Chapter 91

◈ Chapter 91. Sprouting in the Swamp (8)

"It is to germinate the seed of the World Tree."

"……!!!"

A boldness that had nothing to hide.

The faces of the guild masters were filled with shock at Ho-yeol's words.

The only one who could respond was Nam Tae-min, who had developed some resistance to the shocking developments while accompanying Ho-yeol.

"Mr. Ho-yeol, you said it's too fast... Could the seed of the World Tree you're talking about be this huge rock?"

"That's right. It's not a rock but the seed of the World Tree."

"World Tree...?"

Is Ho-yeol lying?

I know it's impossible.

But to suddenly mention the World Tree...

It's naturally hard to accept.

However,

"Being ignorant is not shameful."

A noble voice, matching his appearance.

Nam Tae-min nodded at the spirit's words.

"If Mr. Ho-yeol says so, it must be true. I believe you."

Whether Nam Tae-min believed or not,

Leoni's mind was in chaos.

‘...Can you just say something like this?’

Before and after the Great Cataclysm,

Information about Arcana was power.

Yet, to suddenly mention the World Tree...

To say it out loud.

In fact, he had told the truth to them.

Action before thought.

Leoni, who despised giving meaning to such actions, still...

‘Still, they're not complete strangers, right?’

It was inevitable to be taken aback.

Hisagi's thoughts were not much different.

No, they were even more intense.

‘Why?’

If he wanted to hide it, he could have.

If it were me, I would have hidden it for sure.

The seed of the World Tree...

Just hearing it implies an incredible reward.

Any player would have sensed it instinctively.

But Ho-yeol spoke the truth as if it were obvious.

‘I don't know about Gaon and Berserker, but to us...’

In Hokkaido, in the Kingdom of Yusra,

How could one fathom Ho-yeol's intentions?

Hisagi could only resolve.

"I will do my best to assist, no matter what the cooperation entails."

Nam Tae-min and Leoni.

They didn't need to respond.

They were waiting for Ho-yeol to speak.

Of course, there was not a hint of hesitation in Ho-yeol.

"To germinate the seed of the World Tree."

To do so...!

"It requires considerable concentration."

So, where should we start?

While listening to Ho-yeol,

The three of them tried to use their Arcana experience to think.

If we follow the general flow, we should start with an investigation.

It will take quite a while just to examine the massive seed.

‘This battle will be long.’

‘It’s worth being fully prepared.’

‘If necessary, we might even set up a base...’

However,

"Can you calm the chaos for a moment?"

...For a moment?

The faces of the three were once again filled with shock at Ho-yeol's words.

It meant that a moment would be enough to germinate the massive seed of the World Tree.

‘I didn’t even know the World Tree existed...!’

‘...Just how far ahead is he seeing?’

‘Indeed, it’s Mr. Ho-yeol.’

What does it mean?

A declaration from Ho-yeol that no one could even guess.

Their reactions were different,

But at this moment, the actions of the three guild masters were the same.

The seed of the World Tree.

Now it's almost like a trophy.

Ho-yeol and the three guilds have become public enemies.

"Here they come!"

Yes, to fight the charging predators.

Or, to assist as Ho-yeol requested.

To calm the chaos.

[Poison Horn Rhinoceros: Lv.530]

[Ragged Beast: Lv.550]

[Bone Tomb Golem: Lv.600]...

Considering the levels of the monsters.

If it were a single guild, it would be impossible to even consider.

Even Bohemian, ranked 4th, suffered significant damage while dealing with just two monsters. But it wasn't a single guild.

"Good. Just like when we were stuck, right? We're experts at this."

Moreover, Gaon and Inazuma.

Two guilds that had competed against each other, knowing each other well.

Not just the guild masters, but the guild members as well.

They knew each other's strengths and weaknesses.

For the first time, these two guilds worked together?

The synergy was so remarkable that it was hard to believe it was their first time.

To the point where the berserker's rage was ignited.

Snap!

Catching the flying arrow with his bare hands.

Swoosh!

Thud!

Nam Tae-min, using his immense strength, threw the arrow back with his bare hands.

Squish!

Literally giving up his flesh.

Squish, squish!

Leoni, cutting through bones.

Barbarian and berserker.

Nam Tae-min and Leoni fiercely sweeping the battlefield.

Hisagi skillfully adjusted the pace of the battle with his spear.

Is this really their first time working together?

Even the onlookers were excited.

"We don't know what they discussed, but their synergy is incredible. They're holding their own against nearly a dozen monsters."

"Gaon and Inazuma are among the top guilds, aside from Shining and Tenchi Unification. They're living up to their reputation!"

"Berserker is no pushover either. Though ranked lower than the two guilds, their momentum on the battlefield is not at all inferior!"

Predator Zone Rift.

With the constant battles,

There were many spectacles to see.

- I never thought I'd see Gaon and Inazuma team up in my lifetime 😂

- A joke that would get you cursed on April Fool's Day has become reality 😎

- Rankers aren't rankers for nothing, really

- Despite the level gap, they're not being pushed back

The unpredictable developments kept pouring in.

Naturally, the majority of the excitement was centered around Ho-yeol.

From his unusual appearance on the lotus leaf.

To the sword skills he revealed, like a hidden dagger.

Not only forming a contract with a spirit,

But also uniting Gaon, Inazuma, and Berserker.

Knowing this,

The onlookers could only look forward to it.

Not just the player community,

- I thought the spirit contract was the goal

- No, if that was the goal, he would have left the rift immediately 😂

- Well, experience and drop rate buffs are meaningless to Ho-yeol

VBC Studio.

"There must be a bigger goal for player Ho-yeol."

"He must be planning something bigger. That's what you're saying, right!"

"Exactly! There must be a reason for gathering the guilds!"

In fact, the whole world began to focus on Ho-yeol.

PD Hyun Yong-seok, who had been watching the monitor with bated breath, suddenly spoke.

"While working on the broadcast, I've noticed something."

"Yes?"

"People are really fickle. If you give them a big thrill, they get used to it. Just look at dramas. Even well-made ones don't get the ratings of melodramas."

"That's true."

"But they get used to the melodrama's intensity too."

"Come to think of it, that's true. Now, the secret of birth is basic, and they come with adultery, crime, and half-siblings... It's just a series of incredible settings."

"Exactly. I know that. That's why I'm worried."

"Worried? Suddenly worried about the broadcasting company?"

Hyun Yong-seok shook his head at the assistant director's puzzled reaction.

"No, about Ho-yeol."

He has shown so much already.

Now, Ho-yeol can hardly satisfy the public with anything less.

Why, even now,

‘If it were me, I would be so nervous I couldn't even breathe.’

I can't know what Ho-yeol is thinking,

But Hyun Yong-seok thought about it.

‘Magic and top-tier sword skills. Proving the existence of spirits and forming a contract with at least a high-level spirit.

Moreover, uniting Gaon, Inazuma, and Berserker.’

That alone would be enough to talk about for days.

No, for weeks.

But humans are fickle.

They are already expecting more.

‘Ho-yeol will show something even more incredible, they say.’

But Hyun Yong-seok thought realistically.

He had developed an eye for it while directing Today's Arcana.

‘This time, he showed so much.’

To surpass those achievements,

Even for Ho-yeol, it would be difficult to show something more.

Hyun Yong-seok thought.

‘Of course, it’s the director’s job to package it well.’

But it was a misconception.

“...S, Senior! Look at that!”

“Huh? What?”

“No, look at Ho-yeol!”

The assistant director's urgent call.

His gaze returned to the monitor.

Hyun Yong-seok's eyes widened.

“What, what? That’s not a rock, is it?”

Ho-yeol didn't need any packaging.

*

It's incredibly reassuring.

In this [Predator's Swamp] rift.

I doubt there could be a more reliable support team.

‘Rankers aren’t rankers for nothing.’

Nam Tae-min, who started his class quest during the Frost Reclamation.

He was already among the top players in the rankings without the class quest.

Thanks to the rewards from the class quest,

He’s getting stronger every time I see him.

‘And his rival isn’t just a rival for nothing.’

His rival was none other than Hisagi.

No need to say more.

‘Leoni, from the moment I first saw her.’

A formidable warrior who met Granfel’s standards.

I even tried to use her sword skills once.

So,

I could approach the seed of the World Tree without any significant interference.

It’s even bigger up close.

I don’t know where the World Tree is,

But the scale of how it ended up here is intriguing. Really.

“I will begin, Nymph.”

But there is no hesitation.

Though the aftermath, the magical exhaustion, is a concern given its size...

I was confident.

The [Pentagram of Pure Knowledge] contained knowledge about the World Tree.

The World Tree is, after all, a plant.

“Indeed.”

Nymph had the blessing to promote plant growth.

Nymph and I placed our hands on the seed of the World Tree simultaneously.

It’s solid.

That’s all I felt, but Nymph seemed to feel something else.

“I sense an unusual energy.”

I didn’t respond.

Wasn’t Nymph influenced by me?

Indeed, once I made a decision, there was no hesitation.

Roar!

Magic began to flow from Nymph’s body.

Simultaneously, the {Nature} power seeped into the seed of the World Tree.

As expected, the anticipated events began to unfold.

...Look at the magic draining away.

I was prepared, but not for this speed.

The seed of the World Tree, a massive sponge.

It felt like dropping a few drops of water.

But I can’t show it.

Even if I faint from magical exhaustion...

I have to suppress the trembling in my legs.

The dizziness in my vision.

A different level of problem from enduring the cold.

Indeed, an obsession with formality to the point of being miraculous.

I felt like I would collapse at any moment,

But I maintained my upright stance.

Damn, method acting!

As engrossed in the battle as