Chapter 35

< Specialization in Repetitive Tasks >

For a moment, I froze, then hurriedly flipped to the next page of the skill window.

[(Wait)(Wait)(Wait)(Wait)(Wait)(Wait)(Wait)(Wait)(Wait)(Wait)(Wait)(Wait)(Wait)(Wait)(Wait)(Wait)(Wait)(Wait)(Wait)(Wait)

(Ye Rim Park, Myung Woo Yoo-F)(Sung Han Kim-A)(Peace-C)

Skill growth target? Ye Rim Park, Myung Woo Yoo]

······Peace? Hold on, really our Peace? There's never been a notification that they were moved by anything.

‘Please, just explain. Please, just explain. Explain it to me. If you give me a detailed user manual, I’ll do whatever it takes to fulfill all the S-rank requirements, so please, just explain.’

But no thick user manual appeared with a fanfare and a beam of light from the sky. What a lousy system.

I need to calm down and think clearly.

‘First, it’s certain that Peace was moved by the keyword.’

Unless it’s a system error.

The title is Perfect Caregiver, the skill name is My Baby is the Best, and the keyword that should move them is “I love you.”

I thought the keyword was something you’d say a lot and then apply with a final push.

But if you’re a proper caregiver, it’s right to consistently express your love for your baby, not just once in a while.

‘···Could it be that continuously telling Peace “I love you” was the correct method?’

I have no way of knowing which is the right approach. But considering the caregiver title, it seems the correct method is to steadily build affection and move them.

After all, as long as you get to Seoul, it doesn’t matter which way you go.

‘Still, this makes it clear that it’s definitely possible to raise a monster.’

I was worried that if the keyword didn’t apply to Peace, I’d be in trouble, but now I can breathe a sigh of relief. Even the system’s crazy demands can be replaced with monsters.

Of course, filling 50 S-rank monsters is no easy task. First, you need to have them. S-rank dungeon mid-bosses or bosses rarely appear with offspring. And you have to capture them, making the acquisition difficulty extremely high.

‘Even if you manage to capture one, if you confirm it can’t grow, you’ll just have to kill it. After all, there are almost no cases of baby monsters growing to adulthood within five years.’

It’s not entirely impossible. In those cases, the conditions were probably met by chance. Since they were all low-level monsters, the growth conditions were likely easier.

‘Unless some guy with a monster breeding special skill suddenly appears, I’m the only one who can raise high-level mounts.’

I need to negotiate with the large guilds. If you guarantee my safety, I’ll raise one for you fairly. Of course, I’ll take a fee.

It’s better than one place monopolizing it, so the negotiations shouldn’t be difficult. Then I can definitely ease my worries about Hyun.

Of course, there will be plenty of people drooling over the F-rank guy with a money-making skill, but I don’t need to worry about the small fry. I just need to be a bit careful until I get my personal mount.

They won’t try to kidnap me in the guild building.

Thanks to Peace, I arrived at the guild in a good mood.

Let’s forget about the forty-eight waiting slots for now. No matter how crazy the system, I don’t expect to fill them in a short time. Why should I do it in the first place? I’ll refuse and go on strike until they give me a reason.

“Hey, Jin-a.”

I was about to go upstairs and give Peace a kiss when Myung Woo, looking like he was about to die, called out to me in a dying voice. What’s up with this guy?

“The first dungeon was a bit intense, right? This time was an exception, so don’t worry too much. Quickly return the equipment and go upstairs to rest.”

I need to rest today and start the hard work tomorrow. I’ll sell the mana stones and buy some new blades. Maybe old ones are better. Should I check out the junkyard?

“No, I... I guess I’m just not cut out for it.”

Hold on, this is the guy who will eventually get an SS-rank skill. The millions of F-rank people will throw stones at him.

“After all, I couldn’t even get a 10-level skill...”

“It’s nothing to worry about. It’s common for them to appear late. Hey, I don’t have a 10-level skill either.”

“Really? You too?”

“Yeah. I leveled up when Hyun caught a baby, but I didn’t get one.”

“Still, you’re completely different from me. Your brother was really happy. If you can give such advice, the rank doesn’t matter, right? You’re really special.”

Saying this, Myung Woo looked like he was about to dig a hole and crawl in. He’s in a much worse state than usual. What should I do? Should I get him some drinks?

“Let’s go upstairs and talk, go upstairs.”

“No, I think it’s time to leave. They said the new member training is only theoretical now. The association can continue it, or maybe it’s not even necessary. I can’t do dungeon strategies. I’m really sorry for wasting your time. But I’m really grateful. I’ll never forget it.”

Myung Woo muttered like he was making a will. He’s really in a bad state. If I let him go like this, he might attempt suicide.

Is it because of the S-ranks? I might be part of the reason too.

Even if I tell him now, “You have the potential to get an SS-rank creation skill!” it won’t help. He wouldn’t believe it, and it might even backfire.

And I can’t reveal the skill yet. Myung Woo is a good guy, but we haven’t built that level of trust. I haven’t even told my younger brother everything.

“If that’s what you think, there’s nothing I can do.”

I sighed deeply and continued.

“I don’t plan to force you to stay. It’s just... I got some good information that I can’t use, and it’s a shame.”

I really got some great information. It’s a big deal.

“...Information?”

“Yeah. Information that could really help you. But seeing you struggle... I feel bad about making you work harder. It’s a shame, but if you don’t want it, I won’t force it on you. You can say no, right?”

I sighed deeply and watched Myung Woo’s reaction.

“Do you want to hear it before you go? It’s really valuable information, so...”

I lowered my voice and whispered.

“Do you know Seok Hyeon? The young lady who gave the theory training a few days ago. She’s a genius who got a professor’s certificate at a young age and is deeply into Awakened research. Plus, her family is well-off, so she has a lot of important information.”

“R-Really? Her?”

“Yeah. It’s something I shouldn’t tell anyone, but I got it specially. You can’t tell anyone you heard it from me, okay? You’re the only one who knows.”

Myung Woo nodded quickly. You’re the only one, a special phrase to hook people.

“There’s a weapon-related auxiliary skill, like your whetstone.”

“What about it?”

“Awakened with such a skill can get a very good, special skill through a certain training.”

“A special skill... training?”

“Yeah. It’s not easy, but if you work hard and finish it quickly, you might get an amazing skill with some luck.”

“I don’t have much luck...”

“Not true. Just knowing about this is a huge stroke of luck. Plus, it’s guaranteed to be at least C-rank. A C-rank auxiliary skill means you can live without any problems, right?”

SS-rank is too overpowered, so C-rank is more appropriate.

“...Really?”

The light returned to Myung Woo’s eyes, which were lifeless a moment ago. Yes, yes. It’s real. Trust me.

“It’s just that it’s quite tough...”

“How tough?”

“Do you know whetstones? You need to sharpen 10,000 of them.”

Myung Woo’s mouth dropped open.

“T-Ten thousand...?”

“Yeah. It’s tough, right? I don’t want to see you suffer...”

“Just ten thousand? Really?!”

Myung Woo exclaimed with joy. His eyes were burning with renewed life. What’s up with him? Does he like hard work?

“...Yeah. It’s a lot, but...”

“No, it’s not that much. If I sharpen 100 a day, it’ll be done in 100 days!”

“100 a day...?”

100 days? To finish that quickly, if it takes 10 minutes per whetstone, you’d need to work 17 hours a day and do everything else in the remaining 7 hours...

“...Take it easy, take it easy.”

Passion is good, but you need to stay alive to use the SS-rank skill.

“Take it easy? How about 50 a day? But that would take more than half a year... It feels like I’m imposing on you for too long...”

“It’s fine. Your cooking is delicious.”

It’s true. Your skills are improving, and I’m looking forward to the future. Do you have any cooking-related skills?

“Don’t worry about it. You’ll be the one working harder, right? Spending all day sharpening knives isn’t easy.”

“Don’t worry. I spent my entire summer vacation building a model of the Battle of Hansan Island and even won a prize. I’m confident in doing repetitive tasks all day!”

I see. Is this kind of personality related to skill potential? Maybe he’ll mass-produce equipment like a factory when he gets a forge.

“I’ll bring the equipment. You go upstairs and rest, Jin-a.”

I was about to say it was fine, but I just handed over the equipment. Even small things can help reduce the burden.

Being too nice can be a problem.

But if he was the type to take everything for granted and not be grateful, I would have given up on him. If he betrays me with an SS-rank skill, it would be worse than not having it. The keyword effect is useless without a caregiver model.

I’m holding onto Myung Woo because he has a trustworthy character.

“Jin-a, thank you so much. I’ll work hard and pay you back. I promise.”

Before turning around, Myung Woo said. If you’re that grateful, make me a good piece of equipment later.

With Myung Woo’s problem solved, I headed to the dormitory floor with a light step. Now I just need to wait and harvest. It’s almost over, hooray.

I need to relax and be lazy. I’ll turn on the air conditioning full blast and roll around with Peace all day. I won’t care about the strangely changed status window.

If you want to make me work, come down yourself, system creator. Bring the manual.

I opened the door with a click. The sound was comforting. I need to finish the remaining theory classes and become one with the sofa. Thanks to my dear brother, I have plenty of mana stones, so no need to worry about money. Should I buy more stocks? Or a car? I need to get a license first.

As I entered, the light in the entrance flickered on. A man with a smiling face was reflected in the full-length mirror opposite the shoe rack.

I don’t know who he is, but he has a good face. He looks like he’ll live a good life.

But there’s someone else in a traditional Korean outfit behind him...

Something wet grabbed my ankle. Then it pulled hard. Damn, this is a foul play-!

Bang!

I narrowly avoided hitting my head on the steel door frame and fell over.

You damn goblin, trying to scare me to death? I’m weak. I’m really weak. Don’t underestimate the weakness of an F-rank.

“Ouch, my back... my knees... my arms...”

I only protected my head. I’m going to be one with the bed, not the sofa.

“I didn’t expect you to fall so easily!”

“...Apologize first.”

“Sorry!”

Good boy, 1 point added. As I tried to stand up, a hand reached out from behind to help me. Ugh, my whole body aches. To get injured at the guild entrance after a successful dungeon run. Is this good luck or bad luck? Do I have a band-aid at home?

When I turned around, I saw a goblin with a crying mask. He didn’t wear it from the start, did he? Did he change it just now?

Looking at his ridiculous appearance, my anger disappeared.

“Did I come back later than you expected?”

At my words, the goblin’s shoulders drooped.

“...I got scolded.”

“You got scolded?”

“I got scolded a lot! For signing the contract without permission, I got nagged for two days straight!”

Oh, it seems the first and second in command are close to guardians. How old is this guy? He must be at least 14, given that the contract isn’t invalid. He looks like an adult, but his mind is immature.

“But I said it’s fine because I can win! Weren’t you scared?”

“I was almost sent to the afterlife before I could be scared.”

“People are usually most relaxed when they first get home...”

The goblin said dejectedly. I was indeed relaxed. But objectively, without the resistance skill, the training room was more terrifying. Was it because of Seok Hyeon? The screams had a big impact. Sound is important.

“Still, you have a chance, so try your best.”

Of course, I don’t plan to lose.

“Okay! I’ll try my best!”

“And go to the pharmacy and get some band-aids.”

“B-Band-aids?”

“Quickly. Right now. Get the best ones.”

“Okay,” the goblin said and disappeared with a sniff. It’s convenient, isn’t it? Can you hear me, system creator? I want spatial movement too, please.

< Specialization in Repetitive Tasks > End

ⓒ Geunseo

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