Chapter 135

Chapter 135. Sprout (4)

I had frozen in shock at the startling scene, but only for a brief moment.

“Hyung, aren’t you going to eat?”

At the sudden call, I jerkily turned my head to the side and saw Kim Yul, who was already digging into a table full of food.

Realizing that I was looking at him, he flinched and shuddered a little. Then, swallowing his food, he spoke.

“… Why are you staring at me so terrifyingly? Did I do something wrong?”

I brushed my face with my hand and shook my head.

“It’s nothing.”

But Kim Yul didn’t believe my words easily. Instead of believing it, he scrutinized me with a sly, suspicious gaze, bringing his face closer.

“It’s not nothing, is it? I just felt like my life was in danger! Your eyes even turned gold, looking at people so intimidatingly! Did you use a blessing? What? You said Meferoseta, right? Isn’t that a prophecy? You’re affiliated with Palao, so how did you use it? No, you don’t have to tell me that, just tell me what you saw! Did you really see the future?”

I pushed Kim Yul’s face away with the palm of my hand and thought.

‘Why was he next to Yeonwoo?’

The fact that the two were together meant I had allowed it.

‘Or maybe I didn’t know at all.’

If it wasn’t one of those two scenarios, Kim Yul being next to Yeonwoo was impossible.

I had no intention of leaving a player, a dangerous element, near the twins. If I wasn’t going to allow it, I would have removed him completely.

I didn’t voice it out loud because it wasn’t something worth mentioning.

But the truth was, my gaze at Kim Yul had altered a bit.

‘Do I trust him to such an extent?’

Enough to let him be around my younger siblings?

“What, what? You’re not going to tell me? Hurry up and spill it!”

From what I currently saw, there seemed to be no way such circumstances would arise.

Seeming impatiently demanding a response, I pushed Kim Yul away firmly.

Unable to resist the force differing between Gold and Silver badges, Kim Yul’s body got pushed back, causing his chair to tip over.

“Hey, I almost fell!”

Of course, before the chair touched the ground, Kim Yul swiftly bounced up to his feet.

Seeing him threatening to charge at me again demanding answers, I spoke decisively.

“I said it’s nothing. Sit down.”

“Tsk.”

Whether it’s because he’s perceptive or quick-witted, Kim Yul had a knack for always hitting the mark with uncanny accuracy, and today was no exception.

He didn’t cling further, pulling the toppled chair back and resuming his seat.

‘Though the issue is that it never lasts more than a few minutes.’

At least it bought me some time to reexamine the things I’d seen in detail.

‘What I saw was the future…’

Although they were brief snippets of images, what I gathered was not insignificant.

‘First, the background of the initial scene.’

It’s nonsense that I would take Yeonwoo to Bihar, and familiar skyscraper scenery confirmed that the location was indeed Earth.

So, it implied that I used attribute mana on Earth, right in front of Yeonwoo.

How many possible reasons could there be for that?

“Does it mean things will eventually break through…”

Is it that I couldn’t conclude the war in Bihar and it ends up dragging to Earth?

Just envisioning that short scenario made everything ahead seem bleak, enough to unintentionally create stiff lines across my face.

Sensing that struggling, Yang Taeho slid a dish my way and remarked.

“Looking at you, seems like you’re shouldering all the worries in the world by yourself. Not sure what’s swirling in your mind, but yeah, it’s all about living, so eat while you’re at it.”

I stared at Yang Taeho intently.

His face and near his lips were covered with minor cuts.

Even those were nearly healed with scabs forming.

Looking at Yang Taeho’s face that was still smooth, the scars I saw after the ground had flipped appeared to overlay it.

In the end, I redirected my gaze away from Yang Taeho and rubbed my face with both hands.

‘This is driving me insane.’

I never desired dragging this chaotic war to Earth.

But it wasn’t out of expectation either.

That’s why I had passed the situation to Squad Leader Yang Jochul before coming over.

Though unwelcomed, it was somewhat within the scope of my plans.

Hence, while unpleasant, it wasn’t utterly shocking.

Moreover, it wasn’t a confirmed future yet.

The future seen through Meferoseta’s authority includes variability.

‘It means it can be changed anytime.’

Thus, it was a matter I could tell myself there was still an opportunity.

But what was related to Yang Taeho…

The mere possibility of such an event occurring was shocking.

Did I choose someone who could backstab me?

‘It seemed he knew that man.’

Why did the man beside Yang Taeho carry me away?

Who is he? What’s his relationship with Yang Taeho? Why take me?

My mind was excessively tangled, especially due to the words he spoke before hoisting me over his shoulder.

‘Something shady…’

If so, it’s likely closer to a bad meaning than a good one.

Was Yang Taeho involved in it?

‘No.’

I saw the scene of the two meeting first, then me getting taken away, which made them feel connected.

Meferoseta’s authority doesn’t reveal the future sequentially.

There’s no certainty of a relationship between the two incidents.

‘It might even be a rescue, not a kidnapping.’

What I witnessed was me lying collapsed and a man taking me away.

The scenes before and after were missing, so jumping to conclusions is premature.

I tried my best to not lose objectivity.

And discreetly shelved what I saw.

It’s a matter of a yet-to-come future.

The information I’d obtained was inevitably limited.

For now, merely storing what I’d just seen without forgetting was sufficient.

Clearing my thoughts, I let out a long sigh and picked up a fork.

Trying the food in front of me, I started reviewing the next reward.

‘Store Free Use Ticket.’

Where’s the best place to use this?

In comparison to other players, I barely utilize the store.

Over 80% of the skills and magic I possess are self-learned.

Regarding equipment, I only employ the custom-made feature when urgent repairs are needed in the corrupted area.

Aside from water, which takes up weight, or potions, which are consumed continuously, there isn’t much I purchase from the store.

Naturally, it’s to economize mana.

If I can acquire something without expending mana, I’d welcome it with open arms.

‘Personally, I’d like to upgrade magic defense.’

As encounters with general-rank evolved species increased, situations facing magic also became frequent.

This phenomenon would intensify moving forward.

Presently among my deck, the only magic repellant I possess is the Barrier.

And it’s merely a 2nd-rank magic, capable only of blocking 2nd-rank elemental magic.

‘To block higher rank magic, the defense magic’s rank also needs elevating.’

But I can’t utilize defense magic of higher rank than the Barrier on my own accord.

As it requires 3rd or higher rank of earth and wind attribute mana.

Solving it isn’t hugely problematic if I set my mind to it.

‘Procuring mana isn’t a big issue.’

Seeing there’s Yang Taeho and Kim Yul available, and mana exchange between players via mana accumulation tools is becoming increasingly frequent.

Still, I was hesitant to straightforwardly purchase new defense magic.

Permanent skills that necessitate borrowed mana are low in utilization frequency.

‘Look at how infrequently I use spatial magic.’

Spatial magic isn’t my main offensive technique.

‘Although efficient, it strongly gives off the feeling of a support magic.’

Due to the limited usage times dictated by the mana contained in the mana accumulation tool, it’s inevitable.

Utilizing the free use ticket for such magic seemed wasteful.

Eventually, I diverted my attention elsewhere after pensive consideration.

‘Should I perhaps buy water-element magic?’

Water-element is the only element among the four great elemental magics I lack.

Taking advantage of receiving the free use ticket, I lingered my sight on a few depicted as 2nd-rank.

‘No.’

I quickly shook my head.

Thanks to recalling that purchasing this would equate to buying a white elephant.

‘Water just doesn’t cooperate.’

Internally clicking my tongue, I extended a hand beyond the table.

Soon after, familiar sparks blossomed over the palm before splitting apart.

And in the vacant space formed within the spark, bubbly water surged.

It took just a few seconds for all the sparks to vanish, leaving a fist-sized mass of water in its place.

But suspended midair, the water promptly splattered down with a splish.

“Tsk.”

“Why, didn’t work again?”

“Yeah.”

Halfheartedly responding to Kim Yul’s query, I irritably raked my hair back.

Holding onto a slim hope, it had come up short once more.

Mana of water attribute only allowed decomposition and materialization.

Beyond that, attempting more was futile.

For other attribute mana, I distinctly felt my will being accurately conveyed to the mana, maintaining perfect control.

However, water felt as if my commands or intents ceased before transmitting.

‘Something feels obstructive.’

Ahel suggests altering my perception about water is the only solution.

Such advice didn’t seem suited for resolving this predicament.

“How am I supposed to change my nonchalant perception about water?”

I found myself muttering in discontent without realizing.

Throughout resolving this dilemma, I experimented with numerous approaches.

Notably, by self-hypnotizing positive thoughts about water and increasing my water consumption.

Even spending a deliberate one to two hours soaking in bathtubs regularly.

When attending external affairs, I’d purposely immerse myself in valleys or near watersides.

Consequently, there were numerous days I would backwash with Yang Taeho as well.

However, the situation remained unchanged.

I still hadn’t resolved this issue.

Acquiring water magic would merely be a nuisance given this circumstance.

‘Moreover, mastering 2nd-rank magic isn’t a hard endeavor.’

Despite being unable to register due to the inability to arrange water attribute mana.

It’s an attainable level of magic that can be self-taught.

More efficient than purchasing from the store through self-acquisition.

That’s why I also excluded water magic from possibilities.

‘There are still many options to consider.’

Thus, instead of hastily choosing, I planned to apply a process of elimination.

‘Permanent skills or magic over equipment that require constant repairs should be prioritized.’

Thanks to Shamelle’s drilling, spear techniques fell under my skills tab.

‘Perhaps it’s worth checking if there’s anything worthwhile for martial arts.’

In hunting general-ranked creatures, both magic and physical combat were significant.

‘Each has a distinct personality.’

Some creatures, like my first encounter, intensely use magic.

While others rely on physical abilities to engage in melee battles.

To respond to such varied creatures, I need balanced overall abilities.

‘Additional wide-area skills over martial arts would be ideal.’

Preferably magic akin to the firestorm I used this time.

‘The store value for a firestorm was 98 million mana…’

Almost 100 million, an unbelievable price.

Initially, my hands trembled purchasing the 1,000-mana Invisibility.

Now humorously, I registered 100 million mana magic without store purchases.

‘If I wish to wield it at will, gathering attribute mana should be expedited.’

Though I have been continuously pressing forward, glancing at the path ahead revealed many tasks.

Catching my breath in anticipation of the future, I suddenly sensed a gaze fixed on me.

Turning, Kim Yul was gnawing on a giant lamb chop while watching me.

“What?”

I asked indifferently, and Kim Yul mumbled while munching his meat.

“I didn’t realize before, but now you seem like someone with a lot on your mind. You’ve been muttering to yourself, what on earth are you thinking?”

“Organizing rewards and enhancing my strength and stuff.”

I replied easily and pulled out the store use ticket from my inventory and waved it.

“Oh, a store ticket? I was thinking of getting a 4th-rank wide-area skill… How does that sound?”

Kim Yul had recently purchased a high-rank attribute stone after reaching the Silver badge, thus increasing his attribute mana’s rank.

From a 3rd-rank storm to a 4th-rank hurricane.

It was a stacked attribute with an added water attribute to the existing earth and wind attributes.

Thanks to this, Kim Yul had increased both the variety and rank of magic he could use.

To his question, I responded plainly.

“Do as you like.”

I have no intention of meddling excessively in the growth of party members.

I had already set the broad frame of our party hunting.

Yang Taeho at the forefront creates the hunting ground through herding.

I’m in the middle, extracting maximum efficiency from the hunting ground Yang Taeho created using strong firepower.

Then, Kim Yul at the tail covering overall hunting ground fills any possible gaps left by me.

These were the basic outlines of our team’s party play.

‘They need to make their detailed choices accordingly.’

Damned System