Chapter 77 – Purgatory (6)

The second day.

In the still pleasant white room, I woke up early and began to pack tools from the luggage that Cheondo had brought.

– Clattering.

I planned to pack everything I could for an easy conquest, from small artifacts to potions. I was determined to clear this dungeon as quickly as possible, by any means necessary.

‘Five potions, two strength buff artifacts. One space-shifting ring…’

– Rustle.

Perhaps it was too chaotic. Hwangdo, awakened by the sound of potion bottles colliding, woke up rubbing her eyes. The mistletoe that had grown on my neck had considerably increased in size in just one day. Previously, it was the size of a sprout, but now it resembled a small seedling.

Nevertheless, Hwangdo crawled out of bed with a smile and hugged me.

“I woke up in the morning and found a statue~ Hehe.”

Rubbing her cheeks, Zodiac yawned as if sleepy.
Heaven knew well the exhaustion that came from having her vitality drained, having learned that it was a side effect of the mistletoe.
I asked in the gentlest voice possible and pulled Zodiac’s cheek.

“Are you sleepy?”
“I think I’m a little sleepy hehe… I want to see the statue.”
“Sleep tight. I’ll finish quickly.”

Zodiac smiled faintly. She comforted me with a voice that still sounded drowsy.

“…Sculpture.”
“Yes?”
“If it’s hard, it’s okay to just give up. If the sculpture is too difficult, I’ll be sad too.”

Then Zodiac would die. We hadn’t known each other for long… A rather amusing person.
Indeed, who wouldn’t like someone who worries and comforts this much?
I wore a mask to hide my expression. Zodiac’s dozing hair gradually turned white.

“…Disciple.”
“Yes.”
“Get away from my body.”

I willingly obliged. White Peach furrowed her brows as if she was sleepy and glanced at me before confidently speaking.

“I don’t want to die. Especially not for you. I absolutely don’t want that.”

It was such a typical White Peach response. It was so like her that I almost burst into laughter unintentionally.

“So, succeed.”

In her serious voice, laden with the determination not to die, I repeatedly nodded my head. Seeing this, White Peach seemed to recall something; a smile spread across her face as she raised an index finger and made a jest.

“I want to drink honey water. Bring me honey water.”
“You always choose such dull jokes. I’ve heard that outcasts make jokes no one understands.”
“What, what? This one really…!”
“Thank you, nonetheless. I’m sleepy, get some rest.”

Feeling truly grateful, I tightly embraced White Peach.

Zodiac had shared the nature of her body, saying that if I held her tight, sleep would come easily.

“…Ah, really.”

With a sigh, White Peach closed her eyes. Heaven… perhaps she was asleep due to overexertion the day before. I fetched pillows from the vicinity and placed them beneath the heads of the slumbering Peach sisters. Taking a deep breath, I steeled myself.

“Huff-“

Now was the time to face the trial once more.

“Haah…”

Was the breath escaping my lungs a hidden sigh of resolve, or a sorrowful lament? I couldn’t quite grasp it, but I managed to gather the courage to move forward.

I would fight and win. I had to burn everything I possessed to overcome this challenge.

– Ooh!

I placed my hand on the gate.

* * * * * *

Outside the gate, where I arrived with my gear, only an Ent, seated upon a rock, exhaled desperately.

“…….”

A silent knight of the pristine white tree, covered in bruises.
She slowly lowered her head, capturing me within her emotionless gaze.

Despite the thorns sprouting all over her body and its shattered state, the white armor still perfectly encased her chest. Her deeply pierced eyes were stained black, drawing in the light from their surroundings.

[S-Class Hunter Seren]

Her name was embroidered upon her chest, and I recalled the name of a hunter who had once failed to overcome a trial. As I gazed at the unmoving Ent, I gradually imbued my hands with magical energy.

It was then that she spoke.

“…This place belongs to the king.”

From the woman’s mouth emerged a man’s voice, utterly incongruous with her appearance. A voice I had heard before. At the sound echoing in my ears, I furrowed my brow ever so slightly. It closely resembled the eerie voice that had once intimidated me on the first day.

“The insignificant roots of an ancient tree recognize this place as a trial ground. But it’s different-“
“That’s not my concern.”

I abruptly interrupted him and posed my question.

“Who are you?”

He didn’t respond at first, but after a moment’s consideration, he slowly began to speak.

“…A servant of the king.”

“Someday, we await a king who will banish the decayed ancient tree.”

Although I didn’t understand the meaning, I refrained from asking further and maintained my silence. He scanned my face briefly, then lowered the corner of his mouth as if he had read my thoughts.

“I’ll warn you once more. Leave this place. The power of the World Tree holds no sway here.”

The power of the World Tree. Based on his words, it was likely the power I had gained through the status window upon arriving in this world. At last, I could roughly grasp the situation.

A servant of the king, a king who opposes the divine World Tree. It was reasonable, then, to assume that this dungeon had been constructed by that very king.

But then, why is this dungeon deemed a place of trials? If it’s the king’s domain masquerading as a trial ground, how have I reached the king’s domain now?

As my thoughts reached that point, he sharply lowered his voice as if to warn me.

“Think no further. Remember that you are only being spared because you have received the king’s favor.”
“I don’t know what the king’s favor is, but can you lift the restriction?”
“It’s impossible.”

Then I must fight.

I pulled out the hidden magical tool from my pocket and shot it at his head.

– Taang!

A bullet of flame stretched out and lodged itself in his head.
– Puong. However, the enthusiastically fired bullets had no impact on his body. Sensing my intentions from the threat, the enraged Ent before me trembled and unleashed a series of harsh mechanical sounds.

[I did warn you, after all.]

[You are a pitiful soul, unable to escape the roots of the ancient tree.]

[The king’s favor is wasted on you.]

A person who judges and looks down on others with a dismissive gaze. His words about me being trapped in the roots of the ancient tree irritated me deeply.

It made me feel like I was at the very bottom of the World Tree.

– Creak, gr-gr-creak.

The Ents began to move. The motion of their magical energy sent shivers up my skin.

An S-Class Hunter. A combat-ready Ent born from her body as a parasite. Its power was not to be taken lightly.

The broken tip of the white knight’s lance was pointed at me.

– Swoosh.

A suffocating pressure weighed down on my entire body. The overwhelming sensation of facing a formidable opponent.

Every nerve in my body screamed for me to flee. Fiery red veins spread throughout my body, and I took a deep breath, steeling my resolve.

‘Wooden Fist Technique… No.’

I shook my head.

Martial arts were not necessary at this moment. In the current situation, where my abilities and skills were insufficient compared to my opponent, what good would showcasing my prowess do?

My sole objective was victory. I had to win, regardless of the means or methods.

“Kiiieeeeee!”

The Ent charged at me with a terrifying force, brandishing a massive spear. It moved at a speed that seemed as if it would evade my sight if I even slightly averted my gaze. I tapped the ring I wore once.

Physical enhancement – the finest artifacts imbued with all sorts of buffs.

Yet, even with these, I was still lacking in many ways, so I devised a plan.

All the remaining store points thus far. I used them to draw weapons and talents as they were, trapping the weapons in artifacts. Then, I summoned them here with artifacts containing spatial magic.

“Woooooong!”

A black demonic sword emerged from mid-air. Holding the hilt, I winced in pain as the ebony stem, sprouting like blood vessels, bit into my grip.

*Kaang!*

The Ent’s spear clashed with the demonic sword. A searing pain surged through his arm. Sparks flew from the point of impact, and a gash on his cheek oozed blood. He felt as if he would be overpowered at any moment, his right arm already growing numb.

He knew that if he continued this battle of strength, something would inevitably break. But even if his bones shattered, he had no intention of stopping.

*Ugh!*

Instantly, he grasped the white, ethereal dagger that manifested in the air, striking down upon the creature’s shoulder.

*Kwajik!*

“Kiyiik!”

The monster shrieked, a strange and monstrous sound. It reached out both of its hands.

*Clink!*

In an inexplicable feat, both the demonic sword and ethereal dagger shattered simultaneously. Broken shards rained down from the sky like a downpour of steel.

[The power of the World Tree will not avail you.]

“Kiyiik!”

Again, the monster lunged. In response, he summoned another weapon from thin air, ready to continue the fight.

Blazing Blade Whip.

I only came to realize it after crossing blades with the sword.
Undoubtedly… if it’s just one area of expertise, I cannot defeat him.

However, there is an abundance of weapons.
If I possess a wild talent versatile enough to wield complex weapons effectively, even I, still weakened, can face the challenge.

I exploit fortune and potential to their utmost limits.
My eyes became bloodshot, drawn to the artifacts laden with various penalties.

– Kwajijijik!

The tree trunk is cleaved by the whip’s blade. Unfazed, the bastard’s leg steps forward, and the cracking sound from before resounds once more as the whip is shattered.

This time, I draw the second demonic sword.

“Kahahaha!”

Now, I parry the spear and release my grip on the sword hilt. The twisted trajectory of the spear pierces through empty air, missing me.
As is, I lunge forward, extending my hand.

Magic bomb.

– Kwaaaaang!

With it planted, I forcefully kicked his chest, putting distance between us.
An explosion erupted at close range. Shielding my face, I was pushed back by the blast.
Bomb fragments penetrated my armor and clothing, lodging themselves in my muscles.

– Whoo!

“Screech!”

Yet, he still hadn’t died.
Mending the severed tendons with potions and powers, I gradually stripped away his armor.

The sixth weapon.

“Screech!”

– Thud!

The ninth weapon.

Broken swords and weapon debris littered the ground, while the blood I had shed painted crimson patterns on the dirt floor.

Traps and crossbows, bows and halberds.

However, the situation didn’t unfold as planned.
Despite seizing the initiative and launching ample attacks, all my weapons were ultimately destroyed.

The body – its organs and skin crushed – was in a state worse than tattered rags.
An hour must have passed since the battle began.
Perhaps it was a side effect of the artifact, but my vision began to blur.

“Kiiieek”

The Ent still seemed to have energy to spare. I was once again struck by the power of an S-class hunter. At this point, no one could guarantee victory. Naturally, my body, still merely a trainee, had already reached its limits.

“Ah.”

My legs trembled, and I couldn’t close my mouth. Seeing my palms unable to clench into fists, I tried to regain my composure by stepping on the ground and spitting blood.

“…Aaah!”

Now, with a cry nearing a scream, I gathered mana in both hands.

-Koogooogoo!

The sound of the ground vibrating reached my ears, likely the sound of the beast approaching. I had to stop it, just this once, even if it was only for a single moment. Lifting my powerless hands, I raised my clouded eyes.

Had I pushed myself so hard that my stamina reached its limit?

A fleeting wave of exhaustion caused my consciousness to momentarily falter.

“Ah.”

My exhausted body toppled over. Innumerable thoughts raced through my mind.

Dizzying. My heart pounded, and I repeated my mantra dozens of times as my hearing waned.

Move.

My heart raced faster as I caught sight of the approaching figure. Just a brief moment would suffice. If only my body would move…

– Tick.

A faint strength returned to my previously slack jaw.

‘Ah.’

A sliver of time, too brief to even release a short sigh.

Without hesitation, I bit down on my tongue.

– Kwajik!

The sound of biting my tongue reverberated through my brain. The pain jolted my senses awake, and the slow passage of time began to accelerate. In an instant, I shifted my gaze to manipulate the power of the World Tree.

– Ugh!

A bottle of water manifested in midair, only to be impaled helplessly by a spear.

Faster now, my haunted eyes met the reflection of his dark pupils. I bent my head to its limits, narrowly avoiding the spear as if it would snap at any moment.

*Splash!*

The plastic of the airborne bottled water cracks, and the water inside pours out. Ignoring the blood spewing from his mouth, he uses the power of the World Tree once more.

*Whooosh!*

A dagger materializes from thin air. It is nothing more than an ordinary dagger, but it’s enough.

He clenches his hand tightly around the dagger’s hilt. The pain from his vividly raised veins feels as if they’ve been twisted over and over again.

A flickering handful of dark magic. With that dagger, he stabs the figure before him in the back of the neck.

It took only one strike.

*Squish!*

Spraying armor. Falling twigs and withering flowers of mistletoe. The kneeling white knight becomes hollow inside.

*Cough, wheeze.*

*Clank!*

He drops the dagger as soon as he’s sure of victory. Stumbling, he falls to the ground around him. Blood continues to flow from his mouth like water.

…He won.

I couldn’t see or hear, but I was able to achieve a true victory for the first time. Resting my arms on my knees, I buried my head in them and used the power of healing to tend to my injuries.

– Koo-goo-goo-goo!

With my hearing restored, I heard the sound of the gate opening behind me.

Yes… it was not over yet.

The king’s servant. I had to confront that wretched bastard in order to clear this dungeon.