Chapter 86
Chapter 86
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 86
Chapter Title: The Worst Reunion
The reunion with her was the worst.
The moment I accepted the Fairy Queen's proposal to show me something fun.
A white fairy was born from the black tree as a result.
"From today onward, let's call this tree the Fairy Tree!"
"Hmm... the color's too drab. Should we change that too?"
It was definitely amusing.
Corrupting the elves' invasion weapon, the black tree, into a fairy and impregnating it with a fairy child.
If the target hadn't been a tree and we'd personified it into a comic, it would've won Best NTR of the Month.
Pling~!
"Now that it's golden, it looks much better!"
"Way better than that gloomy black!"
And so.
The tree was no longer an elven invasion weapon.
It wasn't even a black tree anymore—it had become a golden tree.
"Here, take your gift!"
"It'll be a huge help to you from now on!"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ The Blue Fairy has transferred ownership of the 'Golden Fairy Tree'. The 'Golden Fairy Tree' is now bound to you. It was bound to me under the name Golden Fairy Tree.
⚔ STATUS ⚔ [Golden Fairy Tree][Unique] A subspecies of the World Tree that enriches the surrounding environment. It bears fruit when filled with mana, and rarely gives birth to fairies. 💪 Current Born Fairies: - [White Fairy]: [Specialty: Fairy Magic] It looked like it would keep popping out fairies left and right from now on.
"It's Unique rank?"
"Ah, that's because only one World Tree can exist per world."
"But isn't this a subspecies?"
"Even so, a World Tree is still a World Tree!"
A fragment split from a World Tree still carried its essence, huh?
Come to think of it, Unique-rank items were said to exist only one per tower.
So no worries about another World Tree popping up?
"Exactly! The elves are probably shedding bloody tears right now. The World Tree, key to their invasion, ended up like this!"
"They might've had a sliver of hope to revive it after castration, but now it's irreversible! We modded it good!"
"That's a relief, at least."
Apparently so.
I hadn't intended it, but successfully screwing over an invader group eased my mind a bit...
"Next time we meet an elf, kidnap 'em and show off the Fairy Tree? Their reaction would be priceless... Heh heh heh...!!! Just thinking about it is fun!"
"How about tying them up and making them watch a fairy birth?"
"Blue—!!! You're one evil fairy...! Employee of the Month material!"
"Heh heh heh...!!!"
"Heh heh heh heh...!!!"
...Was it just me, or did elves and fairies seem cut from the same cloth?
It felt like swerving to avoid a sudden stop only to smash head-on into an oncoming five-ton truck...
"Master. Fairies are still better than elves."
"...Even after seeing that?"
"...At least fairies don't invade indiscriminately."
"...Fair enough."
...At least no invasions from them.
For now, I'd chalk it up as the best choice and move on.
#####
In a short time, I'd gleaned quite a bit of info.
The towers appearing worldwide were actually invaders' forward bases.
The world was already being invaded bit by bit via weapons like the black tree.
And Dr. Yi Ron had figured it out, castrated the black tree, and repurposed it for humanity...
Etc., etc.
Plenty more was surely happening beyond my knowledge.
"...My head hurts."
There were over a hundred towers worldwide.
Meaning at least a hundred invader groups.
Some had already collapsed countries like North Korea or China, spawning endless monsters and turning them into uninhabitable demon realms...
...Active invaders were probably already out there.
No, definitely.
"...Too many variables."
No matter how I thought about it, this wasn't something I could handle alone.
How many even knew this?
More precisely.
How many Climbers knew and still kept climbing?
"Master. You look troubled."
"Can't help it... This isn't my burden alone..."
Deep down, I'd half-thought sprinkling elixirs worldwide would solve the tower issue.
But if invaders or traitors got them and powered up? Catastrophe. No go.
"What now..."
"Master. Mind if I give some advice?"
"Advice?"
Advice from Labris...?
She was all about brawls, so probably not helpful.
Still, grasping at straws, I listened...
"Master. Climb the tower."
"Obviously."
"And prove your struggle."
"Yeah... same old."
"Then monsters will follow you."
"...? What do you mean?"
Climb the tower and monsters follow me?
"I'm not a summoner."
"Job doesn't matter. Didn't the fairies say? We're warriors here to struggle."
"True, but..."
"Master may not know, but such warriors share one trait."
"Trait?"
"Yes. They follow the strong."
Follow the strong, huh...
Beat 'em to near-death, say "be my minion," and they do?
"Exactly."
"...For real?"
"For real."
"Real real?"
"Why won't you believe me!"
"How can I?!"
Did that even make sense?
If beating them senseless made minions, Tower of Struggle climbers would've had pet monsters galore!
"That's weak humans for you."
"I'm a weak human too."
"No shame? Who wields an Orc Lord's battle spirit? You're more orc than orc—an orc human. That's why it'll work."
"That's some stretch..."
...Not entirely wrong, though.
Lately, I'd wondered if I'd outgrown humanity.
Just last time, casual battle spirit nearly killed someone.
And Lulu or Arin's full-power body slams? Just "a bit sore."
'...Worth a shot.'
Had to climb anyway.
Inviting once before killing? Easy enough. I'd try.
"Does it work in other towers?"
"Maybe ones like Tower of Struggle. Most are invasion-focused, so no."
"Got it."
Strike while the iron's hot, as they say.
About to enter the tower for today's climb...
"White! Try that quick!"
"Ow... I just got born...? Gimme a sec!"
The excited fairies whispering suddenly...
Blue Fairy urging something.
Wondering what, I watched silently.
Labris piped up, like she'd figured it out.
"Probably fairy magic."
"Fairy magic?"
"Unique magic only fairies use. Lots of mystical stuff. White fairies are masters of it, from what I know."
Oh, right.
-[White Fairy]: [Specialty: Fairy Magic]
I'd seen that in the Golden Fairy Tree info.
"...Not dangerous magic, right?"
"Should be fine. They won't harm you."
"Still uneasy..."
A bit worried, but.
Curious about unique fairy magic too.
Half anxious, half excited, I watched.
"Hnn...!"
The concentrating White Fairy, eyes shut.
Shook her damp wings—flutter!—signaling ready.
Then chanted rapid unknown words, presumed fairy tongue.
"@#!%#@#!#"
And right after.
"[Connect—!]"
Pling...!
"@#!%#@#!#" "[Connect—!]" ⟨ Fairy Magic: Link ⟩
White Fairy finished, pointed at Fairy Tree, shouted.
Mana-like white energy shot out, seeped in.
Moments later.
Crack...! Craaaack—!!!
Fairy Tree grew viciously.
Branches pierced the 10th-floor ceiling, filling it.
Trunk split with a crack!,
reshaping into a human-passable form.
"Phew... success... Now just link the catalyst..."
"Good job, White! This branch should do, right?"
"Yesss..."
White Fairy slumped, wings drooping from exhaustion.
Blue Fairy pulled an unknown branch, flew to the changed tree, said something.
I doubted my ears.
"Yup—! Opening a gate to your home!"
...Connecting to what now?
"Oh, that. Congrats, Master."
"What? Spill it."
"You don't know—?"
"Drop the bratty tone and explain properly."
"Fine... Special for you. It's fairy teleport magic. Links plants for travel."
Plant-linking teleport...?
Like game portals?
Vwooom—!!!
"Whoa! Connected!"
Come to think...
The rippling blue between split trunks did look portal-ish.
"Congrats, Master. Easier trips here now."
"...Neat."
Plant portal. Very fairy-like...
......
......?
"Hold up."
Linking plants?
Only one plant at my home...?
"...No way?"
I slowly approached the rippling golden tree portal.
Praying it wasn't my worst fear.
Step by step.
Dragging reluctant feet through the blue shimmer to the other side.
That instant.
Ripple—!
My familiar charming hanok greeted me.
But pure joy? No.
Because.
Turning back...
"Ah... Sorry... Senpai..."
No more cherished persimmon tree from senior.
Just a tackily split golden tree spewing blue light.
"...Gonna get reamed by Dr. Yi."
Badly.
#####
Ripple—!
Back on the 10th floor via portal, I asked the fairies.
Any way to restore senior's precious persimmon tree?
"Huh? Once linked, can't undo it."
"D-Did we ruin a precious tree...? We can sorta restore the look..."
"...Did we mess up?"
Short answer: impossible.
It was now half Fairy Tree, infused with spirit mana—not normal anymore.
"S-Sorry, benefactor... B-But! It'll grow healthy, no ailments!"
"Y-Yeah! It's a spirit tree with Fairy Tree mana! Last thousands of years easy!"
"A-And...! We'll care for it!"
"We'll cherish it with all our might!"
Thought about scolding hard, but what was done was done.
Not intentional. Yelling wouldn't revert it.
So, fairies handle persimmon care + fairy garden for me on 10th floor. Deal.
"No second chances."
"Sorry..."
"We'll ask first next time..."
Long-term, a win.
Fairies supplying fresh materials for me.
Of course, need apology elixir for Dr. Yi.
Handle with fairy-grown stuff.
Anyway.
"Tower now?"
"Yep."
Fairy Tree business wrapped.
Time to test Labris's monster minion thing...
"Kids, still mad?"
"Nyaang...!"
"Hmph!"
...To soothe the daughters still sulking in my arms with "I'm mad!" pouts.
Plus, eat the special morning bento before heading out.
"Kids, Daddy made bentos. Not eating?"
Perk—!
"...Daddy nyaan regrets it?"
"Daddy regrets it big time."
"...No vanishing without a word from now on?"
"Promise. I'll always say. Forgive Daddy?"
"This time only nyaan...!"
"Next time, really mad...!"
"Thanks for forgiving me."
Their "needed forgiveness" sulk resolved with S-rank bentos.
"Meat bento nyaan!"
"Fish too!"
We scarfed down the delicious bentos.
And then.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ 'Lulu' has fully consumed 'Special Bento Full of Love—!'. All stats slightly increase. Status ailment resistance slightly increases. 'Rapid Growth' buff applied for 24 hours. ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ 'Rapid Growth' is affected by 'Growth (S)'! 'Growth Mission' assigned to 'Lulu'. 📜 GROWTH MISSION 📜 Defeat the 20th Floor's Hidden Boss Alone
🎁 Reward: 'Lulu's rank increases by one tier!
"...Growth Mission?"
What the heck was this?