Chapter 96 – Bringing What Draws

Thud.

As Iona used magic, the ground began to rumble. And the cave slowly sank.

A moment later,

[You have completed the Middle Manager quest.]

[As a Middle Manager quest completion reward, you have acquired 3,000,000 experience points.]

[As a Middle Manager quest completion reward, you have acquired 50,000 Tower Coins.]

Simultaneously with the quest completion message appearing, he acquired the rewards of the quest that had returned to its original state. The Locusts were annihilated all at once by Iona’s Mini Black Hole magic.

[You have accomplished your duty as a Middle Manager.]

You will return to the 99th floor of the tower in 30 seconds.]

As the mission ended, a message that he was returning to the 99th floor of the tower appeared.

“Iona, I’ll go first.”

Se-jun hurriedly said goodbye to Iona.

“Yes?”

Unfortunately, Iona, who was not designated as a subordinate, could not go together.

Squeak!

Kkueng!

Pyupyu…

The animals waved their hands to say goodbye to Iona. The greetings from the Black Rabbit and Cuengi were purely bright, and Pyupyu was sad to part with her master.

And,

“Puhahat. Iona, farewell, meow. Chairman Park’s lap is mine now, meow!”

Theo, who became able to monopolize Se-jun’s lap, disappeared while teasing Iona.

“Kyu—kyu—kyu—kyu—my sweet sleeeep!!!”

Iona, who could not get her sweet sleep, entered the Level 4 Angry Kyu state.

Kyuoooo!

The black hole grew larger in accordance with Iona’s anger. Ultimately, only after erasing the Nabia Swamp did Iona come to her senses and move in a hurry.

***

The Tower Administrator’s area.

[The population of Yellow Locusts on the 67th floor of the tower has exceeded 3 billion.]

[The population of Yellow Locusts on the 67th floor of the tower has met the evolution conditions.]

…

..

.

[The population of Blue Locusts on the 67th floor of the tower has exceeded 5 billion.]

…

..

.

[The Red Locusts on the 67th floor of the tower are evolving into Purple Locusts.]

“Keuong?!”

As it suddenly increased, Aileen was flustered.

“Did something happen to our Se-jun?!”

Although she had given him a powerful authority to protect his body, she was just as anxious since he was still far too weak.

While Aileen’s anxiety index was soaring like that,

[Tower Farmer Park Se-jun, the Middle Manager, has completed his mission.]

[Returning to the 99th floor of the tower.]

“Khehehe. You tried to raise the reward, didn’t you? What a praiseworthy human indeed! I knew you could do it!”

Aileen quickly searched for Se-jun through the crystal ball. She missed him so much after not seeing him for a few days.

***

[You have arrived at the 99th floor of the tower.]

Se-jun returned to the front of his house on the 99th floor of the tower after completing his mission on the 67th floor of the tower.

Kkueng!

Cuengi ran to his mother as soon as he arrived,

Squeak!

Pyupyu.

And the rabbits also went to see the other rabbits.

“Should I check on the farm too?”

“Work again, meow? Stop and rest, meow!”

He had planned to rest comfortably on Se-jun’s lap now, but since Se-jun said he was going out to work again, Theo was annoyed.

“It will end quickly.”

Se-jun, who had now fully become a farmer, only wanted to quickly check if there were any abnormalities on the farm while he was gone.

At that moment,

[The Tower Administrator says you did a very, very great job.]

“Yes. And thank you for the authority. Thanks to Aileen, my life was saved.”

[…The Tower Administrator says that since y-you are weak, she gave it because she was worried before seeing you, so there is no need to be too grateful.]

Aileen was flustered when praised. She said something she didn’t mean.

“But thinking that I might die, I missed Aileen so much.”

To be exact, it was that he hoped to see her at least once before dying, but because Se-jun spoke strangely, the atmosphere became awkward.

[……]

“Aileen?”

Embarrassed by Se-jun’s words, Aileen hid.

And,

“-You rascal Park Se-jun, I acknowledge you a little.”

The black dragon statue on top of the fountain nodded its head.

***

Having finished his conversation with Aileen, Se-jun looked around the farm.

“As expected, they are doing well.”

The fields on the ground, such as the cherry tomato field, sweet potato field, and carrot field, were growing well under the management of the White Rabbits, the specialists in farming.

Harvesting was also done properly, and the size of the farm had grown quite a bit by making new fields.

Looking around the farm like that, when he arrived at the end of the fields, black soil was visible.

“It’s almost finished here too.”

Before he knew it, as the Black Minotaurs turned the soil over, about 90% of the wasteland was turned into fertile black soil. It was land where anything seemed likely to grow well.

After looking around the fields on the ground, Se-jun went down to the cave.

“Flamie, have you been well?”

[Yes! Master! I’m so glad to see you!]

As Se-jun arrived, Flamie fluttered her leaves and welcomed Se-jun enthusiastically.

“Huh?! The Ents have increased?”

Se-jun asked as he looked at the ten Ents, which had grown to his chest height before he knew it.

[Yes! The Ents are continuously making seeds in the western forest and planting them!]

“Is that so? I should go visit sometime.”

As Se-jun spoke and stroked Flamie’s leaves,

[Farmer’s Touch Lv. 2 is activated.]

[While touched, the growth of the apple tree speeds up slightly.]

The skill was activated, promoting the growth of Flamie.

[Hehehe. Master! I’m growing!]

“Right.”

From the outside, there didn’t seem to be much difference, but he had no intention of ruining Flamie’s good mood by saying so in vain.

After talking with Flamie like that, Se-jun went to bed in his house.

And,

“Meow, meow, meow.”

Theo, humming an exciting song out of joy at monopolizing Se-jun’s lap after a long time. Because it was so good, he could not fall asleep.

At that moment,

(Brother Theo! Have you arrived?)

“Nyaaack!”

Theo was startled by the greeting of the Golden Bat, who was hiding in the corner of the bedroom.

(I am sorry if I startled you.)

The Golden Bat quickly apologized.

But

“Meow? What are you saying, meow? I was not startled, meow! Have you been well too, Golden Bat, meow?”

Theo, who could not show a weak side to the youngest, asked how he was doing, pretending to be fine.

(Yes. But brother, I have a worry.)

“What is it, meow? Your brother will consult with you, meow!”

Theo’s breathing became rapid with the expectation that he could play the role of the big brother.

(What should I bring from outside the tower for Mr. Se-jun to like?)

The Golden Bat, whose time to go outside the tower again was approaching soon, was worried about what to bring to please Se-jun.

“That is too easy, meow!”

Fortunately, the Golden Bat’s worry was Theo’s specialty.

(Is it easy?)

“You just have to bring whatever draws your front paw, meow! Puhahat. Every time I brought what drew me, I was loved a lot by Park Se-jun, meow!”

(Oh! I envy you, brother! But how do you know what draws you?)

“You just know, meow!”

It was advice that was not helpful at all.

***

Slam!

Iona entered, opening the door of the Traveling Merchant Association president’s office strongly with wind magic.

“Kyu—kyu—kyu—President Mason! I will accuse Tarik, the leader of the Chow Merchant Group and the best traveling merchant, of his crimes!”

“Tarik?”

‘What on earth did he do again?’

Looking at Iona in the Level 3 Angry Kyu state, Mason thought that Tarik had caused a fairly big accident this time.

“Miss Iona, shall we talk while having some tea first?”

“No. I have some busy business today. Here is the evidence.”

Iona, who had to move to the 99th floor of the tower quickly to get a sweet sleep, rejected Mason’s invitation and handed the necklace to Mason.

“This is?”

“It’s a necklace with video storage magic.”

“Ah. Then I will watch the video and decide on Tarik’s disciplinary level.”

“I have already done that.”

“Yes?”

“I have already disciplined Tarik. With the death penalty.”

“What?!!!”

Mason was flustered by Iona’s reply. Tarik was a subordinate of Grid, the great landlord and great elder of the Wild Boar tribe. Because of Grid who threatened using food as a weapon, Mason could not do anything about Tarik either.

“Miss Iona! No matter how big of a mistake Tarik committed, how could you ignore the Traveling Merchant Association and kill a traveling merchant?!”

Mason got furious. Cleanup had already become impossible.

“Tarik fed the Red Locusts on the 67th floor of the tower so that their numbers would increase. That is an act that threatens the safety of the tower. As the president of the Wizards’ Association, I also have the authority to make a summary judgment. Everything is stored in the necklace, so check it.”

“Is that true?”

Mason hastily began to check the video. The video showed Tarik giving bribes multiple times and discarding monster carcasses. And even him trying to slip away by mentioning Grid, the great landlord.

In the meantime, Iona hurriedly went up to the 99th floor of the tower.

‘At this rate, we can even tie in Grid.’

For everything, a justification was always important. And the justification of punishing a being who tried to put the tower in danger was extremely excellent.

‘If it goes well, we can finish Grid off with this video.’

At that time, a video that Iona additionally saved appeared at the end of the video.

-President Mason, let’s confiscate the assets of the Chow Merchant Group to reimburse the expenses used by the Traveling Merchant Association, the Free Mercenary Association, and the Wizards’ Association. And we’ll entrust the remaining money to the outstanding traveling merchant, Mr. Theo, to use for the reconstruction of the 67th floor of the tower.

“Theo?”

Mason called his subordinate and instructed them to bring information about Theo.

***

Heave-ho.

Se-jun woke up from sleep.

And,

Purr, purr.

Kyurorong.

“Huh? Iona?”

Se-jun quickly looked at his lap at the sound of Iona snoring from his lap.

And,

“When did she climb up?”

He saw Iona covering herself with Theo’s tail.

Iona, who had moved rapidly through the light speed merchant passage as soon as Se-jun disappeared. Fortunately, she had arrived an hour ago after finishing her work and was able to achieve a brief sweet sleep, covering herself with Theo’s tail on Se-jun’s lap.

At that moment,

Flutter, flutter.

The Golden Bat appeared in front of Se-jun.

(Mr. Se-jun! How is this? This had a good grip, so it drew me!)

The Golden Bat, who heard Theo’s advice, handed the object he had brought to Se-jun.

“This is a wireless microphone? Did you by any chance go outside the tower?”

(Yes! This time, I listened to Brother Theo and brought what drew me!)

The Golden Bat looked at Se-jun with eyes full of expectation.

‘Chirp, chirp. Am I going to be loved too?’

This was because Theo had bragged that he brought what drew him and was loved by Se-jun.

But

“Golden Bat, that only works for Theo.”

Theo was a naturally talented fellow.

(Yes…)

The Golden Bat was disappointed at Se-jun’s words.

“It’s fine. Thanks to the wireless microphone, at least I learned that you appear in a karaoke room. First, let’s learn how to write.”

Se-jun planned to teach the Golden Bat how to write so that the Golden Bat could bring back information that characterized the place he moved to.

(Yes! I will learn diligently!)

“Now, this is Giyeok.”

Draw.

Se-jun picked up a branch and wrote the letter ‘ㄱ’ on the ground as he spoke.

Draw.

(Giyeok.)

The Golden Bat also held a branch and wrote along the letter Se-jun wrote while reading it.

On the 264th day of being stranded, Se-jun began to teach Hangeul to the Golden Bat.

***

A coin karaoke room in Seoul.

“Black limou… Huh?!”

The microphone suddenly disappeared from the hand of the man who was passionately singing.

A moment later,

“Of all the things to steal, you steal a microphone! Reimburse it quickly! Otherwise, I will report you to the police!”

“No, I really didn’t steal it! Check the CCTV!”

At the questioning of the coin karaoke room owner, the man felt wronged and asked to look at the CCTV.

And,

“Huh?!”

“See?! I told you I didn’t steal it!”

In the CCTV video, the microphone suddenly disappeared from the man’s hand.

And when they played the video slowly, they saw something golden move rapidly and snatch the microphone from the man’s hand.

“Let’s send this to ‘What on Earth’.”

“Shall we?”

Coincidentally, both were avid viewers of ‘What on Earth’.