Chapter 90 (1/2)
Why was this happening? All of a sudden, I was called Mama? My mind was very confused. This penguin seemed to have mistaken me for his mother. I wasn’t even a father, I was a mother. I was a mother?!
[The first apostle, ‘Prometheus,’ is seriously considering your gender.]
Was this something to be serious about? My gender identity was suddenly questioned.
Kim Sujeong watched from the side and covered her mouth as she smiled. “I think he mistook you as his mother.”
“But why am I a mother?”
“Don’t you know why...?”
“Do you know?”
“Of course I know.” It was surprising that she knew when I didn’t. Kim Sujeong pointed at me. “It is what you’re wearing now.”
“My clothes?”
I glanced at the clothes I was wearing currently. The clothes were a harmonious blend of yellow, orange, and dark blue. It was the emperor penguin suit Drain had handed to me after saying he made it a bit more cool. Drain had handed me the recreated suit and I remembered smiling with satisfaction when I saw the outfit that had changed nicely. Wait a minute. Then perhaps...
“Surely it isn’t because of these clothes?”
The penguin was looking up at me with eyes that shone like a lantern. It was like he wanted praise for doing well. I couldn’t bear to destroy his innocence so I patted him on the head. Then the penguin rubbed his face against me and showed his affection. “Cute ♡”
It was really cute. If they could be raised as a pet in real life then they would be hugely popular. Still, this was virtual reality. Cer approached from next to Kim Sujeong and licked the baby penguin’s face. They were on better terms than expected and everyone’s face was filled with joy.
“Cer also seems to like him.”
“Oh, the cute penguin recognizes the value of my clothes.”
“He is a really cute guy. I’ll have to train them.
...No, why did he want to train? I was afraid that Gyeonso Dragon really would take them to train and stated, “I’ll protect this guy.”
“I think that is for the best.”
“Ohuhu. With this cute penguin, I will be able to come up with new fashion ideas. I also like it.”
”...I understand,” Gyeonso Dragon muttered, his desire obvious but it couldn’t be helped. It was because the penguin was only following me.
“If we are going to be together then we should give him a name.”
Kim Sujeong suggested, “How about Pono?”
“Pono?”
“That’s right, he looks like Ponono. Pono!”
“Hmm, it isn’t bad. Now your name is Pono.”
Thus, a new member joined the group.
* * *
On the other hand, Park Muyeol connected to the game and was doing the tutorial. A little fairy appeared and summoned goblins. There happened to be a wooden sword as a weapon choice so he took it and beat them all. It wasn’t even a warm up since there were no more than 10 of them. Then he raised his hand to the sphere that would give him a Heavenly Star.
[The Altar of the Stars is testing you.]
‘It looks real. Huhu.’
Park Muyeol felt the turbulent ground and gulped. A short time later, his Heavenly Star was chosen. The orange light of the seven stars flew toward him.
[Your heavenly star is Monarch of Cold Mercy.]
[Your strength stat has been raised by 10.]
[Your agility stat has been raised by 10.]
‘Hmm, I’ll have to look at the other information.’
After adapting to the game through a number of tutorials, Park Muyeol finally decided to head to the beginning village. His choice was the Orca Kingdom. It was because he heard Chuntaek was here.
[The tutorial has ended.]
[10 dry bread has been acquired as a tutorial reward.]
[Going to the beginning village of ‘Mulan.’]
The whole world became white as the scenery around him crumbled. His eyes closed and once he reopened them, he was standing at a crowded fountain in what seemed to be a small European village.
“Hunting the goblins to level up!”
“I repair all types of weapons. $2 for repairs!”
“If you need a buff then please come to me! I’ll buff you for free!”
‘Hmm, is this the village that Chuntaek mentioned?’
He looked around and marveled. The existence of NPCs was more real than reality. There were also people mixing among them. Virtual and reality met and they were united.
‘First of all, I have to meet the village chief as Chuntaek said.’
“Was it the mountain south of here?”
Park Muyeol stepped forward as he recalled Chuntaek’s story while drinking that day. He just had one question.
“Where is the south?”
* * *
Park Muyeol asked the young people for directions and was able to reach Mount Smir in the south. There was the chirping of birds singing. Green trees. The sound of a stream flowing. He hadn’t seen such a scenery nor heard such sounds for a long time, thus his ears and eyes felt happy.
“Here it is.”
In the distance, he could see a hut with a picture of a small hammer. At first glance, it matched the appearance of the smithy that Chuntaek spoke of.
‘The chief lives here.’
Chuntaek said to go there and give his name. Then the chief would probably help. In fact, he wasn’t willing to sell a friend’s name but there was no reason not to do it. Additionally...
“I’m looking forward to getting some weapons.”
Park Muyeol walked toward the smithy and knocked on the door.
Knock knock!
“Come in~!”
He opened the door and saw a big, old man with a few strands of white hair hammering away. Park Muyeol could instantly see that he was the ‘chief’ of this place.
‘This is Chen.’
It was exactly as Chuntaek described. Dark skin, large and ageless arm muscles, and hair that was close to balding...
It was a bit of a pity.
In any case, Park Muyeol coughed and spoke a greeting, “Hello.”
“Welcome! It is the first time I’ve seen you. Are you a new adventurer?”
“That’s right. I was told I can get a weapon here.”
“Keke. Of course. Come along.”