Chapter 605 – The Conquest of the Tree King (2)

Thus far, the gate explosions had been accompanied by various calamities. But now….

Before the conquest, the final auxiliary force was needed. An ideal individual who could not only provide ample support to my abilities but also tend to their own affairs.

This help wasn’t too far away.

“…So, you came looking for me?”

In the heart of the laboratory.

As soon as my words fell, Alba instantly responded, her eyes narrowing like slits of a battleaxe.

“Yes.”
“You’re audacious.”

Occasionally, bold-faced audacity is a boon in life.

The person facing me was my future self. At this precarious moment, when even a slight misstep could shatter the balance of power, it was difficult to ignore the immense power of Alba, who had reached the zenith of magic.

“…Even though you’ve been diligently working to heal your mentor.”

In front of my eyes, Alba shook a test tube filled with medicine. The purple concoction within the flask swirled.

“Huff, do you understand how taxing it is to continuously heal someone who was once dead?”
“I wouldn’t know.”
“…Insolent.”

A sage shaking her head in exasperation. Her resigned face betrayed a faint trace of maternal instinct.

Even though she spoke in such a way, it was impossible for her to be unaware of the struggles of Alba. From Heaven’s torso to the neural tissues, reviving her lifeless body required a multitude of potions…
I was the one who supplied these ingredients.

Even when performing complex surgeries, Alba had fully harnessed my magical power and strength. Had I not been there, Heaven would not have been able to survive, given the similarities in our powers.

Alba complained as she closed a file brimming with documents.

“And you only seek me out when you’re in dire need, don’t you?”

Alba made a motion as if stretching her neck, a sign of discomfort in her shoulders. I could not possibly miss this signal. I moved closer to Alba’s back and began to fervently massage her tense shoulders.

The corners of Alba’s mouth twitched, unable to resist a smile.

“…”

Perhaps it was my unabashed flattery or the playful banter that kindled a slight spark of desire in Alba’s eyes.

“Ah.”

It is a daunting task to handle a woman whose libido has been reignited. I released the hand that was massaging her, and Alba, after rotating her shoulders, lifted her heavy hips from the chair.

“You want me to lend you my power… with nothing in return?”
“Why not?”

Alba had never directly assisted me in my external activities. While Wiki had aided me during the cradle ambush, this time the situation was far from easy.

“Hmm.”

After a considerable period of contemplation, Alba finally responded.

“Alright. I’ll lend you my power.”

Though this was the answer I had anticipated, I had not truly expected her to agree. I thought she would inevitably refuse, ordering me to handle things on my own.

As I stood there, dumbfounded, Alba briskly walked out of the lab. I followed her, slightly late, and inquired once more.

“Are you serious?”

“Ah, the King of Trees is indeed a dangerous entity. I knew it would be overwhelming, even for you.”

In the wake of his retirement, the sage who never once revealed himself to the outside world. It seems he was perilous enough to alter the position he had maintained.

The sage, fluttering the hem of his dress, turned his head to regard me.

“No.”

– Squeak.

She opened the door to her laboratory, allowing the outside noise to invade. She shot me a stern look, as if she had deciphered my inner thoughts, then made her declaration.

“No, it’s different. It might be dangerous, but the strength of the King of Trees isn’t what matters.”
“Then…”
“It’s for my husband who ventures into the limbs.”

Different from her previous indifference, I was nearly captivated by the compelling presence of the influential woman.

“I… I am not merely a suspicious person.”

I know. I understand.

My habitual distrust must have been a great burden to Alba. There were moments where it seemed we were on the brink of parting ways.

Even if it’s a de facto marriage, we have a daughter. Trusting her without any preconditions seems to be reciprocated in kindness.

“Thank you, then-“
“But.”

Suddenly, the sage’s finger grazed my lips.

“But?”

Alba, looking up at me, her eyebrows arched in defiance, feigning anger.

“Please, make me want to aid you.”
“Is this some sort of riddle?”
“You surely realize I can see everything that transpires in this house, don’t you? I trust you comprehend that. And that I’ve committed many deeds knowing this.”

The experience of biting and sucking with Heaven flashed through my mind.

Alba, seemingly calm but brimming with jealousy.

‘I wondered who Wiki took after…’

It was clear that her intense possessiveness and honesty about her desires weren’t necessarily traits she inherited from me, of human blood. The pouting duchess, snorting in irritation, I cautiously asked her,

“Shall we first enter the lab?”
“Here. Please, here.”

The door was opened, and this corridor directly connects to Heaven’s room. Alba can even adjust the soundproofing. I wondered why she suddenly exited the room, perhaps to boast.

Time is short. It’s impossible to merge. The sage must be aware of that. Perhaps all she desires is a sincere word.

After making a promise to myself, I grasped the sage’s shoulder and pulled her towards me.

– Smack.

A cold chill is conveyed via the surface of the lips.

Contrasting her fervent heart, Alba’s lips were as cold as the glutinous rice cakes in a refrigerator.

“Hmm… Ah.”

Despite her not being short, Alba, on her tiptoes, tries to take the initiative by passionately sucking my lips.

Cold hands cradle my cheeks, and a greedy tongue invades my mouth.

A prolonged kiss ensues. Alba, stealing saliva from every corner, under the tongue, the crevices of the palate.

He clasped the back of my head with a determination that seemed to say he would never let go, gnawing at my tongue and writhing.

-Ggwaak.

The sage bit down on my lips, chewing on my tongue. Suddenly, a liquid as sweet as chocolate filled her mouth.

“…?”

Had she placed some kind of capsule in her mouth? A taste of heaven melded into her saliva and flowed into my mouth.

-Pooh.

As she broke the kiss, she licked the corners of her mouth.

“Is it over?”

It appeared she desired something more. I hesitated for a moment before responding.

“I love you.”

Had I truly yearned for those words? Upon reflection, I don’t recall ever expressing such sentiments to the sage.

“……♡”

With affection brimming in her eyes, she gazed at me, her body trembling with excitement. The way she playfully tapped her heeled foot indicated her overwhelming joy.

Why does the once cold-hearted lady display such adorable behavior?

I intended to sigh, but the presence detected in Heaven’s room left me rigid.

‘…….’

It seemed a psychological battle had occurred. The sage was jealous; my declaration of love for the master had sparked this day. Heaven must also be harboring a troubled heart.

“Sister.”

“Yes…? You.”

“Don’t do this again.”

She wore a fox-like grin, as though she didn’t understand what I was saying.

However, she seemed to have the intention of keeping her distance. She curled and then extended her hands that had reached out to me, putting on a playfully defiant act.

Regardless, everyone had been gathered.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Three days had elapsed since a massive fissure manifested in the skies over Seoul.

The civilians, ignorant of the truth, were petrified. The government and the sect were preoccupied with maintaining secrecy.

The Hunter Association was the first to act.

【Disaster declaration: Refrain from staying in Seoul and the metropolitan area. The Hunter Association urges, ‘Evacuate immediately.’】

The Magic Tower, maintaining close ties with the association, also swiftly disseminated the truth.

【The Magic Society’s chairperson, Avi: ‘We need aid.’, ‘We must act swiftly to prevent casualties.’】

The countries governed by the Flower Party-affiliated factions rightfully tore into Korea like rabid dogs, and public anxiety was set ablaze.

When the association revealed evidence that the World Tree’s Cardinal and several national assembly members had abandoned Korea, the situation escalated to its worst.

[ggwet: A government that’s worse than the association, seriously? Even if you’re hiding the truth, there’s a limit. It’s not like we’re gambling with lives.]

[Hyewon: They’re quick to deflect blame, but have no solutions… Is this the nation the swordsman envisioned?]

The schism between the government and the association marked the genesis of the saga.

【Kim Hyun-chang, Gangnam Hunter Committee Chairman. ‘Risks of fragmentation still remain undisclosed.’ ‘The fearmongering of the Association is perilous, necessitating legal intervention.’】

From a certain juncture, there was a deluge of unrestrained articles. Not a single foreign press outlet was spared; news channels were polarized, vehemently criticizing the government and the association.

The cascade of revelations persisted till the brink of a complete collapse. Within a matter of days, the Republic of Korea was engulfed by nationwide anxiety.

─Mujin: Go to hell. [Like 72][Dislike 2]
─ㅁ: This is astounding. Lives are at stake, and yet this? [Like 65][Dislike 0]

The people sided with the association.

The Hunter Association, arguably the savior of a nation on the precipice of doom. The country, forged and governed by Mugung, exhibited a tendency to place unwavering faith in the Association.

Of course.

It was undeniable that the Association’s momentum waned with the transition of leadership. However, the judicious decisions made by the Association managed to stir the hearts of the younger generation.

The established generation in their 40s and 50s were those who would rally behind the association, no matter the circumstances. Above all, the reason Byul won the support of the nation was due to the mysterious disappearance of influential authors from the frontlines, without so much as a whisper.

─Jihoo: At this stage, isn’t the association scheming to seize the nation? lol
└ Yang Hong-jeok: What are you talking about? It’s fair to say that the Association has always held sway over Korea.

The course of history remains unchanged.

The seeds sown by Mugung sprouted, and all circumstances seemed to favor Byul.

To turn the tide of public opinion, the assistance of Kim Soo-yeon, with Mugung’s blood coursing through her veins, was indispensable. Kim Soo-yeon, the national pillar, did not resist Byul’s choices vehemently.

“Root out the corruption! Governments who disregard their citizens should step down!!”

An unprecedented number of rallies were staged, and protestors swept across the metropolitan region.

The two-day long sea of demonstrations managed to completely erode the government’s momentum. The Association, operating behind the scenes, opportunistically seized a portion of power.

【 Evacuate. 】

For the first time in history, an organization of Hunters was at the helm of the nation.

Not everyone was in agreement, but more than half of the population concentrated in the metropolitan region had fled. There were those who stayed for reasons varying from livelihood to other considerations. However, when various forms of aid were promised, an additional tenth of the remaining population departed. Some were driven away, unable to withstand the surrounding discontent.

The Association’s decisions were swift and decisive. The Archmage, returning to the frontline and amassing several mage towers, promised unconditional support for the Association’s movements.

Through their magic, regions in Chungcheong-do, including Sejong and Daejeon, and certain parts of Gangwon-do were developed in the blink of an eye.

In a world imbued with magic, creating an evacuation zone was far from challenging.

And thus, five days passed.

-Damn it!

As per the Association’s recommendation, the catastrophe came to pass.

* * * * * * * * * * *

The sun refused to rise, the moon remained hidden.

From the void that had appeared in the dark sky, countless tree-like tendrils descended.

An incomprehensible multitude of appendages had consumed the heavens, clouding the sky with their mass. Within the ruptured space, bulging eyes of a nauseating red emerged, casting a baleful gaze over the entire city.

“Impossible… utterly impossible.”

Up until now, various disasters had been witnessed with the appearance of the gates. However, this catastrophe was… unprecedented. The term felt inadequate to fully express the situation.

【Creak? Creeeaaak?】
【Snap! Snappity snap!】

The sky was devoid of a single cloud. From the right horizon to the farthest left, even above the sky that punctured the stratosphere, there was a fleshly mass, immune to the effects of the air currents.

The entire sky seemed to shatter, and from beyond it, a monstrous tree descended. Tens of thousands of eyes gleamed in the sky, and myriad tentacles flailed, ready to engulf the city.

The hunters observing this were overcome with emotions beyond description. Some clutched their hearts, sinking to their knees. The mere sight seemed to erode the spirit, draining morale.

The surface of the tentacles was glistening and revolting. The tree-like stems bore a reddish hue akin to human viscera.

A voice that tore through the ears.
A compulsion that throttled the throat.

Was it this grotesque aberration that had stolen their senses?

One faithful knight, who had been closest to the rift, dropped his sword and fell to his knees.

-Thud.

His expression, lost in the color of despair as he stared blankly at the sky, was already devoid of life. The disturbingly scarlet innards writhed and swallowed the city.

As if they had been swallowed into the belly of a colossal beast.