Absolute Dweller

Chapter 52: Encounter (8)

[Episode 11] Encounter (8)

In front of the White Dragon’s overwhelming presence, everyone could only stare blankly.

Fortunately, the White Dragon seemed to be looking down at them without any particular reaction.

‘If I use vassal summon now…’

Ha Dong-geon’s party might be able to escape.

But Grandpa would die.

‘That’s not an option.’

Yet, I couldn’t tell them to fight against the White Dragon.

Facing a monster like that would be tantamount to telling them to die.

It was also impossible to escape with Grandpa and Grandma.

As the Guardian of the World Tree, Grandpa could not move beyond a certain distance from it.

It wasn’t entirely hopeless, though.

‘If the annex is completed…’

As the residential area expanded to a radius of 1 km, the annex’s area also increased. In other words, once the annex was completed, it would be possible to blow off the monster’s head.

However.

[Time remaining until completion of the annex]

-38 hours, 21 minutes, 19 seconds

Even with construction efficiency increased by 50% and completing 1.5 times faster, 38 hours meant they would have to endure for over a day.

‘It’s impossible.’

The only other possibility was to enter the White Dragon’s stomach and cause a gas explosion.

However, that place was beyond So Ye-jin’s influence.

It was impossible to cause a gas explosion using mice.

‘…What if one of the vassals enters its stomach?’

The most plausible option was Moon Byeong-ho, who had a teleportation ability.

If I used vassal summoning right before the explosion, I should be able to save him.

‘No!’

There was about a 5-second delay when using vassal summon.

The timing of igniting the fire was crucial. If it was too late, it would be useless; and if it was too early, Moon Byeong-ho, who had entered the White Dragon’s body, would lose his life.

‘Moreover, considering the case of the Cyclops, the White Dragon is likely also able to withstand an internal explosion.’

The higher the level, the higher overall abilities as well as durability.

One shot wouldn’t be enough.

Maybe it won’t work.

‘Is there no way?’

As I stared at it, hoping to find even a slight weakness.

「White Dragon (Lv. 63)」

A deep-sea monster that inhabits the deep sea. It is in an extremely weakened state just after laying eggs. The White Dragon’s eggs can only hatch at the roots of the World Tree.

‘Hm…?’

The moment I saw that, I thought that perhaps the White Dragon’s intention was not to fight.

‘Surely not?’

What if it simply needed the World Tree to hatch its eggs?

At that moment, the White Dragon moved, and Ha Dong-geon’s party moved to attack the White Dragon.

I urgently used the Communication Ring.

[Everyone, stop!]

If the White Dragon truly had no intention of fighting, there was no reason for us to attack first.

[It might sound strange, but please trust me and wait! Please tell Grandpa too! Don’t do anything!]

Grandpa was also trying to attack the White Dragon by moving the roots of the World Tree. At my command, Moon Byeong-ho used teleport to stop him.

“Why stop the attack? Don’t you know how important preemptive strikes are in battle?”

Lee Bong-yeol retorted with a hint of annoyance, but Moon Byeong-ho replied earnestly.

“Please trust me just this once. It’s a request from Mr. Jae-hyun.”

“Ugh.”

Right after that.

『Do not fear. Guardian of the World Tree.』

Lee Bong-yeol, who was wary of the White Dragon, was startled by the voice that rang in his head.

“Guardian of the World Tree?”

He instinctively understood that it was referring to him.

He also understood that the name of the giant tree that had been growing on his rooftop since the first day doomsday began was the World Tree.

The White Dragon looked down at the World Tree and continued.

『I didn’t realize it was so small. I’ll have to be careful.』

Rumbleeee―

The ground shook.

However, the White Dragon’s movements were much more cautious than before.

With subtle vibrations, its long white body emerged from the ground.

The White Dragon approached Lee Bong-yeol carefully.

A voice could be heard coming from the White Dragon, who had arrived in front of him.

『Make a contract with me, Guardian of the World Tree.』

“…A contract?”

『I will protect you until the World Tree regains its power.』

At that moment, Lee Bong-yeol felt a burning sensation on the back of his right hand.

When the burning sensation subsided, a tattoo with an intricate pattern was engraved on the back of his right hand. It was a white tattoo, the same color as the White Dragon’s scales.

『When you are in danger, use it to call me. I will come to you at any time.』

Immediately after that, an egg about the size of an ostrich egg appeared in front of Lee Bong-yeol. As he received it with both hands, the White Dragon said:

『Take good care of my child.』

With those words, the White Dragon turned back without any hesitation.

Rumbleeee―

The White Dragon’s figure moved away with much more caution than when it first appeared.

Everyone watched in a daze.

Finally, Kang Deok-su opened his mouth.

“W-We would’ve been screwed if we had attacked!!”

“…We survived because we stayed still as Mr. Jae-hyun ordered.”

[Citizen Kang Deok-su’s loyalty has reached 100.]

[Citizen Kang Deok-su has already been registered as a vassal.]

[Vassal registration limit has increased.]

[Citizen Kim Ga-yeong’s loyalty has reached 100.]

…

The loyalties of Kang Deok-su, Kim Ga-yeong, and Ha Dong-geon all reached 100 simultaneously, increasing the limit of vassal registration by 3.

‘Is the total now 18?’

In other words, six more people could be registered.

‘If we keep increasing like this, we might have more than 100 one day!’

When a regular citizen reaches 100 loyalty, they are immediately registered as a vassal, increasing the registration limit.

While Mom could register 100 awakeners without any conditions, in my case, I had to gradually increase the number.

It was a type of accumulation.

‘It would’ve been nice if Mom could accept those she awakened as vassals.’

Unfortunately, that was not possible.

Mom tried experimenting with the medical team she awakened this time, but as soon as they entered a subordinate contract, they became unable to be registered as a vassal under Mom’s command.

‘It would be nice if there was a way to make Awakeners.’

Natural Awakeners were simply too rare.

But then.

[Citizen Moon Byeong-ho’s trust has increased.]

[Citizen Moon Byeong-ho’s trust has reached 100.]

[You have acquired ‘Teleport’.]

[Jackpot winner!]

[Congratulations.]

[You have obtained ‘Awakening Pill (Teleport)’.]

‘Oh?’

It was the second jackpot win.

Once again, it was Moon Byeong-ho.

‘Wow, how is he so lucky every time?’

The purpose of the Awakening Pill was obvious.

It could awaken the Teleport ability when consumed.

‘How should I use this?’

Two ideas came to mind immediately.

One was to give it to a citizen with high loyalty and then register them as a vassal. It would grant a Knight title for free once they awakened and were registered.

‘The other one…!’

Instead of giving up the settlement fee, there was an investment opportunity that could dramatically increase experience acquisition.

Considering the two options, I ultimately chose the latter.

[Ms. Dabin.]

[Yes, Mr. Jae-hyun.]

[Please call my dad.]

Dad received the strongest buff within my family¹It’s technically ‘kin’ rather than family here..

This was because he was the only one among them who fought directly and used his body in battle.

What would happen if Dad was given Moon Byeong-ho’s Teleport ability?

‘It’s like putting wings on a tiger.’

Perhaps because he was a Taekwondo athlete when he was young, Dad had remarkable agility.

I was confident that his combat power would skyrocket with the addition of a teleportation ability.

I immediately handed Dad the Awakening Pill when he came home soaking wet.

“What’s this?”

“It’s a gift.”

“A gift?”

Dad accepted the Awakening Pill and looked at it closely before asking, “Is it a supplement?”

“Yes. Just swallow it.”

When I handed him a bottle of his favorite water, Samdasoo, Dad smiled and said, “You’re so thoughtful, my son. Samdasoo is definitely the best water…”

The moment my dad swallowed the Awakening Pill, a bright light emanated from his body.

…

“What’s going on? Son, did you give me something strange to eat?”

Dad looked down at his body in confusion.

I said to him, “Dad, imagine teleporting from there to here.”

“Teleporting?”

“Yes.”

Although he looked at me with doubt, Dad was the kind of person who would do as he was told.

Shwooh.

“Huh?!”

Naturally, the teleportat skill was activated.

And then.

[Kin Kim Dong-hyuk’s trust has increased.]

[Kin Kim Dong-hyuk’s trust has reached 100.]

[You have obtained ‘Self-defense Spirit.’]

“Huh?”

I got the skill my dad has.

And as I looked at it, a sudden idea struck me like lightning.

‘Wait a minute. Does that mean if I raise Mom’s trust to 100, I can gain her ability?’

Mom’s ability.

It meant that I would be able to acquire the ability to create 100 Awakeners.

I immediately ran to Mom, who was preparing food in the kitchen.

“Son!”

Although I heard Dad’s voice filled with emotion from behind, Mom was more important right now.

“Mom!”

“Yes?”

Currently, Mom’s trust is at 97.

If I raise it by 3 more, I could immediately gain her ability.

“Do you want anything? Something to eat?”

“So suddenly?”

“You don’t have any?”

“Um…”

When I urged her, Mom hesitated for a moment and said, “I kind of want tteokbokki²Spicy rice cake, it’s really good! You can have cheese tteokbokki too (same for ramen)..”

“Tteokbokki? Okay, wait a minute.”

I was about to go out to prepare the tteokbokki when I ran into Dad, who was waiting with a moved expression.

“Son!”

He hugged me before I could react.

“Dad, why don’t you go wash up first.”

“Oh, sorry about that. Hahaha.”

“Dad. After you wash up, you know where Dabin’s room is on the 21st floor, right?”

“The girl who’s good at her job?”

“Go see her. There’s something for Dad to do.”

“Alright.”

Leaving my dad who entered the shower with a grin, I opened the front door and visited Choi Hyeong-jun’s house for the first time in a while.

After ringing the doorbell and waiting for a moment, I heard Park Hye-won’s voice.

[Mr. Jae-hyun? What’s going on?]

“I have a favor to ask of you.”

[Come on in first.]

With Park Hye-won’s help, I made tteokbokki, but Mom’s trust remained at 97 without budging.

‘It’s okay. I still have a trump card left.’

There was no need to be impatient.

Time would solve it.

[The construction of the annex is complete.]

At the same time, the cleaning began.

[Hostile entities to the Absolute Dweller have been detected.]

[Eliminating.]

The monsters inside the area were killed in droves.

[You have hunted a Land Shark (Lv. 24).]

[You have hunted a Land Shark (Lv. 23).]

[You have hunted a Sky Marlin (Lv. 17).]

[You have hunted a Sky Marlin (Lv. 18).]

[You have hunted a Giant Lobster (Lv. 29).]

[You have hunted a Sawfish (Lv. 30).]

…

As it was recognized as my kill, I only gained experience and settlement money at a mere 1x rate, but the amount was enormous.

Thanks to that.

[Your skill level has increased.]

I leveled up at the tremendous amount of experience, and cleaning began once again as the area expanded.

[You have hunted a Land Shark (Lv. 23).]

[You have hunted a Sky Marlin (Lv. 17).]

[You have hunted a Sky Marlin (Lv. 18).]

And.

[A being satisfying the conditions to be recognized as a citizen has been found.]

[Would you like to grant citizenship?]

The number of people in the new area along with the annex’s space was in the thousands.

‘Grant it.’

The moment I granted citizenship to all of them.

[The number of citizens has reached 10,000.]

[As the number of citizens have reached a certain level, citizens can now acquire ‘jobs’.]

[Conditions have been met.]

[A ‘Job Research Institute’ has been added to the list of construction items.]

Various new notifications constantly rang out, but there was something more important.

I quickly went to find Mom.

“Mom, let’s go see Grandpa and Grandma.”

Dad was out with the relief team saving people.

So, I took Mom to the annex first.

‘The Absolute Dweller’s Door.’

After linking my front door to the annex, I opened the door.

Creak.

Beyond the door, the familiar sight of our house came into view.

And.

“Grandpa! I’m here!”

“Who’s there?”

As I opened the door to the living room, I saw Grandpa sitting next to Grandma.

Surprised, Grandpa asked, “Is it Jae-hyun?”

“Yes, Grandpa.”

And.

“Dad!”

Mom ran to Grandpa and hugged him.

[Kin Lee Ji-sook’s trust has increased.]

[Kin Lee Ji-sook’s trust has reached 100.]

[Acquired ‘Subordinate Contract’.]

‘Bingo.’