◈ Episode 248. Something Happened (1)[Class Quest: Fruit of Good and Evil]
In the face of extinction, the World Tree bore fruit in order to scatter its seeds.
However, contrary to the World Tree’s will, the fruit came to bear not with good and evil coexisting, but divided. Last Demon Hunter. Only you can find the sinner who separated good from evil.─Train your weakened body. (Repeat)─Enter Siseulli, land of the elves. (In Progress)
A class quest that had appeared after a long time.
As I looked at its contents,
I found myself nodding.
“Where there is light, there is also shadow.”
Good
alone cannot exist in this world.
It is only natural that evil
exists as well.
The World Tree, called the mother of Arcana, must have known that well too.‘That’s why it bore the Fruit of Good and Evil.’The fruit of the World Tree, the Fruit of Good and Evil.
Judging by context, what the Fruit of Good and Evil contained was probably the World Tree’s seed. But the root of the problem was that the fruit had borne contrary to the World Tree’s intention.
Now, let’s retrace my memories from [Predator’s Swamp].
When I sprouted the World Tree’s seed,
I could not feel even the slightest malice.
I felt only warmth.
That warmth must have been “good.”[World Quest: Seed of the World Tree]
Most likely, all the seeds specified in the world quest contain “good.”
Do I have a reason to be so certain?
I do. It’s right here in front of my eyes.
“……
We undoubtedly swallowed Mother’s fruit.”
Regrettably,
the dragons must have swallowed the “Evil Fruit,” in which only malice remained.
In that sense, whoever that demon bastard is, he’s truly vicious.‘If they had obediently followed its will.’The dragons, including Yunakseoseu,
would never have known the truth until the moment they closed their eyes.
They would have died without knowing
that what sprouted from their bodies as nourishment
was a seed of evil.‘No wonder Granfell doesn’t even exchange words with them.’As expected, demons are not a race worth conversing with.
Anyway, who on earth was it?
The bold demon who tried to drive a wedge between the World Tree and the dragons.
For now, the quest objective pointed toward Siseulli, the land of the elves where the first World Tree had taken root. As if the Temple of the Dragon weren’t enough, now it was the land of the elves.‘At least here, I had Yunakseoseu as a dependable ally.’Among the elves, the only one on my side is……
Elsidore, who’s tending the elixir herb garden in the Yusra Kingdom. Still, if there’s one fortunate thing, it’s that I can bring up the “Hierarchy of Blessings” with the elves.‘In the end, I have no choice but to solve them one by one.’The Demon Hunter’s sense of smell.
The World Tree’s genealogy.
And lastly……
Even Claudi’s halo.
I have no choice but to move forward while making full use of everything I can.
Just as I have done until now.
In that sense, I should resolve the dragons’ doubts as well.
I stated the core of the matter first.
“Regrettably. You were toyed with.”
“……
Toyed with? What do you mean by that?”
“What you swallowed was not the true seed of the World Tree.”
I kindly told them about the Fruit of Good and Evil.
That contrary to the World Tree’s will,
only malice remained in the fruit they had swallowed.
So.
“You do not need to die.”
“……!!!”
And that wasn’t all.
Unbefitting of the title King of All Things,
they no longer needed to remain so shrunken down.
“You may soar through the skies as you wish.”
At present, demons who didn’t know their place were running rampant across the Arcana Continent.
If you lot step forward, wouldn’t discipline establish itself naturally? If they saw dozens of dragons flying through the sky all at once, even the most inferior demons would have manners drilled into them on their own, wouldn’t they?
“You may roar as you wish.”
If they occasionally let out Fear as well, that would be the icing on the cake.
Of course, the people of Arcana would be startled too.
But they would likely be glad instead.
Even if dragons of legend were beings to be feared,
they were not as terrifying as demons.‘Thanks to that, I’ll be able to reduce my workload too.’That was the vulgar intention behind my words.‘Wait a second…….’……
Why are you reacting like that?
Including Yunakseoseu.
Why are all of your eyes getting moist……?
Don’t tell me it’s because you were shocked?
Because the Fruit of Good and Evil you swallowed with such determination was fake?
Just as I flinched inwardly……
an ominous voice rang out.
“Have you finally realized it?”
There is a reason I call that gruff voice ominous.
It was a familiar voice.
Kudeuhanakseu, was it?
The dragon who gave me the alias Black Dark Dragon—yes, it is definitely his voice……!
Why is it that bad premonitions never miss?
Kudeuhanakseu continued.
“In the past and even now, is it not only Claudi who understands us! Behold. Only the Black Dark Dragon watched over our feelings, understood them, and accepted them!”
In order to make use of it,
I had decided to acknowledge and endure it.
Claudi’s excessively dazzling halo?……
Let’s call it a grace so great it is undeserved, fine.
But.
Can’t something be done about that alias, Black Dark Dragon……?
Of course, there was no way my inner turmoil could be conveyed.
Not to be outdone, Yunakseoseu opened his mouth.
“All dragons. We have once again become indebted to Lee Hoyeol Claudi, to Lord Claudi. How are we to repay this immeasurable debt, my kin!”
Black Dark Dragon and Lee Hoyeol Claudi!‘This is nothing short of a total disaster…….’Just listening to it feels like my life force is being shaved away.
And how loud those voices are.
I’m genuinely terrified someone might overhear.
But the dragons were utterly sincere.
“……
No one ever said such words to us.”
“That we did not have to die.”
“That we could act as we wished.”
The dragons were no longer lowering their heads because of the pact.
Of their own will,
they were truly bowing their heads to me in reverence.
How do I know that?
“All dragons shall follow Claudi.”
Because at the same time as Yunakseoseu’s declaration,
a message
appeared before my eyes.[You have acquired command over the King of All Things, dragons.][Elder Dragon, Yunakseoseu, and twenty-one other dragons][Current Status: Awaiting Orders]
The Arcana Continent’s strongest force.
I had drawn the dragons to my side as allies,
and yet I could not be purely happy.‘Let’s say I return to the Zero Mountains, to Earth.’If they were to roar out
that bizarre name, Lee Hoyeol Claudi, there?
If they were to mention the alias Black Dark Dragon……?‘I don’t have the confidence to walk around with my head held high.’But there was no way
the dragons would understand this anguish of mine.
At times like these, eyes brimming with loyalty are nothing but burdensome……
I shifted my gaze to the message.[Current Status: Awaiting Orders]
Those really are eyes asking me to give them any order at all.‘But I’m starting to reach my limit on this side.’It wasn’t because of the surging shame.
It was because of the manifestation of [『Absolute Zero』],
for which I had risked death.
My affinity with the cold attribute, raised by the elixir. As if that weren’t enough, I even possessed a life force regeneration rate beyond human limits thanks to [Blessing of the First World Tree].[Warning: Your life force is too low.]
As expected, there is no way out.
Elder Senios’s magic is……!
How on earth did he endure this kind of pain?
Damn it, when he closed his eyes,
if he had shown even the slightest sign of pain,
I would have looked for another way.‘In many ways, I respect you. Truly.’And not to be outdone,
Granfell, who refuses to show it until the very end.
You’re quite something too.
I said to Yunakseoseu.
“Before I give an order, I shall ask you, Yunakseoseu.”
“Please speak freely.”
“Can you survive?”
“…….”
Just as I was dying,
Yunakseoseu’s Dragon Heart, which had been beating vivace, was gradually coming to a stop. It was a wound that could not be healed by the recovery power of a frail old dragon, nor by my miraculous power.
But you know.
What if dozens of dragons gathered their strength together?
I looked at the dragons behind Yunakseoseu.
Gooooo─An immense energy rippled from the dragons’ bodies.
It was not simple mana.
It was something I, as a human, could not understand.
A unique energy emanating from their Dragon Hearts.
Yunakseoseu’s eyes widened.
“……
Why would you grant me the energy of eternal life?”
Why else would they?
They must all be reflecting in their own way.
As an expression of remorse, they were sharing the blessing of eternal life they possessed with Yunakseoseu. Among them was Peurojeunakseu, who had belatedly crawled into the Temple of the Dragon.‘Please don’t think of refusing.’Even if I have acquired command,
how could I possibly lead dozens of dragons all by myself……!
Right now, they may have quieted down after being moved by Granfell-style speech,
but who knows if they might change their minds later?
There’s a reason people say your mind is different when entering and leaving the bathroom.
I added to Yunakseoseu.
“Live, Yunakseoseu.”
“……!”
“Is a living legend not also fine?”
There’s also a reason people say that even if you roll on the ground, this life is better.
Of course, at this moment,
I could not agree with those words.
I’d rather die……!
My life force had become tenacious thanks to the blessing.
I felt an agony so severe it seemed death would be preferable.‘……
To think it’s more painful than when I opened my circles.’I never thought there would be pain worse than when I swallowed elixirs all at once and fainted. Now it was difficult even to stand upright. Let’s see, I should start looking for a place to bury myself.
Still, even until the moment of death, this damned obsession with style.
“The scenery is not bad.”
After murmuring that, I leaned against a pillar of the temple and sat down.
Because my body was slowly freezing from the heart outward,
white breath came from my lips.
Yet I spoke calmly.
“It is sufficient enough to enjoy tea.”
What I took out was a green tea bag.
However, it was not meant for cold water.
Even if I’m on my way out, a warm cup of green tea should be all right, shouldn’t it?
More importantly.
Maybe because I was too cold,
I couldn’t think clearly.
“Yunakseoseu, may I ask you to prepare hot water for tea?”
Thanks to that, I only realized after I’d spoken.
Good heavens……!
Ordering a dragon to heat tea water.
Even throughout all of Arcana’s history, I’m probably the only one who has done that. Truly.
“I shall obey your command.”
As expected, good heavens.
To steep a mere green tea bag in water heated by Breath.
Not just in history, but even in the future, I’ll probably be the only one to commit such an atrocity.
Still.‘……
Well, it wasn’t bad, was it?’It had been a while since I entered the Arcana Continent.[Last Adventurer] effect existed.
I had resolved that even if I died, I had to die well.‘Wasn’t this a rather decent life?’In the revolving lantern passing before my eyes,
I looked back on the results of this entry.
First, before encountering Yunakseoseu,
I had hunted demons and gained one level.
It was modest, and to be honest, less than I had expected.‘I thought they’d come rushing at me in droves.’Considering the death penalty, it was a disappointing number.
But the important thing wasn’t something like levels.
Above all, I had resolved the misunderstanding entangling the World Tree and the dragons.‘Should I call it the satisfaction of rebuilding a dysfunctional family?’It was fortunate that Yunakseoseu had recovered his body,
and that the honor of the Elder Dragon had been restored.
On top of that.‘……
I can’t pretend I don’t know.’The fact that Claudi had been realized on the Arcana Continent.
And the fact that I had come to understand Claudi’s settings.
In short, what was bound to come had arrived.
So for this entry, let’s simply be grateful.‘Because next time, I don’t know what kind of halo will make me recoil.’Clack─Thinking so, I picked up the teacup.
Warmth came from the cup.
Damn it, I didn’t even have the strength to tilt it.
In the end, amid the growing agony,
once again,
I let the teacup slip from my hand…….
Crash!
Along with the sound stabbing my ears,
the dragons’ urgent voices rang out.
I told you…….[You have died.][The death penalty will be applied.][Acquired experience points will decrease.][The title, “Last Adventurer,” effect has activated.][Returning to reality immediately.]
There’s no need for everyone to be surprised, I said....
Swoosh─When I slowly opened my eyes, I was on the top floor of the Magic Tower.
In the end, I came back without even drinking a cup of green tea.
To reality.
Tap, tap─I casually brushed the frost from my jacket.
For now, I looked better off than I had when I’d been drenched in blood.
Thanks to that, I might be able to feign ignorance
and pretend nothing had happened.
Why am I thinking of pretending ignorance first?
Isn’t it obvious?‘I’m afraid.’No, I’m embarrassed.
By my deeds on the Arcana Continent……!
But that wish of mine soon went up in smoke.
I sensed something.……
It was quiet.
Far too quiet.
I couldn’t feel any presence in the Magic Tower.
Wondering if it was the middle of the night after all work had ended,
I checked the time……
What is this?
The time isn’t the problem—why is the date like this?!‘The month changed……?’Fifteen days had passed since I entered?!
Fifteen days?
Fine, that could happen.
The Temple of the Dragon and Absolute Zero alike were places where my sense of time wasn’t intact, and I’d caused a commotion before returning. But the reason I was shocked lay elsewhere.
It was the disaster alert message that had just arrived.
-Dragons have appeared all across EarthAt the same time,
piercing through the Magic Tower’s barrier,
a thunderous roar reached my ears.
It was a mournful Dragon Fear, as if swallowing sorrow.
I realized it.……
Don’t tell me they’re doing that because they think I’m dead?
They tore through dimensions and flew here in that instant?
And the Magic Tower moved to stop those dragons?
I’m seriously going crazy.
This damned fate of mine.
Why does it never give me a chance to catch my breath!...
The world trembled in fear.
Because a dozen or so dragons were roaming the sky.
That fact alone was enough to be shocking.
And yet they were crying out desperately.
“This means it’s not over……!”
“J-Just how incredible of a dragon was it?”
“For them to cry out like that at the top of their lungs……?”
That was right.
The one who had closed his eyes in the Temple of the Dragon
and vanished without a trace.
The Black Dark Dragon……!