46
046 ― Intense Reaction
[ 1st Floor: Primeval Forest ]
[ Find the Blue Portal. If you want to return. ]
The Gate opened, and Jin-woo entered the 1st floor.
The Red Portal could be found quickly, in less than 2 hours. There was some luck involved, but Jin-woo's feet had also become faster and more unhindered.
A day passed in the 2nd floor that he had arrived at, and the next day he was able to find the Red Portal leading to the 3rd floor.
'Originally, I was going to try looking for the Moonlit Forest's altar on the 2nd floor.'
Since he found the Red Portal leading to the 3rd floor, there was no need to specifically look for the 2nd floor's altar. The 2nd floor required wandering around looking for an altar that would be somewhere in the labyrinth, but the 3rd floor had it right in the city.
He leaped into the Red Portal, and after a moment, the place where he opened his eyes was a vastly sprawling city.
A mysterious city where humans, Elves, Dwarves, and even Orcs and Beastmen walked around without any concern. Of course, the sharp tensions between them still indicated that they were enemies.
[ 3rd Floor: Pandemonium ]
Jin-woo had landed in Pandemonium, the city of the 3rd floor.
***
The 3rd floor was a place like an extension of the 2nd floor, where the temples of the 13 gods existed, following the 2nd floor.
However, unlike the 2nd floor's altars that were randomly positioned within the labyrinth, the 3rd floor's temples had fixed locations.
3rd Floor Pandemonium.
In that city with the name Pandemonium, there were temples of the 13 gods, so Hunters could choose one of them to raise their contribution points.
Whether by offering tributes or receiving and clearing trials, the methods were varied. There was nothing specifically set, so it was truly up to the gods' whims.
Usually, receiving trials was the common approach, though.
'It's an incredibly unique city, just as I heard.'
The city's scenery was very unique.
The architectural styles weren't unified at all, creating a completely jumbled appearance.
There were inn-like buildings that would appear in western movies, and castle-like buildings from medieval times. There were stone religious buildings with strong religious characteristics, and apparently there were even entrances leading to caves.
Buildings with something like tile roofs in oriental style, and even skyscrapers, could be seen.
Jumbled without rules. It looked like worlds were randomly tangled together.
The word bizarre fit perfectly.
'Each building individually is fine, but the harmony is a mess.'
When examined one by one, there were quite many stylish buildings, but with all sorts of styles mixed together, it couldn't have been more dizzying.
More than that, where is the God of Sky's temple? I heard that you just need to look up.
'Could that be it?'
Looking at the sky, there was a small island floating as if half-covering the sun.
He worried it might fall at any moment, but the island was floating very naturally, as if it were obvious.
Because it was covering about half the sun, half of the city was also covered in shadow. Depending on the sun's position, it seemed like the entire city could be covered at times.
'Lord of Oppression and Ceiling.'
Seeing this, he could clearly understand why that God of Sky's lord title was oppression. That was definitely an island pressing down on this city.
Then commotion could be heard from an alley a little distance away.
"Hey, did you just lick your lips looking at me?"
"What's wrong with licking lips when seeing something to eat, Elf?"
"You monkey-like bastard!"
The two arguing roughly were an Elf and an Orc. At his first sight of an Orc, Jin-woo observed the two a bit more.
The two who seemed to be having a brief argument eventually entered a dark alley, and after a moment, only the Elf came out.
Wiping blood splattered on his sword and cheek as he came out, it seemed like he had killed the Orc in the alley and came out.
'Even though it's called a city, public safety doesn't seem to be maintained.'
It was natural. Buildings were gathered together, and people were bustling around because of the temples, but ultimately, this place was a Gate.
He thought there would be some kind of order since there were buildings and people walking around, but the absence of order was the order of this place.
'I definitely understand the city's atmosphere.'
Rather, the 1st or 2nd floors, where you mainly fight monsters, might be much safer. More than the 3rd floor, where you inevitably clash with other Hunters and different races.
He could understand why Hunters called floors starting from the 3rd floor high floors and tried to enter in party or guild units.
'First, let me secure a place to sleep.'
Whether in the Primeval Forest or here, the survival rules were the same. First, securing a place to stay safely at night.
'Preferably somewhere that seems like robbers would rarely visit.'
What Jin-woo set his eyes on was a tall building.
It was a building that seemed to be at least 50 stories, but the elevator was naturally broken.
Climbing the stairs, he made an empty room in a corner of the 36th floor his base camp.
'The locking mechanism is... As expected, broken. I'll have to roughly block it with something heavy.'
Forcibly closing the door that was rusty and clattering and barely moving, he took out a heavy rock he had prepared in the Primeval Forest from his inventory and blocked it.
They could break down the door or wall to enter, but at least a quiet infiltration would be impossible.
In a room like an empty rental space with nothing in it, Jin-woo lit a campfire in the center. He bundled firewood and lit it with a fire stick.
Taking out simple canned soup to fill his stomach, Jin-woo checked Pandemonium's contribution points.
'Contribution points.'
[ Receive the gods' trials and obtain blessings. ]
[ Those who receive the most love from the gods are as follows. ]
• Lin Shenlin ― God of Sky's contribution points 124,374,823
• Bertus ― God of War's contribution points 55,254,152
• Ifril ― God of Moonlit Forest's contribution points 48,754,238
• Kartuna ― God of Forge's contribution points 46,214,852 . . .
Checking the contribution points, he saw a familiar name. The name Lin Shenlin ranked 1st.
'Isn't that Hong Kong's S-rank Hunter?'
It was unexpected to see an S-rank Hunter's name in a place like this. His contribution points had even surpassed 100 million.
Compared to the 2nd place Bertus, it was more than double. Even considering he was S-rank, it was an incredibly high number. You could feel that other Hunters or different races couldn't even dare to catch up.
Had he been stuck in the 3rd floor for months, no, years?
'Well, it doesn't matter since I'm not going to compete for contribution points.'
Jin-woo's purpose was ultimately to observe the God of Moonlit Forest's reaction and determine whether it was a World Tree or not.
He wasn't very interested in raising contribution points. Rather, he had brought plenty of items that might lower contribution points.
'Let's depart.'
He cleaned up the finished bowl and put out the campfire.
Putting the rock back in his inventory, Jin-woo moved his feet toward the God of Moonlit Forest's temple.
The temple was located in the center of a small forest embedded in the northeastern part of the city.
***
Kalesian was flying through the 3rd floor's sky while gripping Mahiri with both hands, fluttering along.
If he had been an adult who had undergone molting repeatedly, he could have carried her on his back or head, but, remaining in a hatchling's body, he had no choice but to carry her this way.
"Hmm... Just how long is that guy planning to stay holed up in the 3rd floor?"
His vision expanded like a telescope, examining the island floating in the sky.
There was an East Asian with only a single sword, holding both hands together as if in a prayer stance, offering prayers to the God of Sky's temple.
"I don't understand why a guy who's S-rank doesn't go to the 5th floor and instead settles down in the 3rd floor. He doesn't seem to be returning to Earth either."
Kalesian had been coming to the 3rd floor intermittently to scout each god's temple, and Lin Shenlin was always at the God of Sky's temple.
Always, except when briefly away for trials and such. He had never seen him returning to Earth.
'Is he someone the God of Sky particularly favors?'
So he might be receiving blessings or rewards that he couldn't even imagine. He might be staying in the 3rd floor instead of the 5th floor because he's gotten a taste for that.
"The God of Sky's temple will indeed be difficult."
The position in the sky was actually good for him as a dragon. But as long as that Lin Shenlin guy was holding his ground, it wasn't easy.
It wasn't just a matter of getting rid of him either; there was even a Guardian protecting the divine artifact.
'Still, just in case, let me scout... Oops.'
Then his expanded vision showed Lin Shenlin opening his eyes. He turned his head and looked this way with sharp eyes.
Despite the distance and even using invisibility magic, he seemed to have noticed the presence. The guy's sword was drawn, and sword energy rushed forward, and Kalesian clicked his tongue while avoiding it.
***
The forest is called Moonlit Forest after the god's name. Arriving there, Jin-woo felt a strange sense of discord.
'It's full of only Elves.'
Earlier in the city center, various races were mixed together. There were Elves, Orcs, and Dwarves, and even humans from the same Earth were visible.
But as he got closer to Moonlit Forest, other races disappeared, and only Elves began to be seen. It seemed like mostly Elves chose Moonlit Forest to raise their contribution points.
"A human in Moonlit Forest?"
"An ignorant guy who doesn't know his place."
He could hear Elves muttering and sneering.
Jin-woo was quite surprised by this sight because they only sneered at seeing a human without attacking.
"Excuse me, can I ask you something?"
"What!? M, me?"
He grabbed one Elf who was passing by with a sneer to ask. Jin-woo also opened his hand in case the guy drew his sword, but the Elf only stopped with a sour face.
"I know that Elves unconditionally attack humans when they see them, but why not here?"
"Stupid guy! Don't you know that shedding indiscriminate blood in Moonlit Forest lowers contribution points? Ha, a human wouldn't know, would he?"
It seemed the God of Moonlit Forest didn't like blood being shed in the forest.
"One more thing. Why are there only Elves around here?"
"That's because the God of Moonlit Forest is a god who only looks after Elves. I've never heard of humans or Dwarves raising contribution points at the God of Moonlit Forest's temple. Needless to say about barbaric species like Orcs."
A god who only looks after Elves...
He increasingly felt like clues that this guy was a World Tree were accumulating.
"Hey! What are you kindly explaining? That's not like you!"
"No, I just unconsciously... Ah, whatever, let's go already!"
The Elf who answered curtly left with his companion in quick steps. Although his tone was a bit rough, he wasn't a bad guy since he answered properly.
'If other races can't raise contribution points, am I making a pointless trip?'
That might be the case. But confirmation was necessary.
Jin-woo walked comfortably through the forest. His steps treading on the forest were very stable, much different from when stepping on brick or concrete floors.
Some skilled Elves observed Jin-woo with curious eyes after seeing his steps. Most either just sneered or ignored him, one or the other.
The place he eventually arrived at was an Elf-characteristic building constructed from intertwined trees. Its size was enormous, reminiscent of the royal palace from the Elf world he had briefly seen before.
'No, it's much smaller than that.'
Looking again, it wasn't the size of a royal palace. That palace was truly gigantic, like three forests combined.
It seemed to be about the size of the white tower that was in the depths of that palace, rather than the palace itself. That tower was also excessively large for just one person to live in.
Having arrived at the temple, he stepped inside.
[ The God of Moonlit Forest welcomes you. ]
'Huh?'
Then, as soon as he entered, he heard such words. Just like when he offered shaved ice to the God of Ice Valley on the 2nd floor.
The difference from that time was that Jin-woo had merely stepped inside the temple and hadn't even offered tribute yet.
'... Let me be careful. Welcome doesn't necessarily mean only goodwill.'
Just because it said welcome didn't necessarily mean it had goodwill.
It could be a welcome meaning ‘the guy I've been waiting for has finally entered my territory, you've met me well’.
Behind the altar was a small sapling, a white tree that emitted a gentle light.
With only that tree shining light in the dark interior, mysteriousness was added.
A place with a somewhat solemn atmosphere.
Maybe because it was a temple, it reminded him of churches or cathedrals he had visited as a child.
'Could that be the divine artifact?'
It didn't seem special for that, as no particular aura could be felt. No Guardian said to be protecting it was visible either.
It certainly seemed to be some special tree, but...
'Let me try offering tribute first.'
Jin-woo carefully took out a box of apples while observing the tree's reaction, placing it below the tree roots. It was an expensive fruit box sold as a holiday gift.
He thought this, too, might be rejected, but.
[ The God of Moonlit Forest rejoices. However, there are too many of such things. ]
[ Made a minor contribution to Moonlit Forest. ]
• Kang Jin-woo ― God of Moonlit Forest's contribution points 239 (↑239)
'What, it's rising properly?'
Contrary to what the Elf on the road said, the contribution points rose properly. Even though it was called minor, rising by over 200 was a considerable amount.
'Do they originally rise this well?'
According to what he saw on Hunter Net Blind, contribution points didn't rise that much through offerings.
No matter how much you offered items they liked, rising by about 100 was considered a lot.
Since the scope of contribution points rising was greater by receiving and clearing trials rather than offerings, the 3rd floor mainly proceeded with receiving trials.
Those in the rankings who had accumulated tens of millions in contribution points had spent at least several years settling down, solving trials.
But 200 from just one box of apples.
'How about this?'
He placed plant nutrients that Shartia had specially made. It was an item infused with her power of growth that protected plants from pests and diseases and made them sturdier.
In times like these, it was a very precious item that sold at quite high prices to wealthy people whose hobby was gardening.
[ The God of Moonlit Forest rejoices. However, it's too boring. ]
[ Made a minor contribution to Moonlit Forest. ]
• Kang Jin-woo ― God of Moonlit Forest's contribution points 624 (↑385)
This time, nearly 400 contribution points rose. It was an expensive item, but it was ultimately an Earth item, yet this much?
No, rather, because it was an Earth item, it might have been more pleasing because it was unfamiliar. Didn't the God of Ice Valley also not like common shaved ice that much?
'The name is Moonlit Forest anyway, it's certain that it's a god related to forests.'
The suspicion of it being a World Tree grew thicker. Could this guy really be a World Tree?
'If it's really a World Tree.'
...That guy was ultimately also a Lord of Erosion. He recalled the World Tree he had seen in the Elf world. The black roots that coveted Erosion and wielded that power.
This time, thinking to offer a completely unrelated item, Jin-woo rummaged through his inventory and took out one item that came to mind.
It was a picture book for children, with not much text and mostly composed of pictures. When opened, the pictures would rise three-dimensionally, making it very high quality.
The content was the common story of a human hero, an Elf mage, a Dwarf warrior, and others joining forces to defeat the demon king. That kind of common content, like children's comics.
'If you're really a World Tree, stop making Elves attack humans.'
With such thoughts, Jin-woo smiled bitterly and placed the picture book.
Light flashed, and the book disappeared. It meant it was accepted as tribute.
But there was no reaction, and Jin-woo shrugged as he expected this.
'It wouldn't like something like a picture book.'
Then what item should he test the reaction with next? While pondering the next item.
[ The God Moonlit Forest rejoices. ]
The reaction came back with late timing.
[ Made a tremendous contribution to Moonlit Forest. ]
• Kang Jin-woo ― God of Moonlit Forest's contribution points 25,162 (↑24,777)
"What...?"
It was an intense reaction incomparable to anything so far.