Chapter 76
I smiled brightly.
“After all, I just cleared a large-scale update content. There should obviously be a reward, right?”
[“Administrator of the Creative Economy” nods, saying that this is a fair opinion from a business ethics standpoint.]
The head of the business division agreed. However—
[“Architect of the Tower of Trials” flinches.]
[“The Caustic Critic Who Balances Equilibrium” flinches.]
[“The Word Spirit Who Builds Worlds” flinches.]
Huh?
Why are they reacting like that?
[“The Word Spirit Who Builds Worlds” clears their throat.]
[“Architect of the Tower of Trials” complains that this is all because you cleared the tower too quickly.]
[“The Word Spirit Who Builds Worlds” signals the Architect to stay quiet since they caused the problem.]
[“The Caustic Critic Who Balances Equilibrium” says they never expected three floors to be cleared in one day, no matter how incomplete the construction was.]
[“Architect of the Tower of Trials” insists it wasn’t poor construction but unfinished development.]
[“The Scales That Judge Souls” mocks the development department’s poor handling of their work.]
[“The Word Spirit Who Builds Worlds” shouts that if anyone is going to criticize, it will be them!]
“…”
While the gods bickered, my expression slowly darkened.
This was an achievement that took seven whole years to accomplish. And yet the reward still wasn’t ready.
“Hmmmmm.”
[“The Word Spirit Who Builds Worlds” doesn’t know what to do out of guilt toward you.]
I crossed my arms and thought.
Well, it can’t be helped. I’ll let it slide for now for Word Spirit’s sake, but later I’ll definitely demand compensation for the delayed reward.
But that plan was quickly discarded.
[“Administrator of the Creative Economy” steps forward saying that since it is ultimately the Management Bureau’s responsibility, they will personally handle the reward issue.]
The business director himself?
[“The Word Spirit Who Builds Worlds” is delighted by the support.]
[“The Scales That Judge Souls” asks what he plans to do.]
Then a message appeared.
[<System> “Administrator of the Creative Economy” sponsors you with a VIP Point Shop Pass and a 100,000 Point Coupon.]
[<Misc> VIP Point Shop Pass
A pass granting access to the VIP Point Shop, which sells extremely special items.
Note: Normally only given to reincarnators who spent over 10 billion cash in the possession-exclusive cash shop.]
[<Misc> 100,000 Point Coupon
A coupon containing currency usable in the VIP Point Shop.
Note: 1 point is charged for every 100,000 cash spent.]
“Oh…”
I looked at the golden ticket and silver coupon shining brilliantly in my hands.
[“The Caustic Critic Who Balances Equilibrium” protests that this reward seems too overpowered.]
Judging by the balance manager’s reaction, this must be a reasonable reward.
Good. I’m satisfied.
[“The Word Spirit Who Builds Worlds” thanks the business director.]
[“Administrator of the Creative Economy” emphasizes that the business division always supports the development division.]
[“The Word Spirit Who Builds Worlds” says everything is perfect except for systems not yet built for the large update coming in two months.]
[“Administrator of the Creative Economy” cheers them on to meet their deadline.]
Well… in the end, the reward was still technically postponed.
I decided to store the pass and coupon carefully until the day they could be used.
Part 15: The Broken Clock
With about three months left until the end of the tutorial period—
Having completed my closed-door training in the Tower of Trials, it was time to start preparing for the original story.
Once the system’s travel restriction was lifted, I wouldn’t be able to return to the Baek Estate for quite some time.
So I decided to begin the handover process.
“Mom, Dad. This is the dungeon farm I told you about.”
“Oh my.”
“My goodness.”
I revealed the true identity of the herb merchant that had been supplying us with high-grade herbs cheaply.
Clatter! Clatter! Clatter!
The skeletons, including Epiden, greeted us politely, their jawbones clicking.
“Helberos, don’t be shy. Come say hello too.”
<Ah, hello…>
After completely digesting the Flaming Dragon’s Burning Heart, Helberos could now speak clearly.
And not only that—
“Oh my! How cute!”
He could now also transform into a human.
At the moment, Helberos looked like a six-year-old boy with red hair and red eyes.
“My goodness, he reminds me of Lintz when he was little! Your name is Helberos? Our little Helby, how old are you?”
<I… I’m 331 years old.>
“…Ah, whatever! You’re adorable!”
Mom hugged Helberos and rubbed her cheek against his.
Meanwhile, I explained important matters to Dad.
“Time in the dungeon farm flows three times faster than reality. Productivity is high so harvest yields are large. After the Rodel Potion Company used what they needed, the leftovers were supplied to several merchant groups. The list is on this note.”
I even revealed the hidden funds that had supported my heavy spending.
It was a bit regrettable, but I wouldn’t be able to manage it anymore.
“I can’t believe this. You were running a herb company behind your father’s back?”
“My goodness, our daughter! No wonder you never asked for more allowance—you had your own income!”
“Haha… yes.”
Surprisingly, I wasn’t scolded much.
My parents even promised to increase my allowance.
“Epiden is the farm manager. The one with the prettiest skull. Just tell him anything you need.”
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Epiden.”
Clatter clatter!
“If communication becomes difficult, you can talk through Helberos. And Helberos is a vegetarian demon, just so you know.”
“Please take care of us, Helberos.”
<Please take care of meee.>
After finishing the handover, we drank tea prepared by Epiden and talked.
Mom asked seriously:
“So, your decision hasn’t changed?”
“No. I want to go on a training journey like my brother.”
There was no better excuse for being away from home for a long time than a journey.
Mom nodded.
“Well, you have stayed at Baek Estate for too long. It’s time you saw the world.”
“Right. I’m like a frog in a well. I need to learn about the world.”
“That’s a wonderful attitude. You said you’d leave in late spring? May is perfect for traveling.”
She agreed easily.
But Dad spoke with lingering concern:
“Wait, Eltea. I’m worried. What if she goes out and comes back with some strange man—”
“Leo. You’re talking about me.”
“That would be wonderful! Go ahead, dear!”
“Yes, Dad. I’ll bring back a man just like you.”
Thanks to Mom, my strongest ally, Dad was persuaded.
Then I carefully brought something up.
“Oh right, Mom.”
“Yes, dear?”
“I was hoping to get Grandpa’s help preparing for the trip. Would that be okay?”
“Why are you even asking? Do as you like.”
Her tone suggested it was a needless question.
It seemed the relationship between Mom and Grandpa had improved a lot.
That meant I could comfortably ask Grandpa for the things I needed.
Since I still couldn’t leave Baek Estate.
Then Mom said something unexpected:
“When you travel, make sure to visit Grandpa too.”
“Okay, Mom.”
Dad added:
“Until you leave, let’s keep having tea together like this.”
“Okay, Dad.”
I nodded with a smile.
For the next three months, I planned to cherish every moment with my precious family.
✠
After finishing all the handover work so the Rodel Potion Company could function without me, I wrote two letters.
The first was to my best friend Bianca, who was currently in the royal capital.
After being selected as the First Princess’s personal maid, Bianca had been practically confined to the palace.
We hadn’t seen each other in years and only kept in touch through letters.
I told Bianca about my travel plans.
It wasn’t a long letter, but I felt slightly embarrassed noticing I had written “I miss you” seven times.
[“The Eye That Observes the Chaos of All Things” urges you to send it immediately since both spelling and content are perfect.]
The second letter was to my grandfather.
I informed him of my decision and requested various supplies.
I considered writing to Prince as well, but since he was on his own training journey, I doubted it would reach him.
“Letters are done. Now I should work on alchemy and cooking.”
I planned to prepare large quantities of potions and lunchboxes and store them in my satchel.
My subspace inventory ignored expiration dates, which was very convenient.
First—alchemy.
I took out the Mermaid’s Tear, obtained from defeating Undead Siel, the boss of the 298th floor of the Tower of Trials.
Just as I began processing it—
Agnes asked:
<If you have healing magic anyway, why make potions?>
“When bleeding is severe, healing alone isn’t enough. Potions help regenerate blood. And also…”
<Also?>
“What if there’s no one to heal me when I’m injured?”
<Ah… that’s true.>
What if I were seriously injured and then fainted from the aftereffects of Divine Descent?
Even with maxed healing, it would be useless.
After cooking, I went to the backyard to train.
Just because my closed training ended didn’t mean I could become lazy.
Most of my training focused on aura sensitivity.
“I want to become a Master… I want an Aura Blade too…”
<Don’t be impatient. Impatience is the greatest obstacle.>
“Yes.”
About fifteen days of this monotonous routine passed—
