Chapter 72: Obtaining the Seed of the Fallen Ent

"Sejun! Sejun!"

Blinded by jealousy, Kaiser, the foolish grandson, was about to launch a water cannon from the black dragon statue installed at the Eilin Centennial Memorial Fountain when Sejun was hit.

"Sir, please hold still."

Anton, who had higher control over the black dragon statue, took control away from Kaiser.

"Hmph."

Realizing he had overreacted, Kaiser awkwardly cleared his throat.

"Let's observe this Sejun for a while."

"What for?!"

"This Sejun is our hope to fix Eilin's Dragonheart. We need to know what kind of person he is."

"Hmph. Understood."

They continued to observe Sejun through the black dragon statue.

And they noticed something peculiar.

"What's with this guy?"

Despite being incredibly weak, he was using crops from farming to control various monsters. However, it was hard to call it bad since the monsters being controlled seemed very happy.

And the crops had various effects. Eilin's Dragonheart had improved thanks to these crops.

"Hmph! He's got some talent!"

Kaiser, who had been watching with a stern gaze, began to acknowledge Sejun.

As they observed Sejun for a few days through the black dragon statue, they saw a fallen ent's branch scout approaching Sejun's farm.

"It seems the fallen ents have spread again."

"Tsk. They're like weeds."

The fallen ents were one of the top nuisances on the 99th floor of the tower, regularly needing to be dealt with to prevent them from multiplying and wiping out other monsters.

From the black dragons' perspective, completely eradicating the fallen ents would make things easier, but it was impossible due to the tower's management rule against intentionally causing the extinction of any settled life forms.

Still, Sejun was doing a good job protecting his farm with the help of the monsters.

Then,

"That's a guy who has absorbed the energy of the Blue Moon."

"That's going to be tough."

A fallen ent that absorbs the energy of the Blue Moon, which is born with a very low probability, is a monster that is difficult to deal with unless you're a black dragon.

"We'll have to use that."

"That's not what it was designed for."

Kaiser grumbled but didn't oppose saving Sejun.

"Activate the black dragon statue."

With Anton's words, the red magic stone embedded in the black dragon statue's eyes glowed, and the statue began to move as if it were alive.

It was a skill Anton had embedded in the red magic stone to prepare for emergencies involving Eilin.

After using the black dragon statue to deal with the fallen ent, Anton flew back to Sejun and spoke to him.

After observing Sejun for a few days, Anton judged him to be a trustworthy human.

***

Boom!

With a massive mushroom cloud, the fallen ent that had absorbed the energy of the Blue Moon evaporated.

"The final blow is mine."

Even though he couldn't level up much due to the 30-level job quest, he still felt a bit disappointed.

As Sejun, feeling a bit disappointed, watched the mushroom cloud Anton had created,

Flap. Flap.

The black dragon statue flew over, flapping its wings.

"Thank you for your help, Father Eilin."

-Just call me Anton.

"Understood."

-And the help just now is nothing compared to what you did for my daughter. Thank you for saving Eilin.

"Thank you..."

Sejun felt as if he were meeting his girlfriend's parents for the first time. He had never had a girlfriend, but...

Sejun was in a similar situation to Theo, just not showing it.

-I want your help in the future.

"Help? Do you mean fixing Eilin's Dragonheart?"

-That too, but I would like you to manage the Black Tower on Eilin's behalf.

The Black Tower was not being properly managed because Eilin couldn't leave the administrator area. Additionally, Kaiser had been handling urgent matters every ten years, but this time he couldn't.

Over time, problems would start to arise on various floors.

Kaiser and Anton were worried about this.

Then,

"Isn't that...?"

"Red Locusts?! When did they invade?"

Unaware of the Red Locusts' invasion, they were shocked to see wolves bringing carts full of Red Locust corpses.

Once the Red Locusts start to multiply, there's no stopping them, which was one of the main reasons the tower was created.

Fortunately, they were relieved to hear from the wolves and Sejun that the Red Locusts' spread on the 67th floor had been contained.

They also thought Sejun had the ability to solve the tower's problems. After all, being able to control the monsters on the 99th floor meant he could handle most issues.

That's why Anton decided to entrust Sejun with the role of acting administrator of the tower on Eilin's behalf.

"Managing the Black Tower?"

-Yes. It won't be difficult. We'll support you.

"Our... us?"

-Yes! Sejun! I am Kaiser Phrytani, Eilin's grandfather!

Suddenly, a hearty voice came from the black dragon statue.

"Ah! Hello, Sir Kaiser. I'm Sejun."

-Hmph. You know your manners.

Sejun's 90-degree bow slightly softened Kaiser's heart, which had been hostile towards him.

"But I can't leave this floor."

-There's a way!

"Really?!"

-Yes! First, put the power tomatoes in the black dragon statue's mouth!

"What?!"

-Hmph! There's a reason! I don't want to eat them!

Kaiser seemed very excited, as if he had something to hide. He was definitely Eilin's grandfather, always pushing his point.

"Understood."

Sejun picked a few power tomatoes and put them in the black dragon statue's mouth.

Poof.

The tomatoes disappeared in a flash of light.

And,

-I need to recharge my power, so let's talk later. Go to where the fallen ent died. There might be something that can help you.

Flap. Flap.

The black dragon statue left, returning to the fountain to spout water again.

***

Thump. Thump.

Sejun, riding on the back of his mother, the Crimson Giant Bear, with his son, Gweung, headed to where the fallen ent had died.

"What's there?"

Roar.

[There's a power orb near where the fallen ent died. It makes you stronger.]

The Crimson Giant Bear explained, satisfying Sejun's curiosity.

"A power orb that makes you stronger?"

Roar. Roar.

[Yes. It's a blue orb.]

As they talked, they arrived at the location where the fallen ent had died.

In the middle of a large pit, there was a blue orb the size of a fist and a 10-meter-long branch as thick as a log.

Sejun picked up the blue orb and the branch.

[Obtained the Enhanced Seed of the Fallen Ent.]

[Obtained the Enhanced Branch of the Fallen Ent.]

"Wow!"

Sejun, delighted by the message, first checked the options of the seed.

[Enhanced Seed of the Fallen Ent]

This is the seed of a fallen ent that has absorbed the energy of the Blue Moon.

The seed has been enhanced by the energy of the Blue Moon.

Consuming it permanently increases all stats by 10.

If left on the ground, it will sprout and grow into a powerful fallen ent.

Expiry Date: 100 years

Grade: A

"Consuming it permanently increases all stats by 10..."

A very good option.

"Is this what you meant?"

It seemed the helpful thing Kaiser mentioned was this seed.

However, as a tower farmer who believed in the principle that planting one seed could yield dozens of times more, Sejun's first thought was to plant it rather than eat it.

'If Gweung gives it the Purifying Flame buff, what would happen?'

Even though it had fallen, it might still be purifiable. If not, he could always eat it later. With a 100-year expiry date, there was no need to worry about it going bad.

"I'll store it for now."

After putting the seed in his bag, Sejun checked the options of the branch.

[Enhanced Branch of the Fallen Ent]

This is a branch of a fallen ent that has absorbed the energy of the Blue Moon.

The branch has been strongly reinforced by the energy of the Blue Moon.

By infusing it with mana, you can adjust its size, making it a good material for a transformable weapon.

Usage Restrictions: Level 35 or higher, Strength 50 or higher, Mana 30 or higher

Grade: A

"I can't use it."

Sejun, who didn't meet any of the usage restrictions, found the branch to be quite picky.

Then,

Gweung!

[Daddy, I want to use it!]

Gweung, who had always envied the black rabbit's hammer, coveted the enhanced branch of the fallen ent.

"Sure. You can use it."

Gweung!

Gweung was delighted to receive the branch.

After collecting the items and returning home,

Squeak!

Squeak!

The rabbits were waking up and preparing for the morning farm work.

"Hmm."

After a moment's thought, Sejun started the morning farm work with the rabbits.

***

On the 75th floor of the tower, in the shop area.

"Hurry up, kitty!"

"Yes!"

"Wow! Jeff Intern, your answer is loud and clear, kitty! Your contract period is shortened by one day, kitty!"

"Thank you!"

Instead of immediately moving to the 38th floor, Theo was leading his group to the headquarters of the Wandering Merchant Association to apply for the High-Speed Merchant Route.

The reason was to apply for the High-Speed Merchant Route, which a mid-level wandering merchant was eligible to use. As long as you had 10,000 Tower Coins...

While a regular merchant route took about a day to move 10 floors, the High-Speed Merchant Route could do it in half a day.

Theo, who wanted to quickly complete his trade and return to Sejun, had always wanted to use the High-Speed Merchant Route but couldn't due to lack of money.

However, with the 20,000 Tower Coins he received as a trade incentive from Sejun, Theo could finally apply for the High-Speed Merchant Route.

"I have received 10,000 Tower Coins. Mid-level wandering merchant Theo, you can now use the High-Speed Merchant Route. Here is your new pass."

The Wandering Merchant Association employee handed Theo a silver pass.

"Thank you, kitty!"

'Phew! Finally, I can use the High-Speed Merchant Route, kitty!'

As Theo received his new pass and walked out of the Wandering Merchant Association headquarters with a proud stride,

"Whistle, whistle, whistle."

Iona, whistling, passed by.

"Iona, hello, kitty!"

"Ah! President Theo, hello."

They briefly chatted.

"President Theo, are you going down to the lower floors?"

"No, kitty! I'm going to Granier Village, kitty!"

"Ah! Really?! That's great! I'll go with you to Granier Village!"

Iona, delighted, climbed onto Elka's head, who was waiting outside.

Originally, Theo planned to quickly go down to the 38th floor using the High-Speed Merchant Route,

"Father has an urgent message to deliver. If you go to Granier Village for me, I'll pay you 1,000 Tower Coins."

"Sure! I'll go, kitty!"

Oren's offer changed Theo's destination to Granier Village. More than the money, he wanted to show his successful self to the cats in his hometown.

'Phew! I'll show them my success, kitty!'

"President Theo, who is this?"

Oren asked, looking at Iona.

"Iona, kitty! She's going to Granier Village with us, kitty! Let's go, kitty!"

With Theo's call, the group set off.

'Damn!'

Oren's face stiffened at the addition of a new member.

But,

'Just a hamster.'

Oren quickly smiled slyly and hurried to follow Theo.