Chapter 318 – The Collapse of the Cradle (3)

– Thud.

The chains fell to the floor, producing a heavy sound.

“Whew.”

Now it’s possible.

With eyes narrowed, gazing forward, he raises both fists. He turns his head to dodge the oncoming fist and relies on his own swiftness to defend against the subsequent movements.

A shadow of a man appears before his eyes. Dozens of branching fists stretch out simultaneously in multiple directions. The movements are unreadable.

He refines the existing techniques and sharpens his skills. After modifying the approach and adjusting the movements one by one, he improves them to befit facing that man. Once engaged again, he forms a new image in his mind: How would that man move? Would he defend, or would he counterattack?

– Flash!

Baobab’s eyes gleam.

He evades countless attacks from every angle with his peculiar movements.

The deeper one delves, the more enigmatic the martial art becomes. Who, indeed, could have devised such a technique? It seems as though a master who reached the zenith of their domain personally refined and honed it, creating a flawless martial art solely for their own use.

The veins in her muscles quivered. Every nerve in her body was on high alert, and her eyes darted from side to side.

A four-pronged fist hurtled toward her face. She stretched her legs forward, evading the attack.

In terms of physical prowess and reflexes, there was no one who could compare. The Fighting King. Baobab. His talent alone was likened to the gods within Africa. The final image reflected in her eyes was the bewildered shadow at last granting permission for the attack.

– Huung!

A refreshing strike aimed at the figure who had drawn near.

The entire room trembled, and simultaneously, the shadow vanished from its position.

“Ha, ha.”

Baobab, gasping for breath, wiped his eyes. His entire body was drenched in sweat.

She finally knelt down and blinked her inflamed, bloodshot eyes.

“Finally.”

The sound of metal scraping emanated from her strained throat. With sweat-filled eyes tightly shut, her body, honed by countless training sessions, trembled as if on the verge of collapse.

She hadn’t participated in the third trial. She had invested everything up to this point for the next great battle.

She was now confident that she had caught up with Lee Si-heon’s martial arts. The value of the essence of martial arts, achieved through her bleeding efforts, was incomparable to anything else.

“I can do it.”

A radiant, childlike smile bloomed on Baobab’s lips. She soon left the room with a wicked grin on her face.

The hotel room door, which hadn’t been opened for weeks, swung wide. The cadets in the hallway gaped at the sight of her.

The instigator of the thunderous sounds every night, her clothes were torn and drenched in sweat – a truly pitiful sight.

“Hey… are you okay–”

A cadet attempted to engage in conversation, but Baobab’s attention had already wandered far beyond reach. With confident strides, Baobab immediately headed downstairs.

Arriving at Lee Si-heon’s door with his shoulders raised triumphantly, Baobab knocked. Shortly after, a man emerged.

“What?”

Seeing a familiar face after a long time, Lee Si-heon tilted his head. Soon, a smile spread across his lips.

“Preparations are complete. Today, I’ll make sure you cry.”

Despite Baobab’s cocky finger-pointing and proclamation, Lee Si-heon simply shrugged his shoulders without responding.

“Bring it on.”

He refuted.

“Not interested.”
“…What?”
“Just come in.”

Lee Si-heon opened the door and patted his shoulder. Puzzled, Baobab entered the room. Inside the mysterious chamber, a man and a woman sat side by side, their faces etched with boredom.

After ushering Baobab in, Lee Si-heon muttered a quiet monologue from behind her.

“Secure one for now.”

* * * * * * * *

Bao’s skills rank among the highest within the nation’s ranks.

Though they are national agents with extensive practical experience and exceptional skill due to state supervision, it’s challenging to face Bao, who has fought tooth and nail since childhood.

More importantly, his power grows stronger as he accumulates damage. Additionally, his unique ability to transform into wood makes him a formidable opponent even for me.

‘During Do-won’s time, there were no national agents.’

Vast sums of money, magical stones, artifacts – all these come into play when one is determined to foster the growth of an individual.

Only after confronting Bao did I truly understand this. That man possesses a talent for demoralizing others. Even Marronnier, who is weak in close combat, is a doctor recognized in his field by the academic world.

Since his elementary school days, he had naturally mastered fluid mechanics and related knowledge, a fact that would make a sage salivate.

In contrast, Marronnier became a national tree by wielding unique powers of intelligence, magic, and imagination. What about the abilities of other national trees that specialize in combat? As of now, it’s impossible to know. The powers of national trees are closely guarded secrets, difficult to discern.

‘It would be a significant matter if their abilities are similar to those encountered during the first trial.’

Like myself, those national trees featured in broadcasts are also doing their utmost to conceal their true powers. It’s no idle boast to say that their abilities are on par with A to S-class hunters.

There is no doubt that traitors lurk among the national trees. Given our mission to aid civilians, we had to be thoroughly prepared for such threats. We must possess powers at least equal to theirs.

[Bronze statue, it seems contact with you might be difficult for a while?]
“Yes?”

[Oh, no, don’t worry, just listen. There have been so many terror attacks lately. It’s dangerous. The executive suddenly started moving?]

Heaven gently furrowed her brow at Zodiac’s words coming through the phone.

‘My hands are tied.’

Of course she thought so.
The presence of Do-won poses a greater risk to Flower than anticipated. Even at the expense of suffering losses, when the cradle was invaded, Heaven had to be absent.

[Absolutely not. It won’t happen – the thing you’re worried about.]
“Yes, I believe you.”
[Uh-huh. Just trust me.]

In this situation, it would be impossible to stop those three.

“Oh, but sister. The sage wants to see you once?”
[…Why the sage?]
“He taught someone else space magic. He seemed a little angry.”
[Eek, eek!]

A frightened expression came through the phone.
Was it a terrifying sight when the sage got angry? She wasn’t sure, having never seen him genuinely angry before.

I closed my phone after exchanging a few words.

As anticipated, the majority of S-class hunters from overseas were essentially tied up.

[Oh, Si-heon is gay. He’s quite busy right now, you know?]
“I’m aware. I just thought I’d give him a call.”
[…You’re not one for flattery, are you?]

The oak tree I happened to come across was also engaged elsewhere. Having finished the third trial early, it was now locked in a cold war with Flower, breaking out in a cold sweat.

The sage who had parted ways with us also found himself occupied due to the association’s summons.

In effect, the majority of key personnel were concentrated on Flower. The shortage of manpower from the Hunter Association and the Church led to a reduced supply of mana stones in the dungeon. In this world, mana stones were akin to oil, causing ripples across the globe.

In countries without the internal and external stability of Korea, phenomena such as hoarding and group protests have been observed. With Flower firmly grasping corporations and civic organizations, ‘protests’ have been erupting in various nations and regions.

The stock market, too, is fraught with danger. Various figures begin to oscillate, and Korea can never regard this as someone else’s problem.

‘Yet, the World Tree is intent on continuing the battle. Rather than risk an attack on the Cradle, it would face Flower in an all-out war.’

Ah, so they plan to strike the front yard? Turn the tables at the headquarters?
Redirecting most of the S-class hunters in that direction can be humorously likened to this situation.

The World Trees are readying themselves for a battle of public opinion. In fact, they’re already stirring the pot.
Flower is gradually overstepping its boundaries, so they’re in it for the long haul.

“They say it’s the tumult of the century, and it seems that’s indeed the case.”

“Heh heh heh.”
“Brother, why are you laughing?”
“Well, it’s just a bit amusing.”
“Does it seem like someone else’s problem to you?”
“No, it’s not that.”

One can’t help but chuckle. Isn’t it peculiar?
It’s a curious turn of events. With this, all S-class hunters in the Cradle become suspects.

Due to the church’s need to maintain an appearance of “nothing amiss,” there are currently more cameras patrolling the hotel than usual. The Forest Keeper Selection event garners much more attention than the news of a single nation.

The moment the Forest Keeper Selection comes to a halt, or when broadcasts from within the cradle are prohibited, global chaos will unfold at an unbelievable pace.

Surely, the Forest Keeper Selection is just a simple festival; how could confusion arise? Surprisingly, the smallest of reasons can ignite the metaphorical powder keg.

A single gunshot could bring catastrophe.

I find myself standing amidst this senseless chaos, not aligned with anyone, but with the intention of saving a few people and pursuing my personal interests.

It’s a rather amusing situation.

“Hey.”

I turn my head towards the source of the voice and see Baobab frowning.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, calling me here. Get up already. Let’s fight.”

“…Did you misunderstand me?”

He elaborated at great length on why we don’t need to strike and battle right now.

The global state of affairs, encompassing politics and economics. The potential for war and even ambushes in their infancy. This woman yawned out of boredom, as if even her brain were filled with muscles.

“So, we’re not fighting? I heard there’s a fire within.”
“Isn’t it you who’s setting that fire inside?”
“I understand what you’re saying. But why do we have to step forward?”
“…Aren’t you a national protector?”
“I wasn’t originally. I have no obligations. I don’t even remember receiving that title.”

I had forgotten.
This fellow’s thought process had reached a level beyond my comprehension.

The world is fair – if someone is exceedingly talented, there must be a flaw somewhere. Are there not four such examples right here?

“What? All four of us?”

Hearing my murmur, Tae-yang shook his head.

“Please change it to three people. I don’t think I can fit in here.”
“Shut up.”
“Yes.”
“Ha!”

Baobab, who had been listening to my idle chatter with Tae-yang, let out a disbelieving scoff.

“What are you two, playing some sort of master and slave game?”
“Anyway, I can’t fight now. The situation demands it.”
“…Sigh. And afterwards?”

Baobab takes a step back, but it’s not me who feels regretful. I’m the one with the contact information for Do-won, and I’m the one who wagered on three matches. The problem was that there would be no loss for me, no matter when this relationship ended.

“Isn’t it difficult?”
“What?”

A voice growing cold.

“After the cradle bursts, what comes next? War, isn’t it? I have to worry about making a living. How could I possibly get along with you?”
“…What, what a ridiculous thing to say.”

People don’t realize their predicament when they sleep in a warm bed. Commoners like Tae-yang and me have nothing we can do in the face of war.

Filming a real-life apocalypse seems only natural.

Especially now that it has become possible to turn civilians into Ents. It could truly lead to an Ent Apocalypse.

“Do you think I’ll just stand by and watch?”
“Then help me put an end to it.”

I asked Baobab once more, repeating a question I had posed several times.

“If you’re someone who enjoys fighting, this might be a worthwhile experience for you.”

I emphasized the desire for battle rather than moral righteousness. As fighting is considered sacred for Baobab, this approach makes persuasion easier.

“You completely missed the timing in the first place. I’ve wasted so much time.”
“…”

I don’t know how he managed to defeat me during the image training. However, seeing that he had undertaken such actions while giving up until the third trial, I knew he had been determined and well-prepared. It’s true that it took a considerable amount of time, and in the end, Baobab couldn’t speak for quite a while.

“…Whew. Alright.”

Finally, Baobab acquiesced. Contentment washed over me.
I extended my hand and eagerly shook hers, which hung limply by her side.

First, one.

We still needed a few more.