Chapter 162
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 162
Chapter Title: Yggdrasil, Green Wave, and the Dragon of Death - 2
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Crimson flames erupted, beginning to devour the 'Green Wave' that covered the ground.
Fwhoooosh—!
Like burning snakes to death, thousands of green vines writhed grotesquely.
No matter how much they were burned, they were a nuisance that grew and regenerated even faster.
But now, due to Balmung's curse, all of those effects were completely nullified.
'In other words, I've stopped the heart of the massive life form known as the Green Wave.'
With that, the tables had turned completely, and Lee Hyun-wook prepared for checkmate—the final blow.
At his gesture, four Moglays plunged downward, two of them unleashing a 'Shockwave'.
KA-BOOM—!
The immense shockwave caused the ground to collapse once more, and a vast amount of debris poured into the hole—into the underground.
This time, with no way to support the weight, the Dark Elves below were buried alive.
「Just in case, I'll make sure to finish off the ones in that tunnel!」
And so, Maru stepped forward and packed the debris down tightly, completely cutting off any air passages.
Rumble, rumble...
As the ground was crushed, the tower-like 'flower buds' that had shot up began to snap. A few surviving strands of the Green Wave rushed to support the buds' stems, but their situation remained just as precarious.
"I-Impossible... H-how could you do something so... so unbelievable..."
Standing atop one of them, Flos Ruber stared at Lee Hyun-wook with a dazed expression.
"You... how on earth did you come up with such a wicked scheme?”
She had previously heard information about Steel Rain from the Villains and had devised a plan to devour him.
If she could trap his metal weapons within the Green Wave, he would be left defenseless...
"To think you'd turn my carefully crafted plan against me and kill all my subordinates..."
Just then, metal weapons began to rise from the debris, one by one.
The hundreds of swords and spears that the Green Wave had swallowed before were now free.
Like a pack of enraged wolves baring their teeth, their sharp blades glinted.
And now, Flos Ruber had no way to stop them.
Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh—whoosh—whoosh—!
Soon, hundreds of metal weapons were launched toward the defenseless targets—the flower buds floating in the air.
"Aaargh— H-here they come!"
"Block them, somehow!"
"Damn it, how are we supposed to block them!"
The flower buds were supposed to have powerful magic barriers, but with their roots necrotized, the effect had vanished.
"Aaaaargh—"
"Gack—"
"H-help me..."
In the end, the Dark Elf Druids standing on the half-broken flower buds were swept away in an instant.
However, Flos Ruber alone scattered seeds into the air, imbuing them with rapid growth.
A wide, carnivorous plant resembling a Venus flytrap bloomed in mid-air, blocking the barrage of metal weapons.
Pow—pow—pow—pow—!
But that was only a temporary evasion...
In the wide-open sky,
with hundreds of weapons flying freely,
she couldn't possibly dodge them all.
"Kuh!"
Ultimately, a Failnaught pierced her abdomen. A vine sprouted from her back and pulled it out, but another Failnaught struck her side, followed by a spear that plunged into her thigh.
"Guuuh—!"
She was a level 119 boss monster, but as a Spirit Master type, her defense wasn't particularly high.
However, that didn't mean she was completely defenseless in terms of defense.
'In my past life, when she was in a crisis, she would board a hard seed and perform a long-distance spatial teleport.'
In other words, she was likely looking for the right moment to use that escape skill while dodging Lee Hyun-wook's assault.
Sure enough, with a sudden *pop*, white smoke billowed around her body.
A moment later, a flash appeared about a hundred meters away, and she materialized there.
"Heh—Steel Rain, that was impressive, but such cheap tricks won't work next time!"
Was she already so sure of her escape that she was bidding him farewell?
She took out a fruit and imbued it with rapid growth. The fruit grew enormous and enveloped her body. It looked as hard as a nutshell, and all sorts of magic circles were drawn on its surface.
'Right, that's the escape skill in question.'
Lee Hyun-wook gripped a Moglay and glared at her.
"Ha— It's already too late!"
A strange smile graced her lips. She was already dozens of meters away, well out of range. She believed that whatever Lee Hyun-wook did, he couldn't possibly stop her escape skill.
'If that's what you think, you're completely mistaken.'
Lee Hyun-wook gripped the Moglay with both hands, activated two skills simultaneously, and swung with all his might.
In that instant, mana erupted from the Moglay, completely blasting away the surrounding air. The displaced air became a massive storm, scattering all the leaves from the plants that had sprouted.
KA-BOOM—!
And it struck the fruit Flos Ruber was in, sending it flying back hundreds of meters.
"Kuh, you think a mere gust of wind like this can break my magic—!"
The first time they face this skill, everyone thinks the same thing. That it's just a powerful gust of wind...
'But the real attack follows behind the storm.'
Just as the magic circle on the surface of the fruit, her escape pod, was about to complete, just as Flos Ruber was about to breathe a sigh of relief—
Shhhlick—!
"Huh?"
A flash of light blinked, and she realized that it had grazed past her.
"Wh-what... Gack—"
Only then did Flos Ruber realize that her lower body was falling toward the ground below.
"A... blade..."
It's not easy to predict that a sharp blade of wind would be hidden within the raging storm.
'As expected, Space Cutter is great for catching opponents off guard.'
The Moglay from his past life, the two skills created by applying the Sylph's Orb...
Savoring the familiar feeling of a skill from his past life, which he hadn't used in a long time, Lee Hyun-wook withdrew the greatsword.
- Congratulations! You have defeated the Boss Monster, Forest Guardian Flos Ruber!
Soon, the two halves of Flos Ruber's body began to fall to the ground like autumn leaves.
"...It's over, right?"
Behind him, Kim Se-hee asked, and Lee Hyun-wook nodded.
"For now, this scene is over, but they're probably still scattered all over Yggdrasil."
He then sent his metal weapons to search Flos Ruber's body, acquiring a few items.
The first thing he got his hands on was a very small gourd, with a tree drawn on its surface.
[Item Information]
- Name: Elixir of Rapid Growth (Heroic)
- Effect: The growth rate of the being who consumes this fruit will increase dramatically.
'Among druids, this is considered the ultimate opportunity for a spec boost.'
He had seen the Forest Spirit Masters cast 'Rapid Growth' on plants several times before. But this item was a bit more special, as it worked not only on plants but also on animals.
However, it was useless to Lee Hyun-wook, as he had no animal-type familiars whose growth he could accelerate.
'...I wonder if this would work on a dragon?'
Come to think of it, Seo Eun-ha's dragon egg was about to hatch. But dragons took a very long time to mature, so it would be a while before it could be a viable part of their forces. If he used this...
'...It won't become an adult in an instant, but it will significantly reduce the time needed for growth.'
Next, he obtained a Heroic-grade necklace with an option that increased spirit affinity.
It was a suitable item for Kim Se-hee, a Spirit Master, so Lee Hyun-wook handed it to her.
"Here, this is for you, Team Leader Kim."
"Wow... a Heroic-grade item..."
And the last item was a fist-sized crystal ball in a black cloth pouch.
[Item Information]
- Name: Room of Solitude (Special)
- Effect: Unknown
'This is... a pocket space?'
He didn't know what was inside, but it was obvious that opening such things carelessly was dangerous.
Hadn't the Dark Elf Druids opened a pocket space to summon monsters earlier?
'Of course, it's probably not that and is some kind of reward, but for now, I should just hold onto it.'
Around that time, the two tornadoes in the western sky that looked like they were about to clash were also gradually subsiding.
It seemed the Spirit King's daughter had arrived in time and succeeded in persuading her father.
'Well then, shall I go and take some credit?'
No matter what, he wouldn't turn away the person who saved his daughter, right?
Besides, he had a rough idea of how the Spirit King quest would unfold.
If he negotiated based on that knowledge, he would be able to obtain even more hidden items.
***
At that moment, somewhere deep underground in Yggdrasil's city center...
A few lights were moving along a complex and damp, tangled passageway.
It was the Villain, Mario Lima, his subordinates, and a few Dark Elves.
But they soon came to a dead end, and Mario Lima turned around.
"Dariush, look at this. It's a pretty big one. Does this mean we're almost there?"
At his question, the man called Dariush came forward and examined the dead end.
"Yes, this is definitely a central root. Yes, you could say we've arrived."
That's right. What blocked their path wasn't a wall, but a massive root. And what they were stepping on was also a root, the walls and ceiling were roots... yes, this entire space was a maze made of giant roots.
"Now, if we can just move this root... the dragon's prison will appear."
Someone swallowed nervously.
A dragon, of all things... they were going to face such a being.
It would be a lie to say they weren't scared.
But Mario Lima wore a triumphant smile.
"When we unleash our main event, Nidhogg, they're going to be pretty impressed. Uhuhuhu—"
Nidhogg, a dragon of that name, was imprisoned in Yggdrasil's underground 'Root Prison'.
After obtaining this information, the Villains had been planning to release it for a long time.
"Good, my 'hacking' operation, which I've been working on for three months, is a complete success with this."
They had mobilized dozens of Wood Spirit Masters to attempt to 'commune' with and tame Yggdrasil's smaller roots.
Normally, Yggdrasil was monitored under the control of Donald Harris, but his authority didn't reach the edges as well, so if they worked carefully, they could control the movement of the roots as if 'hacking' them.
By moving the roots little by little to create a path, they had reached the hidden 'Root Prison'.
It was an infiltration operation that had taken a very, very long time, like escaping a prison by digging with a spoon.
"Alright, hurry up and start! We provoked the Spirit King for this very moment, so there won't be a next time!"
Kidnapping the Spirit King's daughter to provoke him was, in fact, a diversion to draw the attention of Yggdrasil's guardian—Donald Harris. By making him, who always resided in Yggdrasil, go outside and face a great challenge, they had ensured he wouldn't notice their stealthy movements digging into the smaller roots.
"If that old man clears up the misunderstanding with the Spirit King and goes home, he'll notice us."
And so, the Wood Spirit Masters placed their hands on the final root and began to 'attune' and 'control' it.
Soon, the root began to squirm, then slowly opened like an automatic door, revealing a massive cavity.
"Hoo... alright, let's go."
Mario Lima took a deep breath and took his first step into the darkness.
- Warning! You have entered the forbidden space, 'Root Prison'.
At that moment, Mario Lima raised his right hand, and everyone froze in place.
"...Shh— everyone, lights out."
All the lights went out, and only their suppressed breaths trickled into the vast darkness. As if in response, a heavy breath flowed out from the depths of that darkness...
Grrrrrrr—
A heavy rumble, like a giant machine starting up... the whole world trembled softly.
「...Humans. How is it that you weak and wicked parasites stand before Our presence?」
At that moment, everyone let out an involuntary groan. It was just a voice, but the pressure it contained was truly immense. Even though they had anticipated this and put up 'mental barriers', it was hard to withstand.
"Ugh!"
"Gack!"
Dragon Fear, that primal sense of terror, dug into their minds, and strength drained from all their muscles.
'Crazy, this thing is a real monster.'
Even Mario Lima, at level 81, felt his breath catch in his throat and his knees tremble.
Thump—
As it rose and took a step closer, the earth shook, and then, a pair of red eyes appeared.
In the darkness, a presence darker than the darkness itself filled their entire field of vision. With not even a speck of light, it was invisible to the eye, but its strange weight was instinctively palpable... that was a dragon.
Mario Lima walked forward, knelt on the ground, and bowed his head toward the darkness.
"Ah, great one—we are those who yearn for the return of the true king."
He knew that the dragon race was programmed with a haughty personality. Therefore, from the very beginning, he used overly formal language, unsuited for modern sensibilities, to flatter Nidhogg.
"And so we have blinded the eyes of this world tree's wicked guardian and have come to see you in person!"
「Those are pleasing words, and that is a pleasing scent. That means... the gate is open—」
Sensing everything flowing in from outside the opening, Nidhogg slowly began to grow excited.
He realized that the moment of his escape from this hellish underground prison had finally arrived.
In other words, he was in a very good mood, so Mario Lima boldly stated his demands.
"Yes, that's right! It is a gate we have spent a long time creating, daring to contribute to the king's return. Therefore, we humbly wish to ask one favor. ...Please execute the guardian of the world tree!"
At this, Nidhogg chuckled softly. But because his body was so large, even that chuckle shook the earth.
「How pathetic, human...」
"Pardon?"
「That is my long-held destiny. How dare you ask such a thing of me?」
"Ah—"
「Soon the surface will burn. When a mountain of ash has been piled, you shall ask of me a greater wish—」
"Ah, we are overwhelmed with gratitude!"
「However, there is something you must offer me... and you shall not refuse—」
"Y-Your Majesty, please speak!"
「I am a being who wields the magic of death. My power comes from death.」
Nidhogg, the dragon of Niflheim, the land of the dead in Norse mythology,
is said to feed on corpses and fly with the dead during 'Ragnarok'.
Based on that lore, the Nidhogg before them wielded the power of 'death'.
「This body has slumbered long under a repulsive power, and my strength has waned.」
The 'Saint Dome', the largest holy relic in the world, built directly above this 'Root Prison'—its true purpose for being built on Yggdrasil was, in fact, to suppress the death dragon, Nidhogg.
The reason Donald Harris, even with the power of Yggdrasil, was able to hold this monster, which was difficult to suppress, for so long was because that powerful holy relic was weakening Nidhogg's power.
'But once it's set free, it's a being capable of blowing away the Saint Dome entirely.'
The moment even a single lock restraining this massive monster is loosened, the monster will run rampant.
「To spread my stiffened wings, I must consume 'death'.」
"Uh... in that case... you may take these fresh lives here!"
At those words, looks of bewilderment spread across the faces of the subordinates standing behind Mario Lima.
"What? Vice Chairman, what are you..."
But before they could finish their words, Nidhogg's eyes flashed. It was magic.
"Aaaaargh—"
"Uwaaaah—"
The bodies of 11 Players and 12 Dark Elves floated into the air and were dragged into the darkness.
Crunch— Crunch—
After a brief meal, Nidhogg let out a satisfied breath and spread his wings.
Fwoom—
A gale erupted within the confined space, and Mario Lima had to press himself even flatter against the ground.
「...Now, you shall witness the king's flight—」
"Y-Your Majesty, there is one thing I must tell you beforehand."
At those words, a hint of displeasure entered Nidhogg's eyes. He had just been about to take flight.
「...I trust it is a matter important enough to delay Our flight, which is about to begin after such a long time?」
However, Mario Lima still had something to say, as he shot to his feet and raised both hands.
"Well... there's a Dragon Slayer outside. He might be a bit... troublesome, wouldn't you say?"
Dragon Slayer. At those words, Nidhogg folded his wings, lowered his head, and asked.
「A human who has ended the breath of a great dragon—is that the truth?」
Steel Rain. He had recently killed Azi Dahaka and earned the 'Dragon Slayer' achievement.
"Yes, to be precise, a black dragon named Azi Dahaka was slain by him not long ago!"
「Hmm— in that case, do you know how many dragons that human has slain thus far?」
"Uh, that is... just one. Yes, only one!"
「In that case... it is highly likely that felling a dragon was a mere fluke.」
"...Pardon?"
「Fear not, weak human—Dragon Slayer, that vulgar power has its stages. One with the experience of killing a mere single dragon cannot hope to fold Our wings!」
Nidhogg made no effort to hide his arrogance and lifted his massive body into the air.
At the same time, Mario Lima was also forcibly lifted into the air by a mysterious force.
"Whoa—whoa—"
In the next instant, in the blink of an eye, they passed through the opened root tunnel and then crashed through the ground somewhere.
Cra-a-a-ack—!
Nidhogg smashed through a ten-story building with his body, soared up, and spread his wings...
"Hah!"
They had covered an incredible distance in just a few seconds, and Mario Lima felt his head spin.
And before his eyes, the night view of Yggdrasil's city center unfolded...
Looking down at the magnificent sight, the 81-meter black dragon, Nidhogg, snorted.
However...
「...You cur. Did you mean to mock Us? Why did you speak falsehoods?」
Strangely, Nidhogg was radiating an aura of displeasure.
And the jewel-like eyes of that being seemed to tremble slightly.
It was a deep anger, and a bewilderment that was utterly unbefitting of such a being.
"Pardon? Y-Your Majesty—what falsehood did I speak..."
「We sense... three weapons steeped in the blood of dragons here.」
"What? That's impossible. The number of dragons that have appeared so far doesn't add up..."
Mario Lima turned his head, following Nidhogg's gaze.
And there, floating near a branch of the world tree, he saw someone.
A man, surrounded by hundreds of weapons, staring back at Nidhogg...