Chapter 422 – The Age of Peace (3)

“King.”

The most ominous name that had recently begun to trend appeared on the agenda of the Hunter Association and the Order.

“The prophecy has come to pass.”

At the mention of Angelica’s words, who had stepped down from running the academy and now served as a close aide to the World Tree, the atmosphere around them stirred.

“If it’s a king… The eighth of the Flower.”
“Only in name. I heard that even the Flower rejects them.”

The guild leaders in the seats feigned familiarity with the matter.

“Cheonma or Lee Si-heon… So, an even worse individual has appeared?”

Many executives shuddered at the impending disaster.

Angelica gazed at the surrounding guild leaders, lowered her eyes, and sighed.

“Don’t worry too much. With the emergence of new dungeons, a considerable amount of talent has been allocated.”

A worldwide shift occurred on the day when two great figures passed away, and Lee Si-heon died.

Towers and innumerable dungeons emerged,
And monsters unleashed their might.

As the number of dungeons grew, the quality of mana coursing through the earth improved, and the experience points and various artifacts obtained from the dungeons propelled the hunters’ skills to soaring heights.

“In the era led by the golden generation, many will transcend their own boundaries.”

We are returning to ancient times,
To the days when martial arts flourished in China and knights and dragons coexisted in Europe.

Some of the dungeons are perilous, for King Mokryeong’s power lingers within.

“The king who appeared in Flower is not even regarded as a legitimate ruler by those around him. We must subdue the dungeon swiftly before his forces gather, despite the risks.”

In days gone by,
Flower and the World Tree endeavored to conquer the dungeons.
Securing resources on the uppermost level of the dungeons is the key to achieving victory in this war.

“The King’s seven towers and over a thousand dungeons.”

“The King’s Tower, that’s the one that has risen recently, right?”

At the guild leader’s words, Angelica nodded her head.
The seven towers created by King Mokryeong, which no one had managed to reach the top of despite countless attempts by hunters.

“The faction that conquers more than half of the tower first will gain the upper hand in the upcoming war. Last time, the World Tree delivered an oracle.”
“Yes.”

The guild had been convened this time to receive another oracle.

“The eighth petal of the Flower. The King is undeniably powerful. But he is not yet capable of subjugating the entire world.”

All eyes turned to Angelica.

“However, it is said that a few trees greatly amplify the King’s potential.”

As she reached out her hand, a peculiar magical energy gathered, and a map unfurled before them.

One by one, four points of light appeared on the map.

In China, there was a bright yellow leaf split down the middle,
In Korea, there was a species of oak,

In Europe, a restless dragon stirred,
In America, fully-grown red petals blossomed.

“Four noble trees.”

I don’t know who they are yet, but I’ll find out soon.

Angelica awoke with a calm demeanor.

“We must ensure they don’t suffer violation.”

If King Mokryeong were to seize the four trees, it would be fair to say there’d be no future for the World Tree.

* * * * * * * *

Early summer in China.

An abandoned land divided between the Flower and the World Tree due to the government’s collapse two years ago.

Gukmok perished, and Hong-Yeon’s influence, which had engulfed the area because of ongoing corruption, was steadily growing.

“…This.”

Atop a collapsed building.

I sat atop the highest point of this slum, gazing down below.

I had once witnessed this landscape before. During the days when I, judged as a heretic, was on the run, this city served as the heart of the light industry in its own unique way.

When I seized this land with the power of the Flower, I secretly rejoiced.

And yet…

“Here… it has crumbled so terribly.”

Three years had proven to be a lethal span.

I had managed to assemble my forces, but the only thing that could be called a stronghold was this desolate, barren land.

“The impoverished people who rely on the Flower are growing increasingly discontent due to the scarcity of water and food. Meanwhile, the recently replaced leader has nearly incited a rebellion within my territory.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Heh, heh, heh.”

I had barely survived and returned.

“Now, all I have to do is become a Dungeon Tycoon…”

Come on, come on. Expand the dungeon and fortify our village!

The image of a mundane mobile phone game surfaced in my mind, leaving me incredulous.

The world’s economy is primarily focused on a place called the Dungeon. In this day and age, one can conjure water or gold using magic. Mana stones, imbued with accumulated magical power, hold immense value as tangible assets. The worth of artifacts is also significant, resulting in a nation’s prosperity often being determined by the number of dungeons it possesses.

‘Even so.’

I couldn’t let myself be perturbed by such trivial matters. Just then, someone approached me.

“Is that you, Hong-Yeon?”

The cautious, tiptoeing gait was a dead giveaway.

“Ah!”

I closed my eyes at the sound of Hong-Yeon’s voice coming from behind me.

“…How did you know it was me?”
“How could I not recognize you?”

They walked over and handed me a canned beverage, which I gratefully accepted and drank.

“Thank you.”

Noticing them standing timidly and glancing around, I moved aside, allowing them to sit next to me.

“Why did you come?”
“Just because.”

“Just saying that to the king?”

When I teased her, Hong-Yeon, who had wrapped her hands around her knees, spoke in an excited voice.

“Just… Is it a problem that I want to see…?”

Come to think of it, we’ve waited a long time.

A relationship that has spanned a considerable length of time. It’s difficult for me to grasp, having only briefly visited this period in the past. After a fleeting moment of eye contact,another three years have passed.

She was forced to lead this faction without any support from Flower after having her tail cut off. I’m grateful to her in many ways.

“Is it a problem that I miss you?”
“Yeah.”
“Not at all.”

At the positive response, Hong-Yeon smiled slyly and buried her face in her arm.

She had minimized exposure by adding pretty silk to her modernized hanbok, but the contours of her body were still visible, making her attire rather provocative. Her long, lustrous hair was always a pleasure to behold.

“…”

As the heavy gaze continued.

In the pitch-black alley, I clicked my tongue as I watched the children, huddled together and asleep with their hungry bellies wrapped.

“Do-won. No… Should I call you Si-heon now?”
“Do as you please.”
“I’ll call you Do-won.”
“Alright.”

It had been a long time since the name Si-heon had vanished. Hong-yeon, cherishing the memories from when she was still in Do-won’s territory, adamantly decided to call me Do-won.

“You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting for you.”
“I can imagine.”

It was a period long enough for things to have become awkward between us. And in truth, there was a hint of awkwardness.

Yet, when it was time for Hong-yeon to willingly hand over her power, she showed no signs of hesitation.

Did she truly harbor special feelings for me? If she did, does she still hold on to them now?

It’s impossible to know, but one thing is certain:

“Create a better world.”

To this day, Hong-yeon has an almost inexplicable level of trust in me.

“Can you still talk like this after witnessing this scene?”

“Wasn’t it you who saved the crumbling Do-won?”
“Back then, there was a solid foundation. Not now.”

Anyone, even a dog or a cow, can dream of creating a better world.
However, it is truly impossible to bring such a world into existence.

At least, that was the case in the world where I lived.
Only in a far-off realm, where lifespans and the power an individual can possess are on a completely different scale, does a slight possibility exist.

“Nevertheless, I’ll try to do as much as I can.”

Not a mere semblance of peace, but complete harmony.

I chuckled at my own ambition, and Hong-Yeon offered a faint smile in response.

Of course, a positive outcome doesn’t guarantee a smooth journey.
It’s becoming increasingly difficult to find a way to alleviate my growing sexual desires.

“Um…”

Hong-Yeon asked hesitantly.

“Today, um… would you like to have a drink?”

That long-awaited drink. Perhaps we could share a glass just for today.

– Oooh.

The serene atmosphere was shattered by the vibrations emanating from my pocket.
Upon checking the message on my phone, I shook my head in disappointment towards Hong-Yeon.

“…”

With a sullen expression, Hong-Yeon bowed her head.

“Let’s have a drink later.”

As I tried to make a quick escape, she grabbed the hem of my clothes. Hong-Yeon clung to my ankle like a virgin ghost in the dead of night.

“…When? I won’t let you go unless you set a date.”
“This Sunday.”
“What if you break your promise again?”
“I’ll do whatever you ask.”

I said it half-jokingly, and at last, Hong-Yeon smirked and released the hem of my clothes. I relaxed my shoulders as I tidied up the massive Black Dragon Cannon.

“I never thought I’d see that again in my lifetime.”
“What are you talking about?”

And just like that, another rebellion erupted.

* * * * * * * * *

If one were to pinpoint the primary cause of rebellion, it would be the excessively radical shift in regulations.

Drug trafficking and slavery.
Criminal factions sprouting like weeds in a lawless expanse of land.

Given that Flower’s foundation was rooted in the shadows, its capital was predominantly derived from dark channels like narcotics. In the state of the Eighth Leaf, numerous drug and slave trading groups prospered.

Without money, wielding influence is impossible.

For a force shrouded in darkness, illicit methods that yield maximum profits with minimal effort are the optimal means of generating income.

‘The side effects were severe.’

Leave it be.

Such an option exists.
I, too, cannot wholly cleanse the world.
If I were to accept the circumstances and absorb the incoming capital, there would be no rebellion, and my power would gradually expand.

However, in that scenario, a problem arises.

“They take children born on my land under the guise of rescuing slaves. Drugs meant for sale circulate in the domestic market.”

The problem was severe.
And that’s why it was taken.

The acquired money was used for far-sighted investments, not short-term and risky ventures.

Of course, it would have been impossible under the existing capitalist system, but that’s why the monarchy was established. Personal interests were prioritized, and those who indulged themselves were purged.

After dealing with the local drug lords and cartels, making their defiance futile, their names became somewhat known.

Rations were increased to prevent children from starving.
Childcare facilities were expanded, and several buildings were constructed.

“Under normal circumstances, it would have been impossible.”

The city planning, which could have taken a decade or just a few years, was accomplished in a matter of weeks.

It was thanks to the magic of the sage and me.
It was also due to the use of the magical stones I had tirelessly gathered over the past two years.

However, as I mentioned earlier, Flower was inherently a criminal organization, and many of the executives deeply involved in its illicit activities had accepted these shady operations as they were.

Even if they bowed their heads before me.
In the shadows, they still manipulated the remnants of the dark market.

“You cannot change everything at once. It must be altered very gradually.”

As a result, my enemies multiplied.
Having shattered the organization’s foundation, the eighth petal that Hong-Yeon had maintained splintered into fragments, and only those who remained loyal to me stood by my side.

Gu-seul, Hong-Yeon, and a peculiar elderly man.
Although I had managed to seize control through force, there were still numerous lingering insecurities.

This was evident from the countless assassination plots targeting me.

“So, when will you make your move?”

Gu-seul, who was sitting beside me, inquired while hopping around dressed as a bunny girl.
It was no big deal; this was a slave market.

Considering what had been done to me in the past, I had her wear that outfit as a form of punishment.

“……”

Sinister gazes converged on Gu-seul. Noticing me, she discreetly covered her hips with a silver tray.

This place: a slave market. Wealthy men who claimed to have money gathered in one spot, waiting for the next slave to be presented.

“Ha! Do you see, Gu-seul? I captured you like that, and you’re still here.”
“…Keep your voice down.”

No matter how hard they try to break free, they won’t be able to. No matter how much they try to avoid my gaze, they’ll inevitably end up in my hands.

‘You should have been dealt with in the first place.’

If these people who claim to seek human equality behave like this, who will truly be moved by their cause? In truth, they look down upon humans and wooden people more than anyone else.

I’ve learned enough about this over the past three years. Unlike when I first arrived here, I’m no longer an outsider.

– Swoosh.

From a distance, a gold-adorned chair shifted, revealing a man. One of my targets this time—though his name is in Chinese, so I can’t quite remember it…

“It’s Tan Wei. And beside me is the bodyguard.”

I didn’t even glance at the bodyguard.
Whether it was Tan Wei or the bodyguard next to him, it didn’t change the fact that one of them needed to be dealt with immediately.

I bided my time as I freed my hands.
The scene was just beginning.

The first slave ascended the stage.