I Became the Youngest Summoner in the Strongest Guild

18. Arcana Online

A week has passed since I started living in the City of Stars.

While I was spending leisurely time receiving quests from Erica unni or going outside the city for walks, I suddenly thought of Cradle Village.

It hasn't been long since I left, but I miss Bell unni and the rabbits.

They gave me carrots every day, and if you receive something, you should give back, right?

I checked the number of magic stones in my inventory and also checked the newly acquired passive skill.

«Growth»
Your summon grows.
[Grow up well!]

Does it help the summon's growth?

I came out of the city with Yong-yong, and as we walked along the path, the bear taxi appeared as if it had been waiting.

"To Cradle Village, please!"
"Groan!"
"You need two magic stones because Cradle Village is far!? You're really a thief! And it's not even that far!"
"Groan!"
"Okay! I'll give you two! But next time, give me a free ride!"
"Groan!"
"There's no such thing as a free lunch!? That's too much!"

I grumbled as I climbed onto the bear's back, but it was comfortable.

On the way to Cradle Village at high speed on the bear's back.

I asked to be dropped off in the area where the rabbits live, and it agreed, but I didn't expect what would happen next.

The rabbits were in a panic at the bear's appearance, either fleeing in all directions or some even fainting.

I gave the bear magic stones and sent it away, then greeted the rabbits, but they were angry.

"Kyuu kyuu!"
"I'm sorry! I didn't know you'd be so scared!"
"Kyuu!"
"I'll be careful next time!"

After apologizing to the rabbits, I took out magic stones from my inventory and gave them one by one. They looked at me with sparkling eyes as they each took one.

Even though they were low-rank, it cost a fortune because there were so many of them, but I had to repay their kindness.

The rabbits who received magic stones from me without exception gave me carrots in return, and I had already received over hundreds of carrots.

What should I do with all these?

After saying goodbye to the rabbits, I approached Cradle Village, and the guard uncles spotted me and waved.

"Did you come back because you like our village so much?"
"Ahaha! I came because I missed you!"

After greeting them, I entered the village, and everyone welcomed me when they saw me.

As I greeted the villagers and entered the Moonlight Inn, I heard a familiar voice.

"Wait a moment!"

Bell unni, who didn't see me and thought a guest had come.

The moment she turned her head and looked at me.

"Yuna!?"
"I'm back!"

As I approached Bell unni, she hugged me and welcomed me back.

I had missed human warmth so much during this time.

Although Erica unni is in the City of Stars, she's busy so I rarely see her and there's little physical contact.
At most, she just pats my head.

Thanks to Bell unni's generous physical affection, I feel like my empty heart is being filled.

Fortunately, it was a quiet time, so she listened to my stories and responded enthusiastically, which led to hours of conversation.
I arrived early in the morning, but it's already past noon.

"Has it already gotten this late? Can you wait a moment? I'll prepare a meal."
"Okay!"

After eating the meal Bell unni prepared, I said I'd go out for a while and headed to Uncle Charles.

I met Uncle Charles and told him about what had happened and how I received VVIP treatment when I presented the pass to enter the City of Stars, and Uncle Charles spoke as if it was natural.

"Of course they should do that much for a pass issued by someone like me. No matter what anyone says, you're my disciple!"
"But I'm a summoner?"
"Didn't you learn the sword from me?"

After finishing my conversation with Uncle Charles, I headed outside the village again.

I've already met the rabbits, so let's see. Shall I go meet the slimes and goblins too?

As I walked along the path, I saw a slime in the distance.

It was glancing at me.

"Come here! I'll give you something good!"

When I took out a magic stone and waved it, the slime approached me.

I put the magic stone into the slime's body, and it slowly absorbed it.

"Oh, that's interesting! Well, I'll be going now!"
"......"

Passing by the slime, on the way to the goblin village.
As I checked the magic stones in my inventory, I realized I gave the wrong one!

I meant to give a low-rank magic stone, but I gave a medium-rank one!

Can't be helped.

As I approached the goblin village, a goblin standing guard spotted me.

"Kuruk! Young human! Kuruk! What brings you here!?"
"I came to repay the kindness you showed me before!"
"Kuruk! Come in for now!"

Following the guard goblin into the village, I saw other goblins too.

Among them, the goblin who helped me before came out to greet me.

"Kuruk! Young human! Kuruk! It's been a while!"
"It has been a while!"

While chatting about various things, I gave a medium-rank magic stone to the goblin who helped me and low-rank magic stones to the other goblins.

They all happily accepted and ate them, is this the joy of sharing?

Now that I've repaid all the kindness, should I return to Cradle Village, say goodbye, and go back to the City of Stars? Or should I stay one night in Cradle Village?

"Yong-yong, what should we do?"
"Kyuung?"
"Should we sleep in Cradle Village tonight?"
"Kyuung!"
"Right? Let's stay for one night!"

Our Yong-yong, saying we should stay in the nearby village because it's troublesome.

Did it say that on purpose to be considerate of me?

As expected, our Yong-yong is too kind.

*
*
*

Every day, our kin were hunted in the forest.

Without any power, we survived only by running away and hiding to stay alive.

How pathetic I was.

Then one day, a strange human appeared.

When they first appeared before us, they hunted our kin like other humans.

However, soon after, they started greeting us and pretending to be friendly, but I didn't resent them.

It felt like looking at one of our own. No, something even more familiar than that.

Then one day.

The human who hadn't been seen for a while came to me and gave me a stone filled with enormous magical power.

They said it was a gift.

The moment I swallowed it before they could change their mind, I felt a change deep inside my body.

Dominated by sensations I had never felt before, I hid in the bushes and fell asleep to prepare for any possible danger.

How long had I slept?

When I opened my eyes, I had transformed into an unfamiliar body.

It has a human form, but the body is squishy like a slime.

A body where everything has changed.

At that moment, humans discovered me.

"What's this? A slime?"
"Isn't it a named monster!?"
"Kill it quickly before someone takes it!"

Humans rushing towards me.

If it had been a little while ago, I would have felt the fear of death, but strangely, I wasn't scared.

It felt like flies rushing at me.

The moment I swung one hand, the three humans turned to dust and disappeared.
With this much power, could I protect my kin?

*
*
*

[The monsters near Cradle Village are strange!]
The rabbits are walking on two legs!

[Comments]
- Don't rabbits hop on four legs instead of walking on two?
- [Author] No, they're really walking on two legs!?
- So you're saying rabbits walk on two legs instead of hopping on four!
- [Author] It's true, you crazy bastard!
- Why are you cursing? Blocked, bye.

[Has anyone seen a named slime near Cradle Village?]
It was really pretty, I can't help it, I'm going to see noona again.

[Comments]
- Show us a picture!
- Give us the picture!
- But why is it noona?
- [Author] If it's pretty, it's noona.

[What's wrong with the goblins appearing in Cradle Village?]
They come charging while shouting "For Valhalla!" It's really scary! Is this game always like this!?

[Comments]
- What? What's that!?
- What do you mean goblins are charging while shouting "For Valhalla!" lol
- Why are newbies like this these days? lol
- This is hilarious lol

[Tour report of the trending Cradle Village (video)]
When you leave Cradle Village, you first see rabbits, can you see that size? Those impressive muscles that look like they could easily handle 3 vs 500 are not the end. If you get close, they swing carrots at you, and one hit guarantees at least half your HP gone. And if you go further to the slime area, you can see a named monster, and its figure is...

[Comments]
- Slime noona!!
- Noona!!
- Going to see noona!!
- But be careful, it's really strong lol

[Goblin village tour report (video)]
I've secretly infiltrated the goblin village now. Can you see that? That bizarre sight of them performing a suspicious ritual and shouting Valhalla... Argh!!

[Comments]
- Didn't you accidentally enter an orc village? How are goblins that big?
- They look over 2m tall? It's really scary when they come charging while shouting Valhalla...
- Is this game balance for real?
- At this point, shouldn't we send a truck?
- Do you know where the company is located?
- Dunno? No information has been disclosed.