Chapter 150
Episode 150
Early morning, immediately after the 3rd wave began.
When we finally approached the World Tree, which we had confirmed from afar, we realized the situation was not so simple.
"That is..."
Another anomaly caught our eye.
[Slightly Corrupted Guardian of the Divine Tree]
Diodara's Root
A boss-level named monster that should only appear at the very end of a wave.
A dangerous entity comparable to Bihyeong or Soyeon was still lurking near the World Tree.
The only difference, perhaps, was that its epithet was different from what I knew.
'Slightly corrupted.' Apparently, it's holding on in an ambiguous state.
That's why it's dangerous. Dealing with the World Tree alone would be dangerous, but it means having to face a monster comparable to SSR-grade.
It would have been better if it had burst out with this 3rd wave, but to be ambiguously less corrupted...
"What do you plan to do? That bastard sitting there isn't even something you can call a tree anymore, is it?"
"I know."
As Alexios said, the [Guardian of the Divine Tree] was already difficult to call a tree. It would be more accurate to call it a yokai.
The World Tree had used the power it directly infused to protect itself to strengthen its weak body.
True to its epithet 'Guardian,' it would be incredibly sturdy.
"...Should I have just brought Noah instead of Alexios?"
"What, you son of a bitch?"
Originally, the monster that appeared at the end of the wave was defeated by Eleanor.
Of course, if the opponent had turned all its power to defense like that, it would be vulnerable to Eleanor's [Key of Understanding].
She could probably absorb their power as is and dice them up without much effort.
"Just kidding. The situation is just a bit frustrating."
Naturally, even if Eleanor were here, it wouldn't be resolved as smoothly as in the original story.
Her power could certainly smash the [Guardian of the Divine Tree], strengthened by the World Tree's power, like an ordinary tree, but behind it stands the World Tree.
The World Tree's attacks would be fast and powerful. With her current heavy greatsword, she wouldn't be able to react.
Even one hit would mean death.
"Maybe we should go back and clear the wave first..."
"No."
That won't work. If we do that, I can't achieve my goal.
The end of the wave means the death of the World Tree. Self-destruction. It would squeeze out all its power, causing even the fruits it bore to wither. It would rather die than become an anomalous being. It's the World Tree's choice, possessing pride as a divine tree.
"The plan has gone a little awry, but we'll proceed as is."
"Do you have a method?"
The original plan was for Alexios, whose physical abilities were pushed to the limit through [Unprecedented], to draw the World Tree's attention.
And during that time, I would secretly approach to pick the fruit or launch a magical interception from a distance to attack the World Tree. It was a simple plan.
But with the World Tree and now its Guardian appearing, such a plan couldn't work. The premise itself was a tactic to attack a single target.
If the Guardian aimed at me, it might be okay, but if the World Tree aimed at me, it would be a direct path to a dead end.
Alexios, no matter how much he drew attention, wouldn't be able to hold both the World Tree and the Guardian.
After all, that's not the role of a warrior, but of a Guardian.
Yet, I entrusted him with such a role, so I can't blame him.
"...There's still a way."
Still, there's a way. The embers of the guide, [Prometheus], inherited from Prudence Loa.
It won't be perfect due to the yokai energy that has encroached upon the World Tree, but using it should allow me to deflect the World Tree's attacks to some extent.
The only problem is that the fuel for that flame is all of my mana.
It's quite dangerous. [Prometheus] is a skill worthy of being called a finisher.
But using such a skill before even checking the opponent's hand necessarily carries considerable risk.
Moreover, it cannot be maintained for long. It means leaving no escape route.
"If you draw the Guardian's attention, I'll strike the World Tree."
If I fail, I die.
The moment the flame of [Prometheus] extinguishes, my lifeline also snaps.
Since it will be after all my mana has been burned, it will be impossible to use [Spatial Barrier] to seek another opportunity.
"That's how it's going to be."
The World Tree's fruit is valuable enough to bear that much risk. Even if it's not enough to save Tia, it's sufficient.
What's lacking can be filled later. The possibility of saving Tia. I'm staking my life on that now. Because her mere existence will become a sturdy wall.
"You... No, never mind. Whatever I say, you won't listen anyway. If you were the kind to listen, would you have been brawling with me in the first place?"
Alexios shrugged his shoulders, tightened the cord of his doBok, then stepped forward and took his stance.
"I'll start first, so come in slowly."
"Okay, I'll go in at the right time, so draw as much attention as possible."
As soon as the short conversation ended, Alexios began to run.
After watching him for a moment, I immediately started running in the opposite direction from Alexios.
He went left, I went right.
Thump!
Once a certain distance was created, Alexios immediately entered [Unprecedented] state, revealing his presence to the World Tree and the Guardian.
"Ha...! Seriously, I never get a good outcome whenever I'm involved with this bastard!"
Alexios shouted that, stomping his right foot hard into the ground as if to embed it.
His signature skill.
[Flame Cloud Thunder Fist]
With a sound like continuous lightning strikes, a bombardment began.
A magnificent and flashy, attention-grabbing fierce attack struck the Guardian charging towards him.
The Guardian faltered under the fierce attack, but slowly closed the distance. Its durability was absurd.
"Then..."
It's time that Alexios bought at great risk.
I moved as carefully as possible, completely controlling the mana seeping from my body.
I could see the World Tree's roots and branches writhing and moving towards Alexios. It's hard to perceive due to their size, but they move at considerable speed.
"Good, you're doing well."
Even now, with Alexios and the Guardian close, the World Tree still hasn't noticed me.
Moreover, its roots and branches were also directed towards Alexios.
Taking advantage of that opportunity, I moved until I reached a certain boundary line and then stopped.
From here on, no matter how carefully I move, I'll be discovered. The plan to secretly pick the fruit was discarded.
So, I'll wait until the World Tree's attack is maximally directed towards Alexios, then strike.
"..."
Up close, the World Tree was an overwhelming size, even though it wasn't yet fully mature. It was surprising that such a large tree hadn't been discovered until now.
Perhaps there was some kind of barrier that repelled people.
[Mana Dominator Lv. 3]
0/100 until guaranteed SSR-rank magic
I unleash the stacks I've been preparing for this very moment.
I no longer remembered how much nature I destroyed to reach 99.
[Petit Breath]
Despite the name 'Petit,' a dragon's breath that was anything but 'petit' struck the World Tree's trunk.
The World Tree's body was mostly focused on Alexios right now.
CRASH!
The remaining branches and roots wouldn't be able to fully block it.
"As expected, this isn't enough..."
However, despite taking a direct hit from the dragon's strike, the World Tree maintained a relatively intact appearance.
As expected, it's not easy. Even though now is the chance, with the World Tree's roots and branches aimed at Alexios, my firepower was overwhelmingly insufficient.
[Spatial Barrier Lv. 2]
I'll think later. Now is the time to move.
I'll save my trump card until the very last moment. I can avoid this many roots and branches.
Rather than continuing a fight where I can't even be sure if I can defeat it, it would be better to just aim for the fruit.
I advanced a few more meters, dodging the swinging branches and roots that suddenly burst from the ground.
Now is the perfect moment.
"Burn!"
I lit the fuse that would incinerate all the mana in my body.
Transcendental Magic
[Prometheus]
If I have to gamble anyway, it's better to take the risk and seize the fruit than to fail due to insufficient firepower from a safe distance.
"Hoo!"
Conscious of my body transforming into an avatar of fire, I took a step.
I rushed like a comet, dodging through the roots, branches, and leaves pouring down on me.
The background seemed to stretch, and my sense of direction distorted, making it hard to confirm where I'm headed.
Beyond a certain speed, even I, who am directly moving my body, cannot keep up with the movements. However, if I slow down, the World Tree's attacks will rain down. Most attacks can be deflected by a body that is itself fire.
"Gah?!"
Yes, but it can never be all of them. If the World Tree were in its perfect state, it might be different, but since the current World Tree is tainted with yokai energy, it's inevitable.
The nature of yokai energy is 'chaos.'
It twists even the very nature of fire, which cannot be grasped by hand.
"Phew..."
In terms of probability, it was 1/100.
The probability that among the World Tree's roots and branches that I deflect with fire, some would be tainted with yokai energy.
"Seriously, my luck is awful."
The World Tree must have expelled a considerable amount of yokai energy by creating the wave phenomenon just now, yet this is happening.
There's not much yokai energy remaining in the branches now that the wave has been repelled.
I got this much damage from that little power, but conversely, it means I deflected that many attacks.
If it had hit me directly, I would have died instantly.
Whoosh!
I shifted gears again. If I were going to give up after one hit, I wouldn't have initiated the operation in the first place.
I stop reducing speed or twisting my body to avoid attacks. Now, only one thing.
"The World Tree's fruit..."
Only that filled my vision. Like a flame, like a comet, beyond that, like a single ray of light.
Ignoring all attacks pouring down on me, I charge straight ahead.
One hit or two.
Or if I've already been hit dozens of times, I don't know.
I felt the mana in my body literally burning like fire as it deflected those attacks.
Nevertheless, I just pressed on towards the goal. I must obtain it. It's a definite means to twist this utterly unstable future.
Humanity needs a wall. It doesn't have to be a wall that protects from enemies from outside. It just needs to be a wall that can bring peace of mind, that people can lean on, just by existing. I will protect that wall. I will save Tia, whose fate is to die soon.
"...Got it!"
I reached out my hand towards the goal. I grasped the absolute means to change the future. But at the same time as I rejoiced at holding the fruit.
"Ah..."
I realized that the hand clutching the fruit was not a transformed hand, but an ordinary human hand.
The consumption was too great. Transforming into fire to deflect attacks consumes a corresponding amount of mana.
Moreover, some yokai energy must have been mixed in, so it was natural for the consumption to be fast. I had overlooked it.
I hadn't considered returning.
As Alexios said, I was looking too far ahead.
I hadn't checked the way back.
At this rate… I'll die.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Alexios did his best. He decided to do his best. He knew Oz was impatient.
But if 'that' Oz was feeling impatient, it also meant he was that desperate.
He didn't like it, but he had agreed to help.
There was no 'half-hearted' effort. If he did it, he would do his best, even stake his life to help; that was his creed.
"Sigh..."
Alexios exhaled slowly and deeply. His mission was to hold back the Guardian. But he went a step further, grabbing hold of the World Tree's branches and roots that were swung at him, making sure they couldn't retreat.
The World Tree's roots and branches, crushed tightly in Alexios's hands, struggled to break free but couldn't.
'Anyway, this big guy's attacks aren't that threatening.'
The Guardian's strength was its sturdy body.
As a being born for protection, its attack power wasn't very strong. Of course, the power it exerted due to its size was sufficient in itself. But if that's all it was.
'I'll endure it.'
Alexios began to take the Guardian's attacks unprotected. He believed he could endure it in his [Unprecedented] state.
If he was going to help, shouldn't he do his best?
Even as roars echoed and blood splattered, Alexios did not let go of the branches and roots he held.
"Hoo!"
Fist King Secret Technique
[Great Collapse]
He even gave up attacking for good measure.
Alexios, instead of maintaining his [Flame Cloud Thunder Fist] state, provoked the World Tree's roots.
His shockwave, spreading deep into the ground from his toes, gave the World Tree a shock and diverted its attention.
Alexios used both arms to grab as many roots as possible.
However, Alexios soon let out a cry of dismay.
"That stupid bastard...!"
Alexios bit his lip, seeing a streak of light even from afar.
Impatience. He was rushing to finish things quickly, consuming his power faster, when he could have taken a slightly longer route.
Even though Alexios was grabbing the roots one by one, he was already so engrossed that he couldn't see his surroundings.
When the very person he was helping was so impatient, there was no reason to keep holding onto the roots.
But he couldn't let go either. The moment he did, all of those would rush towards Oz.
Grind!
Alexios gritted his teeth. All he could do was watch, utterly helpless.
He saw Oz grabbing the fruit in the distance.
But there was no way back. That idiot hadn't thought of an escape route.
He was so blinded by the fruit, so impatient, that he didn't care.
"Ah..."
But at the very moment Oz's death seemed certain, a pure white figure flashed in Alexios's eyes.
"What the hell kind of bullshit is this, you sons of bitches...!"
Alexios couldn't suppress his curses and shouted.
But despite Alexios's outcry, the Goblin's magic, which he had seen sometime before, was performed, swapping their positions.
Goblin's Prank
[Moonlit Step]
At this very moment, what he had feared was finally about to become reality.