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“Since when…”
I wanted to say, ‘Since when have you been here,’ but my frozen lips couldn’t form the rest of the words.
Georg’s appearance was so shocking that I couldn’t even sense his approach until he was right behind me.
“Huh, I’ve seen it all. Knocking this guy out, beating him until he coughs up the ring.”
“…”
My heart sank.
Whether he discovered I wasn’t a mine or not, whether he liked it or was angry, I couldn’t grasp anything.
The crucial point was that my life now depended on the whims of this lazy mine.
And the current situation was beyond tolerable.
But I couldn’t just stand still, so I carefully chose my words to please him.
“…I didn’t like the idea of an unqualified person going to the meeting hall.”
“hehehe…”
For some reason, a chuckle escaped Georg’s lips.
“Heh, you knocked him out over that and beat him for 30 minutes straight?”
“…”
I remained silent.
Realizing belatedly that my attempt to destroy the ‘core’ was seen by Georg as repeatedly beating a knocked out person, I understood that, from an outsider’s perspective, my actions were insane.
And that insanity greatly appealed to Georg.
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“hehehehe, you’re truly a proper lunatic.”
It was astonishing how he relentlessly beat a knocked out person for 30 minutes, then took it a step further by precisely striking only the parts that wouldn’t kill, showing an outrageous level of cruelty.
To Georg, who casually killed and moved on, meticulously torturing someone to the extent of not letting them die was a sign of great consideration.
As someone unaware of this, I found myself gazing uneasily at Georg, who was laughing more than necessary.
‘What’s going on?’
Could it be that he likes me now?
“What’s your name?”
“Yoo Jonghyuk.”
“Heh, alright. You lunatic, you’re more than qualified to go to the banquet hall.”
“…”
Realizing that Georg genuinely liked and appreciated me, I was inwardly baffled.
‘Do lunatics really like other lunatics?’
Anyway, it was fortunate.
It was a relief that even a low-ranking horse, who was one of the Seven Evils, was allowed to attend the banquet hall.
Despite that, Georg couldn’t contain his laughter and swaggered past, not showing any interest in the fallen horse.
“Phew, thought my heart was going to fall out.”
Realizing that to win favor with the horse, one had to act crazy, I let out a sigh of relief and quickly left the mansion.
***
The day after visiting the gathering place of the horses, during break time. I sought out Han Seul’s alchemy store.
It was to replicate the potion contained in the gemstone called ‘Norton’s Ring.’
Moreover, I needed to eliminate the ‘trap’ hidden within this potion.
Although Norton seemed to be cooperating with the horses outwardly, his ultimate goal was also the ‘Pearl of the Sea God.’
In the end, Norton intended to betray Georg and seize the Pearl of the Sea God.
The trap for this betrayal was hidden within Norton’s Ring.
If anyone could uncover the trap hidden inside this ring, it would be Han Seul.
“It would be great if we could replicate as many as possible.”
To wrap up this episode nicely, the more allies, the better.
There were limits to what I could do alone, even if I felt free in Norton’s performance.
Unfortunately, there were limits to the quantity of potions Han Seul could replicate.
“Even with the ingredients, the combination method is quite complex, so it will take me some time to grasp it. I think four would be the limit by three days from now.”
“Yes, please make as many as you can.”
“Understood.”
While Han Seul was curious about what this was, he became enthusiastic about handling high-level potions.
“And while replicating, if there’s something bad inside, please remove it.”
“If it’s something bad, could you specify what exactly you mean?”
“Well, something that reacts to a specific sound, making energy boil up. Could you find it?”
Even though I was worried if Han Seul could understand this, he nodded, saying it was enough.
“Yes, with that much of a clue, I can find it easily.”
“Indeed impressive. Then I’ll leave it to you.”
“hahahaha, leave it to me.”
It was when Han Seul, who looked confident, smiled proudly at the mark ‘Lv.2’ floating above his head.
Ring ring—
Taking out the vibrating smartphone from my pocket, a name appeared on the screen.
[Kim Dojun]
“Looks like you’ve brought it.”
I lit up as I realized that the branch of the World Tree had arrived.
***
The reason I had Kim Dojun bring the branch of the World Tree was to awaken Eun Hoseong, the master of the fallen Hae Nam Eun Ga.
Eun Hoseong had been brought down by the traitors captured by Georg, who had planted the ‘Seed of Amma’ in his body, causing him to collapse.
The branch of the World Tree was precisely what was needed to awaken the fallen Eun Hoseong.
With the power to expel negativity, the branch of the World Tree could even drive out the Seed of Amma planted in Eun Hoseong’s body.
‘Once Eun Hoseong is awakened, the game is over.’
Unaware of the betrayal of his aides, Eunho Sung, who was one of the top ten prosecutors representing South Korea, collapsed in disappointment.
In the era of the supernaturals where the concept of healers did not exist, Eunho led a fallen family with no name through the Great War against the Ma-In, bringing about the heyday of what is now known as Haenam.
If awakened, he would undoubtedly be a more reliable ally than anyone else.
Even Georgh hesitated to face Eunho Sung and resorted to tricks first.
In any case, the card that could awaken Eunho Sung was none other than the branch of the World Tree.
As the evening sun set, in a high-end café in Gangnam where security was tight for discussing confidential matters.
Guided by the staff, when I entered the secret room, Kim Dojun had already ordered coffee and was waiting.
“Did you bring it?”
Sitting across from me, I took a sip of the lukewarm Americano with melted ice and asked, “Is it here?”
“Oh.”
As the black case opened to reveal a white branch, I couldn’t help but let out a small gasp.
Ping!
[Traces of the World Tree have been discovered!]
[You are rewarded with 500 SP as compensation.]
[Branch of the World Tree]
– A branch that fell from the World Tree. It has the power to drive away negativity.
‘Driving away negativity.’
Seeing this, I suddenly thought of Han Seyeon.
If I give this to her, would it be effective in controlling Morudo?
It might be difficult to have a substantial impact on Morudo with just one branch, but at least I could strike a blow.
Recalling the image of Han Seyeon disciplining Morudo with a branch, I smiled and took out the branch of the World Tree.
However, Kim Dojun looked at me with curious eyes.
“Is it your first time holding a branch?”
“It is normal to struggle when holding the branch of the World Tree for the first time.”
“Why is that?”
“Because there are impurities in a person’s mana, so when you first come into contact with the branch of the World Tree, it triggers a reaction.”
Ah, so that’s how it is?
There was certainly a significant difference in these detailed aspects between playing the game and reality.
Back then, I simply picked up the branch of the World Tree without any hesitation, there was no mention of resistance or triggering a reaction.
Now, without any mana myself, it was natural not to have any resistance. Impurities arise only when there is mana.
“Truly astonishing.”
Meanwhile, Kim Dojun was in a state of great surprise watching me hold the branch of the World Tree so casually.
I did mention that holding the branch of the World Tree for the first time would be challenging, but it was not just a matter of difficulty.
In Kim Dojun’s case, it took him 30 minutes to hold the branch of the World Tree for the first time.
To pick up such a branch in less than a minute ······
‘Is he truly the chosen one of the Undying Phoenix?’
In Kim Dojun’s heart, the confirmation that his choice to bring the branch of the World Tree was not wrong, led to a growing “belief.”
“Unfortunately, the branch of the World Tree I possess is all there is. To obtain something else, I need the Elder’s help.”
“It’s fine. This is enough.”
“If you need anything else, just let me know.”
“···Sure.”
For some reason, I found myself chuckling at Kim Do-jun’s very proactive demeanor.
His soul was filled with a pure white color.
That’s genuine fondness. To have such fondness just from picking up a single twig.
“Maybe he’s Yggdrasil.”
Yggdrasil, worshipping spirits and nature with shamanistic devotion, was particularly good at believing in myths and faith.
Seeing Kim Do-jun as part of that category, I couldn’t help but let out a wry smile as I looked at him.
“Well, if you want to indulge, then indulge.”
I smiled satisfactorily as I gazed at the branches of the World Tree.
With this, the preparations were complete.
“But why participate in the Ocean Festival?”
I clicked my tongue at the sudden worry that crossed my mind.
***
My worry about how to participate in the Ocean Festival was unexpectedly resolved quite simply.
“Come to my place for a bit.”
“Your place?”
“Yeah, I have to take the kids, you know. Our house is strict.”
After finishing the morning note test, during break time, Eun-gaye first suggested that we go to the Ocean Festival together.
Eun-ho-sung had been feeling down for a few days after collapsing, but he seemed to have regained some energy.
By the way…
“You invited me to your place first?”
“Yeah, I think you’re interested because of the article about you.”
It was because of my feature in ‘The World’ that Eun-gaye invited me along with all the friends who were featured in the article.
Amelia, Elaine, Derek, Kindel.
For some reason, as the kids gathered around my desk, I looked around and asked.
“Are you all going too?”
“Of course. It’s a chance to see the Ocean’s Pearls.”
“Yeah, me too. I want to see the Ocean’s Pearls.”
“It’s the weekend, so it’s nice.”
“I have something to do, so I can’t go.”
Except for Kindel, who had something to do, the other three students all showed a strong willingness to participate.
“Are you okay with going?”
“I’m prepared, of course.”
Amelia, who caught my gaze, understood what I meant and nodded.
With her pure magic power, she had a high chance of becoming a target for the mines if she went outside.
“Well, going anonymously should be fine.”
Amelia hadn’t exposed herself anywhere near the water’s edge. She was skilled enough to protect her own body.
It would have been difficult for the mines to pick out Amelia from the many guests at the Ocean Festival. Besides, they were already preoccupied with targeting a single Ocean Pearl.
Of course, there was another major reason why I could be so relaxed.
I glanced briefly to the side.
Hanseyeon, quietly listening to our conversation with his chin resting on his hand. As our eyes met, he gave a small smile, perhaps sensing my gaze.
Hanseyeon was indeed one of the biggest assets I had prepared.
Being Eungaye’s childhood friend, she had participated in the Haeshin Ceremony every time.
It’s as easy as breathing to dominate those who are willing to be dominated.
“By the way, who are you going to give the ring to?”
I rolled my head while fiddling with the four rings copied by Han Seyul and placed in my embrace.