Chapter 67

Chapter 67
## Chapter 67: Accelerated Development

The sensation was reminiscent of when I first unlocked the Star Successor class and watched my internal energy transform into divine power. It confirmed that even these specific outcomes had been anticipated by the system.

‘Impressive.’

I couldn’t help but give a mental thumbs-up. Pangeniar was a realm defined by its infinite fluctuations, and the core of the experience was mastering those very uncertainties. To see the system account for them so thoroughly was genuinely striking.

‘High Druid’s Great Nature.’

The latent ability, Druid’s Nature Affinity, had progressed into High Druid’s Great Nature. While the notification was clear, the physical sensation of the change hadn’t fully set in yet. I wondered if this was a trait specifically tuned for interacting with elemental spirits, or if it functioned like the Eternal Lord’s Heart by stripping away standard environmental restrictions.

‘Experience will be the only way to truly understand it.’

However, there was one immediate addition I could test right now.

‘What exactly is this…?’

A fresh capability had manifested. Following the consumption of the World Tree’s fruit, a specific skill had appeared in my interface.

**[Rapid Growth (1Lv)]**

There wasn’t even a basic blurb explaining its utility. After a moment of contemplation, I attempted to trigger the ability on myself.

[Target is ineligible for this skill.]

So, it wasn’t a self-buff. I turned my attention to a potted plant sitting nearby.

[‘Miragia’ enters a state of ‘Rapid Growth’.]

The Miragia, a common decorative flower favored by the aristocracy in Pangeniar, sat quietly on the ledge of my room. As soon as I targeted it with the skill, the effect took hold. I watched closely, wondering if it would simply bloom and wither in an instant.

“Wait…?”

The reality was far more aggressive than my hypothesis.

*Crack!*

*Screee!*

The plant’s root system expanded with violent speed, shattering the ceramic pot and snaking up the walls, across the ceiling, and over the floorboards.

“What’s going on—ugh?!”

“My goodness!!”

Isaac and Isabella rushed in, alerted by the noise, only to freeze in their tracks. The entire living space had been overtaken by thick, undulating roots that looked almost like tentacles.

—

*Beep—*

*Beeeep—*

Within the sterile confines of a high-tech medical suite, a man snapped his eyes open. His pupils dilated as he tore the oxygen mask from his face and forced himself upright.

“Young master! Please, you must remain still!”

An elderly man hurried from the observation station to intervene.

“Young Master Oliver, you require absolute rest. This level of excitement is dangerous for your cardiac condition.”

Oliver ignored the plea entirely.

“The Great One is approaching. Do you honestly expect me to remain calm?”

“I’m sorry? What are you referring to?”

“Melson. Get to Korea immediately and serve as an escort. Ensure their journey here is flawless, without a single complication. You are the only one I trust with this, Melson.”

Melson’s expression shifted. He had never seen Oliver this animated. Born with a frail constitution, Oliver had spent his life indifferent to the world, viewing existence itself as a wearying chore. And yet, he spoke of a ‘Great One’?

‘That isn’t a term used for a peer.’

It carried the weight of religious devotion.

—

Phantom? Or rather, Mr. Park Hyun-myeong?

The pair stared at me, their expressions a mix of awe and confusion. I tilted my head, wondering what was wrong.

“Look…!”

Isaac’s jaw dropped further. It was only then I realized they weren’t looking at my face, but at the space behind me. I turned around slowly.

‘Interesting.’

A single thick root was mimicking my every gesture. When I waved my left hand, it swayed left. When I moved right, it followed suit perfectly. After roughly thirty seconds of this synchronization, the plant suddenly shriveled and died.

“What was that?”

“A new ability I acquired.”

“An ability…?”

They looked skeptical. A skill that produced sentient, rapidly expanding roots was bizarre, even by the standards of a High Druid forest protector. I rubbed my chin, staring at the desiccated remains of the flower.

“I’ll need to conduct further trials.”

—

I quickly discovered that Rapid Growth was far more potent when applied to seeds rather than mature plants. A seed would burst into life, establish a massive root network, remain mobile for about two minutes, and then expire.

‘This is perfect for setting traps.’

I began brainstorming practical uses. While growing exotic fruit for profit was an option, the short lifespan of the plants made that difficult. However, the ability to control the movement of the roots made them ideal for ensnaring enemies or creating sudden barriers.

‘Increased skill levels will likely unlock more potential.’

At Level 1, it was already impressive. I wondered if Level 10 would allow me to summon structures on the scale of the World Tree.

‘I can use it like a specialized Entangle to trip targets or block paths…’

By planting seeds in advance, I could create a minefield of grasping vines. Unlike traditional spells, the only limit was the number of seeds I carried. It would be an invaluable asset for the upcoming challenges in the ‘Abyss Labyrinth.’

‘Since seeds are the most efficient medium, I need to find the specific varieties that react best.’

The drive for absolute efficiency was a hallmark of my heritage, and I was leaning into it fully. I cleared out every seed in the castle’s granary and began a systematic testing process.

—

Melson stepped out into the terminal of Gimpo Airport and took in his surroundings.

‘Korea has changed significantly.’

It had been decades since his last visit, back when the nation was still struggling to modernize. The transformation was staggering. The tension of the Cold War era was gone, replaced by a sleek, bustling metropolis. The people moved with a sense of security and prosperity.

‘The individual Young Master Oliver mentioned should be here.’

To be honest, Melson was still skeptical. Oliver was a recluse who shunned even his own kin, yet here he was, demanding a meeting with a complete stranger. Melson was happy for the change in his master’s temperament, but he was flying blind. All he had was a name.

—Mr. Park Hyun-myeong.

He stood holding a simple sign with the name written on it. Anyone who knew Melson’s status would have been horrified to see him performing such a menial task, but he didn’t care. This was a private mission, and he was thousands of miles from his usual social circles. Most importantly, it was Oliver’s wish.

After a while, the atmosphere in the terminal shifted.

“It’s Gracia!”

“Gracia! Just a moment for a quote!”

“Are you heading back to the States?”

A wave of noise erupted as a crowd of journalists swarmed a figure entering the building.

Gracia.

The most powerful Dimension Warrior currently stationed in Korea was making his exit.

—

As soon as I walked through the doors, the strobe lights of the cameras and the shouting of the press created a wall of chaos.

‘Gracia.’

The man at the heart of the storm was unmistakable. I’d seen him on the news constantly, but seeing him in person triggered a visceral recognition.

‘Just my luck to be in a rush and hit this crowd.’

I even spotted Kim Hana in the thick of the reporters. I pulled my cap down and tried to blend into the shadows. If I could recognize him, there was a chance he could spot me too. After maneuvering through the throng, I saw an elderly man holding a sign with my name. He had the refined, polished look of a classic British aide.

“I am Park Hyun-myeong.”

“And may I ask who extended your invitation?”

The man’s Korean was flawless.

“Oliver.”

At the mention of the name, the gentleman’s face lit up with a warm smile.

“I am Melson, the personal butler to Young Master Oliver. It is an honor. Please, follow me.”

He stowed the sign and began to lead the way with purposeful strides. He bypassed the standard lines and security checkpoints entirely, heading toward a wing marked ‘SGBAC’. The staff there treated Melson with immense deference, though they looked at me with curiosity.

“This guest…?”

“He is traveling with me.”

“Understood. We will expedite everything immediately.”

Their demeanor shifted to total professionalism in an instant. Thanks to Melson’s influence, I breezed through customs and security via the VIP fast track. The entire ordeal took less than ten minutes. I soon realized we were in the exclusive terminal for private aviation.

‘Hudson undershot it.’

He’d mentioned a “wealthy family,” but private jets and specialized terminals suggested a level of influence far beyond a simple rich household. I tried to keep a straight face, but my internal alarm went off again.

‘Gracia…’

He was there. Just beyond the lounge area, I saw him again. It made sense—he’d be using a private flight back to America. The issue was that Gracia was staring. He was looking between Melson and me with focused intensity.

‘Has he made me?’

I doubted it. We had never met. I only knew him because he was a global celebrity, but I was just a face in a crowd. Still, I couldn’t be certain. There were countless ways in Pangeniar to identify someone. He might have a skill that revealed my status as a player or even my identity as Randolph. He’d been in the game far longer than I had; he likely possessed knowledge I lacked.

‘If this turns into a confrontation…’

I ran through the scenarios. If he attacked me here, I wasn’t sure I could beat him if he channeled his full power. But, as Hudson had noted, if a player’s physical body was vulnerable, I might have a chance to strike first.

No, that wouldn’t work.

Divine protection.

He would have a Guardian Barrier just like mine. It was a reward for the Main Quest 3 rankings, and as the former number one, he likely had it at Level 9.

‘The barrier protects the physical body at the point of logout.’

Wait—this was the real world, and I was currently logged in. The barrier shouldn’t be active. But I quickly dismissed the thought. A man like Gracia would have dozens of different protections and blessings. If he could stall for even a second to manifest his powers, I’d be in trouble.

‘His eyes are like daggers.’

Gracia watched us until the very moment we boarded our respective aircraft. By chance, our planes were parked on adjacent pads. He didn’t look away until the cabin doors were sealed.

—

Gracia had decided there was nothing left for him in Korea. He’d failed to locate the possessor of the Hydragon’s Soul required for his Unique-grade blade, and the recent Dimensional Rift had yielded no significant gains. His presence in Korea during a time of crisis back in the States had also soured his public image.

‘The Abyss Labyrinth is the priority now.’

He pushed his frustrations aside. The labyrinth was the true goal. To conquer it, he needed to return to his home base where his physical form could be protected by people he trusted. The fact that logging out reset all progress in the labyrinth made security paramount.

‘I need total isolation.’

He couldn’t afford to trust the other Eight Heroes. Any one of them might seize the opportunity to assassinate him or disrupt his progress. While his blessings would protect him from a single hit, they weren’t inexhaustible. If an attack forced him to log out, months of work would vanish.

‘The Hydragon’s Soul might even be inside the labyrinth.’

The rumors of the Labyrinth Merchant were too strong to ignore—a figure who appeared to all participants and sold items that were otherwise impossible to find.

And then there was the final objective.

‘Sword Saint Riley.’

A man who claimed the same title as him.

‘Riley must die.’

There was no room for two masters of the blade. Not even the legendary figure within the labyrinth would be allowed to share his title. He would eliminate Riley and prove to the world that there was only one true Sword Saint. He would bury the ancient legend in the dark depths of the abyss.