episode_0220

LLXII.

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『Fruit of the World Tree [Ancient++]』

It is a fruit that the World Tree produces with will.

It is a tasteless, odorless fruit, and in fact, it only has the appearance of a fruit, but it can be seen as the essence of the power of the World Tree.

Therefore, the power of the World Tree that has borne fruit cannot but diminish.

Since it is a fruit made from the power of a recently deceased world tree, you can expect special effects.

– Special power blooms.

– Special stat [Natural Force] bloomed.

– Talent blossoms.

– After the talent blooms, it evolves into .

– Increased divine power stat.

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“… Huh?”

At first, it was just a stupid dotting sound that I made because I didn’t know what it meant.

“ in?!”

Then, if it was a scream made out of hopelessness,

“… Crazy!!!”

In the end, it was a curse and an exclamation meaning, “Is this even okay?”

At first, I couldn’t understand it because I was looking at the information as Gray, a semi-superhuman. However, since I had already recognized the two souls as part of my enlightenment, I was able to judge the information through the eyes of a game expert called Confession.

Powers, stats, and even talents.

A new flowering in all fields.

It doesn’t just mean a little bit more strength or increased divine power.

Stats that can be considered indicators of the body.

A talent that can be called a sense.

A power close to an ability that uses divine power.

When these three things change at the same time, it is like being born as a new species.

Moreover, doesn’t it say that the divine power stat also increases?

That means,

“Superhuman… … .”

It means that if I eat this now, I can become a superhuman.

“Is that right?”

Just to confirm, I know, but I wanted to confirm it even more.

“Well? Even though we see the same thing, what we gain from it is different. Getting what we can from that fruit can be seen as luck, or it can be seen as ability.”

“… … .”

“But.”

“??”

“If I may give you some advice, I would say to take it after you reach your limit.”

“Yes?”

“Who knows? Something good might happen, right? Won’t it?”

The magic god still had a mischievous smile on his face, but his eyes weren’t smiling. Was it an illusion if I felt like he was asking, “Do you understand?”

While exchanging glances for a moment,

“Oh. It’s time to go. Candidate Gray.”

“Huh? Oh, yes.”

“Are you satisfied with the compensation?”

“Yes, I am satisfied.”

“Good. The compensation for the sin of 〈cause and effect〉 has been satisfactorily agreed upon. What is the last question you would like to ask?”

“Huh? What… … . Ah! That World Tree, what will happen to the World Tree that was here?”

I just wasn’t particularly curious about anything, so I just threw out whatever came to mind.

But the expression on the Magic God’s face when he asked me my question changed strangely. It was as if he had gulped down cola, thinking it was cola, but ended up eating soy sauce.

“Are you asking because you know? Or are you asking because you really don’t know?”

“Yes? Of course I don’t know, so I’m asking.”

“You didn’t know? That can’t be true. Weren’t you supposed to be able to see the information about the World Tree fruit you were holding in your hand?”

“Yes?”

I once again activated my divine eye and scanned the information about the fruit of the World Tree. Only then did I notice a somewhat peculiar phrase.

‘You can expect special effects from the fruit made from the power of the recently fallen World Tree.’

“No way… … ?”

“It’s not a crime that can be forgiven and overlooked because it was a mistake. It’s an incident that forced one candidate to leave.”

Watching the magic god answer calmly, I felt an eerie feeling from him for the second time since I met him.

It was then that I finally realized.

That man with a handsome face who always seemed to have a playful side was also a god.

A story I once heard from a witch came to mind.

It is said that, not so long ago, the Creator and his entourage who now rule the divine realm were those who had passed through the battlefield where they bathed in the blood of their enemies every day.

We often forget this fact due to the light words and actions of the magic god, but it is suddenly revealed like this.

The cruelty that only a god can have.

Just as humans don’t care about one or two ants, he also says that it is ‘natural’ that the World Tree that he was bickering with me about just now has been carved into pieces and is now an item in my hand.

“Why are you being so cruel? Rather, isn’t it more cruel to give a suspended sentence to someone who committed a crime, using all sorts of excuses to make them feel normal? To the innocent people who were harmed by that mistake, by that crime?”

Leaving behind those cynical words, the God of Magic disappeared, just as he had appeared, as if he had never existed in the first place.

“Master. Please give me your feelings too.”

As I was pondering the words left by the magic god, the witch handed me the branch she was holding in her hand.

“Huh? Really?”

“Yes. Because my ability to detect is not perfect.”

I readily accepted this rare request from a witch who could see most objects or artifacts as well as I could with my divine eyes.

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『The First Branch of the World Tree [Ancient++]』

The first branch of the World Tree seedling to take root and grow.

This is the branch and the trunk, the beginning and the end of the World Tree. Therefore, among the five branches of the World Tree, it is the one that contains the most of the life of the World Tree.

This is the first branch taken from a recently deceased World Tree and carefully processed by a special being. Once the succession process is complete, you will be able to acquire special powers.

[A succession process is required.]

– Special talent blossoms.

– Special ability blooms.

– Special power “Absolute Protection from Evil” is revealed.

― Usage Rights 〈Tripple〉

Power of Use 〈Triple〉.

The purpose of the World Tree’s existence is protection and prosperity.

Copy all abilities cast by the ‘Successor’ three times with powers befitting such an identity.

This effect can only be used once a day, and resets at midnight.

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“Wow!”

It sounds like May’s exclamation, but this girlish exclamation right now came from a witch.

“Oppa, me too! Me too!”

This time it was May. May came up to me, jumping up and down in place, holding something that looked like a root.

“Yeah.”

Naturally, he gladly accepted it and displayed his divine eye.

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『Roots of the World Tree [Ancient++]』

The roots of the World Tree are not intended to absorb water and nutrients.

The World Tree takes root in the ground and observes the dimensions. It is the basic measure and power of the World Tree to prevent and protect the end of the dimensions.

These are all the roots of the World Tree, collected from a recently deceased World Tree and carefully processed by a special being. Once the succession process is complete, you can acquire special powers.

[A succession process is required.]

– Special Power 〈Terrain〉

– Special power 〈Forest〉

– Special power 〈Dark communication〉

– Special power 〈Brightness〉

― Power of Use 〈Guanyin (觀音)〉

Power of use 〈Guanyin (觀音)〉.

The purpose of the World Tree’s existence is protection and prosperity.

It is the power to examine all the sounds of the dimension with the power befitting its identity and to do things that are suitable for the purpose of protection and prosperity.

Once a month, for five minutes, the ‘Successor’ can watch, hear and engage with what’s happening in the space of their choice.

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“Wow, wow! Wow wow wow! Oppa, you’re the best!!”

Santa, who was happily watching May run around me with both arms raised, slowly approached me and held out what he was holding in his hand.

“Please, my lord.”

“Yeah.”

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『The Last Branch of the World Tree [Ancient++]』

It is the fifth branch of the World Tree, and the last to appear.

Of the five branches of the World Tree, the last one represents the vibrant and prosperous life force.

Therefore, by simply receiving the energy of this branch through proper procedures, you will be able to control life force.

This is the last branch of the World Tree, taken from a recently deceased World Tree and carefully processed by a special being. Once the succession process is complete, you will be able to acquire special powers.

– Special divine power stat [Vitality] blooms.

– Special power blooms.

– Special power “Fengyao (風謠)” opens.

– Physical stats greatly increased.

― Power of Use 〈From Reverse Heaven to Follow Heaven〉

Power of Use 〈From Reverse Heaven to Follow Heaven〉.

Any power that goes against the natural order is bound to have a rebound in some way.

Curses are like that, and so is the peculiar black magic. And among the divine magics, the ‘Resurrection’ spell, which is rare to see even once in a dimension, is also like that.

In the case of resurrection spells, they are usually manifested using the life and soul of the caster as collateral.

However, while holding this branch, it will only replace the rebound that the ‘Successor’ would receive once. Use it with caution.

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“Huh?”

It wasn’t Santa’s admiration, it was my admiration.

Especially the power of use. Given Santa’s personality, if she could sacrifice herself to save someone, she would do it.

If that someone were me, she would definitely do it. Without a moment’s hesitation.

For her, the power to use “From Reverse Heaven to Follow Heaven” was a power that gave her a sense of stability, even if it was only once.

Now, I am grateful to the World Tree, whose body has been torn apart into five parts.

“Give me some Hwang-i-do.”

“Thank you, my lord.”

He manifested the “divine eye” on the branch he received from Hwang-i. Now, he is like someone with the profession of an appraiser.

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『The Third Branch of the World Tree [Ancient++]』

It is the third branch of the World Tree that is never revealed to the outside.

The third branch of the World Tree is revealed when it is invaded by a distorted force during the process of ‘protection’, which is the second purpose of the World Tree.

This is the essence of the world tree’s destruction of evil, the true face of its third branch.

The third branch of the World Tree, taken from a recently deceased World Tree and carefully processed by a special being. Upon completion of the succession process, you will be granted special powers.

[A succession process is required.]

– Special power 〈Jema (制魔)〉

– Special power 〈Evil Extermination〉

– Special power 〈Exorcism〉

– Special Power 〈Walking Alone in the Darkness〉

― Power of Use 〈Holy Land〉

Power of Use 〈Holy Land〉.

The land where the World Tree resides is special. It is filled with divine power and other natural powers, and it is a space that no evil spirit dares to enter.

Once a month, summon the land of the World Tree around the ‘Successor’ for 30 minutes.

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“Thank you, my lord.”

After confirming the compensation that Hwang received,

“Honey~. This.”

The clown handed me the 『Fruit of the World Tree』 he had received as a gift. The punishment that had been watching was the same.

“You can give it to whoever needs it when they need it. At your own discretion.”

I thought I could vaguely guess what the clown was trying to say.

So I simply answered that I understood and carefully packed it away. As soon as I packed the items I received as the ‘settlement money’,

– Can I join in for a moment?

The young boy’s voice rang in my mind.

“Ah!”

It was only then that I realized that we were in the space of the World Tree.

– Let me introduce myself. Dimension No. 389901. The dimension number in charge. My name is Tae.

“Oh, uh. Okay.”

I found myself speaking informally to him without realizing it, at his innocent greeting.

– Could you help me out for a moment?

“Huh? Me? Help? I’m human?”

― It’s not that the World Tree needs help from the elves, but that the elves can’t survive without the World Tree. It doesn’t matter if we’re not elves.

“Really?”

It was an unexpected remark.

It was a statement that would make the elves fall over if they heard it.

“Gray!”

“Oh my gosh!”

There were actually elves who fell down while holding the back of their necks. How? Huh? How is Lina running towards us?

― You were a very beloved person. It seems that the aftereffects of the power that occurred during the process of changing the World Tree made the group anxious. I opened the space that had been isolated for a while so that you could use the power.

“Hey, that’s not it. That’s what I’m saying… … .”

As a child who can be more honest because he is young, when he sees the new world tree telling countless elves that he does not need any help from the elves, he starts to feel embarrassed and starts to have a headache.

“Gray!”

“Brother!”

Lina and Catherine rushed forward competitively.

― Oh! I know this! I learned it! Is this what you call a ‘loli pervert’?

No! You idiot!

“Haa… … .”

For some reason, that World Tree reminds me of the God of Magic. I haven’t even exchanged a single word, but I’m already feeling tired.