Livelihood Dungeon! (English Version)

"Ichiro, use Meteoric Drops!" Peter shouted his command while pointing into the distance.

They were currently on the outskirts of the Eternal Forest, where Peter and Ichiro were testing his companion's newest ability.

"Gra!" the Terrestrial Wolf did not disappoint its master's expectations.

Ichiro raised his front pair of paws, then stomped down. At the same moment, hundreds of sharp, small rock fragments appeared and rained down.

The small animals roaming the trees and tall grasses around the forest—such as rabbits and squirrels—became alert. They immediately scattered, fleeing the sense of imminent danger.

They survived thanks to their instincts.

Peter raised his arm to shield his face as smaller fragments of rock splattered outward from the impact.

He lowered his arm after the destructive downpour subsided.

Peter took a deep breath as he observed the result of the Terrestrial Wolf's attack. A large portion of the flat forest ground had been damaged. The impact site was cracked and filled with scattered shattered stones.

Overall, even from the first attempt, Peter was already impressed. He was satisfied and decided there was no need to test the ability again.

From now on, they already had an offensive ability to protect themselves in case of emergencies.

As for testing the toughness of Ichiro's newly strengthened body, that was another matter. Although he wanted to push its limits, doing so would require initiating an actual battle to properly evaluate its defense. However, he couldn't find anything suitable to fight Ichiro at the moment. He had been wandering for a while, but there was still nothing in the forest that could match it.

Inside the Eternal Forest, there were many possible opponents for a Terrestrial Wolf. However, according to rumors from the people of the Village of the Beginnings, that mysterious forest was extremely dangerous.

So it seemed Peter would have to postpone testing the defensive capabilities of the Terrestrial Wolf for now.

...

Peter kept clearing the overgrown area around the lone tree inside the Livelihood Dungeon.

He gathered the cut wild grass, dry wood, and scattered stones into one corner of the dungeon grounds.

Peter intended to experiment by planting the fruits he had harvested from the outskirts of the Eternal Forest inside the Livelihood Dungeon.

He slumped down under the shade of a banana tree, panting heavily as he leaned against the sturdy trunk of the large tree.

Peter looked up and exhaled. For a moment, he watched the long leaves slowly swaying in the wind. He gave a faint smile before lowering his gaze and looking out across the vast dungeon.

For now, the Livelihood Dungeon was still empty, but Peter was already envisioning a future where it would be full of life and abundance.

"I will fill the Livelihood Dungeon with trees and plants," Peter began his monologue.

He raised both hands in front of his eyes, forming a square shape, as if framing the world through a camera lens.

He moved his hands slightly to one side.

"This place will also be filled with chicken coops. Different kinds of chickens. Some will be kept in fancy cages, while others will roam outside, basking in the sun." Peter stared intently at the center of his imaginary frame, like a child whose eyes were sparkling at a new toy.

He then shifted his imaginary camera to another direction.

"On this side will be cattle and sheep. Of course, they'll also have well-made enclosures. Some will stay inside, others will be out in the sun as well."

Then he moved the imaginary camera to a new direction before finally lowering his hands.

"And over there, Ichiro, Iyashi, and the future members of my family will live." Satisfied, he dropped both hands to the ground on either side of him.

"But for now, I'll focus on farming and planting trees." Peter fell silent for a moment, carefully observing the entire dungeon as deep thoughts filled his mind.

He drifted off into his imagination again. Peter smiled faintly at nothing in particular. The owner of the still-empty Livelihood Dungeon was daydreaming. His vast imagination carried him into a future where everything was abundant in a picturesque way.

His daydream was interrupted.

Peter's gaze shifted to the ground on his right without turning his head. Something long had caught his attention from the corner of his eye, slowly approaching him.

When he focused on it, he realized it was moving. It was black.

He then realized it was a shadow after hearing a voice.

"Master, drink some water. Replenish the sweat you've lost, teehee~" Peter accepted the glass offered by the slightly floating dungeon guide.

"Thanks, Peach," Peter said as he drank the water in one gulp.

"Ahh!"

He stood up and handed the empty glass back to Peach.

"That water was refreshing," he praised, which made the small dungeon guide's eyes sparkle.

Peter found Peach adorable and, without thinking, patted her head several times.

"Eh?" Peach's face turned red.

"What are you doing, Master? Don't touch my head! I'm not a child!" she puffed her cheeks in protest.

Peter simply shook his head. "What an adorable child," he thought.

"Where did you get that water?" Peter asked.

"From the Magical Fountain of Life, Master." Peach answered, giggling happily.

"Huh?" Peter's eyes widened.

"Why, Master? Is something wrong?" Peach tilted her head.

"Is that water safe for humans to drink?" Peter asked worriedly.

"Yes, of course! It's not just for plants—you can drink it too, and so can animals.

Isn't that obvious from the name of the fountain?

Don't worry, Master. It's perfectly safe. In fact, I recommend you always drink from it.

You should also use it for your plants and animals. I'm sure you'll be surprised by the results."

Peach covered her mouth, trying to hide her amusement.

Peter simply shrugged after seeing her reaction. He didn't bother asking further, sensing she wouldn't give a straightforward answer anyway.

He returned to his work.

Several hours passed.

Peter collapsed onto the ground, exhausted.

"I can't even feel my legs anymore. I want to continue, but if only I had higher stamina, I could do so much more," he said in frustration.

"Water, Master?" Peach offered again.

"Thanks... I really can't anymore, Peach. I'm done for today. Let's call it a day," Peter said reluctantly.

"Good work, Master. You worked really hard." Peach encouraged him.

Peter glanced unintentionally at the lone tree inside the Livelihood Dungeon.

"It's going to take a long time before I can fill this place with tall, fruitful trees. I still have a long way to go."

He clenched his fists.

"There are so many benefits if I can cover this place with greenery. That must be my top priority."

His nostrils flared like a bull driven by determination.

"The place will become refreshing. It will provide shade whether it's sunny or rainy. It will help prevent air pollution. The trees will absorb all the carbon dioxide and release clean oxygen.

With a clean environment, my dungeon will become an ideal place for life—perfect for raising livestock.

And the fruits from the trees can sustain my needs and those of my animals. I can also use them for myself and my livestock, choosing only the best kinds.

I can even sell or trade them to obtain things the dungeon can't produce."

He finished explaining breathlessly.

Peach stepped back, sensing the intensity of his expression. Peter's love for farming was already bordering on obsession.

"Scary!" Peach whispered, covering her mouth.

"Reign it in, Peter. Reign it in."

Unable to hold it in any longer, the poor dungeon guide burst out crying.

...

The sun was blazing intensely overhead.

Peter walked back toward the village, drenched in sweat. He carefully made his way along the path, trying to make himself as small as possible. If it were possible, he would have made his body invisible. He was planning to sneak the items he had purchased back into the dungeon.

In truth, Peter was simply overthinking things. Aside from the farmers who were busy working the fields, no one else was outside their homes in the middle of the scorching heat.

Who in their right mind would choose to stay under the blazing sun unless it was for work? No one, right?

When Peter arrived at the plaza where the village women had been buying goods from Thomas's wagon earlier, he saw that the area was now empty. Thomas—and even his wagon—had disappeared as if they were never there.

Peter wondered where Thomas might be at that moment.

He headed toward Old Man John's tavern. Upon reaching the door, he saw the peddler's wagon parked at the side, along with the horses that pulled it.

He intentionally approached the horses and gently patted them.

The two horses happily whinnied at his touch.

Peter pushed open the wooden door of Old Man John's tavern and immediately frowned when he saw Thomas's current condition.

"What happened to him?" Peter asked in a low voice, directed at Old Man John in confusion.

He was sure Thomas had been fine earlier. But now, Thomas looked completely haggard. His eyes were red, and dark eye bags circled them heavily.

The old man only shrugged in response.

As if sensing someone watching him, Thomas slowly turned his head toward Peter. Only his neck and head moved.

Hesitantly, Peter gave a forced wave and smile.

He carefully approached the merchant since they had an arrangement. He had no choice.

"What happened to you, Thomas?" Peter asked cautiously.

"Don't start, Peter. You'll ruin your life," Thomas interrupted in a hoarse voice.

Peter decided to respect the merchant's privacy. Even though he was curious about what misfortune had happened to Thomas, he chose not to press further. After all, Thomas had said it would ruin his life.

"Where are my purchases?" Peter asked instead. He followed Thomas's finger and saw his belongings in a corner.

"Can I take them? I'll head out now," Peter said his farewell. He couldn't bear to look at Thomas's current condition. He planned to talk to him another day about another business proposal he had in mind.

As Peter was about to leave, he suddenly remembered something.

"By the way, do you have something to carry my purchases? Can I borrow it? I'll return it to you," he asked.

"Just get it from my wagon. The cart is outside," Thomas replied weakly.

"Th-thank you," Peter said.

"Also," Thomas called out.

"Do you still need something?" Peter asked.

"Have you thought about my offer the other day?"

"What offer?" Peter asked in confusion.

"My offer to buy your foreign clothes," Thomas reminded him.

"Oh that? My decision hasn't changed, Thomas. I have no intention of selling those clothes to you or anyone else. Sorry," Peter replied firmly.

"Even if I tell you I'll pay one gold coin?" the merchant pressed.

Peter paused slightly at the large offer, but he was not tempted—not even once. For Peter, the clothes from Earth were his last remaining connection to his former home. Others might think it was pointless sentimentality, but he didn't care. Those few pieces of clothing gave him a sense of comfort. And for him, nothing was more important than peace of mind.

"No," Peter answered firmly.

"Just so you know, one gold coin is enough to buy a slave ranked C adventurer. That rank is considered high," Thomas said, a hint of pride in his voice.

"No," Peter repeated with a faint smile.

"You're strong, my friend. Ten gold coins then! That's enough for ten rank C adventurers—or even one rank B adventurer slave," Thomas added.

"Still no."

The merchant sighed.

"You really are something else. I can't sway you. I admire that about you. And I hope I didn't offend you by being too persistent," Thomas said with a tired smile, his eye bags clearly visible.

"It's fine," Peter replied, avoiding eye contact as he left with his purchases.

After the door closed, Old Man John spoke.

"Why didn't you warn Peter about them?" the old man asked Thomas.

"Because I am a merchant. Merchants can be narrow-minded. I suffered a loss because of him, so I have to get even," Thomas replied, his face twisting.

"You were the one who said Peter was interesting. Didn't you want to be his friend?" Old Man John asked.

"Yes. I do want to be his friend because he has interesting products—and an interesting personality. I think I'll experience many surprises if I become his friend," Thomas replied, smiling.

"Then why are you doing this?" the old man asked again.

"Don't misunderstand me. I worked peacefully and minding my own business, but I suffered because of him. So he must understand. I won't warn him. It's not like he'll die because I didn't warn him. He'll just suffer like I did," Thomas said before bursting into slightly unhinged laughter while pulling his hair.

"Where is justice?" he repeated over and over, his arms trembling as he gripped his head.

The old man shook his head and simply said,

"Childish."

...

"Iyashi, please. Can you transfer some of your body fluid here? Just for one tree. Is that okay? Do you understand now?" Peter gently asked his second companion.

"Kyu?" the Regeneration Slime replied, as if asking a question.

"Yes, that's right. Just a little," Peter reassured.

"Kyu!" Iyashi obediently agreed.

"Yes! Thank you, Iyashi!" Peter couldn't contain his excitement. In fact, he even jumped several times.