Dark Erosion Syndrome Cured

Deep within the mining area, where no one else was, Lei Keming was startled by the strange noise.

There are no people here, let alone any other animals.

So why are there strange noises?

Lei Keming immediately thought that it might be related to those Eldritch Beings occurrences.

And I was very unfortunate enough to encounter it!

Their faces turned deathly pale instantly; this wasn't uncommon, and the results were often extremely bad.

He looked toward the source of the sound, and a huge, orange-yellow soft-bodied creature sprang out from behind a massive Warpstone.

Looking at the creature's appearance, Lei Keming was clearly taken aback.

Because what appeared before him was nothing like the terrifying, Eldritch Beings, and Unspeakable unknown creatures he had imagined.

On the contrary... it has a very cute feel to it.

But this thing in front of me is indeed a creature I've never seen before, nor have I ever heard of.

Therefore, Lei Keming remained extremely vigilant and planned to run outside.

At least find someone else.

But just as he turned to run away, a gust of wind flashed past behind him.

A weight settled on my back, and a sticky, viscous sensation appeared there.

"Chiomi~"

A joyful shout came from behind.

Lei Keming thought to himself, "Oh no! That strange thing must have jumped onto my back!"

If there are any bad consequences, wouldn't I be in big trouble?

His mother was still waiting for him at home!

Lei Keming, who was initially panicked, actually felt a sense of ease, comfort, and joy emanating from within.

It doesn't seem like a big deal. What if that thing is as harmless as it looks?

And this thing... it seems really cute, the kind that makes me really happy...

And a very strong fragrance emanates from its body.

"Chiu Mi Chiu Mi~"

A pair of soft tentacles stroked Lei Keming's face from behind, the cool and refreshing sensation making him feel incredibly comfortable.

This guy doesn't seem to have any hostility; he just seems to want to play with me?

The Tickle Monster crawled up to Lei Keming and grinned excitedly.

It waved its tentacles as if it wanted to play.

Lei Keming clearly felt the changes in his emotions and state of mind. He was very happy and joyful, free from the previous worries and troubles.

It seems to be related to this guy in front of me?

Is this thing actually good?

"What are you? Do you have a name? Do you bring me joy?"

Lei Keming seemed to be asking a question, or perhaps talking to himself.

The soft, sticky creature clinging to its body didn't answer, but instead chirped "Chimi Chimi".

I tried poking the other person's body with my little hand, and then made some other movements to test the waters.

After confirming that the other party poses no threat whatsoever, and that you can maintain a happy and pleasant mood.

Lei Keming felt like he had struck gold, and he wondered if this thing would make his mother happy.

His mother had never smiled since she contracted Dark Erosion Syndrome.

"Hey big guy, how about I take you home?"

Lei Keming didn't care whether he had agreed or not; even if he had, he probably wouldn't have known.

He continued, seemingly oblivious to his surroundings, "Then you can play here. After I've mined Warpstone for today, we'll leave together."

Lei Keming began his hard work for the day, picking up a chisel and hammer to start hammering the Warpstone.

They then packed the broken pieces into a bamboo basket.

As time passed, after the rest of the staff had left before nightfall.

Lei Keming continued working, but because he was weak and the distance was far, even if he wanted to complete the minimum daily workload, it would take him more time.

Several more hours passed, and after it had completely darkened, Lei Keming finally completed the minimum task for the day.

He was already exhausted and on the verge of collapsing; normally he would have complained.

But at this moment, he only felt happy and joyful.

Holding the soft, sticky creature in his arms, the darkness of night meant he didn't need to hide and could easily bring it home.

Outside of major cities, it's not acceptable to engage in excessive partying and wandering at night.

Lei Keming's current job is also out of necessity.

Having brought the Tickle Monster home, Lei Keming immediately went to his mother's bedside.

His mother's eyes were slightly vacant and stiff as she stared at the ceiling. There was an unusual swelling on her arm, as if something was about to break through her skin and emerge.

"Lei Keming, you're back. You weren't too tired today, were you? Maybe you shouldn't go tomorrow. I'm afraid my illness won't get better, and you can't handle the work there."

The mother spoke without turning her head.

"Mother, look, I found this."

Lei Keming did not respond to his mother's advice, because he did not know how to choose to face the situation.

The Tickle Monster, held by Lei Keming, wriggled wildly, broke free from his embrace, and jumped directly onto its mother.

It took the mother a beat to realize what Lei Keming had just said and what it felt like something had jumped onto her.

But before she could even look down, all the low, negative, and often fearful feelings in her mind vanished.

Instead, one experiences joy, happiness, and positivity, finding pleasure in these things.

This series of rapid changes also filled her eyes with expression, and all the emptiness and stiffness disappeared.

The mother's eyes widened, and she immediately looked down at the creature wriggling on her body, emitting a sweet scent.

This was the first time in a long time that I had seen my mother with such a look and such a change in expression.

Lei Keming was visibly overjoyed; it had indeed worked on his mother!

The mother, with a look of disbelief, asked Lei Keming, "It cured my illness? Lei Keming, what is this thing?!"

"Mother, are you feeling better? I found this in the Warpstone mine."

The mother listened to Lei Keming's story with unusual excitement.

Her son, Lei Keming, seems to have really found something extraordinary.

Although her illness has not completely healed, the abnormalities still visible on her arm are the best proof of that.

But the best outcome is that she has been healed emotionally; at least she doesn't have to suffer so much and can go back to work!

The next day, Mother went to work at the Warpstone Mine.

The mother, who suffered from Dark Erosion Syndrome, reappeared before everyone like a normal person.

This immediately caused quite a stir in their local area.

People started coming to her asking how she had been cured.