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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Night]
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Chapter 59: Entering the World Tree (2)
[Within the World Tree lies the remnants of Chronos. A radiant rainbow-colored star-shaped jewel. Thanks to the trace left by the god of time, I was able to send myself a strategy guide. Even if you get sucked into the World Tree, you can survive for several days. Just follow the path I guide you through.]
With that, a detailed strategy guide telling me where to go was presented.
I took a moment to absorb its contents and pondered.
Hmm… Chronos, the god of time, huh?
Why would his remnants be inside the World Tree?
Well, since it seems like an important item, I should grab it…
But how do I get in?
While I was standing there staring blankly at the World Tree, unable to come up with a method, I heard a commotion nearby.
“An angel!”
“It’s huge.”
“Wow… that divine power…”
I lifted my head at their words and saw the figure of an angel shimmering with wings of light.
The angel was clad in a full suit of white armor with luminous wings.
Its facial features were obscured by a glow of light.
Rather than fitting the typical image of an angel, it looked more like a combat species.
For one thing, its massive size—over 10 meters—gave it the impression of a giant.
[Are you Kim Jiho?]
“Yes.”
The angel’s voice echoed across the entire land.
It was solemn, yet divine.
Even just hearing it made those awakened to the Order faction feel vitality surging through their bodies.
[Thanks to your achievements, we were able to intervene in this battlefield. We express our gratitude.]
“It’s us who are grateful for your support, Angel.”
[The western flank is expected to experience the most frequent assaults from the enemy. Can you take responsibility for defending it? If you do, I shall bestow my blessing upon you.]
“I understand.”
[Thank you. I shall grant you my blessing.]
A cascade of light poured down from the sky, blessing 50,000 people.
Weapons, which had been tinged with a green glow, now radiated a white light, the two coexisting.
Divine power combined with harmony?
A dual buff—nice.
Although it’s useless for me since I already have Athena’s blessing…
[Then I leave it to you.]
“Yes.”
As I responded, the angel spread its wings.
With a flash of light, its figure vanished entirely.
While people marveled at their now-glowing weapons, a group approached me with faces full of discontent.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
“What do you mean?”
“Why should we take on the most frequently attacked flank? And to make such a decision arbitrarily without consulting the troops?”
“Exactly.”
“You dare decide on such matters without consulting our Free Guild Alliance? A fraud who fakes videos dares—!”
“Fake?”
Didn’t the leaders of the nations explain it to them?
Why do they only understand when they experience it firsthand?
Regardless of the direction—north, south, east, or west—undead will swarm from all sides.
If that’s the case, wouldn’t it be better to fight under the angel’s blessing rather than antagonizing it?
Sigh.
No, these idiots just want to pick a fight with me.
They’re trying to use this confrontation to increase their influence.
I have no desire to lead, but if I avoid the fight now, they’ll only become more arrogant.
“You’re picking a fight, huh? Thunder God.”
I unleashed a streak of lightning, splitting it into tendrils that encased about 20 people in an electric prison.
The sheer shock on their faces made me wonder if they genuinely didn’t believe me.
“In an open battlefield like this, it’s all the same no matter where you go. You want to argue with an angel giving blessings? Really?”
“Urgh…”
“Disobeying orders during wartime is punishable by death. Shall I execute you?”
“You’re all flash but not that strong! Anti-Magic Shield!”
One among them cast a protective spell, while a warrior drew his sword and attempted to breach the electric prison.
Crackle.
Before even fully crossing the prison, the shield tore apart, and the warrior’s body burned black.
He collapsed without resistance and vanished.
Dead warriors’ corpses disappeared instantly.
“Ugh…”
The remaining hunters finally recoiled in fear.
“Seems like someone needs to die to make a point.”
I needed to set an example to prevent future incidents like this.
Although these guys led the charge, dissatisfaction likely runs deep among other guilds and those who doubt my power.
People need to see it with their own eyes to believe.
“Enlarge, Yeoui.”
I expanded Yeoui and struck it down upon the group trapped in the electric prison.
Mages cast defensive spells, and warriors raised their swords, but it was futile.
“If you die here and don’t return immediately, you’ll die permanently on Earth too.”
After delivering that warning, I brought Yeoui down.
Their bodies were crushed without even the chance to scream, and the lush grass was soaked in blood as fragments of flesh scattered.
Despite killing nearly 20 people, I felt no particular emotion.
Perhaps it was because they’d revive, or maybe because I’d killed so much already…
Looking at the Earth’s awakened who stared at me in shock, I said:
“I won’t interfere with individual command. Organize your units based on the agreements made on Earth. The unit leaders can handle deployments themselves. However, don’t bother me with unnecessary disputes. This is the second time after David. If it happens again, the guild responsible will pay the price directly on Earth.”
Silence blanketed the Earth’s awakened.
Turning to the west, I saw dark clouds gathering.
Beneath them, an undead army approached.
“The enemies are coming. Prepare for battle.”
The Earth’s awakened began forming ranks.
Since most of them had only fought in dungeons with limited numbers, their formations were basic—warriors and assassins at the front, mages and archers at the rear.
But with so many people, it was clumsy and slow.
Looks like I’ll have to buy some time.
“Phoenix, let’s go.”
[Understood.]
The phoenix, now larger due to magical enhancement, flew ahead.
I summoned my Flame Chariot and followed close behind.
The first wave consisted of skeletons and human zombies.
They shuffled forward at a slow pace, not looking particularly threatening.
Even an E-rank hunter could probably handle them.
“Focused Reinforcement.”
I directed the reinforcement to Yeoui.
The blade extended dramatically, infused with divine power thanks to Athena’s blessing.
Even as it stretched to seemingly unmanageable lengths, it still felt surprisingly light.
This must be the strength of having 100 strength.
I swung the sword lightly.
The battlefield was split horizontally as if it were sliced in two.
The undead, bodies halved, burned fiercely in divine flames.
Pure white flames rose from the battlefield.
[You have leveled up.]
Oh, leveled up already?
I barely gained any experience from killing low-level mobs after the last level up.
[Pollux says the troops under the Chaos Lord provide more experience points.]
[Aurelia says SP won't increase much though.]
So, not much SP, but lots of experience points.
At this rate, won’t I hit level 100 soon?
“Ha… Look to the sky!”
I glanced upward to see a phoenix spreading its enormous wings and flapping them majestically.
The same wide-area attack that incinerated all the wyverns last time.
Now, it revealed itself again from the ground.
The weak undead that posed little threat burned away and disappeared without a trace.
“No way… I thought it was a baseless rumor when they said you were the incarnation of Zeus…”
“This is on a whole other level…”
Even as they formed ranks, people stood in awe, staring blankly at the battlefield.
Their dawdling only made the formation process slower.
And then, suddenly…
“I leveled up! Thanks to the Apostle Commander unit, I leveled up! I finally reached level 50!!”
One person screamed joyfully, jumping up and down, and chaos broke out.
It was just a small portion of the experience points I shared, and they leveled up from that.
I could hear whispers questioning how it even worked.
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Seeing this would probably make those stubborn high-level players envious.
I cast lightning and used my abilities to subdue enemies, but I never strayed too far from our unit.
The enemy might only be sending these weak undead for now, but jumping recklessly into their ranks could provoke unexpected attacks.
While forming our ranks, I continued to burn the undead from a distance.
But honestly, no matter how many I killed, they just kept coming.
Even though my mana regenerated quickly, I was close to running out.
They say I can draw mana from the Dragon Heart if needed…
Hmm.
Better save it for stronger foes.
“Phoenix, it’s time to return.”
[Understood.]
I recalled the phoenix, which had been having a grand time, and turned my gaze to the Earthlings’ unit.
Though their ranks were still somewhat disorganized, they finally established a basic formation.
Melee fighters held the front line while ranged attackers positioned themselves in the rear.
“I’ll take some time to recover my mana.”
“Yes, sir!”
Since witnessing my display of power, the awakened Earthlings were much more disciplined.
As I recovered my mana, I thought, these basic undead should be dealt with by the Earthlings for them to level up.
“Hold the line!”
“The Angel’s Blessing is working! The undead are crumbling!”
“Wow, the experience points are insane!”
“This is the time to level up!”
Everyone fought enthusiastically.
Thanks to the combined blessings of the Angel and the World Tree, the undead were easily defeated.
The most annoying thing about undead was that even when you thought they were dead, they would rise again to hinder you.
But with the blessings, they were thoroughly suppressed, and people joyfully slaughtered their foes.
Cheers of “Level up!” echoed all around, accompanied by the joyful faces of the fighters.
As my mana replenished, I launched lightning bolts from atop my flame chariot.
There’s no way the Lord of Death would send only these weaklings.
I need to stay prepared.
“Arghhh!”
A sudden scream broke out among the Earthlings.
The skeletons and zombies, which had been sluggishly crawling, suddenly sped up and tore apart the unguarded Earthlings in an instant.
Skeletons with blackened bones and zombies with crimson skin.
These monsters displayed a completely different level of strength.
“Thunder God!”
I shot lightning at the skeletons and zombies, causing them to collapse.
However, unlike the weaker undead, these didn’t die immediately.
They endured for a moment before finally turning to flames and vanishing.
If even my Thunder God spell takes this much effort, these are going to be troublesome.
“Ahhh!”
Screams erupted from other areas too.
The fighters desperately tried to fend them off with swords and magic, but their attacks barely worked.
Even when they did, the enhanced undead regenerated quickly.
Only hunters with skills specifically suited for dealing with undead had any effect.
At first, it seemed like they were generously handing out experience points, but now it’s turning into a headache.
“Phoenix, provide cover for our allies.”
[Understood.]
The phoenix and I dealt with the enhanced monsters together.
But I am just one person, even with the phoenix by my side.
It’s impossible to block all the enhanced undead.
As warriors fell and the fortified undead threatened to breach the defenses, something unexpected happened.
From the ground, massive tree roots emerged, wrapping around the enhanced undead.
They crushed the undead, breaking them into pieces.
Oh.
Could it be… the World Tree?
[This aura is…]
A serene, feminine voice suddenly spoke near my ears.
Where was it coming from?
I turned my head, scanning the surroundings, but there was nothing in the sky.
Then, a voice called out urgently from the ground.
“Tree roots are rising!”
The roots that had crushed the undead now flew toward me.
What the…?
Aren’t we on the same side?
I guided my chariot higher, avoiding the roots, but the voice called out again.
[Awakened one, I wish to speak with you. Please accept my invitation.]
Ah.
Was that the voice of the World Tree?
It didn’t seem hostile.
In fact, it felt welcoming.
Hmm…
Guide said the traces of Chronos are within the World Tree.
If I accept the invitation, I might be able to obtain them.
“What about after we deal with the undead?”
[They are relentless, day and night. This is the most opportune time. I will support the battlefield while we speak, so please spare a moment.]
With that, the roots extended again.
So, this is the lull period, with only the weakest enemies attacking.
Alright.
Since the World Tree is offering help, I’ll go.
“Understood.”
I deactivated my flame chariot, and the roots gently wrapped around me.
They pulled me underground.
Although I passed through the earth, a green barrier enveloped me, keeping me unharmed.
After about five minutes, the roots stopped burrowing deeper.
As the soil crumbled away, they created a space and gently set me down.
A subterranean chamber, surrounded by walls of dirt.
The same voice as before spoke again.
[You… bear the Seal of Drakia.]
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Night]
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