Chapter 536


    TL: xLordFifth


    ED:


    ugrun, even in mid-flight, twisted his long neck to show Leeha a bewildered expression.


    [Sigh What did Ha Leeha-nim tell me again?]


    Avoid collisions as much as possible right? The reason was obvious.


    For Leeha, the existence of the Bronze Dragon ugrun was akin to a secret weapon.


    His hatchling form had been seen by many, including members of the New Continent Expedition and a considerable number of people from Byeolcho, as well as visitors to the city of Gaza.


    Back then, it didnt matter if ugrun was exposed since he wasnt of much use (?).


    But now?


    Even at the Juvenile stage, his power is immense. Well, he is almost at the Adult stage anyway


    With him, I could wipe out a demons base along with Leeha.


    Leeha judged that it was best to keep ugruns existence hidden for future use.


    [Right. So, as Ha Leeha-nim asked, Ive only been flying above the clouds, so I hardly saw thendscape below.]


    ugrun spoke with a tone that seemed somewhat smug.


    He found it amusingly ironic that he couldnt fulfill what Leeha wanted.


    Ah, I see.


    However, Leeha couldnt express his regret.


    He hadplied with what he was asked, and he had indeed located the [World Tree].


    [Radical Growths Light and Shadow-2]


    Objective: Obtain the World Trees Fruit within 150 days and deliver it to Bahamut (Remaining time: 84 days)


    Without ugrun, the World Tree quest, with its 150-day deadline, would likely have failed.


    There was no point in expressing regret to ugrun, who was still upset.


    Besides, the direction were heading now Im not sure. I can only catch glimpses of the ground through the clouds, and its a ce in the New Continent Ive never been to.


    The ins where the goris of Redwood or the Undercity used to appear were long past. Leeha peered at the ground visible through gaps in the clouds.


    Initially, thending site of the New Continent Expedition should be considered the western coast of the entire continent.


    Judging by the direction of the sun, they were now heading east.


    That meant thend Leeha saw through the clouds was north.


    The ground there was dark.


    It resembled the ashennd left after a fire, as seen in the RUSH Guilds videos.


    Not just the north, but the south too


    The emeraldnd where the Paleo appears,


    It was a bit southeast from the Redwood on the west coast.


    Considering the whole continent, the emerald mountains would be somewhere on the southwest edge.


    The rugged mountain range connected to it also didnt give off a bright vibe.


    Umm if I have to survey all this on the ground- Ah, wait?


    [Naturally, it will take a long time.]


    No, wait- hold on. I thought I saw something over there just now?


    [Do you mean a Paleo vige?]


    Not Paleo What is it? A vige- no, something like a fortress


    Leeha quickly brought his eye to the scope of ck Bass.


    However, he couldnt make a clear confirmation as they were already passing by at tremendous speed and the clouds obscured his view.


    [It could be a fortress of monsters. Oh, I should tell you in advance. The area around the World Tree is all contaminated.]


    Contaminated? Like a contaminated World Tree?


    [No. The World Tree itself is fine. But its surroundings The demonic energy is unusually strong. Its surprising that the World Tree hasnt been contaminated yet.]


    Ugh, I see. It probably means that the World Tree will get contaminated once the quest deadline is up.


    Leeha nodded, thinking of the game system in Middle Earth.


    The essence obtained from the sea had a purity maintenance period of 150 days. The quest deadline was set because of that.


    But if the surroundings of the World Tree are all contaminated


    After 150 days, there is a possibility that the World Tree too could be contaminated and disappear. Thats the kind of game Middle Earth is.


    Ill increase the speed.


    Thanks, I appreciate it.


    Though ugrun had been teasing Leeha, sensing his anxiety, he increased the speed on his own initiative.


    Swoosh o]-!


    Was it a Paleo vige?


    Or really a monster fortress?


    However, neither option sat well with Leeha.


    He would have preferred to go back and check, but he couldnt afford that luxury right now.


    Look there. Thats the World Tree.


    Ah


    He had discovered a forest soaring up through the clouds, exhibiting an aura far different from the contaminated World Tree.<hr>


    Amazing Such a forest  no, to call it a forest -


    The number of trees is too few. Each one is huge, so it looks like a forest.


    Even afternding, Leeha couldnte to his senses. There were only enough trees to be counted as the World Tree.


    At most, there would not be more than a hundred.


    Yet, just a hundred of these World Trees together appeared like a forest, so immense were they.


    If we just get the from here, finally! Hehe, finally!


    But it wont be easy.


    Huh? Why not?


    ugrun, in his form of a human child, plopped down on a tree stump. He seemed unwilling to go any further, despite being right in front of the World Trees forest.


    Because of those.


    Those?


    Leeha tilted his head, looking in the direction of the World Tree forest.


    There didnt seem to be anything special where ugrun was pointing. A few rock-like objects were protruding from the uneven ground.


    I dont see anything?


    That makes sense. About 5 meters from where Ha Leeha is standing? If you get a little closer, they will react.


    Ah! Are there guardians or something? But what does it matter? Are there guardians protecting the World Tree? Just clear them out!


    Leeha guessed that it would be no problempared to when they raided the demon base. ugrun stood up, having read Leehas thoughts.


    If youre really curious, just walk 5 more meters.


    Um, that does make me a bit nervous but


    Leeha carefully stepped forward, heeding ugruns words. For an adult man, it would be about five and a half steps.


    One, two, three, four, five. And just as he was extending the half step


    Bam-!


    A fanfare sounded in Leehas head. But an even greater change was the vibration.


    Whoa! ugrun-ssi?!


    The ground shook as if the world was turning upside down.


    Leeha couldnt stand properly and crouched down, cing his hands on the ground. Besides the sound of the moving earth, another noise caught Leehas attention.


    Its not just that. Look ahead.


    Ahead? If you mean ahead-


    Hearing ugruns voice, Leeha barely managed to lift his head.


    Like a flock of birds taking flight from the forest, the branches of the World Tree swayed and rustled.


    And when a sharp, refreshing breeze brushed Leehas hair, his eyes finally caught them.


    It was as if the world itself was reacting.


    What, what is that-


    Lets get out of here first.


    ugrun had already approached Leeha, grabbing him and casting a flying spell.


    The rocks that had seemed inert until just now stood up, ready for battle.


    But ugrun didnt use the flying spell because he was scared of the rock-like beings with arms and legs. He knew what those things creating a ruckus inside the World Tree forest were.


    The World Trees leaves created a sound like waves, and something translucent was being shot towards where ugrun and Leeha were.


    What is that? Something translucent is-


    The spirits of the wind. And naturally, the rocks are earth spirits.


    Leeha seemed to hear gigglingughter and chattering voices but couldnt understand them.


    He only felt a slight blurring of the background behind something passing through the air.


    He knew something was there but couldnt see these beings properly. These were the wind spirits.


    In other words, the wind spirits in the air and the earth spirits on the ground were perfectly blocking any outsiders from entering!


    Crazy This must be Bahamuts doing. ugrun only came down to the ground with Leeha after retreating a good distance and watching the spirits return to their original ces.


    Ugh, ugh! It doesnt seem easy at all!


    If you think about how the Lord got the essence of the world its to be expected.


    When creating the growth elerator for the first time, Bahamut had almost snatched it from the King of Water Spirits.


    Wouldnt it be simr for the World Trees fruit?


    Leeha sighed and opened his system window.


    Sigh At least theres some achievement fanfare-


    Achievement: The Source of Life Sustaining the Erika Continent (s-)


    Congrattions! You have discovered the [Forest of the World Tree], which supplies the life energy to the entire Erika Continent. Feel the overflowing vitality in this ce, blocking the spreading demonic energy!


    Reward: Health +21


    You are the first to register the Source of Life Sustaining the Erika Continent achievement.


    Up to the third registrant will be recorded in the Hall of Fame, and the existing effects will be applied additionally at 200%.


    Effect: Health +42


    S-grade? Jackpot!


    Leeha looked at the hologram window with a surprised expression.


    This was definitely an achievement for discovering a ce. Considering he was the first, it meant even Fernand hadnt reached it yet!


    However, he couldnt be entirely happy.


    He knew too well what it meant for an achievement to boost his health by over 60 points.


    Its going to be tough. Especially since the wind and earth spirits are aggressively attacking me, who has affinity with all spirits.


    In this ce teeming with wind and earth spirits, obtaining the World Trees fruit would definitely not be easy.


    * * *


    Is that so.


    Yes.


    Only two people were in the dark room.


    The people, simr in their hats, coats, and even their voices, spoke in low tones without turning on the light in the room.


    Brown And Elizabeth.


    Kidd repeated the names of a woman in his mind, a name that even Browless couldnt bring himself to say.


    Although the incident in the New Continent was a thing of the past, Kidd had not been able to easily return to the Academy.


    The impact of the Matans Shooter, powerful enough to shatter the bnce of Middle Earth even considering its over-technology, had been too great.


    He told me toe in person.


    Its dangerous.


    Indeed. Its been a while since I saw him While I was rotting in this attic, he must have been ying with the Demon Army there.


    Browlesss voice rose slightly.


    It wasnt just mixed feelings or disappointment. It was different from anger too.


    There was a hint of positive nuances like joy or anticipation of meeting an old friend again.


    Will you go?


    My friend called me, how can I not?


    Hes not your friend.


    He is a friend. Even if he became something like Matans Shooter Hes a friend. Besides, its not even clear if hes still Matans Shooter.


    Regardless of what he is, his attacks will be ruthless. Even if youre the headmaster.


    Browless slightly lifted his hat brim. A troubled smile was on his face.


    Kidd.


    Yes, Headmaster.


    Do you think Ill get hit?


    Seeing one corner of the mouth of the headmaster of Musket Academy rise, Kidd felt a shiver.