[Uploaded Dec. 5, 2020]
Chapter 233: Welcome to the Museum (3)
[You have entered the Unrated Dungeon Crack Museum.]
[Checked the number of people limit [30/30].]
[Unrated compulsory quest 3333 is activated.]
“…”
[Quest: Museum Tour (0/1)]
It seemed as if the quest would start once the group entered. A ‘museum tour’ must mean a dungeon attack.
After checking the message, I looked around and saw a gorgeous stone room. The atmosphere was different from the inside, as opposed to the outer wall surrounded by rock walls.
The most interesting thing, however, was the presence in front of us.
The magical manifestation of a cute little boy greeted us politely as if he knew that we would be here in advance.
[Checking the information of the dungeon manager Max.]
[Seeing the dungeon manager’s pile with the legendary-grade attribute, the Mind’s Eye.]
[Manager Max’s Pile]
[It is an agglomerate of magical power created by manager Max. Since it is a virtual image without a substance, the status window and information window cannot be checked. You can see limited access to information in the museum.]
‘Is that so, too?’
I couldn’t see the status window and the information window. What was visible was simply a description of the pile.
‘The Mind’s Eye is convenient.’
Only someone with my ability would probably know that he was not a real person. He looked like an object. There was no emotion in his eyes, and I felt a sense of awareness in his polite posture. His handsome face garnered his cute attribute.
Was this a Homonculus? Probably not.
It was unknown how high the Crack Guardians’ abilities are, but I was sure that manager Max was not a Homunculus.
‘What the hell is it?’
As I mulled over this, the kid began to speak once more.
-Welcome to the Crack Museum, dear museum explorers.
“…”
-Those who’ve come this time are not aggressive. Usually, those who come here come in and prepare for battle right away…
We, too, would have had the same reaction if we didn’t have information about this place.
There was no way to tell if the one in front of us was a manager or a named monster.
Park Yeon-joo slowly opened her mouth, finding the quiet silence too uncomfortable. As we had already read the report in advance, it was easier to respond.
However, our first step would be to take a look at this so-called museum.
“We know a little bit from the explorer who has visited this museum most recently. One being that you are the manager of this museum, too.”
-I thought you would. A few weeks ago, I sent one back. You are the ones he sent in return.
“Yes. To be precise, the people who are now isolated in the museum are those under my control. Are they by any chance…”
-If you are asking whether they are alive or dead… Yes. They are still alive.
I saw Park Yeon-joo look greatly relieved by Max’s words. We came as soon as possible, but she would have been nervous as it took us some time.
“That’s a relief. Is there any way I can get them back?”
-Of course. It is a very worthy reward to give the exhibited items to those who have completed the museum tour. They haven’t been exhibited in the museum yet.
“…”
-In fact, since it’s the first time we’ve received a sample of species from another dimension, I felt a little excited to display them. However… I held off from doing so.
“…”
-Looking at the guests who have visited today, I think it’s fortunate that they haven’t been exhibited in an empty place yet.
“What…”
-I couldn’t even imagine that a soul whose causality was distorted would visit.
He was definitely looking at Kim Hyunsung.
Fortunately, he didn’t talk about regression or anything, but it seemed that Kim Hyunsung looked different from the others in his eyes.
‘Does he also have Mind’s Eye?’
The odds and ends of this possibility were slim. As a museum manager, he would only have the talent to find ‘items’ worth exhibiting.
He simply said that the cause-and-effect ratio was distorted, but he didn’t seem to know that Hyunsung was a returner. Meanwhile, our returner stared back at him calmly.
-And also, there is a dragon that has been recently discovered.
The manager turned his attention to Dialugia next.
-How many thousand years have you lived?
“Am I obligated to answer?”
-I apologize if it was a rude question. It’s just because I’m glad to see you. I remember that there were so many dragons in the past… Of course, if you think about dragons’ ecology, it’s not strange when their generation ends… Oh! I think I’m being inappropriate. Sorry.
He started to talk more, evidently getting more and more excited.
‘I guess he is not a machine?’
I could see that he harbored emotions, which a simple guide would not possess. This information will certainly be useful later.
I glanced at Dialugia, who still hadn’t gotten over her separation from Tol To-ri.
Naturally, she was not in a good mood because she had just been hit by a rude remark. However, she managed to rein her emotions in and nodded calmly. She seemed to be better at holding back her emotions in matters that did not concern her son.
“There is no need to apologize. Obviously, more and more people are giving up their duty to have children. It’s been a long time since I also saw others. The species obligations and customs are often being ignored. Fewer than three dragons have children.”
-I see. That’s a shame. Hmm… Come to think of it. You also have a descendant.
“Yes.”
-Ah… I also remember that the Guardians said you were important. Dragons, like the Guardians, exist to maintain the balance and safety of the continent. Unfortunately, you have a descendant; I don’t think you can go to the museum tour. Instead… Well… If it’s a dragon’s horn…
“I don’t want to leave my horn in a place like this.”
-Of course, I am not asking this for free. How about this? This will be a good enough deal.
As soon as he finished speaking, a rumbling sound began to resonate throughout the museum.
The details were unknown, but it felt as if the inside of the room was moving.
Shortly after that, the glass wall on the museum’s entrance wall disappeared, and a new glass tube appeared. What was interesting was that there was an item on the glass wall.
I could see that a very large box was filled with tools I had never seen before.
‘That is…’
[Dragon Lord’s Parenting Set (Legendary)]
[This is a set of parenting tools made by the Dragon Lord, which existed tens of thousands of years ago, to increase the fertility rate. It includes an improved bottle, toys to help with brain activity, and aids for babies who are still struggling to fly. Unlike other items, this parenting set is a handcrafted product made by the Lord himself with his own scales, and it is of great value.]
‘What…’
I thought that all kinds of things would be on display, but I couldn’t even imagine that such a product would exist.
Dialugia’s brightened expression worried me at this point.
“Oh! This is…”
-What do you think?
“Where did you get this?”
-What do you think?
If it continued like this, she would probably agree to make the trade.
Of course, I owned everything about her, from head to toe. The horn, considered to be of the highest value, could not be given to the museum. I didn’t want to intervene, but I had to.
“Dialugia, I will make a similar type. If Tol To-ri finds out that the horn on your head is gone, he will be very upset.”
“But…”
“I will make it with items of the same grade, using your scales. Even if a Dragon Lord made that, it would be a little more meaningful if it was made from you, the mother.”
“Oh… I see.”
Even though she answered, she still couldn’t take her eyes off the object, seemingly possessed.
She had the same look as a housewife looking at TV home shopping.
“Tol To-ri will like it more. And, although it looks to have a great value… That’s all already used. Dialugia, it’ll be okay to trade your horn for it, but I would hate seeing the adorable Tol To-ri using items that have already been used by others.”
I knew I had finally gotten through to her. In particular, there were no mothers who would dare use used baby bottles. Relief coursed through me.
Of course, the dungeon manager, who had missed a good opportunity, was now looking at me, frowning a little.
It took less than a few seconds for the expression on his face to turn into one of surprise.
-You…
“Yes?”
-You have something amazing, too.
‘Fuck…’
-How does such a lowly and despicable being possess such a valuable thing? May I take a closer look at your body?
I could instantly realize what he was talking about.
‘The Mind’s Eye?’
The only thing I could boast of was that. I was aware that the Mind’s Eye’s value would be quite a lot because of functions were still limited. Still, I didn’t think that the museum manager who kept mythic-grade items would be surprised.
‘Perhaps… Is there any possibility of further evolution?’
I thought about it, but what bothered me the most about this situation were the expressions of the people around me. Hearing that I, who looked ordinary, would have something worthy to be displayed in the museum would, of course, make them curious.
I had to speak hurriedly.
“I refuse.”
-Sorry if it was sudden. Nevertheless…
He certainly didn’t know in detail as to what I exactly had. He was murmuring something, but of course, I didn’t intend to make him look into my eyes.
As if he noticed that I was aware of him, he looked a little bit regretful and averted his gaze.
-Compared to the three mentioned earlier, your quality is a little lower, but… Some humans have been blessed with mana. And you, too…
This time, he was pointing to Jung Hayan and Park Yeon-joo.
‘I guess Yeon-joo has something, too.’
Of course, she had something to hide since she occupied a Guild’s Master position.
Looking back, I remembered that she had nothing special in my Mind’s Eye.
Come to think of it. It seemed that her title looked a little peculiar. I guess he probably meant that.
-It’s a very fun day. I cannot just serve these important people. Yes. Right. If it’s okay with you, I would like to guide you personally.
I wanted to ask him that, myself. It would be fortunate to have someone to talk to about the dungeon. It was only right to accept this.
‘You have to extract the courtesy as far as it could possibly go.’
I had to see if I could also get something beneficial out of this.