Chapter 101 – 101. Forest of the Missing – Entry

After spending some fun in my sister’s arms, we picked out achievement rewards together.

I chose the ‘Shaman’s Floating Stone Necklace’ as a reward for the achievement of [Mana User], Which my sister achieved by eating screaming grass and exceeding 100 magic stats.

Of course, Heeseon, a druid, was of the same mage class as me, and as a reward for achieving the [Mana User] Achievement, Mage class equipment came out.

The achievement reward, like the last time, was the ‘Witch’s Oak Wand’, which increases the power of magic, the ‘Witch’s Crow’s Feather Hat’, which allows you to skip chanting, and the ‘Shaman’s Floating Stone Necklace’, which allows you to float in the air.

You could choose one of the three, but I chose an oak wand last time out of the three achievement rewards. And he lent it to Hwang Soo-min, a mage.

Since I’m a class where I have to use my skills with hand movements without a staff, I chose to increase my firepower by simply giving the magician a staff.

Now, I think the floating stone necklace would have been better, but I still don’t regret the choice at that time.

Thanks to the oak tree staff, Hwang Soo-min did his part in protecting the mart by shooting strong magic here and there. Hwang Soo-min is quiet, so he doesn’t have much of a presence, but if you look closely, he’s working hard.

Anyway, since I already had one of the oak wands, I decided to choose a different reward this time. That’s the sorcerer’s floating stone necklace.

With this necklace, you can float in the air by consuming mana, so when you enter the forest and your view is blocked, you can float up and easily scout the surroundings.

Moreover, since I have an overwhelming amount of magic power, I could be floating in the air all day long. In addition, I also learned the skill of imperfect film, so the floating stone necklace could be a more useful item.

If you use a floating stone necklace and an incomplete shell at the same time, I wonder if you can go beyond just floating in the air and even fly using the shell wings.

Of course, it’s a skill that I don’t use often in battle because it’s so painful because the flesh is torn every time I use an incomplete skin to pull out a wing from my back, but it’s a very useful skill when changing direction in the air or jumping from a high place.

Anyway, for that reason, I passed on the floating stone necklace to my sister.

“This time, it’s an apprentice forest keeper’s reward, right?”

“Huh. What will come out?”

“That’s right. I hope something good comes out.”

[Choose a reward.]

[One. World Tree Staff]
[2. Nous’ Necklace]
[3. Forest Keeper’s Tome]

[World Tree Staff: A staff made from branches that fell from the World Tree. It is the relic of fairies. You can handle the power of the World Tree more freely and hear the voices of plants.]

[Nus’ Necklace: This is a legacy left by Nous, who was said to be the beginning of the Druid. A treasure for nature worshipers. You will be able to get along with the spirits more easily and have simple communication with the animals.]

[Forest Keeper’s Tome: This is an old magic book that contains the know-how of forest walkers. It is a relic of the forest keepers. The voices of the spirits can be heard more clearly and can be evolved more easily.]

“Huh…”

This is another worrying option that popped up.

Last time, Aram took on the burden of being half-human, half-horse and obtained a class-only item, so these were also exclusive equipment for the Druid class. Both perform great.

‘If you choose the wand of the World Tree, your ability to handle plants will increase even more. Being able to hear the voices of plants is a bonus. Nous’ necklace makes it easier to handle spiritual creatures and allows you to communicate with animals… The Forest Keeper’s Tome is also a good item that makes it easier to make spirit contracts.’

Being able to handle plants better, which is the effect of the World Tree Staff, is a very meritorious ability. It will help you one day when you start farming, and it will be very helpful when you go into the forest right now.

Next is Nous’s necklace. I’m still not sure what the spirits mentioned in the description do, but they’re probably related to the skills Heesun noona will learn in the future.

Right now, Beast Tamer Im Jin-soo, who is a beast trainer, says it takes at least a week to become close with a summoned beast, but Nous’s necklace is probably an item that shortens the period of friendship. Moreover, being able to communicate with animals would be very useful when entering the forest.

Finally, the forest keeper’s old book. This is a very good thing for Heesun noona who deals with spirits right now. It will be easier to contract with the spirits, and furthermore, you will be able to evolve the Undines and Salamanders you are currently contracting with more quickly.

‘It’s all good…’

I always feel that, but I just want you to give me everything. Or maybe you didn’t give me this option to worry about from the beginning. Every time I choose, I feel like I’m losing my mind because I get all three of them.

“What is your sister like?”

“Um… Well… This. Nous’ necklace. Is it a set item with Nous’ flower ring?”

“Huh? A flower ring? Oh~! That.”

I remembered. The fresh flower ring I bought from the peddler the other day. I wore it and connected it to the world tree for a while, but then the world tree stabbed me with its roots and tried to kill me.

‘It’s not a very good memory, so I forgot about it…’

Because painful memories are quickly forgotten. Anyway, I think this is a set item. At that time, the effect of the flower ring also clears the mind and enhances concentration, making it easier to hear the spirit’s voice. Looking closely, the flower ring was still worn on the ring finger of her left hand instead of the wedding ring.

“Will the hidden effect be activated if the set item is hit?”

“So… What should I do, Jun-ah?”

It’s also good to choose her Forest Keeper’s Tome so she can quickly evolve her current contracted spirits. Now that Hee-seon noona has learned the skill of evolving spirits, her intimacy with her spirits increases and she can grow them by feeding her natural affinity acquired through meditation. If you get a tome here, she will grow faster.

However, it is not worth giving up the previous two rewards, we will soon be thrown into the sea. If so, you may not be able to find your way and go round and round and look around. At that time, if you can ask the trees for directions or communicate with animals such as birds and squirrels, you may be able to get help from them. Whatever you choose is fine

After thinking about it for a long time, Carshinax spoke to me in a very tired, decadent, languid voice that tickled my ears.

[Remove the cane. Because the thorns of the World Tree are growing.]

‘Yes?’

[Don’t ask twice… Just filter…]

‘Ah.. Yes!’

I totally believe in my demons who protect me and always help me. Therefore, the World Tree wand is out. Damn world tree bastard. I never thought I’d play a joke on someone else’s reward. He’s a guy who can’t be condescending. It’s to the point where I want to set fire to it whenever I get a chance.

“Sister.”

“Huh. I am listening.”

“Let’s make it Nuth’s necklace.”

“Okay? Junie, do you think that’s the best?”

“Huh. Because the effect of the old book is actually a part that can be covered with my sister’s skill if I spend time, and the world tree staff seems to have been tricked by the world tree.”

“Aha… The world tree hates our Junie quite a bit. I don’t know why. It’s so cute… Hehe.”

My older sister petting me with a bashful smile. I responded by kissing her on the forehead.

“I think he thinks I took his sister from him.”

“Whoa, whoa… The World Tree is such an idiot. I just want to be by your side because I like you.”

“Sister…!”

After deciding on a reward, we spent some more time hugging each other before coming out.

Then, Heesun noona, who had tidied up her clothes, put on Noos’s necklace while looking at her in the mirror. Then something strange happened.

Heesun noona’s body came to mind, and a green aura wrapped around her.

“Lord, Juna!!”

I couldn’t get close to my sister. Because her aura around her rejected me.

[Nous’ ring and necklace are gathered in one place.]
[Two heritages come together to reveal the secrets of the hidden forest.]
[When you obtain the last legacy, Nuth’s Bracelet, the road to the Corrupted Forest opens.]
[Purify the corrupt forest and recover the crown of the deer king.]

After an unknown notification passed, Heesun noona, who was floating in the air surrounded by green energy, landed on the floor again.

“Jun.. Did you just see it?”

“Uh… Older sister…”

Even if you stay still, accidents happen one after another. At this point, I wonder if the world is stepping out and rolling me.

‘It feels like something will happen if I’m happy…’

A more corrupt forest than that. Bloody from the name What on earth had been rotted and the whole forest had gone to taste? It looks like parasitic spores or alcids are proliferating in large quantities… I don’t want to go in even if I die. I’d rather never get Noos’ Bracelet.

“Sister. Let’s not worry too much about it. Let’s just remember that there was such a thing. Looking at this, it looks like a quest dedicated to the Druid job… Until we get Nous’ Bracelet, we won’t have anything to do.”

“Yep..!”

Shaking my head, I let go of all complicated thoughts. Then, wanting to get some fresh air, I went up to the roof with my sister.

When Eun-ji met Hee-seon for the first time, she opened her eyes wide and was surprised. She gave us a rough outline of everything.

“Wow… Then there are only three humans like me, Areum, and Yewon, right?”

“Yes.”

“Huh… How come there are fewer humans?”

After that, we let everyone know. Hwayoung smiled, saying she welcomed her to the heterogeneous party, and Harin said, “It smells very pleasant,” Hugging Heesun noona and concentrating on sniffing her for a long time.

A-ram wanted to touch her sister’s long ears, and Mer told her about an encounter she had with a forest keeper in the past. And Ye-won and Ah-reum were quite envious of her prettier appearance.

“Envy you. Become pretty.”

“Whoop whoop. No. Beautiful, you are pretty enough and cute too.”

“I’m jealous of you…”

To be honest, I don’t think Yewon is too pretty, so I’m not envious… Come to think of it, Yewon reached level 16 this time and got a new summon. The guy was a monster named Hwangungsa, a monster that was a combination of a bear and a snake with yellow fur. The guy’s name was simply called Ung.

After naming the new summoner, I showed Yewon an unknown egg, just in case, and she replied that she had no idea what it was. Still, he said that the egg was very attractive for some reason, and he asked me to leave it to him. I decided to entrust the eggs to Yewon, wondering if the Unholy Queen’s job special effect had been triggered.

Anyway, after those things happened, time passed again and soon it would be midnight. Then Monday will start again. I’m relieved that there will be no major updates for the time being.

“In a little while, everyone will leave.”

“Why? Did Aram want you to go too?”

“No… I hate bugs just like my brother.”

Aram, who looked up at the night sky, shook his head. Both of her sisters seem to hate bugs. At least, the jet-black wheel that I call is worth looking at, but on the contrary, I hate the small bug more.

Anyway, we all gathered on the roof to enter the forest of the missing.

Everyone has finished their preparations. I made sure to pack food and weapons. We have also prepared for those who will remain at the mart. By the way, the parasitic spores are too dangerous, so I just put them in Heesun noona’s inventory. I’m not going to take it out at all until I’ve been back from the forest.

“And if anyone ever comes… Just kill them.”

“Yes. I understand. Don’t worry too much, Master.”

“Yeah.. I’ll trust you and go back, Mer. Take care of the kids.”

“Ah. Of course.”

I told them to just kill people from outside while I was gone. If you’re considered a non-awakened person, you’re bound. Because we can’t let people who aren’t branded as slaves wander around the market. I was a little less worried because she stayed in the very strong Merga Mart.

“And if there are ghosts around you… Just run away. Got it?”

“Yes, master. I will handle it well.”

Hwayoung beat her chest and told her to trust her.

“Yes, master. Don’t worry too much and go.”

Mer smiled and stroked my hair.

“Yes brother. Have a safe trip. You should also stop looking at the sky and say hello.”

Ah-reum gave me a hug and then she called to A-ram who was standing there.

“Yeah.. Have a good trip. Don’t get hurt.”

A-ram took out bandages and ointment from her pocket and put them in my military bag.

“Everyone, come back safely…”

Yewon hugged Inmyeonjo Haesil and wished everyone who was leaving for the forest a safe return.

We went into the woods while being escorted by those who would remain at Grimart.

At 12:00, the transmission started.

I held Heesun noona’s hand tightly. Eunji and Harin crossed their arms.

“If you go to the forest, I’ll go find you right away!”

“Huh! See you there!”

“I will find it first!! Lord! Just wait!!”

Eunji and Harin were engulfed in the light first and disappeared.

Soon, Hee-seon and I were also caught in a cluster of photons and blown away into the forest of the missing.

*****

-Thud!

“Aww…!”

“Wow, Joon-ah. Are you okay?”

“Yes I’m fine.”

During the transfer, Heesun noona fell on top of me. She didn’t hurt much, so she got up right away and brushed her dirt off her ass.

“Junah… Here it is..”

“Huh. This is the forest of the missing.”

Trees that have grown to the point where you can’t see the sky and plants that you don’t know what they are are welcoming us.

This was a vast sea of ​​floods filled with darkness and the smell of death, with no proper roads.

And in this forest right now, Chinese, Japanese, and North Koreans must be aiming for each other’s lives.

I took out the necklace of the couple sleeping in my bosom. Eunji and Harin should be in the direction the necklace is pointing. Hurry up and join them.

“Sister, let’s go then.”

“Huh!”

Me and Heesun noona made our way through the overgrown forest.