Episode 220
-Wow.
-An artifact?
-Rank 8?
-Even a Legendary, wow .
-Isn't this a top-tier item?
-Totally OP;
The chat window heated up at the appearance of an unexpected artifact.
Hanbit examined the details of the Shining Branch.
[Artifact – Lost World Tree Branch]
Rank: 8
Grade: Legendary
Restriction: Total Stats 2,000 or higher
Description: A branch of the World Tree lost in the beginning. When used, it can manifest a portion of the World Tree's power of judgment, protection, and blessing.
The owner is permanently granted a faint World Tree blessing.
*Activation of this artifact was not fully completed.
[Effect: Faint World Tree blessing applied.]
[All stats increase by 10 percent, and damage taken decreases by 10 percent. Natural regeneration speed of HP and MP increases.]
-Look at the options;
-All stats, damage reduction, natural regeneration, wow
. -The restriction is a total stat of 2,000?
-I couldn't even use it if it were given to me. "Haha
– What does 'incomplete' mean?
" "You mean this is unfinished?
" "It's similar."
Hanbit nodded after checking the buff message.
It was because the effects were almost identical to those in the other world.
It was still a novel experience to see things he had only ever figured out through experience expressed in writing.
And the clue to the 'activation' problem attached to the very bottom line followed immediately.
Ding-
[The World Tree has detected your presence.]
"Huh?
" "Sniper, darn it.
" "Isn't it coming to steal it?
" "Just a tree, haha.
" "Should I give it to it?
" "…How kind."
As indicated by the artifact's name and description, this branch originally belonged to the World Tree.
From the moment it was obtained, it would be tested under the World Tree's surveillance.
Would it return the lost branch to its owner?
Or would it turn a blind eye while holding it in its arms?
The consequences varied widely depending on the choice.
"That woman has disappeared."
Alice, the mysterious woman who had abandoned Verdict and vanished.
Escaping from this space where magic was sealed was by no means easy.
Perhaps she possessed a magical artifact of a considerably high dimension.
*Smack*—
Turning his gaze, Hanbit walked past the unconscious Basilisk and moved forward.
A golden sword lay all alone on the ground there.
[You have obtained Judgment of the Sun (Rank 7 – Epic).]
-Huh?
-This dropped;
-I guess I have shitty luck. Haha.
-???: From now on, this is mine. It
was a rare sword that Verdict had carried with such confidence.
However, because it wasn't a bound item, it had become a victim of the Death Penalty.
In terms of probability, it was truly a tragic fate.
*Swoosh*
—Having made an unexpected haul, Hanbit turned his gaze to the side.
“You can take that off now.”
“Ah, yes!”
The three people who had been slowly approaching immediately threw off their robes.
Originally, the plan was to recover HP and MP together before coming here.
It was possible if they utilized the effects of the Reversal Zone well.
However, thanks to Verdict who had been chasing them, that necessity had vanished.
An excellent sacrifice to buy them a turn had come of his own accord.
Boom—
Before anyone realized it, the entrance that had been blocked was now wide open.
At the same time, movement appeared from the side.
Crunch—!
The Basilisk, whose weak point had been completely pierced.
As time passed, it began to regain its senses.
Dealing with that thing, which was like an illusion, was a waste of time.
Even if they killed it completely, it would only reappear in the exact same form.
“Let’s get out.”
Ta-ta—!
Hanbit ran straight toward the exit with the three others.
Of course, the Basilisk was not one to let intruders go easily.
Sneak—!
The giant snake twisted its body and began its pursuit, sweeping across the ground.
Anticipating this movement, Hanbit used the branch of the Lost World Tree that he was still holding.
Snap—!
Crunch—!
Thick vines shot up from the ground accompanied by a burst of light.
They pounced on the Basilisk, which had been charging madly.
Crunch—!
Aaaargh—!
Their speed plummeted as their bodies were seized.
It was not easy to break free, as the restraints grew stronger the more they moved.
—Oh.
—Is that the World Tree?
-That's a total scam;
-But you're saying it's not fully activated yet?
The outstretched vines were one of the powers possessed by the Judgment of the World Tree.
Even though it was only at a weak level, it was enough to restrain the Basilisk's movements.
Ta-dat!
Hanbit and his party, having exited the entrance immediately, ran up the slope.
Boom!
Crash!
The noise of the rampaging Basilisk gradually faded away.
The light from the entrance grew stronger as they climbed the slope.
Soon, when they passed through it, they finally faced the scenery outside.
Swoosh—
the dome-shaped entrance faded with the escape.
At the same time, a change occurred in the sky above.
Crack—
a long line was drawn across the ceiling of the cube, which had seemed to have no end. It
was an instant for light from the outside to seep in through it.
Pop!
The ceiling began to open wider, and the light intensified.
Soon after, a message appeared.
Ding—
[All area effects removed.]
A message signaling the end of the debuff.
At that moment, something appeared before their eyes.
“Hey, what is this?”
Tester Hylen frowned, his white hair fluttering in the wind.
Hanbit held up a branch and said,
“I obtained an artifact. It looks like a branch of the World Tree.”
“…What?”
—Haha, flustered;
—The man who surprised the investigation team.
—But Hylen got here really fast.
—His footwork is indeed different.
Hylen had moved here immediately the moment the Cube changed.
It might look fascinating, but it was just one of the effects of his skill.
Should I call it a function that tracks a designated target?
“You found this? Where?”
“In a ruin-like space right here. There were keys hidden all over the area.”
“Ruins?”
Listening to the explanation, Hylen moved closer to where the dome-shaped entrance had been.
Crouching low, he stopped with his hands on the ground.
Hanbit, who had waited a moment, asked a question.
“The area is gone. What happens to the test?”
“…….”
Hylen did not answer that question either.
His eyes, focused on the investigation, looked as if they were being sucked in.
“So, something like this existed. A candidate, not the investigation team, discovered it.”
He rose to his feet and wore a faint smile. It was
admiration, not envy or jealousy.
His gaze toward Hanbit had already far surpassed mere interest.
After meeting his eyes for a moment, Hylen turned his head to the side.
“How many of you are there?”
“There are three of us.”
Ibella, dressed in a red dress, appeared naturally without a sound.
In her hand was a unique staff that glowed black.
“The lost branch of the World Tree… so it was here?”
Ibella also focused on the branch in Hanbit’s hand.
Smiling lightly, she looked at Hylen.
“Then there are seven successful candidates?”
“You handle your side. My assignment is three… no, four, I suppose.”
Hylen, who had been watching Pingpong, corrected herself.
For some unknown reason, it seemed the assignments had changed.
'Have those two split up?'
The aftermath of the battle between Odin and Ryu Seong-ryong was no longer felt.
Had it not been for him, it was highly likely that the plan would have suffered significant setbacks.
It would be best to contact him through Yeon-woo once the situation was settled.
There were still many things to hear.
Clang—
just then, Hylen took a silver badge from his pocket.
It was an object engraved with the Investigation Team's emblem.
“You have passed the first test.”
Hanbit's party received the badge one by one.
Then, a stream of messages followed.
Ding-
[Main Quest #3 completed.]
[Due to fulfillment of special conditions, the reward is over-adjusted.]
[Achievement: Secret Chamber Explorer achieved.]
[Additional rewards are provided for the first achievement.] [
Received 50,000,000 Gold.] [
100 Stat Points awarded.] [
Experience increased by 110,000,000.]
[Level increased by 4.]
[4 Stat Points awarded.]
[Progress rate increased significantly.]
Whether it was the influence of the artifact or not, the rewards far exceeded double.
The other three also had their eyes wide open.
“Far from expecting much, they’re better than us? The investigation team needs to step up their game.”
Ivela said with a smile mixed with self-deprecation.
Hylen, who did not refute her remark, spoke to someone using a communication magic device.
A moment later, looking at Hanbit's party, he said,
"You are going to the Investigation Team Headquarters. It is the first time we’ve taken a candidate in, but even the Commander won’t be able to say anything."
"Huh?"
"Headquarters?"
-??
-Investigation Team Headquarters?
-You’re taking them there?
-Even the advance party can't go there?
-Information) There isn't a single publicly released screenshot.
-Fact) The advance party currently running through Episode 8 hasn't even caught a glimpse.
The headquarters of the world's most powerful organization.
The Investigation Team Headquarters was a place of immense significance.
It was a place where entry was only granted after a candidate was promoted to a full member.
"Is this why?"
Hanbit said, pointing at the lost branch of the World Tree.
Hylen shrugged.
"It’s partly because of that, and partly because of you finding it. Anyway, you’ll see once you get there." He
wore an expression that seemed to envision an amusing situation.
Seeing this, Ibella took a step closer.
"The World Tree is uncharted territory even for the Investigation Team. Since you found that branch, the headquarters is trying to obtain clues as well."
"You mean we have to hand this over?"
“In principle, items obtained belong to you. That’s why Headquarters will try to persuade you. To approach the World Tree and find out something.”
Her explanation was accurate. Considering
the location we were teleported to via the Cube, were we really on the same side?
In any case, the important thing was that we had gained the opportunity to enter Headquarters and the World Tree domain.
“The path leading to Headquarters should open around tomorrow. Stay at the rest area until then.”
“I’ll send you there. Oh, and I’ll prepare a different survival gift for you, so look forward to it.” *
Swoosh*—
The sensation of teleportation enveloped our bodies along with Ibella’s voice.
The three of us arrived at a mysterious space where the forest had been decorated to look like a home.
At the same time, a message popped up.
*Ding*—
[Main Quest #4: Rest]
The first test you passed while searching for the artifact.
As a result, you have been invited to the Investigation Team’s Headquarters.
You must stay at the rest area where you were forcibly sent for a while.
Objective: Rest until the path opens.
Reward: None
*Current Progress: 70 percent
*This quest will be available in 12 hours.
-Huh?
– It's the fourth quest and it's only 70 percent?
– The advance party is wailing for the ninth time.
– You're too loud, go cry outside.
– (Information) If you're playing through the standard progression, it's 70 percent at the 21st main quest.
– The rewards were damn stingy, too. lol
– The Black Dragon's footwork is different.
An episode that entered the latter half in a very short amount of time.
Honestly, Hanbit had never experienced progressing in this manner at a time like this either.
However, knowing the future branching out into countless directions, various choices were also possible.
“Wow, what is this place?”
“It is incredibly beautiful.”
“Oh…….”
The three who arrived together marveled as they gazed at the resting place.
Hanbit walked toward the window.
“This is an ancient Elf village. It’s located at the southern tip of the continent.”
“An Elf village?”
Haneul, who had quickly approached, stood beside him and looked outside.
A forest village created to a mysteriously beautiful degree.
Beyond it, a vast ocean stretched out.
– Elves, shudder.
– Do they even exist?
– Isn't it in the Forest of Illusions?
"-No one can get in;
-Seriously, the entrance-blocked GOAT
-I heard they say it's not there.
-The legendary race;"
As the topic of elves came up, viewers began to share their own information.
Elves, the most secretive of all races.
Memories of crossing the line between life and death in a maddening frenzy to meet them came back vividly.
It was a plan he made sure to visit once he became part of the investigation team.
"Mr. Black Dragon, one minute left."
Just then, Noeul, who had been checking his watch, spoke up.
Hanbit, nodding his head, was also waiting for midnight.
"-The rankings are coming.
-Thump thump
-Who's number one?
-Please turn on your stream.
-Seriously, top rankers, please leak some information."
The Record Project player rankings to be revealed at midnight.
Now, superiority would be determined not by the advance team's rankings, but by the numerical ranking numbers.
Hanbit opened the homepage screen.
And exactly at midnight, a notice appeared along with a new UI.
[Player rankings have been registered.]
