Farming in the Tower Alone [EN]: Chapter 704

Sejun’s face fell. “I’m wrong?” he asked, sounding surprised.

“Hey! Chairman Park, it’s okay! I’ll keep it a secret!” Theo said.

“Me too! Me too!”

Kkuengi nudged Sejun gently with his head. “[Don’t worry, Sejun! I’ll keep it a secret!]”

“(I’ll keep it secret too! Cheer up, Sejun!)”

The group comforted Sejun.

Kamang chuckled, wagging his tail. “[Hehe! Butler! If you give me sweet potato crisps…]” He paused, thinking, then quickly said, “[No! The great Kamang will keep it a secret even without them!]”

But when Kkuengi quietly lifted his Thunderbolt Rod, a small, sparking stick, Kamang quickly changed his mind.

“Thanks, everyone,” Sejun said.

He looked at Morgan, who was watching with wide eyes. “What about you? Can you keep a secret too?”

Morgan didn’t understand what secret he was supposed to keep, but he felt a warmth spread through him as Sejun looked at him. He was part of the group now.

“…I will keep it a secret as well,” he promised.

Sejun received promises of secrecy from everyone.

Sejun cleared his throat, trying to regain his ‘Detective Sherlock Sejun’ persona. “Ahem. Right, let’s think again. ‘Enter the place where the brightest tear falls to find the treasure'”,

“First of all, I don’t think it’s the stars!”

“Yeah, I don’t think so either.”

They eliminated the stars as a possibility. They knew someone else had tried looking at the stars in another world and found nothing.

“Could it be referring to where a meteor fell?” Iona, who loved meteors, asked.

Kkuengi, remembering the beautiful light he saw when he rescued the Baby Doll Ice Sculpture, suggested, “[It could be the place indicated by the light refracted through a teardrop-shaped ice, yo!]”

“(Maybe it’s a jewel!)” Baetbaet also shared his thoughts.

Kamang suddenly perked up, his ears pointing straight. “[Hehe! Butler!]” he barked excitedly. “[Could it be… actually crying?! Like, crying tears of light from its eyes!]”

Kamang puffed out his chest. “[The great Kamang is right! I am Detective Kapang!]”

Sejun felt annoyed looking at Kamang, because he was asserting such a ridiculous idea with so much confidence.

“Kamang, are you sure you’re not just hungry again?” Sejun asked.

“[No…]” Kamang whimpered at Sejun’s words.

Morgan, who had been quiet until now, spoke softly, “Um… about the brightest tear, could it be… a waterfall of tears?”

He explained, “If you travel east for about ten days, there’s a huge waterfall. People call it the Waterfall of Tears because the water falls in long, thin streams, like giant tears. And I’ve heard that when the sun shines on it, it sparkles like a thousand diamonds.”

Sejun’s eyes widened slightly, but he quickly recovered. “Oh, really?! A waterfall? Hmm,” he said, stroking his chin as if he’d been thinking the same thing all along. “Yes, a waterfall… of course! Detective Sherlock Sejun was already on that track! Let’s go there now.”

Theo bounced impatiently. “Hey, Morgan! Why aren’t you standing up?” he asked, staring at Morgan who was still sitting. “You said you’d guide us! Let’s go!”

Morgan blinked. “Guide you?” he repeated. He had meant guide them around the village, not on a ten-day trip! He felt a little trapped, but…

“Yes, follow me,” he eventually agreed.

A helpless daily life where he couldn’t do anything. For some reason, he felt like something interesting would happen if he followed them.

Theo pointed east. “Which way?” he asked Morgan.

“That way,” Morgan replied, pointing.

“Okay, Kkuengi, that way!” Theo shouted.

Kkuengi nodded. “[Got it!]”

A moment later, with a powerful *wham!*, Kkuengi launched into the sky, carrying them all. The wind rushed past their faces as they flew east, covering in minutes a distance that would take days on horseback. Soon, they heard a roaring sound.

“There!” Morgan pointed. Before them, a massive waterfall plunged down a cliff face.

“Wow,” Sejun breathed. “It really does look like tears.”

Sejun gazed at the waterfall, his eyes scanning every part of it. “Then the brightest tear… must be…” He squinted, then gasped. “Oh?! Is that it?”

Sunlight streamed through the falling water, and in one spot, the light seemed to gather and intensify, creating a blindingly bright point of light, like a single, perfect diamond shining against the dark rock.

“Found it!” Sejun exclaimed, pointing. “Kkuengi, over there!”

Sejun and his group arrived in front of the cave.

Sejun stepped closer to the cave entrance. Yes! He was sure of it. Cut into the rock face were rough, hand-carved stairs.

“This is it,” Sejun said, a thrill running through him. “The entrance to the treasure.”

“Let’s go!” Theo cheered. They started down the stairs, but soon, the path began to twist and turn. It went down, then up, then down again, a confusing maze of steps.

Sejun sighed. “What is this? This path is going nowhere!”

Just as he grumbled, Theo suddenly pointed. “Hey! Chairman Park, I feel something pulling me this way!” he exclaimed. “Like… magic!”

Kkuengi perked up. “[Kkuengi can help!]” he declared. With a mighty *wham!*, Kkuengi smashed through the rock wall in the direction Theo pointed, starting to dig a tunnel.

The path the god had made was meant to trick people, a long and winding trap. But Theo’s magical sense and Kkuengi’s strength turned it into a shortcut.

After moving for about 30 minutes along the tunnel made by Kkuengi,

Suddenly, the tunnel opened into a vast cavern. “Oh!” Sejun gasped. Before them lay a treasure warehouse, overflowing with gold coins, glittering jewels, and chests piled high. It was more treasure than he could have ever imagined!

“Hehe,” Sejun chuckled, his eyes wide. “Everyone, pack it up!”

Sejun and his group quickly started filling their magic bags with treasure. Even Morgan, caught up in the excitement, found himself helping to carry the heavy chests.

Seventeen hours later, Sejun stumbled out of the cave, blinking in the sunlight. “Huh? The sun is still up?” he mumbled, then realized, “Ah! A whole day has passed!” They had worked through the entire night, the sheer volume of treasure forcing them to keep going until every last coin and jewel was safely stored.

Sejun turned to Morgan, who looked just as tired. “Morgan, thank you so much for your help. You were amazing.”

He reached into his bag and pulled out a small gold ring. “Here, this is for you. It’s something I found here, and I think it will be useful.”

Sejun and his group, their bags heavy with treasure, set off towards the dimensional gate, the magical doorway that would take them home.

But

“This is?!”

Morgan stared at the gold ring. It was heavy in his hand, and it was more than just a pretty piece of metal. On top of the ring was a powerful image: a two-headed eagle with wings spread wide. This was not just any symbol.

“Why is the Emperor’s seal of the Ulton Empire here?” Morgan thought, his heart racing.

Because the two-headed eagle was the Emperor’s symbol. This ring, the one Sejun had given him, was the Emperor’s seal. It was said to be lost long ago by an ancestor of Morgan.

Morgan’s full name was Morgan Dvana Ulton. He was from the Ulton Imperial Family, one of seven children. Being the youngest was not lucky for him. He lost his mother and his followers in fights for power with his older brothers and sisters. They were already strong and had many supporters. Morgan was sent away, exiled from his home.

Every day was filled with pain. He felt weak and unable to get revenge.

“Is this fate?” Morgan whispered, holding the Emperor’s seal ring tightly. “Is this a sign that I must avenge my mother and my people?”

Morgan sank into deep thought, the weight of the ring heavy with meaning.

Hours passed as Morgan considered the ring. He looked west, in the direction of his lost home. But then, his gaze turned east. East, towards the capital city of the Empire.

The Emperor’s seal ring of the Ulton Empire had reappeared after a thousand years. This was an event of huge importance. Like the start of a great storm, big changes were coming.

“We’re back,” Sejun announced as he and his friends stepped out of the dimensional gate and into the Black Tower.

“Puhuhut, Chairman Park!” Theo asked, tilting his head. “Why did you give that ring to Morgan just now, nyaang?”

“Ah, that…” Sejun started, scratching his cheek. “It’s because the ring and Morgan are connected.”

“Nyaang? Connected?” Theo blinked.

“Yes,” Sejun said, and he began to explain everything that had happened with the ring and Morgan.

Sejun explained that he didn’t want to send Morgan away with nothing after all his hard work.

*’Should I give him one box of treasure?’* Sejun thought. *’No, maybe that’s not enough. But I need to keep the treasure a secret… maybe two boxes then?’* He was trying to decide how much to give.

Just then, a gold ring on the table caught his eye.

Suddenly, words appeared in Sejun’s mind: **[[Title: One Who Has Long Peered into the Beginning] has identified the essence of the ring.]**

The ring’s information popped up in front of him:

**[Ulton Empire Emperor’s Seal Ring]**
*This ring was made from the blood and gold of a Gold Dragon. Zakan Dvana Ulton, the first Emperor of the Ulton Empire, got these materials when he traveled to another world.*
*Emperor Zakan Dvana Ulton made this ring the official Emperor’s Seal of the Ulton Empire.*
*Any document stamped with this ring is considered an official order from the Emperor.*
*To use this ring, you must be from the Ulton Imperial Family or be recognized by the ring itself.*
*Rank: ★*
*Skills: [Lightning Breath (Master)], [Electrocution Resistance (Master)], [Nerve Acceleration (Master)], [Shield Lv. 7], [Cure Lv. 5]…*

Sejun was amazed. *How many skills are hidden in this ring?* He counted. *There aren’t many amazing skills, but there are more than twenty in total.*

As Sejun stared at the ring’s details, more words appeared: **[[Title: One Who Has Long Peered into the Beginning] has found the owner connected to the [Ulton Empire Emperor’s Seal Ring].]**

Sejun then saw a shining golden thread linking the ring to Morgan in his mind.

“That’s why I gave it to Morgan,” Sejun finished explaining.

“Puhuhut! Amazing, Chairman Park, nyaang!” Theo exclaimed. “You can even see who owns an item, nyaang!”

“Heh heh,” Sejun chuckled. “It was nothing, really.”

But inside, he felt proud. He could feel a smile spreading on his face.

*Wait, control yourself, Sejun!* he thought. He quickly tried to hide his smug look.

“Nyaang? But Chairman Park,” Theo continued, “if Morgan is the owner of the Emperor’s Seal Ring, does that mean he’s royalty, nyaang? Like, from a rich family?”

“Exactly!” Sejun said, puffing out his chest a little. “He’s what people call ‘born with a silver spoon’ – meaning he’s very wealthy and privileged from birth. So, maybe he doesn’t need my treasure boxes as much.” Sejun himself had grown up poor, and a tiny bit of jealousy flickered inside him, but he pushed it down. He didn’t want to seem mean-spirited.

“Morgan is from a rich family, nyaang?!” Theo’s eyes widened. “Wow, Chairman Park! You are so smart, nyaang! Your detective skills are amazing!”

“Hehehe,” Sejun couldn’t help it. He grinned. “Call me Detective Sejun!”

“Nyaang! Oh no, a smug aura is coming from Chairman Park, nyaang! Attack him, nyaang!” Theo cried.

“Gukk!” Sejun yelped as his friends playfully started to stomp on his face.

Kkueng! Kking!

As Sejun was being playfully humbled by his friends, a furious voice echoed in his mind:

**-Why isn’t he here yet?!**

It was the Fallen. He had been waiting all night for Sejun and was now very angry.

That night, Sejun, Theo and his partner, and the Black Cats gathered in Black Cat’s mental world again. It was a strange, shadowy place, but comfortable for them.

Sejun looked at Mini Chairman Park No. 4, who was now about the size of his fist. “Oh, look! You’re not ‘super mini’ anymore. Now you’re just ‘mini’!” Sejun said, pretending to be surprised.

Mini Chairman Park No. 4 seemed very happy. He wiggled his little shoulders and bounced up and down.

He nudged his head against Sejun’s hand, wanting to be petted, just like before.

*Stroke. Stroke.* Sejun gently stroked Mini Chairman Park No. 4’s head.

“Everyone,” Sejun said to the Black Cats, “eat this sweet potato snack and let’s all be friends with Black Cat and the others again.” He offered them the treats, hoping to calm their spirits.

Just then, with a *grumble* sound, the Fallen suddenly appeared.

**-Why are you so late?!** he snapped. **And why didn’t you come last night?!**

The Fallen glared at Sejun, trying to look angry, but he also had a slightly childish, almost cute expression on his face – an expression he had clearly practiced to try and influence Sejun.

“I couldn’t come yesterday, I was busy,” Sejun said with a chuckle. “But you waited for me? You little rascal! That’s actually kind of sweet.” Sejun teased the Fallen, a playful smile on his face.

**-What?! N-No!** the Fallen stammered, his voice rising in panic. **I didn’t wait for you! Why would I ever wait for you?!**

“Okay, okay, if you didn’t wait, you didn’t,” Sejun said, pretending to look hurt. “Why are you getting so upset then?”

**-No, I’m not upset!** the Fallen mumbled, his voice becoming quieter.

Sejun changed the subject quickly. “Anyway,” he said, “why haven’t you sent me any ogres or those giant turtles lately? I need to do quests! Can you send them again?”

**-Hmph!** The Fallen scoffed. **Why should I do anything for you?** He crossed his arms, trying to look tough.

**-Hehehe,** he then said in a low, menacing voice. **I am not here to grant your wishes. I am the Fallen, and I am here to make you suffer! To fill you with despair!** He tried to sound very scary.

“Theo, now!” Sejun called out.

“Understood, nyaang!” Theo replied instantly. He jumped onto Sejun’s head, clinging to his hair, and placed his two little paws on Sejun’s temples.

*Flash!* Theo used his special power, the “Theo Beam,” which was powered by burning money, sending a surge of energy into Sejun.

*Fwoosh.*

**-Hehehe…** The Fallen chuckled weakly as the Theo Beam hit him. Then, he vanished.

*Good,* Sejun thought. *That worked as planned.*

The Fallen hadn’t realized that Sejun had seen through his act. The Fallen was secretly going to agree to send the monsters anyway, even though he pretended to refuse.

A short time later, *Crack!* The Black Moon in the sky began to split open.

And from the darkness, the Fallen’s voice echoed, “Hehehe! Go forth! Go and cause chaos in the world!”

Ogres and giant turtles poured out of the Black Moon.

“Well,” the Fallen said, trying to sound casual, “it just so happens that what I wanted to do and what you asked for were the same thing. Completely by chance, of course.”

But if you looked closely, you could see the corners of the Fallen’s mouth twitching upwards in a tiny smile. He was secretly pleased.