Unearthing the World Tree Branch
Shi... no, I saw the World Tree!
"Hoo..."
Gulp—! Gulp—!
I pulled some cold water from my Inventory and chugged it down. Leaning against the wall to wait for Brynhildr to wake up.
"Uh... huh?"
Something stirred inside me. An unfamiliar energy. There was one thing I suspected.
No way... this is?!
The energy that forms inside you when you awaken a magic-type skill. Mana.
Did I just awaken mana?
This was info I'd picked up back when I was cluelessly chasing dreams. Brynhildr had confirmed it was legit.
"Oh? You awakened your mana?"
Brynhildr, now awake, hugged me from behind. Completely naked. But she'd used magic to clean herself up—her body was spotless.
Mana, out of nowhere? Why?
The Heavenly Phallus was a physical enhancement ability. Not magic-related, so awakening mana should've been impossible. At least according to what I knew.
And I hadn't newly awakened a magic ability either.
If I had, I'd know it instinctively...
As I pondered deeply,
"What're you thinking about so hard?"
Brynhildr tickled my lips as she asked.
I turned to face her.
"Congrats♡ honey~♡ But... are you really human?"
Brynhildr had switched up how she addressed me now that she was awake.
I'd ask Nibel about the mana later.
"I'm human."
First, I had to deal with Brynhildr and the World Tree Branch.
"For a human, your essence is insanely potent."
Brynhildr said she'd not only healed but grown stronger from consuming my semen.
Shimbu Rumkun definitely said it.
Your ability comes from your father's legendary philandering tales.
A being who could grant abilities at will. If this was a derivative power from that, no wonder Brynhildr was making such a fuss.
Her eyes gazing at me were full-on hearts. She caressed my body like it was fragile porcelain.
"Ahh~♡ If only you were stronger, it'd be perfect... No! I'll make you strong myself♡"
Hah... hah... hah...
Brynhildr buried her nose in my nape, inhaling deeply.
"If you wanna help me, grant me one favor."
"A favor? Anything♡ But you'll have to give me a reward~♡"
I grabbed her hand as it slid lower, stopping it. Brynhildr let out a disappointed sigh, kissed my cheek, and pulled back.
"It's a talisman for your safety."
She'd infused mana into the kiss. It would activate if my life was in danger, she said.
"Alright~! So, what's the favor and the reward?"
Her face was cat-like mischief, but her eyes were those of a dog adoring its master.
"Lure the elves and hero party out of the village."
To get the World Tree Branch, the village had to be empty.
It was a pretty unreasonable request. Brynhildr had nearly died against just the hero party. Add the elves? It was basically a death sentence.
Contrary to my expectation of refusal,
"Sure thing~♡ If that's what you want♡ I'd love to."
Brynhildr accepted.
"Right now, I could take on the Demon King."
The enhancement from my semen must've been massive. Her face brimmed with confidence.
She shrouded her important bits in mana and took to the skies.
"My reward... your se. men."
Shower me in it later.
With that sultry gesture and tone, Brynhildr departed. She conjured a massive boulder mountain to draw out the hero party.
I headed the opposite way, toward the World Tree Village, hiding in the bushes near the entrance to watch.
"Everyone, weapons up! Let's show that demon our power!!"
Waaaaah—!
Thanks to Cream's healing, the revitalized elves grabbed their weapons and charged out. Not a single one stayed behind.
They trusted the village barrier, it seemed.
But they overlooked me.
Since I was registered with the barrier, I slipped inside without resistance.
It's under here, right?
A massive World Tree statue. I placed my hand on it.
Items could go into my Inventory in three states: if they were truly mine, if the owner permitted it, or...
The last one is...
If there was no owner.
The World Tree statue vanished into my Inventory. Mine was slot-based, so weight and size didn't matter.
I pulled out a shovel from my Inventory, dug up the now-empty ground, and...
"Shi... no, I saw the World Tree!!"
There it was—the branch. Buried in the earth, yet its leaves were vibrant green.
It looked like any ordinary twig... but
The mana it's packing is no joke.
It oozed mana nonstop, like it was bragging about being the World Tree.
I quickly stashed the World Tree Branch in my Inventory and restored the statue.
Then, I headed to the battlefield where the hero party and Brynhildr were clashing. Not to join, of course—I'd stay hidden.
My role's just porter.
A porter who shows off gets killed, and all the loot's lost.
Brynhildr wouldn't let me die, but...
Kwachik—!
Arriving at the field, Nibel's earth magic whipped through the air. Being in the forest, they held back on other elements.
Hagen, sensing melee was impossible, swapped his sword for a bow. True to his Mercenary King title, he was proficient in multiple weapons—even archery at an expert level.
Altera supported with the other elves via arrows.
Siegfried raised his holy sword and charged Brynhildr.
Not just the sword in his hand—he's got another one standing at attention.
Cream cast healing the moment injuries appeared, jumping into the fray.
Ooh yeah...
Cream, soaked in sweat. Her nun's habit clung to her body, accentuating her massive breasts and hips. Her waist was incredibly slim.
Everyone fought desperately from their positions.
Unlike the fierce hero party, Brynhildr was utterly relaxed.
How much stronger did she get...
Stunned by my semen's effects, I stared at Brynhildr.
Wink—!
Our eyes met. She winked at me, then raised her spear high.
A glaring opening, even to a newbie like me. But the hero party and elves were too exhausted to move.
"How... how did she get this strong so fast... Sorry, everyone. My judgment call."
Nibel apologized—he'd suggested hunting Brynhildr.
"Not... yet...!"
Siegfried's holy sword glowed as he stood. Borrowing its power to recover stamina, it seemed. But
Standing tall down there won't make you look cool...
It just looked lame.
"Kyahahaha—! Die, all of you!"
Brynhildr formed a boulder the size of the village and prepared to drop it. Right before, she glanced at me sidelong—a signal.
Shing—!
I drew my sword and struck from behind her.
My blade grazed Brynhildr's neck. A mere scratch, but she staggered.
The giant boulder crumbled, scattering everywhere. The forest shattered.
The hero party could only huddle and brace.
As the dust settled, all eyes turned to where Brynhildr had been.
There she stood, bleeding profusely and stumbling. Way more blood than a graze should've caused—she must've deepened the wound herself.
"...."
Brynhildr glared down silently, then turned and fled.
Thanks.
This play was probably to boost my standing in the party.
Why? No idea...
My guess: she couldn't stand her love interest having low status, or she planned to use me to destroy the party.
Probably both...
Either way, this would've skyrocketed Cream's affection and the party's trust in me.
"You saved us all..."
Nibel grabbed both my hands, his face full of guilt.
"Hahaha—! Well! Learned! If you can't win head-on, ambush!"
Hagen laughed heartily, his body covered in wounds.
"Don't do dangerous stuff next time—just run! ...But I'm glad you came."
Cream scolded, then blushed.
"...."
Altera said nothing, but her glare softened.
"Thanks."
Siegfried's face twisted complexly, watching Cream.
Worried about losing her?
I sneered inwardly.
Seeing everyone's smiles, returning to Earth didn't seem far off.
Yeah, almost a year now.
I'd built enough story. Gathered all the prep. Time to move.
That evening, as everyone slept, I secretly called Altera aside. Thanks to the recent affection boost, she actually showed at the meeting spot.
"Spit it out quick if you have something to say."
Altera snapped curtly.
That's ending now.
I pulled the World Tree Branch from my Inventory.
"Th-that's?!"
Altera reached for it instantly.
"Stop."
My single word halted her.
"Ha... haha!! Ahahaha!!!"
I laughed in delight. Far from camp—no one would hear.
The insolent Altera knelt at my feet.
She looked like she had a lot to say.
"Wanna talk? You can move your mouth."
Her mouth opened at my command.
"How do you have that?!"
"Dunno. Does it matter?"
"Of course it does! That's our... Her god's body part! Hand it over, you filth!"
Altera hadn't grasped her situation yet. Time to clue her in.
"N-no, stay back!"
I stripped layer by layer as I approached, ending up naked.
"Suck."
I commanded her plainly.