26. Mana Grass (1)
A new function had been added to Weapon's Memory.
Weapon's Memory Lv.2
Can examine the memory of weapons.
*Understanding of the skills used by the subject seen through the weapon's memory increases.
Increased understanding? What the hell did that even mean? From the rough description, it seemed like it meant I'd grasp skills better.
Unfortunately, since Grandpa Jerard was powerless, I didn't feel anything special. I'd have to test this properly later.
Anyway, that wrapped up the axe’s memory.
Facts completely different from what I'd known had come to light.
'Everything they knew was a misunderstanding.'
Was it something the developers had intentionally crafted? Or had the stories evolved on their own? I couldn't pinpoint the exact reason.
But one thing was clear: it was nothing like what everyone believed.
'And the grade of the Mana Grass has changed too.'
The situation with the Mana Grass was different as well. It should have been here originally, but it looked like the village chief had taken it.
And its grade was legendary. From the looks of it, he'd hidden it away separately...
“……”
Jerard, meanwhile, was completely out of it.
How should I break this to him? If only I could show him my memories.
But that wasn't possible right now.
“Jerard, I've got something to tell you.”
There was only one way: relay exactly what I'd seen and felt.
I started from Kepa and Osman's childhood, telling Jerard everything. How they'd grown up. How they'd built the swamp village. Even the conversations they'd exchanged.
At first, he wasn't too interested. But as the story went on, he got sucked in, and when I mentioned Osman sacrificing his life to move the tree, his eyes went wide.
“R-right? Grandpa didn't betray anyone! He saved the villagers, didn't he!”
“No doubt about it.”
“Thank goodness... really, thank goodness...”
Jerard clutched his grandpa's axe to his chest, tears streaming down his face.
Now I had the situation figured out. Kepa knew where the Mana Grass material was, and from the memory, he hadn't told anyone else. He'd probably hidden it separately.
'He was covered in blood earlier. They must've beaten him to make him spill the tree's material.'
An old man enduring a beating to protect his secret. But he'd talked in the end—probably because of the orc threat. To them, orcs were no joke.
'Time to use the situation to my advantage.'
Two problems to handle: deal with the orcs and Descartes's lunatics. Then get the Mana Grass from Kepa.
I already knew how.
* * *
Stepping out of the tree, the battle was still raging.
Black orcs overwhelming with numbers. And holding their own against them: Descartes's underlings, led by a guy named Baken and a woman called Jeanne.
Jeanne's movements were especially unnatural. A dual-wield swordsman with two blades. Insane attack speed—rivaling an assassin's, if you just counted speed.
The difference? Reach from dagger vs. longsword, and the curved blade's hook.
Shrrrrk!
Her scimitar pierced the orc's ridiculously thick hide. Pulling it out, the serrated edge ripped out guts and entrails like a saw.
Double damage on thrust and withdraw.
Spluuurt!
And that wasn't all. Blood poured from the wounds. Looked like a Bleed effect on her weapons.
Dual-wield class power? Or the swords themselves? Either way, impressive.
'If they're that strong, this should work.'
Letting them tire each other out and mop up the survivors was an option. But I wanted bigger gains: taking down the raid boss, the Spirit Tree.
Impossible for me alone right now. But there were over a hundred orcs, plus Descartes's crew. They didn't look weak.
'Normally, it'd take ten level-50 users.'
Spirit Tree was a 10-man raid. But now? Hundreds. Overkill numbers.
“April, from now on, conserve mana. Hoard your strength—we'll need it all at once later.”
“Oh... okay? So just ignore those guys? That one's been eyeing us, but I figured I shouldn't jump in alone, so I've been waiting.”
A nearby orc was glaring at us, hesitating between us and Descartes's group.
'Perfect for a test.'
Transforming the giant tree into the Spirit Tree had conditions. Like the memory showed: sacrifices.
The sacrifice determined its nature. The expansion pack version had absorbed orc blood and mutated.
-Grrrrowl...
Thud. Thud.
The glaring orc lumbered toward us. Stomp. Stomp. Ground cratering under its bulk.
Killing it mattered, but making it bleed mattered more.
Swish.
All skill levels enhanced.
I summoned Spirits of the Dead first. Skill levels boosted.
Shing. Shing.
Then all weapons: grade-2 daggers, two-handers, great axes. Shields too.
Eleven weapons total.
Whoosh!
Lock on. They swarmed from all angles.
-Kraaaagh!
Claaaang!
It didn't just take it. Its dual axes swung wildly, batting away a weak dagger.
But the two-hander held.
Claaang!
-Gr... grrr?
Two-hander blocked the axe. They locked in a power struggle.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh!
Shrrrrk!
While it focused there, daggers exploited gaps. Over twenty slashes already.
Black blood poured, but it stood firm. Memories of expansion pack two flooded back: endless hordes of high-HP, high-damage orcs.
'At least these are lower level than back then.'
Not as strong. Early spawn meant lower levels.
'...This should do.'
Still tanky. But I had more than one two-hander.
Vroooom!
Crack!
-Kreeeegh!
The other sliced its waist clean. Two-handers cut smoothly, unlike others. Attack power top-tier.
'Speed drawback covered by my skills.'
Squeeeee!
Weapons encircled it. Then Shadow Strike.
Slow two-hander accelerated brutally.
Kra-crack!
Powered speed impaled it clean through.
-Gr... kreee...
Thud!
The giant orc collapsed.
Just one, but way tougher than regulars.
'They're noticing now. More come, it'll get rough.'
Sensing the death? Orc eyes shifted from Descartes's group to us.
“Um... those guys are staring us down?”
April pointed at orcs baring yellow fangs. Lips trembling—pissed.
But soon, they wouldn't have time for me.
“Don't worry. Just keep stockpiling mana.”
Now it began. The dead orc's blood seeped into the tree, bark blackening.
Black orc blood. Territory invasion anxiety. Preconditions met.
“Wh-what the hell is that?”
“...Something ominous.”
Baken and Jeanne stared at the darkening tree from the base. Ground shook violently.
Rumble rumble.
The living energy of the swamp is changing.
-Kraaaaa!
-Kraaaagh!
Black orcs noticed too. Seeing their revenge target mutate snapped them alert.
'Aggro pulled naturally.'
Descartes's goons flailed in confusion; orcs charged the tree one by one.
Crack! Crraaack!
The giant tree's emotions surge.
Boom! Boom!
Roots erupted from the soil.
The giant tree transforms.
Expressing rage at intruders on its land.
Spirits possess the tree.
The Spirit Tree revealed itself.
And—
-Grooooowl...
A massive red eye forms in the tree's core, scanning surroundings.
Spirit Tree glares at swamp intruders.
Spirit Tree's rage reaches maximum.
Raid Boss battle with Spirit Tree begins.
Participants: 147/10.
Preparation complete. Way over the standard 10-man limit. Now, just take down the level-45 raid boss.
Not easy, but doable.
“M-my god... th-the giant tree...!”
“This happening again... it's furious...”
“Angry... so angry...”
Villagers freaked at the transformation.
“What the hell's going on? Baken, you hear anything?”
“...Nah. Don't care about the guy, but I ain't hugging that tree. Heh.”
Descartes's idiots clueless.
-Grrr...
-Kraaa! Kraa!
-Kraagh!
Black orcs gnashed teeth, howling at the tree. I focused too.
'Gotta avoid its gaze.'
No direct fight planned. We ducked behind a boulder.
-Kraaaagh!
Black orcs charged first, naturally.
Rumble!
Splaaash!
But not that simple. Roots shot from the ground.
Bam! Bam bam!
Booom!
-Kr... kreeek...!
-Krrk!
Roots slammed down, crushing three or four orcs per hit. Six or so roots flailing wildly.
“What the fuck is this?!”
Whiiiish!
Bam bam bam bam boom!
Attacks hit Descartes's group too. Several underlings swept away, but Baken and Jeanne dodged smoothly.
'What builds they running?'
Descartes from Orion labs—probably build-integrated. I watched closely to analyze.
But...
'...Standard builds? Nothing special.'
No custom jobs like mine. Just bog-standard.
Descartes's side unchanged.
“But... do I just keep waiting? I can see it—this is bad. Will my fire even work? Even if I light it up, against something that huge...”
April questioned. Self-aware. Knew her attack power was low.
Right—current her couldn't dent it.
“Don't worry.”
Post-build growth, maybe. But now? Tough. Still, I had plans. Her power would help.
“Y-you bastard... this is all your fault, Jerard!”
“You Jerard spawn! What'd you do? Inherited your traitor's blood and pulled the same shit?!”
Then—villagers dodging roots bumped us, yelling at Jerard, blaming him.
But I caused this. And the past event was misunderstood too.
No reason for Jerard to take this.
“One more word at Jerard, and I'll kill you all.”
“……”
No time to explain. Had to shut them down fast. Worked in-game too.
“Wh-what...!”
“Hanging with Jerard made you just like him...”
“……”
I glared silently at the grumblers. They shut up and scurried off.
“Grandpa Kepa, if we get out safe, I've got words for you later. About Grandpa.”
“...Not interested.”
Kepa coldly refused. Wonder what he'd say knowing the truth.
Villagers passed. Then—
Rumble.
Root upheaving earth toward us. Location blown.
Shing. Shing.
Counter. All weapons out.
Ting ting ting!
But not flesh. Blades stuck, no more. Just swords in wood?
Needed different approach for damage.
“April.”
“Yes!”
“Activate Ignite on all my weapons.”
“...Huh?”
Blades ineffective? Add new property.
Using her skill. Dry wood burns easy.