#58 Wind of the Mu Continent
......
Smith suddenly felt a touch of dizziness.
'That's right.'
Before his eyes lay a pile of A-rank magic stones. And that was just the start—B-rank stones and more filled the table to bursting, as if someone had exaggerated just a bit.
'This is Choi Kang-ho.'
He'd heard the rumors: the magic stones stored in Kang-ho's Seoul Bank vault were staggering in number. And during the old war days, the monsters felled by his hand could stack into mountains without any exaggeration—anyone who knew, knew.
'With this much...'
A smile crept across Smith's face. He was born a craftsman. The more work piled up, the more alive he felt. Especially when encountering unknown divine materials like these—his whole body surged with energy.
'Time to craft a masterpiece.'
He steeled his resolve.
'For the body of this Absolute Being, Choi Kang-ho...'
He nodded firmly.
'I'll add one more piece of equipment forged by this Smith.'
There could be no greater honor in a craftsman's life.
Seol-a was in a pretty good mood.
King had come back for once.
She quite liked King. Why? Because almost everything he cooked was delicious.
"......"
Kang-ho gazed at the expanded house. It was about three times bigger than before. They'd used nearby logs for the additions, and it was undeniably wider and cleaner inside—quite to his liking.
"Surprisingly useful."
[Heh heh.]
Theo smirked arrogantly. Outside, skeleton soldiers made from monster corpses he'd gathered from all around moved in perfect formation. Each carried logs—they were in the middle of expanding the barn.
The house interior brimmed with luxurious furniture. A massive bed stood out first and foremost. It didn't quite match the log cabin vibe, but its plushness and texture were top-notch. Seol-a was rolling around on it, reveling in the softness.
There were also three high-end sofas, a fancy dining table, and antique wooden chairs.
[Now it finally feels like a place fit for living.]
Theo seemed quite satisfied.
-Here we go, big bros! Food's served!
At that voice, Seol-a shot up from rolling on the bed. She scampered to the table and sat primly in her spot. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation.
Soon, King's dishes filled the table: hearty hot pot loaded with meat, kimchi stew, and fried eggs.
Seol-a took a bite, then her eyes went wide.
This was heavenly.
"......"
Kang-ho, however...
"......MSG overload."
He didn't like it. It went against his health philosophy. To Kang-ho, food meant light salting to savor the natural flavors of the ingredients.
"MSG's harmless in moderation, bro."
[Exactly, Kang-ho. Your cooking's so bland it's painful. It's not really cooking—just eating raw ingredients. This magic powder makes it taste right. Wish the Demon Realm had stuff like this.]
Seol-a's appetite had exploded lately. With food smeared all over her mouth, she devoured it, and Theo wiped her cheeks.
"......"
Kang-ho watched, then stroked Seol-a's cheek before turning to King.
"So, you..."
"Yup. Contract with Napa's up. I returned part of the signing bonus."
"Wasn't there still time left?"
"That's how bad I wanted out." King shrugged. "I'm settling down now. Wanna train more and get stronger."
"......?"
Kang-ho tilted his head, and King beamed.
"Please keep guiding me from here on out."
King stood, bowing formally with clasped hands.
[Hm. Smart move. A nest is important. You can use the spot next to the barn for your room.]
"......Why are you answering?"
Kang-ho let out a dry chuckle. But the feeling wasn't bad at all.
After so many years alone...
Having family grow one by one felt pretty good.
The next morning.
Kang-ho rose early, scooping up the soundly sleeping Seol-a. She wriggled and blinked awake.
Today, they were headed to the War Monkey village. Lately, her battle spirit burned hot—she sparred daily with two baby thunderbirds. No place beat the War Monkey village for honing combat skills.
As they stepped out, Furball panted behind.
"Furball, let's head to the War Monkey village."
Furball flinched in surprise.
Just then—
Whoosh—
Kang-ho sensed something racing toward them. He glanced over to see a familiar face: Phantom.
Her cheeks flushed, she wore her black full-body tights and goggles.
Kang-ho tilted his head at the sight.
"What's up?"
"Um..." Phantom said. "The elder wants to consult with you."
She belonged to the druid clan.
"Consult?"
Instead of explaining, she held out her smartphone. The video played—
Fwoosh—
The Life Tree at the heart of the druid forest was blooming. The tree itself unfurled like a massive flower bud.
"This phenomenon... it's never happened before..."
She still found Kang-ho intimidating.
He nodded slowly.
"Let's go check it out."
Ganghwa Island. Druid Forest.
Arriving, Kang-ho couldn't help but marvel at the thick, viscous natural energy saturating everything. Mana brimmed from every direction. Grass, trees—even insects teemed with vibrant life.
Pop!
Seol-a shifted to fox form, huddling silently in Kang-ho's arms, staring at the forest.
Kang-ho asked Phantom,
"When did this start?"
"Exactly... last night."
Deeper in, the forest unfolded into an otherworldly paradise, far grander than before. It glowed with verdant light.
All thanks to one power.
'Eternal Crystal.'
The one from the Mu Continent that Phantom had gotten from Napa.
He sensed the ambient energy.
'Worlds apart from the Demon Realm's.'
Unlike the sinister force of the Demon Realm's crystal, this was pure, dense natural power.
As Kang-ho entered, Niva appeared ahead.
"You've come."
"Yeah. What the hell's going on?"
Niva shook her head.
"Seems like that treasure's the cause. This way."
With each step Niva took, the forest parted like the sea.
At the center stood the massive Life Tree, just as in the video: a colossal oak swollen like a budding flower on the verge of bloom.
"Hmm..."
Kang-ho crossed his arms, eyeing it before asking Niva,
"This happen on the Mu Continent too?"
"Hm." Niva pondered, then shook her head. "Never seen anything like it in my life."
"Hm..."
It looked precarious, bloated as if ready to burst.
Suddenly.
Twitch!
Seol-a's tail wagged furiously—especially the green one, gleaming emerald.
"......"
Kang-ho cautiously activated his Beast Master sight.
Not active yet.
"......?"
Suddenly, the Life Tree's power amplified further. No threat, but it was an Eternal Crystal—better safe than sorry.
The forest's spirits had evacuated at Niva's order.
Vrrr—!
Mana surged around Kang-ho, ready for anything.
BOOM!
A heavy rumble, and the bloated Life Tree burst into full bloom. Natural forces roiled everywhere. Trees and grass surged with life-like growth.
"......!"
Niva's jaw dropped. A sight unprecedented in her lifetime.
Then.
Nyip!
Seol-a leaped from Kang-ho's arms.
'Hm?'
He spotted her original white tail sparkling.
ZZing—
It stretched massively in an instant.
Kang-ho had seen this before—with her second tail against the evil dragon Kasumus.
Enthralled, Seol-a stared at the blooming Life Tree. It split into six petals, unleashing immense natural power.
She leaped!
Flip!
Somersault in midair.
"......!"
Kang-ho recognized it—from peeking into her dream. Before giant mirrors reflecting worlds, flipping endlessly.
Flip! Flip!
Her enlarged white tail flapping, Seol-a tumbled through the air.
Soon.
ZZing—!
Strange power gathered in the white tail.
She swung it skyward!
Slash!
Space tore open.
A rift formed, drawing in the Life Tree's natural energy.
Crackle—!
It widened.
"My god......"
Niva collapsed to her knees.
The rift swelled with nature's power into a large portal. Beyond shimmered an unseen world.
Niva murmured in disbelief.
"Mu Continent... Central Forest...! Ahh... my beloved homeland......"
The landscape was unlike anything Kang-ho had witnessed. The world glowed in vibrant rainbows. The sky was a perfect pastel blue, clouds drifting lazily under warm sunlight. The vast forest shone brilliantly—far surpassing the druids' own.
At its heart, a mountain-like tree towered, scattering emerald natural energy everywhere.
Tears welled in Niva's eyes.
She reached out instinctively.
Crackle!
"Ack!"
A forceful repulsion flung her hand back—like it said no entry.
Niva turned to Kang-ho.
"That's... the Mu Continent. The central forest for sure...!"
"......"
Thump thump thump.
Kang-ho extended his hand slowly.
It passed through effortlessly into the Mu Continent space.
Beyond, alien, cool wind brushed his skin.
'Another world...!'
The wind of the otherworld—the Mu Continent.