Blessing (2)
[The Withering Ancient Tree Orchard] [Recommended Level: Lv.400~Lv.450] [Collapse Rate: 13.2%]
Time is worth more than afternoon tea... no, even gold. To put it bluntly, it's a waste of time.
Level 494. In a rift with a recommended level like this, even hunting all day wouldn't net a single level up.
Of course, there was a reason I entered the rift despite knowing that.
Life force and mana regeneration greatly increased.
...A full day had passed, and even after rubbing my eyes and checking again, it hadn't changed. The First World Tree's Blessing buff—the one that kept me from cowering before millions of demons on the Arcana Continent—was still active...!
"A blessing, you say? Truly excessive consideration."
If that loose tongue makes the buff vanish, it's entirely your fault, Grandfell. It wasn't excessive; it was something I should be bowing in gratitude for.
Its effects are on another level.
The First World Tree's Blessing buff boasted effects superior not just to elixirs, but to most items. And it was on a whole different plane from Predator-Prey Relationship.
I surveyed the rift. Giant maggots wriggling within the rotten ancient trees. They looked hideous to behold, but they weren't demons. Naturally, Predator-Prey Relationship wouldn't activate.
But the World Tree's blessing did.
There were no activation conditions! It worked just as well against demons or maggots.
I drew up my mana. The sensation was so profound it felt unreal. Back when Arcana was just a game, I'd have suspected a bug.
I could understand it if it were a quest-specific buff. But...
Regardless of duration.
I'd even died once. And returned to a world completely separate from the Arcana Continent—back to reality.
In other words, it was always on. Unless it was a permanent buff, it couldn't still be active now.
I summoned High El with the raised mana. Soon, High El materialized in the air.
"I respond to your call."
That burdensome greeting was as ever, High El. But... what was this?
I was used to High El's refined appearance by now, but that light was utterly unfamiliar. What was that halo emanating softly from the background?
Don't tell me you've reached a new realm too, High El?
They say a thief's feet itch first. Was that light overlapping with my sword aura? The silver light rising along the pitch black. Yes, that light embodying my dark history.
...Never mind. If it works, it's good.
As long as you'd grown somehow, I was happy for you, High El. Unlike me, whose only solid asset was an imposing presence while my insides lagged far behind... keep growing from within!
Of course, I couldn't voice such thoughts. I got straight to the point.
"High El, are they safe?"
They being the dwarves. I'd asked them to retrieve the remnants of the decisive battle weapon, the Quirnburk Mechanical Tower.
Demon King Struggle. Even if demons were holding back and conserving power ahead of the great event, I'd witnessed the Arcana Continent firsthand. Not to mention checking its status via Demon Eye Telescope whenever it became available.
That place is dangerously risky.
So asking after their well-being first was only natural.
High El replied politely.
"Of course. Day or night, under Sir Hoyeol's protection, they suffered no harm. They asked me to convey their gratitude as well."
...No, wait a second, hold up, High El. Who did I protect?!
This was overinterpretation at its finest.
It's starting to scare me.
What image did I have among the dwarves? I was seriously worried now.
Yet my lofty pride harbored not a shred of shame. I brazenly continued.
"It seems they are unharmed."
The only thing harmed was your conscience, Grandfell.
"We also located the Quirnburk Mechanical Tower remnants you mentioned. However, demons are patrolling nearby, so retrieval will take some time."
Flying was indeed the best. To think they'd already found the Quirnburk Mechanical Tower remnants.
Imagine if I had to search for it—terrifying just to think about.
First, no way to reach the Arcana Continent.
Not knowing the tower's location was secondary. Arcana's skies were patrolled by demon eyes. Short-range teleports or portals—they could pinpoint my position in an instant.
Finding the Quirnburk Mechanical Tower and cashing in? Fat chance. I'd get caught by demons and booted back to reality first.
In that sense, technology reigned supreme.
High El relayed more news.
"Finally, regarding the tempering of the ghost iron."
Ghost iron. Ego gear. News on that was as crucial as the tower.
"Walls Whale, hailed as the greatest blacksmith among the dwarves, has begun tempering in earnest. He declared he would forge equipment that would not shame Sir Hoyeol."
Grateful words... but also frightening.
I'd emphasized performance first, but if the level restriction was too high, it'd be its own kind of sorrow.
Yet this damn loose tongue.
"A splendid attitude. Convey my expectations to him?"
"As you command."
"You've done well, High El."
To our lofty Grandfell, level restrictions were mere numbers. By now, I was resigned. Whatever came out, equipping it immediately would be impossible anyway.
Better to research exploits instead.
Another lifeline...
I ended my rationalizations there. Since I'd entered the rift, even if all-day hunting was impossible, there was something to verify.
Right, the First World Tree's Blessing buff effects.
[Rotten Sap Monster: Lv.420]
[Giant Rotten Sap Monster: Lv.450]
Without Predator-Prey Relationship active, and without pouring out high-level magic, they weren't easy prey.
Above all, as their names suggested, they had a [Poison] trait. A virulent toxin that rotted even ancient trees. A sticky miasma evoking a swamp. And utterly repulsive.
"What an unpleasant place."
If even I felt that way, no need to mention Grandfell, who lived and died by decorum.
No justification for staining clothes and shoes with poison from non-demon bugs.
Yet.
Clack—
I boldly stepped into the poison swamp.
Because of the [Warmth] buff? No.
Warmth was versatile, but it didn't boost poison immunity.
Flight? No. The shoe sound proved I'd stepped squarely in the poison swamp.
Yes. Another effect of the First World Tree's Blessing buff.
I checked the rising message.
First World Tree's Blessing rejects poison.
[Poison]. A debuff like stun or bleed. Affinity or resistance could grant 'immunity,' skills could 'heal' it.
But 'reject'? That was on another level entirely.
"Yet it poses no issue for me."
Rejection. Poison and debuffs repelled from my body itself.
Setting aside my paltry eloquence, Lee Hoyeol's. Borrowing Grandfell's...
"Do you understand? This is the difference in stature."
...Difference in stature, my ass! Damn it, beyond cringeworthy—it made me want to deny it outright.
Yet it wasn't wrong. Like water and oil that wouldn't mix no matter how shaken.
The First World Tree's Blessing completely rejected the poison.
At that moment, a massive shadow loomed. The wriggling [Giant Rotten Sap Monster].
An ambush to compensate for slow speed?
Swift detection, interference, manifestation.
I manifested magic toward the falling beast from the ancient tree. No need for grand spells against a mere Lv.450 monster.
Though I couldn't skip the grand words.
"Worm that has yet to grasp its place."
Anyway, set aside the self-loathing for now. Today was a massive haul.
Rejection. Maybe...
Not just poison—could it ignore most debuffs?
Of course, I wasn't seriously expecting that. Even I had a conscience.
The current buffs are already absurd.
Just the life force and mana regen outshone wrapping myself in unique items.
But I flinched.
To test further. Gripping my sword, emanating sword aura.
"!"
An alien sensation climbed my arm.
Not content with class quests, I'd allocated level-up points to [Strength] and [Agility]. Still, massive investment in [Magic] was fact.
In short, still a leaky jar.
Like water leaking from a bottomless jar. My body wasn't optimized for sword energy.
Mimicking stances was one thing... wielding a sword fluidly like Harcon Kingsguard or Shreyg was impossible.
Having reached sword aura beyond sword energy, leakage was even worse.
In short, emanating sword aura built massive fatigue in the body. Like borrowing tomorrow's stamina.
Yet.
Light.
The feel was definitely different. No fatigue in my sword hand or legs.
Not an illusion. A message appeared.
First World Tree's Blessing rejects aging.
Yeah, I figured as mu—
Wait, what?!
Rejects aging?!
At this point, it was starting to get scary.
...What blessing did I even receive from that World Tree?
*
Players' time flew by swiftly.
Yusra Kingdom. Frost. Goddess Church holy site, Muon. And even the Mage Tower.
Regardless of region, equally to all.
Quest: The Unending Holy War
📍 From Arcana Continent to Reality. The holy war against demons continues.
🎁 No rewards or spoils at this war's end. Only pride remains.
Prove your own pride.
─ Prove your worth in the designated region. (In Progress)
Prove your ability to join the holy war.
The evaluation criteria were, naturally, strict. Complaints echoed everywhere, transcending regions.
"Crazy, even Lv.300 isn't enough?"
"It's not about level—it's pride."
"Pride? What the hell is that pride?!"
What else? Pride was pride.
"Not knowing pride means you lack it."
Just Hommen. Park Hwigang muttered softly as he checked his quest window.
The newly updated [Success] beside the objective.
"Really glad I became an explorer...!"
The holy war valued pride over status. Class didn't determine eligibility.
Memories flashed at the success message.
"All thanks to you."
Relatively low level. But high Explorer Federation contributions.
Experience exploring rifts beyond recommended levels earned bonus points, proving his worth.
Of course, merely following Sir Hoyeol's footsteps.
"Hommen."
His faith remained unshaken today. Park Hwigang's eyes sharpened.
Now eligible for the holy war, time to shine.
Even if one explorer's ability was limited, he'd give his all.
And he wasn't alone.
Explorer Federation. Yusra Kingdom main force gathered many explorers.
Federation leader Fabien Delong, Aaron, Rombers. Top renowned explorers.
All participants in the holy war.
"Ahem."
Fabien cleared his throat, drawing eyes.
"First time seeing so many explorers in such a cramped space. How about we all get friendly, chummy, exchange greetings from now on?"
Explorers glanced at each other at Fabien's joke.
Joke or not, they had words.
Sparks flew especially between Aaron and Rombers.
"Get chummy with rivals? Ridiculous."
"Don't laugh, Aaron. Your ugly mug twists even more."
"Shameless as ever, Rombers. Stealing federation contributions wasn't enough—now slandering my looks? Spend less time on magic tools, more on mirrors."
Park Hwigang, listening silently, thought:
...Both look like bandits—why the beef?
But squabbles weren't the point. They gathered for a reason.
Fabien continued.
"Wars never ceased on Arcana Continent. But explorers like us had no need to move. What could we do in human-vs-human fights?"
Nods all around.
Explorers specialized in labyrinths and dungeons.
Fabien smiled wryly.
"Even on demon battlefields, our role is limited. Maybe just support allies with magic tools? But as you know, our battlefield is a bit different, isn't it?"
Yes. Different from war.
In this holy war, explorers could shine.
With [Rifts] as unknown spaces.
Fabien raised a fist.
"Rifts blending Arcana and here—true unknowns. Dangers lurking unseen. But isn't this the exploration we've craved? And at its end, irreplaceable spoils await."
Like snatching something.
"Even at the cost of life."
Fist clenched tight.
"Spreading our fame as explorers across Arcana and this adventurers' world. Yes—that's our explorers' pride, isn't it?"
Labyrinth exploration was their raison d'être.
Fabien added.
"The time has come for explorers' battle."
Which made today's regular update crucial.
No one left the Explorer Federation main force.
To exchange update info.
Endless refreshes paused.
"Wait!"
Park Hwigang shouted first.
He checked the update.
His face paled.
"...D-does anyone know about elves?!"