The sharply honed green sword strike split the core.
The Sword Saint was halved in vain and rolled on the ground.
Asuka and Aisha slightly relaxed as they landed, having dealt with the core more easily than expected.
Aisha gulped and shouted.
“Did we defeat it?”
“Ah.”
[Ah]
[Resurrection Spell ON]
[Flag zzzz]
[Aisha Troll lololol]
I glanced back at Aisha.
Casting a resurrection spell on this?
“What are you saying that for?”
“Oops. Right?”
Aisha gasped and covered her mouth with her hands, but it was already too late.
From the split body of the Sword Saint, purple magic converged into one.
The gathered magic quickly took on the form of the Demon Race, with purple horns and demonic wings spreading out behind it.
The energy itself was subordinate.
But since it had unlocked its unique ability, it wasn’t something to be taken lightly.
Above all, if it devoured the World Tree and came out…
‘Maybe I could fight Duke Huangyeol.’
[2nd Phase?]
“What?! Is it really because I said the resurrection spell?”
“Yes.”
“No way. Big brother!!!”
Aisha panicked, but Asuka, who leaped in from behind, smacked Aisha’s head.
“Focus. It looks really strong.”
“Little brat…”
“Do you understand?”
Asuka casually infused more Mana of Life into her sword, but I could see it.
“……”
Grrr…
She was trembling.
In front of the colossal enemy of the Demon Race.
[Shivering]
[Lololololol]
[That one’s hilarious too]
[Do you understand, huh? lol]
[It’s not that you don’t, right? Sure…]
[But seriously, did it resurrect because of the spell?]
“That’s a joke. Resurrection was to be expected.”
There were two cores.
One was the Sword Saint, and since the shell was dead, it was natural for the Demon Race inside to come out.
However, from the Demon Race’s perspective, it’s better to gather as much strength as possible, so this situation was undoubtedly bad news for Verd.
“How dare you… hinder my grand plan!”
Crack!!
A giant black root sprang up.
Its size was similar to before, but there were now seven of them.
Asuka immediately gathered her strength and cut the root.
Squick…
The splitting was not much different than before, but…
“Ugh!”
Barely cutting one, Asuka was pushed back by the force.
The root, now much thicker and imbued with far denser magic, lashed out violently.
Above all, the Mana of Life that Asuka used was pure crystal; every time she attacked the root, a part of her mana was getting sucked in.
Damage and recovery were occurring simultaneously.
“Hey! This isn’t working! It keeps absorbing!”
“Then wait for your chance.”
Bam!!!
“Ugh!!!”
After dealing with two roots, I immediately burst them apart and flew towards Asuka to send one more flying.
“Bludgeon Technique, Light Dragon.”
Kiyung…
Kwahhhaaaang!!!
A sonic boom erupted from the hammer as it struck the root.
The Dragon Lord, Light Dragon Sharurodo’s technique, is the ultimate bludgeon technique that creates an explosion of light.
Kwahng! Kwaang! Kwaaaaang!!!
Sonic booms went off in succession, and the debris, once having a will, vanished.
The spectacle of the explosions is truly magnificent.
“……”
“Are you okay?”
“Uh, uh…”
Asuka cautiously backed away, unlike her usual personality.
Is she scared or something?
‘I wish she would have a bit more confidence.’
Asuka’s offensive power is crucial in this situation. Her confidence is also very important to time her attacks accurately.
[Explosion!]
[The fireworks are insane!]
[LOL!]
[Explosions are art!]
[Wow!]
But there’s no time for counseling, so I immediately flew in and burst another one.
Aisha is dealing with one, so only one remains.
“……You.”
Around the winged Demon, a giant root coils around like a snake to protect its master.
It’s certain.
‘The physical condition isn’t right.’
Since the existence itself is the ‘Cursed Sword,’ such a release isn’t allowed.
It’s just that the Sword Saint is being foolish and momentarily entered a ‘release’ state by gaining the Dungeon system, the World Tree, and the user’s status.
If I fail to escape, the chance of getting sealed back into the sword is very high.
Kagagagak….!
The hammer clashes with the sword.
Verd gritted his teeth and blocked my hammer with his sword, and I pushed him back with all my strength.
The aftermath of the fight sent everything around us flying or melting in magic and holy power.
“Ugh…!”
“Ugh!”
Aisha, who was fighting the roots, ultimately had to step back due to the aftereffects of the battle.
She apologizes, but there’s nothing to apologize for.
It’s much better than getting eaten while fighting recklessly.
The most terrifying thing on the battlefield is an incompetent ally, not a strong enemy.
Asuka, who cleaned up the remaining roots, pulled back with Aisha.
Finally, a decent stage has been set.
“Then…”
Huff…
Kwahhhhaaaaang!!!
“…!!!”
The balance in this power struggle suddenly tips in my favor.
The ground sinks under an overwhelming force, and the space where Verd and I were collapses.
The root tries to attack me, but it’s pointless.
There’s already an overwhelming amount of holy power swirling around me, and a root not even my main body cannot attack me.
Moreover, Verd has already lost several roots which consumed considerable amounts of magic through regeneration.
What have you done?
That guy has no strength left.
The sword is cracking.
If the sword breaks, that guy is finished.
However, one thing I worry about is Verd’s Unique Ability.
Since he has mastered his Unique Ability, he must have his own unique magic.
So far, he has ravaged the World Tree through corrosion and corruption, but that’s a basic skill that demons possess.
There’s definitely some unique magic he can cast on me aside from that.
Finally, the hammer completely shattered the sword.
“…You should be forever grateful.”
Ugh!
“You think you can see the future of ‘possibility’?”
Hundreds of magic circles came out and took Verd somewhere.
■
“Hehe… huh?! Those Tribal Students?”
Leo, who was happily playing in the Nymph Village, dashed out to greet a visitor, leaving behind the cheerful Nymphs.
With serious expressions were Yul from the Hercason Tribe and Myul, who looked serious but not overly so.
Yul spoke to Leo.
“Lady Lily has sent word. If there’s no contact after three days, please retrieve her instead.”
“Eh. I don’t wanna.”
Leo was already deeply immersed here.
Three days? I’m not sure if it’s been that long, but living in the Nymph Village is seriously addictive.
I want to play here for a lifetime.
Leo shook his chubby cheeks and nodded.
“I’ll play a bit longer. Please tell her that.”
“Unfortunately, we have no time. Nymph! The situation is urgent. Have you received any messages?”
“Messages?”
With Myul’s strange respect, Leo tilted his head and checked the message window he had kept off.
…There are quite a few messages.
“What’s all this about?”
“Lady Lily is in danger. Lord Sword Saint unleashed the sword, and a demon appeared. The demon fought Lady Lily and disappeared after kidnapping her.”
That was a day ago.
“……What?”
What does that mean?
“…It seems just as I’ve heard, this side looks dangerous as well. I’ll take special measures.”
“Eh? What, ugh!”
“Keep it together.”
“Stop it!”
“It’s alright.”
Yul shoved a penalty drink into Leo’s mouth.
Leo looked quite distressed, but Yul followed through on his request.
“Ugh…”
“Are you coming to your senses?”
“…Yeah.”
Leo’s eyes regained their clarity.
“……So that’s how it is.”
“The situation has become urgent. The rankers nearby have been entering as soon as they’re eligible, and with Lord Sword Saint defeated and Lady Lily kidnapped, you’re the only one left, Lord Leo.”
The Black World Tree is also a World Boss, but if it emerges, it could destroy Deoen.
The World Boss, while being a challenge, is a presence that could shatter Deoen if it ever appeared.
For rankers wanting a balanced life of healing, hunting, and adventure, this boss isn’t exactly a welcome sight.
Especially, the defeat of the two top-ranked high rankers was enough to spark the competitive spirit among rankers.
“To be precise, it’s more about material desire.”
Any minimal contribution to clearing the World Boss leads to hefty rewards.
Even if they can’t grab the kill, at least getting their name out there is beneficial.
Leo nodded heavily and stood up.
Wow! His hair turned a cheerful green, and his green eyes sparkled with resolution.
“I’ll go.”
“…So cute.”
“Isn’t it adorable?”
“…I’m being serious?!”
Of course, he looked anything but resolute.
■
The broadcast cut out.
Whether it was Deoen’s plan or Verd’s trickery is unknown, but it’s probably the former.
Verd gained part of the system, but it’s not to the extent that it would reflect in reality.
“On one hand, that’s a relief.”
If everyone saw this, they might be quite shocked.
“The Black World Tree swallowing the continent.”
Eventually, Verd, who stepped out into the world, devoured the World Tree.
And not just that, he consumed the entire continent and all living beings.
Everywhere, roots writhing and exuding demonic magic akin to lower demons, while countless creatures are entangled in those roots, drained of life and mana.
Squelch…!
The center of the root opened, and Verd gracefully stepped forward.
Now, Verd emitted magic that was on the level of upper rankers.
His voice resounded throughout the entire continent.
“Isn’t it beautiful?”
“What’s beautiful?”
“My kingdom.”
Swish!
The roots moved, revealing those he had ensnared.
From renowned races to gigantic dragons, even figures from the empire like Spirit Lord and Duke Huangyeol.
Users like Sword Saint, Leo, and Yena were also present.
All of them were wrapped up in the roots, like puppets with blank expressions.
“Do you like this?”
Lastly, even I, ‘crudely’ made.
“I see.”
I nodded.
But here, this is the Spiritual World.
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