Chapter 4

Chapter 4 - Water God of Cheongha

『 Translator – Divinity 』

I checked the Buff-type Food Ingredient Item. I'm venturing a guess that Father of Crops is a Constellation who surpassed the limits in another dimension. Therefore, I suspect this might be a food ingredient from another dimension.

(Father of Crops): Correct. It's an exchange between the food of your dimension called Earth and the food of my homeland.

It's quite a novel experience, and isn't it a valuable experience not just anyone can have?

I expressed my gratitude to him for sponsoring something absolutely unobtainable on Earth.

'It lifts the mana seal curse?'

The mana seal curse was one of the curses Hunters caught quite easily. When subjugating a Gate, getting hit wrongly by a monster's attack, or when tired. Or if luck is bad, mana gets sealed.

'It seals for 5 minutes at most, 5 seconds at least... but in a dungeon where lives are on the line, every minute, every second is precious.'

The Golden Apple possessed a greater effect than I had thought.

"Father of Crops-nim, by any chance, do you have many of these?"

(Father of Crops): Can't you see my alias? Things like this are plentiful for me.

I grinned.

It seems I've already gotten friendly with the Constellations after talking for just a few hours.

Judging by the fact I'm thinking of wheedling a few more Golden Apples out of him the moment I see Father of Crops's chat.

(Father of Crops): Are you asking for free? First, I'll eat the grilled fish, and if it's delicious, I'll give you more. Sponsorship is surprisingly burdensome, you know.

I don't know what's so burdensome for fellows who live alone... well, there must be reasons. I looked at the grilled fish, salted and roasted whole. Since the scales and guts had been prepared, I roughly tore into it with my mouth. A few small bones got chewed, but I just spat them out.

"Hooah... It's really delicious!"

So many incomprehensible things had happened in just one day.

After experiencing things detached from reality, eating the grilled fish finally felt like returning to the real world.

Was that why? The flesh of the freshwater fish melted gently in my mouth. As the savory taste and salty umami surged simultaneously in my mouth, a smile naturally spread across my face.

* * *

Father of Crops was looking at the system window on his star.

Constellations could use the community and watch Jinwoo's broadcast through the system window.

Constellations can also do their own broadcasts and have other Constellations as viewers.

Father of Crops was a Constellation who spent all day buried amidst various crops, just watching other Constellations' broadcasts.

Then, luckily, he discovered Jinwoo's broadcast....

"It was luck, it was luck!!"

Having received even grilled fish from Jinwoo, he rejoiced more than anyone.

Being able to peek into human daily life is fun, but to think I'd even receive fish, which I'd never eaten having only farmed my whole life.

Moreover, that grilled fish was so delicious.

"...To think such a crazy taste exists in the world, this is crazy, crazy."

Moved by the taste of the softly melting fish flesh, he put the Golden Apples rolling around on the ground into a basket.

"Send Sponsorship."

* * *

"...! Thank you!"

I smiled brightly.

I thought I'd receive one more Golden Apple, but I got five more, so laughter naturally slipped out.

Glancing at the chat window, the reactions of the three Constellations were good. The food called grilled fish itself was unfamiliar to them, but since they all ate it well, I felt good.

'Living like this wouldn't be bad.'

It would have been nice if I could live a little longer than a year.

This thought occurred to me anew.

'Let's not think depressing thoughts.'

For now, let's enjoy this remaining year. Since I've awakened a unique trait that allows me to communicate with Constellations, let's depart embracing only happy memories.

With these thoughts, I entered the tent.

"Esteemed Constellations, in a way, you are all people who have died once, aren't you?"

(Anonymous 1): This bastard's hitting a sore spot.

(God of Rain and Sunlight): He spins his words well.

(Father of Crops): Well, yes. Died once.

That way of speaking, unbelievable for Constellations.

I figure that way of speaking came about from becoming Constellations after dying and only using the community. Because no matter how noble a Constellation is, if they only type chats all day, their way of speaking is bound to degenerate.

"Later, please tell me your life stories, esteemed Constellations. I'm curious."

(Anonymous 1): ...My life story, I'll tell you later.

(God of Rain and Sunlight): Yes, me too, later.

(Father of Crops): Well, I was born into a poor farmer's family and just farmed all day. I was also born with talent as a mage, and the crops I harvested astonished the continent, and then I was recognized as a Constellation. It's a story with nothing special.

It was too much summarized to be called a story with nothing special.

And though it was a short chat, it was quite interesting. Because it's a story from a dimension other than Earth.

I resolved to find out everything about those Constellations' homelands later.

"The sunset is beautiful."

I watched the sunset with just my face peeking out from the tent near the riverside.

The sun gradually set, and the sunlight reflected off the clouds, creating a beautiful sunset. The light of that sunset, in turn, reflected on the riverside, revealing beautiful glittering waves.

I roughly speared the salt-grilled fish with my chopsticks and took a bite.

(Water God of Cheongha): The vibe is killer, hi hi everyone.

(Anonymous 1): A newbie has arrived.

(God of Rain and Sunlight): Water God of Cheongha... an alias I've heard often.

(Father of Crops): ? Isn't that him? The one seen often in the community.

(Water God of Cheongha): Hi hi everyone. But... isn't this Earth? Is a human broadcasting to Constellations?

I paused for a moment.

Water God of Cheongha? If it's the Water God of Cheongha....

"Habaek?"

The god of the Yalu River appearing in Korean mythology.

Habaek was precisely the grandfather figure of King Dongmyeong, the founder of Goguryeo.

That Habaek, who appears as the Water God of Cheongha in the birth legend of Goguryeo's founder Jumong, became a viewer watching my streaming?

Habaek also appears in Chinese mythology, but is considered a different god due to differences in the river governed or the depictions.

'In a way, it means I could be Habaek's descendant.'

(Water God of Cheongha): Hmm... so that's how it was. Yes, in a way, you are my descendant.

While I was organizing my thoughts, Habaek heard the full explanation from the other Constellations.

(Water God of Cheongha): To think Goguryeo developed this much, it's good to see. Hey, but what are you doing? Not gonna greet me?

To think Jumong's grandfather Habaek became so casual.

Aah, suddenly I feel strange. I feel like I'm going crazy.

"Hello, welcome."

I greeted him while hiding my expression as much as possible, and the three Constellations watching our conversation snickered.

(Water God of Cheongha): Right, let's greet properly in the future too. It's proper to treat elders with respect. Got it?

"...Yes."

(Water God of Cheongha): Since I taught you how a junior should treat an elder, I too shall teach you how an elder should treat a junior.

"Yes?"

(Water God of Cheongha): Traditionally, elders should help their juniors prosper. Ideally, I'd like to form an Incarnation contract right away, but such a hasty choice often invites disaster. Receive this.

Suddenly, his way of speaking became refined.

Habaek is not a kkondae.*

[N: Kkondae is a korean slang term that describes a condescending older person]

He's not even a Constellation pickled by the community.

Habaek is... the proud god of the Yalu River from Korean mythology.

Habaek, my light.

Habaek, my god.

Habaek, me.

Somehow, I ended up receiving sponsorships from all four Constellations who became my viewers.

The things I received were, without exception, all incredible.

The A-Rank skill Stealth, the B-Rank skill Water Shield, the buff-type food ingredient absolutely unobtainable on Earth.

'The best among them is the EX-Rank skill. Thanks to it, I sustained my remaining short life.'

I once again conveyed my thanks to the Constellations.

And I tried to use the Offering skill for Habaek.

(Water God of Cheongha): Hoho, my descendant knows properly how to repay kindness. But what to do, I've eaten plenty of fish.

"In that case... how about this?"

I took out a portable burner and a frying pan from my bag. I spread cooking oil on it and quickly grilled some samgyeopsal.*

[N: Samgyeopsal is a popular Korean dish consisting of grilled pork belly, often served with lettuce wraps, dipping sauces, and various side dishes.]

Because, you know, the tastes of fish and pork are worlds apart.

I can't say which is more delicious, but I can confidently assert that pork will be a new experience for Habaek, the river god.

I put a few slices of pork on a disposable plate and used the Offering skill.

(Water God of Cheongha): ...This, the taste is killer. This is the first time I've tasted something like this!

It felt like I could hear Habaek's satisfied laughter ringing in my ears.

(Anonymous 1): ...I want to try that too, damn it.

(God of Rain and Sunlight): Can't you give it to me too?

(Father of Crops): ...I really want to try it.

"The Offering skill is only possible once per day per Constellation. I'll give it to you tomorrow."

There's plenty of samgyeopsal.

I promised to treat them to samgyeopsal tomorrow.

And....

"Please find and prepare something to give me in return. I'll be looking forward to it."

It's natural that if something is given, something should be received in return.

(Anonymous 1): He's just like a complete gangster.

(God of Rain and Sunlight): Damn it, fine, the one who's desperate has to bend, I suppose.

(Father of Crops): It feels unfair to be extorted like this by a mere human despite being a Constellation, but what choice is there. I'll find something.

I smiled with satisfaction.

And at that moment.

"Help me!!"

A loud voice spread like an echo across the riverside, and soon someone's voice reached my ears.

(Anonymous 1): Hey, hurry up and go look!

(God of Rain and Sunlight): Hurry! I'm dying of curiosity!

(Father of Crops): Help those human fellows and extort something from them! We can't be the only ones subjected to this!

(Water God of Cheongha): Traditionally, one must help those in need.

The Constellations, crazy for dopamine, egged me on.