"It's too dangerous. Screws are falling from the ceiling, and these slug beings don't even have an Awakened among them. How could they possibly store this safely?"
At Yoon Seo's words, Kwon Jihan and Myam both looked down at the slug beings.
The bipedal slugs were quietly waiting for the reward that the trio would leave for their next benefactor. As they looked down at the slugs' gentle antennae, they realized that Yoon Seo was right.
The three put their heads together once more, discussing and pulling out various items to figure out what would be appropriate.
Peep!
As the trio laid out a few items, even Riceball offered up a blue feather.
"You're giving a gift too, Riceball? You're so kind."
Peep peep!
Puffed up with pride after receiving a pat from Kwon Jihan, Riceball puffed out its chest. Watching this, Yoon Seo thought to himself.
It'd be great if we could get another Ego Weapon.
Kwon Jihan was the strongest hunter in the world, yet he still didn't have a weapon of his own. A powerful weapon suited for a monster-level fighter. At the same time, something cute and lovable for the surprisingly warm-hearted young man.
Any form of Ego Weapon would be great.
After much discussion, they finally found a suitable item. They set the palm-sized disc on the ground, and the slugs gathered around it.
|What is this thing-ieung?|
"It's an Earth-made Shield Trap. When you press the button in the center, the shield skill inside the trap activates, and the range is ten times the size of this spaceship, lasting for twelve hours. This shield is strong enough to block attacks from the 'Distorted Beings'."
Until now, shield traps couldn't contain 100% of the [Deep Field] skill due to durability issues.
However, through trade with planets like Ystävä, Earth had obtained various new materials, and Seokyoung's Item Development Team used these materials to improve the shield traps, making them durable enough to hold one full use of [Deep Field].
Yoon Seo and Kwon Jihan had brought two of these traps when they left Earth. Now, they were giving one to the Ttyulkkyak people.
|Even against attacks from the Distorted Beings-ieung? That's an incredible skill-ieung!|
"Yes. Give it to the next alien race that answers your distress signal."
|Thank you so much-ieung! The next benefactor will be very pleased-ieung!|
The excited slugs' antennae quivered with joy.
They struggled to move the Shield Trap, which was large for their small bodies, to a safe place. Myam helped them out.
Kwon Jihan leaned in and whispered to Yoon Seo.
"Our next benefactor is going to have a real tough time picking the next reward, right, Hyung?"
"Yeah, no kidding."
Just like they had done earlier, the next ones would be sweating as they put their heads together, trying to pick a worthy reward.
Until this small alien race finally found their place.
How many more alien races would come to help them? And how many would leave behind precious gifts for those who came after?
Yoon Seo realized something each time this happened.
In this world now, it's not the people who go out of their way to help others who are the fools—it's those who pass by without offering any help.
***
Yoon Seo, Kwon Jihan, and Myam were heading to a planet that held the 'Box That Lets You Find What You Seek'.
There were many who sought the box just as much as they sought its key. The box had been looted by intergalactic criminal organizations, reclaimed, moved to safety, looted again, and recovered repeatedly. Currently, it was said to be in the possession of a corrupted group known as the 'Black Kalia'.
The planet Yegin, where Black Kalia was located, was deep within the outer reaches, far off the galactic highways—a remote edge among the outskirts.
Most of the planet was desert wasteland, but villages had formed in patches where underground water surged to the surface, allowing for greenery to grow.
Before entering the village, the group used binoculars to scout it from a distance.
"I've always stuck to the central regions, so this is my first time in the outskirts. The atmosphere here is definitely different. It's dark, dreary, and feels kinda down."
"A planet off the Galactic Highways is basically like a slum on Earth, myam. Be careful, both of you, myam. There are tons of bad Awakened here, myam."
"You said Black Kalia is a corrupted organization, right? Like Galaxaia on Earth."
"That's right, myam. They're a group that's been growing rapidly these days, myam."
"It's time to make use of [Predator]."
"If anyone tries to pick a fight with you, don't hesitate to use it, myam. Once people know you're a Judicator, there'll be far fewer who dare to cross you, myam."
[Predator] was more useful against Awakened than monsters, so there hadn't been many chances to use it until now.
Yoon Seo, observing Kwon Jihan's sly grin, nudged him with his elbow.
"That doesn't mean you should go around picking fights yourself."
"Hyung, what do you take me for? Do you think I'm some kind of fighter?"
Peep peep.
"Huh? What's with that tone? What's with that look? You both think just because you're staring at me with those cute, wide eyes that I'll let it slide, huh?"
Kwon Jihan suddenly planted a kiss on Yoon Seo's cheek. Then, he gave a quick peck on Riceball's small, round head before lifting the binoculars again.
The Black Kalia's headquarters was in the tavern at the center of the village.
"They'll probably demand an outrageous price in exchange for letting us open the box, myam."
"That doesn't matter. We've got plenty of money. The real issue is that they'll likely try to steal the key before we open the box, or take whatever we find after we open it."
"That's for sure, myam. They're really bad guys, myam!"
"If we're going to fight them anyway, we might as well hit them hard from the start, break their spirit, and then open the box."
Yoon Seo let out a sigh.
"And who said you're not a fighter?"
"No, Hyung, hear me out. Those guys are corrupt villains. They've been hoarding that box for years. Someone righteous and powerful like us needs to defeat them so the box can be public property again."
"Stop making excuses and just admit you want to fight."
"I mean, I'm a little curious about the extent of Black Kalia's leader's power. Plus, it's an opportunity to gain some experience."
Unlike other Awakened beings, Kwon Jihan could level up his skills through experience points. The more experience he accumulates, the stronger he becomes without any limits.
One of the primary ways to gain experience was by fighting the 'Distorted Beings' in Dungeons, but that's a life-or-death battle.
Rather than risking his life fighting the Distorted Beings, sparring with Awakened beings of similar or greater power is an easier way to accumulate experience.
Because of this, he would often challenge strong-looking Awakened beings from alien planets allied with Earth, asking them to fight. Eventually, everyone started to think of Kwon Jihan as a battle maniac.
"That's why I keep asking you to spar with me."
"Ugh, just thinking about fighting you gives me goosebumps, Hyung. Please don't bring up my trauma."
Sure enough, goosebumps rose on Kwon Jihan's muscular arms.
"If my healing resistance disappears, will you spar with me? You won't still treat me like some weakling, right?"
"Hyung, do you know what my two biggest wishes are?"
"What are they?"
"The first is to have sex with you without healing resistance. The second is to spar with you without healing resistance."
"…"
"If your healing resistance disappears, you have to spar with me. No backing out. Promise."
"Of course. I'd want nothing less."
Yoon Seo smiled.
"Even if your healing resistance disappears… I don't think I'll be able to fight you, Hyung…"
He'd said something like that before.
But now, after three years, Kwon Jihan had improved quite a lot.
"Hey, hey, I'm here too, myam. You can ignore me if you want, myam. I'm always cheering for you, myam. But for now, shouldn't we focus on the task at hand, myam?"
"Of course, I haven't forgotten. Let's go in."
Yoon Seo led the way. Kwon Jihan and Myam walked beside him, and Riceball perched on top of Jihan's head.
The three entered the village.
Sharp gazes from the locals turned toward the outsiders.
Peep!
The attention-seeking bird didn't flinch at all. Instead, it puffed out its chest even more, lifting its beak proudly.
"If it weren't for the different looks, they could be straight out of a western movie."
Yoon Seo agreed with Kwon Jihan's comment.
Walking at a steady pace, neither too slow nor too fast, Yoon Seo scanned the structures, the weapons carried by the alien beings, their transportation methods, and the escape routes in case things went south.
"That humanoid over there looks a lot like you."
As Yoon Seo signaled with his eyes to one side, Myam responded.
"Oh, that humanoid is a spy we sent. Its name is Lyam00716, myam."
"A spy?"
"Sometimes, when corrupted Awakened plan terrorist acts on other planets, we send spies into various corrupted organizations, myam."
Well, on Earth, Galaxaia often plotted terrorism too, so spies were planted by nations to prevent them. Thanks to their efforts, no large-scale attacks had occurred yet.
Yoon Seo, frowning, noticed an octopus wearing a hood staring at them.
"What's that octopus in the hood doing?"
"It's a spy sent from Youngke Planet, myam. Wave and greet it, myam."
"And those winged ones at eleven o'clock?"
"They're spies from Fron Planet, myam. They always travel in threes, myam."
"What about that one that looks like a dinosaur? It's sharpening a knife while looking at us."
"That's a Tarian, myam. It looks intimidating, but they're actually kind and often become Judicators, myam. Also a spy, myam."
Every person Yoon Seo pointed at was a spy. There were more spies than corrupted ones.
Kwon Jihan burst out laughing.
"We might need to rename this place. Instead of the Corrupted Village, it should be Spy Village."
"Ah, some people actually call it that, myam."
Relaxed, the group finally arrived at the tavern.
But the moment they opened the door and stepped inside…
「'Amaeur' is using the skill [Room of Laziness].」
「You have entered an area dominated by Laziness.」
「This skill has no effect on you.」
The continuous notifications reignited their caution.