It was a peaceful Friday afternoon, and also a rare day off for Do-Jun. After enjoying a nice lunch with the kids, he sat down in a chair by the dining table and read the newspaper alone.
The news was uneventful, covering topics like Behemoth starting its exploration of the Core’s fourth floor, the upcoming college entrance exam season, socio-economic issues, or political commentary—nothing out of the ordinary. Still, he never skipped reading the newspaper. It was because of his habit of regularly reading books and newspapers that he had adapted so quickly to life on Earth.
From time to time, Byeol wrote down her tasks in a small notebook under the title Byeol’s Too-Doo List. It was what one might call a plan, although it was never anything grand. It included simple tasks like eating meals, going out to play, or occasionally completing the dictation assignments given by Karsiel. Today’s plan, however, seemed a little different: Go to gobulin store.
She meant the Treasure Goblin Company.
Lying sprawled on the floor, Byeol meticulously crafted her plan before standing up to show it to Do-Jun. Despite her efforts to write neatly, the crooked handwriting brought an involuntary smile to Do-Jun’s face. Byeol loved visiting the Treasure Goblin Company, finding the things there endlessly fascinating. It seemed today was one of those days.
“Are you going to the goblin store?” Do-Jun asked after reading her list.
“Yeah! Gobwin told me to come.”
“Gobwin said he has something good ready.”
Something good? Do-Jun pondered briefly. The Treasure Goblins liked Byeol, so she likely wouldn’t run into trouble. Still, he reminded her not to come home too late and helped straighten her outfit before sending her on her way.
The Treasure Goblin Company was a market accessible to adventurers who had reached at least the fourth floor of the Core. While adventurers above the fourth floor could also enter, they needed a special pass issued by the Treasure Goblins, which was notoriously difficult to obtain, making the shop almost exclusive for those who had ventured deep enough into the Core.
Byeol, however, had unlimited access thanks to her golden, Maxim-signed VIP pass—an item Do-Jun had once possessed. Maxim, a high-ranking goblin at the company, had issued the pass, especially for her. A critical perk of the VIP pass was unlimited access to the store’s food options.
Byeol’s first stop was a shop called Utumba, specializing in exotic fruits sourced from the Core. Some fruits were similar to those found on Earth, while others were completely unfamiliar.
“Hello!” she greeted the shopkeeper.
“K-kerk! The Whale is here!”
The goblins called Byeol “the Whale.” Since she first visited and made Choco Pie famous, the nickname stuck. Choco Pie, which was initially worth seventy red mastery stones, had skyrocketed in value to over fifty of the most expensive purple mastery stones.
The goblin shopkeeper greeted Byeol with enthusiasm. “Kerk! Today’s fruits are so fresh! Here’s a giant banana—it’s in season!”
He handed her a banana as large as her face.
“I can eat this?” Byeol asked.
“O-of course! Kerk! You can eat anything here. Kerk! For you—the Whale, Maxim’s guest, and a VIP pass holder—everything’s on the house!”
Byeol licked the banana before taking a big bite. Unlike Earth’s bananas, it was slightly dry, salty, but sweet. Recognizing the familiar flavor of the giant bananas she had occasionally eaten on the Core’s first floor, she smiled brightly.
The goblin then hesitantly approached her, nervously scratching his head. “I-I want to try the Choco Pie. Kerk. I’m curious about the taste.”
“You want Choco Pie?”
“Okay, you gave me food, so I’ll give you food, too. Here.” Byeol handed over a Choco Pie.
The goblin’s eyes welled up with tears as he took it. “This... this is the legendary Choco Pie! Kerk!”
He tore it open and licked it. The chocolate coating melted on his tongue, introducing a sweetness he had never experienced. Tears streamed down his face as he exclaimed, “It’s delicious! Kerk! So delicious!”
The other goblin shopkeepers watched in envy. Soon, they brought out their finest foods.
“Try this too! Kerk!”
“No, no! Forget his stuff! Try my grilled Karkelus! It’s the best!”
Byeol looked bewildered at the sudden rush of attention.
Meanwhile, Maxim, a senior figure at the Treasure Goblin Company, received a report from his staff. The Whale from Earth had arrived. He had been reviewing documents in his office but shot to his feet.
“By any chance, is the adventurer Do-Jun with her?”
“No, sir. She came alone.”
“S-sir, what about the VVIP lounge?” his staff asked.
The VVIP lounge, built especially for Byeol, had been under construction for a month and was finished just days ago. Maxim hurriedly grabbed his coat, even though it wouldn’t button over his protruding belly. Still, he was determined to properly welcome her.
Byeol sat on a bench with a hand on her stomach, which bulged slightly from eating all the food she was served. The goblins had been bringing her endless dishes, and she had happily accepted everything with a smile. Could there be a better paradise than this?
Just then, she noticed three goblins racing toward her at full speed. Without a word, they lifted her into the air and declared, “We’re taking you to the VVIP looooounge!”
Carrying her, the goblins sprinted off.
“Wooaaaah!” Byeol’s hair fluttered wildly in the wind.
VVIP Exclusive Hall—this place was created solely for Byeol and Byeol alone.
The specially crafted steel security door slammed shut. Byeol blinked, looking around in the pitch-black darkness. Suddenly, a spotlight shone on her.
“What... what’s going on?” she wondered aloud.
[Welcome, Miss Byeol!]
A melodious voice, as smooth as pearls rolling, echoed like an announcer’s introduction. Then, as the spotlight disappeared, the previously dark space lit up brightly. The interior gleamed with luxurious marble flooring and dazzling decorations.
“Welcome! I am Maxim, the owner of this VVIP Exclusive Hall.” A pot-bellied goblin approached, kneeling respectfully before Byeol.
She stood there, her face showing confusion about what was happening. Maxim grinned and pulled back the red curtain hiding the goods.
“I apologize if the method that our staff used to bring you here was a bit... rough. Please understand it was all done with good intentions.”
Byeol’s eyes widened as the curtain revealed a collection perfectly tailored to her tastes—animal-themed wallets! Bears, lions, rabbits, chicks, puppies, cats—every adorable wallet imaginable was gathered here.
“A-am I dreaming?” Byeol muttered and pinched her cheek. “Is this heaven?”
“Haha! I’m glad you like it.”
Byeol waddled over and picked up a wallet with a bear design. The size fit perfectly in her hand, and the soft, fluffy texture felt wonderful. The price tags on the display caught her attention.
1 Choco Pie or 50 purple mastery stones
The price for everything was just one Choco Pie!
Wei Zhongqi occasionally visited Treasure Goblin Company. As a VIP customer, he was there to get a new sword after his previous one broke during a battle with a Headless Knight. Currently, he owned three hundred purple mastery stones. Considering that ten was enough to make someone a VIP at Treasure Goblin Company, three hundred was quite a fortune.
As usual, his arrival was announced to everyone at the Treasure Goblin Company.
[The Jade-Faced Noble Has Arrived!]
[Everyone, show your respect!]
As Wei Zhongqi descended from his carriage, goblins and adventurers bowed their heads in deference. Initially, it felt overwhelming, but by now, he had grown accustomed to it.
He headed toward the VIP Exclusive Hall, but was surprised to see a new building labeled “VVIP Exclusive Hall” next to the VIP Hall. It hadn’t been there just a few months ago. Curious, Wei Zhongqi walked over to the building, where two goblins guarded the entrance.
“What is this place?” he asked the goblins.
“Ah! Hello, sir! This is the brand-new VVIP Exclusive Hall.”
“VVIP? What’s inside?”
“Well... I doubt you’ll find the artifact you’re looking for here. Oh, by the way, we’ve stocked the VIP Hall with new items. I’m sure you’ll be satisfied.”
He looked at the grand building known as the VVIP Hall. With a faint release of qi, he could sense multiple layers of security. The structure’s strength was also far superior to the VIP Hall.
From a distance, Maxim approached.
“Maxim,” Wei Zhongqi called out.
“What is this building?” Wei Zhongqi pointed at the hall.
“Ah! This is an exclusive facility for the Whale!”
Wei Zhongqi wondered who could qualify as a “Whale,” since it seemed he didn’t qualify for the VVIP status. Maybe one of the Transcendents, like Imfelheim or Murmu? But they rarely visited the Treasure Goblin Company.
“They just left after shopping,” Maxim explained.
Tonight’s dinner menu included fried rice and beef soup. The fried rice was simple, with shrimp, ham, carrots, and onions sautéed in chili oil. Byeol hovered around Yoon-Hee, drawn by the aroma of the cooking. Yoon-Hee smiled warmly, finding Byeol’s antics endearing.
The bathroom door creaked open as Do-Jun emerged, towel-drying his wet hair. Sitting on the sofa to finish drying, his gaze fell on the Treasure Goblin Company pass and the bear-shaped wallet neatly resting on the table.
A catalog lay next to the wallet, seemingly issued by the Treasure Goblin Company. Flipping through it, Do-Jun saw pages filled with wallets featuring animal designs, along with their price tag of fifty purple mastery stones or one Choco Pie. It also stated that these items were exclusive to the VVIP Exclusive Hall.
For some reason, as Choco Pie’s value continued to rise, Do-Jun found himself at a loss for words.