Chapter 98

“Rice!”

“This is wheat!”

“A fragrant smell!”

The chaotic voices of fairies.

Taking a deep breath and clapping hands, they gather everyone’s attention.

“Kids!”

A golden wheat field.

Fairies dash around the tranquil sound made by wheat and rice swaying in the wind.

Fairies taste each grain, savor the aroma, and even take breaks sitting down.

When I call out, the fairies flitting about the farm gather before me like little whirlwinds.

It’s fortunate they’re following instructions.

Their eyes sparkle with anticipation.

Tiny specks of light drift softly, following the fluttering of fairy wings.

“Know how to plant seeds?”

“Yeah!”

“Do well!”

Though their replies aren’t exactly reassuring, I nod and point them toward the seeds.

Sacks full of seeds.

Neatly arranged boxes of seeds.

The fairies’ eyes gleam as they see the various types separated.

They look just like spirits—happy and joyful.

Letting them figure it out first, I leave the fairies to do as they please.

Though not inside the greenhouse, the vast external land is available for them to use freely.

“Woohoo!”

“The soil’s great!”

“I’ll plant here!”

They sow the chosen ground with seeds.

Seeing this calms my worries.

Some use magic, others dig with their hands—each spreading seeds in their own way.

The lively laughter of the fairies fills the farm as they paint the sky with chaos.

“Hmm.”

I naturally nod.

With the system treating skills as part of its framework, the structure now runs on gold.

Building a large-scale automated farm will be a huge help in the future.

Even if this direction isn’t exactly what I envisioned (industrialization), whether using fairies or machines, automation remains the goal, so there’s no real difference.

The system is already nearing Level 8 Beginner.

This is thanks to purchasing a large quantity of seeds.

At this rate, we’ll likely reach Intermediate tomorrow or the day after.

Among all existing skills, this one has grown the fastest.

Especially since growth is powered by gold.

If we continue like this, achieving Farming Master status and reaching System Intermediate level is inevitable.

What opens up when you become a Farming Master is what intrigues me most.

While I’m curious, I also fear the accompanying pain.

But with magic, buffs, and painkillers, I speculate it might be bearable.

“It’s fun!”

“Hey, little human?”

“Aeu-a.”

Jack steps out into the commotion, his mouth agape.

A few giggling fairies approach Jack to greet him.

Staring at the sky, Jack seems entranced by the scene.

For someone who gets overwhelmed by spirits and fairies, this must feel like heaven.

Since the fairies are doing better than expected, there’s no need for constant supervision.

Freedom motivates and improves efficiency more than control does.

Occasionally rewarding them with fruit works best.

Finding people will take some time,

so there’s plenty to do while waiting.

First, Dungeon Level 50.

Then, if there’s time, explore the desert mine.

Exploring the dungeon stems from a small expectation.

After obtaining rewards from the mine’s 100th floor, the desert opened up.

Could something similar happen if I return to the dungeon after claiming rewards?

Such hopes fuel my exploration.

Speaking of which, is Bell doing okay?

She must be living happily on the Floating Island by now.

Suddenly,

my gaze shifts to the newly opened mode.

Opening the system window anywhere, I check the information.

Floating Island [22 million G]

Whew! The gold requirement is brutal—22 million.

From what I can guess, this means bringing back the lost Floating Island requires 22 million gold.

Thinking about it this way makes it amusing.

Who knows what magic or principles are at work here, but according to the principle of equivalent exchange,

investing 22 million gold might bring back dragons that disappeared from this world.

Is this system the epitome of capitalism, where money can accomplish anything?

Of course, there’s no guarantee that the Floating Island contains dragons.

It might resemble ruins, much like the Ruins of the Dragon.

New Continent [75 million G]

So what about this new continent?

Is there a forgotten land somewhere?

Or…

“No way.”

Shaking off such wild imaginings, I refocus.

Although I’m saving up, these modes aren’t high priorities.

Just idle musings triggered by curiosity.

Arriving at the dungeon, I enter the first floor.

As soon as I raise my sword, a sharp sensation electrifies my whole body.

My finely honed combat instincts heat me up.

Floods of combat knowledge and experience surge through my mind.

How to fight efficiently, what’s practical—I absorb everything and move forward.

What if I get hurt during battle?

If I die, would this really be the end of me in this world?

Worried thoughts aside, the dungeon has become an easy hunting ground for me now.

It might even compare to the labor-intensive mining for materials.

The dragon at Dungeon Level 50 was unusual;

the rest are no match for me.

Even back when I was Intermediate, it felt manageable, but now at Advanced with access to mana, worrying about getting hurt feels unnecessary.

Of course, my equipped gear helps ease those concerns.

Even if a blind blade somehow pierces through, defensive and protective buffs,

combined with sturdy armor, will deflect any attacks.

More often than not, romantic flames consume enemies before they can strike.

Nothing blocked my descent.

I worried the dragon might respawn at Level 50, but it didn’t.

Still,

a different creature stood there.

Every ten floors have bosses guarding them.

Level 40 had Cerberus; Level 50 wasn’t going to be an exception.

“Grroooar…”

It was a dragon.

Smaller, more savage, and seemingly unintelligent.

[Drake]

Ah yes, this must be a drake. Not sure though.

Not particularly interested in monster naming conventions.

Lizard.

Facing a slightly larger lizard, I grip my sword tightly.

Seeing the flames flickering at its jaws, I feel oddly nostalgic.

Maybe it’s the slight sense of kinship from using a flame-infused sword.

“Guaaaaaaaa!!”

A roar followed by a burst of fire.

The breath attack from this pseudo-dragon.

Using my sword to block it, I briefly consider whether I could withstand the flames with my body,

but suppressing that instinct, I step aside rationally and let the flames pass.

Sometimes this dramatic clash disrupts my efficient fighting style,

though I don’t necessarily dislike it.

Dangerous risks shouldn’t be taken lightly.

“Huff!”

Inhaling deeply,

I swing my sword infused with faint blue mana, increasing its cutting power.

Too fast for the fake dragon to handle.

The sensation of slicing through scales and flesh is vividly transmitted.

Oddly reminiscent of chopping ingredients while cooking,

except for the added resistance.

“Aaaaaaarrrgh!”

The drake roars and bellows to the sky.

Flames rise high enough to melt rocks, making me sweat profusely.

Soon, the green streak traced by my sword ignites into red flames.

The second wave of fiery strikes.

With a “Pop!” sound, the flames follow the drawn trajectory.

By the time only black ash and smoke remain, the drake, having lost one of its supporting legs, lies unconscious.

Regardless of whether it had intelligence or not,

combat should be swift and merciless.

Cold and rational.

Dodging the thrashing tail, I slice diagonally.

Creating slashes to distract its nerves.

Repeating the same maneuver from behind.

Its leg severs effortlessly.

Trusting brute strength against speed is futile.

Molten rocks falling from the sky, lava.

Massive destructive forces utilizing its tail and entire body.

None of that matters without proper targeting.

Before discussing weaknesses,

the tilting drake collapses sideways.

Its flickering tongue and flames seem pitiful now.

Severing its throat with my sword,

the lizard closes its eyes and falls.

Thus ends the clean conclusion of the Level 50 battle.

Rewards: Scales, Fire Essence,

and perhaps a bit of combat experience.

Checking for anything new around me,

the intense heat makes sweat drip continuously.

Soon, I notice something peculiar on the wall.

Definitely not present during my last visit.

A misty, dark wall.

It looks like it beckons me to step through,

revealing a hazy space beyond.

Plunging a finger in first, then my entire body,

the terrain shifts instantly.

Thick fog everywhere.

Moisture fills the air.

Thick tree roots sprawl across the ground.

This place doesn’t feel like a dungeon.

And I gain some certainty:

when one stage ends, the next begins.

The desert, this misty zone—

what will open next after both are completed?

Even if it sounds arrogant coming from someone who just stepped in,

the promise of expanding experiences in the future excites me.

The damp ground sticks slightly to my shoes.

Walking cautiously on the wet surface,

this terrain isn’t exactly pleasant.

Looking back at the entrance,

I plant a warp device firmly.

Given the high likelihood of returning,

teleportation beats climbing fifty floors repeatedly.

Though vision is limited by the fog,

enhancing my senses lets me perceive the swirling mists beyond.

Continuously focusing consumes some energy, but it’s manageable.

“Keeey… klik?”

An unpleasant voice.

Turning toward the noise, I see some sort of armored ant-like creature standing on a tree root, facing me.

[Scout]

Marked as a scout.

What exactly is it scouting?

Curiosity piqued, I watch as it spreads its wings and charges at me,

its sharp teeth bared wide, arms swinging fiercely.

Right.

This is still a dungeon.

That brief moment of complacency granted the scout the first strike advantage.

Still, results won’t change.

Cutting and splitting remains the armored ant’s fate.

“Huh, interesting…”

After slaying the scout, hostile gazes intensify.

The erratic movement patterns confuse directions.

A small tension creeps along my spine.

I’m reminded of my first entry into the dungeon.

Back then, I turned back because there was no need to push myself.

Now,

though similar feelings linger, I trust my abilities more.

Besides, I have an escape route—a warp device safely tucked away in my bag.

I’ve fled from dragons before.

No reason I can’t flee here.

That’s why my steps move forward instead of backward.

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