Chapter 55

< Piyak (4) >

“What are you doing?!”

Instantly, my blood boiled. Of course, Peace wasn’t even a bit hurt. He landed very lightly.

That doesn’t mean you can just throw him around. Look at him, he’s stiff with shock.

“...Huh? Why...?”

Even my little brother was taken aback. He has no idea why I shouted. Seeing that just made me even angrier.

Thinking about it, I haven’t really paid much attention to this kid, Peace. I tried to kill him before because he wasn’t growing, but that’s in the past. I just treated him like any other monster back then. But now, he’s going to be my mount soon.

“Why did you throw the kid?!”

- Piyak!

“Huh? No, if it’s C-rank stats, that level of treatment doesn’t matter-.”

“Do you think you can just throw anyone around as long as they have high stats? Do you think that’s an excuse?!”

- Piyak?!

“No, that’s not what I meant...”

“Don’t look away, sit down!”

- Piyak!

Yuhwan sat down on the sofa right away. But why are you sitting, Peace?

The two of them sat side by side on the sofa, looking up at me with wide eyes, and I couldn’t help but smile. No, I can’t, I have to hold it in. They look so cute.

“Hunter Kang So-young said she would take care of her lifelong partner like a child, even before bringing them along. Of course, she was very interested in Peace. The same went for the hunters from Breaker and Hanshin. They would ask all sorts of questions in advance and tell us to contact them if we needed anything. Even the guild leader of Se-seong gave Peace a gift. But what about you?”

As I spoke, I got angry again. Paying for the kid’s meals is the bare minimum, and you haven’t really done anything else, have you?

“Is he just a fish you caught? What?”

- Piyak?

“No, that’s not it...”

“Then, what? Look me in the eye and speak clearly, Han Yuhwan.”

- Piyak

Why does Piyak keep interjecting?

“...I’m not ignoring him. He’s a top-tier mount, of course I like him. I’m looking forward to the day he becomes an adult. But, well, how do I put it, even if I treat him like a valuable piece of equipment, I still take good care of him, but I don’t give him gifts-.”

“Equipment? Equipment?”

Yuhwan averted his gaze again.

“...I think I was wrong.”

“You thought of him as equipment? Peace?”

- Piyak?

“I was wrong.”

From the look of it, he didn’t understand at all. It’s just like when he was a kid. Is it because he’s only twenty?

“I didn’t ask you to take care of him like a child like Hunter Kang So-young. But at the very least, you should think of him as an independent partner. He’s not just a piece of equipment you can handle however you want. Most importantly, you know the taming isn’t perfect, right?”

“I know, but it’s a problem that can be solved after a few dungeon runs... No, no, I was wrong. I’ll do better from now on.”

His answer wasn’t very convincing, but I can’t force him to do something he’s not willing to do. Maybe I should make him meet Peace more often. If he runs a few dungeons, he might develop some camaraderie.

“Give him a hug.”

“...What?”

“What, Peace.”

Yuhwan looked at Peace, who was sitting next to him, with a reluctant expression. Peace met his gaze and then looked at me.

- Kyeong

“I don’t think he likes it much.”

“He likes being hugged.”

He keeps asking to be hugged even though he’s grown so big, it’s tiring.

As Yuhwan hesitantly reached out, Peace bristled.

“It’s okay, Peace. I won’t throw you.”

- Kwoong

Both of them look awkward, but it’s a nice sight. They need to become close friends before the dungeon difficulty increases. When Yuhwan sat down next to Peace, Peace tried to jump onto my lap.

“No.”

I raised my arm to block him, and he flattened his ears and gave me a pitiful look.

- Kyeong

Then, for some reason, he looked at Piyak and gently wagged his tail.

- Kwoong, Nang

“Why, are you not going to attack Piyak anymore?”

Just in case, I picked up Piyak, who was on the side, and showed him to Peace. Instead of baring his teeth, Peace licked him once. Then he tilted his head and looked up at me.

- Kyeong

- Piyak!

“Our Peace is so good~.”

As soon as he heard the compliment, he tried to jump onto my lap again. This time, I didn’t stop him, and he sat on my lap, curling up contentedly.

Did he think I wouldn’t let him come to me because he attacked Piyak?

“Even if he pretends to be good, don’t leave them alone together. That chick won’t last long.”

“Of course not.”

You can’t keep a bird and a cat together.

“Do you have time a week from now? I want to see your skills, level up, and take Peace to the dungeon once.”

And have a chat with the system. Yuhwan took out his phone and checked his schedule, then nodded.

“I think it will work. I’ll prepare.”

With that, the dungeon entry for the next week was set. Now I need to buy E and D rank exclusive entry permits.

The last gratitude skill period is down to just four days. It’s too risky to enter the dungeon on the last day, so it’s effectively three days. If there’s no competition in the exclusive bid, it will be awarded 24 hours later, so if luck is on my side, both can be completed within the period.

I wonder what title I’ll get. I hope something useful comes out this time.

[The OOO building will be demolished tomorrow and a monster breeding facility will be built in its place. Many people have expressed concern about breeding multiple monsters in the heart of Seoul, but-]

A broadcast about monster breeding facilities is playing on the TV. The building next to the Hyeon guild is supposed to be completely vacated today and demolition will start tomorrow. There were some issues, but the generous compensation made the process go smoothly.

‘A two-story breeding facility will be built and connected to the original ten-story building.’

I lay on the sofa and looked at the building blueprint I received a while ago. Peace was on my back, and Piyak was on my head. If the others try to climb on, it will be a problem. After the gratitude effect ends, even if they all get good equipment, the overall body strength limit is mid-D rank. The hidden stats are probably just F rank. Peace is manageable, but if it gets any bigger...

Maybe I should start taking the tonics that Kim Sung-han sends.

‘The estimated completion period for the breeding facility is two weeks. Is this really possible?’

Even with awakened workers and equipment, and using dungeon byproducts, isn’t this a rush job? The TV is pointing out various issues and making predictions about the construction. However, they say it’s not impossible.

‘The foundation work will be the most time-consuming, and the first floor will be used for training and breeding. There will be no basement, and the foundation will be made very strong.’

Some monsters, even if they are small, can grow quite large. Additionally, the first floor will have a space for adults to stay in case of emergencies. The adult cages on the first floor will be the most expensive part of the facility.

The second floor will be my living space. It will be much smaller than the first floor and made primarily from dungeon byproducts to ensure it remains intact even if the first floor collapses. It will have a mini portal for entry and exit. The remaining space on the first floor roof will be landscaped like a park.

In any case, it will cost a fortune.

The building connected to the breeding facility is a regular building. Some renovations will be made, but the breeding facility will have double walls and be accessible only through the building. The renovation period for the building will be longer than the construction period for the breeding facility.

‘Shouldn’t the goblins be coming back soon?’

I need to meet Seok-hyang with the materials. And Myung-woo, I wonder if he will follow me.

‘It would be more comfortable for him to stay in the guild as a blacksmith.’

Given his personality, he might not want to stay in Hyeon. But there’s nothing I can do about it.

‘Bring Do Ha-min. The special skill awakening center...’

If I say I reached level 20 and have related skills, that should be enough. To prove the skill, I need to bring a couple of people and help them awaken their initial special skills.

A very handsome guy I saw on TV came to mind. What was his name?

But what kind of environment does he need to awaken his optimal initial skill? If it’s related to his face, the environment is already perfect. If he works hard in movies and gains popularity, won’t he awaken naturally?

‘Most special skill awakeners awaken through continuous work in related fields.’

Or they awaken by feeling the threat to their life and overcoming it through related methods. Would a monster fall in love with a human’s face and back off? He’s really ambiguous in many ways. Maybe I should look for someone else.

[The monster breeder, known as 'Monster Dad' Han Yujin, and his Flame Horned Lion, Peace-]

Shit. The broadcast from before is showing again. Why do they keep showing it? If they keep doing this, they should at least remove the 'Monster Dad' part.

- Piyak!

Piyak cried out, looking at the TV. Does he recognize me?

- Piyak Piyak!

“Hey, where are you going? That’s not real.”

He seems a bit... bad. Well, he’s F rank, so he can’t be compared to the C rank Peace. As Piyak flaps around in front of the TV, the door opens. It must be Myung-woo.

“You’re here.”

“...What’s that?”

“I found him. He’s a monster, but F rank, so he’s not dangerous.”

- Piyak Piyak!

“He’s so cute.”

“Isn’t he?”

Yuhwan only sighed when he saw that cute thing. He’s never been interested in animals.

Piyak, who gave up on the TV, flaps around again, unable to climb onto the sofa. I picked him up and habitually checked Myung-woo’s progress.

[10,000 sharpenings (Progress: 8,266/10,000)]

It’s almost done. It will be finished in four days.

“You’ve sharpened the knife over 8,000 times, right?”

Myung-woo looked surprised.

“How did you know?”

“On the first day, you did a thousand, and then about five hundred each time after that. You also told me how many you did today. So, it’s roughly that much, right?”

“Still, to have calculated all that...”

Myung-woo looked touched. I can’t really say anything to this guy. I should just let it go, but he keeps getting emotional, making me feel like a fraud. I’m not that altruistic.

“I’ll go to the workshop with you on the last day. I’m curious about what skill you’ll get, and since I started this, I should be there at the end.”

“Yujin...”

He’s getting emotional again.

“No matter what skill you get, I won’t forget your kindness.”

“I appreciate that.”

“I’ll repay you for life.”

No, that’s too much. Just make me some side dishes sometimes. Cookies are good, or bread. Anything to eat.

...Damn, should I just ask him to live with me? Four more days. I feel like I might cry.

“...Myung-woo.”

“Yeah?”

“...No, never mind.”

Sobs. Will I end up acting like a clingy boyfriend? It might be better to just be embarrassed now. Yeah, a little embarrassment is fine. Eating is important.

I hugged Piyak tightly and spoke.

“After you’re independent, can you make me some side dishes sometimes? Any kind, anything.”

I don’t picky eat, so please.

Myung-woo stiffened at my words. Was it too much to ask?

“...Well, I guess I should move out soon, right? Sorry, I’ve been a burden for too long-.”

“No, no. It would be better if we lived together!”

Shit, I don’t care. In four days, my dining table will turn from heaven to hell, and I can’t take it anymore.

“I can’t eat anything except what you make!”

“...What?”

“Please, can you at least make me some side dishes...”

Myung-woo, who had been standing there dumbfounded, twitched his lips. Don’t laugh. It might be funny, but don’t laugh.

“That’s not hard! I got it, don’t worry. I can make anything you want. What do you want to eat?”

“...Anything is fine.”

“Got it. If you want anything, just let me know!”

Myung-woo headed to the kitchen, looking very happy. Still, if he answers so confidently, what will he do when he gets busy? Of course, I don’t have to stick to what I just said, but given his personality, he will try to keep his word.

Ugh, I feel embarrassed and guilty, but I’m happy.

I was able to bid on the E and D rank dungeon exclusive entry permits the next afternoon. Since I had already taken Peace to the training room in the morning, I didn’t need to make an excuse this time. Myung-woo hadn’t returned yet, so I put Peace in the living room cage and Piyak in the bedroom basket, and locked the bedroom door. I sent a text to Myung-woo telling him not to wake me up if I was sleeping.

I prayed I wouldn’t be caught as I slipped out using the same method as yesterday.

This E rank dungeon was an underground cave environment. Personally, I don’t like this type, but since I was only looking for places with available exclusive entry permits nearby, I had no choice.

“Ugh, it’s damp.”

As soon as I passed through the gate, a damp air mixed with a moldy smell enveloped me. In the dim light, bioluminescent insects fluttered around. And.

[(′ ? ? ) ? O┣┗┗＝｜○!! ? (· ?·)]

“...Ah, yes. Hello.”

What kind of greeting is that?

< Piyak (4) > End

ⓒ Geunseo