Red Bamboo and the Sealed Seed
Shadows prowled around us. The Shapeshifter skill that turned me into a hamster was incredibly powerful. A giant hamster like that had monstrous strength. With my stats hitting 300, the world looked entirely different—like overflowing power I could barely contain, making me want to rampage. Just lightly pawing the ground sent me rocketing forward like a car. But how did a hero live with a million power like that? Amid the throbbing headache, I managed to look after my companions and escape.
A hamster's eyes could barely see anything. Hearing and smell were pretty much all I had. Fortunately, just as Hyacinth said, a floral scent wafted through the air. I rolled toward it like mad, and luck was on our side—we survived.
"Awake now?"
Whether it was a potion treating me or not, there was no pain. I came to with my head pillowed on something. I thought it was a rock... but no, it was Larirure's lap. I shifted and rubbed it with my hand, startled by how firm it was.
"Ahem, urgh."
Her face flushed as she cleared her throat awkwardly, then subtly spread her legs a bit. Even with those expectant eyes, it wasn't like I was checking for that. When I pulled my hand away, she shot me a disappointed glance, then realized what she'd done and turned beet red.
"How long was I out?"
"No idea. We healed your wounds with potions."
She'd used up both potions completely. Please let there be nothing on the 666th floor.
For some reason, my hamster saliva must've been super sticky—Larirure's skin was tacky to the touch. Hyacinth's hair and chest fur looked a total mess. First things first: we needed to wash up. I filled the chamber pot with water and we cleaned ourselves roughly. I pulled out some fried chicken for a light snack, drank some water, and caught a quick nap.
The 666th floor had the hero's outpost. There shouldn't be any other monsters—we had to trust that and head down.
Leaning against the stairwell wall to rest, I didn't dwell on who might be targeting me. Instead, I pondered how they'd approach. They probably wouldn't wander around as a demon outright. They might disguise themselves as something else. Could be working as an adventurer, or posing as a citizen spreading rumors. Or maybe a spy at the reception desk. It was safer to assume they weren't just one person, but a massive organization.
Larirure slept with her head on my chest; Hyacinth curled up into a ball. Relief washed over me seeing them both safe.
...I lacked the absolute power to protect my comrades when they were in danger. Our party's balance was good, but I had too many miscellaneous skills. The biggest issue? I was too weak. I could contribute as a combatant, but one tiny mistake and I'd drop dead. Opportunities only came once. Screw up even once, and it was over. There was the one-time Resurrection skill, but waking up didn't guarantee safety.
What if some unforeseeable crisis hit next? If it was beyond my judgment, what then?
...Worrying wouldn't yield answers. Rest first.
"Zzz..."
I rubbed Larirure's cheek, pressed against my chest as she slept. It was softer and squishier than expected. Stroking her hair, it gleamed with luster. She managed it neatly every morning—made sense. I hope she doesn't get depressed thinking my hamster drool ruined it.
She twitched. Was she awake after all? Her ears turned red. She let out a "zzz" and snuggled closer, so I shook her gently—it was time to get up. Even burying her head cutely wouldn't change that.
"Big bro... are we really gonna be okay?"
As we descended two more floors, Hyacinth—drained of energy—sniffled. I wiped his face with a wet wipe. Our heights didn't match, so he bent down and stuck out his chin. Big guy, total mama's boy.
"We'll be fine. It's the hero's outpost."
With that in mind, a vast plain greeted us on our descent—completely unlike any other floor. No clue how it worked: flowing water, a sun in the sky, trees forming a forest. Bamboo, no less, which made it even weirder. Right after that, a vertical elevator came into view. Larirure suggested contacting someone first. Usually, phone lines or signals cut out in places like this.
"Got through. They're coming down from above."
Fortune smiled—we weren't that unlucky.
...Since we were already here, we decided to explore Hero Park Chun-sik's outpost. Next to the elevator stood a towering treehouse, its craftsmanship breathtaking even after a century. Trembling, I opened the door to... total chaos inside. Wardrobes and drawers flung wide open. Desk the same, books scattered from the shelves onto the floor.
"...Looks like we had a break-in."
Larirure panicked. Me too. In a single-story building, what were they after? Even the bed was flipped. Was this the original state, or had someone been here? Couldn't tell. Slowly circling, I was drawn to the workbench area. Blueprints stuck everywhere, documents strewn in disarray.
"...'On the Evil God'."
The first page on the floor. Had he been researching the Evil God at the bottom of the Magic Palace? Defeated in the gods' war and cast to the depths, that Evil God was slain by Hero Daegomgei without chance of revival. Maybe he investigated to revive another Evil God? But the remaining docs showed no such thing. If they'd taken only that, it'd stand out—they must've just skimmed.
"Everyone, so glad you're safe."
After sitting by the elevator for hours, Noksu arrived with adventurers. They'd seen us get flung by transfer magic. The golden goblin corpse left behind? Just a regular goblin gold-plated—not paint, actual gold. Impressive.
Telling her about the apparent theft soured her expression into something fierce.
"Looks like all the anomalies around Mongrel Kingdom and Trust Union were aimed at this."
"Yeah... white ants scattering during marriage flights are too numerous for few adventurers—needed a big mobilization."
Larirure nodded at Noksu's words. Including black puddings and such, so many anomalies they had to call combos of A- and B-rankers. In the end, all A-rankers who could reach here left on requests, leaving the outpost empty—perfect for the thief to ransack and flee. No elevator traces, so another portal.
"Definitely demons... sigh... They stole the Watcher of the Evil God. Hero Park Chun-sik made it in case an Evil God revived. Supposed to detect them."
It'd hung from the treehouse ceiling like an orb. Noksu scratched her head, saying demons stole it to find an Evil God. Scale was huge; guild in uproar, needed urgent resolution.
"Plus, the king of Bolev Kingdom was assassinated. Confirmed they took the crown and treasures."
"...This it?"
Hyacinth showed the crown and treasures from the golden goblin. Noksu sighed, pieces connecting. But not selling them—using as bait for traps.
"They're targeting you humans."
As Noksu said, I'd expected it. Stole the Watcher and tried to kill me as a bonus. Our party finding the Golden Goblin was too coincidental. Rumors spread two days ago; should've been found earlier. Hyacinth joined late, rushed us... Suspicious it wasn't caught, too blatant—but we bit anyway.
"Head up now? Investigation'll take time... Might as well look around. Bamboo forest's pretty? Didn't expect this."
Noksu kept checking me, relieved I was safe. Gave a first-aid kit—"in case you're hurt"—with potions. I handed her a bag of fried chicken: "Eat up." Our fingers brushed; she winked, heading to adventurers.
"...Demons are long-lived, y'know? She's over a hundred despite looks."
Larirure grumbled, arms crossed, only after she left. Hyacinth sighed in relief, thanked and apologized again. Just be careful next time—no repeats. Returned treasures; kingdom might pay reward? Profit anyway. Bamboo forest, huh... From Park Chun-sik's homeland? Rare even in Korea.
Strolling like tourists, a red bamboo stood out among the greens.
"...Why's that bamboo red?"
"Huh? No such thing as red bamboo. Don't say creepy stuff. Hit your head? Lemme check—bend down."
"You okay, big bro? No red bamboo here..."
Larirure fretted; Hyacinth shivered.
...But Radamu's eyes clearly saw red bamboo. Another trap? Alert, the forest trembled—a voice echoed.
"..."
I headed straight for the bamboo. Surprised, the two followed into the woods. Soon, a sensation like pushing through invisible vinyl. Stepping into a vast space, a lone red bamboo greeted me. The ground around was barren, no grass in sight.
"Barrier up?"
"It's real."
The bamboo spoke sparingly—just two words at me. Kneeling, I dug at dirt with traces of burial. Larirure shoved me aside—"Move"—and dug vigorously with her shovel. Beneath: a box like a mechanical safe, seamless.
"What metal...?"
Larirure tapped it—no mark. Examining, it opened on its own in light, unfolding to reveal contents.
[Hero class confirmed]
Only heroes could open it? But instead of glory: a watermelon-sized seed. And a note.
With everyone watching, I read it aloud.
To whomever opens this box someday:
I've succeeded in restoring the World Tree, but fearing war with the elves would intensify, I've sealed it here. If someone can open it one day, I leave it to their choice.
P.S. Captain Eagle insisted. Not my fault—Trust
"...World Tree? Seed? This?"
Larirure lifted it gingerly. This spot was the hero's contingency for a Hero. Contents? "Just in case~" lightness.
Ding ding ding—
Yes, Hero Park Chun-sik restored the World Tree seed from its remnants. But he chose to seal it. With Evil Gods, calamities, elves, and the Maou... no safe time to grow it. He left it to the future.
The elves' top mission remains reviving the World Tree. With this seed, there's hope. But... Hero, prepare for war with elves. They're desperate above all.
"...Goddess says war with elves might come—keep it secret."
"Ugh, y-yeah. But whatcha do with it?"
Just rebury. Handed back to Larirure for the box—then the whole bamboo forest rustled.
Forest skill activated.
World Tree Guardian Bamboo joins your forest.
The red bamboo wrapped around the World Tree seed in light, then vanished into me. Startled, Larirure ripped my shirt, groping my chest. Kneading a bit, glove off, rubbing—then "ahem" and backed off.
"Th-that... yeah, can't steal it now."
"Big bro, you good?"
Hyacinth gave his jacket. Thanks... lil bro... you're all I got.
World Tree Guardian Bamboo—fancy name. In a world where trees turn monsters, a bamboo guarding the seed for 300+ years wasn't ordinary.
"Don't level up!" Other skills I'd grinded showed no sign—why you solo to 3 already?!
Too much in one day—head spinning. Reburied the box quietly; letter spreading would be trouble.
"...Radamu, you a druid or something?"
She asked cautiously. Those extinct to elves? I tilted my head—no idea. "Radamu's Radamu," she said, taking my hand. Hyacinth grabbed the other. Why the dumb faces like 'not holding hands?'
Your karma has accumulated. To you who's overcome many trials... granting 3 Skill Rank-Up Tickets!
Only the goddess. Our goddess is the best.