11. Foreshadowing of Danger
He searched the internet.
The search results mainly revolved around topics like cores and elixirs.
Cores of monsters that accumulated powerful forces within, or extraordinary substances where highly potent energy condensed over time into a single crystal.
Although each had its unique name and formation process, they all shared a common trait.
Extraordinary energy substances, or elixirs from another world that exhibited special effects inexplicable by modern knowledge.
Most of them were born by chance or were so rare and valuable that they were considered unattainable.
Consequently, their prices soared to astronomical heights.
The apple he held was no different.
Undoubtedly, it was an elixir of immense value.
“Regarding elixirs that awaken the dormant…”
But perhaps the lack of information was due to the rarity of something with effects similar to the apple.
It was challenging to find articles about something with effects akin to Han’s apple.
Instead, there were many useless posts about wishing to awaken or become a hunter.
“Huh?”
However, among them, there was one post that stood out.
The title of the post was concise.
“Is there really an elixir out there that an ordinary person can awaken with?”
– Uploader: Hong Dajeong’s Practice Brick Drone
Will such technology or elixirs not be developed in the future?
The content of the post was brief.
However, the comments on the post were substantial, seemingly chosen to pique people’s interest.
– OmnipotentPerspective: Well, it might come out eventually. The country is definitely investing heavily in the development of such technologies, especially in an era where the possession of hunters is a national strength.
⌎ CosmicKing2077: Your words are somewhat similar to the ancient story of King Jinshi who searched for the Elixir of Immortality. In reality, many wealthy individuals are spending money left and right to become awakened beings.
⌎ Hong Dajeong’s Practice Brick Drone: Oh, really?
⌎ CosmicKing2077: Don’t know? Why are you asking then? It’s because they are getting old and sick. Well, anyone would want to become an awakened being when people who were on the brink of death suddenly become powerful beings overnight, right?
⌎ GoldenPine: Even if such technology or elixirs exist, what would happen if someone actually discovered them?
⌎ Hong Dajeong’s Practice Brick Drone: Well, what if everyone in the world became hunters?
An idle question.
However, the responses to these comments were all diverse.
⌎ Concealing the Sap in the Apocalypse: (Astonished) How could you not know that? You’ll undoubtedly be caught by the government agencies, won’t you? They won’t release you until they’ve unraveled everything from how you acquired it to every detail, even before igniting a single fire. In reality, all those humans among the hunters who, overnight, awakened to their abilities and obtained the fruit, each and every one of them faced not just questioning but intense interrogation by the authorities, right? I believe elixirs won’t be any different.
⌎ Omniscient Perspective of Androids: However, since dungeons are so unknown and still a realm of mystery, if you keep searching, you might stumble upon it someday, right? After all, it’s the most cherished item modern humanity is keenly observing. If such a secret organization or elixir exists, undoubtedly, the price demanded will be worth it, right?
“…….”
Han’s gaze lingered on the final comment in the thread.
“The most cherished item….”
That was certainly a valid point.
It was a fruit that temporarily endowed the incompetent with the ability to use special powers.
And now, it was in his hands.
The fact that such intense interest was suddenly drawn towards it meant that its value exceeded what he had imagined.
Posting something like this was not a wise idea.
“If this becomes a trending post and I can’t even take it down, then it will indeed be dangerous.”
Excessive attention was almost as harmful as none at all.
Han was well aware of this fact.
Although his popularity had somewhat waned by now, just a few years ago, he had garnered public attention.
Both of Han’s parents were exceptional individuals on both sides.
“Sigh.”
He let out a relieved sigh.
Han didn’t find the answer he sought.
However, he could discern a reasonably prudent approach.
The world was vast, and as such, there were deranged individuals everywhere.
He needed to be cautious as well.
An apology was undoubtedly a sufficient item to divert people’s attention elsewhere.
Han redirected his gaze back to Irina.
The very woman who had handed him this astonishingly potent apple was now deeply engrossed in something else.
She was meticulously cleaning the rusted daggers she had collected in a corner after hunting goblins.
Han silently observed her actions for a long time.
It seemed like she constantly had tasks at hand.
As if there was no room for even a moment’s rest.
Irina, who was busily moving about, now had a healthier complexion compared to before.
It was evident that her vitality was gradually returning.
Her physical condition was improving bit by bit.
But he couldn’t afford to let his guard down.
“Sigh. It’s over here now….”
Irina stood up from her seat with a bright expression.
Turning her head, she now faced the World Tree.
A small broccoli-like World Tree with tiny blue sprouts could be seen.
Soon, as Irina knelt in front of it to pray, a blue aura flowed from her body into the World Tree.
Swoosh-
As the World Tree absorbed her aura, it rapidly grew.
What was originally small enough to reach her waist now grew to the height of her chest in an instant.
The trunk of the World Tree, which was once feeble, had grown slightly thicker than before, and small leaves had sprouted in groups of five on the withered branches.
Considering that these branches were completely frozen and dry, it was undoubtedly a dramatic transformation.
Of course, the change was not the only thing.
The area of the grass field on the ground had also expanded a bit.
The green grass had grown a little wider, while on the contrary, the snow had melted away.
Irina stood on the green ground, swaying gently in the wind, perhaps feeling an infinitely instinctual joy as an elf who loved nature.
Watching her, another person subtly curved a smile on their lips.
It was because a clear sense of growth was felt.
“At the moment, it may only be a very small part of the square that has changed.”
Just as Irina was growing, at this moment, the World Tree was also continuing its growth.
If their growth continued in this manner.
“Someday, the entire square, no, perhaps even the entire city might be restored to its original state.”
Han imagined the sight of this frozen city one day becoming a lush green forest.
Even the thought alone gave him a feeling of inner richness overflowing.
Han sincerely hoped for that day to come.
That was the moment.
[Notification Ding]
“Huh?”
Han looked up at the message that appeared at that moment.
A new message from the system had arrived.
“This is….”
A strange light flickered in his eyes as he stared at it.
Prepare for the future.
As the World Tree continues to grow in the future, it will contain even more mana. This will have a positive impact on the surrounding environment along with its growth. However, it also signifies danger.
Monsters generally have an instinct to seek out environments rich in mana.
Monsters.
“So, the conclusion is that as the World Tree grows in the future, stronger monsters will appear?”
[That’s correct. To ensure the prosperity of your race’s potential, please pay closer attention.]
There had been a thought lingering in his mind.
If this side of the world had finally collapsed, there must have been something else.
Irina, the elf he faced, was at least far more agile and perceptive than humans.
It didn’t seem likely that such a race would fall to mere low-level monsters like goblins.
While they were somewhat dangerous and had a decent reproductive rate, they were not considered particularly strong even in the world where Han lived.
It didn’t seem like they were the ones who brought about the collapse of the world.
Therefore, this was….
A warning of greater danger.
***
“……”
From Noble mtl dot com
A day passed since then.
When Han rose from his seat,
he realized something was amiss and hastily prepared to leave.
“Oh no. Overslept.”
It was Monday, marking the start of a new week, but he had overslept on the first day.
Last night, gazing into Irina’s world until late had been a mistake.
There was no time even for breakfast in the morning rush.
After roughly tying his hair, he finished getting ready and grabbed his bag.
Thud!
As he opened the front door,
“Ah!”
Suddenly realizing something he had forgotten, he turned back.
“Even if I have to go, I should check if the other side is okay before leaving.”
Half a morning had passed.
He worried about what might have happened to Irina overnight.
Of course, if any incident had occurred, wouldn’t the system have notified him? But unease was unease.
He needed to see with his own eyes to ease his mind.
Consumed by sudden anxiety, he momentarily forgot about going to work and turned back to open the fridge and examine the Frey planet.
But soon, he was left dumbfounded.
“What is this?”
“Hah… hah…”
Irina, who had been diligently active until late hours, did not look well today.
Her cheeks were flushed.
Breathing seemed difficult for her; she was panting heavily.
Studying Irina’s complexion with a stiff expression, Han muttered.
“This… seems like a fever, right?”
[I have a fever. Irina’s body is entering a recovery phase due to overcoming previous deficiencies.]
So, it seemed to be a consequence of her body recovering from past health issues.
Indeed, he wondered how well she could lead a proper life in this world.
It was ironic that she was suffering from a fever due to a previously healthy lifestyle.
In this regard, humans and elves seemed quite similar.
He had to head to work.
But leaving Irina like this was not an option.
If a monster appeared, she would likely struggle to resist in her current state.
“….”
His dilemma lasted only a moment.
Soon, clutching his phone tightly, Han quietly placed his bag back down.
He paused his preparations for work and made a phone call right there.
“…I’m really sorry. I must have neglected my self-care over the weekend, and now I’m feeling unwell. It seems challenging to come in this morning.”
– Really? It can’t be helped. Take care of yourself.
Surprisingly, his superior readily granted his request.
Rather, if your body isn’t feeling well, it’s okay to take a few more days off, including today, according to a definitive answer.
Thanks to a kind supervisor, she had some time.
Thanks to that, Hane diligently took care of Irina’s health.
Summoning his large hands, he placed a cool, damp towel on her forehead.