Chapter 86

Chapter 86
‘Or perhaps a different entity altogether made the transition.’

It might not be the Saintess, but some unknown ‘thing’ was truly triggering the corruption.

The peril was absolute.

This notification must have reached every participant in the game.

I rose from my chair without delay.

Regardless, since I was the source of this complication, I was the one who had to settle it.

《‘???’ has shifted back to its point of origin.》

《‘Erosion’ has ceased.》

Just as I prepared to exit the fortress, a subsequent alert flashed.

The presence fueling the decay had retreated, bringing the event to a halt.

‘…It really was Saintess Se-ah.’

I exhaled a soft breath of relief.

A minor stir would follow, but one fact was now undeniable.

‘Inhabitants of Pangeniar who aren’t players can cross over to Earth.’

Just like the creatures staging the incursions.

It seemed Pangenians were categorized as ‘hostiles’ as well.

To think the system itself would demand their destruction.

Perhaps it was simply because the crossing occurred via a warp linked to the erosion.

But following Ahram’s initial strike, every gateway leading to Earth was bound to an invasion.

‘What happens if the corruption percentage climbs?’

If that rate spikes, the partition between Earth and Pangeniar will shatter.

I had no concept of how that collapse would manifest or the chaos that would follow.

Would it spark a total conflict between the two realms?

“Hmm.”

I rubbed my jaw, lost in thought, but there was no immediate solution to the riddle.

Lacking options, I returned to my previous position.

Checking on Saintess Se-ah remained my priority.

Oliver felt as though he were navigating a vision.

The individual who had materialized through the gateway.

He recognized her instantly.

‘Saintess… Se-ah…’

There was no possibility of him being mistaken.

Saintess Se-ah was the pinnacle of the Goddess Church.

He had been informed that someone might arrive if he waited at this spot, but he hadn’t been told it would be her; his chest was thumping so hard it felt ready to burst.

Yes, his heart was pounding.

Powerfully.

With perfect health.

It began the very second she rested her palm against his chest.

“Melson. My heart… the pain is gone.”

“W-what are you saying?”

“The damage to my heart has been mended.”

“You can’t mean that woman just now?”

“I do.”

Tears pooled in his eyes and rolled down his cheeks without warning.

The organ that had plagued him since his first breath, like a flame gasping in a gale, was finally beating with vigor.

Saintess Se-ah vanished immediately after, but this miracle was the work of a single man.

Randolph.

This was the tribute he had received from the man who conquered the Abyssal Labyrinth.

It was a gift of staggering proportions.

Now, his daily struggle against the brink of death was over.

He no longer had to maintain a facade for Serengeti.

How could he possibly repay such a debt of gratitude?

“Is anyone aware of our presence here?”

“No. We utilized a private path detached from the crown’s oversight, so our movements remain hidden.”

“Then we must depart. Silently and with haste.”

“That is my forte. Have no fear, young master.”

“There will be much for us to go over once we return, Melson.”

“Understood.”

Melson felt no skepticism.

Not about a single thing that had transpired.

He trusted that the young master would clarify everything when the time was right.

They retraced their steps.

Only after a long, winding detour to scrub their trail did they finally reach the stronghold.

Upon their arrival, Oliver went straight to the lower levels and dropped to one knee before the resting monarch.

“Young master…?!”

Melson started at the sudden gesture, but Oliver ignored him.

“Melson. This man is far more than a companion from a game. He is my life’s blood, the Sovereign I am bound to serve for all time.”

“…!”

My life’s blood.

That implied the man from Korea was the architect of everything that happened today.

And to call him Lord.

As if he were a soldier pledging his life to a king.

A healthy glow had replaced Oliver’s usual ghostly pallor.

A vibrant look that was obvious to any observer.

Even Melson, his lifelong attendant, was seeing this version of Oliver for the first time.

Then Oliver spoke with an iron will.

“From this point on, serve him as you serve me—no, serve him with even greater devotion. Let there be no lapse.”

I confirmed that Oliver’s heart was restored.

The only task left was locating a warp to link with the Labyrinth City.

I needed to tie at least three territories together to ensure its stability.

Luckily, I had a perfect prospect in mind.

“Oh! My friend! A long time has passed!”

Rustling Forest.

The High Dryad gave me a spirited welcome the moment I appeared.

“My comrade has returned! We shall celebrate with a festival this very day!”

“Hold on a moment, friend. Before we do that, take a look at this.”

“What is this?”

Her gaze widened as she inspected the seed I presented.

“Th-this is a New Sprout Seed!”

“I want to offer it as a gift to your woods.”

“A New Sprout Seed given so freely?”

I gave a firm nod.

Dryads gain power in tandem with the growth of their forest.

Introducing a New Sprout to Rustling Forest would elevate both its rank and its boundaries.

It was an item I had secured from the labyrinth’s vending machine using a golden ticket.

The High Dryad looked conflicted.

“I am already in your debt for the spirit you gave me, but I cannot take a New Sprout as well, my friend.”

“It isn’t a charity, of course.”

“Then?”

“I want to establish a warp connection between Rustling Forest and my own city.”

“I could do that for you even without such a gift.”

Just as I expected from a dryad.

Once you win their confidence, it is unwavering.

She gave her consent instantly, despite her typical disdain for human settlements.

She didn’t question me or pry into my motives.

I offered a thin smile.

“Think of it as a gesture to cement our partnership.”

“Even so…”

“To keep refusing would be an insult between companions, friend.”

“Ugh… Fine. However, for a New Sprout Seed to take hold, the earth must be enriched with immense vitality…”

“Don’t let that concern you. Do you have a spot in mind?”

“I do, but…”

“Lead the way.”

“Hmm. This way.”

The High Dryad walked ahead with a skeptical look.

Shortly, they reached an open glade, and I settled the New Sprout Seed into the dirt at the center.

The High Dryad spoke as she watched.

“The soil here lacks the necessary richness. The woods where New Sprouts flourish all sit upon terrestrial energy like dragon veins. I hate to let you down, friend, but this ground lacks that magnitude of power.”

There were known sites where New Sprouts had taken root.

The elven territories were the most famous examples.

With a New Sprout at their core, they became so formidable that even human nations didn’t dare provoke them.

But the reason a New Sprout could grow there was that a multitude of dragons had perished on that soil.

The accumulated remains of dragons created ‘dragon veins,’ providing the energy for a New Sprout to anchor itself.

However, this location lacked that level of terrestrial force.

The modest scale of Rustling Forest proved it wasn’t a legendary site.

‘Rapid Growth.’

But that didn’t matter to me.

I only needed it to break the surface.

《The ‘New Sprout Seed’ is affected by rapid growth.》

《The ‘New Sprout Seed’ begins to break through!》

Shoooo…

In a heartbeat, the seed cracked open, driving its roots deep into the earth.

“Gasp…!”

The High Dryad’s eyes looked ready to pop out of her head.

“Wh-what is happening…?!!”

It was beyond belief, even witnessing it firsthand.

The New Sprout matured in a flash.

《‘High Druid’s Great Nature’ is activated.》

《The New Sprout’s initial development is finished!》

《‘Rapid Growth’ skill level has risen!》

《‘Rapid Growth’ skill level has risen!》

《‘Rapid Growth’ skill level has risen!》

《‘Rapid Growth’ skill level has reached 5, granting safer cultivation.》

《‘Rapid Growth’ must reach level 7 for the New Sprout’s secondary stage.》

《Under the New Sprout’s aura, the level cap of nearby ‘Forest Races’ grows by +1.》

《Under the New Sprout’s aura, ‘Forest Growth Rate’ is boosted to 200%.》

Incredible.

The benefits of the New Sprout were massive.

A higher level ceiling for dryads and a doubled expansion rate for the woods.

This was a guarantee that Rustling Forest would thrive.

‘Stunning.’

Furthermore, thanks to the Baal helmet and my Dexterity, the act of growing the New Sprout Seed pushed my own level up by three full ranks.

I had only anticipated one or two.

“F-friend. How is this possible?!”

Paying no mind to her bewilderment, I answered simply, as if it were a trifle.

“It’s a gift, friend.”

《Warp connection established between ‘Rustling Forest’ and ‘Labyrinth City’.》

That’s one.

Two to go.

But I didn’t have time to dwell on it.

Immediately after departing Rustling Forest.

Caw! Caw!

Scavenger crows circled in the sky above.

…I was back in Kramdel.

I had returned to the land of death in my form as the King of Corpse Crows.

‘A priority summons.’

It was a frantic call from the White King himself.

The emblem I received upon being named Fifth Lord was pulsing violently; I had no alternative but to answer.

Emergency calls were reserved for crises involving every Lord, and showing up was a requirement unless one had a dire excuse.

“Randolph!”

The Death King was the first to meet me when I reached Kramdel.

I stopped for a second.

Why was he using my name in such an unsettling way?

A ruler like the Death King shouldn’t have the free time to linger here.

…Had he been waiting at the gates this whole time?

Was he gauging me?

I had already disclosed my name to the White King.

The other Four Lords, the Death King included, had overheard it, so him using it wasn’t a shock.

Of all of them, the Death King had been the most cordial.

Even so, the optics of the situation were a problem.

The ruler of Kramdel, a high-ranking Lord, waiting at the threshold for me?

With legions of monsters observing us.

We weren’t on such friendly terms that we could swap names so casually under all those gazes.

In fact, the monsters were already muttering, looking back and forth between the Death King and myself.

“That bird?”

“Quiet. That’s the new Fifth Lord who just climbed the ranks.”

“Even so. For the Death King to wait in person? Is he that formidable?”

“Word is he accomplished things in the Shrine of Mystery that even the White King couldn’t match.”

“Greater than the White King…!”

“Just how powerful is he then?”

“Rumor says he took down Ahram by himself.”

“The Lich King Ahram?”

“I heard the Star Guardians were fighting over who got to sign this Fifth Lord.”

“Insane.”

“He doesn’t look like much.”

I can hear every word, you morons.

I hadn’t realized it when I took the title, but stories about me had saturated Kramdel while I was away.

Some were blown out of proportion, but I paid them no mind.

Tales grow taller as they travel.

Still, I kept my cool and kept walking.

The Death King didn’t seem to care about appearances, after all.

He was indifferent to how his behavior looked to the rank and file.

So I couldn’t afford to look bothered either.

“Randolph! You look even more impressive up close.”

“It’s been some time, caw.”

“I was told you were on your way. But I couldn’t keep my curiosity in check.”

The Death King was clearly thrilled.

What was he so worked up about?

Was it tied to the White King’s emergency call?

“What has sparked your interest, caw?”

“The Abyssal Labyrinth! Was it truly you who struck down Sword Saint Riley?”

Ah. This was about the maze.

Thinking back, the Desert Queen had mentioned the Death King’s name.

If he had attempted the Abyssal Labyrinth, he would have seen my name on the records.

How should I play this?

‘Should I tell him it wasn’t me, just some human with a matching name?’

He’d be crushed.

But confessing that I conquered it would make it clear that the Labyrinth City was a Fifth Lord’s territory.

Under the banner of the White King—a city of monsters.

“It was, caw.”

Thinking it over, that didn’t sound like a bad thing.

I had already set Rustling Forest as a gateway.

The ruler of the city didn’t have to be a human.

Remaining in the White King’s shadow was my safest bet for now.

Who would be brave enough to strike the labyrinth if it was tied to Kramdel?

Only a lunatic would want to provoke the White King.

Simply being linked to Kramdel would offer a massive level of safety.