Player Farming in the Dragon’s Lair - Chapter 120

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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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120
The Divine Temple, where the Goddess of Life dwelt.
Aila, a High Observer and the angel of life, knelt before a statue of a woman with her eyes closed in prayer.
Her hair, spilling past her waist, seemed to drift gently even within the windless temple, and across her long ceremonial robes were carved intricate flowers, vines, and delicate sprouts.
In one hand she cradled a freshly bloomed bud, while the other extended before her with tender, blessing grace over all the life in sight.
Her gently lowered eyes and faint smile held a warmth as if to embrace all things in creation, yet an untouchable nobility and sanctity dwelt there as well.
“…May your blessing fill the whole world.”
Aila slowly opened her eyes. She lifted her head and gazed upon the statue of the Goddess of Life with eyes tinged by sorrow.
Lately, the Goddess of Life had been terribly busy.
She was absent every day, only returning to the temple as night fell.
When she returned to the Divine Temple, the Goddess of Life wore a smile across her face. A stranger might have assumed her spirits were high, but Aila knew better.
She knew that the Goddess of Life was burning away inside more painfully than anyone. That she was forcing herself to smile to maintain an appearance of strength.
Aila’s lower lip trembled slightly.
Why must the Goddess of Life suffer so?
She was the mother of all life, the source of all creation itself.
‘It must be because of that.’
Three hundred years ago, the Tower had appeared in this world.
It was none other than the gods themselves who had built it.
Aila had heard that around this very time, the gods gathered in the divine hall to ‘decide’ whether to abandon the Lower Realm or not.
Depending on the gods’ decision, the Lower Realm would perish.
Or it would survive through divine intervention.
‘…Since the World Tree died, there has been no hope.’
The Goddess of Life knew this too.
That is why, in all the years that had passed, she had abstained from food and drink, standing before the dead World Tree and shedding tears.
‘The Goddess of Life does not wish the Lower Realm to perish.’
Aila felt the same.
What the Goddess of Life desired was what she desired as well.
No—it must be the wish of all the Observers and Spirits who served the Goddess of Life.
“Aila.”
Then came a voice.
A voice more mellifluous than any sound in existence.
Drawn by that voice, Aila turned and knelt once more before the Goddess of Life, lowering her head.
“Aila, I may be late today.”
At those words, Aila’s eyes, which had been closed, snapped open. She slowly lifted her head to face the Goddess of Life.
“That… surely that doesn’t mean…”
Had the time finally come?
The time for the gods to make their decision!
The only reason the Goddess of Life would specifically mention being late was that one.
It seemed the Goddess of Life had resolved herself.
To voice her opposition to the ‘decision’ reached by consensus among the other gods, and to protect all living beings even if it meant consuming her own body in the flames.
For that was what the Goddess of Life would do.
Aila slowly opened her mouth.
“…Goddess. I am prepared to devote this entire being to prevent all that stands against your will.”
Even if.
It be against the gods themselves.
Aila believed her sincerity had reached the Goddess of Life. But the Goddess’s response was…
“Hmm?”
An expression as if she did not understand what was being said.
But Aila knew. It was an act.
She was pretending to be fine, pretending not to hurt.
To bear all that burden alone.
‘How clumsy of you. How transparent, Goddess of Life. Do you think so little of the years I have spent in your service?’
The Goddess of Life soon smiled.
“Thank you, Aila. I’ll be going now. I’ll return in victory.”
Just as I thought!
The Goddess of Life was going to battle.
The sound of a step.
The Goddess of Life turned and opened a Dimensional Gate leading to the Divine Temple.
Aila, who had been watching her figure recede, rose from her place.
* * *
Day sixty-two since arriving at the Tower.
Today was the day to drink makgeolli.
The batches I’d fermented yesterday—
a full day had passed, and fermentation was now complete.
The message that the Tower Rice Makgeolli had fully fermented came late last evening, and I finished filtering it that same night.
I confirmed that no more bubbles formed in the glass bottles holding the makgeolli, and even then, the clear layer and the cloudy layer showed a sharp boundary.
After repeatedly straining the sediment with a cloth and decanting just the liquid into fresh bottles, I’d produced over fifty bottles of makgeolli.
I stored them in the Subspace Backpack, fell asleep immediately, and now—the next morning—I pulled out one bottle of makgeolli again.
And that’s where I was now.
[Tower Rice Makgeolli]
– Grade: A
– Effect: Upon consumption, all ability scores increase by 50% for 60 minutes
– Description: A turbid wine brewed from rice grown in the Tower’s purified environment and natural leaven. Upon consumption, strength surges forth. However, excessive drinking may cause ability scores to decline instead.
The Doppelganger gazed intently at the glass bottles filled with pristine white makgeolli.
(…) Fascinating.
“Hehehehe.”
A smile bloomed naturally at the corners of my lips.
How long had it been since I’d tasted alcohol?
We’d decided to drink together this evening.
Still, being drunk from morning seemed a bit much, so I’d planned to wait until evening.
[The God of Destiny gazes at the makgeolli with eyes full of anticipation.]
[The God of Adventure says it must taste absolutely delicious.]
[The Goddess of Life swallows nervously, somewhat apprehensive.]
[The God of Adventure says you don’t have to drink if you’re worried.]
[The Goddess of Life replies that she will drink! She came prepared for this!]
“Ahem. First, I should taste it myself. I need to confirm the makgeolli is properly finished.”
I poured just a sip’s worth into a wooden cup and sampled the makgeolli.
The makgeolli sliding down my throat.
The flavor was—
“Wow!”
[The God of Order asks what’s wrong—did something go wrong?]
“It’s incredibly delicious!”
[The God of Adventure throws his hand up and says he wants some too!]
I hesitated, then shook my head.
One sip would become one cup, one cup would become one bottle.
I had a premonition that a full-blown drinking party would break out from morning itself.
“Let’s enjoy it properly this evening.”
[The God of Adventure nods reluctantly, smacking his lips in regret.]
‘But what should I use as a side dish?’
Pop.
[Consuming Tower-Blessed Mana Cherry Tomato. Mana permanently increases by 0.2.]
[Mana recovery speed increases by 60% for 10 minutes.]
Crunch, crunch.
I chewed the cherry tomato and pondered side dishes seriously.
Something that would fill the belly properly with rice, something worthy as a side dish—food that suits makgeolli.
“Ah! That’s it!”
Grilled Pork Belly.
Kimjang Kimchi.
Tofu.
The holy trinity!
Just thinking about it made my mouth water.
This pair worked beautifully with rice too, and even on its own, the combination was flawless.
Plus, the quintessential makgeolli pairing!
Let’s go with this.
* * *
That evening.
Tower Floor 30.
Nihaim, the Guide of Authority, stretched his arms wide with a yawn.
Another peaceful day had passed.
And so the day drew to a close.
‘Ah, that Injeolmi was absolutely delicious.’
She recalled the Injeolmi and honey that Lee Woo-jin had given her a few days ago.
The chewy rice cake coated thickly with savory soybean powder, paired with the sweetness of honey—there was simply no word for it but delicious.
‘The gods must have it good. They must get treats like that all the time.’
But then.
Crack!
A Dimensional Gate began to open.
Nihaim tilted his head.
There shouldn’t be any visitors at this hour.
In any case, the fact that a Dimensional Gate had opened meant it was certainly not an Adventurer.
After all, the only Adventurer who could come to this place was Lee Woo-jin, and if it were him, he would have opened the Manager’s door over there and visited together with Manager 350.
Whoosh.
What appeared was an angel with pristine white wings.
Nihaim knew her well.
She was the same rank as him—a High Observer—and an old companion they’d spent a long time together with.
“It’s been a while, Aila.”
She nodded.
“So? What brings you here? You look quite grave.”
“Nihaim, can you help me?”
“With what?”
“Do you remember the discussion the gods had when the Tower was established three hundred years ago?”
Nihaim thought for a moment, then nodded.
He too had been keeping a close eye on that matter all along, but when he’d recently become entangled with Lee Woo-jin and encountered the gods, he’d come to a realization.
That as long as Lee Woo-jin existed, peace would be maintained for some time.
That’s why Nihaim had been able to let his guard down.
“Today, the Goddess of Life said something like this. That she would return victorious.”
“What does that mean?”
“I think the Goddess of Life intends to confront the other gods head-on.”
“……!”
Aila’s eyes blazed with determination.
“Please. Lend me your strength. The God of Authority—if we can persuade him, there’s a chance he might come over to our side.”
Nihaim tilted his head with a faint sound of doubt.
“They looked quite friendly. Aren’t you misunderstanding something?”
“What?”
“The gods visited Tower Floor 30 recently. The Goddess of Life was there too. Ah, though she didn’t manifest directly—I saw her Constellation. It seemed like all of them gathered together at the Divine Temple.”
From the beginning to the end, Nihaim explained in detail: the fact that Lee Woo-jin had visited Tower Floor 30 together with Manager 350, the fact about the Error Seed, and the fact that the gods had been keeping close watch over him and offering convenience—he told her everything without omission.
“On Floor 99, you say?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Let’s go together and verify it.”
Nihaim hesitated for a moment, but ultimately decided to follow her.
Farming in the Dragon Lair (Ongoing Serialization)
Author | Gaebyeok S
Publisher | Kim Ju-hyung
Published by | J Plus Media Co., Ltd.
Marketing | Han Jae-hyuk
Address | 401, 11 Digital-ro 33-gil, Guro-gu, Seoul (Guro-dong, Ace Tech Tower 8)
Email | [email protected]
Website | www.jayplemedia.com
ⓒ Gaebyeok S 2026
※This work has been published by J Plus Media Co., Ltd. under contract with the copyright holder. The contents may not be used in any form or by any means without permission from the company and the author.
Violation of this may result in criminal and civil legal liability.

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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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