Chapter 318
Chapter 318
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 318
Chapter Title: The Cradle's Collapse (3)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
-Thud.
The iron chains hit the floor with a heavy clang.
"Hoo."
Right now, she could do it.
Her narrowed eyes fixed forward as she raised both fists.
Dodge the punch coming straight at her face by turning her head.
Then trust her instincts to defend against the follow-up.
The shadow of the man before her eyes. Fists splitting into dozens of strikes, extending from multiple directions all at once.
She couldn't read the movements.
Refine the basics, sharpen the edge.
Revise the techniques, patch up each motion, then adapt them perfectly for facing that man.
After one more clash, form the image anew. How would he move? Defend? Or counterattack?
-Flash!
Bao's eyes resonated.
She evaded the countless diagonal assaults with bizarre footwork.
The more she learned, the more she delved—the more wondrous the fist art became. Who on earth had created such movements?
It was like a martial art perfected at the pinnacle of its domain, personally refined and polished solely for one person.
Her muscles twitched with veins bulging. Every nerve in her body stood on end as her eyes darted left and right.
Four fists flying toward her face.
She stepped forward and evaded the attack.
In terms of physical ability and reflexes, no one could compare.
Fighting King. Bao.
Her talent alone rivaled the gods within Africa.
The last thing reflected in her eyes was the flustered shadow finally allowing the attack.
-Whoosh!
A clean straight punch toward the foe right in front of her.
The entire room shook as the shadow vanished from its spot.
"Haa, haa."
Bao panted roughly, wiping her eyes. Her body was drenched in sweat.
She finally dropped to her knees, blinking her bloodshot eyes.
"Finally."
A grating metallic scrape leaked from her cracked throat.
She squeezed her sweat-stung eyes shut, her entire body—trained countless times—trembling as if sprained.
She had skipped the third trial.
Investing everything into the next match.
She was confident she had now caught up to Lee Siheon's martial arts. The value of this essence of martial prowess, forged through blood and sweat, was incomparable.
"I can do it."
A innocent, childlike smile bloomed on Bao's lips.
She flashed a wicked grin and immediately stepped out the door.
The hotel door, unopened for weeks, swung wide, and the cadets in the hallway widened their eyes at the sight of her.
The culprit behind the nightly thumps. Her clothes torn, soaked in sweat—she looked quite the mess.
"Hey... you okay—"
One cadet tried to speak, but her eyes were already rolled back in frenzy. Bao strode confidently downstairs without a glance.
Shoulders squared proudly, she arrived at Lee Siheon's door.
She knocked, and soon a man popped out.
"Huh?"
Lee Siheon tilted his head at the familiar face.
A smile soon crept onto his lips.
"I'm ready. Today, I'll make you cry for sure."
Bao pointed arrogantly as she declared it, but Lee Siheon just shrugged without retort.
"Bring it."
He refused.
"Nah, don't wanna."
"...What?"
"Come in first."
Lee Siheon opened the door and patted her shoulder. Bao entered the room, clueless.
Inside the suspicious room sat a man and woman with bored expressions.
Lee Siheon, who had let Bao in at the entrance, muttered softly behind her.
"One secured."
*****
Bao's skills ranked among the top National Trees.
Even managed at the national level with ample combat experience and superior prowess, they couldn't easily match Bao, who had fought tooth and nail since childhood.
Above all, her authority that grew stronger with accumulated damage.
Plus the Wood People's unique woodification— even I wouldn't find her an easy opponent.
'DoWon Village had no National Trees back then.'
Vast wealth, magic stones, artifacts.
What happens when you go all-in on developing one person?
I realized it keenly after facing Bao. She had talent that could crush anyone's spirit.
Even Marronier, hopeless in close combat, was a renowned expert in her field.
Mastering fluid dynamics and related knowledge naturally since elementary school—no wonder the Sage drooled.
Conversely, Marronier became a National Tree through intelligence, magic, and her unique imagery authority.
What about the authorities of other combat-specialized National Trees?
I had no idea for now.
National Trees' authorities were top secret, hard to uncover.
'Assuming they're on par with the first trial would be a huge mistake.'
Even National Trees exposed on broadcasts hid their full power, just like me.
It wasn't an empty claim that they rivaled A to S-rank hunters.
There were definitely traitors among the National Trees. With our goal of rescuing civilians, we had to prepare accordingly.
At minimum, match their level of power.
[Sis, might be hard to reach you for a while?]
"Yes?"
[Oh, no, don't worry. Listen. Terrorism's spiked lately. It's getting dangerous. The executives suddenly started moving?]
I tilted my brow slightly at Imperial Path's words from the phone.
'Tied up, huh.'
I'd expected as much.
DoWon Village posed a bigger threat to Flower than anticipated. To infiltrate the Cradle, they'd ensure Heavenly Path wasn't here, even at great cost.
[Absolutely. Never. Nothing for you to worry about will happen.]
"Yes, I believe you."
[Yeah, yeah. Just trust your big sis.]
Blocking those three in this situation? Impossible.
"Oh, by the way, sis. The Sage wants to see you."
[......Why Master?]
"She heard you taught space magic to someone. Seems a bit mad."
[Eek! Hiiik!]
A terrified squeak from the phone.
Was the Sage scary when angry? I'd never seen her truly pissed.
I chatted idly a bit more before hanging up.
As expected, most overseas S-rank hunters were tied down.
[Hey, Siheon. Elly's super busy right now?]
"Yeah, I know. Just calling to check."
[......No cuteness at all,]
Even the chamomile I tried on a whim was out on assignment.
The third trial ended early, now in a cold war with Flower, sweating bullets.
The Sage, parted from us, was tied up with Association business.
Essentially, major players focused on Flower.
With Hunter Association and Church personnel pulled, dungeon magic stone supply dropped. Magic stones were this world's oil, rippling worldwide.
In unstable nations like Korea's neighbors, hoarding and protests erupted.
Flower, gripping corporations and NGOs, sparked 'protests' everywhere.
Stock markets wobbled dangerously—Korea couldn't sit idle.
'Yet the World Tree insists on fighting. Better full war with Flower than a Cradle raid.'
Hey, skirmish the front yard? Or raid the base?
Diverting most S-ranks there was, simply put, hilarious.
The World Trees were gearing up for a PR war too. Already stirring it.
Flower showing signs of crossing lines—they'd let it escalate.
'The century's upheaval, indeed.'
"Kukukuk."
"Why the laugh, bro?"
"Nah, just funny."
"Someone else's problem?"
"Not quite."
Couldn't help laughing. Wasn't it absurd?
Miraculous. Every S-rank in the Cradle becomes suspect.
The Church must project 'all clear,' so more cameras patrolled the hotel than usual.
Forest Keeper Selection Tournament drew more eyes than national news.
The moment it halts—or Cradle broadcasts ban—
Global chaos would unfold at unbelievable speed.
Just a festival—why panic?
Surprisingly, powder kegs ignite over trivial sparks.
One gunshot can trigger disaster.
I stood at the chaos's heart.
Neutral, just to save a few and my own gains.
Ridiculous position.
"Hey."
Turning to the voice, Bao frowned.
"No clue what you're rambling about after dragging me here. Get up. Fight."
"...Didn't my words sink in?"
I'd explained at length why we didn't need to brawl now.
Global politics, economy, war risks, Cradle raid threats.
Did her brain pack pure muscle too? She yawned boredly.
"So no fight? I'm burning up inside."
"You're the one lighting fires."
"I get what you're saying. But why should we step up?"
"...Aren't you a National Tree?"
"Never was originally. No obligations. No benefits received."
Forgot.
Her mindset was beyond my grasp.
World's fair—excess talent comes with flaws.
Four examples right here, no?
"What, four?"
Sun shook her head at my mutter.
"Make it three. I don't fit here."
"Shut it."
"Yes, sir."
"Ha!"
Bao snorted incredulously at our banter.
"What are you, master and slave?"
"Anyway. Can't fight now. Situation's too dire."
"...Sigh. After it's over?"
Bao stepped back grudgingly. I wasn't the disappointed one.
I held DoWon Village contacts; I set the third match bet.
Issue: Ending this anytime harmed me not.
"Tough."
"Huh?"
Her voice cooled.
"After Cradle blows, what's next? War? Gotta worry about eating before hanging with you."
"...W-what? Hilarious."
National Trees slept in cozy beds, out of touch.
Folks like me or Sun? War meant apocalypse IRL.
With civilians turning Ents confirmed, real Ent apocalypse loomed.
"You think I'd just watch?"
"Then help cleanly."
I repeated the plea to Bao, countless times before.
"For a fight-lover like you, isn't this decent experience?"
Skip morality; appeal to battle lust.
For Bao, who revered combat as sacred, this worked best.
"You timed it wrong anyway. Wasted too much time."
"......"
No clue how she'd pummeled my image in training.
Skipping third trial showed her resolve.
Time invested was real. Bao stayed silent long.
"...Sigh. Fine."
Bao conceded. Satisfied.
I extended my hand, shaking her limp one energetically.
One down.
Needed more.