SWNOVELXO Chapter 75
Chapter 75. World Tree Shimdrasil (2)
TL: xLordFifth
ED/PR: The reader
[You have cleared the special arena ‘Nature’s Decline’ in an unimaginable way.]
[The fate decided by this arena’s clear will significantly change.]
[As a result of this clear, the ‘Corrupted Forest’ map will change into the ‘Regenerating Forest’.]
[Since you have altered the predetermined clear outcome, we are currently readjusting a suitable reward.]
[Please wait for a moment.]
Messages flooded in as soon as the arena ended.
Returning home, Kim Shimun nodded as he read the familiar phrases in the messages.
“Just as expected.”
A new way to clear the arena, other than the predetermined ones set by Galaxy Arena.
Just like during the previous special arena ‘Fervent Nightmare Mine’.
This time, too, Galaxy Arena must be pondering what reward to give.
‘I should restrain myself from demanding a reward this time.’
Though he had directly demanded and received rewards from Galaxy Arena on two separate occasions, requesting a reward first for this special arena didn’t seem like a good option.
The reason was simple.
‘It would be troublesome if I asked for less than what I anticipated.’
The intrusion of the evolved dragon race, Dranis.
Merely having her mentioned as a hidden boss then accidentally revealing her as a player was a big mistake. Not to mention, didn’t it infuriate no less than four of the higher orders?
Of course, immediate punishment for Dranis was allowed, but besides that, there was a strong feeling that they would take the rewards for this special arena seriously.
‘Well, even just the average rewards for a special arena wouldn’t be too bad.’
The Dragon Force obtained from the corrupted world tree’s soul alone was worth 50 stats.
Though it was bound to the alchemy energy, reducing it to 25 stats, wasn’t that equivalent to receiving rewards for 25 levels up?
Kim Shimun silently stared at the message window.
“Hmm. Seems like it will take some time?”
-Of course. Saving just the High Elf would have been a tremendous anomaly, but you also gave birth to a new World Tree.
A cheerful voice popped out immediately.
-The birth of a new World Tree, even from just a seed fragment, is an enormous deal!
“Is, is that so?”
Kim Shimun, who hardly had a grasp on the significance of a World Tree’s existence, was convinced by the fuss from the Philosopher’s Stone and Galaxy Arena that it must be substantial.
At that thought, “Right. Speaking of which, I received titles and traits related to the World Tree.”
He immediately opened the title window, recalling the rewards he received just before the arena.
And then, “Insane!!”
He couldn’t hide his astonishment.
[Companion of the World Tree] – Growth Type
A title awarded to the World Tree’s companion.
– Increases the experience of guild members by 20%.
– Increases the stat growth rate of guild members by 50%.
A significant bonus related to experience and stats, which greatly influence a player’s growth.
Furthermore, “It’s a growth type title?!”
Growth type title.
In the world of titles, where the mere presence of an option could decide fortune, an option that grows on its own, like a growth type option, was as rare as an SSS-Rank item.
Especially since Kim Shimun already possessed another growth type title, ‘Pioneer of Alchemy’.”
Even the pioneers of alchemy blatantly give bonuses related to alchemy…,” he mused. Now there’s a growth-type title with options directly tied to the player’s development. What’s more, it’s a unique form that even affects the affiliated guild. Its value, naturally, is beyond words.
“I might get struck by lightning just walking down the street at this rate?”
“Huh? What are you talking about? Someone who’s garnered Zeus’s full attention and even uses Astrape worrying about getting struck by lightning?”
The Philosopher’s Stone voiced its disbelief. At that, Shimun chuckled and gently caressed the area around his chest where the Philosopher’s Stone was.
“I’m kidding, buddy. By the way, with your capabilities, the World Tree is now bound to us.”
“Haha. Of course! I can contain even the essence of the World Tree because I’m all-powerful.”
“But, I can’t seem to figure out how to use it. Why’s that?”
Currently, there were three features added to the Philosopher’s Stone: the Obsidian Tablet, Dragonification, and the World Tree. While the usage methods for the Obsidian Tablet and Dragonification had been intuitively learned like any regular features, that wasn’t the case with the World Tree.
“It’s the same as when we first acquired it. I just can’t get a grasp on how to use it.”
– Oh, oppa, that’s only natural.
“Natural, you say?”
– Yes!
The Philosopher’s Stone cheerily continued.
– You may have birthed the World Tree and become its partner, but you know as well as I do the current state of this Shimdrasil we possess.
“Ah.”
Realization dawned on Shimun, and he clapped his hands.
“It’s because there’s only a fragment of the seed, so it can’t exert its full power.”
– Exactly. And we don’t even have the main body. But, there are still basic options available.
“Basic options?”
– Yes. You have the World Tree’s Companion title, don’t you? This feature shares its effects with that title.
“What?”
Shimun’s eyes widened, surprised by this phenomenon unheard of in his previous life.
“Are you saying I’m also affected by this title?”
– Right. A 20% increase in experience and a 50% increase in stat growth rate. All of these apply to you too.
“…That’s amazing.”
He had thought it was merely a guild-oriented option, not expecting it to apply to him as well.
“Then, the condition for the title’s growth would be every time I alchemize Fragment of the World Tree’s seed, right?”
-Yes. But I’m not sure how much the growth rate increases by. The World Tree is also new to me.
At the Philosopher’s Stone’s words, Shimun’s eyes sparkled.
‘I’ll have to figure out the growth option’s increase rate by transmuting myself. Sounds exciting.’
The alchemist’s spirit for experimentation was ignited.
‘Wait. Now that I think about it, didn’t the Black Goat give me a quest?’
Remembering the quest from the Black Goat he had momentarily forgotten, Shimun opened the quest log.
[Forgotten Knowledge: Homunculus]
– Achieve 60% completion of the Obsidian Tablet.
Reward: Homunculus Creation Recipe
His mouth fell open upon reading the content. And for good reason.
“A Homunculus creation recipe!”
– What? Really? Where did you get a Homunculus recipe?!
The reward startled the Philosopher’s Stone. And rightfully so. Although Shimun had indeed brought the Philosopher’s Stone to life as a Homunculus, that was solely through the use of Paracelsus’s Flask. He hadn’t actually created a Homunculus directly. Thus, his knowledge of Homunculi was basically non-existent. Shimun continued slowly, “Remember when we were summoned to the domain of the Black Goat? She mentioned something about giving us a gift.”
-Ah.
The Philosopher’s Stone readily accepted the mention of the Black Goat.
-If it’s that old thing, it’s possible. Homunculi are in a realm close to human alchemy.
Unlike golems, homunculi are bona fide living beings. Naturally, there would be many overlaps with the field of human alchemy. The Black Goat, which even brought the Obsidian Tablet into existence, couldn’t possibly be ignorant of such knowledge.
“And there must be a reason it’s giving this in the form of a quest.”
-A reason?
Shimun nodded without a word. Considering the nature of the Black Goat. If it wanted to give something away, it would just do so directly, not through a quest format like this.
And yet, the Black Goat chose to assign a quest. What could this mean?
“My current level probably means creating a homunculus is out of the question,” Shimun surmised.
-Well, creating life is a domain of the gods, after all.
“So, how many achievement points would I need to reach 60% completion of the Obsidian Tablet?”
-Let’s see. Currently at 40%… Wait, let me do some calculations.
A moment of silence fell over the Philosopher’s Stone.
Then, -Got it. 20,000 to reach 50%. And another 40,000 to increase it by 10% more.
“So, I need a total of 60,000 points?”
-Yes, that’s correct.
“Ha.”
A hollow laugh escaped him.
‘Crazy. 60,000 points just to increase it by 20%.’
He had known for a while that the points required for alchemy amplified as one progressed.
Yet, hearing the actual figures made his head spin.
But, ‘It’s not impossible.’
He already had 20,000 achievement points on hand.
As his rank increased, so did the amount of achievement points he earned.
‘If I save up and pay attention, I should be able to gather enough.’
However, to do so, he would have to temporarily stop growing his abilities, including the Heavenly Demon Divine Art. After a brief contemplation, Shimun shook his head slightly.
‘Let’s not rush. The quest isn’t going anywhere, and there’s no need to rush for the 60,000 points.’
Currently, it’s necessary to enhance at least once the options given by the World Tree’s companion and to understand the growth rate.
‘Manage the achievement points as best as I can and alchemize what’s needed at the time.’
As Shimun sorted his thoughts, [A reward has been determined.]
The paused message window came back to life.
[You’ve innovatively cleared the special arena ‘Nature’s Decline’.]
[Clear rewards increase based on your performance.]
[The bound trait ‘Philosopher’s Stone’ receives a distribution of experience.]
[Level has increased by 10.]
[Philosopher’s Stone’s level has increased by 8.]
[As a clear reward, you’ve obtained ‘Mimir’s Well Water’.]
‘First come the basic rewards.’
Of course, an 18-level jump for clearing a special arena was impressive.
-Oh my! Mimir’s Well Water!
The Philosopher’s Stone couldn’t contain its excitement over such an item.
However, up to this point, these were standard rewards for a special arena. Additionally, it is confirmed that there were errors that compromised the fairness in this special arena event, and those involved in the particular incident have been disciplined accordingly.
Then, the news Kim Shimun had been waiting for surfaced.
[Furthermore, player Kim Shimun, who was affected by the incident, will be awarded a special compensation.]
[As compensation, you will receive a ‘Fragment of the World Tree’s Seed’.]
“What?!”
Kim Shimun exclaimed in surprise. And for good reason.
“They’re giving me this?”
He had never imagined they would offer a fragment of the World Tree’s Seed.
-Those guys! They must be really sorry. This is something that can’t even be obtained anymore and would have to be created anew. The expenditure of causality must’ve been no joke~
The Philosopher’s Stone commented with a tone full of effort.
-Well, this level of sincerity should appease the higher-ranking Constellations and dissipate their anger.
As if proving that point, [All the Constellations watching you are wearing satisfied smiles.]
Responses from the Constellations appeared.
Kim Shimun immediately opened his inventory to check the reward of the Fragment of the World Tree’s Seed.
Shring.
A clear tone rang out. While looking at the familiar green fragment, “Ha! Solid 10,000 points. Sweet.”
Kim Shimun nodded his head with a satisfied smile.
***
Paaat.
A woman appeared with a small burst of light. Her slightly upturned eyes were particularly attractive, but contrary to her appearance, she expressed her frustration.
“Damn old fogey! Can’t you keep it moderate? I didn’t even bring any clothes to wear.”
She sighed deeply at her almost rag-like attire.
Then, “At least there’s some conscience left, thankfully.”
Her eyes twinkled as she looked into the void where, [First Duel]
-Constellation Heavenly Demon has nominated player Kim Shimun as the opponent for your first duel.
Prove if you are the rightful heir to the Heavenly Demon Divine Art through this duel.
The reward varies depending on the outcome.
Reward: Achievement Points 5,000
-If failed, mandatory secluded training (cut off from the world until the training period ends.)
-If succeeded, SS-rank spirit medicine Demonic Ki Pill.
-If victorious, SSS-Rank spirit medicine Heavenly Demon Pill, Heavenly Demon Divine Art 4-star, Achievement Points 5,000.
The quest window popped up.
Especially, “So, if I win, I get all of that?”
Go Malsuk’s gaze was fixed on the victory condition at the bottom of the quest.
“Damn old fogey, I’ll make sure to clean you out.”
Confidently, Go Malsuk exited the room.
Naturally, her destination was Kim Shimun’s lab where she could sense activity.
“Hey! Kim Shimun! Let’s have a match…….”
Go Malsuk didn’t finish her sentence. And for good reason.
Clink, click, whirr.
In the breath-holding silence, numerous arms and tools moved busily. And at the center, Kim Shimun, who was evidently engrossed in his work, looked too busy at a glance.
“Uh… let me know when you’re done.”
Embarrassed, Go Malsuk muttered quietly, heading towards a chair in one corner of the lab.