Chapter 78
Chapter 78
Chapter 78: The World Tree Simdrasil (5)
Translation: godtl
Like a gentle mountain breeze after a typhoon has passed.
"......"
"......"
For a long while, silence reigned in the spacious living room.
Though it wasn't as if the storm had completely subsided.
"This is unbelievable......"
"Good heavens......"
Top-tier Players from South Korea—Kim Si-hyeok, Lee Yu-jeong, and Park Jin-uk—stared blankly at the Status Window floating in the air, their expressions utterly dazed.
[Companion of the World Tree] - Growth Type
A title bestowed upon the companion of the World Tree.
- Guild members gain 30% increased experience.
- Guild members gain 70% increased stat growth rate.
The information window Si-mun had shared contained options they could never have imagined.
"Ha... Even seeing it with my own eyes, I can't believe it."
Park Jin-uk kept downing his whiskey.
He set down the now-empty glass with a clink and turned to Si-mun.
"Si-mun-nim. You're not... You're not just using Alchemy to fake this Status Window to mess with us, are you?"
Had the shock been too much?
Park Jin-uk blurted out the words without thinking, and Si-mun chuckled in response.
"I wish I could. Then becoming the best in the world would be a piece of cake."
It wasn't wrong.
If he could forge Status Windows, reaching the pinnacle of power would be effortless.
"Ha... This is really..."
Park Jin-uk pressed his fingers to his forehead at Si-mun's answer.
Beside him, Kim Si-hyeok couldn't tear his eyes away from the title [Companion of the World Tree] and asked,
"Senior, how much was the last experience-boosting item that was traded?"
"A pair of earrings with just a 15% experience boost—no additional options—went for 27 billion."
"27 billion?"
Si-mun's eyes widened slightly.
'If I remember right, in my past life, a 15% experience boost alone would've gone for around 10 billion.'
In his past life, there had been quite a few items with growth-type options.
No, in fact, there had been even more than now.
'They were common drops in the regular Arena back then.'
Compared to his past life, 27 billion for a single growth option was absurdly expensive.
So,
"That's quite pricey."
The words slipped out naturally.
But—
"'Quite pricey' doesn't even cover it, Si-mun-nim! Right now, every experience-related item on the Black Market is going for hundreds of billions!"
Park Jin-uk, extremely agitated, vented about the current situation.
"He's right, Oppa. It's not about the money—they're just impossible to get."
"I only have two myself, Hyung. And even those don't have any other options, so I switch them out depending on the situation."
Even Lee Yu-jeong and Kim Si-hyeok, unusually enough, chimed in with fervent agreement to Park Jin-uk's opinion.
Perhaps emboldened by their support?
"And this is a growth-type title! The options are already insane, but if they can get even better..."
Even as he said it, Park Jin-uk seemed unable to believe his own words.
"Sigh. I need another drink."
"Senior, it's over at the bar."
Unable to finish his thought, Park Jin-uk abruptly stood up and poured himself another glass of whiskey.
Then he downed it in one go.
Even if it was alcohol made from Arena byproducts, as a top-tier Player, he shouldn't get drunk easily—yet—
"Mark my words, if this gets out, the whole world won't leave Si-mun-nim alone."
Setting the glass down, Park Jin-uk's face was flushed like a drunkard's, his breathing uneven.
But he wasn't the only one worked up.
Gulp.
Unlike her usual refined demeanor,
Lee Yu-jeong also downed her drink in one shot and stared at Si-mun with slightly reddened eyes.
'No wonder she's tempted—these are Guild Master-worthy options.'
Amused by Lee Yu-jeong's uncharacteristic reaction, Si-mun smirked and dismissed the Status Window before speaking.
"Then this makes things easier."
At those words, Kim Si-hyeok's gaze sharpened with seriousness.
The other two, who had been unable to hide their excitement, also focused intently.
"Hyung, you're making a Guild?"
"Yeah."
Si-mun nodded at his younger brother's question.
"You've already ranked up to Gold, and the Achievement Shop is unlocked—so you've got everything you need to make one, right?"
"Well... Anyone can create a Guild once they unlock the Achievement Shop. But you're not planning to actually grow it, are you?"
Did he know his brother's habits all too well?
At the younger man's sharp observation, Si-mun shook his head helplessly.
"Yeah. I'd just create it to avoid wasting Achievement Points and leave it at that."
"...Typical Hyung."
Even though he could gain so much more from it.
At his brother's muttering, Si-mun's smile deepened.
'As expected, he knows me well.'
Just as his sharp-witted younger brother had predicted,
Si-mun had no intention of actually developing a Guild just because of the [Companion of the World Tree] title.
'I never even considered founding a Guild in the first place.'
After all, even without a guild, the effects of the title would still apply to him directly due to the World Tree's traits.
Even if he did create a guild, he'd only recruit Mal-suk and leave it at that.
He wouldn't have gone so far as to bring in his younger brother or others.
Because.
'In the future, Si-hyeok creates his own guild.'
Of course, that would only happen after the official Arena began.
His brilliant younger brother would establish his own guild.
Even after Korea's downfall, he would firmly maintain his own faction and protect the nation's survivors.
That was the future Si-mun had experienced.
Thus.
'I don't particularly want to create variables that might alter Si-hyeok's future...'
But after recent events, his thoughts had shifted slightly.
'The situation is already quite different from my past life anyway.'
With the dwarves, elves, and the cure, the current Earth was already far removed from the one in his past life.
Things that hadn't happened before were unfolding now.
Like the incident with the Naga Princess Ashaz.
Or meeting Dranis, an evolved species.
Who knew what other unforeseen events might occur beyond the knowledge of his past life?
'And in the face of such variables, the most efficient and reliable tool is power.'
Not just his own.
Ensuring those around him—those he could trust—grew stronger as well was the wisest way to prepare for the uncertainties ahead.
'Well, if it really becomes a concern, I can just have everyone withdraw when the official Arena begins.'
He could leave the guild himself.
As long as Si-hyeok remained in the Guild Master position, wouldn't that suffice?
Si-mun shrugged his shoulders leisurely.
Perhaps his demeanor seemed different to the others.
"How can you not consider it, when you possess such incredible growth options...?"
"Big Brother..."
Park Jin-uk and Lee Yu-jeong stared at him with eyes brimming with inexplicable admiration.
Though he had no intention of correcting their misunderstanding,
Ahem!"Well, there are still a few spots left. Anyway, if I create it, will you join?"
Not wanting the mood to deepen further, Si-mun cleared his throat and steered the conversation.
Kim Si-hyeok and Park Jin-uk readily agreed.
"Of course!"
"Do I just smash my head in here?"
They accepted with such enthusiasm that even their tails would've wagged if they had any.
"......"
Only Lee Yu-jeong remained, biting her nails with restless eyes.
Si-mun approached her.
"Yu-jeong."
"Big Brother, I..."
"I know."
As if he understood everything.
Si-mun nodded calmly.
"You're the Guild Master of the Seongsam Guild, aren't you?"
"Yes... That's right..."
The Guild Master of the Seongsam Guild.
Had that lofty position ever felt like shackles before?
Yu-jeong's face darkened as she lowered her head deeply.
Seeing right through her, the corners of Si-mun's lips warmed.
'This kid must be really frustrated. Well, she's always had a strong competitive streak since childhood, whether she realized it or not.'
Outwardly, she projected a gentle and refined image.
But inside, she hated losing more than anyone—a classic case of steel wrapped in silk.
Naturally, she wouldn't easily dismiss growth directly tied to personal specs.
Understanding her feelings well,
"But Yu-jeong, that doesn't mean you can't join the guild, right?"
Si-mun consoled her while offering an alternative.
"Huh?"
"Even if just for a short while, couldn't you temporarily step down from the Guild Master position?"
"No way! If I do that, Grandfather will— Ah!"
Had she realized why Si-mun was suggesting this?
Yu-jeong let out a small gasp.
At that, Si-mun's smile deepened.
"Your mother is back!"
"Right, Auntie has returned. By now, she's probably running around, saying she's ready for rehab."
"Exactly! She just finished rehab not long ago and has already started physical training."
Do-hu Lee Yeong-hui.
She was the perfect candidate for the Seongsam Guild Master position.
No—
'I can just return the Guild Master position to Mom! Why didn't I think of that?'
Originally, the Seongsam Guild Master seat had belonged to Do-hu Lee Yeong-hui.
It was only after she fell ill that her daughter, Yu-jeong, had taken over.
'Mom would handle Grandfather way better than I ever could!'
And that wasn't all.
She'd also be freed from the suffocating Guild Master duties that never suited her.
"Big Brother! I'll call Mom right now. Just wait a moment!"
Yu-jeong shot to her feet.
Si-mun quickly grabbed her wrist as she fumbled for her phone and calmed her down.
"Easy, easy. The guild's not going anywhere. You're the Guild Master. These things should be discussed calmly in person."
"Ah... You're right."
"Exactly."
Si-mun nodded.
If Yu-jeong called right now and blurted out, "Mom, I need to join another guild, so I'm handing over the Guild Master position!"
She'd likely be met with a furious "What? Has this girl lost her mind?!" from her enraged aunt.
'Even the former Association President—her own father—couldn't stop Auntie when she was angry.'
"For Yu-jeong's sake, if nothing else."
He had to stop her from joining the guild right away.
Si-mun continued in a calm tone.
"The Seongsam Guild isn't some minor guild. Your mother just woke up after years—you should properly hand over the guild leadership to her."
"You're right, Oppa. I was being too hasty."
His self-reproaching younger sister.
"What can you do? All ogres are like that."
And another sibling adding weight to that reproach.
"You keep acting up in front of Oppa—do you really have a death wish?"
"Tch. As if you could do anything about it."
The two siblings ignited their usual bickering with terrifying naturalness.
"Kim Si-hyeok. Did your rotten brain forget? I'm higher level than you."
"Not for long. By the time you finish transferring guild leadership to Auntie..."
"......"
"Aha~ Guess I won't have to hear you bragging about level differences anymore. Wait—does this mean it's my turn to counterattack now?"
That refreshing smile that used to make hearts flutter regardless of gender—how could it look so infuriating now?
"I've had enough of this!"
The moment Lee Yu-jeong reached into her inventory in response to Si-hyeok's teasing—
"God, you're all so fucking loud."
A woman's voice cut through the heated living room like a bucket of ice water.
Naturally, all eyes turned toward the voice's owner.
"Hey, Kim Si-mun. Don't you have smaller clothes? Why are yours so damn big?"
There she was—a woman shuffling out wearing nothing but Si-mun's oversized shirt.
Si-mun rushed toward her in a panic.
"Hey! Why are you wearing my shirt? And what happened to your pants?!"
"What do you mean? You tore everything to shreds. At least synthesize me some clothes, you stingy bastard."
"You can't just walk around in just a shirt— Ugh, never mind. Let me at least make something quick."
Snapping his fingers, Si-mun synthesized the dangerously thigh-length shirt into a pair of pants.
"......"
"......"
The three spectators fell into a natural silence.
"...Even back when these two monsters wouldn't dare move a muscle, I knew you were something else, Sir Si-mun."
"Hyung... you're truly incredible."
The two men spoke first.
Then—
Whoooooosh!
An overwhelming pressure flooded the entire living room.
Ironically,
"Oppa~ You should've introduced us if you had a friend over~"
The source of this murderous aura was beaming with radiant cheer.
A high-rise in Gangnam.
On a rooftop where no one should be at this hour of the night,
A group had gathered.
Among them—
"Tch. Another dry run today?"
A gaunt woman's irritated voice cracked through the air.
Yet none of the assembled group responded to her outburst.
Then—
Ring-ring.
A phone buzzed beside the woman.
The man next to her tapped his screen and announced:
"Target's left the building."
"Ohhh? Finally?"
The woman's face instantly brightened.
The stone-faced group also began stirring at his words.
"After holing up in that fancy penthouse for days—where's our VIP headed at this hour?"
"Department store nearby, apparently."
"What?"
The previously excited woman tilted her head.
"Department store? At this time?"
"Correct."
"Crazy. I'll never understand you Koreans."
As the woman scoffed, the man with the phone added:
"He's not alone."
"Company? A woman?"
When the man nodded silently,
"Jesus, men are the same fucking everywhere."
She sighed deeply, shaking her head.
"Cooped up with some girl in a penthouse for days—figures. But hitting a department store at this hour? That bitch must be something special."
"Not a civilian. She's a Player."
"Player? Anyone famous?"
"Not on any guild's registry."
"So just some Bronze-Silver-Gold bottom-feeder then? Pfft. Explains the trashy behavior."
The gaunt woman snorted before asking:
"So what's the play, Gong Geol-ryun? If his date's a Player, this gets messy. Even Kim Mu-yeol backed out."
"Which makes this the perfect opportunity. But—"
Gong Geol-ryun finally looked up from his phone, meeting her gaze.
"Sing. Ideally, you'd just isolate the primary target."
"Hmmm~ Let's just bag the bitch too, shall we?"
Too much trouble to control~
Sing waved her hand lazily, treating premeditated murder like a minor inconvenience.
As if expecting this answer,
"Move out then."
Gong Geol-ryun strode forward without waiting for confirmation.
His eyes landed on a bespectacled man in a white lab coat tinkering with equipment by the rooftop railing.
"Im Wi-jeong. The mutants are properly positioned, I trust?"
At Gong Geol-ryun's question, the bespectacled man in the white coat silently nodded.
"Good. Then let's begin."
As Gong Geol-ryun threw himself off the rooftop—
Whoosh.
The group on the rooftop vanished as if they'd never existed.