Chapter 96

While looking at his phone screen, estimating the levels of the four, Iris spoke.

"And the reason we don’t bring out many dryads when we travel is because of a rumor."

"A rumor?"

"We've wandered through quite a variety of terrariums. It's a widespread story among druids that some druids are hunting dryads. They might be targeting rare-grade dryads or specific types of dryads, but the target isn't clear. It's really bizarre, isn't it? Hunting dryads. So, most druids who frequently go on adventures try not to bring out high-grade dryads and only bring out the minimum number of dryads when necessary. They might become targets, after all. Unless they are really strong and fear nothing. We also try to be cautious even when we travel in groups."

"The Iris party has four members, right? And you're still scared? Even with four of you combined, you have so many dryads?"

What, are there druids hunting dryads? They would only do that if it inevitably led to combat, right? Wait, are there PK players in this game? Is that even sane?

"Yes, there are many druids much stronger than us. We are nothing. Some druids have visited the 100th terrarium, which has already been destroyed, and there are druids leading large guilds in the first terrarium, and even druids who have a king with over ten forests."

Wow, the scale is incredible. I was really a frog in a well.

"Unless they are really strong, most druids hide their dryads. It's partly because of the rumor, but also a strategy to not show all their cards. If the opponent doesn't know what dryads they have, they can gain a strategic advantage. There are also cases where dryads are mutually exclusive."

Mesquite once said that dryads born and raised in the World Tree are like a family and rarely turn against each other, except in special cases.

When I asked about this, she said that while everyone knows this unwritten rule, druids and their souls, who have become strong over a long time, naturally prioritize druids. Moreover, with so many peculiar druids, invisible battles can happen anywhere.

But isn't the World Tree in danger because of fire? Dryads are supposed to protect the World Tree from fire. They should be busy fighting fire, so why are they PKing each other everywhere? Aren't they supposed to focus on the main quest?

I subtly moved back and stuck to Mesquite, then lowered my voice and asked.

"Mesquite, did you know about what I just heard? You said you've lived a long time."

Come to think of it, Mesquite had a previous owner. Did she experience such things?

"My owner, Jay. Perhaps it was all foreseen. It's just happening too quickly... too much... and it's all falling apart."

After that, Mesquite fell silent. What did she mean? Mesquite is so mysterious. She's shrouded in mystery. How much can I ask, and how much should I keep quiet?

Anyway, should I also put my dryads in an artifact like other druids? I like traveling with everyone together. My dryads, who protect me with utmost care, wouldn't follow that.

Then Notos, who was walking far ahead, came over with a serious expression after talking to the pines.

"The pines have lost the trail. It seems this area has never had pines growing naturally. We'll have to search a wider area from now on."

This was the first time I heard his voice. As expected from his sturdy appearance, his voice was very deep. He only said what he needed to and looked at Iris. The leader of this party is probably Iris. She seemed to be waiting for her instructions.

"Even if it's the east, the area is too wide. The regions marked on the map have already been visited by guides, so there are no colonies. We'll have to look at ambiguous areas, but even then, it's too wide."

The map I had only marked up to the 28th area to the right and the 18th area above, so it was narrower and simpler than Iris's.

I need to update my map. I need a system where the map opens up automatically as I visit areas, like in a typical game.

"We'll have to split up and search."

Iris pointed to two parts of the map where the terrain was vaguely drawn.

"Usually, in such cases, Notos and I, Jepher and Hermia, split up to search. Notos's pines are the only ones with the ability to detect, but Jepher's goblin needle dryad can be used as a receiver."

"Finally, it's my baby's turn to shine!"

I saw Jepher, who had been groaning and holding his stomach while walking, suddenly regain his energy. His terrarium artifact was surrounded by a cluster of light, and a dryad with a round, yellow head adorned with yellow flowers appeared.

She spun around happily, and her puffy, leaf-colored skirt and apron-like leaves flared out and then gently settled. The sharp, thorn-like things hanging from her sleeves looked very threatening. Are those the goblin needles? They fell off in all directions with each of her movements.

"Stop just watching and calm her down! If she keeps this up, my clothes will be full of holes!"

"How can I stop my lovely dryad from showing how much she loves me?"

"I'll try to do something before I have to beat her and send her back to the artifact."

"Come on, stop. My fragrant flower. Can you stop and listen to me?"

"My dear little World Tree... I would give you all the fruits I have, without reservation."

Iris looked at them with exasperation, as if she was tired of their constant drama.

"Jepher's dryad is the only one in the team that can't be shared, right? This is that dryad. She only listens to Jepher. She's completely uncontrollable and a troublemaker! She's just like her owner! She's a diamond pot without a drain. Do you know how many diamonds have leaked because of her? The clothes and sheets she's ruined with the fruits on her sleeves could cover an entire terrarium and still have some left over!"

Iris started to vent her frustration as she watched the two, who were holding hands and spinning around. She even pulled out her weapon, but Hermia blocked her with his whole body. He seemed to be struggling with her strength.

I thought I had a good relationship with my dryads, but these two were on another level.

"Calm down... We've seen them act like this before... We are in the middle of a guild initiation test. Not just any guild, but a terrarium-exclusive guild. If that guy messes up and you show a bad side...," Hermia glanced at me.

"How will the future guild master see us?"

Iris quickly calmed down at his words. She took a deep breath and put her weapon away.

"Phew... As you can see, Jepher's goblin needle dryad can attach these sharp, thorn-like fruits to anything. As long as the distance isn't too far, she can detect all the creatures with the fruits attached. If the distance is too far and the ability is cut off, we can meet up again, or we can remove the fruits to signal something."

"Our lovely dryad's abilities don't end there! My goblin needle dryad is a healing type, so the fruits also have healing power! They can be used as emergency healing in a crisis!"

The thought of a dryad covered in sharp needles for healing made me want to laugh. The healing is quite dramatic.

"So, we'll split into two groups. What will you do, Jay? Do you have a dryad with detection abilities?"

I haven't properly checked yet, but I have dandelion children and Mesquite. However, Mesquite can cause earthquakes, and while tree types can withstand it, flower types can't. Since there are young dandelions here, Mesquite's ability is effectively sealed.

When I said the dandelions might have detection abilities, Iris pondered. In terms of firepower and abilities, it would be advantageous for me to act separately. However, we are officially in the middle of a guild initiation test, and they don't know that the 18th terrarium area is still dangerous for me to travel alone because of the incident with the Cannabis dryad. I was torn between joining one of the two groups.

If I join the group without detection abilities, I can use the dandelions' power effectively, but I would have to endure the constant drama with the goblin needle dryad. I felt even worse when I saw the elder dryad nervously brushing off the needles that had stuck to her clothes.

Moreover, Iris suggested I join her group first. It was because of the dryad combination.

Jepher and Hermia don't have defensive dryads but each have a healing type. Iris's group has two support pines from Notos, and Iris has one defensive dryad but no healing type.

Since I have a healing type, the balance would be better if a crisis arises. That makes sense! A party without a healer is doomed!

Before splitting into two groups, we each attached a goblin needle fruit to our bodies. Seeing Jepher, who was now covered in goblin needles like a porcupine, I felt I made the right choice by choosing Iris's group.

Jepher looked very worn out, as if he had just been in a battle. I felt sorry for Hermia, who had to go with him.