NOVEL FROG Chapter 78
The name of the Vending Machine Monster is “Japa.”
It’s a name chosen loosely for ease of calling.
Luckily, Japa recognized me as its parent, and thanks to that, the taming process went very smoothly.
After finishing the taming…
And completing the Monster Index…
Neo Hyeong-seok suddenly approached me and muttered.
Having its own ego and retaining Min Hyeong-seok’s memories, it seemed very curious about the labyrinth monsters.
Neo Hyeong-seok, shoulders drooped under the command of the Necro Puppetmaster, stepped back.
I said it was fine and called Neo Hyeong-seok back.
He’s not the real Min Hyeong-seok, so there’s no reason to dislike him anymore.
Taking a glance at me, Neo Hyeong-seok approached again and stared at Japa.
Neo Hyeong-seok stroked his chin.
After a moment of gathering his thoughts, he continued.
【Mysticism】─
“Born from the influence, you say? What exactly do you mean by that?”
Neo Hyeong-seok continued his explanation.
To summarize it briefly…
Ancient labyrinths analyze the home world of explorers when creating new monsters.
“Imagination?”
This was information even the Centauress didn’t know.
Looks like Min Hyeong-seok has been quite serious about the exploration.
Uncovering such special information.
“…Anyway, so Japa there was born based on the vending machines of Earth?”
Until now, I thought it was just a similarly shaped drink.
But upon closer inspection, the brand name ‘Coke’ was actually written on the bottle label.
Looks like it really is a monster born from the influence of Earth.
Listening to Neo Hyeong-seok’s story raised a word I’d heard before, “Labyrinth Development Fund.”
A lump of desire taken under the name of fees, coins.
They’d said those are used for the Labyrinth Development Fund, which left me puzzled about what it was actually used for.
But now I could vaguely guess.
‘Is this what the Labyrinth Development Fund is used for…?’
To expand this Ancient Labyrinth world further.
And to create new monsters too.
Something like that, I supposed.
Also, the coins I used to purchase tickets would similarly be used.
‘Then it seems more likely that the influence behind that monster’s birth comes more from me than Min Hyeong-seok.’
A ruler doesn’t use coins.
There are no assistants to send coins to, nor does it differ from my capabilities altogether.
Even if it was made by analyzing Min Hyeong-seok.
The reason it could be born like that was surely thanks to the coins I used.
“It feels more affectionate knowing it was born from the influence of Earth.”
I said that while stroking Japa’s body.
Then Japa started to shiver and let out a moan.
It seemed like a sound of pleasure.
After jotting down the new information…
I called for Japa to confirm its abilities.
Surely, just spitting out drinks couldn’t be its entire ability.
After all, it’s an S-Class monster.
*
The basic drinks it offers…
Well, it’s more accurate to say they are drinks displayed rather than sold.
I thought I had to insert coins to get drinks, but they were provided for free.
Anyway, the basic drinks include…
Cola, soda, canned coffee, water, etc.
Things you’d commonly find in a vending machine on Earth.
And they were just ordinary drinks.
So I first pulled out a large amount of Cola and shared it with the monsters.
As Alice said…
Just being able to create drinks without any conditions is already a cheat ability.
The ability to generate liquid infinitely.
If that’s not a cheat, what is?
If just one of this creature was supplied to a certain world.
It would become a world where the concern for drinking water doesn’t exist.
After that, I checked Japa’s abilities a bit more.
Wondering if there was any other ability.
And to meet my expectations…
Japa did have another ability besides just pulling out drinks from the shelf.
That ability was to infinitely generate anything it had eaten.
Even substances that aren’t perfect liquids.
As long as it’s a substance close to a liquid.
Japa consumed the magma from the Black Magma Slime.
Then it effortlessly began to use magma abilities.
Just being able to handle magma meant…
It guaranteed at least some level of combat ability.
After all, it’s not just some S-Class monster.
Oh, and its body is super tough.
It barely flinches even under normal attacks.
Although it couldn’t withstand the attacks of the SS-Class monsters and needed healing from the Medical Mushroom, it boasted solid and strong defenses against attacks from other S-Class monsters.
If I had to pick a downside…
It wouldn’t be able to move on its own.
Even when bringing it to the hideout, I had to carry it.
“…That looks like an expensive item.”
“Then that’s fine. No need to send it. It can just be assigned to the headquarters team instead of the exploration team.”
If the levitation stone had been cheap, I would have gladly accepted it.
But since Rize acknowledged it as a high-priced item, I declined.
It would be nice if it had a movement ability, but even without it, it wouldn’t pose much of a problem.
With the money that could have been used to buy that levitation stone, it would be far more beneficial if they supported me with coins instead.
Neo Hyeong-seok cautiously interjected.
Though the assistants couldn’t see the chat, it seemed he surmised the ongoing dialogue from what I was saying.
“No, I’m not exactly dissatisfied. Why?”
“Hmm? How do we modify it?”
A mechanical-type monster with body modification abilities…
Just one of those would be nice to have!
“Do you know where it is?”
“Not now, maybe later.”
I wasn’t thinking of exploring that place right now.
Since it was a bit far from here.
I’ll need to plan it out properly and send a new team.
For now, I’m just planning to enjoy a drink festival with the drinks Japa offers.
By the way, there was beer too, but I didn’t drink it now.
Drinking on an empty stomach is…
*
Day 41 of the labyrinth.
After finishing breakfast with a can of beer.
I used the ticket I bought from the vending machine earlier, the “Wandering Merchant Tracking Ticket.”
Unfortunately, it didn’t show the wandering merchant’s location like a navigation system with a map.
“Please move forward.”
It was a voice-only guidance.