The city was abuzz with tales of successful dungeon explorations, but I felt no thrill. Instead, I focused on returning to my usual routine as quickly as possible, as if nothing had happened. The kids seemed to mirror my efforts, showing more dedication than excitement.
Normally, news of a successful expedition would spread throughout the city, drawing curious adventurers. I was concerned about this, but ironically, the temple decided to keep our report under wraps for the time being, turning our achievement into a secret known only to us.
For now, this was a blessing. It meant we wouldn’t be distracted by unnecessary attention. Of course, I had no intention of keeping it hidden forever. Discovering the dungeon of the ancient alchemist Vivian was a significant accomplishment that would be highly valued when establishing a clan. It was too valuable to let go.
The kids’ daily routine was a cycle of repetition. They’d wake up, practice their sensory skills, and then I’d provide individual guidance. In the afternoons, we’d head outside the city to practice combat techniques and formations against monsters, returning to the inn before dinner for personal maintenance time.
After dinner, while the kids used their personal time to rest or train further, my work truly began. There was always so much to do. Sorting and selling the loot from the day, researching records to locate the ruins’ laboratory—these tasks filled my nights.
I also had to manage the items we found in the dungeon and consider new equipment for the kids. Occasionally, they would request meetings to discuss which formations were most effective or what roles suited them best. I had to coordinate all of this.
The kids were involved enough to be frequently called upon, but none of them ever complained. They understood how busy I was. They could rest or sleep whenever they wanted, but I didn’t have that luxury.
After finishing all my tasks, I didn’t go straight to bed. Instead, I used the early hours for personal training. It wasn’t about improving my skills but maintaining them through swordsmanship, meditation, and physical conditioning.
Once my training was done, I’d catch a couple of hours of sleep before starting the day again. Sometimes, I couldn’t even manage an hour. The kids would shake their heads in disbelief and worry, but I’d reassure them, “It’ll be more beneficial if you grow up quickly and help me out.” Honestly, it wasn’t that hard. Compared to the days in the Fairy Forest or the depths of hell, where I had to push myself to the limit every day, this life was paradise.
The intensity of the kids’ training increased. It was more rigorous than when we first arrived in Mule, but I never heard a single complaint. They even tried to join me for my early morning sessions, and I had to gently send them back. While my body could handle the strain, the growing kids needed adequate rest and sleep as part of their training.
Their attitudes had definitely changed. Our recent venture into the Dark Forest was a gamble, a risky adventure. Although we had the wildcard of victory, Kim Su-hyun, there were many dangerous moments, and the kids must have learned a lot from the experience. In the past, they might have followed reluctantly, but now they were eager to learn, their eyes burning with determination, which made me very satisfied.
While I was better suited to teach Ahn Hyun and Yoo Jung, Vivian was more appropriate for guiding Ahn Sol. Ahn Sol seemed a bit dissatisfied, but she accepted my decision, understanding that they were both mana users. I hoped they’d grow closer through their training together.
I kept the items we retrieved from the dungeon, storing the gems, potion pouches, and books in a general warehouse. I was tempted to sell the gems, but acquiring such high-quality ones all at once was rare, so I decided to hold onto them for potential future use.
However, I sold everything else, including the items from the vagrants and the goblins’ gems. After sorting everything, we made nearly 150 gold. Additionally, the byproducts from the monsters we defeated brought in anywhere from 50 silver to 1 gold per day. We no longer had to worry about inn fees, a clear sign that we had moved beyond the novice user stage.
But where there’s income, there’s also expenditure.
The top priority was upgrading the kids’ equipment. While their weapons didn’t need replacing, they did need improvement. I had just under 700 gold left, and I decided to invest at least 100 gold per person: Ahn Hyun, Ahn Sol, Yoo Jung, and Vivian.
Vivian’s skills were already proven, so there was no need to spend much on her. She chose a magic robe (27 gold) to keep her warm and aid mana activation, and a staff (63 gold) to enhance mana circulation.
Ahn Sol didn’t need much either. Just in case, I got her a thin chainmail (38 gold) to wear underneath and a priest’s robe (46 gold) to enhance her holy spells. I wanted to upgrade her staff, but she clung to it as if her life depended on it.
“No, I don’t want to… I like this one. It’s the first thing you got me…”
“Why not? I’ll get you a better one. It’s not bad, but…”
“No… It’s the first thing you gave me…”
”…”
When I tried to take it from her, she teared up, and I had to relent. I managed to convince her to let me upgrade it by embedding a gem worth 61 gold, which significantly boosted mana activation. Being a girl, she was swayed by the gem’s sparkle and reluctantly handed over her staff.
Ahn Hyun and Yoo Jung, being melee fighters, required more attention to their armor, which naturally meant more expense.
Ahn Hyun, who played the role of both a close-range dealer and a tank, needed good gloves more than the others. Ideally, I’d have liked to get him full heavy armor, but a decent set would cost at least 900 gold. So, we decided to upgrade piece by piece.
He got a chainmail with a lightweight enchantment (124 gold), a breastplate (48 gold), and leg guards (39 gold). The cost was higher than expected, so I redirected the funds meant for my equipment to him. During this, Ahn Hyun jokingly called me “Dad,” earning him a playful smack.
Yoo Jung, as a dealer, needed mobility, especially if she was to specialize in skirmishes. She got a light ringmail (92 gold) and a leather armor (71 gold) made from monster hide. Normally, leather armor would cost around 50 gold, but the potion used to maintain its defense while keeping it supple added over 20 gold to the price.
Yoo Jung protested that it was too expensive, but when I insisted on applying the potion, her cheeks flushed. Despite her outward protests, she seemed secretly pleased.
In total, we spent about 520 gold. Over 500 gold gone in an instant, leaving us with just over 100 gold. But it was worth it. Seeing the kids satisfied with their new gear filled me with a sense of pride and contentment.
With their new outfits, they finally shed their fledgling appearance. They might not look like seasoned veterans, but they certainly appeared more like proper users, equipped with decent gear. As I watched them with a satisfied smile, Yoo Jung sidled up to me.
“Oppa, aren’t you going to cry?”
“Why would I cry?”
“You know, like parents do when their kids wear their school uniforms for the first time. ‘Oh, my babies have grown so much. Sniff, sniff. It’s so touching.’”
“You’re being silly.”
Smack!
“Ouch! Geez…”
Watching Yoo Jung rub her forehead and pout, I sighed. Honestly, I did feel a bit like that. It seemed like just yesterday they were fumbling through the initiation ceremony, and I never expected we’d still be together now.
When we first arrived in Mule, they were like little chicks, wearing the academy-issued clothes and looking around wide-eyed. But now, they were presenting themselves as proper users, at least on the outside. Yoo Jung, excited with her new gear, was playfully swinging her daggers in front of me. I watched her with a motherly smile. Is this what it feels like to raise children?
As we laughed and chatted, I noticed a few other users casting envious glances our way. Judging by their gear, they seemed to be at a similar level to us. They didn’t even have proper weapons, let alone armor. Their clothes were worn, likely the same ones issued by the user academy.
For them, acquiring gear was a distant dream. They were probably struggling just to make ends meet, worrying about their next meal. This was the reality for users who hadn’t joined a clan. But I couldn’t blame them. Being able to purchase this level of equipment within a month without joining a clan was nothing short of a miracle.
As I was about to leave Mule, I decided to upgrade my gloves one more time, finally resolving my equipment issues. It felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders.
While I couldn’t say the gear was top-notch by my standards, it was decent enough. Once equipped, the kids’ training and hunting speeds improved dramatically. It seemed to motivate them mentally as well.
That motivation went a bit overboard, and they were itching to head out on another adventure. But I shut down their requests immediately. Even seasoned users avoid jumping back into exploration right after re-equipping. It’s crucial to review past expeditions, address shortcomings, and add what’s necessary.
In terms of personnel, equipment, experience, and skill, we were lacking in every area. Especially considering the kids’ current experience and skills, it was unthinkable to just move on without reflection. Like reviewing a game of Go, they needed to confront and correct their issues. As each person resolved their problems, the group’s overall level would rise. I made it clear that we wouldn’t embark on another expedition until we addressed the issues from the last one.
So, after returning from the dungeon, we spent our days in a repetitive routine, like a hamster on a wheel. Yet, the kids were growing rapidly, as if to flaunt their developmental phase.
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=
Hello, this is Royu Jin.
Yes, another consecutive update today. Overwhelmed by the readers’ support, I felt the only way to repay you was with another chapter. (Oh no! My daily schedule is getting disrupted!)
As I mentioned in the previous note, this chapter details what the protagonist and the group experienced after returning from the dungeon. Rather than just saying, “And a week passed,” I thought it was better to provide some explanation given the current flow.
I would love to detail the training they underwent, how they fought monsters in the city, and how they gained experience, but doing so might push the story beyond 100 chapters before reaching the Ruined Lab, which feels a bit daunting. Haha.
『 Reader Comments 』
MTBear: Congratulations on being first! Thank you for your constant support. I’ll continue to write diligently. :)
Ramude: The clan creation conditions were mentioned after arriving at Mule. The most important factors are achievements and performance. If you want more details, feel free to message me.
Hwiul: User + User = User (100%), User + Resident = User (50%). A newborn doesn’t need to undergo any rites and automatically gains user status. Questions are always welcome.
WeepingSoul: Wow, five consecutive updates. You’re going to kill me. ㅜ.ㅠ Since I updated today, how about you do a Norse mythology update too… hehehe.
Kkoya: Oh, I feel a bit guilty now. I just thought the name was pretty. Haha; I didn’t mean to refer to anyone specific. I hope you understand. (__)
HumanLife: I always believe in you, HumanLife. If you set your mind to it, you can be first anytime!
Demodex: Haha, a TS version of Ahn Hyun. That sounds interesting. But I promise there will be no BL involving the protagonist. Writing BL makes my fingers curl… ㅜ.ㅠ
Dangryong: “Hyung, Suhyun hyung. Just a moment….” “Oh, Ahn Hyun? What’s up with you?” “Hyung, I’ve always….” “Hyun-ah!” Is this what you wanted? Hahaha. (Apologies if any readers are uncomfortable. I just wanted to try writing it. Sob. My fingers.)
PpuingPpuingA: Ah, you always just say “Ppuing.” Any other comment would be nice, just once. Hahaha.
WhitePhoenix: Diamonds, awesome. Sapphires, awesome. Opals? Awesome! (Taric….)
Your recommendations and comments are the driving force behind these updates. (This is the truth.)
I read all comments repeatedly.
Please don’t feel too disappointed if you’re not mentioned in the comments section.
If you’re really curious, send me a message, and I’ll reply!
I’ll take my leave for today.
I hope you always read my work with a relaxed mind.
Favorites, recommendations, comments, critiques, and questions are always welcome.