Seeker 220

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Chapter 220. World Tree Forest

I departed from the Dwarf town of Dagmahar with my 2 companions, Kazane-san, and Yuzuki. 

We were heading north through the mountainous terrain towards the World Tree. 

According to the map, it would take about two days on foot to reach the World Tree from Dagmahar. 

Our goal in heading to the World Tree was to achieve the mission Reach the World Tree, which offered 30,000 experience points. 

At this point, it wasn't a particularly large amount of experience, but we didn't have any other specific goals.

What the World Tree was proved to be a difficult question to answer for me. 

When I asked the people in the town, their responses varied. 

Some said it was a sacred giant tree that spread its roots throughout the continent. 

Others believed it was a paradise inhabited by benevolent monsters who understood human speech. 

Some even claimed it was a legendary tree that had existed in that place for over a thousand years. 

The only clear thing was that it was an incredibly massive tree. Much like how I can see Mount Fuji from a distant place in Japan, I could spot the World Tree from quite a distance. 

It made me wonder just how enormous it was.

In any case, the only way to find out was to go there ourselves.

Otherwise, we wouldn't gain any experience points.

We left Dagmahar, and the first day passed without any notable incidents. We camped out for the night and made it through the day safely. 

On the second day, we passed through the mountainous area and entered a forest region known as Monster Forest.

It was an eerie place with twisted and contorted vegetation that seemed to writhe unnaturally. 

Yuzuki, who was not a horror fan, clung to me in fear, and Kazane-san followed suit. 

I was delighted. 

Despite the early morning, the forest was dimly lit and had an unsettling atmosphere. 

As we continued to advance into the forest, we eventually encountered monsters that lived up to the name Monster Forest.

A few dozen paces ahead in our direction, a creature that looked like a fusion of multiple animals appeared.

 It had a body similar to a lion with 3 heads. 

One head resembled a lion, another a goat, and the 3d looked like a dragon. 

It had wings on its back that resembled those of a dragon, and its tail was serpentine. 

While it was larger than a lion, it was incomparable to real dragons like Aerial Dragon or Fire Dragon in size.

"It's a Chimera, a magical beast-type monster! Its stats are about the same as a Wyvern! If I can see the monster, it's not so scary!"

Yuzuki, her voice trembling, explained the monster that had appeared in our line of sight.

There was only one of them, and as it emerged from the shadows of the trees and noticed us, it flapped its wings and started floating towards us.

"Daichi-kun, what's the plan?" 

Kazane-san asked, preparing her two short swords and getting ready to cast magic.

Taking Yuzuki's information into account, I responded.

"Let's go as usual."

"Understood."

"Y-Yeah, I understand too."

And so, we engaged in combat with the approaching monster. 

Well, calling it a "battle" might be an overstatement. 

It wasn't a weak monster, but it wasn't a significant threat to us, given our current strength. 

We began by dealing damage with ranged attacks using magic and the Fenrir Bow.

Once it closed in, I used my [Three Strikes] Kazane-san used her dual-wielding daggers, and Griffon attacked with its beak and claws. With the magical beast on the brink of death, I finished it off with a spear strike.

The monster's massive body turned into a black mist and transformed into a magic stone.

It was more of a formality. 

However, the reward we received was surprisingly substantial. 

There was a small sound, and a message box appeared.

───────────────────────

Mission Defeated One Chimera Completed!

The entire party gains 15,000 experience points!

New Mission Acquired: Defeat one Kraken (Reward: 200,000 experience points)

Musou Daichi has leveled up to 41!

Kodachi Kazane has leveled up to 41!

Current Experience Points:

Msou Daichi... 58,7634/63,7868 (Next level: 50,234 points)

Kodachi Kazane... 57,3926/63,7868 (Next level: 63,942 points)

Yuzuki Hotaru... 65,7301/72,0298 (Next level: 62,997 points)

───────────────────────

As a result of completing the mission, both Kazane-san and I leveled up. Yuzuki, who was already at level 42, didn't experience any changes. 

As a consequence, we all suffered minor damage from the breath attack of the dragon's head, the Fire Breath, but it was a small price to pay.

I used [Earth Heal] on each of us to fully restore our HP. 

While it was a bit heavy on MP consumption (4 points per use on each of us), there was no other option. 

After overcoming this minor obstacle, we continued heading north.

After a while, the forest scenery underwent a significant transformation. The previously eerie, twisted vegetation was replaced by a healthy, normal landscape of vibrant plants. 

The forest now had a sense of divinity, with dappled sunlight, sparkling elements, and an overall benevolent atmosphere. 

It seemed like I wasn't the only one experiencing this illusion.

"Out of nowhere, the entire forest just became beautiful."

"Yeah, if someone said gods lived here, I'd totally believe it."

"Squawk, squawww♪"

Even Yuzuki and Kazane-san, as well as Griffin, seemed to be affected by the change in the surroundings. 

On the map, the area around the World Tree was labeled as World Tree Forest and was clearly distinguished from the Monster Forest

As we walked through this sacred forest, Yuzuki, with a sly grin, approached me.

"But, senpai, wouldn't evil beings like you suffer and be purified in a place like this?"

"Oh? Are you accusing me of being evil while you're at it?"

"Well, yeah. Senpai, you're always thinking about naughty things."

"So that's the basis for my evilness, huh? Apologize to all the people out there who love naughty things."

"That's right, Hotaru-chan. It's not a bad thing to be naughty. What's important is love."

"Hmm, you're thinking like a couple lost in their carnal desires. Oh dear."

"Oh, Hotaru-chan, are you the only one who thinks you're pure? I'll show you how it's done. Hi-ya, hi-ya, hi-ya!"

"Whoa...!? S-Stop it, Kazane-san! We're on an adventure! Ah, ah, nyaaaah...!"

Kazane-san began to playfully tease Yuzuki from behind, hugging the girl in her magician's attire. 

Yuzuki blushed deeply and writhed while making indecent noises.

They're both fooling around without me. 

Why not include me in the fun?

In this somewhat lighthearted atmosphere, we continued our adventure. However, at one point, Kazane-san suddenly signaled us to stop and urged us to be cautious.

There was a presence ahead, the usual sign of a monster encounter. 

But there was something significantly different about this encounter.

In front of us appeared a creature resembling a white horse, except for the straight horn protruding from its forehead. 

The entire body of the white horse seemed to emit a faint, pure white light. 

I couldn't help but find it beautiful and even divine in a way, reminiscent of World Tree Forest itself.

Despite that, we remained on guard and prepared for an attack as usual.

However, from the unicorn's mouth came words in the same language spoken by the inhabitants of this world.

"Wait, don't attack. I'm not your enemy."

The unicorn's words surprised us all.