Elatrium (3)
Elatria.
Through the branch infused with their spirit power that they had given to Chuchu, they confirmed that Chuchu's words were true.
『Ah... Ah... Mother's... remnants... I can feel them...』
『It was... truly... real.』
Now that they realized the earth blessed by Gaia truly existed, there was no longer any reason to hesitate.
『Rise, brothers.』
With those words.
The massive trees slowly rose from the forest's darkness, with unmistakable momentum.
Their movements, as if leaving roots embedded for centuries, carried enough power to split the earth.
Kugrrrrrrr!!
The Elatria pulled their deeply rooted anchors from the ground with a heavy thud and began advancing.
As the larger Elatria moved, shaking their abundant branches and leaves, thick limbs collided, booming like thunder.
Thud. Thud. Thud!!!
Each step they took vibrated the ground, making the earth rumble.
The monsters nearby fled in all directions, overwhelmed by their presence, while the air filled with the heavy, woody scent they exhaled.
Kwaaaaa—
Their approaching horde resembled a green wave crashing through the forest.
Hundreds, thousands of Elatria moved as one, forming a surging tide of verdant foliage.
With every motion, deep green leaves and pale vines glimmered in the sunlight, sunlight filtering through the canopy rippling like waves reflecting the sun.
“Chu!!”
Chuchu dashed out to meet the green wave.
Tung, churrrr—!!
In a flash, Chuchu leaped atop the lead Elatria's head.
“Chuchu!”
Then, like a fleet captain leading countless ships, it began guiding the Elatria.
Their destination was none other than.
“Chu!!!”
Their home with their master.
The Dragon's Lair.
『This place... is it...?』
『Ah... Ah... I feel it... Mother's... presence...』
『Thank you... servant of the great... being... It truly... existed...』
Kugugugugu!!
The Elatria took root, encircling the lair.
Kwaaaaa!!
In an instant, the surrounding mana density surged dramatically.
Life energy overflowed, forming the forest of abundance and prosperity—Elatrium.
“Chuchuchuuu—!!!”
Chuchu let out a triumphant cry, celebrating the successful migration.
And it made one more request to the Elatria.
“Chu!”
This was the sanctuary of the great being.
They could dwell here only by that great one's grace.
They must never provoke the great one's ire.
『We shall... remember... We merely... express our gratitude... for the great... being's grace...』
『We will not... forget the favor... we received...』
『Reverence... to the great... being...』
“Chu!”
Chuchu nodded in satisfaction, thinking it had firmly established discipline among the Elatria.
“Chuchu!”
But Chuchu had no intention of stopping there.
Now that the Elatria had settled here.
It was time to collect what it could!
First up.
『Worry not... about the forest's defense...』
The forest's defense.
The protection to make the lair an impregnable fortress.
『Once we establish... our home here... we will devote ourselves... even more to the forest's defense...』
“Chu!”
Chuchu nodded.
This would have been handled smoothly even without asking.
Next, the second item.
“Chuchu!”
『The forest's seeds... likewise... As promised... whenever you need... as many as you wish... we shall provide...』
Perfect.
Now cultivation of legendary spirit herbs like Seondo and Mandragora could accelerate.
And finally.
“Chuchuuu!”
『Seeds of high-grade... spirit herbs... is that what you seek...?』
It demanded seeds of spirit herbs.
They were tree spirits.
They must possess and have cultivated countless legendary spirit herbs.
Of course, that was back in Elatrium's heyday.
But as the saying goes, even a fallen noble house holds wealth for three generations.
They might still have legendary spirit herb seeds in store.
Chuchu's aim was to empty those stores.
『You intend... to strip us... root and all...』
『Yet... even reaching the heavens... would not suffice... for the grace we received... Such demands... are not excessive...』
『Take them... servant of the great... being...』
Paaaat!
Seeds wrapped in green light descended before Chuchu.
“Chu!”
Brown-tinged seeds.
Chuchu swiftly stashed them in its belly pouch.
But it wasn't satisfied yet.
“Chu?”
Any more? it asked.
『For now... none remain...』
『Later... when our glory... is restored...』
『Return then...』
The Elatria looked crestfallen.
Only then did Chuchu nod.
Shortly after Chuchu entered the lair.
Sssslither.
A snake-like entity over 30 meters long appeared near the lair.
Its appearance was identical to the slain here recently.
No—even more ferocious and vicious in scales and aura.
It had shed once more, evolving a step further.
Why had such a beast come here?
Ssssslither!
It was the mate of the Nagarata killed here.
“Tssrrrrrut—”
Fury over its dead wife boiled within it to the brim.
It vowed to tear apart and devour everything linked to her death.
With that resolve, it arrived.
“Tsrrut—”
But it halted in shock.
Thoom!
A massive green wave surged before it.
Having broken past Lv 200, it sensed the mountain-like magic compressed in that green tide.
Normally, it would retreat.
But.
“Tssrrrrrut—!!”
It couldn't contain the rage building in its chest.
Thus.
It unleashed its full-powered breath at the green wave.
Flash.
Kwaaaaaaaa—!!!!
A cataclysmic blast that could flip the sky and melt the earth.
Yet.
Creeeeeenng!!
The forest's defense absorbed it wholly, unscratched.
“Tsrriririt!”
The Nagarata tried to breathe again at the sight.
『What being... dares... trespass... Elatrium's walls...?』
Gugrrrrrr.
The earth trembled.
The forest's wrathful scent crushed the air.
“Ts, tssrrut—”
Its blazing fury melted before that immense pressure.
Sssssslither!
The Nagarata tucked tail and fled.
Only then did the turbulent mana in the air subside.
『This land... blessed by Mother... No matter what... we shall protect it...』
The forest of abundance and prosperity.
Or.
The naturally fortified citadel known as Elatrium.
That forgotten glory began reviving in this moment.
“Oh. Finally done?”
“Chuchu!”
My eyes sparkled at Chuchu's words.
The ground vibrations I'd felt moments ago.
The skyrocketing mana density in the air afterward.
All changes wrought by the Elatria.
“Whoa, I don't know about the rest, but this mana density is insane.”
Like entering the mountains and feeling your mind clear in the crisp, pure air.
That's exactly how it felt now.
Filled with cool, clear, pure mana.
Nice.
It felt like deep in the mountains.
A pleasant smile crept onto my face from the mana piercing my lungs.
“Chuchu!”
Then Chuchu pulled something from its belly pouch.
“Huh? What's this?”
Brown seeds.
Placing one in my palm brought up its info.
“Gujijayeop Herb?”
Something ominous stirred.
The name felt familiar.
I immediately searched Superhuman Net.
Hey everyone? This is the thirty-ninth post. Today, I'm introducing the spirit herb known for its mystical healing and powerful detoxification: Gujijayeop Herb.
Gujijayeop Herb is found deep in ancient forests, its purple leaves gleaming with a unique luster.
This herb transcends ordinary spirit herbs, revered as a potent antidote.
Since ancient times, it's been essential against poison. Its exceptional detox power draws those poisoned or wielding poison attributes...(abridged)...
Especially, it thrives in toxic environments, absorbing poison and converting it to its own power. Thus, it's unparalleled at alleviating poisoning and purifying bodily toxins.
Hence, it's legendary as an antidote...(abridged)...
Long-term use is said to lead to Mandokbulchim...
Info on Gujijayeop Herb.
Long explanation, but.
One word summed it up.
“Legendary antidote.”
Its mana wasn't lacking either.
Even setting aside detox, it boosted mana reserves like any fine herb.
And the biggest perk.
Mandokbulchim—poison immunity.
Huge. I couldn't pass this up.
In the superhuman world, poison was one of the most dreaded threats.
Donghyun was a prime example.
His mana circuits were ruined beyond recovery by Cheonsalsa's poison.
“Mandokbulchim means no more poison worries.”
My hands were already planting the Gujijayeop Herb seeds in Popo's tilled soil.
“How'd you get these?”
Looked like from the Elatria.
“You didn't strong-arm them, right?”
“Chuchu!”
Chuchu jumped up, wagging its finger side to side.
“Chuchuuu!”
Absolutely not—it got fair compensation, it insisted.
“Haha, okay, got it. Good job, good job.”
Chuchu, this clever little rascal.
Full of talents.
I didn't know how it scored these treasures, but thanks to it and Popo, the lair grew richer by the day.
Wuuuung!!
Then.
“Huh!”
“Chu!”
“Popo!”
『......Keron.』
We all looked up at once.
Toward.
Dania's direction.
Captivating our gazes.
Why?
Paaaaat.
Mystical rainbow light began pouring from Dania's egg.
At that moment.
In a Shanghai building.
An Jaeseong, facing the final stage of the , steadied his nerves with deep breaths in the waiting room.
The finale.
Having poured everything into reaching the finals, this was a pivotal moment.
“Hoo.”
An Jaeseong exhaled heavily.
The pressure of representing Korea weighed on his shoulders.
Getting here.
Wasn't easy.
Fierce rivals.
Prejudice against Koreans.
He overcame it all to reach the finals.
Madoje. Without his ingredients, I might not have made it.
From preliminaries to semifinals, he'd wowed with dishes using Lunadria, potatoes, and sweet potatoes bought from Madoje.
For the finale, cherry tomatoes as the finale touch.
The one who snagged Madoje's recent cherry tomato auction at 300 coins each.
That was Bangbaedong Gourmet.
He'd spent a fortune preparing for today.
He was confident.
Because.
His final dish was marinated cherry tomatoes—something he loved and trusted.
If I win with this, I can say in my speech it's a shared victory with Madoje.
He chuckled softly.
It wasn't wrong.
Then that's what I'll do.
Decided.
Victory speech.
So, no regrets—give it my all.
As he composed himself.
Ping-!
Suddenly, his head spun.
A subtle tremor from his shoulders spread through his body.
He looked at himself puzzled.
He recalled the drink from a Chinese chef moments ago.
After semifinals, exchanged to congratulate efforts—but something felt off.
Sensation dulled shortly after drinking it.
“No way. Poison or drugs?”
Anxiety surged as his vision blurred.
His heart raced irregularly; the room's objects shook hazily.
He fought to stay conscious, but his mind drowned in chaos.
Help...
Need to call.
He gripped the staff bell but hesitated.
Here.
Couldn't trust anyone.
Better get an antidote from Superhuman Net—
Gasping, he accessed Superhuman Net.