leave.
"Alright, I'm off. See you next time."
"Take care."
With Lisa asleep, Hans saw me out.
The slums' rotten stench hit my nose, but my heart was fluffy.
Lisa's favorability hit 78 already.
Not romance material yet since she's a kid, but high favor means perks later.
Excluding wild risers like [Divine Physician Heo]'s heroines, she's my highest.
Even tops my girlfriend Erika at 70.
What if she really proposes marriage someday?
Loli flashed in my mind, but I shook it off.
There's limits—even for lolis, she's like ten.
Way outside my strike zone.
Still, she'll be a beauty grown up—big eyes, defined features. Feed her well, and she'll rival Erika.
Started at 0 favor on first meet, despite my -2 charm. Means she took to me without bias.
Gotta treat her extra nice next time.
Next up: Clear the daily quest.
[3. Heavy Iron Demon-Slaying Sword Training]
📍 Content: Train with the Heavy Iron Demon-Slaying Sword in the clearing outside the village entrance. (After 5 PM)
⏰ Caution: No mana use allowed
🎁 Reward: Trait Points 10 P
Got time before 5 PM.
Knock out the other two first: mine 10 ores, kill 5 monsters.
Erika skips the mines on volunteer days, so solo it is.
Even faster that way.
Blasted through the remaining dailies, then headed to Lumina Mining Village entrance.
First time leaving the village, huh.
Stayed a while, but never had reason to head out.