◈ Episode 90. Blooming in the Swamp (7)
[Pentagram of Pure Knowledge]
[Grade: Epic]
[Restriction: None]
[Effect: When equipped, acquire knowledge of all minerals and all plants on the Arcana Continent.]
[Description: A magic tool containing immeasurably vast knowledge.]
The knowledge concerning all minerals said—
That was not a rock.
The knowledge concerning all plants said as well—
That was a seed, and a seed of the World Tree at that.
Yes, the World Tree was an existence even the forest spirit, Nymph, did not know.
If some phrase about the World Tree had been written in a book or the like,
I would not have been able to trust that information so easily.
But an Epic item was not Epic for nothing.
‘Item effects don’t lie, after all.’
The trophy was no mere rock.
It was the seed of the World Tree.
And after learning that truth, my first words were—
“It seems the crisis of the continent’s true extinction has arrived.”
Nymph asked back politely.
“Lord Hoyeol. As someone lacking as I am, I do not understand what you mean by that……”
Of course she didn’t.
If not for the item effect, I wouldn’t even have guessed it myself.
Even if someone knew that the World Tree existed on the Arcana Continent, who could have known that the World Tree would scatter seeds like this?
“It is not that you are lacking.”
Of course, I knew the reason.
The World Tree scattering its seeds.
It meant that the World Tree itself was under an immense threat.
Naturally, that threat must refer to demons.
‘Until recently, this knowledge belonged to a demon.’
[Pentagram of Pure Knowledge]
was a demon’s item.
And not just any demon’s, but an item obtained from the Demon King, Decarabia.
Decarabia must have possessed this item containing knowledge of all minerals and plants, just as I did now. That meant he must have known information about the World Tree as well.
‘Did he use that information to threaten the World Tree?’
Of course, as for the specific circumstances,
there was no way for me to know.
It was something that happened on the Arcana Continent of the past.
How could I, who lived in reality, know that?
But now that I had learned the truth, what I had to do was simple.
[World Quest: Seed of the World Tree]
The crisis of the Arcana Continent’s extinction has arrived.
Amid the vast crisis,
sprout a new hope.
─Germinate the seed of the World Tree. (In Progress)
●Current World Tree seeds discovered: 1 / Unknown
●Current World Tree seeds sprouted: 0 / Unknown
A quest had appeared.
And a World Quest at that.
Suddenly, I recalled the players making a fuss.
A message appeared before the eyes of every player.
This was definitely a world-class quest.
Whoever it was, someone had definitely succeeded in a world-class quest.
Everyone said so.
So I had thought the same.
But as I looked at the quest window that had appeared, I realized it.
The real world-class quest had been something else entirely!
Even its scale was truly world-class.
And what about the story alone?
The World Tree, called the mother of the continent, had fallen into danger, and amid that world-class crisis, I had to sprout the World Tree’s seed, a new hope!
As I said, if nothing else, I was exceptionally good at knowing my place.
‘……Doesn’t this feel far too early?’
My level, having to bear such a world-class quest, was only level 324.
Wouldn’t even the World Tree lament?
Wondering how such a newbie ended up sprouting its seed.
Yes, let’s think of the usual situation.
‘The quest appeared the moment I learned that thing was the seed of the World Tree. Then specific information about the World Tree must be the starting condition for the quest.’
……
Wait, that starting condition itself makes no sense, does it?!
As I said,
even Nymph, a forest spirit, was ignorant about the World Tree.
Would the Magic Tower be any different?
I had read countless magic books until now.
And yet I had never once seen the term World Tree.
But for a player
to obtain information about the veiled World Tree?
Wouldn’t they have to reach level 1,000 at the very least?
Seriously.
So, to summarize it in one line—
I had strayed outside the normal progression of the quest.
Because I had defeated the Demon King Decarabia
and obtained
[Pentagram of Pure Knowledge],
I had skipped over that enormous intermediate process
and been able to begin a world-class quest……!
So it wasn’t strange that I felt burdened, was it?
If I had a normal way of thinking, it would only be natural to worry.
Agonizing over whether I was truly fit to succeed in such a World Quest.
However.
Since when had I ever thought and acted normally?
The great evil, the Seven Deadly Sins’ Greed.
The Demon King Decarabia.
The demon-worshipping elder mages of the Magic Tower.
I had not even been level 300 then.
Even when I had only been level 100 or 200,
I had acted solely as my pride led me.
That was why I knew.
Even if I were to sink beneath that pride and drown,
I had no choice but to move forward.
Besides.
“Time waits for no one.”
I had witnessed the Arcana Continent.
The Arcana Continent being trampled by demons, at that.
The probability that the demons would simply watch until the seed of the World Tree sprouted?
Especially considering that Demon King Decarabia had existed,
there was not even the slightest possibility to hope for.
So I brazenly continued.
“Furthermore, I cannot take your pride lightly. World Tree.”
At my murmur, Nymph was shaken.
“When you say the World Tree……. Surely, by seed, you mean?”
I’m glad she wasn’t shaken because my way of speaking was cringeworthy.
In any case,
Nymph seemed to have realized everything as well.
“Now I understand. Why so many beings coveted that rock, that seed. It must be instinct. The seed of the World Tree must contain an energy beyond all expression.”
To think the World Tree truly existed……
Nymph trailed off.
She was Nymph, whose noble bearing had not wavered even under the influence of her contractor, me.
And yet she seemed deeply worried about what should be done with that colossal seed of the World Tree.
‘In other words, she feels the same as I do.’
Granfell’s pride alone was already more than enough to overwhelm me.
And now I had to shoulder even the pride of the World Tree.
But unlike Nymph, I had no hesitation.
“Prepare yourself, Nymph.”
I knew my place well.
Meaning, if it came to struggling desperately, I was confident.
Even if I had to use every means and method available,
I was confident I would not sink because of pride.
“To make the seed sprout, your blessing is necessary.”
Even if it was the great World Tree, in the end, it was still a plant.
Just as I had been able to grasp information about it through the [Pentagram of Pure Knowledge] because it was a plant,
Nymph’s blessing, which promoted the growth of plants, should also be effective.
“My blessing… upon the seed of the World Tree……?”
As expected, Nymph seemed rather flustered.
But soon, she answered in a calm voice.
“If I were alone, it would be impossible. But since you are here, Lord Hoyeol, I will try.”
Yes.
Whether the blessing worked or not, we had to struggle.
Of course, before that—
“We will need to quell the commotion.”
Predator’s Swamp.
The very center of it, where the fighting was fiercest.
The problem was that we first had to approach the seed of the World Tree through the interference of those monstrous predators.
‘There won’t be any room to spare.’
I coolly set my mind to work.
This was not some elixir herb, but the seed of the World Tree that would receive a blessing.
‘The backlash will come not only to Nymph, but to me, her contractor, as well.’
In other words, it wouldn’t be strange if I immediately fell into mana exhaustion.
Because I knew my place exceptionally well,
I had prepared swordsmanship, black magic, and escape routes in case of mana exhaustion……
But the problem was who my opponents were.
‘If [Natural Enemy Relationship] is active, then maybe.’
If not, even dealing with one of them would be difficult.
“……!”
However, monsters were not the only ones fighting a life-and-death struggle.
There were players here.
And among them, familiar faces……
No, to put it that way would make those relationships sound too shallow.
“There is give and take in all things.”
Yes, it was about time for me to receive again, wasn’t it?
‘Me, I really have gotten shameless. And in several layers, too.’
Those familiar faces, those connections—were they ordinary people by any means?
Basically, all of them were rankers and guild masters of top-tier guilds.
And to them, I had the nerve to say it.
“Your cooperation is required.”
Not help, but cooperation!
However, for me to act modest now—
‘Come to think of it, I even summoned the senior mages of the Magic Tower as I pleased.’
Regrettably,
I had experienced far too much already……
*
They reached the center of Predator’s Swamp.
The first thing that came into view was a massive rock.
And the monsters fighting around that rock.
“!”
But there was something else that seized their gazes more intensely than anything else.
It was Hoyeol, standing upright on the swamp.
“Mr. Hoyeol, after all that, you’re walking on water now?”
Seriously, Homen, Homen, and now this……?
As Nam Taemin gaped in astonishment, the members of the Gaon Guild spoke.
“Taemin hyung. Look closely. He’s standing on a lotus leaf.”
“Ah, you’re right? But that’s also impressive in its own way……?”
“Wait a second. Is that thing beside him the spirit?!”
Indeed, her figure was worthy of being called Hoyeol’s spirit.
One glance was enough.
Just as they had heard,
she looked to be at least a high-ranking spirit, and at most, a Spirit King-class spirit.
“Isn’t it actually a relief?”
“……?”
“From what I see, she’s not that different from unni?”
What exactly is not that different?
‘……What, the face?’
When Leoni lifted her head, she saw the crazy bastards measuring height with their fingers. ……Fine, she didn’t even have the energy to speak. Instead of answering, Leoni stepped on a foot.
Crunch!
“Aaah, unni!! It was a joke. A joke.”
It was then.
Hoyeol’s voice rang out.
“Your cooperation is required.”
“……!!!”
The high-level skill, [Telepathy].
Hoyeol’s voice sounded as though it were right beside them.
Leoni flinched for an instant.
‘T-too close. All of a sudden?!’
Even knowing it was telepathy,
this sense of distance with Hoyeol felt unfamiliar.
‘……Leoni. This is a delusion.’
But Leoni immediately came to her senses.
‘He needs cooperation?’
She did not know what kind of cooperation he wanted.
But this was a chance to repay the debt she owed Hoyeol!
Yes, she had been waiting for this very day.
Putting aside her personal feelings.
‘……Not that I particularly have any feelings.’
Yes, well, whatever!
Putting aside even being treated to a cup of tea!
The debt owed to Hoyeol was a matter on the guild level!
Even as the master of the Berserker Guild,
it was only natural that she had no choice but to respond to Hoyeol’s request for cooperation.
Leoni did not hesitate.
And then she met them.
“Oh, you too?”
“……What’s with that combination that doesn’t suit you at all?”
“Who knows.”
Nam Taemin.
Hisagi Kazuma.
And every member of Gaon and Inazuma.
‘Gaon, I can understand.’
Gaon had a debt to Hoyeol, just as she did.
Also, Nam Taemin shared Hoyeol’s nationality and seemed to be acquainted with him.
She could understand that.
‘But what about Inazuma and Hisagi Kazuma?’
Gaon and Inazuma?
No matter how much she racked her brain, it was a combination she could not understand.
Even Leoni, one of the people involved, thought that.
So there was no need to even mention the third parties watching.
The studio.
“What is this……?”
The cast blinked at the screen that had appeared.
Wondering if he had seen those faces wrong,
the host slowly listed their appearances.
“That sturdy build that makes you feel reassured just by looking at him. It is indeed our Republic of Korea’s player, Nam Taemin. And beside him is Berserker’s Leoni Kassel, who has recently had many points of contact with Gaon. And……”
No matter how many times he rubbed his eyes and looked again, it was certain.
“Judging by the spear he’s holding and that sharp impression……. It definitely appears to be Inazuma’s guild master, Hisagi Kazuma!”
It was Hisagi Kazuma of Inazuma.
Why drag it out so much just to say his name?
If someone were to ask,
they would have to first bring up the wretched bad blood between Gaon and Inazuma.
From when Arcana was still a game to after the Cataclysm.
The two guilds, the two guild masters, snarled at each other whenever they met, to the point where there were fewer days they did not clash. That was why the screen made them doubt their eyes.
“……For now, it does not seem like there is discord?”
Gaon, Inazuma, and Berserker.
The three guilds were gathered together.
In the predator zone, where combat had not ceased even at this very moment.
If this was not a war of nerves, then what it meant was simple.
“A-are you saying Gaon and Inazuma have joined hands?”
“That is what it appears to be. And with the Berserker Guild as well!”
“They are not guilds that would join forces without a good reason. They are all major guilds with nothing to be lacking in on their own, aren’t they? Moreover, considering the conflict between Gaon and Inazuma, this is impossible……!!”
“Ah, please wait. As we speak, it seems player Lee Hoyeol has revealed himself! Silver hair, shoes and a suit, and even a spirit. Judging by his appearance, it is definitely player Lee Hoyeol!”
“Lee Hoyeol? Wait a moment, then surely? The reason Gaon, Inazuma, and the Berserker Guild have joined hands is……?”
That was right.
Soon, the sight of the impossible becoming reality began to unfold.