Chapter 74

74 Mandragora's Ringer Nutrient Solution

"So, you arrived safely in District 11?"

Cheon Dowoon asked with an intrigued expression.

"I arrived, yes. But there were many incidents. I was almost caught by human traffickers, and I almost got caught by a bad gang and sold to a beggar group. As you know, the slums aren't a place for young children to wander around."

Yoo-beom recounted the events of that time.

It was so long ago that the memory itself was hazy. But as one thing came to mind, it connected like a spiderweb, and all sorts of things came to mind.

"It took me over three months to get to District 11. There were so many things that happened along the way. Looking back, it feels like a miracle that I arrived alive."

"Then, after arriving, you went to the orphanage there?"

"No. I didn't go in."

Yoo-beom shook his head.

"There wasn't a suitable place. I looked around a few places, but they weren't orphanages. They felt more like... how should I put it? Training grounds for gang underlings."

Even to Yoo-beom, who was seven years old at the time, it seemed dangerous.

He felt like he would go in hungry and come out dead, so he turned away.

Cheon Dowoon, understanding what he meant, nodded.

In reality, the probability of a proper orphanage existing in the slums was low.

The place where Cheon Dowoon had been was one of them, but even that wasn't a good environment due to a lack of supplies.

"But it was definitely better than District 13. District 11 has a river flowing through it. Just having drinking water and water to wash with nearby made a difference in the quality of life. The water was surprisingly clean, too."

He lived like that until he was kidnapped by an illegal research lab.

He met Cheon Dowoon again there, but they didn't recognize each other.

They were both too young to remember the brief encounter they had a year before.

"It's amazing, though. That connection from back then is continuing like this."

"What are you talking about?"

"The little kid you mentioned. That's me."

The siblings didn't understand the sudden statement. As they tilted their heads, Cheon Dowoon spoke again.

"The one who told you to go to District 11 back then. That was me."

"What... what are you talking about? The name is different. The little kid's name was definitely..."

"Cheon Won-man is the name I used before I changed it. The orphanage director changed my name."

"Changed your name? Why?"

"The kids made fun of me too much because of my name."

The siblings were silent for a moment.

Cheon Dowoon's name change might not have been for him but for the safety of the kids who made fun of him. The thought crossed their minds, but they didn't say it out loud.

"They say they gave me my current name with the meaning of helping people live. The meaning of the name is a bit much, though. It means to help a thousand people live. A thousand people. Don't you think that's going too far?"

"I don't know about a thousand, but you definitely saved two. My sister and I are alive thanks to you."

Yoo-beom said, his face still showing disbelief.

He received help in the slums when he was seven years old.

He received a Return Stone from the research lab when he was thirteen years old.

And today, reunited, he was able to continue his dying life through the Mandrake potion.

Could there be such a coincidence? The siblings looked at each other and smiled.

Cheon Dowoon looked at the two of them and said,

"Should I build an orphanage in the slums?"

"An orphanage? Why all of a sudden?"

"Listening to you, I think it would be a good idea. I already have the personnel to run it."

Cheon Dowoon said, thinking of the Space Gang members.

"Once the city cleanup is somewhat finished, I'll buy a few buildings and convert them into orphanages. I'll send the gang members in as teachers. Doesn't that sound good?"

Those who were once active as gangsters became street cleaners. Following that, they were now on the verge of becoming orphanage teachers.

"If that's possible, it would be fun."

The siblings answered with a smile. They couldn't guess when that would become a reality.

It might be a long time before it becomes a good neighborhood to live in.

But if children like them no longer starve, it would be worth the wait.

"Well, let's decide on those future matters later. Are the shovels all made now?"

While reminiscing about the past, three shovels had been made.

Black Blue Stone, which is said to be difficult to break even with the power of an A-Class Hunter. Shovels made by carving that were held in each of their hands.

Cheon Dowoon drew a circle on the ground where he would dig.

"The entrance will be dug to about this size."

It was a large entrance, big enough for three people to stand side by side and enter.

He drew a circle several times larger next to it.

"The inside will be about this size. We'll go in with a '-' shape. The path down will be made into stairs, so let's dig in at an angle."

Cheon Dowoon said, sticking a shovel into the ground. Yoo-beom and Yoo Ji-ah each took their places.

Those with the power of a Calamity-class monster began to shovel.

* * *

Every time Cheon Dowoon and the siblings moved their shovels, the ground was dug up like pudding.

They quickly dug to the desired depth.

While the siblings widened the interior space, Cheon Dowoon dug the entrance at angles, creating stairs.

"Is this much width enough?"

Yoo Ji-ah asked, looking at the interior space that was well over 20 pyeong.

"It's good. The ceiling is high, too. We can store enough firewood for the winter with this."

The three who came out of the dugout looked at the basement entrance with satisfied expressions.

"Should we bring some Glowstones inside?"

Cheon Dowoon looked at the corner of the yard. There, the Yellow Ore debris from carving the fence was piled up.

Cheon Dowoon chose long pieces about 30 centimeters in size from within.

After drilling holes inside the ore and cutting and inserting the remaining Glowstone, a mood light was completed.

"The Glowstones are running out little by little. I'll have to mine a few more when I get the chance."

Cheon Dowoon, who entered the basement, threw the ore towards the ceiling of the stairs.

It seemed like he threw it lightly, but the long ore was embedded in the ceiling as if it were digging into tofu.

He threw and embedded a few more ores into the ceiling inside.

Cheon Dowoon, who came up the stairs, looked at the basement entrance.

The golden light spreading from within created a mysterious atmosphere.

"It feels like a wizard's laboratory."

Yoo-beom said. Turning around, he saw the green fluorescent house full of handprints.

Looking at that and then back at the basement, it looked a little different.

"...It feels like an alien research lab."

The nuance of the impression subtly changed.

Cheon Dowoon smiled, not caring.

"Now, all we have to do is fill it with the firewood that Lee Baek-ho brings."

With this, the preparations for winter were complete.

When it snows, let's make a giant snowman in the yard.

That would make it a more cozy home. Cheon Dowoon felt satisfied with the current situation.

* * *

A room with a strong smell of medicine.

Oh Bong-soo, who was lying in bed, groaned and opened his eyes.

"You're awake?"

"Who... Ah. Kim, the manager."

Oh Bong-soo bowed his head to Kim, the manager.

He didn't know Kim, the manager's exact name. But he was aware that he was one of the people who had helped him.

"You've been sleeping for days. How's your body?"

"I'm okay now. Where is this?"

"My house. I couldn't leave a sick kid alone. Stay here for the time being."

Kim, the manager handed Oh Bong-soo a thick book.

"These are things you need to read and understand. It contains general knowledge about Awakened, Mana training methods, and so on. It would be good to read it in your spare time."

Oh Bong-soo received the book with a dazed expression.

He still couldn't believe that he had become an Awakened.

"I have things to research, so ask me if you have any questions while reading."

Kim, the manager, who handed over the book, went to the next room. Following out of curiosity, a room decorated like a laboratory appeared.

The first thing that caught his eye was a glass tank placed on the desk.

Inside the tank filled with soil, two dry Roots were walking around.

-Hoo-ooo!

-Hoo-oo, hoo-oo!

The Roots were hitting the glass wall with their Rootlets from time to time.

Kim, the manager, looked back and forth between the Roots and the documents, muttering something.

'He looks busy. Let's not disturb him.'

The moment Oh Bong-soo turned around, a shout of joy erupted from behind.

"I've completed it!"

Oh Bong-soo was startled by the sudden shout and turned around.

"I did it! I finally completed it! It's perfect in theory! It will be the world's first hair loss treatment!"

Kim, the manager cheered and packed his bag. He turned around, holding the glass tank on the desk in his arms.

When he met Oh Bong-soo's eyes, Kim, the manager smiled brightly.

"I'm going to see Teacher Cheon, so don't go out and get some rest. If you're hungry, there's a delivery magazine there, so order something. Oh, here's the card."

Kim, the manager left the house with an excited expression. Left alone, Oh Bong-soo blankly sat on the sofa.

He understood that Kim, the manager had solved something that would be helpful to Cheon Dowoon, even if he didn't know what it was.

'I, I have to be of some help to Big Bro. I have to be able to use my Awakened power skillfully.'

Since he was born a man, he would definitely repay the favor of saving his life.

Oh Bong-soo, who alone became the face of a noir movie protagonist, opened the book that Kim, the manager had given him.

* * *

A Gate opened in the yard of Cheon Dowoon's house.

Cheon Dowoon, who was enjoying his leisure time after building the basement, looked at it.

There were only a few people who could open a Gate directly to his house.

Nam Ki-seok and the Yoo-beom siblings were already in the Demon Realm, so there was only one person left.

As expected, Kim, the manager came out of the Gate.

He was holding a glass tank in his arms.

"You're coming often these days. Do you have good news?"

"Ah, Teacher! You're here. I have good news. I have two pieces of good news. Nam Ki-seok isn't... here. Then, let's start with this news first."

Kim, the manager took out a small case from his bag.

Inside was a 5-centimeter-sized ringer pack and a line.

It was so small that it looked like a toy, but its sophistication was definitely not at the toy level.

"It's a Mandragora-exclusive ringer nutrient solution."

Kim, the manager said confidently. Cheon Dowoon smiled, looking at the toy-like small ringer pack.

He had thought about giving them a ringer someday, but he never thought he would actually make a mini ringer.

"This is also related to the hair loss treatment... No. That part is fine. Anyway, the Mandragora Nutrient Solution is complete. The problem is this."

Kim, the manager took out another plastic case from his pocket.

Inside were several injection needles that were smaller and thinner than human ones.

"It's small. Is it a ringer needle?"

"Yes. This nutrient solution must be injected directly into the body. I tried soaking the Roots in the nutrient solution, but external absorption had little effect. It seems like I have to poke them with a needle..."

Kim, the manager picked up a needle. When he brought it to the glass tank, the dry Roots flinched.

-Hoo, hoo-ooo...!

The Mandragoras backed away.

Were they trying to stab them with such a gruesome thing? They swung their Rootlets, as if shouting that.

Seeing that, Kim, the manager awkwardly put away the needle.

"As you can see, it's like this. Actually, I tried to poke them with a needle a few times and failed. After that, they're like that. They avoid it just by looking at it."

Kim, the manager handed the needle case to Cheon Dowoon.

"Those Roots follow you well, Teacher, so I brought it thinking you might be able to do something about it."

"Really? I've never done anything like this before. I don't know if it will work."

Cheon Dowoon took out a dry Root from the glass tank. He laid the Root down in the form of falling over on the palm.

It would be less scary if the needle wasn't visible. Cheon Dowoon brought the needle to the back of the Root.

-Hoo...?

The dry Root was surprised by the cold sensation on its back.

I know what this is. Something cold and sharp. The thing that brutally stabbed its back.

-Hoo, hoo-ooo...!

The dry Root looked back at Cheon Dowoon.

The leaves trembled finely. The terrified Root trembled and began to struggle.

-Hoo-oong?

-Hoo-oong, hoo-oong?

The garden individuals woke up at the sound of their comrade asking for help.

The Mandragoras that came out of the garden gathered at Cheon Dowoon's feet, following the sound.

Dodak, who was sleeping in the bag, woke up and poked his head out.

-Hoo-oong?

A helper. That young Root is scared. What's going on?

Dodak's curious gaze was fixed on him.

Cheon Dowoon looked at the needle in his hand. In fact, it was such a thin needle that he wouldn't even feel it if he was stabbed.

But to the young Mandragora, it looked like a thick greatsword was about to cut its body.

It was even more so because the needle looked wide and blurred due to poor eyesight.

-Hoo-ooo....

The dry Root looked back at Cheon Dowoon.

A drop of plant sap welled up in its eyes. It was too dry to even produce a single drop of sap.

Seeing that, Cheon Dowoon stopped trying to poke the needle.

He gave strength again, but the trembling of the dry Root was transmitted to his palm. His hand stopped again because of that.

'What is it? Why is it so hard to stab?'

Cheon Dowoon had a subtle expression. It seemed easier to fight a giant monster.