Chapter 102
Chapter 102
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 102
Chapter Title: Entry into the Missing Persons' Forest
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After spending some joyful time in Noona's embrace, we picked out achievement rewards together.
Hee-sun Noona ate the Screaming Grass and broke through 100 Magic Power, earning the [Mana User] achievement reward: the Shaman's Floating Stone Necklace.
As a Druid, Hee-sun Noona naturally shared my mage-line class, and the [Mana User] achievement offered gear suited for mage-line classes.
Just like last time, the achievement rewards were the Mage's Oak Staff, which boosted spell power; the Witch's Raven Feather Hat, which let her skip incantations; and the Shaman's Floating Stone Necklace, which allowed her to levitate in midair.
We had to choose one, and last time, I'd picked the Oak Staff out of three achievement rewards. Then I loaned it to Hwang Su-min, our Mage.
Since my class required hand gestures to cast skills without a staff anyway, I figured handing it to a proper mage would ramp up our firepower.
In hindsight, the Floating Stone Necklace might've been better, but I don't regret that choice much.
Thanks to the Oak Staff, Hwang Su-min blasted strong spells left and right, pulling her weight in defending the mart. She's the quiet type with low presence, but if you look closely, she's working hard enough.
Anyway, we already had the Oak Staff, so this time we went for something different: the Shaman's Floating Stone Necklace.
With this necklace, she could levitate by burning mana—perfect for scouting the surroundings from above when visibility got blocked in the forest.
Plus, with my overwhelming mana pool, she could probably hover all day. On top of that, I'd learned the Incomplete Membrane skill, making the necklace even more useful.
Combining the Floating Stone Necklace with Incomplete Membrane might go beyond mere levitation, letting her fly with membrane wings.
Of course, deploying wings from my back with Incomplete Membrane tore my flesh every time, so it hurt too much for combat, but it was great for midair maneuvers or high drops.
For those reasons, I passed the Floating Stone Necklace to Noona.
"This time it's the Apprentice Forest Keeper reward, right?"
"Yeah. Wonder what we'll get."
"Same here. Hope it's something good."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
[Please select your reward.] [1. World Tree Staff] [2. Nus's Necklace] [3. Forest Keeper's Tome]
[World Tree Staff: A staff crafted from a branch fallen from the World Tree. A sacred relic of the fairies. Grants freer control over the World Tree's power and allows you to hear the voices of plants.]
[Nus's Necklace: A legacy left by Nus, known as the progenitor of Druids. A treasure of nature worshippers. Makes it easier to befriend spirits and enables simple communication with animals.]
[Forest Keeper's Tome: An ancient grimoire containing the wisdom of those who wander the forests. A relic of the Forest Keepers. Makes spirit voices clearer and evolution easier.]
"Whoa..."
Another tough set of choices popped up.
Just like when A-ram took on the Half-Human Half-Demon karma and got class-specific gear, these were all Druid exclusives. Every one was top-tier.
'Picking the World Tree Staff boosts plant control even more. Hearing plants' voices is a bonus. Nus's Necklace eases spirit handling and animal communication... The Forest Keeper's Tome simplifies spirit contracts too.'
Superior plant control from the World Tree Staff was a huge merit. It'd help with future farming and right now in the forest.
Next, Nus's Necklace. Not sure what "spirits" meant exactly, but probably tied to skills Hee-sun Noona would learn later.
Even Beast Tamer Im Jin-su took over a week to bond with summons— this necklace would shorten that. Animal chat would be clutch in the forest too.
Finally, the Forest Keeper's Tome. Perfect for Hee-sun Noona handling spirits now. Easier contracts and faster evolution for Undine and Salamander.
'All of them are great...'
I always think this, but why not just give us everything? Or don't make the choices so agonizing. Every time, all three tempt me to madness.
"What do you like, Noona?"
"Hmm... Well... This. Nus's Necklace. Is it a set item with the Vitality Ring?"
"Huh? Vitality Ring? Oh, right! That one."
I remembered. The Vitality Ring we'd bought from the merchant. Wearing it linked her to the World Tree briefly—until it tried impaling me with roots.
'Not a great memory, so I forgot about it...'
Painful memories fade fast. Anyway, it seemed like a set item. The ring had cleared her mind, boosted focus, and sharpened spirit voices. Sure enough, the Vitality Ring was still on her left ring finger instead of a wedding band.
"If it's a set, maybe hidden effects activate?"
"Maybe... What do you think, Jun-ah?"
The Tome would speed up her current spirits' evolution. With her Spirit Evolution skill, bonding and meditation-fed Nature Affinity grew them— the Tome would accelerate that.
But passing on the first two felt wrong. Soon we'd be tossed into the flood. Without paths, we could wander lost forever. Asking trees for directions or chatting with birds and squirrels might help. Any choice worked.
We pondered long when Kashnax spoke in her weary, decadent, ear-tingling drawl.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
[Skip the staff. It has World Tree thorns growing on it.]
'Yes?'
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
[Don't ask twice... just skip it...]
'Ah... Got it!'
I fully trust my evil gods who always watch over and help me. World Tree Staff was out. Damn World Tree bastard, tampering with someone else's reward. What a petty prick. I'd burn it down if I got the chance.
"Noona."
"Yeah. I'm listening."
"Let's go with Nus's Necklace."
"Sure? You like that one best?"
"Yeah. The Tome's effect can be covered by your skill with enough time, and the World Tree Staff feels rigged by that tree bastard."
"Ah... The World Tree really hates our Jun-ah. Wonder why. You're so cute... Hehe."
Noona beamed, stroking me. I kissed her forehead and replied.
"It probably thinks I stole you from it."
"Heeheehee... What a dummy World Tree. I'm just here because I like you."
"Noona...!"
With the reward chosen, we hugged a bit longer before heading out.
Hee-sun Noona straightened her clothes, checked the mirror, and donned Nus's Necklace. Then something happened.
Her body lifted slightly, wrapped in green energy.
"J-Jun-ah!!"
I couldn't approach. The energy repelled me.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
[Nus's Vitality Ring and Necklace have gathered in one place.] [Two legacies reunited reveal the forest's hidden secret.] [When you obtain the final legacy, Nus's Bracelet, the path to the Corrupted Forest will open.] [Purify the Corrupted Forest and reclaim the Stag King's Crown.]
The notifications faded, and Hee-sun Noona, floating in green energy, landed softly.
"Jun-ah... You saw that, right?"
"Yeah... Noona..."
Trouble just happens even when we're still. At this point, feels like the world itself is messing with me.
'Whenever I get happy, something blows up...'
More than that, Corrupted Forest? Sounds brutal. How rotten does a whole forest have to be? Probably swarming with Parasitic Spores or Alcids... No way I'm going. Better if we never find Nus's Bracelet.
"Noona, let's not overthink it. Just note it exists. Looks like a Druid class quest... No reason to go till we get the bracelet."
"Yeah!"
I shook off complicated thoughts and headed to the rooftop with Noona for fresh air.
Eun-ji spotted Hee-sun Noona first, eyes widening in awe. We explained roughly.
"Whoa... So now humans are just me, A-reum, and Ye-won-i? Only three?"
"Yep."
"Man... Fewer humans now?"
We told everyone. Hwa-young grinned, welcoming her to the demi-human party. Ha-rin hugged Hee-sun Noona, sniffing deeply at the delightful scent.
A-ram fiddled with Noona's elongated ears. Merhere shared her past Forest Keeper encounter. Ye-won-i and A-reum envied her beauty.
"Lucky. You got prettier."
"Heehee. No, A-reum, you're plenty pretty and cute."
"I'm jealous, Unni..."
Honestly, Ye-won-i was stunning too... Oh, right—she hit level 16 and got a new summon: a Huangwonsa, a bear-snake monster with yellow fur. We named it Woong simply.
After naming it, I showed her the mystery egg just in case. No clue, she said, but found it fascinating and asked to keep it. Maybe her Unholy Queen perk triggered—I entrusted it to her.
Anyway, time passed, nearing midnight. Monday would restart soon. No major updates for a bit, so that was reassuring.
"Everyone's heading out soon."
"Why? Wanna go too, A-ram?"
"Nah... I hate bugs like my little sis."
A-ram shook her head, gazing at the night sky. Both sisters despised bugs. My Ebony Cockroach was tolerable, but smaller ones were worse.
Anyway, we gathered on the rooftop to enter the Missing Persons' Forest.
All prepped: food, weapons secured. Left provisions for mart stayers. Parasitic Spores too risky—stashed in Hee-sun Noona's inventory till we returned. No removing till then.
"And if anyone shows... just kill them."
"Got it. Don't worry, Master."
"Yeah... Trusting you, Mer. Take care of the kids."
"You bet."
I instructed killing outsiders while I was gone. Bind non-awakeners if mistaken. Can't have unbranded humans roaming inside. Merhere staying eased worries.
"If Ghost Gates appear nearby... run immediately. Got it?"
"Yes, Master. I'll handle it."
Hwa-young thumped her chest, promising reliability.
"Yeah, Master. Don't fret—come back safe."
Merhere patted my head with a smile.
"Sure, Oppa. Be careful. Unni, say bye instead of stargazing."
A-reum hugged me then called spaced-out A-ram.
"Yeah... Come back safe. No injuries."
A-ram stuffed bandages and ointment into my tactical bag.
"Everyone come back safe..."
Ye-won-i hugged her harpy Haesil-i, praying for our return.
With farewells from the stayers, we entered the forest.
At midnight, teleport began.
I gripped Hee-sun Noona's hand tight. Eun-ji and Ha-rin linked arms.
"I'll find you right away in the forest!"
"Yeah! See you there!"
"I'll find you first!! My Lord! Just wait!!"
Eun-ji and Ha-rin vanished in light first.
Soon, photons swept Noona and me to the Missing Persons' Forest.
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Thud!
"Oof...!"
"J-Jun-ah. You okay?"
"Yeah... Fine."
During transfer, Hee-sun Noona landed on me. No pain, so I stood, brushing dirt off my butt.
"Jun-ah... This is..."
"Yeah. The Missing Persons' Forest."
Trees towered sky-high, blocking the heavens, with unknown plants welcoming us.
No proper paths here—just vast floodplains reeking of darkness and death.
Chinese, Japanese, North Koreans probably lurked, hunting each other everywhere.
I pulled out the Couples' Necklace. It pointed to Eun-ji and Ha-rin. Had to regroup fast.
"Noona, let's go."
"Yeah!"
Hee-sun Noona and I pushed through the wild overgrowth ahead.
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