Chapter 319
Chapter 319
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 319
Chapter Title: The Collapse of the Cradle (4)
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Flower is rampaging.
That's a fact known to most National Trees.
However, those who participated in the Forest Keeper Selection Tournament, like Saku and Kim Suyeon, couldn't step in to suppress Flower. There was no need to alarm the public with a sense of crisis.
[Stay put.]
"President!"
Kim Suyeon's impassioned voice echoed through the cafe.
Cameras slinking away to avoid filming the scene.
The cadets sitting in the cafe stared at her in astonishment.
"Awaa... Suyeon-unnie, you're causing trouble! Such a nuisance!"
Saku was trying to stop Suyeon with wide eyes.
[Nothing will happen without you. Don't even think about clashing with those bastards yet.]
The deep voice of the old man was filled with unwavering resolve.
Her brows furrowed. Suyeon bit her lower lip.
"What's wrong with a National Tree protecting her people? Please let me go back home."
[......Haa.]
A sigh leaked through the phone.
The president of the Korean Hunter Association. Granddaughter of Mugung, bearer of many legends. Korea's National Tree, Kim Suyeon.
No matter how seasoned a fighter he was, he couldn't overcome his worry for his granddaughter.
[Suyeon.]
"President—no, Grandpa."
[......]
Mugung was speechless for a long while against Kim Suyeon's stubbornness, armored in justice and order.
"People could be dying right this moment. Is this stupid Forest Keeper Selection Tournament really more important?"
"Unnie, that's too much!"
"Saku, be quiet."
"That's mean!"
Kim Suyeon's attitude was exemplary, if evaluated.
Her mindset as a National Tree was among the best in the world, earning the unwavering trust of her people.
Her presence was already the future of South Korea itself.
Trained rigorously by Mugung since childhood, she had few peers her age who could match her.
However, her overflowing sense of justice sometimes clouded her judgment.
When something happened, all she thought about was saving someone.
She couldn't weigh lives against anything else—saving people came first.
That was why she had quickly established her position in Korea. But in places where pragmatism was needed, her foresight was narrow.
She contrasted sharply with Mugung, who had made inevitable sacrifices and sent many to ruin.
[Hoo.]
Mugung sighed lowly and spoke.
[Flower will infiltrate the Selection Tournament soon enough.]
"...Pardon?"
[No, their preparations are probably already done. Flower might even be around you right now, Suyeon.]
The two listening froze in shock and let out dumb noises.
The Cradle. Where the World Tree was born and grew, densely packed with most trees.
Of course, World Trees weren't only located there, but the value of that place was immeasurable.
The only spot with optimal conditions for saplings to grow.
The five great World Trees—Flower's greatest adversaries—weren't there, but most trees with the potential to become World Trees had taken root in the Cradle.
Security was tight, with soldiers and Hunters stationed there independently.
The trees themselves wielded power rivaling Hunters.
Even for Flower, attacking the Cradle was suicide. Without cadres stepping up, it would be impossible.
"That's impossible. Is that really true?"
[Don't speak carelessly. It was bound to happen someday. It's just come a bit sooner.]
Mugung continued calmly.
[Flower in Korea is practically eradicated. Even if you came, there's nothing you could do.]
"But..."
[Or do you think I can't handle a single one of those grass weeds?]
Kim Suyeon had no reply.
At present, no one could stand against Mugung.
Unless the Heavenly Demon from the past revived, that is.
Even with recent Entrant rampages and frequent terrorism in Korea, its public safety and corruption were the lowest. South Korea was always the first name mentioned as a great place to live, boasting strong international standing.
Mugung's achievements alone practically upheld the nation.
Without him, most valuable dungeons and assets in Korea would have been snatched by foreigners.
"Still..."
Kim Suyeon spoke half in a pout.
Hearing her sullen tone, Mugung soothed her.
[Child. You have much to do. Even more ahead. Your passion is admirable, but abandoning the Forest Keeper Selection Tournament alone would make people anxious. They'd scramble for reasons. If they learned it was Flower... you know what would happen.]
"......Yes."
The backlash that could follow.
Her position was too heavy to move on mere justice.
A National Tree was a nation's symbol and pride.
Her actions would be interpreted as South Korea's will.
[Do what you must. For now.]
At Mugung's words, Suyeon finally relented.
Find work in the Cradle.
The Flower disaster that would strike soon.
As Mugung said, she just needed to sharpen her blade until then.
'The Cradle will be attacked soon.'
Grasping the secret her grandfather had let slip, Suyeon felt the need to prepare.
She was well aware of how dire the situation was.
The fact that even National Trees couldn't be trusted. She needed reliable people.
*****
"Lee Siheon."
"What."
"Once this is over, we'll fight, right?"
I nodded perfunctorily to Bao's persistent question.
Her brows narrowed at my half-hearted attitude.
"You just want food and to know where that guy is. I can't tell you even if I wanted to right now."
Do-won's mobility outpaced any organization.
They utilized the spatial magic developed by the Sage better than anyone, allowing swift pursuit of Flower.
Bao couldn't catch up even if she knew Bob's location.
"I told you last time, just contact him."
"Can't. He said he probably won't be reachable now. Too busy."
I tried calling just in case, but no answer.
He must be swamped.
I felt some worry, but decided to keep a light mindset for now.
You can't skip pickling cabbage fearing maggots.
I had few ways to help Heavenly Path right now anyway.
"Urgh."
Bao looked dissatisfied.
Her priorities had flipped long ago. It used to be about finding Bob, but now she just wanted to settle things somehow.
Yeah. No chance.
Africa's National Tree, Bao.
I knew from investigations, but the sacred tradition of arabid—one-on-one duels—required mutual consent.
If I refused, Bao had no choice. No matter how reckless, she had to uphold her beliefs.
"Anyway, to the main point... why aren't you guys talking?"
I looked around at the group sitting in a circle around the table in my room.
Sun, Aori, Sansu-yu, Marronier, Bao.
As far as I knew, they were the top talents for the Forest Keeper Selection Tournament.
The five fidgeted awkwardly, glancing around.
Only Sun and Aori, unfazed by strangers or familiars, calmly munched on snacks.
Sansu-yu stared at Bao, while Marronier looked at me embarrassedly.
"...You call us here suddenly and don't explain—what are we supposed to do?"
"Oh, didn't I say?"
Marronier glared at me.
People make mistakes.
I opened my mouth again and introduced them one by one.
All of them were talents to face Flower and the National Trees invading the Cradle.
"Might need a few more, but I gathered only the ones I can trust right now. These two are from the Korean Hunter Academy: Mok Taeyang, Aori. They're skilled, so reliable. You've seen Bao from the first trial."
"Weaklings."
Bao smirked, recalling Sun.
Already picking fights with cheap provocations. But Sun wouldn't fall for it.
Sun smirked and placed a hand on Aori's shoulder.
"Nah? We went easy."
"Pfft. Says who."
......
Chaos already.
"Bro. Can I spar that punk once?"
"You'd lose, so hold back."
"Tch."
Sometimes I wondered if I was in the Forest Keeper Selection Tournament or a kindergarten contest.
It was fun, but please restrain yourselves here.
Meeting my eyes, Sun sheepishly scratched his head.
"Sansu-yu is from El Academy, same as me. Marronier and Bao are National Trees, so you know them well."
I worried Aori might make some vulgar sex joke, but surprisingly, she behaved.
Good that she separated work and play.
After adding a few words of explanation, I began briefing them on the impending Cradle assault, summarizing concisely.
A detailed blueprint of the Cradle's interior lay at the table's center.
Escape routes explained by the Sage were marked in red.
A hotel lodging reaching up to the 6th floor.
Assuming Flower attacks before the 4th trial begins.
"Including staff, at least three hundred. We have to escort them somehow to the mountain behind the hotel."
Overcome the ensuing chaos and somehow lead them.
No matter how capable the Sage was, using spatial magic amid countless interferences was wishful thinking.
Fine for solo use, but mass transfer? Spatial magic was the most vulnerable to interference among all magic.
Interruption mid-cast could lead to worst-case mana backlash explosions.
Thus, the casting site needed to be the sparsely populated mountainside.
"Quite a crowd, honestly. Five of us won't even manage crowd control."
The Sage would step up herself.
"Ideally, our role is just helping people avoid attacks en route."
But in the worst case, we might have to lead the cadets ourselves.
Since it came straight from the Sage, we couldn't ignore it.
"But bro, would Flower target civilians? They cherish their public image."
"......They just might."
Marronier answered for me.
"Civilian casualties would hurt the World Tree side more in the end. Flower could be aiming for that."
We live safely under the World Trees' protection.
Thanks for the green world.
Elementary kids might make such posters.
Like global warming campaigns, we're drilled relentlessly on the World Trees' graces.
If civilian casualties kept happening, that faith would waver.
More people would raise objections, naturally.
Marronier's guess might hit the mark.
"They won't go for full-on civilian slaughter as priority."
Some damage was inevitable.
Our success would depend on how we mitigated it.
Sun nodded, convinced, propping his chin.
"Makes sense. So we'll likely fight National Trees."
"...?"
Sansu-yu raised a question mark this time.
Out of left field, but true.
If civilian harm occurred due to Flower's intent.
And National Trees caused it, the chaos would amplify.
A National Tree killed civilian cadets in the Forest Keeper Selection Tournament.
The moment rumors spread... the world would shake madly.
'Why the betrayal?'
Did Flower have that much power?
Maybe they saw potential.
Or were swayed by the greater cause.
National Trees surely knew the World Trees' dark side intimately.
Or like the Cornerus Family, they craved immortality or power.
Either way, we'd likely face National Trees.
"We'll need a few more people."
One week.
That was the time we had.