By Zephyria Meanwhile, Eui-jae had arrived at the place where the Master of the Rift was. An arch with long, drooping purple wisteria flowers was protecting itself by being blocked without any gaps by huge tree trunks and vines.
Eui-jae tapped the tree trunk with his fist. It sounded solid, as if it were full inside. The Master of the Rift was inside, but somehow, breaking through the entrance wasn’t easy.
He carefully looked around. This was because the Master of the Rift was often in a form related to the internal environment. And since this Rift was a huge forest, there was a high possibility that the Master was also a plant-type Monster.
‘It would be easier to burn it down.’
But Eui-jae was a non-smoker and didn’t even have a small lighter. In the past, he used to carry a lighter and a torch in his Inventory just in case, but not anymore. He scratched his head and sighed deeply.
“Well, it’s not like it’s made of steel…”
In this case, there was usually only one solution.
“If I hit it enough, it’ll break!”
Bang! Bang! Bang! Relentless fists rushed at the trunk. The trunk where his fist hit began to dent. Soon, one tree snapped with a crack. How long had he been going around breaking them? A fragrant smell wafted from a crack in one of the trees.
Eui-jae tore off the broken tree and checked inside.
[You have entered the Master’s nest, ‘Garden of Life’.]
In the middle of a garden full of colorful flowers, a huge deer was curled up in a ball, lying down. Eui-jae took a step into the flower garden. As if sensing someone’s presence, the deer raised its head. Blue eyes turned to Eui-jae. The deer, discovering the intruder, roared roughly.
Gooooooo….
The entire garden began to vibrate. Eui-jae adjusted the Buddha’s Fan. Root-shaped Monsters with flowers on their heads sprang up from the flower garden and crawled out by the dozens, surrounding him. The deer roared again.
Goooo…!
Bang! The roots crawled, aiming for Eui-jae’s arms and legs. Eui-jae swung his fan, quickly knocking away the rushing roots. But if he knocked away ten, fifteen more crawled out again. Maybe all the flowers in this garden were Monsters.
Eui-jae took a deep breath, stuck the fan into the ground, and infused it with energy.
Woooong…
Kwaaaang!
A blue shockwave that started from the fan shook the garden. The Monsters twisted, screaming incomprehensible screams. The roots that were crawling out also drooped, spitting out green juice.
The deer shook its huge antlers as if in anger. Now, instead of small roots, vines and thick tree trunks that had blocked the archway sprang up from the ground.
If he continued to fight like this, he could eventually catch it, but it would be a waste of time. For the sake of the Hanover Soup Restaurant’s safety and the clean broth, he had to finish quickly. His purpose now was to return to the store quickly, and closing the Rift was just a means.
Eui-jae put the tattered Buddha’s Fan in the front pocket of his hoodie.
‘I’m sorry, Buddha. I have no choice.’
He always fought relying on his own body. That was the most efficient way. There was no need to fight in a complicated way using his head; if he had a strong and agile body, most problems were solved.
But now he was under the Weakening Curse. When his body couldn’t function properly?
‘…I have to use another method.’
Eui-jae took out a jet-black sword from his Inventory. Everything from the blade to the handle was jet-black, and the sword fit snugly in his hand as if it had been waiting for his touch.
‘If I can’t do it with my body, I’ll use tools.’
[Basilisk Fang (S)
A sword forged from the Basilisk Fang by The Artisan who lives in ■■■. Those who are not qualified are not even allowed to hold the sword.
Creator: ■■■]
[Suitability assessment in progress…]
Cheeeek, contrary to Eui-jae’s expectations, an ominous sound came from the hand holding the sword, and at the same time, a white System notification popped up.
[Warning! The level does not match. The body is beginning to be poisoned.]
The hand holding the sword’s handle was burning black. In front of him was an urgent situation where the Master of the Rift was roaring. Swaeeeek! A tree root rushed in with a fierce momentum as if to pierce him. Eui-jae quickly bent down to avoid it and shook the hand holding the sword.
“Hey, are you crazy? Don’t you remember me?”
[Problem occurred! Would you like to hear the thoughts of ‘Basilisk Fang’?]
For some reason, the System was doing something helpful. Eui-jae avoided another root and quickly replied.
“Yeah. Do it!”
[Reading the thoughts of ‘Basilisk Fang’…]
[Fang’s thoughts: I do not listen to the orders of those weaker than me.]
This crazy sword was protesting that he wasn’t qualified to hold it with this level, no, he was protesting. He was already an A-Class even with this level, so it was absurd.
Eui-jae jumped over a vine that was trying to wrap around his leg. The System continued to provide a kind response.
[Calculating remaining time in the body…]
[Error! Variable occurred!]
[Trait Basilisk’s Poison (S+) is activated.]
[Remaining time 999:59:59]
[‘Basilisk Fang’s’ thoughts updated!]
[Updating…]
[Fang’s thoughts: Why is Poison Hyung there?]
Eui-jae, who had climbed onto a tree trunk, checked his arm. His arm, which had been dyed almost black up to his elbow, was returning to its original color thanks to ‘Basilisk’s Poison’. This crazy sword didn’t recognize its Master but was treating the trait like a Hyung. Eui-jae looked at the sword with a pathetic face.
‘Who did this crazy sword inherit its temper from?’
West Sea Rift, ‘Basilisk Fang’ suddenly appeared in front of J, who had lost the spear he used to use. A piece of equipment stuck in the middle of a pure white wasteland was naturally suspicious.
But even thinking about that was a luxury there. He had to entrust his body to instinct, swing his weapons without thinking, and swing his fists to survive. Senses and murderous intent honed more sharply than ever kept him alive.
J grabbed the sword without hesitation. A warm warmth flowed through the handle.
[Suitability assessment in progress…]
[To the one who challenges ■■.]
[I will lend you the power entrusted by ■■.]
The sword said something, but J didn’t hear it. He just needed strength and grabbed this sword. A dark energy wrapped around his arm. J used ‘Basilisk Fang’ to slaughter the pure white Monsters that rushed at him.
Where had that past been sold off to? Eui-jae was holding an S-Class Weapon and still hopping around on tree roots.
Vines were sprouting wherever he stepped, and the deer was constantly swinging roots and vines at the ground as if not to give him a chance to set foot on it. The scent of fresh flowers was so strong that it made his head spin.
Eui-jae frowned as he cut down another vine that was trying to wrap around his ankle.
‘If I do it right, I can end it in one hit…’
However, sharp leaves were flying around the deer. The momentum was so fierce that it seemed like it would cut down everything that approached. If he went in with his current physical condition, his whole body might be torn to shreds.
Of course, he didn’t care about getting hurt itself. The problem was that he didn’t have any Elixirs. Even if he left it to natural healing, all the wounds wouldn’t heal before the store opened.
‘I can’t cook Hangover Soup while bleeding…’
Besides, Hunters were very sensitive to the smell of blood. They would sniff around until they found the source of the blood. Eui-jae, who was riding on a flying vine, looked down at the sword in his hand.
“Maybe you…”
[‘Basilisk Fang’ wants to speak!]
[Fang’s thoughts: I will not forgive you if you throw this body.]
You’re so quick to catch on. Eui-jae gritted his teeth and glared at the sword’s handle. The only weapon he had wouldn’t help him. He missed his broken spear today.
Kugugugung, the ground rumbled greatly, and a huge root soared up like a mountain. Half of the garden was covered in the shadow of the root, it was so huge. The root shook back and forth as if looking for prey.
‘I have no choice.’
Some sacrifice must be made. When that root flies, he’ll climb on top of it and rush straight to the deer… and pierce it in one go. Eui-jae shouted.
“Hey! Idiot!”
The shaking root stopped moving for a moment, and the deer roared as if to shake the entire garden. The root flew fiercely towards Eui-jae.
At that moment.
Eui-jae couldn’t even think of removing the gloved hand that suddenly appeared from behind and blocked his mouth and nose. It was because it seemed somehow urgent. At the same time, the black fingertips touched the tree root that was rushing to pierce Eui-jae.
The tree root stopped moving as if it had hardened. And from where the hand touched, it began to rot and fester black.
Eui-jae raised his head and stared straight ahead. The tree roots that soared everywhere, the vines that rushed to grab him, the fiercely flying leaves, the ruined flower garden, and the roaring Master of the Rift all stopped.
The Poison that started from the tree root spread quietly along the roots, like black paint spreading in clear water, like Poison spreading in blood vessels. Soon, everything was dyed black.
The Master of the Rift collapsed without making any sound. The garden that the Master of the Rift cherished and cultivated was covered in black Poison that had melted beyond recognition. Only the small space where Cha Eui-jae stood was blue.
Silence fell. A sweet smell wafts on the breath of the person next to him. A rough voice whispered.
“You’re not just any crazy guy, Hyung.”