NOVEL WEB Chapter 77
Chapter 77. World Tree Shimdrasil (4)
TL: xLordFifth
ED/PR: The reader
The bitter scent of medicine spread through the luxurious room, filling the air between the extravagant decor.
– She’s not exactly injured. It’s just a backlash from overusing my demonic ki.
A cheerful voice cut through.
“That’s a relief.”
– You should have taken it easier, you know? Your overwhelming demonic ki only made the impact worse.
“I tried to go easy, but it wasn’t as simple as I thought.”
– I mean, I was shocked when I saw it too. Can you believe that?
The Philosopher’s Stone expressed its disbelief without holding back.
And rightly so.
– She just met the Heavenly Demon, and she’s already using about Heavenly Demon’s Supreme Step? Is she insane?
“That’s what I’m saying.”
The skill Go Malsuk had shown was beyond any common sense.
‘If my main stats hadn’t increased by 35, I would have had to resort to the initial techniques of the Heavenly Demon’s Divine Arts too.’
Kim Shimun shook his head as he looked at Go Malsuk, who was lying on the bed as if dead.
‘To think he even used the Heavenly Demon’s Supreme Step, let alone the Annihilation Wave.’
The Heavenly Demon’s Supreme Step (天魔君臨步).
A notable technique from the Heavenly Demon’s Divine Arts, not only for its fundamental movements worthy of the divine arts but also for showcasing various abilities by imbuing them with demonic ki.
Go Malsuk had used one of its most powerful techniques, the Supreme Step, known for its suppression power. And using the Heavenly Demon’s Supreme Step meant.
‘She must have mastered the Heavenly Demon’s Divine Arts up to 3-star.’
Who could have guessed that someone who had just received the Heavenly Demon’s Divine Arts would achieve 3-star so quickly?
‘Of course, it wasn’t a perfect Heavenly Demon’s Supreme Step.’
It wasn’t because Go Malsuk’s specs were at a silver level.
Sure, being a kind of Ki Art, the Heavenly Demon’s Divine Arts would require a substantial amount of demonic ki stats.
‘The use of suppression was the only thing, but the basic movements were still straightforward.’
Go Malsuk’s characteristic aggressive and straightforward movements remained. If Go Malsuk had mastered the Heavenly Demon’s Supreme Step properly. Even that honest movement would have changed.
So.
‘Is she at the end of 2-star, looking into the start of 3-star?’
Well, even that is quite impressive.
– Oppa, what are you going to do now?
A cheerful voice pierced through his thoughts.
Kim Shimun snapped back and asked, “About what?”
– Well, about the guild. You decided to establish it after enhancing the title with the Fragment of the World Tree’s Seed, remember?
“Right, that was the plan.”
Before locking himself in the laboratory, using the Fragment of the World Tree’s Seed he got as compensation from the Galaxy Arena.
As a result, ‘The experience gain increased by 30%, and the stat growth rate by 70%.’
Considering the original was a 20% increase in experience and a 50% growth rate in stats, Each refinement of the Fragment of the World Tree’s Seed meant a 10% and 20% increase, respectively.
Although it consumed a whopping 10,000 achievement points, it was undoubtedly a significant growth That’s why he had decided to establish a separate guild.
– Are you going to let Go Malsuk join?
“If she wants to.”
Kim Shimun looked at the sleeping Go Malsuk.
“You saw it too. Just by meeting a Constellation once, she’s grown so much.”
– It is impressive. But it was a burst of pent-up Heavenslaying Star and talent. We don’t know how much she will grow from now on.
“Even if she hits a bottleneck, it’d be around the mid-platinum ranks. Until then, it’s a free pass.”
From observation to direct involvement, Kim Shimun was confident that Go Malsuk’s talent was at least mid-platinum level.
“With my elixirs boosting her stats constantly, even the diamond rank might not be out of reach.”
– If she can’t make it with that amount of support, she’d be a fool. But, oppa, do you need to care for her that much?
The Philosopher’s Stone posed the question.
To which, “Yes.”
Kim Shimun nodded firmly.
“Without Go Malsuk, I wouldn’t have gotten my hands on the Elixir in the first place.”
Perhaps, with the death of Kim Shihyuk from the previous life, the possibility of crafting the Philosopher’s Stone would have vanished. Naturally, the option to return would not have existed either.
Moreover, “I need reliable comrades.”
For the upcoming battles, especially against the powerful Dragonkin and their formidable beings, the Emperors—no matter how skilled Kim Shimun was, he could not face them all alone.
In that sense, Go Malsuk, who would become a high-ranker both in his past and current life, was one of the best comrades, endowed with exceptional skills and trustworthiness.
-Hmm. Well, if it weren’t for that kid, I wouldn’t be here now. Alright! I approve the guild membership.
“…Do I need your approval?”
-Of course! You’re the big oppa, and I’m the little oppa. Plus, I’m the one who harbors the spirit of the World Tree, right? I’m practically the same thing.
Kim Shimun chuckled softly, patting his chest at the Philosopher’s Stone’s teasing banter.
“Right.
“practically the same”.”
* * *
Thud.
At the entrance of Ranker’s Palace. A large, sharply featured man was striding in. At first glance, he seemed out of place at Ranker’s Palace, enough to warrant intervention at the entrance.
However, the guard merely bowed quietly. And for good reason.
“Huh? You’re a new face?”
“The person previously in charge left, so I’ve been newly assigned.”
“Ah.”
The Night Hunter, Park Jinwook. Though not a resident of Ranker’s Palace, the fact that he was close friends with Kim Shihyuk, the owner and Sword Saint, was common knowledge among the staff.
“A cheeky one. How did they manage to dismiss him?”
“Excuse me?”
“Never mind. Carry on with your hard work.”
With a casual wave, Park Jinwook swaggered into Ranker’s Palace. As if he had memorized the entire layout of the place, he entered the elevator and pressed a button without even looking.
Upon reaching a high floor, “Are you here?”
A refreshingly handsome man, annoyingly so, gestured.
Normally, a light squabble should have ensued, but driven by curiosity, Park Jinwook instead asked, “You brat. How did you manage to kick out the Association’s bastard?”
“Ah. You saw?”
“Where is this, that security wouldn’t check the entrants? But how did you do it?”
Though speaking in a bored tone, Park Jinwook’s eyes twinkled.
“That security guard, wasn’t he placed by the Association President?”
“Just think of it as being taken care of thanks to my brother.”
“Thanks to Kim Shimun?”
“Yes. The former guard was rude to a visitor looking for my brother.”
“Ha! Must have been a serious offense to not let it slide. You really caught a big fish.”
As if he had relief from a painful toothache, Park Jinwook, clearly very pleased, elicited a chuckle from Kim Shihyuk, who then asked, “But why are you here? We agreed to take a break from the arena today.”
“I’m not here to see you, man. I’m here to see our VVIP.”
“Hyung?”
Kim Shihyuk cocked his head, then suddenly exclaimed, “Ah, for the sale of the new medicine.”
“Right. He said he’d provide the new product this time.”
“Typical of my brother. Even managed to create a new medicine in the meantime.”
“Plus, Yujeong contacted me saying she wants to see it too.”
“Yujeong? Why her?”
Kim Shihyuk’s brows furrowed slightly at the mention of Yujeong’s name.
“No idea. She said there’s something to discuss regarding this new medicine.”
“Is that so?”
“Mm.”
With that, Park Jinwook strode confidently down the corridor, not going far before. He let out a small sigh and turned around.
“Why are you following me again? You have nothing to do with this.”
“How can you say I’m not involved? I’m his brother.”
“No, I didn’t mean it like that… Ah, forget it.”
He appears soft only on the outside. Wasn’t it common knowledge how stubborn this damned junior was? Dragging his persistently following junior, Park Jinwook headed to Kim Shimun’s penthouse.
“Senior, you’re here.”
A beautiful lady with a clear voice was already at the door. Lee Yujeong had arrived.
“Oh! Yujeong. You’re here early?”
“No, I just got here too. But… why the extra baggage?”
Yujeong glanced innocently at Kim Shihyuk.
“Have some of this.”
Of course, Kim Shihyuk responded with a middle finger.
“How can you still be so vulgar when you’re about to graduate?”
“If you’re jealous, do the same.”
“I prefer fists over those tiny fingers.”
“I know. You’re an ogre.”
“…This really.”
Before the two monsters could clash.
Ding-dong.
Park Jinwook hurriedly rang the bell.
“Kim Shimun-ssi, we’re here!”
Thankfully.
-You’re early. Come on in.
The gods had answered his prayers promptly.
Click.
As the door opened, Park Jinwook quickly stepped inside.
Following him, “Orabeoni, I’m here.”
“Hyung, I’ve arrived~.”
The two monstrous juniors, who had been emitting a threatening aura, neatly put aside their murderous intent and entered with their trademark refreshing and clear smiles.
“Alright, take a seat.”
Kim Shimun welcomed the three and brought them something to drink. In the meantime.
“Wow! Kim Shimun-ssi. Isn’t this Scotch Blue Arena?”
Park Jinwook’s glass contained whiskey, not a regular beverage.
“Yes, it is. Kim Shihyuk put it in the bar. I thought you would like it, so I took it out.”
“Haha! Only Kim Shimun-ssi! You know I’m a drinker, right?”
“Drinker? More like a drunkard.”
Was it uncomfortable for Kim Shihyuk that the precious alcohol he bought for his brother went to the senior instead?
Kim Shihyuk pouted and grumbled.
“Hey, you! You should at least bring a bottle before you say such things. Dude, you know well that I, your senior, am a drinker and yet you always come empty-handed!”
Uncharacteristically, Park Jinwook snapped at the junior. Of course, because he knew he could, and as expected.
“…….”
A momentary glint of menace in the monstrous junior’s eyes, but that was all. Kim Shihyuk glanced at his brother and quietly sipped his drink. Park Jinwook, seeing this, couldn’t help but smile victoriously as he sipped his Scotch Blue Arena.
“Kim Shimun-ssi’s new medicine, I just need to confirm it.”
He then looked across at Lee Yujeong.
“Yujeong, you said you had something to discuss with Kim Shimun-ssi and me?”
Naturally, Kim Shimun and Kim Shihyuk’s gazes also turned towards Yujeong.
“Yes. I have a proposal I’d like to make to both of you.”
She took out some documents from her bag and handed them over to Kim Shimun and Park Jinwook. The two quietly read through the documents.
After finishing, “Yujeong, is this for real?”
Park Jinwook looked up in astonishment.
“Yes, senior.”
As Yujeong nodded lightly, Park Jinwook covered his mouth and let out a gasp.
“Holy Trinity Group wants to help sell the treatment?”
“It’s more about sharing our sales channels. If you operate under the name of Holy Trinity, you’ll not only proceed through legal procedures but also gain trust.”
Leeh Yujeong spoke fluently, as if reciting a well-prepared speech, wary of any possible misunderstanding.
“As you might already know, orabeoni, the black market isn’t a place for long-term dealings.”
She frequently glanced at Shimun, gauging his reaction as she continued, “They’d sell the seller’s information if it meant making money.”
“Um, even though they promised confidentiality, it’s indeed hard to trust. That’s why I’m dealing in the black market through an agent…”
Park Jinwook agreed with Yujeong’s opinion, even though his voice trailed off near the end. The initial reason Shimun had appointed him as a sales agent, was what?
To prepare for such dangerous circumstances by utilizing the top-ranked assassination player, the Night Hunter. Despite all considerations, “this condition does seem quite stable,” he thought.
It was indeed different from having Holy Trinity directly watch his back. At that moment, Shimun, who had been quietly reading some documents, spoke, “Yujeong.”
“Yes, orabeoni?”
Yujeong responded with a serious nod.
He awkwardly raised a question without hiding his doubts, “Yujeong, this might sound a bit off in front of you but… how can a company operate without any profit or objective?”
“It’s natural to have such doubts. But you know, orabeoni, what you’ve done for us.”
“I know.”
Jinwook, realizing why a major company like Holy Trinity offered such conditions, quietly nodded.
Shimun said, “Yujeong, I didn’t treat your aunt expecting something in return.”
“I know. But orabeoni, you cured our mother’s illness, something no one else could. You even gave her the chance to live her life as a player again.”
The more one has, the more one stands to lose. Before discussing what Lee Yeonhee had as Holy Trinity’s daughter, what she had achieved as “Dohu,” the first-generation ranker of South Korea, was invaluable.
Shimun not only protected those achievements but also gave them the chance to be revived.
“It’s not about putting a price on the gratitude we owe to orabeoni’s kind heart.”
From the perspective of the mother and daughter, it was priceless.
Thus, “Beyond our close relationship, this proposal is driven by our desire to repay the kindness we’ve received, even if just a little.”
They desperately wanted to give something back.
“Please… I hope you consider this proposal positively, orabeoni.”
Yujeong involuntarily lowered her gaze and clenched her fists tightly.
“Yujeong, it’s indeed generous of you to make such an offer, but why are you so tense?” questioned Shimun.
“Thank you for the offer, I’ll gratefully accept it. Just, no backing out later, alright?”
His large, warm hand gently brushed over Yujeong’s head. Even though it slightly messed up her carefully styled hair, she couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed by a surge of emotion, reminiscent of a moment from ten years ago.
“Orabeoni…”
“Ah, but it feels a bit unfair to make such a fantastic offer and leave you out.”
“Huh?”
Shimun casually scratched his cheek and then tapped the air a few times before saying, “Actually, I also have something to propose, hence calling everyone here. Of course, I was planning to ask you too, Yujeong.”
“What could that be, orabeoni?”
“This.”
Shimun displayed an information window in the air and shared it.
“Oh my…!”
“Oppa? What’s this about!”
“Shimun-ssi! Is this for real?” came the shocked and surprised reactions as they jumped up from their seats.