Healing in the Country Side with a Baby Dragon - CHAPTER 22 (Debut)

Hanseong Guild Rookie Entrance Examination Center

Inside the testing center, the rookies were taking a short break after barely surviving a grueling, heavy solo-combat stage.

“Alright, everyone, let’s all take our antidotes and get moving before the next fight.” the supervising manager announced, stepping into the room holding a crate.

The hunters' faces immediately contorted in disgust at the mere mention of the word 'antidote'. It was common practice to drink detox potions brewed by alchemists, but because those were crafted with a strict focus on utility, the taste was consistently horrific. Some tasted like slimy seaweed; others tasted like industrial soap dissolved in water. And those were the tolerable ones. A few variants boasted fragrances and odors so foul they were practically indescribable. It often felt like drinking literal poison just to force out a different poison, so it was no wonder the rookies looked miserable.

But recently, a shift had occurred. A few hunters had started bringing vibrant, golden cherry tomatoes into the dungeons. Once others witnessed the flawless detoxification effects, word of mouth spread like wildfire, turning it into an absolute trend. After all, they were highly effective 'and' tasted incredible.

“Wow, are these actually A-grade Golden Bell Tomatoes?”

“Oh my god!”

The manager had actually packed those rare, hard-to-find golden bell tomatoes into individual lunch boxes for every single person. And he was handing them out during a rookie entrance exam, no less! As expected of the mega-guilds—their scale and resources were on an entirely different level.

“Our Managing Director specially secured and prepared these for you, anticipating your peak performance.” the manager boomed, capitalizing on the moment. 

“You wouldn’t find this kind of treatment anywhere outside the Hanseong Guild! Hahahaha!”

He wasn't exaggerating. Lately, the ability to secure Golden Bell Tomatoes had become such a massive status symbol among top-tier hunters that people joked a guild's true capability was measured strictly by its tomato supply. Even these rookies—who were used to being pampered wherever they went—were tasting them for the very first time.

“It honestly looks like a regular tomato to me.” one of the rising S-class rookies muttered, staring down at the golden fruit with a deeply skeptical look.

“Just try it. You’ll be amazed.” the manager replied, a confident smile spreading across his face.

‘If this tastes awful, I’m definitely jumping ship to the SG Group.’ the rookie thought to himself.

The moment he placed the golden bell tomato into his mouth and bit down, his jaw froze. His eyes went wide. For a few seconds, he just moved his chin absentmindedly, completely stunned by the explosion of sweet, crisp flavor.

Then, he yelled, “Hanseong Guild... is the absolute best!”

He decided right then and there that he would bury his bones in the Hanseong Guild, gladly signing his life away if it meant eating these tomatoes instead of those garbage alchemist potions.

In the heart of Seoul, amidst a sea of towering skyscrapers, one building stood out for its exceptionally extravagant and modern architecture. A massive, sleek sign near the top read: 'Hanseong'. This was the headquarters of the Hanseong Guild, one of Korea’s top five organizations and a world-renowned powerhouse.

High up in an executive office boasting a stunning, panoramic view of the Seoul skyline, a phone rang.

“Director, all of the high-ranking rookies have officially signed their contracts with the guild.”

Hearing the report, the cold-looking beauty holding the phone let a small smile tug at the corner of her mouth. This was Han Ga-ram, the master of the Hanseong Guild and a legendary S-class hunter. Recently appointed as Executive Director, she had been consistently driving the guild to historic achievements.

But behind the massive momentum of her recent success lay a very singular, secret motivation: ‘I need to secure more golden bell tomatoes.’

Her office was styled with a minimalist aesthetic that bordered on bleak. Sitting down at her desk, she carefully opened a hidden drawer beneath the surface. Inside the secret compartment lay a small lunch box adorned with a remarkably cute, pastel-pink character—a stark, secret contrast to her fiercely professional exterior.

When she opened the lid, a handful of golden bell tomatoes were revealed. These were the precious few she had saved for herself, having distributed the rest to the rookies with literal tears in her eyes. It had been a painful sacrifice, but necessary to lock down the talent worth catching.

With a few quick clicks of her mouse, she pulled up her favorite website.

[Welcome to the Happiness Growing Farm]

This was Jun-sol online storefront.

Visiting this site had become Ga-ram's ultimate daily ritual: enjoying the visual updates of the incredibly cute baby girl, Baek Seol-ah, while savoring her golden bell tomatoes.

“So cute...” she murmured softly.

Despite her icy, unapproachable public image, she had an absolute weakness for adorable things. Watching Seol-ah’s daily antics on the farm blog was her ultimate source of healing. She eagerly refreshed the page, wondering if any new photos had been uploaded today.

The moment the page attempted to reload, her eyes widened in shock.

[Error: Unable to connect to the site.]

Staring at the blank screen, the poised, dignified successor of the Hanseong Guild completely lost her composure.

“Nooooooooooo!” she wailed to the empty room. 

“Give me my cute pictures of Seol-ah!”

It was an unprecedented outburst for someone who had maintained absolute perfection from the moment she entered the public eye, but the sudden loss of her only emotional sanctuary was a devastating blow.

“Director? Is everything alright in there?” her secretary’s panicked voice echoed from outside, followed by the shifting weight of the security guards.

Ga-ram snapped into action. She swiftly concealed the pink lunch box, smoothed down her suit, took a deep, stabilizing breath, and cleared her throat.

“You may enter.”

The employees stepped inside, their postures stiff with tension. Ga-ram rarely expressed emotion, to the point where rumors claimed she was entirely robotic. Seeing her face looking uncharacteristically pale sent a wave of anxiety through the staff.

The gravity of the situation was revealed the moment she spoke.

“Track down the exact physical location of the 'Happiness Growing Farm'. Immediately.” Ga-ram commanded with absolute solemnity. 

“This is a critical matter that will determine the very fate of our guild.”

She had to frame it as a strategic guild operation, of course. But deep down, it was entirely for her own dedicated fandom.

I had come to a realization rather recently: just because you suddenly have workers under your roof doesn't mean everything becomes easier.

Case in point: a fully armored knight was currently wandering aimlessly around my yard.

It had been a few days since Oh-sik joined our household, and managing him was proving to be trickier than I thought. He was desperate to be useful, but there was literally nothing for him to do. The earth fairies handled the entire garden flawlessly, and I took care of all the cooking. Aside from meal times, my schedule consisted almost entirely of playing with the baby dragon, Baek Seol-ah, and our three puppies. If this kept up, I was just going to end up with an unemployed knight freeloading on my property.

As I was worrying over the situation, Chief Ham Bong-seok walked into the yard.

“Jin-sol, are you home?”

Perfect timing. I had been meaning to properly introduce Oh-sik to the rest of the neighborhood anyway. Ever since we stopped by So-yoon's house the other day, I knew the village rumor mill was bound to start spinning.

The village chief froze the moment he spotted the towering, silver-armored knight standing in the grass. But his shock lasted only a second.

“Ah, so that’s the lad?” he muttered, shaking his head. 

“He must have taken a terrible blow to the head.”

It seemed word had already traveled from So-yoon’s parents. Aside from a look of profound pity, the chief didn't show any negative reaction at all.

“Yes, Chief. I was actually hoping to introduce him to the neighbors. What’s the best way to go about it?” I asked.

“An introduction?”

“Yeah, given how unique his appearance is, I figured it’d be best to get everyone acquainted with his face early on.”

The chief tapped his chin, pondering the matter for a moment before clapping his hands together.

 “I’ve got just the thing. I was actually on my way here to ask for your help. We’re heading out to plow Grandma Kim’s field today.”

He quickly explained the situation. Because our rural village was sparsely populated, the residents always pitched in whenever a massive chore popped up. Grandma Kim’s land was nestled right against the winding mountain terrain, making it incredibly labor-intensive.

“So, are you free to come along?”

“Of course, I’ll head over right now.” I replied, recognizing the perfect opportunity. 

With most of the neighborhood elders gathered in one spot, it was the ideal venue to introduce Oh-sik.

My only concern was leaving Seol-ah and the puppies behind, or worse, having them cause a distraction at the field.

“There’s a nice rest area with a table right by the field.” Chief Ham added, subtly clearing his throat. 

“If you want to bring Seol-ah and the pups along, feel free.”

He tried to act casual, but his eyes kept darting toward the doorway, giving his true motives away. The very first thing he had looked for upon entering the yard was Seol-ah. Even though he wouldn't admit it, it was glaringly obvious that he adored her.

“Seol-ah, do you want to come with Daddy?” I asked.

“Bam!” Seol-ah cheered, throwing her tiny arms wide open, ready to move.

The puppies started wagging their tails enthusiastically, yapping to join the adventure. I placed the pups safely into a sturdy carrier box, and we set off. Oh-sik carefully carried the box, staring intently through his visor at the puppies, who were happily watching the scenery roll by.

Though I couldn't see his face beneath the helmet, his gentle, affectionate whisper gave his emotions away.

“Is the world outside so fascinating to you little ones? I, too, find it quite strange.”

“The path ahead is straight. Once you grow a bit larger, you shall run along it freely.”

“But not yet. It is still far too dangerous.”

When we arrived at the field, Grandma Kim and a handful of townspeople warmly called out to us.

“Oh my, Jin-sol is here!”

“Welcome, young man! It’s wonderful to see you.”

They were thrilled to have a strong young man helping out with such backbreaking labor. But a moment later, the elders noticed the massive, silver-armored figure looming right behind me. The entire group went dead silent, staring with wide, distinctly anxious eyes. Honestly, anyone would be alarmed if a stranger in full plate armor suddenly marched into a peaceful farming village.

Sensing their hesitation, I gave Oh-sik a reassuring nod.

Taking the cue, Oh-sik unlatched and removed his helmet as we had practiced. He bowed deeply and respectfully, revealing his handsome features, striking blonde hair, and brilliant blue eyes.

“Greetings, elders. My name is Oh-sik.” he spoke with immaculate, polite Korean.

“Oh, your name is Oh-sik?” 

Grandma Kim repeated, her tense posture melting instantly at the sound of a familiar, distinctly old-school Korean name.

“Yes, ma'am. Please feel free to call me Oh-sik.”

Seeing his bright, respectful smile and hearing his flawless etiquette, the elders completely dropped their guard.

“How on earth did a young man like you end up out here in the countryside?” one of them asked.

“I traveled to Korea to follow my lord—ah, that is to say, my friend Jin-sol.”

“My word, how is your Korean so perfect?”

“I have held a profound admiration for Korea for a very long time, so I dedicated myself to studying the language intensely." Oh-sik replied smoothly.

It was the exact cover story we had agreed upon. To be completely honest, I didn’t fully understand how we could communicate so flawlessly either. The dwarf artisan from before and Oh-sik were unmistakably from another world, yet they spoke perfect Korean. My best guess was that Seol-ah’s dragon magic was passively translating everything in the background. But there was absolutely no reason to explain that to the neighbors.

“Hehehe, is that so? You were interested in our country?” Grandma Kim beamed.

“Yes, ma'am. I wish to learn much more about Korea while supporting Jin-sol.”

“My, you are exceptionally well-mannered!”

“Thank you. It is a genuine honor to meet the respected elders of this village.”

“Have you had a chance to try any of our food yet?” another elder chimed in.

“Yes! The Korean beef radish soup is absolutely magnificent.” Oh-sik exclaimed, his eyes lighting up. 

“It is the finest dish I have ever encountered. Truly, no soup from my homeland can even compare to its incredible flavor.”

A strikingly handsome, blonde, blue-eyed foreigner coming all the way to a remote rural village out of pure love for Korea, speaking the language like a native, and declaring traditional beef soup as his favorite food? It was the ultimate combination. The elders' defenses were thoroughly obliterated.

Oh-sik wasn't finished, though.

“I believe I could easily consume ten bowls of that beef soup a day.” he added, his voice ringing with absolute, unyielding sincerity.

I caught the earnest, pleading look he shot me out of the corner of his eye. 

'Alright, man, I get it. I'll make you beef soup tonight.'

With the introductions out of the way, the chief stepped forward. 

“Alright, now that we’re all acquainted, let’s get to work!”

The plowing commenced. Chief Ham and Kim Sang-do took turns operating the motorized cultivator, driving it down the length of the field. Meanwhile, the rest of us—myself included—wielded pitchforks to manually turn over the tight corners and edges the machine couldn't reach. The elders followed behind, clearing out gravel, stray roots, and rocks.

But before we could make significant headway, a sharp metallic clatter echoed across the field.

“Oh dear. The cultivator's completely choked up.” Sang-do sighed, wiping his brow. The machine had broken down entirely.

“Should I run back and grab the spare parts?” Chief Ham asked.

“While you’re at it, Chief, why don't you swing by my place and grab some fresh water and snacks for everyone?” Grandma Kim suggested.

With the chief heading back to fetch a replacement machine, the entire operation ground to a sudden halt. The elders sat down along the ridge, shaking their heads.

“This is exactly why old-fashioned oxen are superior.” one of them muttered, lighting a pipe. 

“Animals don't snap their gears. They're honest, reliable, and even if they're a bit slow, a solid ox is always best for the earth.”

“Well, go ahead and bring an ox from your barn then, old man.” Sang-do joked, pointing across the field. 

“The old wooden ox-plow is still sitting right over there by the shed.”

“Are you kidding? By the time I walk home, hitch the ox, and walk back, the sun will have already set!”

As the elders bantered back and forth, Oh-sik suddenly stepped forward, raising his hand confidently.

“Allow me to handle it.”

I blinked. Handle what? Plowing the field manually?

“Oh-sik, it takes far too long to turn this soil with just a pitchfork.” Sang-do said gently, trying to dissuade him. 

“Just rest a bit until the chief gets back.”

Oh-sik shook his head firmly. 

“No, I do not mean the pitchfork. I mean that one.”

He pointed a gauntleted finger directly toward the massive, heavy wooden ox-plow resting against the shed.

The entire field fell dead silent at the sheer absurdity of the gesture.

“How can a human possibly pull a plow meant for a literal ox?”

“Hey, young man, you’ll throw your back out trying a stunt like that. Just sit tight.”

“Ah, to be young and full of reckless energy. I miss those days.” one of the elders chuckled, assuming it was a joke.

But Oh-sik was completely serious.

“I am entirely capable of performing this task.” he declared, standing tall. 

“Because I am a knight.”

There was such an intense, radiating confidence in his posture that everyone was left temporarily speechless, entirely entranced by his presence. Personally, I had no idea what medieval knighthood had to do with agricultural labor, but Oh-sik marched right over to the shed and hoisted the heavy wooden ox-plow onto his shoulders.

He walked out into the dirt, began wrapping the heavy leather pull-harness securely around his own chest, and thrust the wooden steering handles back toward me.

“Please, my lord. Take the reins.”

'Are you serious right now? You're a human being, not livestock!'

Before I could even process the ridiculousness of the situation, the handles were forced into my grip.

“Drive the plow deep into the dirt and brace your weight against it!” Sang-do shouted from the sidelines, entirely caught up in the madness of the moment.

Following his instructions, I tilted the iron blade down, jamming it firmly into the soil, and stepped onto the frame.

In front of me, the knight in shining armor crouched low, digging his boots into the earth like a sprinter at the starting blocks. A low, heavy breath escaped his chest, accompanied by a faint, radiating heat from his physical exertion.

“Awaiting your command to charge, my lord.” he spoke, his voice brimming with the grim determination of a warrior about to breach an enemy fortress.

“Uh... start—”

Before the word could even fully leave my mouth, Oh-sik exploded forward.

*Fuhuahahak!*

He charged ahead at an absolutely terrifying speed.

“Ahhhhhh!”

My scream was instantly swallowed by a loud explosion of tearing earth as a massive wall of dirt and sod blasted into the sky behind us.