***
The sewer dungeon of Arcana, the Golden City. The reward for a dungeon that could only be cleared upon reaching at least Level 8 had increased by a staggering two tiers. Although there were only four items on the reward list, they were more than enough.
【 Seal of the Wind 】, 【 Mutant Captain’s Hook 】, 【 Black Iron Dagger 】, 【 Mutant Giant Rat’s Nucleus 】
‘They are all essential items.’
Was it because these were rewards two tiers higher for clearing a Level 8 dungeon? It felt as if only the most vital treasures had been gathered. I carefully examined the reward list one by one.
First, the ‘Seal of the Wind’ was a Talisman. Since it increased Agility and reduced wind resistance, it was the fundamental Talisman itself that any Assassin or Archer-type class absolutely had to have.
Next, the ‘Mutant Captain’s Hook’ and the ‘Black Iron Dagger’ were high-grade sub-weapons. They were likely the best equipment rewards available in these sewers. Usually, a hook-type sub-weapon granted additional options to seafaring-related classes. Also, giving the Black Iron Dagger to Isabella would lead to an immediate increase in her combat power.
However, the one that caught my eye the most was naturally the last one: the ‘Mutant Giant Rat’s Nucleus.’
‘It’s a shame it’s not a Soul, but this is useful in its own right.’
If the Soul of the Mutant Giant Rat had appeared, I would have shouted for joy, but the Nucleus was also very useful in many ways. In particular, mutant-type nuclei possessed the most vital functions.
【 Mutant Giant Rat’s Nucleus (Material) 】
★ An unidentified nucleus that caused the mutation in the giant rat.
★ If fed to a beast, it causes a mutation; occasionally used as a material for special tools or equipment.
★★ Beast Lord: Can enhance a possessed ‘Beast-type Soul.’
This was a hidden option visible only to those with the hidden trait ‘Beast Lord.’ The most essential function of this nucleus was that it made the enhancement of a Soul possible.
‘The Hydragon is also a beast-type boss monster.’
According to the lore, the Hydragon was a composite of all sorts of beasts created by a mad doctor. This meant it was possible to enhance it with the Mutant Giant Rat’s Nucleus. However, the Soul of the Hydragon was something even I was possessing for the first time. I couldn't even guess what kind of change would occur if I enhanced a 12-man raid boss monster.
‘…To think there is something I don’t know.’
A smile naturally formed as I faced an area of the unknown. Even though the Heart of the Iron-Blooded Lord prevented me from feeling excitement, I felt excited. Over the past five years, I had played Pangenia almost every single day without rest. I was the gamer who had played Pangenia the longest, so it was no exaggeration to say I saw through everything in this world.
Despite that, there were still infinite things in Pangenia that I did not know. It was an insane difficulty that was impossible to clear, but it always invoked a strong desire for a challenge. Behind that lay these unknown areas—the mysteries.
‘…This is why I couldn't quit this game.’
Of course, there was a definite possibility that no special change would occur upon enhancement. But I loved even that possibility.
<< You have selected ‘Mutant Giant Rat’s Nucleus.’ >>
So, was there any need for further hesitation?
✺✺✺
I purchased a four-wheeled carriage in its entirety. I placed an order for one made of the sturdiest and most rugged materials possible. Of course, it wasn't with my money, but with Hudson’s. In exchange, I prepared the "horse" that would pull the carriage.
"……."
Hudson, who was riding in the carriage, looked up and stared blankly ahead. The reason his gaze and mind were stolen all at once was the "horse" driving the carriage. He just blinked his mouth like a goldfish, completely dazed.
‘Is that... a horse?’
What was a horse? Naturally, a horse was a horse. An animal that ran on four legs and was the fastest and longest-running among livestock. However, what was before his eyes was no ordinary horse.
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
The ground shook every time it moved. An incredibly massive body. A monster with nine heads!
‘That’s not a horse; it’s a Hydragon...?’
Since the Star-Awakened had said he would prepare the horse for the carriage himself, Hudson had bought the carriage without much thought. It was only when it was time to leave Arcana after finishing the preparations that he realized the true identity of the "horse" the Star-Awakened spoke of.
It was the Hydragon. Furthermore, it wasn't a crude, manufactured Hydragon, but a complete form summoned through a Soul! A boss monster engraved in a Soul retained its primordial appearance. Even if they had a similar appearance or a similar level, one couldn't even dare to compare the caliber itself.
However, rumors that the Soul of the Hydragon did not exist had spread like an established fact. People believed that since a Chimera was something created, a primordial form could not possibly exist. But there it was. A Hydragon summoned by a Soul.
‘……What is that?’
Hudson looked at the top of the Hydragon’s heads. On one of the nine heads—the one in the center—a long horn like an elephant's tusk had sprouted. This was also a characteristic that ordinary Hydragons did not have.
Zzzzzzt!
K-boom!
"Aaaargh!"
"H-help me!"
"Run away!"
The screams heard from outside came from a bandit group settled near Arcana. They were one of the giant bandit groups that were the biggest headache for merchants traveling to and from Arcana and were a symbol of fear, but they were being slaughtered like flies by the Hydragon.
In particular, there was the lightning fired from the horn. Once it compressed its energy and fired, more than ten bandits were evaporated in an instant without even leaving behind bone dust. Its destructive power was equal to at least a mid-tier or higher lightning-type skill.
"It’s noisy outside."
"……It is the screams of the Red Hood Bandits."
"Is that so? It’s nothing much, then."
The Star-Awakened closed his eyes again.
‘Nothing much?’
……That sound?
"Please, save me!"
"Kyaaaaak!!"
"Mommyyyyy!!!"
✺✺✺
Over ten days, they crossed seven warps and passed through two high-risk, high-level zones. They had traversed almost half of the Central Continent, but finding what they wanted was not easy.
"Is this not it either?"
"Hmm. It’s already dead."
I spoke while looking at the blue-tinted tree in front of me. The tree itself wasn't dead, but the ‘Path of Spirits’ was already closed.
‘Spirit Tree.’
What I was looking for was a Spirit Tree. A Spirit Tree referred to a tree from which a spirit was born. A tree where a spirit was born temporarily opened a path to the ‘Spirit Realm.’ One could only head toward the ‘Tower of Spirits’ by entering that path. And the tree currently before my eyes had its path closed long ago, well after the spirit had been born.
"To my eyes, it doesn't look much different from any other tree..."
In Hudson’s eyes, this so-called Spirit Tree looked no different from any other tree. He wondered exactly what the difference was.
Tsk. I clicked my tongue softly and spoke.
"It can't be helped. I have no choice but to take a risk."
I couldn't delay any more time. I pulled out Michaela’s Sword. As Hudson and Isabella took a step back, I swung the sword wide and cut down the tree.
Rumble!
The waist of the tree was severed, and it collapsed. At that moment.
Hiaaaaaaa!
Sounds that were like screams and groans were heard from throughout the forest.
"I-it’s Dryads! Crazy!"
Hudson pulled out his hammer and stood on guard. Soon after, numerous Dryads, with the lower bodies of deer and the upper bodies of humans, revealed themselves.
"To cut down the tree that conceived a spirit."
"The human has lost his fear."
"Let’s tear him apart and kill him miserably."
They were half-elves—the forest keepers who protected the forest.
【 Lv. 7 】
Monsters of Level 7 or higher! Their numbers exceeded fifty. A tree conceiving a spirit was a very symbolic thing even to them. Since I had cut it down, they would not let me leave alive.
"……."
Gulp!
Hudson swallowed hard, feeling tense. Isabella was also in a combat stance. She instinctively knew that if that many attacked, it would be a very difficult fight. I slowly stepped forward in front of them.
"Open the ‘Gate.’ If you do, I will gift a spirit to this forest once again."
"The human talks nonsense."
"Is he insane?"
Several Dryads aimed their bows. If there was no one I could talk to, this gamble was a failure. I spoke again.
"The spirit of this tree is already dead. This forest is also dying. I am a Druid, the Master of Spirits, so I can gift a new spirit to your forest."
A forest is born because of spirits. If the spirits die, the forest dies too. And the spirit of this forest had died long ago. If a new spirit was not born, this forest would eventually die as well. But that was only possible if there was someone I could talk to. The biggest crux was whether the simple-minded Dryads, who only knew how to protect trees, would understand my words.
"Let’s shoot him dead."
"Let’s pierce him to death."
"Let’s just kill him first!"
……These ignorant fools. Is it unavoidable? If so, I’ll have to open a portal and return to Arcana. Just as I thought the efforts of the past ten days were about to evaporate—
"Wait. I will listen to the story. O self-proclaimed Druid."
I turned my gaze.
【 Lv. 9 】
A High Dryad with a thick beard. He seemed to be the master of this ‘Rustle Forest.’ I wondered if it was just one of many forests, but seeing as there was a High Dryad, the spirit created when this forest was made must have been quite significant.
‘That’s a relief, at least.’
He was someone who seemed like he might be reasonable.
"Are those words true?"
"They are true. If you open the ‘Gate,’ I will go to the Tower of Spirits and bring a spirit back to this forest."
"We cannot open the gate to the Tower of Spirits either."
"But you must be keeping the corpse of the spirit, right?"
"……."
The High Dryad remained silent. He looked at me as if asking how I knew that. But it was natural. There was no way they would just scatter a dead spirit in the forest. They would be keeping it, just in case it came back to life or conceived a new spirit.
"How can I believe you are a Druid?"
"How else could I have found this tree and cut it down?"
Only a Druid could distinguish a Spirit Tree. The High Dryad frowned as he looked back and forth between the cut tree and me.
"If it is a lie, you all will become nourishment for this forest."
"And if it is the truth?"
"……I will give you a reward befitting it."
<< Sub-Quest: ‘Returning the Spirit to the Forest’ has begun. >>
<< Reward: Achievement ‘Friend of the Dryads,’ Gratitude of the Forest >>
<< Upon Failure: Honor -30, Battle with the Forest >>
Battle with the forest. I shrugged my shoulders as I looked at the grand message.
✺✺✺
What he brought out as the spirit's corpse was a crude stone. It seemed it had been a spirit of the forest and a spirit of the rock.
‘The path still remains.’
I could see it—the path of the spirit engraved on the stone. This was also an ability of a Druid. A Druid was an existence that could communicate with spirits and open the spirit path. However, the entrance was far too narrow and small. There was only one way to temporarily widen it.
"I’ll have to break it to enter."
"……."
The High Dryad’s eyes trembled slightly. This stone was the corpse of a spirit. Breaking it meant it would disappear forever. The High Dryad barely managed to speak.
"If it is a lie..."
"Kill me."
It was Hudson who reacted to my clean answer. He threw me a look that seemed to say, ‘What on earth are you saying, Star-Awakened?!’ while trembling slightly. Regardless, permission was granted. All that remained was to smash this stone.
Thud!
I clenched my fist and struck it.
Thud!
As I continued to strike, I could see the gate temporarily widening.
Vrrrrrrr!
Soon after, a golden portal was created above the stone.
<< A portal to the ‘Tower of Spirits’ has been created. >>
<< Only those who are ‘Permitted’ may enter. >>
The entrance to the portal. Beyond it, I could see a golden spirit guarding the entrance. It was a cute little fellow wearing golden armor and a helmet. Then, the spirit pointed at me. It meant only I should enter. But I looked back and forth at Hudson and Isabella. At that, the golden spirit pondered for a moment and then spoke.
- "Are they friends of the Druid?"
When I nodded, the golden spirit spoke again.
- "Are they companions to whom you can entrust your back and your life?"
I nodded once more.
- "Then I permit them to enter together."
Flash!
The portal grew larger. In that instant—
《 Main Quest 3: Ascend the Tower! 》
《 Unidentified towers built throughout the world. Clearing one of them will complete the Main Quest. 》
《 Tip: It is recommended to first ascend the ‘Tower of Foundations’ that exists in each city. 》
《 Reward: Differentially paid according to content 》
As I saw the message that Main Quest 3 had begun, a smile played on my lips.