Chapter 357
Chapter 357
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 357
Chapter Title: World Tree (1)
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[Great Tree Spirit Melroden][Lv 481]
“Chikorita?”
“……What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Ah, nothing.”
The great spirit’s attempt at a stern tone reminded Rokan of a character he’d once seen in a comic.
It was so spot-on that he had to twitch to hold back his laughter, worried about copyright issues.
“You’ve turned the Illusion Demon Realm upside down, I hear.”
“Hm? Ah…… yeah. There was a bit of a commotion.”
“You look curious how I knew. Simple. The Illusion Demon Realm isn’t devoid of plants. I might not see far-off places, but peering into its situation is easy enough.”
Surprisingly, the great tree spirit knew everything that had happened in the Illusion Demon Realm.
Just as Rokan had used communion to send Kai on a scouting mission, it seemed he could grasp the state of things through plants.
It probably required conscious effort, but even so, it was an astonishing reconnaissance ability.
The more he heard, the more Rokan’s fingers toyed with the Orb of Submission.
“So, you wanted to meet me?”
“Yes. Just beholding your exalted presence feels enlightening.”
“Heh heh, flattery won’t get you anywhere.”
Flutter flutter.
For all his words, the leaves dangling like hair from his head were flapping wildly, but they settled on that note.
So, what to say? Ask for information? A quest? Or propose an alliance?
“Visitors always want something—usually a favor, or more precisely, the reward that comes with it. Anyway.”
In the end, the great tree spirit broached the subject first.
“Then allow me to ask a favor of you.”
[Delivering the World Tree’s Branch][Quest]
The Great Tree Spirit Melroden has asked you to revive the World Tree. Plant the branch of the World Tree he provides on the surface to bring it back to life.
-Success Condition: Deliver the World Tree’s branch to the half-elves
-Success Reward: Massive experience, Great Spirit’s Blessing
“This is…….”
A quest appeared with his request, but its contents were extraordinary.
Reviving the World Tree?
An achievement grand enough to be a racial quest for the half-elves, all from simply planting a branch.
Even if a real World Tree existed here, its branch would be an immense treasure to them.
‘Is that what this is?’
If it had been just recently, he’d have jumped at the quest, but knowledge changed what he saw.
Wasn’t the great tree spirit trying to expand his domain through the World Tree? To stretch beyond the Spirit Realm and his own world into the surface.
If successful, the spirits’ divinity and influence would grow beyond compare, giving them power to withstand any schemes from the Fame Realm or Illusion Demon Realm.
And with his divinity already surpassing Lv 480, he might even reach Lv 500 and become a ‘Spirit God.’
[Accepted quest: Delivering the World Tree’s Branch.]
But so what?
Rokan saw through the ulterior motive but accepted the quest without hesitation.
Unlike those black-hearted types, spirits were trustworthy enough.
They weren’t aggressive, so the odds of them picking fights with other worlds were low, and he doubted they’d stab him in the back.
He’d prepare countermeasures, of course, but the massive experience made it a no-brainer profit.
‘Quest experience rewards scale with the recipient’s current state.’
Rokan was currently Lv 421.
Even based on that, it was labeled ‘massive’ experience. He might even level up, so this was a must-do.
And he had one more trick up his sleeve.
“By any chance, could you spare a few more World Tree branches?”
“Why?”
Melroden’s expression hardened slightly at Rokan’s request. That was how invaluable a World Tree branch was.
The World Tree never withered, so obtaining its leaves or branches required force or the tree’s own consent.
But Rokan stood firm. This was a deal.
“As you know, the surface world isn’t just one place. If you give me branches, I’ll use the rainbow teleporter to spread them not just to my home but other regions too. You’ll generate separate quests for each, of course?”
“Hmm, that sounds promising. Very well, let’s do it.”
After a moment’s thought, Melroden nodded in agreement. Planting World Trees in more worlds would amplify his divinity proportionally.
If Rokan vanished with them, it’d be a problem, but waiting for others from surface worlds to reach here and meet him was ridiculous. He couldn’t trust them more than Rokan either.
Better to entrust it to someone openly demanding rewards like Rokan.
[Acquired World Tree Branch Bundle.]
He’d haggled ten branches out of Melroden.
Enough to root World Trees in ten nations total.
“Just so you know, only one World Tree per world. Planting more could bring disaster.”
Rokan flinched, having briefly considered planting multiples in one nation—his Korean instincts kicking in—but quickly regained composure.
Sure, he’d thought of boosting his homeland, but letting those half-elf bastards thrive offered little gain. Just some national pride, maybe.
His own benefit came first.
Whether Melroden’s warning was real or a bluff to prevent tricks, it wasn’t worth forfeiting massive experience and favor.
With a light nod, he turned to leave, but Melroden stopped him.
“Hold on. Before you go, I should give you your prior reward.”
“Huh?”
Advance payment?
He perked up briefly, but no.
It was payment for handling the spirit beasts.
He’d thought it could only be completed back in the spirit village after accepting the quest, but apparently not.
[Received Great Tree Spirit’s Blessing.]
[Tree attribute resistance increased by 30%.]
[In forest terrain, attack power, defense, and movement speed increased by 30%.]
[Miraculous achievement! You are the first visitor to receive a great spirit’s blessing.]
[Acquired title: Blessed by the Great Spirit.]
[You are the first to acquire this title.]
[First][Blessed by the Great Spirit][Epic]
Blessed by the great spirit, you are a friend to all spirits.
You can receive requests from spirits or make requests of them.
You are the first to acquire this title.
[Effects]
-Tree attribute resistance +30%
-In forest terrain: attack power, defense, movement speed +30%
-Greatly increased reputation and favor with Spirit Realm
-Can generate quests for spirits
‘Oh?’
This was impressive. The buffs to offense, defense, and speed were nice, but being able to issue quests to spirits in return?
He didn’t know how to exploit it yet, but used right, he could command them for feats impossible alone.
“Thank you.”
Satisfied with his haul, Rokan descended from the great spirit’s abode and approached the spirits clustered around Kai.
“Gather spirit herbs from the Spirit Realm and sell them at my shop. Do that, and I’ll let you play with Kai all day next time!”
“Eee! For real?”
“Waaah! All day!”
“I’ll do it! I’ll do it!”
He’d assigned them tasks during his absence.
Spirits didn’t care much for coins, so money wouldn’t tempt them, but playing with Kai? Different story.
They cheered at the generous all-day offer, some already dashing off with cries of “I’ll find the most!”
Kee, kiyoo?
Kai shot him pitiful glances amid it all, but Rokan pretended not to notice.
He knew playing with hyper kids was exhausting for Kai, just as watching them romp was for him, but the gains were huge—and beneficial for Kai too.
Still, he unsummoned Kai to give him a break and used the Heavenly Rune Book.
Back to the surface!
But things wouldn’t go as Melroden hoped.
***
“So…… how much did you say?”
Back on the surface, Rokan collected taxes as usual and surveyed the situation.
The Golden Lion faction versus Black Dragon Legion standoff wasn’t as intense, but local skirmishes continued. Still, interest leaned toward the new map and the heavens.
New maps always brought new things.
Achievements or items, whatever.
Once gathered, the rivalries would flare again, but not for a while.
With high master-level users emerging en masse, racial quests lost weight, dimming main scenario quests too.
The half-elves were no exception.
Their NPCs burned to restore the World Tree, but uncooperative players stymied them.
Enter Rokan, like rain in a drought.
“Jesse.”
Absurdly, he was now haggling with half-elves over World Tree branches.
‘I got them for free—doesn’t mean I give them away free!’
He’d come at Melroden’s behest to spread World Trees on the surface, but no quest said “provide for free.”
So wasn’t it natural for the wish-fulfilling half-elves to pay a fair price?
‘People undervalue what comes easy.’
Proud of his true lesson in value, Rokan grinned slyly.
The half-elf elders flinched at his brazen merchant vibe—or so it seemed, probably imagination.
After a quick huddle, the elders and village heads returned with terms.
If it guaranteed World Tree revival, they’d sell the whole forest for it.
An offer they couldn’t refuse.
“Good deal.”
Soon, the trade closed.
Vast gold, items from their treasure vault, and a contract to obey his every command.
[Leveled up.]
The ‘cool trade’ capped with a level-up notice, all the sweeter.
No need to report back—the instant-complete quest let him level effortlessly.
Eight World Tree branches left.
What more could he squeeze out?
Rokan smirked wickedly as he boarded the rainbow teleporter.
Next stop: other nations.