Healing After Sweeping Spirits with an Almighty Skill - Chapter 56
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 56
56. One person who loves spirits far, far too much
An evolution of the Spirit Domain has been detected. Access privileges to the Treasure Vault have risen one rank.
The tower’s Treasure Vault — where one spends Coins earned through specific events like meeting Intermediate Spirits or discovering new terrain — allows the purchase of various items. The access rank to that vault had just increased.
In other words, it meant the variety of items available for purchase had expanded.
[Material Items]
Recovery Herb Bundle: 1 Coin
Grade B Mana Ore: 2 Coins
Dragon Bone: 3 Coins
Spirit Stone: 5 Coins
……
World Tree Seed: 30 Coins
Dragon Egg: 50 Coins
[Special Zone Items]
Construction Acceleration: 1 Coin
Building Movement: 3 Coins
Spirit Recovery: 5 Coins
……
Spirit Territory Enhancement: 100 Coins
The Treasure Vault had split into two distinct categories. From that lengthy inventory, two items stood out unmistakably.
‘Another Territory Enhancement Permit. And….’
Building Movement.
It was precisely what I needed.
‘Since the Skill window counts the herb garden as a building, I could move it with that if I used it.’
The price was also remarkably reasonable. Though admittedly, it had only been days since I’d used the Territory Enhancement Permit, leaving me with just one Coin remaining.
‘Once Coins accumulate, I’ll buy that one.’
Having eased my worries thanks to the Treasure Vault, I decided to focus on expanding the Spirit Territory. With the water source and storage built, only one structure remained available to construct.
Constructible Building List
┼ Workshop LV.3
└ Material: Memory Chip (0gb/8gb)
└ Material: Mana Stone (13kg/50kg)
└ Material: Mithril (50kg/50kg)
Unfortunately, the 3D Printer in the workshop couldn’t produce Memory Chips.
‘I’ll have to buy some at the Waystation. Being a tourist destination, they probably stock plenty of camera memory cards.’
The Mana Stones I’d purchased were consumed entirely in engine production, but new Mana Stones collected as fees from the Laundry Shop should have accumulated. Bringing those here would leave me just barely meeting the requirement.
So, a trip to the Waystation it was.
‘While I’m out, I should bring some snacks for Undine and the others working hard at the Laundry Shop.’
The thought made my pace quicken without my realizing it.
* * *
A Spirit Territory in stationary mode resembles a person crouching down. Its altitude is considerably lower than when it moves, yet still too high to simply jump down from or leap up to.
‘When standing, it’s about four stories high; when sitting, about two stories.’
According to my command left at the bridge, whenever someone with permission tries to enter, the Spirit Territory extends a long leg near the gate, creating a gentle slope.
That extended leg transforms into a slope, becoming a bridge in the literal sense of the word.
Click-click-click-click.
The moment my feet touched the ground, the leg folded back up. This alone served as an excellent security measure.
“It’s Jeong Ryong!”
“Over here, please!”
At Exit 6, numerous people held up cameras, photographing me. Among them were reporters and ordinary tourists alike.
After I gave a casual wave, several Bureau staff members approached and began walking alongside me at a measured distance.
“Are you escorting me?”
“Yes, sir. It’s to prevent any unnecessary complications that might arise.”
“There’s no need to waste valuable personnel on me like this.”
“These people were hired specifically for your protection, so please don’t worry about it.”
If that was the case, I decided not to concern myself.
Given the contract value between the government and me, spending a few salaries on additional staff would hardly be a waste.
Before heading out to purchase construction materials, I first found my way to the Laundry Shop where Undine worked.
Passing through the ever-present long queue with a greeting, the Undines busily tending their washing machines welcomed me warmly.
[Oh! It’s Jeong Ryong!]
[Wow! Did you come to visit us?]
The Undines clustered around my feet the moment I stepped into the shop.
“Just checking to see if you’re doing your job properly.”
[Whine?]
“Ha ha, just joking. Come on, let’s take a break and have some snacks.”
I stroked the heads of the Undines and set down the snacks I’d brought.
[Yay! Snacks!]
[Looks delicious!]
The snack I’d brought this time was yogurt.
Tiny, even smaller than the Undines—exaggerating only slightly, about the size of my thumb—little crimson sweet dairy drinks.
The Undines stopped their work for a moment and rushed toward the snack basket.
“Customers, I apologize. Let me just give the children their snacks for a moment.”
“Oh, no need to worry. We’re all working to earn our keep anyway.”
“Feel free to give them a proper meal if you’d like. Do take the time to let them rest.”
Contrary to my concern, the customers waiting for their laundry smiled warmly and granted the Undines their rest time.
Really, when you’re watching alchemy happen in real time—trash transforming into treasure right before your eyes—a brief pause like this was hardly an inconvenience.
The Undines each cradled a yogurt to themselves and settled into their spots. Each one pressed themselves against me as they sat.
[Thank you for the meal!]
[Thanks! Yum!]
The Undines drew the straws I’d prepared beforehand into their mouths and sipped contentedly.
I stroked their heads and watched quietly as their bodies shifted to the color of yogurt. It was like watching a clear sky transform into a sunset.
‘Yogurt.’
Such a small, cheap thing to drink.
Sweet with just a hint of tang. A dairy product, so surely good for you—a modest sort of self-righteousness. Nothing more than that.
When I was young, I wanted it so badly.
In an environment where even dreaming of frozen yogurt was impossible, I’d hoped simply to drink my fill of something at least lukewarm.
Now I can drink it by the carton, yet still that one yogurt from childhood that I never got to have stays with me. Why is that?
‘This is what happens when you make money and get full—all manner of foolish memories surface.’
There’s still a long road ahead.
Idle, unproductive reflections like these could wait until I’m fifty or sixty. I was trying to shake off the useless thoughts with a slight shake of my head when—
[You have some too!]
Suhogi held out a straw toward me.
“No thanks. Why would I share something this small with anyone?”
[But—!]
Suhogi’s eyes sparkled as she offered the straw again.
I smiled faintly and took the straw between my lips, sipping just a little of the yogurt. That alone was enough to fill my mouth with sweetness, and I couldn’t help but smile.
[Hehe!]
As though my smile was her own happiness, Suhogi laughed with delight and drew the straw back to her own mouth.
“…….”
Something—a knot in my chest—seemed to come undone.
“Eat plenty. Don’t go hungry.”
[Mm!]
As I petted the heads of the Undines, my eyes suddenly met those of another customer in the shop.
A middle-aged hunter of some years smiled warmly, watching me and the Undines. Only then did I realize my own face bore a foolish grin.
“Ahem, ahem.”
I cleared my throat and changed my expression, embarrassed at the involuntary sound I’d made.
“I won’t be coming every day, so don’t get any strange hopes.”
[Hehe!]
“…Why are you even happier now?”
[Because today I won the lottery of specialness!]
“…….”
At Suhogi’s answer, I found myself momentarily speechless.
“Yeah. I suppose you did.”
A smile bloomed across my lips once more. This time, I didn’t bother suppressing it.
* * *
The Level 4 Workshop construction is complete.
As the workshop leveled up, the 3D Printer underwent a massive transformation. It was the sort of change you might rightly call a game-changer.
‘Blueprint Storage Function and Additional Material Input Function!’
The transparent cylindrical Mana Plastic 3D Printer.
Previously, that cylinder had only possessed a Blueprint Projection function, but now it could recall blueprints from prior creations.
‘So that’s why it suddenly demanded Memory Chips!’
Even better, a storage compartment had appeared at the base of the printer, allowing materials beyond Mana Plastic to be used.
Do you know what that means?
It means the Noums no longer have to strain themselves to the breaking point making Spirit Fiber!
‘A revolutionary reduction in labor!’
You think I’m happy because the Noums won’t have to suffer? Not a chance.
Now more Noums can stop huddling in the workshop and move on to other productive tasks!
More miners! More Mana Stones! Come on, fill this hole in my bank account!
“Excellent!”
I opened the skill window, riding high on excitement.
┼ LV.2 Expansion Condition (2/2)
└ Water Source LV.5 (1/1)
└ Workshop LV.4 (1/1)
With this, all conditions for expanding the Spirit Territory were met. I immediately advanced it to the next level.
Rumble-rumble-rumble.
When I heard the tremor echoing from beyond the fortress wall and stepped outside the gate, the territory beyond the wall had grown noticeably wider.
‘So the inner fortress won’t expand anymore—only the outer territory grows from here on.’
If that’s the case, I need to make use of this outer space. I have even more reason to save Coins for the Building Relocation Permit.
After checking the changes to my territory, I opened the skill window to confirm the expansion conditions for the next level.
Spirit Territory LV.2
Constructible Buildings
┼ Herb Garden LV.5
└ Material: Pavilion (0/1)
└ Material: Intermediate Water Spirit (1/3)
└ Condition: Vassal Placement (0/1)
┼ Mine LV.5
└ Material: Air Conditioner (0/1)
└ Condition: Intermediate Earth Spirit (2/3)
└ Condition: Vassal Placement (0/1)
┼ Nest LV.4
└ Material: Doll (0/1)
└ Material: Fairy Tale Book (0/5)
└ Condition: Love for Spirits (1/1)
┼ Sled Course LV.2 (Pre-completed)
“…Vassal Placement?”
A new type of construction condition had appeared.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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