Chapter 72

00072 Pet Creation Project

==========================================================================

After I nearly lost consciousness, our party hurriedly escaped from the dungeon. Amidst the chaos, there was a near disaster as two users who had already collapsed were almost forgotten, but fortunately, Bibiane informed us, allowing us to carry them out one by one. Seeing that they still hadn't regained consciousness, it was clear that Bibiane had used some form of treatment in the middle. When I glared at her sharply, she subtly avoided my gaze, confirming my suspicion.

"Big Brother, are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Don't worry too much."

"Still…."

After escaping the dungeon, as we walked through the forest, Ansol approached me with a worried look on her face. She couldn't take her eyes off me, clearly very concerned. While the worry of the pretty girl made me feel happy, my mind was in turmoil. The relationship between Hwajung's power and my stamina was far off from my expectations.

Ansol kept talking, but I shook my head while carrying another user on my back. Yujung, who must have heard our conversation, turned around while leading the way and spoke.

"Bro, if you're tired, just let me carry them. After the mana reversal last time… I'm really worried about you."

"It's fine, just watch the front. Since Hyun and I are each carrying a user, you're the most important. Of course, if something happens, we can put them down, but we can't do much against sudden ambushes."

"Tch… Who doesn't know that? I'm just worried, okay!"

"The surroundings are safe. Since it's a shortcut to Muel, we should arrive by tomorrow."

When Bibiane interjected, Yujung glared at her and turned away. Seeing Yujung taking out her frustration on her, I wanted to comfort her a bit, but my mind was too complicated. After using my power, I almost fell into a state of exhaustion. The intensity was too high to dismiss as mere dizziness.

I didn't expect it to be this bad. If this keeps happening, I can't treat it lightly anymore. Of course, I still have remaining ability points, but I had a desire to invest in strength, agility, and magic power, making it hard to decide.

Anhyun, sensing that I was deep in thought, silently followed behind me. On his back was a female user who seemed to have lost consciousness. Watching Anhyun, who was growing stronger every day, I resolved to find a Gungchangshushi for him and then returned to my thoughts.

However, no matter how much I pondered, the ability points were beyond my control. If I invested all the remaining points into stamina and calculated the points I would gain in the future, I could probably reach 90. But that was it. The allure of 101 ability points was too great to give up easily.

After thinking about various things for a while, I shook my aching head and cleared my mind. Since it was something I couldn't resolve immediately, it was better to focus on the current situation. What was important now was the items obtained from the dungeon, the two rescued users, and returning to the city for Bibiane's treatment. After a short rest, we also needed to prepare for the exploration of the ruined laboratory. Even without worrying about my ability points, there was a mountain of things to do. The first step went well, but one misstep could cost us everything in the Hol Plain.

In any case, I decided to rest and gather my thoughts after returning to Muel.

Clearing my mind, I looked at the kids with a blank expression. Suddenly, I felt a strong desire for a woman. When I hold her, I can forget everything. I wanted to experience the warm pleasure of being with someone again.

Yujung's sharp face, slightly frowning, caught my eye. Below that, her long hair and prominently protruding chest were visible. Her hair wasn't that long during the initiation, but it suited her well. Then, I saw Sol's innocent face, her white and slender neck, and her small, cute lips… As I was about to turn my gaze to Bibiane, I snapped back to reality. What am I thinking about these kids for?

Am I frustrated? I felt the need to embrace a woman soon to relieve my frustration. I hadn't felt this way about myself in a long time. Sighing, I lifted the user who was slipping down my back. I still didn't know who these users were.

After escaping the dungeon, I had been thinking about Hwajung and my ability points, so I didn't have the time to think about anything else. I didn't want to pay attention to anything else, which was why I didn't lead the way. Although I didn't find a solution, I decided to activate the Third Eye. After resting and receiving treatment, I didn't feel the dizziness I had before.

< User Information (Player Status) >

1. Name (Name): Shin Sang-yong (2nd year)

2. Class (Class): Normal Mage Expert

3. Nation (Nation): Babara

4. Clan (Clan): -

5. True Name · Nationality: Seeker of the Truth of Magic Arrays · Republic of Korea

6. Gender (Sex): Male (28)

7. Height · Weight: 183.7cm · 69.2kg

8. Alignment: Lawful · True

[Strength 40] [Endurance 42] [Agility 45] [Stamina 40] [Magic Power 85] [Luck 60]

< User Information (Player Status) >

1. Name (Name): Jeong Hae-yeon (2nd year)

2. Class (Class): Normal Mage Expert

3. Nation (Nation): Babara

4. Clan (Clan): -

5. True Name · Nationality: Drop of the Lake · Republic of Korea

6. Gender (Sex): Female (26)

7. Height · Weight: 166.5cm · 42.8kg

8. Alignment: Lawful · Good

[Strength 34] [Endurance 38] [Agility 40] [Stamina 32] [Magic Power 87] [Luck 80]

Hmm? I opened my eyes wide in surprise. Both were mages, and considering they were 2nd year users… they were quite good. At first, I wondered what kind of guts they had to enter the Dark Forest, but after checking their stats, I understood.

I suddenly felt that coming to Muel was a good decision. Initially, I came here to find a Gungchangshushi, but I was unexpectedly reaping benefits, both in terms of talent and resources. I suddenly turned my gaze to Sol. Was it related to her luck?

Feeling the warmth of the person on my back, I pondered their treatment. Both were quite useful and could immediately contribute to our group. Although 2nd year users were at the beginning of their limits, their stats weren't fully developed yet. After 4 or 5 years, it would be as hard as reaching for the stars, but there was still some room for improvement.

Their stats were good, and their alignments were decent. I would need to talk to them in detail after they regained consciousness, but they were definitely worth recruiting.

*

After escaping the dungeon, it felt like we walked for a whole day. Despite the forced march through the night, everyone was mentally exhausted, but thanks to the physical training at the User Academy, no one fell behind. Most importantly, the path Bibiane showed us was a truly revolutionary shortcut. Given that she had lived in the forest for over 100 years, it wasn't surprising that she knew the terrain well. This made the kids view Bibiane differently.

We started our return journey in the late afternoon and, after a day's walk, reached Muel as the sun was setting. Seeing the plain we had first crossed, I let out a sigh of relief. The kids, recognizing the plain, quickened their pace.

The atmosphere during the journey was quiet. I had a lot to think about and didn't talk much, and Anhyun, carrying a user, was breathing heavily. Yujung and Sol looked anxious, and Bibiane was just observing. The somber mood wasn't necessarily bad, but it was a bit uncomfortable.

Leaving the dense forest behind, we hurriedly followed the path through the plain. Muel was visible in the distance.

Perhaps because of the time, a few groups of users were visible here and there, and the number of groups increased as we approached Muel. We arrived just before nightfall. Despite the significant number of users leaving for Babara, the fact that so many remained made me realize that many users had similar thoughts to mine.

The kids, seeing other users after a long time, didn't know where to look. I spoke in a low voice.

"We're just like those users. Don't look like beginners; enter confidently."

I urged the tired kids with a weary voice. Especially Bibiane, who was turning her head this way and that, was startled and bowed her head. I suddenly felt some gazes on us. Bibiane was initially naked and, for now, only wore the underwear and robe stripped from the dead Jeong Ji-yeon. Being taller than Jeong Ji-yeon, the clothes were tight, revealing her figure. It was embarrassing to look at. With her rather beautiful face and good figure, some rough-looking male users were sending lecherous gazes. I sighed and gestured to Bibiane. She happily stuck to my side.

"Hey, don't stick so close."

"Big Brother, can't you see you're tired?"

Why are you all like this? Seeing the two female users glaring at each other, Bibiane lowered her head sheepishly. Anhyun, watching, clicked his tongue.

"Yujung, Ansol, why are you acting like this? It's embarrassing. I understand your feelings, but don't push him too hard. It's pitiful to watch."

As Anhyun finished speaking, the kids' jealousy exploded even more. Anhyun, the clueless one. Bibiane's face brightened as she looked at Anhyun and laughed. It was like pouring oil on a fire. Still, I brought him along because he seemed friendly and honest, and he got along well with Yujung and Sol, but it was a bit worrying from the start.

The surroundings were bustling. Some users were complaining about their failed expeditions, others about the difficult paths, and everyone looked tired, but they didn't stop talking. Occasionally, users with sad faces returned, probably having lost companions during their explorations.

As dusk fell, the walls of Muel, which we had only seen from a distance, were now right in front of us. The guard soldiers who greeted us when we first arrived were still on duty. Seeing them salute the users, we slowly entered the city.

We had finally completed our first exploration and returned to Muel.

============================ Author's Note ============================

Haha. Hello everyone. I hope you're all preparing well for the Lunar New Year.

I'm posting one chapter today. As promised, I'll post another chapter today.

But, I have to go shuck some bean sprouts right away. I need to finish quickly and run before I'm given more tasks. I'm writing this while being heavily pressured. Why is my house so chaotic?

I'll gather and address the corrections and replies later. I hope for your understanding. I'll shuck the bean sprouts and quickly write Chapter 73. I hope you all pray for me to escape successfully. Hahaha.