Chapter 45
Chapter 45
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: Became the Gallery's Only Reptile
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[Ceres. You're not hurt anywhere, are you?]
Whirr.
Even though Ceres was insisting she was fine, I couldn't help but crawl around her surroundings just in case, meticulously checking if she was hiding any damage.
I had blocked it, but the typhoon's power back then was far from ordinary.
Fortunately, just as Ceres said, there didn't seem to be any significant damage.
[Ceres. This is a nutrient supplement I prepared for you.]
Whirr.
When I pulled out the nutrient supplement that was the whole reason I'd come here, Ceres emitted feelings of curiosity mixed with joy.
She seemed happy just by the fact that I'd brought something for her sake.
Since Silpi had already checked it when we first found it and guaranteed its safety—no harmful substances inside—it should be fine to administer as is.
I'd gotten the usage instructions from Silpi beforehand, so there was no fumbling around.
Pop.
The lid, which had been perfectly sealed to prevent any leakage, came off with a cheerful sound, and the liquid inside began to slosh and slowly seep into the soil.
A peculiar nutrient supplement not injected directly into the tree, but applied to the soil.
'I wonder how effective it'll be.'
Still, this is the Jijiyong world, so it should be different from ordinary nutrients... right?
There are so many things I don't know about this era that it's hard to predict.
With half worry and half anticipation, I waited for changes in Ceres when something irritating prickled at my senses.
[...Tch. Uninvited guests at a time like this.]
I sensed a group approaching from far away.
Yes, just as expected, another bold bunch targeting Ceres had arrived.
[They really don't get tired of this, keep coming nonstop.]
And each time, different guys.
It's not like they're tired of the same side dish and prepared something new.
I can't help but wonder just how many diverse creatures live around here.
'And this bunch coming now... their numbers are seriously concerning.'
At first, I thought I was imagining it.
After the fight earlier, maybe my senses were dulled.
Otherwise, there was no way a full hundred invaders would be heading this way.
And even from this distance, the chill I felt.
There was definitely something extraordinary mixed in there.
[Ceres. Might not be quick... but I'll be back as fast as I can.]
Whirr.
[Yeah. I'll be waiting.]
Ceres, seemingly evolving in real-time with changes thanks to the nutrient supplement.
At her declaration that I'd be amazed when I returned, I smiled and swiftly moved toward the direction the intruders were coming from.
Ssssh.
I wanted to ride the wind and fly over right away, but since there was a concerning powerhouse among them, I crawled to conserve energy.
Rumble rumble.
[Still far off, but the ground's shaking already?]
As the distance closed, the earth began to tremble.
The shaking felt like a light earthquake, drawing an involuntary chuckle from me.
How many had gathered to make the ground quake like this?
'And if I'm not mistaken...'
As the gap narrowed, I grew even more certain from the aura I sensed.
This mana was far too intense for ordinary beasts.
A being harboring mana of this magnitude must be...
[Looks like... a spirit beast is involved.]
Yes, with a spirit beast, leading a horde like that to come here wasn't a big deal.
Judging by their speed, about 30 seconds until they reached my location.
[Then, shall I check the gallery while I wait for them?]
Time to see if they're still flaming my last post or if the heat's moved to other topics.
The gallery's atmosphere had returned to normal.
There were a few posts looking for me here and there, but most were from regular users.
Among them were the usual daily academy lunch posts and ones from newbies who'd just arrived in this world.
Why's the weather like this today? Just standing still and sweat's pouring out. Gonna end up collapsing at this rate?
You bitch, I trusted you and you backstab me? (Photo of a woman's blurred back silhouette, obscured by light) But she's pretty, so forgiven lol.
(Photo of treasures surrounded by barrier magic) Here live-raiding a dragon lair. Won't tell location, don't ask. (Photos of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th barrier magics) Dragon lairs are guarded by suffocating barriers right from the entrance. Such timid bastards for their size. (Photo of all barriers broken) Nope~ Not against me? Cracked these barriers easy with one hand~? (Photo of attack magic circles inside the lair) Next up, attack magic arrays spread out? (Photo of all magic arrays broken too) Nope again, duh! (Photo of treasure-filled lair) Dragons gonna dragon. Collected all the shiny expensive crap lol. Sell just one and live easy forever.
I quickly skimmed the gallery posts before 30 seconds were up.
Among them, the one that especially caught my interest was the last one about raiding a dragon lair.
But the reason I was interested wasn't the lair raiding itself—it was the dragon magic visible in the process.
Dragons wield the power of nature, but dragons perform miracles through the mystery called magic.
In terms of variety and types of power, dragon magic holds overwhelming superiority.
That's why I focused on the magic circles in the photos.
'Magic circles, huh.'
I probably couldn't learn regular spells, but what about magic circles?
Magic is cast instantly using circles in the heart. Without circles, you can't use magic.
But magic circles are different.
A magic circle is a pre-arranged formula for activating a spell, processed so it can be used even without circles.
That's how scrolls usable by commoners are made—with magic circles.
Hmm.
Rumble rumble rumble.
The enemies were almost upon me now.
Time to stop looking at the dragon magic circle photos—fight time.
They were charging so hard, kicking up clouds of dust.
[Quite the variety assembled.]
A spirit beast must be leading them, for sure.
Otherwise, deer, elephants, cheetahs, zebras, gorillas, etc.
No way such diverse animals would group up and move like that.
[You're the leader of this pack, huh.]
[Imoogi...]
The gray-furred wolf charging at the forefront of the group.
Nearly twice—no, three times the size of the other wolves in the pack—it halted at my words and lowered its head to take in my appearance.
[Black scales, red eyes. And a body more pathetic than a python.]
The wolf said that, baring its fangs and assuming a threatening posture toward me as it howled.
[You're the rumored Black Despair.]
[Black Despair?]
Did I have a nickname like that?
Probably coined by the ones who survived getting beaten by me.
[Black Despair. Your presence here means the Tree of Life lies beyond.]
[Tree of Life, huh. Ceres got herself a pretty cool epithet.]
Tree of Life.
Sounds pretty good, doesn't it?
Of course, that's why more flies keep swarming, but I can handle that much myself.
[So, is that why you came?]
[Yes. The Tree of Life. That's what we want.]
At least they're not charging in for a fight right away.
I like the approach, but not what they want.
[Fine. Why do you want the Tree of Life?]
[Lately, the range of activity for the Incarnations of Nature has expanded. If this continues, this place will be exposed to their range. It might already be.]
[Spirits, huh...]
[If the Incarnations of Nature move and alter this land's nature, most won't adapt to the changes.]
[So you'll use the Tree of Life to adapt?]
[More than that is possible. The Tree of Life's power grows stronger by the day. If it keeps growing, it could surely keep their hands from reaching here. The Tree of Life has that much power.]
The reason this bunch came was different from previous intruders.
Before, it was just for survival or to steal Ceres's power to grow stronger.
But.
[But the Tree of Life's power is still weak now.]
[Not for long. It's overflowing with such immense vitality already. If I or you take that power, we can surely protect this place...]
[Go home.]
[...Why?]
They're just different in what they aim for.
This one or the previous ones.
They all wanted Ceres's sacrifice.
[I'll go back and tell the Tree of Life to exert her power as much as possible. So go home.]
[...Even after hearing me out, you still won't take the Tree of Life?]
Of course not.
Sacrifice Ceres?
I can't do that.
Plus, worried about spirits?
Sorry, but we've got the future Spirit King right here.
[Enough. Go home.]
So just go home.
I'll handle it for you if you do.
[Don't you pity the other lifeforms here?]
But these guys.
They don't look like they're planning to leave.
Led by the wolf spirit beast ready to lunge at me, the others behind glared with bulging eyes.
[...If you don't leave, I'll consider you enemies.]