Episode 245
“…I really got it.”
Hanbit, having obtained the World Tree Flower, let out a dazed voice. It was
a flower that had bloomed only two times since the very beginning.
It was a crystal of mana so precious that it had been told to simply die.
Yet, she never imagined she would obtain it like this.
"This is unpleasant. What happened to you? You suddenly disappeared."
Just then, Ariel’s voice rang out in her head.
She had been suppressed by Sirius’s mysterious power.
With even Hanbit being dragged into the space where the Goddess was sealed, the confusion was bound to intensify.
Seeing that the Sylph was still quiet, it seemed it would take some time.
“I met the Goddess of Silence. She was asleep.”
"…That’s too strange to say so nonchalantly. I’m going to listen to the sound of the wind for a moment, so we can talk later."
Ariel, appearing busy with something, disappeared after leaving those words behind.
In the meantime, changes occurred around her.
Thump—
before she knew it, the vines wrapped around her body began to scatter outwards.
My body, slowly descending, was sucked into the World Tree with such natural ease.
*Swoosh*
—a small garden where sunlight streamed through the leaves.
A beautiful woman with light green hair wore a faint smile.
“You did well.”
The World Tree’s satisfied voice was heard clearly.
It looked completely different from before.
“You seem to be in good spirits.”
“Of course. It has been a long time since I absorbed such immense life force and mana.”
“…Life force and mana? Are you referring to that person from earlier?”
“Yes. Although they vanished without dying, the branch you planted did its job. It was a strange creature that held quite a lot within it.”
Sirius, who had been absorbed by the World Tree through the branch stuck in his neck.
No matter how high-ranked he was, he could not fully escape that bondage.
'It does seem a bit strange.'
As long as one existed as a player in this game, death was not absolute.
Considering the principle by which the World Tree absorbs life force and mana, targeting a player was virtually impossible.
Then, there was only one possibility to speculate on.
This was the case if Sirius hadn't been a pure player.
It might be a different case from Momo, but in any case, it must be the result of the Goddess of Turmoil using divine power.
“Should I consider the flower as the reward?”
“Yes. If you wish, I will make it bear fruit as well.”
“Huh?”
Hanbit’s eyes widened at the offer tossed out so nonchalantly.
It was the ultimate goal one could obtain from the World Tree.
Normally, one could only acquire it by going through various efforts and procedures involving the flower.
Having expected days of negotiation, this situation was undeservedly good.
“Why, are you reluctant?”
“No, I ask for your favor.”
Hanbit quickly took out a golden flower and handed it to the World Tree.
She had to get her hands on it before it changed its mind.
Swoosh—
she accepted it nonchalantly and placed the flower on her palm.
Then, the petals unfolded outwards and slowly began to emit light.
“There are hardly any humans who know about fruit.”
“That is…”
“Never mind. You were abnormal from the moment you asked for the flower. The fact that you helped me is enough.”
The World Tree, having silenced the speaker, focused its gaze on the flower.
Although it possessed a rather prickly and dangerous nature, it held a clear standard for profit and loss.
It was also a situation created by the unexpected consequences of having exploited Sirius far too effectively.
Swoosh—
the golden flower, having fully unfolded its leaves, began to swell little by little.
And the moment its form turned round.
Whoosh—!
With an intense light, a luscious golden fruit appeared.
“Take this.”
The World Tree handed the fruit to Hanbit.
“Thank you.”
Hanbit carefully received the fruit in his hands.
Some might think it must be eaten, but that was not how it was meant to be used.
Swoosh—
Hanbit cupped the fruit in both hands and carefully brought it to his chest.
Whirring—
as it approached his heart, the fruit trembled like a beating.
It melted into his body all too naturally.
Ding-
[Artifact: World Tree Fruit (Rank 8-Mythical) absorbed.]
[Title: World Tree Legacy added to list.]
[World Tree Legacy]
Can fully manifest the powers of the World Tree's Judgment, Protection, and Blessing.
1. Judgment
– The World Tree's Authority skill is added, consuming Life Energy to wield the power of the Great Tree.
– Elemental damage based on the target's vulnerability increases by 50 percent.
– Damage dealt to beings deviating from the principles of life increases by 200 percent.
2. Guardian
– Damage reduction increases by 50 percent.
– Natural recovery speed increases by 200 percent.
– Gain immunity to all harmful effects.
– Enter an invincible state for 10 seconds upon taking lethal damage. (This effect consumes all Life Energy and cannot be reused until fully charged.)
3. Blessing
– All stats increase by 50 percent.
– Skill effects increase by 50 percent.
– Experience gain increases by 50 percent.
– Life Energy is gained in proportion to acquired experience; if it exceeds 100 percent, it is converted into stat points.
'… Looking at it this way, I’m insane.'
The content of the message filling the screen was entirely destructive.
The reason I had always made one of the ultimate goals, even in the 55th round.
At the time, he had merely felt the effects, but seeing them displayed in numbers like this made the difference stark.
*Ding*—
[Hidden Skill: Power of the World Tree (Rank 8 – Legendary) added.]
The reward was only distributed after the skill acquisition message had appeared.
Hanbit turned his gaze to the small window tucked into the corner of the screen.
[Life Energy: 100%]
A new resource added solely for the power of the World Tree.
While it was consumed for skill usage, the most important aspect lay in its protective effect.
[Upon taking lethal damage, enter an invincible state for 10 seconds. (However, this effect consumes all Life Energy and cannot be reused until fully recharged.)]
An effect that protected him from the massive wave of death.
Although it came with conditions, it became a turning point that made possible what had previously been impossible.
It was an astonishing ability, enough to make all the effort he had put in so far worthwhile.
“You seem quite satisfied.”
The World Tree looked at the grinning Hanbit with a bewildered expression.
There was nothing to be embarrassed about; it was an achievement that made him that happy.
“I will find Erfort with the power you lent me. So that this world can be normalized.”
“…….”
The World Tree fell silent at the words spoken while recalling old memories.
Glancing up at the sky for a moment, she began to speak in a low voice.
“It is a world thrown into chaos by the goddesses. It is a repulsive time where the value of life must be weighed. Things beyond the reach of power are bound to exist.”
Regret was revealed on her expressionless face.
Regardless of her personality, she, too, was a being known as the World Tree.
“What happened between you and Lady Cheongwoljo?”
“I, the World Tree, sacrificed my life. That is the truth.”
About 100 years ago.
To protect the balance of life that had suddenly collapsed, the World Tree destroyed several regions.
It was a tragic decision that should never have been made by a being who governs life.
However, Hanbit knew that the cause was a ‘demon.’
“Isn’t there a reason why you made such a decision?”
“…The power of life was absorbed into the underground, beyond the reach of my authority. It was enough to severely disrupt the balance of the world. I blocked it with my accumulated mana, but the limits appeared quickly. That is why I cut off the aging lives. As that Blue Moon Clan bastard said, whether there was another way… I don’t know.”
The past events he spat out, ruminating on them, were practically a catastrophe.
The underground, outside the influence of the World Tree and an unconquered zone of the investigation team.
The race of demons living there was largely a mystery even to Hanbit.
This was because they always lost their lives at the very entrance.
In other words, it was also the place most likely to hold clues regarding Erfort.
“I will go to the underground.”
“Stop it. That place is merely the abyss of death. No one forced you to make a sacrifice.”
“I am a being who received power from the Goddess of Silence. I don’t know about responsibility, but there are things I must protect in my own way. I will use my strength alongside my comrades.”
“From the Goddess of Silence… Is that how it happened?”
At the mention of the Goddess, the World Tree’s eyes widened for a moment.
With a complex expression, she lowered her gaze and spoke.
“Then, that human and the beings from earlier must be on the side of the Goddess of Turmoil. I regret not twisting their necks in the beginning.”
The World Tree, having quietly murmured, raised its hand.
At the same time, a large oval portal opened behind it.
“I may not have any clues left, but you are free to investigate.”
“Black Dragon!”
A voice echoed from behind, overlapping with the others.
Turning my head, I saw Charlotte and the Blue Moon Bird.
Grrr!
Along with that, a small tiger flew into my face and rubbed its cheek against me.
It was an action that seemed to show concern.
“Are you okay? What happened? You suddenly disappeared, and I…”
Charlotte poured out words of concern in a voice that was almost surprised.
She didn't know what the condition looked like from the outside, but now there were no problems.
“It’s fine. And they said it’s okay to investigate the inside of the World Tree.”
“Huh? Really?”
She snapped her head to look at the woman with light green hair.
However, the World Tree’s gaze was fixed on the Blue Moon Bird.
“Let’s talk.”
“…Alright.”
Sensing a different atmosphere, the Phantom also quietly accepted the proposal.
As I watched the two walk away inside, an alarm rang.
Ding-
[Main Quest #10 completed.]
[Progress rate increases significantly.]
[Main Quest #11: Investigation Team]
You have defeated the raiders and obtained the power of the World Tree.
Since the qualification of an official investigation team member is essential for the journey ahead, the Captain’s decision is required.
Objective: Talk to Charlotte.
Reward: Episode Complete
*Current Progress: 99 percent
A main quest marking the end of the episode.
Originally, there were more intermediate steps, but many parts were omitted by Sirius.
Who would have thought that the World Tree's state of mind would change like this?
“Charlotte, you’re going to proceed with the investigation later, right?”
“Yeah. For now, I’m planning to bring the members from the Elf village.”
“Then let’s go outside.”
Hanbit led Charlotte through the portal.
As soon as they felt the sensation of teleportation, they arrived in front of a massive tree trunk.
“Huh?”
Just then, Charlotte, who had been looking toward the sea, furrowed her brow slightly.
It was a gesture to look into the distance.
“That looks like a ship.”
“A ship?”
At those words, Hanbit also looked toward the sea.
Then, a large wooden boat was indeed seen approaching.
“The recovery was faster than I expected.”
“The Ruby of Life you gave me must have worked well. That’s a relief.”
Charlotte let out a sigh of relief.
Watching the approaching ship, she turned her gaze to Hanbit.
“Black Dragon, please officially join the investigation team.”
“…I came outside just to ask you to do that.”
Hanbit scratched his cheek at the situation where the order of events had been reversed.
Did Charlotte say that Ivela was the only one she had ever made such an invitation to?
“I think a major change is about to happen in the world. I probably won’t be able to handle it with just me and the current investigation team.”
Charlotte had sensed an intense sense of unease throughout the events so far.
The biggest cause was the various variables created by the players of the Holy Body Faction.
“The process of finding Erfort won’t be smooth either. But I believe we can make it happen if you join me. I will work even harder to match that, so let’s…”
“Alright. I’ll join.”
“Huh? Really?”
“I was a candidate from the start. If the Investigation Team Leader accepts me, I should gratefully go in.”
Hanbit’s words were sincere.
After all, throughout every round, she had never taken the Investigation Team lightly. Not
only was the protection of the world’s strongest organization provided, but powerful figures like Charlotte and Ivela were an incredibly reassuring source of strength.
Even in the immediate process of reaching the World Tree, she would have failed several times over without the Leader standing before her.
“Thank you. I was so nervous about what would happen.”
Charlotte let out a sigh of relief and looked up.
Then, smiling, she said,
“I look forward to working with you, Black Dragon. Welcome to the Investigation Team.”
Ding-
[Main Quest #11 completed.]
[Progress increases.]
[Progress has reached 100 percent.]
[Episode 7 completed.]
[Achievement: Investigation Team Member achieved.]
[Achievement: One Trusted by Charlotte achieved.]
[Rewards are increased to the maximum for the first achievement.]
[Received 200,000,000 Gold.]
[200 Stat Points added.]
[Experience increased by 300,000,000.]
[Level increased by 6.]
[6 Stat Points added.]
