Chapter 90

◈ Chapter 90. The Flowering in the Swamp (7)

[Pure Knowledge Pentagram]

[Grade: Epic]

[Restriction: None]

[Effect: When worn, acquires knowledge of all minerals and all plants in the Arcana continent.]

[Description: A magical tool containing an immeasurable amount of knowledge.]

The knowledge of all minerals said,

That is not a rock.

The knowledge of all plants also said,

That is a seed, a seed of the World Tree.

Yes, the World Tree is an existence even the forest spirits, the nymphs, do not know.

If there were writings about the World Tree in books,

I wouldn't have easily trusted that information.

But as they say, an Epic item is not Epic for nothing.

‘The effects of an item never lie.’

The loot was not a rock.

It was the seed of the World Tree.

The first words I spoke upon realizing the truth were,

"The true crisis of the continent's destruction has arrived."

The nymph asked politely,

"Sir Ho Yeol. What do you mean by that...?"

Of course, it's natural not to understand.

I wouldn't have even guessed if it weren't for the item's effect.

Even if I had known that the World Tree existed on the Arcana continent, who would have thought it would spread seeds?

"You are not lacking."

Of course, I knew the reason.

The World Tree spreading seeds means

The World Tree is under a great threat.

Naturally, that threat refers to demons.

‘This knowledge was once the knowledge of demons.’

The [Pure Knowledge Pentagram] is a demon's item.

It was an item obtained from the Demon King, Decarabia.

Decarabia, that guy, must have had an item that granted knowledge of all minerals and plants, and thus must have known about the World Tree.

‘Did he use that information to threaten the World Tree?’

Of course, I don't know the specific details.

It happened in the past on the Arcana continent.

How could the real me know?

But the task I have to do now is simple.

[World Quest: The Seed of the World Tree]

The crisis of the Arcana continent's destruction has arrived.

Amidst the great crisis,

Sprout a new hope.

─Germinate the seed of the World Tree. (In Progress)

●Currently discovered seeds of the World Tree: 1 / Unknown

●Currently sprouted seeds of the World Tree: 0 / Unknown

A quest appeared.

And it was a World Quest.

Suddenly, I recalled the commotion among the players.

A message appeared before all the players.

This is definitely a World-level quest.

Someone, though unknown, has clearly succeeded in a World-level quest.

Everyone says so.

I thought so too.

But as I looked at the quest window, I realized something.

There was a real World-level quest!

The scale alone is truly World-level.

Just look at the story.

The World Tree, known as the mother of the continent, is in crisis, and in this World-level crisis, the seed of the World Tree must be sprouted to bring new hope!

As I said, I was brilliant at grasping the situation.

‘...Isn't it a bit too early to tell me this?’

My level, which has to handle such a World-level quest, is only level 324.

The World Tree might even lament.

What kind of newbie is sprouting its seed?

Let's think about a normal situation.

‘The moment I realized this was the seed of the World Tree, the quest appeared. So, specific information about the World Tree must be the starting condition of the quest.’

...Wait, doesn't that starting condition make no sense?!

As I said,

Even the forest spirits, the nymphs, were ignorant about the World Tree.

Would the Magic Tower be any different?

I've read countless magic books,

But I've never seen the word "World Tree."

So, for a player to obtain information about the veiled World Tree,

Wouldn't they need to be at least level 1,000?

Seriously.

So, to sum it up in one line,

I was deviating from the normal quest progression.

By defeating the Demon King Decarabia,

And obtaining the [Pure Knowledge Pentagram],

I skipped the enormous middle process,

And was able to start a World-level quest...!

Isn't it strange that I felt burdened?

If I had a normal mindset, it would be natural to worry.

I would agonize over whether I have the capacity to succeed in such a World Quest.

However,

When have I ever had a normal mindset and behavior?

The Seven Deadly Sins, Greed.

The Demon King Decarabia.

The Demon-worshipping Elder Mages of the Magic Tower.

It wasn't even level 300.

It was only level 100, 200.

I acted as my pride led me.

That's why I know.

Even if I drown in that pride,

I can only move forward.

Moreover,

"Time waits for no one."

I witnessed the Arcana continent.

A continent being trampled by demons.

The probability that demons will just watch the seed of the World Tree sprout?

Especially with the existence of the Demon King Decarabia.

There's not even a sliver of hope.

So, I boldly continued,

"Nor can I take your pride lightly, World Tree."

The nymph was shaken by my words.

"World Tree... Could the seed be...?"

Fortunately, she was shaken not by my tone but by the content.

In any case,

The nymph seemed to have realized everything.

"I finally understand. Why so many people were after the rock, the seed. It must be instinct. The seed of the World Tree must contain an indescribable amount of energy."

The existence of the World Tree...

The nymph trailed off.

The nymph, whose dignified demeanor was unshaken by my influence as a contractor,

Seemed deeply concerned about what to do with the giant seed of the World Tree.

‘In other words, she feels the same way I do.’

Even the pride of Granfel is overwhelming enough.

To bear the pride of the World Tree as well.

But I had no hesitation like the nymph.

"Prepare yourself, nymph."

I grasp the situation well.

If I struggle, I have confidence in myself.

I have confidence that I won't sink due to pride.

"To sprout the seed, your blessing is needed."

Even the great World Tree is ultimately a plant.

Because it is a plant, I could grasp its information with the [Pure Knowledge Pentagram].

The effect of the nymph's blessing to promote plant growth should also be effective.

"Should I bless the seed of the World Tree...?"

As expected, the nymph was quite flustered.

But she soon replied calmly,

"It would have been impossible on my own, but with Sir Ho Yeol, I will try."

Yes.

Whether the blessing is effective or not, I have to struggle.

Of course, before that,

"I need to calm the chaos."

The predator swamp.

Especially the most intense battle zone at the center.

Breaking through the interference of the ferocious predators to approach the seed of the World Tree was a problem,

‘There's no time for that.’

I thought coldly.

It's not just a herb, but blessing the seed of the World Tree.

‘The backlash will come to both the nymph and me, the contractor.’

It wouldn't be strange to fall into magical exhaustion immediately.

Because I grasp the situation so well.

I was prepared for magical exhaustion with sword skills, black magic, and physical endurance,

But the opponents are formidable.

‘Unless [Predator-Prey Relationship] is activated.’

Otherwise, it's a struggle to even face one.

“...!”

But the monsters weren't the only ones fighting.

There were players here.

Among them, familiar faces...

No, it's too hurtful to call them that.

"Everything has a give and take."

Yes, it's time for me to receive.

‘I really laid the groundwork. In layers, too.’

Those familiar faces, those connections, are not ordinary people.

They are all top-ranking players and guild masters of the highest tier.

I spoke to them well.

"I need your cooperation."

Not just help, but cooperation!

But now is not the time to be modest.

‘After all, I even summoned the senior mages of the Magic Tower at will.’

Unfortunately,

I've experienced too much...

*

Reaching the center of the predator swamp.

The first thing I saw was a giant rock.

And the monsters fighting around it.

“!”

But what captured my attention more than anything else was

Ho Yeol standing upright on the swamp.

"Mr. Ho Yeol, are you now walking on water?"

Really, Ho Yeol, Ho Yeol...

The stunned Nam Taemin was told by Gaon's guild members,

"Brother Taemin, look closely. He's standing on a lotus leaf."

"Oh, really? But that's...?"

"Wait a minute. Is that a spirit next to him?!"

Indeed, the figure was worthy of being called Ho Yeol's spirit.

At a glance,

It was clearly a high-ranking spirit, possibly even a spirit king.

"Isn't it rather fortunate?"

"…?"

"It doesn't look much different from your sister, does it?"

What doesn't look much different?

‘...The face?’

When Leonie raised her head, she saw people measuring her height with their fingers. ...Forget it, I don't have the energy to say anything. Leonie stomped her foot instead.

Crack!

"Ah, sister!! It's a joke. A joke."

At that moment,

Ho Yeol's voice was heard.

"I need your cooperation."

"…!!!"

A high-level skill, [Telepathy].

Ho Yeol's voice sounded as if he was right next to them.

Leonie flinched instantly.

‘You, you're too close. Suddenly?!”

Even knowing it was telepathy,

The closeness to Ho Yeol was unfamiliar.

‘…Leonie, this is just a delusion.’

But Leonie quickly regained her composure.

‘Cooperation needed?’

I don't know what kind of cooperation he needs,

But this is a chance to repay my debt to Ho Yeol!

Yes, I've been waiting for this day.

Regardless of personal feelings.

‘...Not that I have any particular feelings, though.’

Yes, that!

Apart from getting a cup of tea!

The debt to Ho Yeol was a guild issue!

As the master of the Berserker guild,

It was only natural to respond to Ho Yeol's request for cooperation.

Leonie didn't hesitate.

And she met them.

"Hey, you too?"

“…What? That's an odd combination.”

"I guess."

Nam Taemin.

Hisagi Kazuma.

And all the members of Gaon and Inazuma guilds.

‘I can understand Gaon, of course.’

Gaon, like herself, owed a debt to Ho Yeol.

And Nam Taemin seemed to have a connection and friendship with Ho Yeol.

I could understand that.

‘But what about Inazuma and Hisagi Kazuma?’

Gaon and Inazuma?

No matter how I thought about it, it didn't make sense.

Even Leonie, one of the parties involved, found it strange.

Needless to say, the third-party observers were even more confused.

Studio.

“What is this...?”

The cast members blinked at the screen.

Thinking they might have seen it wrong,

The host slowly recited their appearances.

"The sturdy build. It's definitely the Korean player, Nam Taemin. And next to him, the Berserker guild's Leonie Cassel, who has recently had a lot of contact with Gaon. And...”

No matter how many times they looked, it was clear.

“The spear. And the sharp features... It's definitely Inazuma's guild master, Hisagi Kazuma!”

Just mentioning Hisagi Kazuma from Inazuma.

Why did he pause so much?

If someone asked,

He would have to bring up the long-standing animosity between Gaon and Inazuma.

From when Arcana was a game to after the Great Cataclysm.

The two guilds and their masters clashed so often that it was more unusual when they didn't.

So, it was natural to doubt their eyes at the sight on the screen.

“...At least, they don't seem to be in conflict?”

Gaon, Inazuma, and Berserker.

Three guilds gathered in one place.

In the predator zone, where battles never ceased.

If it wasn't a psychological battle, the meaning was simple.

“Gaon and Inazuma are joining forces?”

“It seems so. And even the Berserker guild!”

“Guilds that wouldn't normally join forces. They are all large guilds with nothing to lose. Especially Gaon and Inazuma. Considering the conflict between the two guilds, this is impossible...!!”

“Ah, wait a moment. It seems player Ho Yeol has appeared! Silver hair, shoes, a suit, and even a spirit. The appearance is definitely player Ho Yeol!”

“Ho Yeol? Wait, then could it be? The reason Gaon, Inazuma, and Berserker guilds are joining forces...?”

That's right.

Soon, the scene unfolded in a way that could only be described as shocking.