Sinhyeok quietly moved away, leaving behind the villagers who had gone into party mode once again.
“Everyone, good work.”
He said quietly to everyone as he headed toward the World Tree, though he didn't know whether they would hear him or not.
Rustle.
On the surface of the World Tree, the old fairy poked his face out again.
“Can't you give some kind of signal before sticking your face out? Doing this in the middle of the night is horror-movie material.”
The fairy grinned and opened his mouth.
“Isn't it fun?”
“Hah, good grief.”
Sinhyeok laughed incredulously.
Then he quietly held out the Core he had brought with him.
“It's time for this tree to grow in earnest.”
“Indeed it is. Please power-level us all.”
He dropped the Core down below.
“Let's see how high we can raise this World Tree.”
As it absorbed the Core that had fallen to the ground, the World Tree of Night gradually turned black.
Before long, as a little time passed, deep darkness enveloped the branches and leaves.
“Please grow very, very much.”
The darkness covering the surface moved toward the ends of the branches, then gathered round like fruit and compressed.
[The World Tree of Night grows.]
[The World Tree's Cozy Shadow appears.]
[Nothdrasil's roots extend further into the Underworld.]
[Status Window]
Name: World Tree of Night (Lv. 4)
Life Force: 40,000
Spiritual Power: 160,000
Traits: Origin of Souls, Origin of Shadows
[Skills]
=========================
OS Nothdrasil (Lv. 2)
Cradle of Shadows (Lv. 1)
==========================
The World Tree's level was visible before his eyes.
“Your stats are overwhelming.”
It was an overwhelming existence with a different limit.
[A lifeform is born from the Cozy Cradle of Shadows.]
[Friends of the World Tree, please welcome them.]
The same message was delivered to everyone.
Hong Ichan came running in a fluster, as if he had guessed the current situation.
“It's the spirits! They're finally returning!”
Ichan looked at the World Tree with a face full of anticipation.
At the ends of the World Tree's branches, black fruit had formed.
It dropped to the ground with a soft thud on its own.
“Ah!”
Ichan reached out his hand to catch it.
Thud.
A soft black fruit struck his palm.
Soon it squirmed softly and crawled around Ichan's arm.
“U-uh! Hyung! It's crawling onto me!”
“What is that thing?”
[It is a Shadow Spirit. You may think of it as a newborn baby that has not yet developed a sense of self.]
[Status Window]
Name: Lowest-Grade Shadow Spirit (Lv. 1)
Life Force: 100
Spiritual Power: 200
[Skills]
=========================
Shadow Movement (Lv. 1)
Shadow Assimilation (Lv. 1)
==========================
Their status windows were visible at that moment.
'Hmm. I can guess what Movement is. Is Assimilation something like stealth?'
As Sinhyeok continued watching the Shadow Spirit, it seemed to be exactly that.
It moved here and there in a flash and disappeared.
They moved so fast that it was difficult to keep track of them with the eyes.
“Hyung! Look! This is our spirit!”
Hong Ichan pointed to the dear old friend from his hometown that he had met again.
An incomparably pure and joyful expression formed on Ichan's face.
“Let me see. There really are a lot.”
Black fruits like this had formed all over the tree.
“So all of those are Shadow Spirits?”
[That is correct.]
“Kids~ Good to see you~”
Like an excited puppy, Hong Ichan spun around the World Tree shouting.
“I'm your older brother!”
Sinhyeok felt an inexplicable sense of relief at Ichan's excited expression, which bore no trace of awkward unfamiliarity.
'He too has found his place now.'
He seemed to have found a shelter of his very own.
“That's great and all, but there's no word about levels rising.”
[Wait and see.]
The old fairy in charge of the system within the World Tree cut in.
[Numerous Cores have been acquired. Granting experience points.]
[A large amount of experience points is granted.]
[Level increases.]
[A large amount of experience points is granted.]
[Level increases.]
[A large amount of experience points is granted.]
[Level increases.]
The blessing of levels poured down upon everyone.
The villagers who had been partying around the bonfire with potatoes sprang up in surprise.
“Oh my, oh my! My level went up! My stats went up, not just skills!”
At the sudden news, they exchanged glances with surprised faces.
A boy stealthily picked up a stone and lightly squeezed it, crushing it.
“Moooom! I got stronger!”
“Oh my! Me too!”
The surprised mother smacked her husband's back, and the sound was anything but ordinary.
Thwack!
“Keuk! D-dear.”
The husband who had been hit on the back grimaced and twisted his back.
“Krrrgh!”
“Oh no! Sorry! Are you okay, dear?! Why is my strength like this!”
“B-be careful! Everyone's gotten stronger, so be careful!”
The old knight, Graywain, couldn't keep the corners of his mouth down even as he tried to stop the villagers.
[Status Window]
Name: Aldor Graywain (Lv. 10)
Class: Knight
Strength: 67 + 56
Agility: 56 + 45
Stamina: 87 + 34
Mana: 145 + 77
Trait: Seasoned Veteran
[Skills]
=====================
[Main]
Aura (Lv. 24)
Wind Aura Circle (Lv. 35) — Always Active
Wind Tempest Sword (Lv. 18)
=====================
[Congratulations. You have reached Level 10 and may now transfer to an advanced class.]
[The system proposes suitable advanced classes based on your traits and achievements.]
“Hmm, hm-hm!”
Graywain's shoulders squared up at the mention of an advanced class.
[The recommended advanced classes are as follows.]
[1. Commander]
[2. Knight Captain]
He asked the system discreetly with sparkling eyes.
“I say. What's the difference between the two?”
[Commander is a class specialized in handling many soldiers.]
[On the other hand, Knight Captain is a class specialized in leading a small elite order of knights.]
[While both classes mainly have buff-type skills, their range differs. In the case of Commander, the target is a wide range and many people, whereas Knight Captain gives concentrated buffs to a small number.]
The system kindly explained the differences.
“Hmmm.”
Graywain looked at the villagers beyond the hologram floating before his eyes.
Soldiers composed of villagers.
Military personnel created through will and awakening, regardless of age or gender.
Now most of the villagers were elite-class.
'My path is not that of a Knight Captain.'
Since the world had fallen into ruin, the profession of knight was no longer a path for him.
“I will not walk a path I've already tread.”
From now on, he had to be with them.
[You have selected Commander.]
[Skills for Commander have been granted.]
[Skills]
=====================
[Main]
Mind Link (Lv. 1)
Align (Lv. 1)
[Sub]
Aura (Lv. 24)
Wind Aura Circle (Lv. 35) — Always Active
Wind Tempest Sword (Lv. 18)
=====================
'Hm?'
Puzzling skills had appeared.
“How in the world do you use them?”
[Mind Link is a permanently active skill.]
[This skill synchronizes and assimilates the minds of soldiers who share a sense of belonging matching that of the Commander.]
[It will become the fastest means of command transmission.]
[Please designate the people to connect with Mind Link.]
[At your current level, you may designate 2 people.]
“Aha! This is the most important skill!”
Graywain immediately designated the skill to the most important person.
“One for the young leader.”
[Mind Link connects to the Administrator.]
“The remaining one to Malakai.”
[Mind Link connects to Player Malakai.]
— Is this how it's done?
When he called out to them in his mind,
the two immediately looked at Graywain.
— Hm? Sir Graywain?
— I say, what is this now?
Graywain grinned.
— I've obtained something good.
[The next skill, Align, is a buff-type skill.]
[If you shout the command word 'Align!' loudly and straighten your posture, morale will surge rapidly, concentration will improve, and fear will vanish.]
“Oh. Not bad. This kind of ability is welcome.”
He had obtained a fairly decent skill.
Sinhyeok, who had approached Graywain's side, smiled as he checked his abilities.
“I think we really have to call you Company Commander now.”
“Hahahaha! Would you do that!”
“Company Commander Graywain. I look forward to working with you.”
“Haha! Good! Very good!”
Sinhyeok looked at the hearty man and thought deeply.
'If enough personnel gather, let's do this for real. Organize and build our strength.'
“What about the others.”
Taking a quick look, most of the villagers had changed classes.
However, most had transferred to "Marksman" or "Pilot," and a few had transferred to "Knight" or "Martial Artist."
Those few were the ones who had previously expressed their desire to learn martial arts to Jegal Seyun or Namgung Jincheon.
And he knew they had taught them a few moves lightly.
'Hmm, I'll have to divide the people. Obsir!'
— Yes.
'There are drones and small airships in the ship that people can control, right?'
— In the case of drones, remote control is possible from the control room inside the ship, and small airships can be produced.
However, resources are still insufficient, so only ten drones have been created, and most are scheduled to be used for resource exploration and mining.
“That's good. Even so, exploration efficiency differs when a person is personally overseeing it.”
— That's correct. If appropriate personnel are deployed, faster exploration can proceed.
“Then I'll send those who transferred to Pilot to you. Teach them well.”
— Yes.
Sinhyeok called all the villagers together.
“Everyone! Gather around!”
When he shouted loudly, everyone's attention was drawn and they quickly gathered.
“Most of you must have leveled up.”
Everyone nodded vigorously at Sinhyeok's words.
As he looked at them nodding, Sinhyeok had one thought.
'They are soldiers. They too must be reborn as warriors.'
Their levels would make up for their weakness.
“Now you too must be reborn as warriors.”
Everyone nodded at those words.
“The system's grace will make you stronger and stronger.”
“That's right! We are no longer weak!”
“Right!”
Everyone shouted fiercely.
“To that end, I would like to propose appropriate missions and training for you all.”
Everyone's eyes blazed with fire.
“I will divide missions according to your awakened classes. Those who have awakened as Pilots.”
When he mentioned "Pilots," a few stepped forward.
“You will carry out your missions inside that airship. The details will be guided by 'Obsir.'”
The airship's door opened automatically.
They headed inside with solemn expressions.
“Among you, those who have transferred to Knight or Martial Artist?”
About a dozen people raised their hands.
“Step over here for now. The rest of you have transferred to Marksman, correct?”
Everyone nodded.
“Good. From now on, we will fight and carry out missions in these three categories. Company Commander Graywain.”
Graywain moved smartly when his name was called.
“Though this is proceeding quickly, please give them a sense of belonging. You must have heard about our organizational system once before.”
Graywain nodded.
“Please organize them into platoons and squads.”
“Indeed. We'll need to select platoon leaders and squad leaders as well, won't we?”
“That's correct. Please report to me immediately after the organization is complete.”
“Hehe. Very well.”
He immediately stepped up to them.
The old knight began hurriedly dividing the people.
At that moment, Baek Arin approached.
“Mister.”
Baek Arin approached Sinhyeok.
“Ah, sorry. Is this too sudden?”
“No, it's fine. This was bound to happen anyway. We had to establish order and organize ourselves eventually.”
She pointed to the people who had stepped aside.
“Leave half of them to me.”
“Huh?”
“I'll raise them as Paladins.”
“That would be great.”
Jegal Seyun raised his hand.
“I say~”
“Yes!”
“If it's all right, give me those Martial Artists. I'll take charge of them.”
Sinhyeok nodded.
“Hehe. Then am I a company commander now too~?”
At the sly question, Sinhyeok smiled and nodded.
“Yes. Company Commander Jegal Seyun. There are only a few, but I'm counting on you.”
“Hahaha. Of course~ I'll do my best.”
Personnel were appropriately distributed.
Namgung Jincheon watched the departing Martial Artists with regret.
“Tsk. If only it weren't for the rule that it can only be passed down to clan members.”
“It is a shame.”
“It is. The taste of raising disciples is quite a delicacy too.”
[Administrator, you have much to do.]
“I know even if you don't tell me.”
Sinhyeok decided what to do first.
“Let's start by making guns. While we're at it, let's make howitzers too.”
It was time to make equipment for the Pergana Company.
“And shall we make military uniforms too?”
[That is a good idea.]
[To do this, you must begin resource exploration first and foremost.]