Chapter 19 - Another World (9)
“The monsters living here harbor a special power within them. When that power manifests outwardly, they become mana beasts. The mana they possess is an extreme poison, but passed through the World Tree's roots, it can become a source of nourishment.”
Serenian explained to me why hunting was so important. Just as I'd observed and suspected up to now, for her and the World Tree, hunting was a way to gain experience points. By slaying enemies and having the World Tree absorb that nourishment, it grew stronger. With the World Tree's level rising and further developments unknown, hunting and growth were essential even for whatever uncertain future lay ahead.
Was that just a scouting run?
I halted Battle Bot 001 after smashing every ant crawling out from the ant nest entrance. There were no mana beast ants—only regular ones—and they didn't seem to have committed their full forces, as if this had merely been a reconnaissance.
In the midst of it all, Serenian had acted as if she trusted me completely, never pausing her clay construction work even as the ants swarmed, and afterward, she greeted me alongside young Ren. She seemed to believe that finishing the minimum construction took priority over fighting right now.
She's right.
Empathizing with her desire to secure even the smallest measure of safety, I moved the drone this time. To buy them more time while also investigating what was happening in the ant nest, where we'd surely taken down the queen ant as well.
The drone sped past the waving elves in a single dash across the flowerpot world, heading straight for the ant nest. The screen, with its flash activated, revealed the deep earthen tunnels in stark clarity. Beyond the now-looted and empty small ant nest, I reached the deepest chamber where the queen ant's shriveled corpse lay twisted in death—and there, I clicked my tongue at the sight of a newly formed tunnel entrance.
As expected, some unknown force was at work here, just like in the flowerpot world. Which meant predicting anything based on the pot's size was pointless. Who knew what might emerge next.
True to the promise of even deeper tunnels, ants were emerging from the new passage, dismantling the queen ant's body and hauling it inside.
If I go any deeper, it'll get me.
Startled by the sizable swarm writhing within, I couldn't send the drone further in. At the same time, I wondered if she could really clean this place out alone without proper support this time. She was stronger than most hunters, sure, but everyone had limits.
“...”
After retrieving the drone, I watched their progress—barely 1/10th complete—and sent over more kneaded clay. It would take several repetitions to form a proper barrier. And even I knew that finishing the barrier wouldn't end everything. Whether new enemies swarmed or she brought more elves here, big or small incidents were inevitable. To provide the help she needed at the right moments, I had to prepare for that too.
I glanced idly at the compound bow she always carried. I had no idea what kind of help would make a difference, but if spending money could improve things, it was obvious that would be better. And the elves, including Serenian, could help me earn that money.
In the end, with thoughts of mutual aid, I made my decision.
I had footage I'd shot on my phone, but it lacked dramatic flair. The drone footage was different. Shot from inside the flowerpot world itself, it captured the special, unique sights of that tiny realm. There had to be demand for it.
I didn't care if others believed it or not.
“Tired?”
“Yeah...”
“Just a bit more. Focus on your mana, Lea. Strengthening your body with mana can relieve fatigue and ease the pain.”
Everyone gave their all from their assigned positions. With that in mind, she poured everything into completing the barrier. The massive clay orbs refilled endlessly. Serenian and Ren hauled them here with Battle Bot 001's help, then poured, spread, and hardened the dissolved clay onto the floor, layer by layer, from morning till evening. Even after sunset, they lit torches and kept working.
“You're full of talents.”
Serenian smirked at the drone hovering like a lamp, its bright flash providing illumination, as if she understood its intent. Yet she didn't stop working. Even she, with her sturdy body and mana reserves, felt exhaustion and dizziness from the relentless workload. She and Ren took meals and naps right in the workshop, ramping up the pace.
“Chief. I brought them all.”
“Attach them firmly to the floor and walls. Wet them first—the already hardened parts will soften, making it easy to stick.”
At that moment, young Lea arrived with a cart full of items. Large chunks carefully cut from the coated paper Seung-hyun had sent. Lacking stone resources, the elves had decided to use it as waterproof tiles, affixing them one by one to the growing barrier.
It's almost there.
This labor continued for days. The sun rose and set multiple times. Yet they pushed to their limits.
I have to do my part. That's how we all survive.
Even Ren, who had been a lazy, fun-loving boy before exile, clenched his chattering teeth and moved his body out of sheer desperation. They could clearly see Battle Bot sortie now and then, battling the crawling ants. But they couldn't rely on it forever. As the ants grew more numerous and aggressive, the elves stayed vigilant while stacking the barrier higher.
“The end of this world.”
And finally. When she poured and packed the last of the clay.
Serenian looked up at the thick, imposing ochre wall blocking her path. Crowned by a hazy mist, an impassable boundary. She had connected end to end with a pristine white barrier.
A mere line 1 cm high, 1 cm wide, and about 25 cm long—tiny and thin. But in Serenian's dazed gaze as she turned back, it stretched endlessly, a sturdy bulwark whose opposite end vanished from sight.
Her chest swelled with emotion. A sight unimaginable right after her exile into despair and sorrow.
“I-is it really done now?”
“For now.”
Ren and Lea shared the感動. They still had to cover the remaining coated paper—not even half done—and spike sewing pins like thorns to keep enemies from clinging to the walls. But these three, the only ones in this world, had achieved a milestone.
“Where are you going?”
“Go home and rest well, both of you. We'll finish the rest after. I need to greet that man. And pass on my thanks to the divine spirit.”
Directing the children to rest, Serenian grabbed her bow, leaped down to the base where Battle Bot waited, and dashed off somewhere.
“Well, then.”
The children atop the wall weren't the only ones watching. He, who had been warmly observing the little elves' feat from above his flowerpot, hurriedly rose and approached the herb pot in the living room.
“Something good happened, I take it?”
“It's complete. We built the entire barrier.”
Passing through the rift, Serenian met him. He smiled at her unusual excitement, as if he'd known. But the smile seemed somehow bittersweet.
“It would have been impossible without the divine spirit's aid. I've thanked them several times already, but as priestess, they wish one more from you.”
“I'll do that. But this... it's a gift from me.”
“This is...”
He handed her an item: a walkie-talkie, scale-adjusted from the outside. Without direct contact, this was the pre-planned way to hear her voice anytime, anywhere.
But his poor expression stemmed from this very thing.
Scale Adjustment Limit Exhausted
World Tree Growth Required to Increase Count
If there was a limit on uses, you should have said so earlier...! Am I the idiot for not expecting this?
He couldn't hold back his exasperation, inwardly fuming. The message had popped up the moment she took the walkie-talkie and entered the pot beaming.
Shovels, axes, tools; sandals, clothes; bows, weapons; drones; assorted foods and seeds. None were unlimited. Scale adjustment, this reality-bending power, came at a great cost—with a clear limit.
“You won't be able to provide tools like this for a while?”
“Even I don't fully understand the power, but the World Tree and the divine spirit are closely linked. The Tree's growth expands that bond, so it'll be difficult for now.”
He delivered the news to Serenian with a darkened expression.
“I'm—no, we're fine.”
But she gripped her bow tighter and shook her head with a smile.
“We've received so much help already. If we're not to depend on it from start to finish, self-reliance is only natural. The items from above are wonderfully convenient and superior, no doubt. But they're enough as they are. I have no intention of cladding myself head to toe in his gifts and living under protection forever.”
“But...”
“Their rarity makes them all the more precious. If they were commonplace, gratitude would fade, and I'd grow complacent. The gifts from heaven are special rewards—that suffices.”
Having endured betrayals after exile, Serenian had learned comfort wasn't always best. She'd seen with her own eyes how those addicted to ease betrayed their kin, so she guarded against it herself.
“And you're not truly unable to help, are you?”
“That's true. Providing materials... that kind of aid can continue.”
What was blocked were only the scale-adjusted items. He could still deliver massive objects unchanged—enormous to her.
She's strong. Hard to believe she's younger than me. Is it because she's an elf? Well, building that barrier alone...
Her words pierced his muddled, troubled heart. He let out a hollow laugh, set aside the topic, and explained how to use the walkie-talkie.