33 – Entering My Own Dungeon – 4

The pressure cooker, which was simmering nicely on top of the campfire with awesome firepower that Ur had lit, suddenly let out a whistle and vented steam.

The fairy, smelling the fragrant curry aroma leaking out with the steam, said in disbelief.

“Did you really make this using only what you gathered in the forest today?”

“Yeah. Compared to the tutorial channel, the forest here has a really diverse variety of fruits and plants, so I was able to make it quickly.”

“Even if there are a lot, gathering and sorting them one by one and making something similar to curry in just a single day… Oh, you also conquered the ruins during that day. Right, that part was even more amazing.”

Although he did not explain the detailed circumstances, fairies were a very quick-witted race, and just by seeing that Gi-jun had newly contracted with a fire spirit, she could tell that this ruin was no ordinary place.

To think he had cleared such ruins in less than a few hours, let alone a day, and was calmly boiling curry—and to think even that curry looked delicious!

Looking out of the corner of her eye at Gi-jun, who was carefully opening the lid of the pressure cooker and tasting the curry in which all the ingredients had dissolved, the fairy thought.

‘I was half-believing when Sister told me, but this seems to be the real deal. This man, as long as he doesn’t die an untimely death, will surely become a hero.’

Sometimes, in this Leta, a breed called heroes appeared, making one give up on trying to understand them.

The performance Gi-jun showed today was of course impressive enough, but if one broadened the scope to the entirety of Leta, it was not entirely unprecedented.

The clear fact was that the majority of those who showed such great performances became heroes representing their race beyond a single civilization.

In fact, the most amazing part in her opinion was—Gi-jun had achieved such a feat despite being a ‘human.’

Right off the bat, the fact that he was a spirit summoner was hard to believe.

Even among races with innate spiritual sensitivity, how could a spirit summoner, which only those permitted by heaven could become, emerge from the human race, famous for being an inferior race?

Furthermore, he had already contracted with two spirits, and both of those spirits showed signs of having extraordinary backgrounds?

‘A hero of the human race, how exciting. Just how far will this man be able to climb…?’

On this Leta continent right now, those who fully grasped the potential of this human were extremely few.

If so, wouldn’t it be worth placing a bet?

The fairy cleared her throat with a cough and said.

“By any chance, do you like Kata Island brown sugar?”

—I love it?!

Lucy rushed forward, her eyes sparkling.

The fairy, wearing a triumphant smile, took out a bag full of unrefined brown sugar lumps from her arms.

Hearing that Gi-jun’s contracted spirit liked brown sugar, she had prepared it in advance to give as a bribe, and seeing Lucy’s eyes shining brightly, it was a huge success.

—You’re really amazing, Contractor—you’re a genius!

“Huh?”

I was the one who gave the brown sugar, so why was that human a genius?

Gi-jun, who quickly took the bag containing the brown sugar from the hands of the flustered fairy, winked at Lucy and popped a lump of brown sugar into her mouth, before turning back to the fairy and saying.

“Thank you so much, we’ll eat it well. By any chance, could I request this in the future as well? Of course, I’ll pay for it.”

“May I interpret that as meaning you want to enter into an exclusive contract with me? Let us discuss in more detail…”

In any case, having successfully moved to the topic she wanted, a golden light sparkled in the fairy’s eyes.

Gi-jun felt that if they continued the conversation like this, he would be swayed, so he let out an exclamation.

“Come to think of it, adding a bit of brown sugar to curry gives it a nice accent and makes it delicious. Let’s talk while eating first. I also want to hear what happened to ‘that matter.’”

“That’s right, yes… Understood.”

Hearing Gi-jun’s words, the fairy forgot her excitement about the contract and nodded with a slightly gloomy expression.

Gi-jun and the Earth civilization were strictly victims who had almost suffered fatal damage due to the unforgivable foul play of the fairies who had acted as guide NPCs.

Feeling suddenly ashamed of herself for wondering how to make an advantageous contract with such a Gi-jun, the fairy scolded herself inwardly.

For a moment, the thought ‘Did he guide me on purpose?’ crossed her mind, but looking at the back of Gi-jun, who was humming while grating lumps of brown sugar into the pot, she soon shook her head.

There was no way such a naive human would do such a clever thing.

“I think it’s done now. It’s a shame there’s no rice, but I put in that many more potatoes, so eat up.”

—Wow, curry full of meat and potatoes…!

—Kiiit!

Not to mention Lucy, who was already addicted to Gi-jun’s cooking, Ur, who had not encountered food for an incredibly long time, also cheered loudly at the fragrant-smelling curry.

Cats were originally famous for not being able to eat hot things, so he wondered if he should cool it down for him, but Ur was only a cat in appearance; in reality, he was a spirit that handled hot flames.

He ate the curry, which was served on a wide plate to make it easy to eat, lapping it up with his tongue.

—Kii, kiiiii!

“Ur, is it delicious? I’m glad. There’s plenty, so eat a lot.”

—Me too, Contractor! Refill!

“As much as you want.”

Looking with an exasperated expression at Lucy, who still kept her own rule of transforming into her human form and eating a lot when eating Gi-jun’s cooking, the fairy plunged her own spoon into the curry served in a small bowl.

Although she could tell this curry was delicious just by the smell…

Even though no roux had been added separately, it was made with pork bone broth and loaded with potatoes, making it look similar to normal curry in terms of texture; she scooped up a spoonful of it and put it in her mouth.

Lightning struck the fairy’s mind.

By the time she came to her senses, the bowl was already empty.

“T-T-This…”

“Is it delicious? Want another bowl?”

“Please give me… No, wait a minute.”

The fairy had requested a refill immediately as her instincts commanded, but she soon came to her senses and asked him.

“By any chance, your Cooking skill… rank…?”

“Unique.”

Receiving the refilled curry bowl, the fairy seriously thought.

Whether it might be possible to conquer the universe with cooking.

“Hmm, as expected, it’s good. The unique sweetness of the brown sugar harmonizes with the thick and spicy broth, so it’s the best. Since it was boiled in a pressure cooker as if being steamed, the meat is also incredibly tender. If it were seasoned a bit stronger, it would be delicious to dip bread in it.”

“If it’s bread, I have… First, I will give you the report!”

The fairy, who had quickly emptied two bowls of curry, raised her voice slightly to change the subject so as not to get caught up in his pace anymore.

Clearing her throat with a cough to calm her excited feelings, she opened her mouth.

“First, I will inform you of the punishment of the fairies who committed foul play. The two fairies who appeared where the Earth civilization was summoned have already been dealt with by the hands of the summoners, and the NPC who provided them with critical information through indirect means has also paid for the crime with death.”

“I see.”

In his mouth, which had been sweet and happy just a moment ago, a bitter taste suddenly returned.

Seeing Gi-jun, who had lost his appetite, lightly set the bowl down to the side, the fairy continued.

“However, this is a serious matter that cannot end with just individual punishment. Therefore, to give warning to everyone performing NPC duties, a penalty has been imposed on the entire Fairygarden civilization that committed this incident—the points they must pay in taxes have increased by thirty percent for this year only.”

“…Every single fairy belonging to Fairygarden?”

“Yes.”

Although she informed him of this calmly with an unwavering expression, no matter how little Gi-jun knew about Leta, he could tell that this was an incredibly heavy penalty.

“It was that grave of a mistake that should never have been committed. If we do not hand down such a severe punishment, someday, perhaps other NPCs who are not fairies might also commit such outrages. That everyone belonging to the civilization must bear the weight of one’s crime—only when they deeply realize that fact will anyone ever dream of doing such a cowardly deed again.”

“Are you… alright?”

“I am—”

At Gi-jun’s question, the fairy was momentarily at a loss for words.

Since the atmosphere would obviously become awkward, it might have been better not to mention it, but Gi-jun still could not bear not to say it.

Even if it was something that hurt her.

“Your own kind might resent you. …If you had just covered it up and let it pass, no one would have made an issue out of it.”

“That might be the case for now, but.”

The fairy said with an unwavering expression.

“In the end, everyone will understand that my choice was right for Fairygarden to survive for a long time. It was something that would have been discovered eventually anyway.”

“…I see.”

Only then did Gi-jun finally accept the words ‘NPC’s pride’ that she had discussed earlier.

The moth bastard whom this girl followed as her sister was a scumbag who had once tried to eliminate Gi-jun as a bug when he was left alone in the tutorial, but this girl at least possessed a clear sense of pride.

Perhaps this fairy was much closer to the state of the Übermensch that he aimed for.

“Let me at least know your name.”

On a side note.

As expected, there was no way a beginner like him could match someone who made a living as a merchant.

It was a complete defeat.

“My name? It is rare for anyone to be interested in a fairy’s name.”

“Didn’t you say we should make an exclusive contract? We need to sign with each other’s names.”

When Gi-jun smirked and replied to the fairy who was slyly tilting her head, she only then wore a bright smile and said.

“If that is the case, I will gladly tell you. I am Viv. Please call me Viv.”

“Alright. Nice to meet you, Viv. I’m Gi-jun.”

“It’s a wonderful name, Mr. Gi-jun. Then shall we get right into writing the contract?”

“Sounds good. Oh, let’s adjust the terms while adding some extra clauses. I doubt they’re in the contract you prepared.”

“Extra clauses…?”

“Yeah.”

Viv, who was wearing a triumphant smile as she rummaged around to pull out the contract, reacted by furrowing her eyebrows at the suspicious remark, and Gi-jun laughed, pointing with his finger to the pot still full of curry.

“Like conveniences that both sides can provide to each other as exclusive terms. Such as serving a delicious meal every time you come over.”

“Ah.”

Viv gasped.

Because she could clearly see the game she had barely dragged to her victory being overturned once again.

So this was why this man had postponed the contract until after the meal!

Feeling a shiver run down her whole body, Viv spoke cautiously.

“Could I think about it while eating one more bowl of curry first?”

In the end, the contract between the two was made at a mutually acceptable, reasonable level.

In the future, Viv would provide him with as much useful information and conveniences as possible within the limits of NPC rules, and in return, the more active Gi-jun was in Leta, the more points Viv would be able to earn through commissions and information fees.

Since fixed costs were incurred in addition to simple commissions, he might think it was a waste of points right now, but not only was he confident he would profit even more, Gi-jun was also confident he would earn far more points with his own abilities in the future.

“Come to think of it, there’s something I forgot to tell you earlier.”

After the contract was completed, Viv, who stroked the magic contract signed by the two of them like a treasure and put it into her inventory, said as if it were no big deal.

“The thirty percent tax additionally collected as a penalty on Fairygarden will be paid entirely as compensation for damages.”

“Compensation for damages?”

“Yes. Because if their plan had proceeded successfully, the civilization representatives of Earth would have died, or at least had their existence revealed to other civilizations, suffering huge losses.”

“Is that so?”

Gi-jun had not yet told Viv that he was the civilization representative.

Of course, she would have already long since noticed that he was the representative, but being considerate, she would not bring it up openly.

“It’s a story that connects from there… Do you remember what I said before I left earlier? I mentioned that a small reward would be paid.”

“I remember.”

“Mr. Gi-jun will also be included in the targets for compensation. In other words, the additionally collected amount will be divided by the number of Earth representatives plus Mr. Gi-jun and paid equally.”

“…Isn’t that a huge deal?”

“It is. I don’t know if you know, but the taxes we fairies pay are also enormous.”

Viv probably did not know, but there were a total of three representatives of Earth, and Gi-jun was included among them.

However, treating Gi-jun separately, the compensation would be divided by four—three plus one—and Gi-jun would combine the share he received as a representative and the share he received as a whistleblower to take half of the entire amount.

Or rather, did she already have a rough idea? Viv’s gaze looking at Gi-jun was excessively pleased.

After all, if Gi-jun earned a lot of points, he would spend that much more, and then Viv, as his partner, would also earn a substantial share.

Gi-jun felt a pang of conscience at that.

Because he already had a use in mind for these points.

“Uh, I’m really sorry, Viv.”

“You do not have to say you are sorry for receiving the taxes paid by the fairies as compensation. As I said earlier, that was a price that naturally had to be paid, and Mr. Gi-jun receiving those points is also a reward you naturally deserve.”

“That’s not what I want to say.”

Gi-jun thought like this.

If it was not money he had worked hard to earn, he would spend it too lightheartedly.

Once one started spending money on a large scale, it became hard to go back to the days of spending little.

The even worse thing when overspending like that was that one fell into the illusion that this was money earned by one’s own ability.

Literally buried in a huge sum of money obtained merely by chance, losing one’s mind, only when the bottom was revealed would one finally realize their illusion.

But that did not mean one could fix their spending habits right away—in the end, wouldn’t one be ruined because their actual ability could not handle that extravagance?

“So I’m going to send all of those points to Biche.”

“Yes?”

To Viv, who was dumbfounded and blank-faced, Gi-jun explained briefly.

“Biche, oh, the Demon King. The person who taught me for ten years in the tutorial channel.”

Although it would be far from enough to repay all the kindness he had received from her for ten years, Gi-jun wanted to convey his gratitude to her in that way at least.

He also believed that a person who forgot favors could never succeed.

Because he had also roughly guessed that Biche needed a lot of points.

He could never turn a blind eye to Biche, who had generously bestowed points upon him while doing so.

“No… why is this person so…”

She could not bring herself to say the words ‘upright.’

Because it felt like it would raise the value of what she had done today along with it.

Looking at Viv, who was at a loss for words and only gaping her mouth, Gi-jun comforted her with an awkward smile.

“Don’t be too disappointed. Even without that, I’ll earn points well.”

“I believe you, I believe that, but still… No, don’t misunderstand. I’m not disappointed. Just…”

Viv, who had been contemplating for a moment, eventually let out a sigh and said.

“I thought that I made a really good exclusive contract. That we seem to match well. That’s all.”

“Yeah, thank you for taking it that way.”

Gi-jun smiled broadly.

Viv ended up laughing in the end as well.

On an extra note, she could not return the Letaphone she had taken earlier as it was, but instead, she said she would give him a voucher to receive the latest model of Letaphone for free at any time, so it was a gain from Gi-jun’s perspective.

As the conversation between the two seemed roughly sorted out, Lucy suddenly poked her head out from behind and said.

—Contractor, I want to put bread in the curry and try it!

“…By any chance, did you resolve to empty everything inside that pot today, Lucy?”

“I have premium white bread. Let’s eat together.”

—Kiiiiit!

At the word that there was bread, Ur raised his cheer.

Gi-jun, citing the reason that they had to eat until the next morning, managed to defend part of the remaining curry from the gluttons.

* * *

[Biche♥ (Dimensional Waiting Room): Whew, it’s over, it’s over. What are you saying, it’s embarrassing. What do you mean you miss me. Gosh, you have no persistence. How long has it even been since we parted.]

[Biche♥ (Dimensional Waiting Room): Me too, a little? By ‘a little,’ I mean I miss your cooking, okay? You didn’t misunderstand, right?]

[Biche♥ (Dimensional Waiting Room): I miss it. Your cooking.]

[Biche♥ (Dimensional Waiting Room): You’re acting strangely embarrassed, what is it. You had something happen, didn’t you. You’re hiding something from me. Spill it right away, before you get caught and scolded.]

[Biche♥ (Dimensional Waiting Room): You already cleared a ruin?! The title effect really is incredibly broken… But it feels like there’s something else besides that.]

[Biche♥ (Dimensional Waiting Room): The rest is a secret? You’ve got to be kidding me. You’ve forgotten how scary I am since I’m not by your side, haven’t you?]

[Biche♥ (Dimensional Waiting Room): Ahhhhhh! Saying such embarrassing things in a message! Do you know how cringey it is for me when I read it, huh?!]

[Biche♥ (Dimensional Waiting Room): It’s not that I completely hate it! Make sure to express your respect and longing for me honestly like that once in a while. Got it? It’s not like I completely hate it. You can do it sometimes, sometimes.]

[Biche♥ (Dimensional Waiting Room): Things to watch out for in Leta? Well, excluding the obvious ones, maybe Overflow? No lie, it probably accounts for thirty percent of the quests on the Leta continent. But annoyingly, it doesn’t even have any warning signs.]

[Biche♥ (Dimensional Waiting Room): What is Overflow? Hmm…]

[Biche♥ (Dimensional Rift): Ah, I have to deploy again. Then I’m off. And as for Overflow, well.]

[Biche♥ (Dimensional Rift): If you feel a mana earthquake occurring, first find a place where you won’t be surrounded! And survive!]