Chapter 242

===================
Translated by Jinmu
Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
===================

“Departing.”

Peoreok—!

The Blue Moon Bird spread its giant wings and soared into the sky.

Han-bit and Charlotte, who caught the feathers on its back, lowered their postures as much as possible.

Huuuk—!

Fierce wind blowing from the front.

Below, the Forest of Illusions returned to its original color was spread out.

“Black Dragon, are the other members alright?”

Charlotte asked while recalling the twins and Ping-pong.

The three people left behind in the elf forest due to the Blue Moon Bird’s firm decision.

Although it was a regrettable thing, it was also a situation already expected.

“They’re alright. Because once the elves recover, they’ll be able to move by boat.”

The reason the Blue Moon Bird mounted only Han-bit and Charlotte on its back was simple.

Because it was an existence that lent strength only to those with sufficient power.

Han-bit also would have been left in the elf forest if he had not reached the Phantom Beast’s standard.

Huuuk—!

Before they knew it, they had left the forest and entered the upper air of the sea.

It was a considerably dangerous area, but it did not become a problem at all.

Kyayak—!

Kadeudeuk—!

Numerous flying monsters appeared throughout the sky.

All were at a strong level enough to exceed the mid-to-late Level 400s.

However, those guys could not approach here.

Wooo—

Silver-blue waves were being scattered from the Blue Moon Bird’s body.

It spread the existence of an adult Phantom Beast throughout the upper air.

Kyayak—!

The monsters who sensed the waves distanced themselves while shaking their wings fiercely.

A Phantom Beast causing fear to mere monsters.

It was the same as drawing out the instinct for survival.

Shwiik—!

The Blue Moon Bird, who had no interest in things like monsters, flew while raising its speed.

There was no need to re-check the destination.

Because the appearance of the World Tree was already visible.

Sarak—

Tree branches and dense green leaves covering the firmament.

The brilliance of platinum softly melted in even gave a sacred feeling.

-Wow;

-Holy sh*t big. lol

-First disclosure of the World Tree dd

-Look at how clear it is.

-At that level, isn’t it okay even if one branch is missing?

-Real, it wouldn’t even be noticeable.

At the overwhelming appearance of the World Tree, all sorts of reactions from viewers poured out.

Stories regarding the lost branch also came out, but it was not a matter that could be handled that simply.

-But aren’t you accepting the challenge mission?

-It’ll stack until he ends the broadcast. lol

-Aher, big picture.

“Ah.”

Han-bit, who was looking at the chat window, recalled the challenge mission he had forgotten.

Looking at the listed items, he opened his eyes wide.

‘…A lot has stacked indeed.’

Black Dragon’s streaming where corporations’ footsteps decreased and viewers increased rapidly.

As it already easily exceeded 100,000 people, the amount was significant just with the small sponsorships stacking up.

Han-bit brought his hand to the success button.

Ttiring—

[You have succeeded in the challenge mission.]

[Obtained prize money of 108,203,000 won.]

“Thank you to those who sponsored.”

Han-bit, who delivered his gratitude, turned his gaze to the front.

Whether thanks to the Blue Moon Bird’s speed, the World Tree’s area was getting closer at a rapid speed.

“Black Dragon, what are you planning to do about the branch?”

Then, Charlotte turned her head and asked.

To her, the Investigation Team Commander, the most important thing was the investigation of the World Tree.

She believed that if she returned the lost World Tree to its owner, she could obtain that opportunity.

But Han-bit’s thought was still the same.

“I told you before, didn’t I? We don’t know how the World Tree will come out. It might just snatch the branch and kick us out.”

“I also know that there are various personalities. Still…”

Charlotte, who was continuing her words, shut her mouth.

Because she judged that more than this could be felt as coercion.

An opportunity that would never come again for the Investigation Team who had not found a clue.

Although her desperate heart was understandable, it was difficult to give any kind of conviction.

‘I wonder how it’ll be this time.’

To state only the conclusion, Han-bit also did not know the certain future.

Because he did not know at all which personality of the World Tree he would face.

In extreme cases, there were even cases where running away while having shared only the first word was the correct answer.

“There’s nothing as tricky as the World Tree indeed. It’s an existence I never want to face again.”

The Blue Moon Bird, who was flying, also brought out its opinion.

As he originally lived in the World Tree’s area, he had more knowledge than anyone.

And Han-bit knew that this Phantom Beast loathed and hated the World Tree.

It would be good if he could receive the Blue Moon Bird’s help, but this time it was an impossible story.

Han-bit, who turned his gaze, said to Charlotte.

“Ultimately we’ll only know after meeting. And unless something unusual happens, I also plan to return the branch.”

“…Really?”

“So rest for a bit. Because we don’t know what kind of incident will break out.”

“Mhm.”

Charlotte, who nodded, slowly returned to the seat next to him and closed her eyes.

As she knew her own state better than anyone, she was doing her best for even a short recovery.

‘I want to avoid combat indeed.’

Charlotte, who had consumed a lot of energy throughout today, was almost at her limit.

He had already made her consume health and mana recovery items, but it was not a matter to be resolved with those alone.

Ttiring—

Then, an alarm rang in his ears.

It was a message that arrived from Yeon-woo.

「Yeon-woo」

「Hyung, a place speculated to be a private area was discovered near Belmora. Shall we also join for now?」

‘Belmora?’

The second private area that appeared with the clear of Episode 6.

There had been no news for a while, but it seemed it was discovered near another starting city.

Han-bit, who turned his gaze, pulled up the community RPG screen.

In the list of popular posts stretched out, Black Dragon’s name was often seen.

The post he was looking for also soon entered his eyes.

If you follow the left path of Belmora there’s a canyon, found something like an entrance in a corner here.

The entrance doesn’t open but the main opinion is that something must be done like Black Dragon.

-Oh.

-Not a lie?

-No, I’m a Belmora starter and there was no such place.

└To be precise, there was no place looking like an entrance.

-Can the entrance method be found?

-Let’s just send sponsorship to Black Dragon.

-Real, if we troll him he’ll probably interpret it.

└This kid doesn’t know Black Dragon. You have to scratch him holy sh*t much for him to do it.

└10 million won sponsorship go go

-Upvote if you’re a low-T guy who will go after the strategy comes out.

└Upvote

The comments registered early were nothing special.

But as time passed, stories difficult to ignore appeared.

-Field broadcast) Rankers arriving slowly.

-Former Advance Party members are coming too. lol

-Look at the numbers of the Sacred Body Faction.

└50th rank appeared.

└They brought something?

└Can it be opened even if it’s not Black Dragon?

-First discoverer wailing.

-Are they really entering?

‘It’s now.’

Looking at the registration time, they were comments that just came up.

It was truly to the extent of being close to field broadcasting.

And soon information followed.

-Eh?

-Opened. dd

-This works. lol

-Does the Sacred Body Faction take the first clear like this?

-Please clear quickly so I can also…

Ttiring—

While reading the comments, a message popped up along with the alarm that rang again.

It was a golden world message.

[The private area ‘Witch of Lamentation and the Curse’ is opened.]

[The first clear opportunity is given to the party that entered first, and if they cannot clear within the time, the entry authority is granted to all players.]

‘…They put in a terrible thing.’

Han-bit, who read the message, let out a sigh spontaneously.

Witch of Lamentation that appeared as private area content.

There was exactly one existence in the world that could be expressed with this word.

Ttiring—

「Yeon-woo」

「Hyung, the Sacred Body Faction entered first, what do we do? If those guys clear first, things become a big problem, right?」

Yeon-woo, who was also scanning the situation, sent a message as if anxious.

But if the Witch of Lamentation was in that place, there was no need to worry at all.

‘It connects like this indeed.’

The clear condition of that private area was one.

It was to remove the curse the Witch of Lamentation harbored.

For that, one special object was needed.

[Relic—Seal of Apostasy]

Episode 6 that proceeded in the Royal Capital Radianor.

The relic that cuts contracts possessed by Emether, the exiled Crown Prince there, was precisely the Seal of Apostasy.

That object, which had not been recovered even in the Royal Capital yet, could only be retrieved by Han-bit.

Provided that he completes this World Tree matter properly, anyway.

「Just leave them be. Because they’ll absolutely not be able to clear.」

Han-bit, who sent the last answer, turned off the community.

Because there was no need to see more.

He was not very interested in the Sacred Body Faction players suffering either.

Peoreok—!

While spending time like that.

Before he knew it, the Blue Moon Bird’s wings entered the World Tree’s area.

Sarak—

Faint fog mysteriously drifting and too-mild climate.

The forest, grassland, and valley spread below were mysterious as if they were a garden where spirits stay.

-Wow;

-Look at the atmosphere.

-This is fantasy indeed.

-Editor-nim, please upload in 4K.

Shwiik—!

The Phantom Beast moved its large body fluently and headed for the center of the island.

There, the overwhelmingly giant World Tree’s trunk was holding its ground.

Peoreok—!

The Blue Moon Bird, who gradually headed downward, soon landed on the grassland.

It was a too-meticulous landing as if trying not to cause harm.

Tat—

Following that movement, Han-bit and Charlotte also cautiously came down from the Phantom Beast’s back.

As they raised their heads, the Blue Moon Bird said while slowly curling its body.

“I will rest here. Return once the matter is finished.”

“Eh? Aren’t you going with us?”

“I am not going.”

The Phantom Beast curled its neck along with the firm answer.

It was much more time after that he would face the World Tree again.

“Thank you for your help.”

“…Thank you.”

Han-bit delivering gratitude nonchalantly and Charlotte barely picking up the request.

Keureung—

In the meantime, the Heavenly Fox who was in the bosom climbed onto the shoulder.

The Blue Moon Bird, who saw the small Phantom Beast’s appearance, said quietly.

“You also stay here. You won’t give a good impression to the World Tree…”

Keureung—!

The Heavenly Fox turned its body abruptly at its advice.

It seemed it didn’t want to listen at all.

“We’ll be back after finishing the talk well.”

Han-bit once again delivered greetings and moved his steps along with Charlotte.

Ttiring—

[Main Quest #9 has been completed.]

[Progression rate rises.]

[Main Quest #10: World Tree]

Arrived safely in the World Tree’s area with the Blue Moon Bird’s help.

What kind of existence is the mysterious giant tree, the World Tree?

Objective: Approach the World Tree and attempt a conversation.

Reward: None

*Current Progression Rate: 87 percent

The message that popped up as if to announce the progress.

The expression ‘conversation’ even felt uniquely heavy.

“Even though I came several times, I never heard its voice.”

Charlotte, who came to this place sometimes alone, sometimes leading the Investigation Team.

No matter how much she investigated this area, the voice was not heard.

Unless one possessed the branch, it couldn’t be helped.

“From the World Tree’s position, we’re similar to a blade of grass. Unless it’s a target worth bringing out its voice for, it doesn’t even wake up its consciousness.”

“I suppose so…”

Charlotte nodded her head bitterly.

But as the target was the giant tree of the world, it couldn’t be helped.

Jeobeok—

The two people who approached close to the trunk stood below the base.

Charlotte said while slightly tilting her upper body.

“This is that sentence. You’ve heard of it, right?”

“I know.”

Han-bit looked at the sparkling golden letters carved on the trunk.

It was the sentence seen in the cutscene that appeared when he first entered the Edlen guild.

[The one who finds the unknown existence Erport shall obtain the qualification to face the truth.]

Erport that will be at the start and end of the story.

This sentence carved clearly was the cause that created a large wave in the world.

Unfortunately it had no relation with the World Tree’s will at all, though.

“Keep your sword out, and place your hand on the trunk. A change will occur.”

“…Mhm.”

Charlotte nodded her head a bit tensely at Han-bit’s words.

Slig—

The two people who raised their arms simultaneously reached for the tree trunk.

And the moment the palms touched the rough bark.

Kkul-reong—

Suddenly the vision wavered and the body was sucked in.

A feeling as if the entire body would be crushed even without pain.

This unpleasant sensation was clearly the World Tree’s hostility.

“Charlotte! Cut it!”

“Under… stood!”

The two people tried to shake off the power with the swords they had pulled out in advance.

Right then it was.

Huuuk—!

Kwajik—!

Suddenly an immense wind was felt and simultaneously a roar echoed.

As they turned their heads, the Blue Moon Bird wrapping silver-blue energy was slamming its foot down on the tree trunk.

“This trash-like bastard…”

A voice as if condensing anger echoed low.

Slig—

Simultaneously, the power that was pulling the two people disappeared.

The Blue Moon Bird, who had turned into cold eyes, said quietly.

“Reveal your face, World Tree.”