Chapter 160 – Blessing (2)

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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[Collapsing Dead Wood Hill]

[Recommended Level: Lv.400~Lv.450]

[Collapse Rate: 13.2%]

Time is like tea enjoyed in the afternoon and…….

No, it is like gold.

Speaking coldly, it means it is a waste of time.

Level 494.

Because in a rift of this recommended level, even if I hunt all day, I wouldn’t even be able to dream of leveling up. Of course, there is a reason I entered the rift even knowing that fact.

[The first World Tree blesses you.]

[Health and magic power regeneration rate increases significantly.]…….

A day has passed, and even after rubbing both eyes and checking, there is no change.

The World Tree’s blessing buff that kept me from shrinking before millions of demons on the Arcana continent was still remaining……!

“A blessing, it is excessive consideration.”

If the buff disappears because of your loose muzzle, it is truly your fault, Granfel.

Because it wasn’t just excessive consideration, but an effect worthy of bowing down to.

‘The effect is on a nonsensical level.’

The [Blessing of the First World Tree] buff boasted an effect superior to even most items, let alone elixirs. Moreover, it was on a different dimension from [Natural Enemy Relationship].

I looked around the rift.

Giant caterpillars squirming inside the rotten dead wood.

Although their appearance is extremely displeasing aesthetically, they are not demon kin monsters.

Naturally, there’s no way [Natural Enemy Relationship] would activate.

However, it was not the case for the World Tree’s blessing.

There are no specific activation conditions!

Because the effect was the same whether in front of demons or caterpillars.

I raised my magic power.

Is this real, it’s an experience to the extent I wonder if this is allowed.

If it were the days when Arcana was merely a game, I’d wonder if I caught a bug.

To the extent that doubting it wouldn’t be enough.

If it were a buff activated during a specific quest, I could at least understand.

But.

‘Leaving the duration aside.’

I died once, and as if that wasn’t enough.

It’s a completely different world from the Arcana continent.

It means I am in a state of having returned to reality.

Literally always.

It means the effect couldn’t possibly remain until now unless it’s a permanently enduring buff.

I summoned Hiel with my raised magic power.

Before long, Hiel revealed her appearance from midair.

“I have responded to your call.”

The greeting that is burdensome no matter when I hear it is still the same, Hiel.

By the way, what is that……?

Hiel is a familiar sight to be surprised by her consistently elegant appearance. Even so, that ‘light’ is severely unfamiliar. What in the world is that halo flowing faintly from the background.

‘Don’t tell me, did you reach a realm too. Hiel?’

Do they say a thief’s own feet become numb.

Why is it that my sword force seems to overlap with that light.

The silver ascending by riding the pitch-black.

Yes, that light that looks as if it embodied my dark past.

‘……Whatever, what’s good is good.’

I’m just glad if you’ve grown somehow, Hiel.

Unlike me who is seriously only fine on the outside rather than in skill, grow rapidly from the inside……! Of course, I cannot let such inner thoughts of mine out of my mouth.

I brought up the main point first.

“Hiel, are they unharmed?”

Here, ‘they’ were the dwarves.

To recover the remains of the decisive battle weapon, the Quernberg Machine Tower.

Since I had already made a request to them.

[Demon King Continental Clash].

Even if it’s a period where the demons restrain their activities and stockpile power ahead of the grand event. I witnessed the Arcana continent directly.

As if that wasn’t enough, I examined the continent’s situation whenever the [Telescope of the Demonic Eye] became usable.

‘That neighborhood is dangerous, too dangerous.’

So it means asking about their well-being first is only human nature.

Hiel replied politely.

“Of course. Because Ho-yeol-nim’s care was there whether day or night. That there was no damage to them whatsoever. They also asked to convey their gratitude.”

……No, wait, stop there. Hiel.

Who did I take care of to say I took care of them?!

There is no overinterpretation like this overinterpretation, right?

‘I’m slowly getting scared.’

Just what kind of image am I being projected as among the dwarves?

I am seriously getting worried.

However, there was not an inch of shame in my lofty pride so.

I spouted shamelessly.

“They seem to be unharmed.”

The only thing unharmed is your conscience, Granfel.

“I also discovered the remains of the Quernberg Machine Tower you mentioned. However, they said it might take a bit of time to recover them as demons are roaming around the perimeter.”

As expected, flying in the sky sure is nice.

To think they already found the remains of the Quernberg Machine Tower.

If I imagine looking for it myself, it’s terrible just thinking about it.

‘Having no way to go to the Arcana continent is the first.’

Leaving aside not even knowing the locations of the Machine Towers.

The Demonic Eye floats in the sky of Arcana.

Whether it’s short-distance teleportation or a portal.

I mean the eyes that can pinpoint my location in an instant.

Breaking the installment savings by finding the Quernberg Machine Tower my ass.

I’d just be caught by demons and die, getting kicked out to reality before that.

In that sense, undoubtedly long live technology.

Hiel conveyed news one after another.

“Lastly, it is a story regarding the smelting of Demonic Iron.”

Demonic Iron.

Ego equipment.

I was bound to be curious about news related to it as much as the Machine Tower.

“Worthwhile, who is counted as the best blacksmith even among dwarves. He has begun quenching in earnest. He declared that he will forge equipment that will never bring disgrace to Ho-yeol-nim.”

It’s a thankful statement but…….

On one hand, I’m scared.

I did nail it down that performance is the top priority but. If the level restriction is too high, it felt like I’d be sad in my own way about that. However, as expected, this damned loose muzzle.

“It is an excellent attitude. Could you convey to him that I am looking forward to it?”

“I will follow your words.”

“You worked hard, Hiel.”

Because to the pride of our lofty Granfel-nim, level restrictions and such would merely be numbers.

I’ve also given up by this point. Whatever result comes out, equipping it immediately will probably be impossible.

‘It’d be better to research methods to use tricks instead.’

That is also a hole for survival…….

I finished my rationalization at that point.

Since I stopped by the rift.

Even if hunting all day was impossible, there was something I had to check.

Right, I’m talking about the [Blessing of the First World Tree] buff effect.

[Rotten Sap Monster: Lv.420]

[Giant Rotten Sap Monster: Lv.450]…….

Now that [Natural Enemy Relationship] is not activated.

Unless I pour out magic, they were not enemies I could knock down easily.

Above all, as you can tell from their names, those guys had the [Poison] trait.

A deadly poison that rots even dead wood.

A sticky poisonous gas that reminds one of a swamp.

Above all, it’s extremely unpleasant.

“It is an unamusing place.”

When I feel this way, there’s no need to add the sentiment of Granfel who lives and dies for formalities.

In a situation where the bugs aren’t even demons, it wouldn’t be strange to say there’s no justification to move while splattering poison on clothes and shoes.

However.

Click

I confidently took a step into the swamp of poison.

Because I trusted the effect of the [Warmth] buff?

No.

Although the Warmth buff had a versatile effect, it doesn’t even heighten immunity to poison. Then is it levitation? It’s not that either.

Because as the sound of my shoes was heard, I definitively stepped on the swamp of poison.

It was so.

This must also be the effect of the [Blessing of the First World Tree] buff.

I checked the message that popped up.

[The Blessing of the First World Tree refuses poison.]

[Poison].

A type of debuff like stun or bleeding.

By raising affinity or resistance, one can become ‘immune’ to poison or ‘cure’ it through skills. But ‘refuses’. Something is way too different here.

“However, it is not a problem for me.”

Refuses.

Literally the feeling of pushing away poison, a debuff, from the body.

Putting aside my, Lee Ho-yeol’s pathetic expressive power for a moment.

If I borrow Granfel’s expressive power…….

“Do you understand. This is the difference in standing.”

……Difference in standing my ass!

Damn it, it goes beyond cringeworthy to wanting to sincerely deny it but.

This wasn’t a wrong statement either.

Like water and oil that do not mix no matter how much you stir.

The [Blessing of the First World Tree] was completely refusing poison.

At that moment, a massive shadow attacked.

It was the squirming [Giant Rotten Sap Monster].

Was it an ambush to compensate for its slow speed?

Swift exploration, interference, manifestation.

I manifested magic towards the bastard falling from the dead wood.

For a mere level 450 monster, grandiose magic is not needed.

Even if I can’t leave out grandiose words though.

“You caterpillar who is yet to realize its place.”

By the way, let’s forget the sense of shame for a moment.

Because there was an enormous harvest today.

‘Refuses. Could this perhaps……’

Might I be able to completely ignore most debuffs, not just poison?

Of course, I didn’t seriously have anticipating.

Even so, I have something called a conscience too.

‘Honestly, just the current buff doesn’t make sense.’

Even looking at just the health and magic power regeneration buffs, the effect of one World Tree’s blessing was superior to wrapping myself round and round in Unique items. However, I ended up flinching.

Similarly to check the effect.

The moment I grabbed the sword and emitted sword force.

“!”

An anomalous sensation traveled up my hand.

Because I am someone who, not to mention Class Quests, has even been distributing level-up points to [Strength] and [Agility]. It was a fact that the points I invested in [Magic Power] all this time were exceptionally numerous.

‘In a word, still a bottomless jar.’

Like water leaking out continuously from a bottomless jar.

My body was not a body optimized for emitting sword qi.

It’d be one thing if I just imitate the posture…….

I’m saying handling a sword elegantly like Harkon or Shureig is impossible.

The realm a level above sword qi.

Having reached sword force, the amount of water escaping couldn’t help but become even more considerable.

In a word, it meant the fatigue accumulated in the flesh when emitting sword force was considerable. As if pulling stamina from tomorrow.

But.

‘It’s light.’

It definitely feels different.

There’s no feeling of fatigue in the hand holding the sword, nor in the legs.

It wasn’t an illusion.

Because a message popped up before my eyes soon after.

[The Blessing of the First World Tree refuses aging.]

Right, I thought that’d…….

‘W, wait a minute, what did you say?!’

It refused aginggggg?!

At this point, it’s getting slowly scary.

……Just what kind of blessing did I receive from the World Tree?

*

The time of the players passed quickly.

Yusra Kingdom.

Frost.

Holy Land of Goddess Religion, Muon.

Lastly up to the Mage Tower.

Fairly to anyone regardless of region.

[Quest: Unfinished Holy War]

From the Arcana continent to reality.

The holy war with demons is not over yet.

There are no rewards, nor spoils at the end of this war.

Only pride remains.

Prove your own pride.

─Prove your value in the relevant area. (In Progress)

Prove your ability to participate in the holy war.

Naturally, the evaluation standards were strict.

Similarly, regardless of the region, the sounds of wailing never ceased.

“Crazy, you’re saying even level 300 is not enough?”

“They’re saying pride is important, not level.”

“Pride? What the hell is that damn pride anyway?!”

What else would pride be but pride.

“Not knowing pride is not having pride from the start.”

Just Homen.

Park Hwi-gang murmured softly and checked the quest window.

Two newly updated English letters next to the quest objective, [Success].

“I made the right choice becoming an explorer truly……!”

In the holy war, there was pride but no distinction by noble or humble.

It meant whether one passed or failed was not determined according to class.

The moment the success message pops up, the past days coming to mind.

“It is all thanks to him.”

A relatively low level.

However, there was high Explorer’s Federation contribution.

Not yielding to recommended levels, his experience exploring all sorts of rifts received bonus points, allowing him to prove his value.

Of course, it was all thanks to following Ho-yeol-nim’s footsteps but.

“Homen.”

His faith did not waver today either.

Such Park Hwi-gang’s eyes shone sharply.

Having finally participated in the holy war, now was the time to demonstrate his abilities in earnest.

Of course, he didn’t know how much the ability of one mere explorer would help, but it meant he would do his best.

Of course, that wasn’t just Park Hwi-gang’s alone.

Explorer’s Federation.

Many explorers were gathered at the Yusra Kingdom main base.

From Federation President, Fabian Delon, to Aaron, Rhombus.

Even the highest-ranking explorers with widespread fame.

Everyone was explorers participating in the holy war.

“Ahem.”

When Fabian cleared his throat, gazes focused on him.

“This is my first time seeing this many explorers in such a narrow place. From now on, how about we get along friendly, warmly, and asking about each other’s well-being?”

At Fabian’s joke, the explorers glared at each other.

There’s a limit even to jokes.

Especially between Aaron and Rhombus, sparks flew.

“Be warm with a competitor. Ridiculous.”

“Do not laugh, Aaron. Your already ugly face distorts even more.”

“Extremely shameless, Rhombus. Isn’t it enough to snatch Federation contribution, are you now trying to slander my appearance? Rather than taking time looking at magical tools, it would be better to look in a mirror.”

Park Hwi-gang, who was listening quietly, thought.

……Why are they acting like that when they both look equally like bandits?

However, the important thing was not petty bickering.

Because there was a justification for the explorers gathering.

Fabian continued speaking.

“Even on the Arcana continent, wars were unceasing. However, there was no need for us explorers to move. What could explorers like us do in a fight between humans and humans?”

Nod nod

Everyone who was listening attentively nodded their heads.

Because the abilities of explorers were specialized in labyrinth or dungeon exploration.

Fabian smiled awkwardly and continued speaking.

“Of course, there probably won’t be much we can do on the battlefield confronting demons either. At most utilizing magical tools to assist allies? But as everyone knows, isn’t our battlefield a bit different?”

It was so.

It is different from war.

At least in this holy war, explorers could play an active role.

Now that the bizarre space called [Rifts] exists.

Fabian held up his fist so everyone could see.

“Arcana and here. Rifts where two worlds are mixed are literally spaces of the unknown. As they are places where it is unknown what kind of danger might be lurking. However, isn’t this the exploration we longed for so much? Moreover, doesn’t spoils that cannot be exchanged for anything await at the end of this exploration?”

As if snatching something.

“Even if it means losing our lives.”

He clenched his fist tightly.

“The Arcana continent and the world of adventurers here. That we can widely spread our fame as explorers in two worlds. Yes, wouldn’t that exactly be the pride of us explorers?”

An exploration aiming for the unknown.

Because that was exactly the reason for the explorers’ existence.

Fabian added.

“It means the time has finally come to begin the fight of us explorers.”

.

.

.

In that sense, today’s regular update was important.

The main base of the Explorer’s Federation where no one left their seats.

It was to exchange information with each other regarding the update details.

The endless refreshing lasted only briefly.

“Wait a minute!”

Park Hwi-gang shouted faster than anyone else.

And he examined the update details.

Such Park Hwi-gang’s face began to turn pale white.

“……B-by any chance, is there anyone who knows about elves?!”