Chapter 76
Chapter 76
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 76
Chapter Title: The World Tree
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No sunlight entered the underground cavern at all. Only sporadic glowing moss plants and stones on the walls provided faint visibility. My eyesight was good enough that I could see without issue, but my sense of time was starting to blur. How much time had passed?
I'd spent so long absorbing life force from the swamp that I'd lost all track of time. Through endless repetition, the range and amount I absorbed steadily increased.
After even more time passed, the swamp's water level had noticeably dropped compared to the start.
I channeled the life force I'd absorbed from the swamp into the roots. Each time, the shattered roots sprouted back vigorously, finally reaching the swamp. Now the roots were drawing life force directly from it.
"Now you're somewhat useful. How about staying here and keeping things clean forever?"
"....Weren't you going to let me go once it was all cleaned up?"
Aside from the time spent absorbing life force from the swamp, I'd cleared away dirt and collapsed sections of the walls, leaving the cavern quite tidy.
"Hmph. That was a joke."
With a wave of her hand, the pajamas she wore transformed into an outfit suitable for going out.
"Let's go."
The smooth wall in front of her parted as dirt pushed aside, creating a passageway excessively large for two people. I'd never even imagined moving that much earth with magic. With power like that, there'd been no point in me cleaning at all.
We silently ascended the slanted passage for a long while until its end came into view. After so much time underground, we were finally heading outside.
Beyond the cave lay a forest. Or could this even be called a forest? Right in front of the exit stood a tree so enormous its top was invisible.
The tree seemed to pierce the heavens, its trunk alone hundreds of meters in diameter. Its branches spread out several kilometers in every direction. Beneath it, trees grew to over ten meters despite receiving no light—plenty big, but weeds compared to the central giant.
That massive tree was undoubtedly the one rooting deep underground.
And something had changed now that we were out. The life force of the world felt vivid against my skin and in my vision. Underground, there had been almost nothing to sense it from, so I hadn't noticed. The swamp training must have heightened my sensitivity to life force to the extreme. This opened up even more ways to use it for detection or search.
"What humans call the World Tree."
I'd been quietly sensing the forest's abundant life force when Eres added that.
"I've only heard stories."
"It's not that grand."
"I see. Then let's go."
I wanted to break away from Darkness right away, saving my awe for the tree for later.
"Do you know how to get to your world?"
"...."
Of course not.
Franklin had made a contract with a demon to come to Earth, and Sonorim had received something from a great being. No way could I just ask some local mage.
"You fool from start to finish. I'll send you."
"Huh? Really?"
"Why would a being like me lie to a worm like you, you insolent cur?"
"Thank you."
"Then let's go."
"....Are we walking? No teleportation or anything?"
"It won't open here."
"Is it that you won't, or that you can't?"
"You're getting bolder. Shall I toss you back in the swamp?"
"No, sorry."
"Tch. Humans have set up a barrier here. It wouldn't stop me from moving, but it'd shatter their barrier."
"Can't it break?"
"There are rules among us primordial beings. No unnecessary interference in the human world."
"So that's why you don't stop the gates?"
"Something like that."
"Uh.... What about me, then?"
No interference, but locking me up and making me work is fine?
"....You're not from this world, so it's okay."
Darkness started walking as if she had no interest in further talk. She took a light step forward, and her body shot ahead.
Afraid of losing her as she pulled away, I sped up too.
She seemed to barely push off rocks or grass with her feet, yet advanced at speeds defying physics.
"Huff.... Huff...."
Even burning life force as fuel at max speed, the distance kept growing. Her glances back at me were utterly calm.
I stared at her shrinking into a dot until she vanished, then collapsed to the ground.
"Huff.... Huff...."
I couldn't remember the last time I'd been this winded.
I'd run long distances before, but never at full sprint for so long, stepping with all my power each time. Even then, without the boosted stats from Darkness letting me absorb life force from surroundings, it would've been impossible.
But even with plenty absorbed, my body couldn't use it efficiently. What's the point of a lake of oil if your engine's a compact car?
"You're.... truly talentless."
Darkness, who'd returned unnoticed, looked down at me pityingly.
"Rest up, then follow. I'll go slow."
She'd barely given me five seconds before stepping off again.
"Ha...."
Unbelievable. Still catching my breath, but I ran again.
She left no footprints, no scent. Losing her meant game over, so I chased with everything I had.
[Agility has increased by 1.]
[Agility has increased by 1.]
[Agility has increased by 1.]
[Vitality has increased by 1.]
My stats rose a bit, and the life force I burned increased. Thanks to bigger stat gains, my speed improved dramatically.
Taking a brief rest, I opened my status window for the first time in ages.
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Name: Lee Jiseok
Class: None
Level: 50
Strength 122 (171), Vitality 126 (177), Agility 119 (167), Intelligence 55 (77), Life Force 1260, Mana 452.5
Skills: Regeneration A, Sturdy Body A, Resilient Mind A, Poison Resistance B, Acute Senses A, Resilient Blood A
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The missing class still bugged me, but these stats inflated by about 40% were beyond any S-Rank Hunter. Sure, Jeong Mingi could move several times faster with skills, probably still quicker than me, but I wouldn't be helpless like last time.
I glanced at Darkness standing quietly, surveying the surroundings. Even with these stats, the thought of challenging her didn't cross my mind. If something like her was among future foes, there'd be no hope.
"You're a bit faster now."
Too winded to reply, I flashed a smug smile now that I'd caught up.
"No need to go slow anymore."
With that, her speed doubled.
"W-Wait.... Hold on...."
Most common phrase I'd said since coming to Tellus.
* * *
Tellus was vast—they weren't kidding. Even at hundreds of km/h, it took hours to exit the forest. Of course, she stopped a few times for me.
"What an insane forest."
Hands on knees, catching my breath, I looked back. The forest we'd left stretched endlessly.
"Let's go. Long road ahead."
Darkness slowed down.
"Why not faster?"
"Running like that here draws eyes."
I looked around—no one.
"Then follow knowing that."
She stepped off first. No point voicing my opinion anyway, so I trailed.
"What's your world like?"
Bored after a bit of walking, Darkness asked.
"Aren't all places where people live kinda similar?"
"What a half-hearted answer."
"Hmm.... It's a world where machines outpace magic."
"Machines more useful than magic?"
"Magic itself is new—we only got it recently. No mana to begin with."
"But life force exists."
"Couldn't use it either."
"What a harsh place to come from."
"Not really. Super convenient. Machines solve most things, so population's over five billion."
Down from the first Gate Break twenty years ago, but climbing back.
"O.... Five billion? Quite a lot."
Chatting idly, we walked briskly for hours until walls appeared.
"Before entering, I'll teach you the Tellus common tongue."
Darkness placed a hand on my head.
"The Tellus language?"
"You don't speak it here."
"But I understand you, Lady Darkness."
Our first meeting was so intense I hadn't thought about how. Plus, Tellus folk all seemed comprehensible.
"Fool. Beings like me don't convey intent through words. Words are mere form. I transmit directly to your mind."
Ah, so that's how I understood Gaph too. Not kindly speaking Korean.
"Impudent wretch. Daring to compare me to Gaph?"
"Sorry...."
She placed her hand on my head again. No feeling at fi—
"Argh!"
Information jammed into my head like a spike, excruciating pain surging. My body wouldn't move. Tortured standing for minutes until released.
[Resilient Mind skill level has risen from A to S.]
The agony and mental intrusion boosted Resilient Mind to S-Rank.
"Done."
"Is translation magic always this painful?"
Rubbing my head, I asked.
"Not translation magic. I carved Tellus common tongue directly into your tiny brain. No dispelling issues now."
"Too painful, though?"
"That's why it's rarely used. Brains shatter. But you heal like a lizard."
Fuck.
I swore inwardly, glancing to see if Eres read it and would punish me.
"What're you looking at?"
"Uh.... Nothing?"
"Hm. Your mental barrier strengthened already."
Eres, you idiot.
"Used to hear your noisy thoughts loud and clear. Nice and quiet now."
She really couldn't hear.
My power affected even her. Learning that was a huge win beyond just mental privacy.
"We're here."
Following her a bit farther, the gate came into view.
"Halt!"
Two guards thrust spears at us.
"That way's the Forbidden Forest. Where are you from....?"
Forbidden Forest—off-limits, explains their wary glares.
"Court Mage."
Darkness flashed a ring on her finger. Light from the seal-embossed gem formed golden runes in the air.
"My apologies!"
The guard snapped to attention, spear upright.
"Enough. Open the gate."
"Yes, sir!"
We passed the disciplined guards through the gate.
"Court Mage? So you don't just stay in caves."
"I occasionally tour the human world."
She advanced confidently, knowing the way.
"I'll rent a carriage."
Entering a building, she spoke before the clerk could greet.
"Greetings? Where to, honored guest?"
The boy, maybe fifteen, smiled professionally despite her haughtiness.
"Southern border. Best horses and carriage."
She tossed gold coins onto the table.
"P-Please wait a moment!"
His eyes bulged at the gold. He turned to dash inside but pivoted back.
"Uh.... P-Please sit. We'll prepare the carriage shortly. Something to drink?"
"Wine."
"Y-Yes.... Yes!"
Soon he brought a fancy wine bottle and two glasses, then retreated.
"Hm.... Not bad, but too weak."
As Darkness savored it, the boy returned with a middle-aged man, likely the owner.
"Greetings! What an infinite honor for such esteemed guests to visit Brown Trading Company! I am Abraham Brown, the owner. Might I humbly ask your name?"
"No. The carriage?"
"Pardon? Ah, a fine one is ready. B-But sorry, without proof of identity, we can't...."
Darkness tossed more gold coins at his face. They stuck to his greasy skin.
"This way to the carriage!"
Abraham, gold plastered on his face, beamed as he led us.