I Became a God in the Refrigerator

38. Gathering of Mice and Slowpokes

“Potato?”

Upon seeing the contents, he, too, involuntarily opened his mouth.

Potato! Could it really be potatoes?

He never expected such a product to suddenly appear out of the blue.

[From time to time, new products hidden along with new situations are updated for the race gods.]

If what the system said was true, it seemed that way.

It must have meant it was a so-called hidden product.

Normally unavailable for purchase.

Therefore, he immediately checked the store.

Beginner’s Store

(New additional products have been updated!)

▷One Potato: 100pt

▷One sack of potatoes 500pt (Large capacity in units of 100 kg. Please be cautious when buying.)

(Current point balance: 2100pt)

As he examined the products for a while, Hwan’s impression was this.

“Oh. This is really a steal, isn’t it?”

There were two added products.

One potato for 100pt.

But the real deal was not that.

The crucial thing was the price of one sack.

Selling such a precious food source in sacks, yet the price was only 500pt.

Even though the price was cheap, could it really be this cheap?

“I definitely have to buy this.”

Hwan vaguely understood the enormous impact potatoes had on human history.

By the mere existence of this, humans have been able to pass on their species for at least ten thousand years.

Not only taste and nutrition, but there was also no labor in cultivation.

With cooking made simple, naturally, it was preferred.

Moreover, if the topic of selling such a large quantity at once had a low price, there was nothing more to say.

The mice and squirrels that had already eaten all the acorns were scattered around.

Slowly, with their large bodies creeping along, they were grazing on the surrounding grass.

Han bought a sack of potatoes for a good price.

Thud!

A whopping 100kg.

A potato sack larger than a person emerged from the ground with a solid sound.

It was filled with potatoes the size of fists, just as the name suggested.

[…?]

Then there was a sudden reaction.

The little ones who tilted their heads all turned towards the potatoes as if it were some kind of agreement.

“God?”

The elves looking puzzled at themselves.

However, this time, it was not them that Han would pay attention to.

It was the mice and squirrels that had been asleep in the deep ground for who knows how long.

These little ones seemed to find walking more difficult than expected.

At times, they would stagger heavily even while walking through the bushes.

[These entities are currently in a severely weakened state due to long-term hibernation.]

[If you are considering accepting them into the Elf’s friendly alliance, we recommend providing a significant amount of support quickly.]

That was it.

They were indeed in a very weakened state.

Even a mere winter bear prepares throughout the season for several months of hibernation.

And yet, even those who woke from hibernation without enough energy struggled and died.

It seemed likely that these little ones were no different.

Moreover, it was only natural that they were worse off.

It was clear that they had spent a very long time in deep underground hibernation.

Considering this, it was evident that merely grazing on grass and a few bites wouldn’t be enough to recover their energy.

In this light, it was understandable to some extent why they had been mindlessly grazing on grass since earlier.

Perhaps these little ones were not just facing a critical moment of survival right now?

In the midst of all this, the emergence of potatoes was truly a well-suited additional item for this situation.

“Come here.”

Han shook the handful of potatoes as if enticing them.

It clearly had an effect.

Their hesitation was brief.

Soon, following one cautious individual, the rest quickly gathered around.

The only sound was the crunching of potatoes being chewed on.

“Ah, everyone is eating so quietly.”

They were truly gentle souls.

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Despite their large builds, these fellows were peacefully enjoying their potatoes without a hint of discord, chewing away contentedly.

With every movement of their mouths, a potato disappeared.

Judging by their incredible eating speed, there seemed to be no one with a bigger appetite than them.

There was a sense of satisfaction in providing for them.

Now, the timid mice seemed to realize that their food source was secure.

Unlike their initial cautious demeanor, they no longer glanced around for approval.

The fellows who had now finished all the potatoes in their hands turned their gaze towards the next tray brimming with potatoes.

“Alright. Eat to your heart’s content.”

He opened up the tray to make it easier for them to eat.

Watching the mice scurry around in a frenzy to eat the potatoes, he realized that the timing was just right.

“Is it time?”

The opportune moment had arrived.

He lightly tapped the shoulders of the elves, almost like a gentle knock.

Those who had been absentmindedly observing him now turned their gaze towards him.

“Y-yes, sir?”

He raised his hand and pointed towards the mice who were still engrossed in their meal, signaling that now was the chance to bond with them.

If not now, when else could they seize such an opportunity?

Perhaps they wouldn’t even realize it if he approached them closely.

Tap!

He handed out potatoes to the elves one by one.

“H-hi, sir…”

Yumina’s legs trembled.

He gently patted the fellow’s back.

Sion and Irina, who had already understood his intentions, had already approached the mice.

The only one left was the timid Yumina.

But the fellow bowed nervously.

Looking up at him with eyes full of moisture, he asked, “Are you okay?”

Nod. Nod.

Of course.

He wouldn’t push them away in a situation where he could be of help.

To him, the elves were yet another precious connection.

In the meantime, other elves were already selecting mice and feeding them potatoes one by one.

There was no need for words.

They were large but harmless creatures.

Drawing strength from their presence, Yumina finally made her move.

The hesitant figure approached cautiously, intentionally selecting the smallest baby mouse and slow worm in line with its timid nature, offering them as prey.

“Come, come.”

Yumina gently extended a potato.

The trembling fingertips of the figure revealed anxiety as they reached out restlessly.

[…?]

The baby mouse and slow worm soon tilted their heads.

The figure cautiously extended a feeler, then lightly touched Yumina’s fingertips.

And then.

Crunch!

Startled, it curled up like a round ball and hid, surprised.

“Oh!”

At the sight of the mouse and slow worm hiding, Yumina’s face, oddly, relaxed.

Although they were baby creatures, they were much larger than Yumina.

In terms of height and build, they were notably bigger.

Yet, it was Yumina who seemed to have startled the figure.

Unintentionally, Han let out a chuckle.

“It seems like these timid creatures are even more timid than Yumina?”

***

“Eek!”

Yumina, startled to the core.

But this fearful reaction was only temporary.

The figure quickly befriended the mouse and slow worms.

The group of slow worms, now accustomed to the presence of the elves, approached without hesitation.

They even guarded the figure while it ate grass.

“These little ones are still quite wary of approaching other elves.”

It seemed to be because of Yumina being a mage of the Enchantress class.

It happened while she briefly stopped to do some housework.

“Wow! Ahahahaha!”

“?”

She turned at the sudden laughter.

Truly a Yumina-like reaction.

Quite a talented one indeed.

Despite being reserved in speech and timid in nature, their unique qualities made them endearing.

[Clunk! Clunk!]

However, it seemed that not everything worked out positively.

The baby wolves followed, barking incessantly, as if feeling jealous or discontent.

The slow, leisurely movements of the figure, carrying Yumina, began to rummage through the forest, eating grass slowly.

Gnawing on the forest floor, the figure occasionally raised its head like a giraffe to pluck leaves from higher branches.

Did that sight seem enviable?

[Squeak-!]

The youngest, Mia, the only girl among the wolf cubs.

With a regretful look, he gazed at Yumina.

Despite whining incessantly and exerting all his might to climb on the back of the giant turtle, his immature and stubby claws couldn’t possibly make it up.

The thick shell of the turtle was so smooth that as he tried to climb up, he slipped down one after another, tumbling into the bushes.

[Sigh…]

As all attempts failed, a sense of frustration crept into Mia’s eyes as she looked at Yumina perched on the turtle.

His tail and ears, always standing strong, drooped down in disappointment.

“Oh my. He might cry at this rate.”

In the end, Han, unable to bear it any longer, stepped in.

He picked up Mia and placed her directly into Yumina’s embrace.

Only then did the little one perk up.

Mia, nestled in Yumina’s arms, seemed much livelier than before.

Indeed, this seemed to be what she desired.

“hahahaha.”

Irina, watching the scene, was visibly excited.

Her long, elfin ears, a subtle display of emotions, were trembling continuously.

“As the wise elders said, healthy guests visit healthy forests.”

Was it truly a testament to the growing size of their forest?

Most likely.

Of course, she hadn’t expected the guest to be so colossal.

“hahahaha.”

Even just gazing quietly brought forth a joyful laughter.

She never dreamt it would turn out this way.

“All thanks to the blessings of the gods.”

Once a place solely hers, gradually, her kin and guests were increasing.

***

Yumina crafted a saddle.

It was a tool and handle to ride on the turtle.

Twisting the straw that Han had handed her like a long rope, she fashioned a tool to connect to the turtle’s shell.

“Alright. Everyone needs to stay still while I put this on.”

As Yumina fastened the rope around the turtle’s back, the little ones obediently accepted her touch.

Covering his mouth, the smiling little one pointed to the three strands hanging from the saddle and said, “See. If I pull the left rope, we go left, pull the right one, we go right, and the middle one is to go forward. Got it?”

Nod. Nod.

The turtle nodded, seemingly understanding Yumina’s instructions.