54
054 ― Glass Marble
Kurureung!
The temple shakes. No, it wasn't the temple shaking, but this island floating in the sky itself.
'No way?'
Even Jin-woo couldn't help but be surprised by this.
Could it be that the sky island floating in the air itself was powered by the God of Sky's strength? It wasn't that the creature had built its nest on an originally floating island?
'Then that means it's falling!'
If that were the case, then the current shaking meant the island was falling.
When Jin-woo immediately went outside to check, the island's altitude was indeed decreasing.
Slowly, but surely, the island was falling under the influence of gravitational acceleration.
"Uaaaaaaah!"
"What is that!"
"The sky island is falling!"
The residents of Pandemonium who had been hiding looked up at the sky and were horrified.
The message that had just echoed throughout the city about the collapse of the 'Temple of the Sky’. That alone was already a major incident.
But now the disaster of the sky island's crash was happening one after another.
'What should I do about this?'
Even Jin-woo had no way to stop a falling island.
Jin-woo himself could just avoid it, but at this rate, the city would be half-destroyed in an instant.
Just then.
The small glass marble at Jin-woo's center glowed. The marble formed from the blessing the God of Moonlit Forest had bestowed upon him.
The marble's light penetrated the island and connected to reach the Moonlit Forest. It touched the Temple of Moonlit Forest, and furthermore, the divine artifact of Moonlit Forest hidden deep within the temple, creating a path.
'This is......'
The Temple of Moonlit Forest changed. To be precise, the small sapling that had been the divine artifact rapidly grew to cover the temple and the forest.
Thick roots that had grown climbed up the light connecting the glass marble and the sapling, and began to support the falling island.
Kuwung―!
Though it was received as delicately as possible, the impact that reached the entire island was still considerable.
The weakest outer edges of the island shattered into pieces and fell as a rain of stones toward the city.
The small rain of stones penetrated buildings and embedded deeply into the ground.
But.
'Did it stop?'
That was where it ended. The island itself didn't fall.
The small sapling that had been the divine artifact of Moonlit Forest became a giant tree and caught the falling island. The island became slightly smaller, but the city was safe.
"Phew......"
It seemed the disaster was somehow prevented. Though it wasn't something he had done, but something the God of Moonlit Forest had done.
'Thank you.'
A disaster had nearly occurred as a result of the battle he had fought. Jin-woo expressed gratitude for preventing it. Saying thank you once wasn't a difficult thing to do.
[ The God of Moonlight Forest is pleased. ]
The other party seemed happy too. Wasn't this a good conclusion?
But it didn't end there.
[ You have made a unique contribution to Moonlit Forest. ]
• Kang Jin-woo ― God of Moonlight Forest contribution 164,350,186 (↑158,157,359)
"Eh?"
A massive contribution of over 100 million poured into Jin-woo.
"150 million went up?"
Originally, it had been playing around in the millions, but suddenly contributions dozens of times that amount poured in.
When he thought about what could cause such a sudden increase in digits, the numbers seemed somewhat familiar.
'The increased number is similar to Lin Shenlin's? No, it's a bit more.'
Looking at the contribution that poured into him, Lin Shenlin's contribution came to mind. Though it was more than that.
If it wasn't a coincidence, then probably......
'The God of Sky's confiscated contribution flowed to me.'
Thinking about it that way, these numbers made sense too.
The contribution offered to the Temple of the Sky was 120 million for Lin Shenlin. The rest weren't that high.
Lin Shenlin alone monopolized most of the contribution.
If you combined all the rest of the hundreds of people to about 30 million, then including Lin Shenlin, 150 million contribution coming in made sense.
'I really took everything from the God of Sky.'
His divine artifact and temple, and even all the contributions accumulated by his followers.
Even the sky island where he had built his nest was now connected to the tree that grew from Moonlit Forest and had become part of the forest.
The Temple of Moonlit Forest had also expanded its territory.
'Then the contribution ranking is......'
[ Those who receive the most love from the gods are as follows. ]
• Kang Jin-woo ― God of Moonlit Forest contribution 164,350,186
• Bertus ― God of War contribution 55,254,152
• April ― God of Moonlit Forest contribution 48,958,525
• Kartuna ― God of the Furnace contribution 46,214,852
.
.
.
Lin Shenlin, who had his contribution confiscated, completely disappeared from the rankings. It wasn't that he dropped to second place, but his name was gone entirely.
Instead, the position was taken by Jin-woo's name.
First place in Pandemonium. Even a much more distant number than Lin Shenlin, who had been first with 120 million.
***
Though the city was partially destroyed, there was no problem. It wasn't an ordinary city anyway, but just a city where those exploring Gates briefly stayed.
Even in such a place, there were those who did business, and there was a fairly prosperous tavern.
In that tavern with walls slightly collapsed and roughly covered with cloth, Poldere boldly raised his wooden cup.
"I am the very person who brought Kang Jin-woo down to the sky island!"
"Wow, amazing! Tell us more about that story, Poldere!"
"So what happened was......"
Poldere, who used wyverns to do taxi-like work in Pandemonium, was a well-known social butterfly everywhere.
Of course, most of his acquaintances were Elves, but there were also a few Dwarves and Beastmen.
He went around telling his own heroic tales at every drinking gathering he attended, and just listening to the stories, it seemed as if he had shown tremendous activity as Jin-woo's right-hand man.
How Golong had shown fantastic flight, breaking through the fierce attacks of that terrifying Lin Shenlin and the God of Sky.
The story of how they barely reached the island at a critical moment and brought Kang Jin-woo down there.
When Kang Jin-woo looked back, worrying about him and Golong, he had said to him.
"Go quickly! Leave this place to me and Golong! I said this. It was such a dramatic situation you couldn't watch without tears."
"Kiya! What a story worth drinking to."
"I knew Golong was an excellent wyvern, but to think that rat-like Poldere was such a cool guy......"
"Of course! I assisted in the first feat in Pandemonium's history of bringing down a god's temple. I couldn't be an ordinary guy."
Poldere's shoulders kept rising, and his mouth began to tear with a grin. The longing and respectful gazes everyone was sending felt so good.
Always dealing with guys who grumbled that prices were too expensive, or difficult customers who were picky, receiving such gazes after that, he couldn't stop.
"So you see, at that time......"
"Oh? It's Kang Jin-woo!"
Just then, Kang Jin-woo appeared in the tavern. Along with an Elf and a human who were said to be his companions, and one hatchling.
All eyes in the tavern focused on them. Right now, they, especially Kang Jin-woo at the center, were the most famous in Pandemonium.
Current first place in Pandemonium. The one with over 100 million contributions taken from Lin Shenlin.
Not only that, but the first in Pandemonium's history to bring down a god's temple.
"Ka, Kang Jin-woo!"
Poldere, who had been raising his reputation by selling Kang Jin-woo's name, jumped up. He trembled and avoided eye contact. At all times, Kang Jin-woo had to come in at this timing!
"Hey, Poldere. Isn't that the person you assisted? Why aren't you greeting him?"
"Shh! Shh! Quietly!"
"Hey! Kang Jin-woo! Poldere is drinking here!"
"No no no no no!"
Another Elf at the table tactlessly called out to Kang Jin-woo, making Poldere horrified.
Eventually, he made eye contact with Jin-woo.
'Ugh.'
He had hoped Jin-woo would just pass by without seeing him, but Kang Jin-woo looked this way, smiled slightly, and approached.
"Oh, uh, Jin-woo, it's been a while."
"Poldere, thanks for last time. Without you, there would have been no way to get up to the sky island."
"Haha, of course I had to help, right?"
Fortunately, Jin-woo spoke well, so there was no chance of Poldere's reputation falling.
Jin-woo smiled slightly and whispered small enough for only Poldere to hear.
"It's fine to tell heroic tales, but keep my stories moderate. Don't spread strange rumors."
"Ah, under, no, sir! I'll keep that in mind!"
Poldere answered with a look of someone whose discipline had been tightened.
The most necessary virtue for a merchant is to read and ride the mainstream. The mainstream power in the city now was clearly the Kang Jin-woo family.
Kang Jin-woo, who had achieved the unprecedented feat of bringing down a god's temple.
April, famous as a muscle Elf with the city's third-highest contribution.
Even Mahiri, who was new to the city, was no ordinary person. She was a woman who carried around a dragon, a being from the 5th floor!
From Poldere's perspective, who had struggled to tame just one wyvern, Mahiri was in some ways the most admirable person.
"I might need Golong's help again next time, so please take care of it then."
"Of, of course!"
After shaking hands like that, Jin-woo disappeared to the 2nd floor of the building with his party.
Left alone, Poldere wiped the sweat from his forehead as if all his energy had drained, and was able to receive enthusiastic cheers from the Elves at the same table.
"Poldere! Poldere!"
"I believed you would become a great person! Hahahaha!"
"Ri, right? Haha......"
Poldere, who couldn't honestly be happy, smiled awkwardly. Thinking he should only moderately embellish his heroic tales......
Meanwhile.
Jin-woo, who had gone up to the 2nd floor, had a great drinking session with his party.
"To celebrate victory!"
"To celebrate!"
The three of them, Jin-woo, April, and Mahiri, clinked glasses, and Mahiri let Kalesian drink from that glass.
Thanks to paying money generously, the table was set with food until the table legs might break.
Bread and soup were basic, and there was steak seasoned with over ten different spices, and fish dishes soaked in fresh and creamy white sauce. There was also a dish where a large turkey was stuffed with fruits, mushrooms, meatballs, etc., and roasted whole.
All of them were freshly cooked, so warm heat was seeping out. They were fantastic dishes that made you forget this place was a Gate.
"Can I ask now? What was the Guardian's identity, and how exactly did you defeat it?"
Mahiri's mouth, controlled by Kalesian, asked what he most wanted to know.
Though he couldn't tell the detailed story, Jin-woo roughly told them about the situation that had unfolded.
The Guardian was a domain magic set up by the God of Sky, and somehow, he had been able to break it and get the scabbard.
"A scabbard?"
"This one."
Jin-woo took out the black leather scabbard left by the God of Sky from his inventory. The Sky Sword that Bulkar had given him was inserted in that scabbard, and perhaps because of their materials, the compatibility between the two was perfect.
'Actually, I was going to give it to the Ego Sword.'
Right now, the Ego Sword was in an artisan's scabbard obtained separately from the luxury goods store.
Since the God of Sky's scabbard was a much superior item than that, he had offered to give it to the Ego Sword, but.
―Kiing! Kiiiing!
The Ego Sword desperately refused. It meant it didn't want to go into such a creepy thing.
'It's understandable that it would refuse.'
It wasn't incomprehensible, since the God of Sky's scabbard was made of Erosion energy.
The very foundation of the scabbard was Erosion, so it was impossible to remove just the Erosion parts and use it.
So the Ego Sword desperately shook its head, and Jin-woo didn't force it unnecessarily either.
As a result, the Ego Sword continued to use the scabbard bought from the luxury goods store, and Bulkar's Sky Sword was inserted in the God of Sky's scabbard.
The compatibility between the two was really the best. It was the best, but......
'The power of Erosion is still bothersome.'
He still couldn't shake off the unpleasant feeling.
"Ooooh! This is a divine artifact from the divine realm!"
However, Mahiri welcomed the scabbard regardless. She examined the scabbard, almost licking it, and Kalesian's greed for treasure was clearly revealed in those eyes.
She looked at the scabbard as if she really wanted to have it, but.
Uwung―
The scabbard emitted the power of Erosion to push Mahiri away, then spun around and returned to Jin-woo. The Erosion energy flowing from the scabbard wrapped around Jin-woo's arm and had no intention of letting go.
"Hmm, it's a peculiar thing. While precious objects that choose their owners are common, it's the first time I've seen Erosion power doing that."
"That's what I'm saying."
Jin-woo was also in a state of not knowing what to do about this first experience.
Until now, Erosion had just been an enemy. The culprit that devastated Earth and the evil thing that invaded not only Earth but many worlds.
That such a thing would follow its owner like this, and that he was chosen as that owner, was incomprehensible.
'No, was there another one?'
An existence that was Erosion but had been favorable to him.
The eroded roots of the World Tree he had met in Belen Village were like that.
'At first, it glared as if it would kill me, but at some point, it became docile. I don't know the reason, but it even showed me the appearance of a priestess.'
Though the cases were different, it had a similar feeling to that time.
There was also Ireland's case, but in Ireland's case, the turtle itself had been favorable, not the Erosion.
"Are you okay? Originally, if you're attached to Erosion like that, neither body nor mind can remain safe."
"I'm being careful, but it seems okay for now. There's no particular damage."
If the scabbard showed its fangs, he planned to cut it down immediately. That's what he was thinking, but there had been no such incidents so far.
Rather, it followed so well that it was troubling. Even if he handed it over to someone else, it would have a fit and return to him.
"I see...... Since it's made from Spirit Realm materials and was originally a lord's item, it's not something that can be judged by common sense here. This looks like it would be fun to research, don't you think? Could I ask for your cooperation?"
"Research in the 3rd floor?"
"Yes. I'm planning to set up a workshop here and focus on researching the scabbard. Sorry, but could Jin-woo also help? That scabbard won't listen without Jin-woo."
"I should do at least that much."
While it was true that Jin-woo played a decisive role in obtaining the scabbard, Kalesian also had a share in it anyway.
He was also the planner of the scheme, and if he hadn't lured Lin Shenlin to hold him, infiltrating the temple would have been difficult from the start.
Yet the ownership of the divine artifact had come entirely to him. With the situation like this, he could readily allow cooperation in research.
"April, thanks too. I heard you put a hole in Lin Shenlin's shoulder?"
"I only sniped from a distance while he was off guard. It's regrettable that I couldn't hit his head."
"Lin Shenlin is also S-rank, so he wouldn't be easily defeated. But thanks to that, I won, so it's fine."
"But I ended up letting him escape......"
Right after the God of Sky's temple collapsed, Lin Shenlin immediately left the battlefield.
The moment the situation became unfavorable, he immediately fled - his judgment couldn't have been faster.
Kalesian and April pursued him, but Lin Shenlin jumped into a Red Portal.
"If it had been a Blue Portal, he would have returned to Hong Kong, making it easy to chase, but there was nothing we could do about him going to the 4th floor."
"That would be hard to chase."
Pursuing an enemy who escaped through a Red Portal was nearly impossible.
In the case of the 3rd floor, it was okay since you'd at least land in a random location within Pandemonium, but not for others.
It would be foolish to jump into a Red Portal to chase Lin Shenlin, who had landed in a random location on the 4th floor.
"Anyway, we obtained the divine artifact that was our goal, so we just need to focus on research. Since we obtained an item from the Spirit Realm, we must find some clue to ascend there."
"I'll also stay on the 3rd floor for a while, so call me when the workshop is ready."
"What are you planning to do from now on, Master?"
"I'm planning to spend time resting and meditating for a while."
He wanted to stay more in the Temple of Moonlit Forest, and above all, he had gained a lot this time.
Not only the power of the golden apple but also the God of Sky's scabbard, so there were many things to examine and contemplate.
In other words, he needed time to build up his inner strength.
'There's no reason to be obsessed with contribution anymore.'
Since he had already made over 100 million contributions, he had no more greed for contributions.
Let's just offer the remaining tribute enough to appease the God of Moonlit Forest and focus on meditation.
Thinking that, he drank the rest of the fruit wine in his glass.
***
Three days later, word came that Kalesian's workshop was completed.
Jin-woo took the God of Sky's scabbard and headed to his workshop.
There was an entrance leading underground on one side of the city, and when he entered, a desolate place unfolded.
Whether it was once a torture chamber, there were lots of rusty torture devices, and prisons with bars that had fallen off from decay were everywhere.
"Is this kind of place your taste?"
"Hardly. I was looking for a place that wouldn't catch others' eyes as much as possible, and this was the only place available."
With no one else's eyes around, Kalesian spoke with his own mouth. Mahiri was crouched on a sofa prepared on one side, peacefully sleeping.
"Though she's being controlled, she's a living body. Proper rest and correct nutritional intake are essential."
"......You care for her more than I thought."
"She's a contract partner, so of course."
Answering matter-of-factly, Kalesian gestured with his chin to come this way.
In the largest prison, a magic circle was drawn with a place to put the scabbard inside it.
"Here?"
"Perfect."
When he put it down, the scabbard emitted Erosion energy, trying to wrap around Jin-woo's arm. But when Jin-woo scolded it, it quickly became docile.
'Why does it listen so well to what I say?'
Still feeling awkward about something he wasn't used to, even after several days, Jin-woo came out of the prison. Outside, he could see Kalesian opening a thick book and continuously writing something with a feather pen.
It seemed some observation had already begun without Jin-woo knowing. Kalesian was even wearing large glasses.
"What are those glasses?"
"Ah, they have no prescription. They're glasses with several research magic circles overlapped. Want to try them once?"
"No, I'm fine."
Jin-woo politely declined since they looked like they would be dizzy just looking at it.
"Then rest. There's a prison next to the sofa where Mahiri is sleeping that I've decorated for you to rest in, so use that place."
"Thank you for the consideration."
When he went there, it was really decorated better than expected.
The dirty floor and ceiling were covered with clean wallpaper, and there was even a small chandelier on the ceiling. Furniture was fully equipped, including a bed, table, dresser, and even a sofa.
There was even a bookshelf placed on one side in case he got bored.
'Novels, magazines, what's this. Comics?'
The bookshelf had various books inserted regardless of genre.
His eyes naturally went to comics first rather than other books. Maybe there were even children's comics that could be offered as tribute to Moonlit Forest.
[ The God of Moonlit Forest is curious. ]
Just then, the God of Moonlit Forest sent a message. Does he really want to see comics?
He thought so, but that wasn't it.
[ Are you curious about what kind of place the Spirit Realm is? ]
'Huh?'
The blessing power, like the glass marble still remaining with Jin-woo, glowed slightly. It was that marble connected to the divine artifact of Moonlit Forest.