Chapter 439: Noah (1)
Translator: Ares
Editor Group: Liber Reverie
Booooooom!
"Uh… Why is it so big?!"
Kangtae, who was digging into the ground with a blade, showed frustration.
It felt like he would go crazy since he couldn't even use his strength out of fear that the interior would collapse if he dug recklessly.
"What do you mean by solid… It's so sturdy. What is there for me to be careful about?"
Kangtae mumbled as he looked at the surface of the white metal under his feet.
Though he had somewhat controlled his strength, it was at such a sturdy condition that there wasn't a scratch to be found.
Even if he were to use his entire strength, it could be said that this metal could endure this, which was why he couldn't understand. However, he soon shook his head and decided to focus on the job once more.
'… Well. There was nothing wrong with listening to what Clementine had said so far, and maybe there could really be something delicate inside.'
Ruuuuuuumble!
Once more, he took his blade with his right hand and swept away all of the piles of dust. Then with the wind that was swept from his fingertips, he quickly removed the dust that had shrouded around him.
'When do I have to keep repeating this action.'
However, his boredom would only be a moment.
Kangtae's expression lit up.
'I found it.'
There was an entrance that was clearly marked inside the white metal surface.
The moment he found the entrance, Kangtae shouted with all his might.
"I fooooooooooooooound the entrance!"
Boooooooooom!
A simple shout caused all of the pile of dirt around him to be transformed into a storm.
In the midst of the sandstorm…
"Ahem… Tch. I told you to control your strength!"
"Ahhhh… There's sand coming in."
From the fiery sandstorm, the Adventurers in the vicinity began to gather as all of them emanated their auras.
'Haa… The world is truly wide.'
Kangtae muttered internally.
In the past during his first year, he had thought that the sky was scary.
Eres and Keldian were the only ones that were surprised to see him.
Though he was surprised at Eres's heart, he was much stronger than anyone else in terms of strength.
Keldian also seemed great at playing tricks. However, he had confidence that he would absolutely win if they were to fight one another.
The reason why he was saying all of this was because his luck was truly amazing.
All of the good items and skills were in his possession, and he managed to survive all of the dangerous situations that he was under.
Of course, the rewards for facing all of those risks had come back to him as well.
As such, there was a time when he contemplated about living like a king.
Though it was a bit complicated, he thought it was a viable goal to have as a man.
If Eres and Keldian were to help him by his side, then he thought that it would be possible.
However, after meeting Clementine, who had entered the Otherworld one year after him, he realized just how wide the world was and that there could be monsters like him.
After joining forces with Clementine, whether it was Taehee, the Rift brothers or even the Valentine couple, all of them were elites that couldn't be ignored.
'Well. It's not so bad.'
Kangtae shrugged his shoulders as he looked at Taehee and Clementine emerge from his eyes out of the sandstorm.
To have such strong elites as comrades was truly a nice ordeal.
It was then…
"You idiot… I told you to control your strength, didn't I?"
Kangtae was startled at Keldian's cold, piercing words.
"No, no! I controlled my strength! I was very careful!"
From Kangtae's words, Keldian frowned as he pointed at a direction.
"Then, what is that?"
"…?"
After turning his head toward the direction Keldian pointed at, he soon frowned as well.
'A hole?'
A very big hole at that.
There was a big hole on the surface of the giant metal surface.
It was a large hole that stretched hundreds of meters.
However, Kangtae soon shook his head and shouted, "Hey! It's not me! I'm not the one that made that!"
Kangtae truly felt wronged since that big hole was hard to make even if he had used all of his strength.
'How the hell was this made anyways?'
While Kangtae was inspecting the mystery of the big hole with a flabbergasted expression, Eres approached the hole as she shook her head.
"It wasn't done by Kangtae."
There was no way that it could have been done by him since the hole had traces of something that had dug out from inside.
There were traces of broken, melted pieces.
'What the hell?'
Eres gulped as she looked at the erosion that was done by something that had succeeded in breaking out from within.
—
Ruuuuuuuuuumble!
Strange objects began to blossom from the seeds before falling from the Desire Tree.
At some points, there were scales of some creatures.
Other times, it would be fruit with thorns on it.
What was certain was that all sorts of things were opening from the tree and ripening.
'Good. As for what I will make next…'
Hansoo continued to imagine what he was going to make after putting his hand on the surface of the Desire Tree.
Hansoo looked at him with an incomprehensible look who was continuing to imagine the next set of items he would make.
'… What exactly are you trying to make?'
If he were to make a weapon, then he would understand, but after seeing all of these incomprehensible actions, Hosang couldn't help but have a questionable look.
Where would he use such materials, to begin with?
However, instead of fixating on Hosang's attitude, Hansoo frowned at the brief twitching of energy in the tree.
It was a wavelength that was trying to invade deep inside him as if it was trying to stimulate the desires in his heart.
The Desire Tree was relentlessly attempting to raise his desires inside him whenever he infused his desires onto the tree as if trying to persuade him that showing his desires was a better option. It was even insisting on the emphasis of replenishing essence to satiate those desires.
'Where do you think you're scheming at, you piece of shit.'
Puuuuuuuuk!
Ruuuuuuuumble!
Hansoo gave a strong, rough kick to the tree who was trying to scheme against him.
"Now let's go."
"… Leaving this tree behind?"
Hansoo chuckled from his remarks.
"I used up all of the essences in this tree now."
"… Crazy."
Hosang looked at him with a shocked expression.
As he knew, the amount of tree essence consumed was proportional to the value of the products made.
In other words, the higher the value of the products, the faster the essence would be consumed.
But just now, he had created some junk-looking items that ended up consuming all of the tree's essence.
'What the hell are these?'
He picked up the opened seeds that were laying around him to check what they were.
No matter how much he looked at it, they looked nothing more than thorny sea urchins with the shape of a chestnut, and yet they had consumed so much essence.
Seeing Hosang fling it up and catching it when it came down, Hansoo laughed.
"Make sure to look after it well. If you're not careful, your wrist could be sent flying."
"What bullshit… I'm a 4-Star. A 4-Star."
"Yes. I'm telling you to be careful since you are a 4-Star. Pack anything you have left. Let's go."
"Damn…"
Hosang muttered complaints as he picked everything up on the ground in preparation for leaving.
If he were to stay at this location, there was nothing for him to do.
Even if he weren't a slave, he wouldn't have a choice. As the guy said, he now had to make sure that the others were enslaved like him. If not, the people that were looking for sacrifices to give to the Desire Trees would hunt for the others.
Although he might have luckily monopolized this tree, he had no confidence in keeping his monopoly against other groups.
'Yes. Let's live for now.'
Hansoo chuckled as he looked at the Desire Tree where Hosang and the others, who were full of complaints, were making preparations to leave.
'You dirty shit.'
Hansoo had an uncomfortable expression as he recalled it trying to raise his desires.
When the thing was trying to stimulate his desires, the things that flew through his head were not heaven-defying weapons or treasures.
It was people.
Countless people went past his memories. There were both men and women. Their ages were around 20, and even some that weren't even 20 yet.
What it meant was that the people that the Desire Tree showed were people that he had wanted to see before his memories were locked.
'Tch.'
Recalling this scene, he couldn't help but feel somewhat uncomfortable.
At the same time, he began to recall the sixth seed, Soul Explosion, in his chest.
However, Hansoo soon shook his head and deleted the burdensome thoughts.
He had too many things to do.
'I will let you live a bit longer.'
Hansoo looked at the huge Desire Tree beside him.
Though he had thought of putting this reckless tree on fire right now, it would make things too complicated.
He couldn't be hurriedly provoked.
Boooooooooom!
"Let's go!"
After kicking the tree, Hansoo turned around and gave a quick shout, beginning to move toward their next destination to the northwest where the John Nice couple were at.
Hosang, who was following behind Hansoo, asked, "If you are to capture the John Nice couple, will you make them become like us?"
Hansoo nodded in response to his words.
"Probably, if they are alive that is."
"…?"
Hosang frowned from Hansoo's words.
'What? You're saying that they could be dead?'
He couldn't help but feel uncomfortable.
Up until now before the standoff, they had spent a long time as comrades fighting together. He knew better than anyone else of their experience and strength since they had survived in this damned world for 20 years.
However, his ignorant-like remarks made him feel as if he was ignored.
'Shit. It would be great if you slap the bastard, John Nice.'
Hosang mumbled as he threw the similar-looking sea-urchin object into the sky.
—
Ruuuuumble.
"… What's this?"
Hosang frowned as he saw the sight before his eyes.
At the base of the large Desire Tree, he could see the essence being extracted from the corpses of the people.
The best part was the John Nice couple.
'… Damn. We can't save them if they're like this.'
If their upper and lower bodies were absent, then even if one were a Transcendent or even an expert Transcendent, one wouldn't be able to save them.
Hansoo, who was looking at this sight alongside Hosang, clicked his tongue.
"I should've known this would happen."
'I had wondered about it… But it seems like it's been released.'
Hansoo muttered as he looked toward the direction where the Holy Ark, Noah, was at.
Chapter 440: Noah (2)
Translator: Ares
Editor Group: Liber Reverie
Ruuuuuumble!
Hosang swallowed his groans as he heard the corpses being ripped apart from all sides.
'What killed them? Humans?'
From the traces, he knew that they were not bitten to death by some large beasts.
No, it was rather the opposite.
The frames of the things that killed them weren't large. It was about 3m tall maximum? It could be that it was smaller than that.
'I can't figure it out.'
Hosang frowned. However, he was able to realize a few points. First, it was that those that attacked these people weren't alone. The many disordered bodies proved this. Not only that, it wasn't very friendly to humans.
The traces here didn't reveal as if they were forced to fight.
'They rushed to these people like mad dogs.'
There were traces that showed that they were intent on cutting off the lives of their opponents no matter what. Subconsciously, Hosang could feel cold sweat.
For there to be such bloodlust from these strong guys that had absolutely ripped the John Nice couple into pieces hiding in the forest, it caused for concern.
However, regardless of Hosang's thoughts or reactions, Hansoo walked to the Desire Tree and checked its condition.
The base of the Desire Tree was trembling from having its trunk torn and wedged.
Although others might see this due to the Desire Tree being in pain, Hansoo knew.
'It must have been quite pissed off.'
Hansoo muttered as he checked the status of the tree.
The essence was already emptied out. Seeing that he had no more business to do in this area, he shouted to Hosang.
"Let's move."
"… Where?"
Hosang answered with a trembling look, seeing all of the corpses around.
For him to enter the forest where these crazy things were…
"Hansoo smiled.
"We better move quicker than these guys."
At this rate, all of the Transcendents would be wiped out. No, to be honest, there would be some that would survive. However, the end result would be the same if let be. There was no way to stop predatory assaults rushing from behind if one was blinded by sweet honey.
'If that was so, it would get complicated.'
If he were to keep them alive, then he could order them around as much as he wanted.
It would be a shame if he let all of them die.
Hansoo inspected the footprints.
These guys instinctively looked for the weakest people.
If he had not appeared at this time, normally Hosang and his group would have been devoured as well.
It was natural to predict who the next targets were.
"You're saying the next weakest guys are to the west?"
Hosang slightly frowned.
'Those guys are a bit perverted…'
Hosang shook his head after muttering while looking toward the west.
Once he taught Hansoo the direction of these guys, he would do what was necessary.
'By the way, when will this guy come to his senses?'
Hosang clicked his tongue while looking at Karl Akus, who was absentmindedly looking in the distance after reviving Eron.
—
"Ohoh! Ohohoh!"
One man was sitting on the tree, spouting admiration.
Whenever the man put his hand on the Desire Tree and focused, the seed from above would blossom before eventually falling.
Crash!
One of the seeds crashed into the ground after making a breaking sound. From that seed, a weapon came out.
"Oh no…"
Seeing one of the men go to pick up the weapon, the man, Dell Marcus shouted, "Hey! Take good care of it, you bastard! Don't you know how precious it is?!"
From those remarks, the running subordinate complained as he picked it up.
'Damn… It is precious. The problem is everything is yours.'
The subordinate, Ellonto, muttered as he picked up the fallen weapons.
It was the sword that was made using a bunch of essence from the large tree.
From the looks of it, the quality and performance of this sword was grand. About this much, it would be quite useful for the man, Dell Marcus, sitting over there.
However, like mentioned previously, it was useful.
'In the end… It's a fake.'
Dell Marcus stroked the sword with a passionate look after receiving it from Ellonto.
"Ahahah. I wonder how envious Kangtae would be after seeing me have this weapon."
If one were to kill the opponent, it would absorb the blood.
Just by making a wound, it would automatically cause a bleeding effect.
With a fixed percentage, one could even activate the effect of lightning and poison clouds erupting and infecting the opponent.
Literally, it was the weapon that allowed Kangtae to be a gladiator.
[El Maha Slaughterer Sword]
He couldn't really measure just how envious he was when he saw that sword.
Even the options of that sword were random but even all of that was suitable to his taste.
'That guy's luck… is truly ridiculous.'
Whenever he saw him, he couldn't help but feel envious so having this copy at least made him feel good.
Though he might be a bit behind in ability, it couldn't be said that the sword was weak.
'This is all thanks to the tree.'
Dell Markus looked at the Desire Tree with a loving look.
It was all possible since he was able to use the Desire Tree alone when it was usually occupied by two or three people elsewhere.
"Hey. You annoyed?"
Ellonto frowned at the words said to him.
"… I am not annoyed. I just want to see you fight like a crazy dog while holding that thing."
"Bastard. Look at who you're talking to."
Ddakkk!
"Uh, this damned person."
Ellonton glared at Dell Marcus. However, he had no complaints, for Dell Markus was an immature, unfair human being.
He would never share stuff that was good, and if the opportunity were to come, he was the person that would take the best items.
If his opponents were as strong as him and had nasty personalities, then he would allow some leeway. But, if they were as weak as him, then there was no generosity.
However, the reason why they followed Dell Marcus was for one reason only.
At least the man was fair in a particular way. He was only focused on his greed, and he breathes out the strength that he had gained in the frontlines.
Though he might be disqualified as a leader, in order to preserve one's life, there was no other man like him to follow in this damned world. It was because he would fight most valiantly at the very front, and he could confirm the creations of the Desire Tree.
Eres's shield.
Keldian's Staff.
Kangtae's Sword.
Taehee's Spear.
Weapon, weapon, weapon, and even more weapons.
He would not make anything that wouldn't help him in his fight.
After wandering around this world for 20 years, it would not be strange for him to make some alcohol, a pack of cigarettes, or even a woman to fool around with. However, he had not made a single one.
This was the reason why everyone who had gathered here had followed Dell Markus.
Yet, something didn't feel right.
There was an eerie mood that was circulating around the whole forest a while ago.
An eerie aura that caused people in the vicinity to feel uneasy Everyone here knew what that meant. There was another existence here. It was an existence that had stimulated their survival instincts.
It would have been even more unpleasant if Marcus was fixated on ingratiating on what objects to make.
It was then…
Dell Marcus frowned as he looked at the forest far away.
'… What was that?'
The unusual reaction of Dell Marcus also heightened Ellonto's vision, who began to scour where Dell Marcus was looking at.
Soon…
Ruuuuuuuumble!
Rumble!
'… They're fighting.'
A battle was occurring tens of kilometers away. If he wanted to see, he could go and see, and if he were to run over, the distance was close so that he could arrive at a moment's time.
Ellonto, whose hearing and vision was amplified, began to sweep against the figures of every single one of them.
There were two groups that were mindlessly fighting.
One group was very familiar, for there were people that they had eaten together with not long ago.
'Hosang… Karl Akus?'
Though they were weaker than Dell Marcus, they were two Transcendents that were much stronger than him.
They were fighting at a distance from the tree, but he wondered why they were engaged in combat there, to begin with.
Soon, Ellonto's face was full of displeasure.
'What the hell are those?'
There were fiendish, distorted faces that were fighting the Hosang and Karl Akus's group like crazy.
They were like beasts and like humans at the same time. Their identity was unknown. However, he instinctively knew one thing that made them so uneasy as to where did those existences came from.
'… Where did they appear from?'
It was when Ellonto was frowning, Dell Marcus from beside gave a quick remark.
"Hey, let's flee."
"… Run away?"
From Ellonto's reply, Dell Marcus nodded.
"That's not all. There's much more behind them."
Dell Marcus was able to see further due to being much stronger than Ellonto, which was why he was aware that the monsters over there was not the end.
The bloodlust was becoming stronger as it seeped into the skin of others through the air.
It was a normal reaction to avoid such a fight, since it's a shortcut to longevity by avoiding unnecessary fights.
"… What do we do with those people over there?"
Ellonto carefully asked.
Although they were divided into dissension, they still fought with their backs together until recently.
"Ah, shut up. They had ran off to live as they please, so how does that concern me? I'm more concerned about you guys who followed me."
"Captain…"
"Hey, pack your stuff. If you have anything you want from the Desire Tree, make it quickly. I'll give you one minute…"
It was then…
Both Ellonto and Dell Marcus' expressions hardened.
Chhhhhhhhhhang!
The weapon that was latched on Dell Marcus' back emerged into his grasp as he rushed into the brushes.
Booooooooooom!
Four weapons that Dell Marcus had cherished struck against the bushes.
It was an attack that an ordinary Transcendent would faint and cough up blood from.
However, Dell Marcus' hardened expression as he pulled out El Maha Slaughterer Sword said it best.
Instantly, he took out Eres' shield that was made from the Desire Tree and began to use its
"Captain… What?"
Ellonto had a perplexed look.
It had been a long time since he saw Dell Marcus be so anxious.
Then…
"Where do you think you're going? Do you think our side fighting over there is some voluntary work?"
Klang
A man with an eerie dark-red aura walked out from the bushes, throwing down the four weapons that were aimed at him.
He was holding an unknown beast's head with his left hand as thirteen shadows were ominously hanging behind the man.
The moment Ellonto saw the unknown bloodstains on the man's armor, he stood on edge.
Hansoo smiled as he walked out of the brushes.
"Do you want to come with me when we're talking? Or should I make sure that happens?"
"This damned world. Truly."
No matter how much he berated the world, there was no end to this.
Where the hell did a guy like him come from?
Dell Marcus, who grasped El Maha Slaughterer Sword, looked on with a hollow expression.
—
Eres, who looked inside the hole, frowned.
Inside the hole, it was perfectly enclosed. It was a large white room with no entrance. There was no way that this would have been made if it was a residential place.
'What are these things?'
Eres frowned at the claw marks and nail marks full of rage all around the walls.
Chapter 441: Noah (3)
Translator: Ares
Editor Group: Liber Reverie
Boooooooooom!
"It's… opened!"
Kangtae who used all of his strength as if he was in judo practice was able to pull the door out as he screamed.
Eres who was watching this scene behind him frowned.
'Kangtae had to use all of his strength just to open this?'
It might be a bit rude to say this, but his strength was ignorantly powerful. It was so much so that it could be questioned why he carried a weapon. Kangtae believed that strength was what defines a man, so he had wholly focused his skills and proficiency toward melee attacks and strength, including physical attribute enhancement.
Normally, if one prioritized an attribute or ability that much, there would be an imbalance which could provide costly when one contended against an opponent of similar ability; however, he was able to fully supplement the shortcomings of his body through items and skills. It was truly an ignorant method.
As a result, he had become a complete beast.
No matter how much he felt the structure could be destroyed if he used a weapon, it took all of his strength just to rip apart that door.
'… There's definitely some merit in finding this.'
Eres mumbled internally. It was certain that there was something of high value that was stored deep inside this structure. At the same time, she was also worried that some unidentified species could emerge from inside this structure as well.
'What was that thing before?'
She was referring to the large hole that was at the exterior of the structure.
Though she had tried looking around through the hole, it was only an isolated room, so there was nothing like an additional entrance to further explore. She had also gone to see if there were any more enemies that were inside, but there wasn't even a door installed. In short, it was like a hollow chest.
Yet, there were claw marks and footprints all across the room of a species full of rage. This was why she was even more concerned with who or what was trapped in here, which was why she felt it was necessary to investigate as quickly as possible. It could be possible that there might be some hints regarding the unidentified species that had escaped from here.
'Until then… Please be safe everyone.'
Eres frowned as she thought of the others.
"Eres, what are you doing? Let's enter."
"Ah… Yes."
From Taehee's urge, Eres began to walk inside the ripped entrance.
As they entered through the door, they were welcomed with a dark, long corridor. It was as if it was extending them an invite to go deep into the abyss-looking hallway.
Shiiiiing!
Keldian, who was beside her, raised his hand and lit a light in the hallway.
"Let's see… It would be great if we attain some information that would be useful to us"
Keldian muttered as he plodded through the hallway.
—
Booooooom!
Hansoo and Dell Marcus collided apart from the Desire Tree, a distance of several kilometers.
It was an ambiguous distance as there was an intense battle involving thousands of bizarre beasts and Adventurers going on in this location.
"Ah… Shit!"
Hosang clenched his teeth after seeing the unidentified creatures running to them like beasts. It was so difficult to deal with them.
'You damn… bastards!'
"Kyaaaaaaaahhh!"
Hosang concentrated as an aura called the
Tree roots that could melt and suck the opponents emerged out from the ground and tackled the beasts that came upon him. The result was a success.
Grab!
Ruuumble!
Thousands of thick vines began to move busily from the ground as they tied together dozens of the beasts before destroying their organs. The fluids that were exerted from the roots began to melt the beasts' thick skin and texture.
It seemed to look like he had the situation totally under control. At this rate, these powerful roots would be able to crush the beasts, and the Baren Tree Roots would be able to absorb its fluids as it continued to improve their state.
However, Hosang continued to gnash his teeth. Though it looked like a success on the outside, in reality, he knew it wasn't.
The result was that his mana and stamina were not rising at all. If his skill had perfectly worked, the Baren Tree Roots would be able to absorb the beasts' liquids, which would restore his mana and stamina.
However, his mana did not budge at all, and he continued to become more tired. The reason for this was clear.
Grab!
Ruuuuumble!
The blood and bones of these strange creatures were continually changing. The bones, muscles, and skin of the beasts which was originally hard became as soft as pudding. No, to be honest, it was as if his roots were entering bodies made out of water. Though the roots had entered the transparent bodies of these beasts, Hosang knew better than anyone that it had not penetrated them.
Chiiiiiiiiik!
The beasts that had eaten the fluids coming out of the Baren Tree Roots caused their bodies to slowly turn green.
"You damn bastards!"
Boooooooooooooom!
As Hosang cursed at the beasts for melting his Baren Tree Roots, he concentrated once more and created more of his Baren Tree Roots.
He didn't use this skill just to make more of them. The use of these roots was so that it could attack them. Once damaged, the strength of this skill would be greatly reduced until it was fully recovered, so it was one that he had used sparingly.
However, his roots were being wholly melted.
Ruuuuuuumble!
He gnashed his teeth after seeing his roots were already half gone after retrieving them.
'… They melted it before eating.'
It wasn't just that.
As if he was now immune to the shocks provided by the beasts, he quickly focused his body and raised his fist with strength against the rushing foes.
'Shit… I will definitely win and live.'
Booooooooooom!
After kicking one of the beasts away, he began to recollect the scene when he first encountered these beasts when he had arrived earlier.
Thousands of shadow-like bodies were approaching them through the trees in the camouflage of the surroundings. They had hidden their presence so well that if it weren't for Hansoo telling them, he wouldn't have noticed at all.
'Fuck…'
Since the red bacteria was in his body, he was in a situation where he couldn't even flee.
He was having a shitty time here ever since the guy said one remark before leaving.
"Kyaaaaaaaaaaah!"
"You creepy bastards! Just die!"
Booooooooom!
Booom!
Flames of fire and lightning ceaselessly rained on the battlefield.
These Adventurers, who were people that could destroy buildings with their fists and swing around metals that were never seen or heard about before on Earth, swung their weapons relentlessly. However, the response of the beasts was beyond that.
Ruuuuuuumble!
Kadeeeeuk!
They ate the flames and endured the thunder.
They avoided the spears and swords or even blocked them with their constantly transforming bodies.
No, they weren't just simply blocking them. Even the wounds on their claws and feet were constantly deforming and changing.
'Damn… If things are to progress like this… '
The beasts continued to rush at them with their nonstop changing bodies as if they were born to slaughter them.
They weren't immortal.
If they were to attack different types of spells and attacks simultaneously, they could definitely kill them.
However, while they were trying their best to kill them, the damages done to the Adventurers were increasing exponentially.
It was then…
"Damn! What are you doing! That bastard told us to use that before! Use it!"
One of Hosang's subordinates screamed at Hosang.
The bastard that he was referring to was Hansoo who was fighting in the vicinity of the Desire Tree.
After listening to his subordinate's reminder, he quickly recollected himself and looked at the object that was latched onto his waist.
It was the same sea-urchin looking object that he was cautioned before that could potentially cut his wrist away.
It was such an uncomfortable time that he had erased it from his memories, but seeing how dire the situation was, he clenched his teeth.
'Damn… Alright. Let's use this!'
Booooooooooom!
The beasts rushed in once more, so after deflecting them away, he grabbed the object in his waist and began to inject his mana.
In that instant…
Papapapapapapapa!
The sea-urchin looking object began to shook wildly before the thorn shot out.
"Ahk!"
After almost being pierced from that sudden change, Hosang threw it in the air before falling back in shock.
Soon…
Puuuuuuuuuuung!
The wildly shaking object let out a large roar before exploding.
Pipipipipipipipipk!
Along with dark smoke, the thorns began to fire at all directions, piercing through the bodies of the large, disgusting beasts as Hosang watched on.
He was curious about what changes there would be.
However, his expectations soon became a disappointment, and that disappointment quickly changed into anger.
"This scammer! It's a good for nothing!"
The beasts, acting as if it didn't even tickle, quickly stood up and rushed in once more, causing Hosang to gnash his teeth.
At one point, there was one that was right in front of him.
The bastard had told him to use that sea-urchin looking, no good piece of shit, and now he was at the point of being eaten.
'… I'm going to die.'
He closed his eyes as he looked at the beast right below his chin.
Though he could counterattack, there was no meaning to that.
The beast would change its body again and endure.
Hosang swore loudly at Hansoo who had truly led him to a pitiful death.
"See you in hell! You fucking bastard!!!!!"
At that precise moment…
Booooom!
The beast that was rushing toward him bounced back violently as if it had been hit by a truck.
"…?"
Hosang, who had seemingly screamed his final shout, had his eyes wide open.
Then, he heard a familiar voice from beside.
"I clearly had mentioned to attack it immediately after using it."
"… Hey, you bastard! You gave me trash, so what bullsh*t are you spouting?!"
Even if he did, what attack would work if it didn't even affect them?
However, Hosang, who shouted crazily, soon realized what Hansoo was speaking about.
Kiiiiiiiik!
The beast that received Hansoo's attack was soon wringing his whole body around the ground as if it was suffering.
Normally, it would have modified its body to heal and endure the attacks, but it was now struggling in pain as it was in the same body form.
This scene was replicating itself elsewhere.
Boooooooooom!
Booom!
"Hey, it's working! It's finally working!"
"Kill them!"
The beasts who were constantly transforming, adapting, and modifying their bodies as if they were bragging about their immortality were unable to change their shapes.
The moment the thorns had shot out of the smoke and touched their bodies, their bodies stopped changing as they hardened.
The Adventurers, who were being relentlessly pushed back, had now suddenly reversed the situation.
There was one more.
"Good job. Take a rest. Now, those friends will be fighting in your stead."
"Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamn it!"
Booooooooom!
Not sure why he was so infuriated, Dell Marcus was creating a bloody mess as Hansoo laughed watching him.
—
Ruuuuumble.
"Woah… Is this a zoo?"
Kangtae whistled as he looked around his surroundings walking through the hallway.
It was the same for the rest of the group that was ceaselessly looking as well.
"Ahem…"
"Ah well…"
Ahhhhhh!
Woah!
Although the hallway was not fully visible from the entrance, now they could clearly see from the side of the hallway.
'… What the hell is this place?'
There were tens and hundreds of different races and species.
Eres frowned at the huge isolated rooms where they were locked up.
Chapter 442: Noah (4)
Translator: Ares
Editor Group: Liber Reverie
Grrrrrrrrrrr
The hallway was wonderfully lit up from the light that was shining in Keldian's hand.
All four sides of the rectangular hallway were transparently revealing their true colors.
Beyond that, there were no signs of the hallway hiding the sight.
Grrrrrrrrrrrr
Following the hallway, there were hundreds and thousands… No even beyond that… Of species in countless rooms.
Some rooms reached several kilometers in width, while others weren't even 10m long.
However, they all shared something in common.
Inside the room, there were guests that were already inside the room.
Rooooooooooooar!
Kyyaaaaaaaaaaah!
The beasts in the rooms continued to howl incessantly.
Some of them resembled birds while others looked like bats.
Some of them looked like large elephants while others looked like gods and dragons.
However, they all shared something in common.
All of them were filled with rage as they were extremely stressed out.
Thud! Thud!
Some of them constantly bashed against the walls, expressing their anger while some were scratching the walls with their teeth and claws.
It was as if they were trying to escape the corners of hell as they continued endlessly.
Unfortunately, it seemed like some had succeeded in escaping.
'It's empty here too…'
Eres mumbled as she walked past another empty room.
She could see a shattered wall on the opposite side of the huge isolated room.
Whether the monsters were extremely strong or whether someone on the outside had let them escape, there were countless footprints in that empty, abandoned room.
Soon, Eres began to recollect a few beast species.
On the way there, she recalled fighting a few especially strong species of monsters.
'Who the hell caught all of this.'
Though she was unaware who, she was certain of one fact.
If all of these monsters here were released simultaneously, the Violet Zone would literally become hell incarnate.
It was then…
"I think we have almost arrived."
"Huh?"
Keldian remark, who was walking at the front with the light, caused everyone to look at the end of the hallway.
The hallway, which had so far exposed the exterior of its surface finally revealed the texture of its cold metal.
Even the light that Keldian had lit was unable to properly penetrate the changed texture of the material inside the corridor.
Keldian frowned at the horrifyingly dark hallway. He looked back and said, "It seems like we will have to go in and check. Let's continue."
"… Okay."
Eres nodded.
If they had not witnessed this scene, then maybe there would be another option, but now they couldn't stop continuing.
Even if it looked a bit dangerous, they had to go in and check.
No, if they were afraid of such things, to begin with, they wouldn't have even reached here to start.
"It could be… that we could understand what this place is for." Eres muttered.
Soon…
Roooooooooar!
They walked past the hallway where the beasts screamed as Eres and Clementine's group began to enter deeper into the structure.
—
Boooooooom!
"What the hell…! What the hell are these things?!"
Kwooooooooooo!
John Kael screamed in shock seeing the beasts rushing toward them, roaring.
The entire surrounding was already lit up in flames.
They were ignoring and enduring all of the skills that were thrown at them by the Adventurers and had inflicted so much damage that it had caused this scene to erupt.
"These damned fuckers! I didn't even enjoy spending half of the essence!"
They were over 50m in size, and as if they were bulls, even after John Kael had deflected them away, they continued to attack him. He clenched his teeth.
It hadn't even been long since he had took over the Desire Tree.
In that short time, John Kael, Mitsuyoshi and Elizabeth had experienced heaven. John Kael embraced all of the women he wanted to by creating them with his imagination.
For Mitsuyoshi, he was able to recreate all of the movies, music, and other media applications that he was not able to see before.
As for Elizabeth, she had imagined all of the foods and desserts that she had not eaten for so long before serving it and eating it pleasurably with her subordinates.
If they were to return to their former world, they would want the strength to be able to dominate that world. It was truly a simple desire.
However, it was these simple desires that had driven them through these last 20 years.
No matter how hard they would have worked while ascending in the six zones below, there was no path that could fulfill their desires.
That was the same just for him alone.
'That wasn't because of the women.'
John Kael shook his head after recollecting the Adventurers.
A woman needed to be womanly in order to be considered as a woman in the first place.
This was true when he considered himself and Elizabeth.
If he had acted a bit out of the ordinary against her, it would be his head that would be sent flying, not just his hair.
This was a despicable world predicated on fighting and stealing.
He had survived in this kind of world for 20 years, so he could no longer see the women here as girls.
They had become so strong and more vicious the longer they survived and adapted to this world despite their physical bodies and mentalities initially.
In comparison, the women he had imagined from his desires were delicate and soothing. Even though they were like dolls, it was sufficient.
The Desire Tree was able to satisfy the ideal woman that John Kael grieved for the past 20 years.
However, it hadn't even been that long for him to enjoy this time before falling into this sh*tty state.
"Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaak!"
Booooom!
He used all of his strength in both arms to send the rhinoceros to the side. It was quite unbelievable to even imagine a human who wasn't even 2m tall throwing a beast close to 100m away. However, it was the Transcendents that were given the right to ignore these norms.
Boooooooooooom!
Kyooooooooooo!
The rhinoceros, who was flung away by John Kael, groaned as his whole body trembled. Yet, John Kael frowned after looking around his surroundings. All of his forces were already being pushed back, and those that could even oppose these beasts at a standstill was him, Mitsuyoshi, Elizabeth, and the rest of the 4-Star Transcendents.
Even the 3-Star Transcendents were barely holding on as they struggled against the crazy rhinoceros, the reason being their solid bodies and their heavy charges.
If their speed was slow, it would be fine, but whenever these beasts stepped forward, it was as if space itself would fold.
'At this rate… Everyone will die.'
However, it wasn't like he could abandon his subordinates and run.
Though the shameless Dell Marcus might not hesitate to flee, they could never abandon these guys.
'Okay, you bastards. Let's make sure to bury all of you.'
"Come at me you bastards!"
The moment John Kael shouted loudly and stepped forward…
Boooooooooooooom!
A large roar reverberated in the forest as a few red spheres began to shoot out into the sky.
'What the hell is that?'
John Kael frowned seeing the suspicious-looking red spheres.
Paaaaaaaaaaaang!
The red-colored spheres splintered in all directions as it exploded, causing a brilliant bright rainbow to radiate from the center.
The light was so strong that it felt like they would be blinded.
"Oh no…"
"Close your eyes!"
They were strange objects in the eyes of everyone. Of course, everyone was being cautious, but after it suddenly erupted into a bright light, there was really nothing they could do with their blinded sights.
However, the red spheres rushed at the large rhinoceroses.
Kuuoooooooooooong!
The rhinoceroses suddenly let out a large shrill as the rainbow-looking light burned their backs.
The brilliant gold metal armors that they gloated around slowly turned into stone before splitting apart.
In that instant…
"Quickly finish them off! The duration doesn't go for that long!"
"Damn it!"
Booooooooooom!
After the spheres had pierced the rhinoceroses, hundreds to thousands of attacks began to rain down upon them.
They were attacks that were no different from John Kael's group who was busily defending the tree. However, the result was entirely different.
Boooooooooooom!
Roaaaaaaar!
Blood spurted out as the skills from all directions crushed their skins and crept inside, destroying everything aside from their skin and muscles in which it bounced off from.
Kuoooooooooooooooooo!
The rhinoceroses helplessly cried before falling onto the ground. No matter how strong their bodies were, they would not be able to rush in if their leg joints were cut off. John Kael, who was witnessing all of this, frowned.
'… What is this? Who's doing this?'
Which kind of bastards had the power and strength to effectively overpower these beasts?
It was then…
Ruuuuuuumble!
Vines began to erupt from the ground before entangling and crushing the bodies of the beasts.
'Hosang?'
They were the Baren Tree Roots.
It was definitely Hosang's skill.
'… I had thought he was a fool, but for him to be able to come up with such a plan?'
He didn't get along with the man very well.
"Ahhhhhhh! How frustrating!"
Boooooooom!
Accompanying the large explosion was a man holding four weapons.
'Even Dell Marcus?'
Seeing the guy recklessly fight in the front lines, he subconsciously nodded his head.
'If it were him…'
The man crazed to fight.
He could understand how this unfolded if it was him, his long-time rival.
Though he might be brazen, he couldn't help but admit that he had great ability.
'Besides, I thought Hosang hated that guy.'
However, if they had gathered in order to survive, it was understandable.
What was important was that the immediate fire had been watered down.
'Well. I'm grateful for you help, but don't expect me to pay my debts.'
John Kael who shrugged his shoulders breathed out before trying to attack one of the absconding rhinoceros.
In that instant, a large ice spear flew toward his direction and penetrated the head of the rhinoceros, causing the rhinoceros to freeze just like the spear that was the size of a small building.
Ruuuuumble!
Usually, it wouldn't be bad if someone else had done his job in his stead. However, his expression hardened after seeing this sight.
'… This isn't it.'
He knew very well what this previous attack was.
It was the signature skill of the woman that had swallowed the Desire Tree of the East, Hessie Taylor.
She was definitely not someone that would unite her strength with anyone regardless of the situation.
However, this event was currently transpiring in front of his eyes.
As if to confirm his suspicions, a large spectacle of skills began to erupt in all directions.
Ruuuuuuumble!
Rumble!
Despite the beasts being deleted around him, John Kael slowly walked backward.
'Mell Teron's Flame Spear, and even Pom Chai's Passion. What the f*ck…'
Around him, all of the owners of the Desire Trees began to show themselves.
These guys would never unite if they were in their right minds.
It was so strange even if he were to think that they had united to come and kill him.
He could instinctively feel something ominous, so he tried to use his hands to send a signal to his subordinates to escape.
In that moment…
Boooooooom!
Three Transcendents fell from the sky and landed in front of him.
They were the three Desire Tree owners, Akanta, Kane Patos and Seunghyuk, that had settled farther east from his.
John Kael could only look on with a look of disbelief.
'Could it be that almost everyone had gathered?'
"You crazy… Why did you come here?'
From those words, Kane Patos, who was standing at the front along with the rest, gnashed their teeth.
"You shouldn't be… the only ones to escape."
"Of course."
"F*ck… Ha… Seriously."
Seeing their despondent rage and anger, John Cael put on an expression of incomprehensibility.
—
"Are the enhancements almost over?"
John Stone nodded from Mihee's question.
"We have almost finished."
There was full of confidence from John Stone as if their formidable force could defeat any enemy in their path.
However, Mihee strangely could not feel calm at all.
'… Why is this?'
Mihee bit her lip from the ominous feeling as she looked to the sky above the elevator.
Chapter 443: Noah (5)
Translator: Ares
Editor Group: Liber Reverie
Ruuuuuumble!
Rumble!
"… Okay. Let's go up now."
Sangjin hesitated momentarily after seeing Mihee's worried expression before speaking.
"We will probably need an advance team to investigate the situation above."
John Stone, Kiriel and Mihee both nodded. It was true that there wasn't a zone that was normal. It was common sense to at least investigate the situation above considering they had no information regarding the zone. Currently, they had one big weakness.
"Once we ascend, there's no guarantee that we can continue to unite these guys," Mihee mumbled seeing countless people lined up in the plains.
Just as she said, the Adventurers were full of confidence after attaining their new strength.
The problem was if they were to ascend with their newly found strength, they could run around and flee in excitement.
If there was no problem, then they would be able to ascend and progress comfortably, but of the Otherworld they had experienced, that probability was very low.
Uncontrolled forces were like double-edged swords, so it was not as good. In order to reduce this probability as much as possible, they needed to send out an advance force to start.
'If Hansoo was able to properly do his job above, then maybe…'
However, Mihee soon shook her head.
Expectations usually lead to disappointment. If it was the Hansoo that she knew, then she would have no worries. Nevertheless, the Hansoo that ascended was a bit different. Then, Sangjin spoke briefly to Mihee, "I will go up. I'll take some of the people."
"… But."
Mihee soon lowered his head after recognizing Sangjin's heart.
"That is why I will go up."
"There is not much time left now," Sangjin muttered as he felt the fragments of Neropa's soul growing more and pulsating.
—
Kureeeeeeung!
'Hmm. I'm a bit short.'
Hansoo muttered as he destroyed the heads of these large beasts.
He was relentlessly using the seeds as he continued to inject his mana into them.
The ones that had the most development was definitely the Hongma Door. If he were to raise him just a bit more, he would be able to see its next stage.
It was also necessary for him.
"How stiff," Hansoo muttered as he could feel the pulsing seed of Pandemic Blade in his heart.
Pandemic Blade was by no means all-powerful. The more a person used the Pandemic Blade onto their opponents, the larger the pressure it would bring onto them.
Not to mention controlling the elites, trying to control the other 4-Star Transcendents was causing him to reach his limit.
Of course, there was value in that itself.
'29 people.'
Hansoo let out a satisfied expression seeing all of the Transcendents that were owners of the Desire Trees gathered up.
If all of them were to attack him, then he would definitely lose. Though there was quite a large gap between 4-Star Transcendents, with these numbers, it was more than sufficient to overcome him.
'By the way… It should be time for them to start coming up.'
He was reminded of Mihee's group below after thinking about this group.
Then, one of the Transcendents opened his mouth.
"… Why are we gathering these?" The somewhat settled Dell Marcus asked Hansoo.
A loss was a loss, and reality being real.
Though he was infuriated of being beaten up and becoming his slave, he had to admit that the guy's ability was truly amazing.
"For him to be able to beat and capture all of them up this quickly," Dell Marcus murmured as he looked at his surroundings.
There were some that were ambiguous in relationship with him like John Kael, and others that were supportive of him.
However, all of them had something in common.
They had wandered around this world in confusion for 20 years, and that they were all strong. Each one of them was a one-man army.
Hansoo chuckled from those words.
"I had been thinking for a while on what to do."
"…?"
When everyone had questionable looks, Hansoo muttered internally, 'Ha… It is time to get rid of him.'
Hansoo thought of Clementine. To be honest, there was no real reason for him to fight Clementine. The reason he had captured the people around him and made an army out of it was because he thought they would be useful, not to deal with Clementine.
However, after hearing about the situation from Dell Marcus and the others, his thoughts changed a bit.
After hearing that Clementine along with a few others had departed for the north from them, he was certain of one fact.
Though he clearly didn't know where their destination was, they were heading toward a certain location, and in the end of that direction was where Noah was at.
'You sly bastard.'
Hansoo clicked his tongue.
He was not sure where he had obtained that information from. He could have obtained the information from his subordinates or through hints of strangers to find the location of Noah.
Nevertheless, one fact was clear.
If Noah fell into the hands of Clementine and if he were to use that power to oppose him, it would cause him a large headache.
On the other hand, if that power fell into his hands…?
'There would be nothing to fear about. Nothing to be afraid of.'
It would be much easier surviving through the Abyss, and he would be able to share that leisure with others.
'Kiriel… Mihee and the others… Maybe I'll give them a ride.'
For those that had saved his life, he could do that at least.
If they were to ride Noah, they would be happy. After thinking all of this, Hansoo soon clicked his tongue internally once more.
'… Useless thoughts again.'
Hansoo swept the six seeds in his body while shaking his head before soon smiling.
"We will first head north."
"North?"
Everyone frowned from Hansoo's words.
They instinctively knew what he was thinking after speaking such words.
'Don't tell me… You're going to capture Eres, Clementine and the others?'
Seeing how he had captured all of them, it could be that he had such greed, and it wasn't like they didn't understand either.
King.
What a sweet word it was.
It was the sweet authority given to the winner who would put the losers below his feet. If one had such power, he would just go and fight with anyone.
However, that itself was the problem.
He had to defeat them.
Hosang contemplated briefly before talking to Hansoo.
"Hey. Honestly, I know you're strong, and you definitely would have rampaged in the lower floors… However, those guys are absolute monsters."
Even the weakest of them, Eres, was a 5-Star Transcendent.
Not only that, Eres wasn't specialized in fighting as well. If all of them were able to attack Eres, they should be able to capture her eventually.
That would be the extent though.
There was no answer thinking of the splitting images of Kangtae and Keldian beside him.
'Taehee is also one crazy bitch as well.'
Hosang's body shivered with a gloomy expression.
The rest also followed.
"Ugh…."
"Ahem."
Everyone started to cough in vain recollecting the other group members that had gone on ahead. Though everyone thought they were strong themselves, there were no answers to be made, thinking of them.
In the first place, they had wanted to play the role of the King and had remained to monopolize the Desire Trees despite the large backlash. No matter how strong they were, they would always be below them. There was always some pressure trying to follow Eres's group no matter what the reasons were.
Thinking up to this point, Hosang spoke at Hansoo once more, "There's no reason to go there immediately, right? I think we can hunt here a bit more."
"Yes. That's right. There's no reason to go immediately. If we were to make those weird things out of your desire, we can hunt them much faster!"
The warriors around them began to raise their voices.
That was right.
Though they were unaware where Hansoo got the information to make those things, if he were to keep creating them, it would be too easy to hunt these unidentified species.
Not only that, they would be able to gather more crystals as well. With this progress, it would only take them a month before they reached the next stage. Not only them, their subordinates would also become stronger. If that was so, everything would become simpler.
Hansoo chuckled from their words.
'Who will wait a month for us?'
He wished that he had some more time too as well. It would be more convenient and less worrisome if he had entered the realm of 5-Star Transcendent before moving. However, no one would wait a month for him whether it was the guys pushing on ahead or the group ascending from below.
It would be great if they had spent the month in futility and failed to reach their destination.
Unfortunately, Hansoo always assumed the worst before he goes into action since he knew God had never lifted his hand before.
In one month, it was more than enough time for Clementine to fully take out Noah and control this entire zone.
"I admit that I came here a bit late," Hansoo muttered.
He admitted that he came up to this zone a bit late, but it wasn't over yet. He just had to work harder to compensate for being late.
"Stop saying nonsense and prepare to move. We're departing immediately."
"Damn… If we leave like this, we're all going to die!"
Hansoo smiled.
"I never said we're going like this."
"…?"
Seeing their questionable looks, he smiled as he left them, heading toward the trunk of the large Desire Tree.
'I fully used up its essence… Good.'
Not sure what had made it so angry, one of the Desire Tree trembled crazily as Hansoo began to gather energy from his palm.
Booooooooooom!
"What… the hell?"
"Ah, what the f*ck is happening now?!"
The huge amount of energy that suddenly began to gather in front of their eyes caused all of the Transcendents in the vicinity to jump up in horror.
If they were to be struck properly, it felt like it would crush whatever touched it.
'What the hell… We're the same 4-Star Transcendents, so why is the gap so large?'
Even though he knew he was the weakest, he felt it was too much. When Hosang looked at Hansoo with an expression of annoyance, Hansoo raised his hammer into the sky before hitting the Desire Tree in front of him.
Boooooooooooooooom!
The Desire Tree trembled along with a large explosion.
The blow had ripped apart the trunk of the Desire Tree, causing it to start falling.
Booooooooom!
However, being unsatisfied with his result, he gathered his energy once more to strike the Desire Tree causing the others to be taken aback in shock.
"Hey! HEEEEEEEY! Why are you doing that to something so precious!"
"Ahhhhhhk! My tree! There are so many things I haven't done yet!"
"Are you crazy?! What?!"
Their cries were somewhat natural since these nine trees themselves could create a utopia. They were probably wondering why he was destroying such precious trees. Even if he were to break this one, there were still eight left to break. Each one was precious, considering the regeneration of their essence.
Unfortunately, Hansoo stepped on their expectations even more brutally.
"What are you doing. Hurry up and move."
"…?"
"The other eight trees. Quickly destroy them and come."
"… Why?"
Hosang muttered with a despondent look.
—
Kurreeeeeeeeung
The big elevator trembled before vomiting out dozens of men and women. It was the advance group consisting of Sangjin and the elite members.
'We've arrived. I wonder what that guy is doing.'
"Well… Should we scour the surroundings to see if there is anything dangerous?"
At that moment…
Ruuuuuuuuuuuuuuumble!
"Huhhh… Huh?!"
"An earthquake?"
The large shockwaves from the ground caused everyone to be anxious. The advance team soon heard the low-key voice of Sangjin.
"Even if we don't scout… We know at least one thing."
Rooooooooooooooooar!
The magnitude was so great that they could feel it happening simply from standing up. Sangjin muttered seeing the large creature crawl up from the ground in anger.
Chapter 444: Desire Return (1)
Translator: Ares
Editor Group: Liber Reverie
Kuooooooooooooo!
Dell Marcus felt irritated seeing the large tortoise-looking beast standing up.
For such a beast to be living below his feet, it was truly remarkable.
Above his shell, he could see nine large trees broken and crushed, each one of them being the Desire Trees the size of small mountains.
That was how large and overwhelming the size of this guy was.
The greatest problem was its condition.
Kuoooooooooooo!
Not sure what had made it so enraged, it was stamping its eight feet onto the ground in anger. Every time it stamped one of its feet down, the whole forest trembled before trees started falling.
'Ugh…'
Dell Marcus gulped after seeing this scene.
It already took significant time for them to destroy those trees since the skin of the tortoise-looking beast was much thicker and stronger than the bark of the Desire Trees that they had destroyed. If that kind of monster were to go at them, there would be no hope. What was unfortunate was that probability seemed very high since it was actively slaughtering the lifeforms that were harming it.
"You… What did you do to create such a mess? What happens if that monster were to come at us?"
Hansoo shrugged his shoulders.
"Well, don't worry. It won't be us first.
"That makes no sense!!"
Hosang screamed after seeing the enraged beast looking frantically all around. If one were to break the spine of one's back, then the person that caused the act should experience the same thing.
Hansoo shook at his remark.
"Not everything is that simple."
"That… is a bit unusual," Hansoo muttered after seeing the wailing beast.
—
There were a variety of ways that living creatures sought to survive in the world. However, not all living things lived solely for survival. Humans alone had various interests apart from survival. No, all organisms including humans had desires. Depending on the species, their desires might vary, but they all shared desires. Among that, the one that had a very particular desire existed.
Complete curiosity.
There were creatures that evolved in order to satisfy this curiosity. In order to read the desires of others, they developed an organ similar to a production plant in its body to satisfy that role. To attract others, the shell grew huge trees that were visible to anyone, which made it look like a safe location to build a shelter around.
There was a limit to the production when it was young. However, as it ages, it was able to continually add. Ultimately, it was able to create nine Desire Trees, which was able to lure in the organisms of others with desires. It listened to their desires, and in return, encouraged greater desires.
It wasn't difficult to eat the bug-like creatures above, but it felt that there was no need to. It preferred the pleasantness of keeping them alive and listening to their desires. However, what if that joy were to disappear? What if all nine roots were gone? More importantly, what if an intense pain struck at it from the collapsing trees?
That was the moment where its serenity changed into rage.
That was why it stood to show the other organisms to reveal that reality.
Kuooooooooooooooooo!
It was relentlessly trampling all over the place, killing everyone in its path. What captivated the beast's heart the most was rage. Until his nine trees grew back again, its curiosity could no longer be satisfied.
No, in fact, there was one more option of achieving that.
Direct intake.
It was to directly eat them.
If it were to capture the thousands to tens of thousands of organisms on top of its shell and digest them, it would be able to know all the remaining desires of the creatures.
Of course, it normally wasn't a good option.
There was no reason to since if it were to spare them, they would create even larger desires. However, that means had now disappeared, so the story had changed.
Countless tentacles rose from under the beast's shell as it began to look around.
—
'Ugh…'
Dell Marcus couldn't help but be disgusted seeing the tentacles ranging kilometers searching the area.
The thickness of the tentacles was the size of a person's head.
The tentacles were extremely long as thousands of them unraveled throughout the forest.
Ssssssssss
Strange sensory organ sounds were heard as they whizzed past Dell Marcus and the rest.
To be exact, it went against all living creatures in the forest and not just the Adventurers.
Booooooooom!
Boom!
A few beasts were mercilessly caught by the tentacles and raised into the air.
Among them, there were the rhinoceroses, the ones that Dell Marcus had a very difficult time fighting.
Kuooooooooooooo!
The beasts stuck in the air resisted in vain.
Ruuuuuumble!
Kuk!
The tentacles with their intense pressure crushed the bodies of the animals in the air as they began to rush inside the large shells.
'… I'm about to faint for real at this rate.'
Hosang gulped, seeing the frightening scene before him.
Soon, they wouldn't be much different from the beasts that were currently experiencing such a torturous event.
Seeing Hosang slowly reaching for his sword on his waist, Hansoo muttered, "Don't recklessly resist. It'll just make it more curious."
"…"
"Don't be afraid. If you had used the Desire Tree as I taught you before, we will be okay for now.
The proof of Hansoo's words was shown as the tentacles swept past the Adventurers as if they lost interest in them.
Kuaaaaaaaaaaaaang!
Kuoooooooooooo!
Ruuuuumble!
Countless screams and shrills could be heard inside the forest, but even those roars were temporary.
As if it had finished sweeping through the forest, the large beast made a strange cry before slowly moving its huge body to the north.
Seeing this, Hansoo nodded with a satisfied expression.
"Let's see. We will be able to arrive quite nicely."
"Crazy… Are you really trying to face those that traveled to the north?" Dell Marcus muttered with an exhausted expression.
It was clear where the beast was heading.
It was toward the location where Eres and the rest were.
All of them including Kangtae and Eres had not used the Desire Tree since they deemed it dangerous.
In other words, the only ones that had an interest were them.
There was no mistake that the tentacles were currently searching for trails of the people that had left for the north.
Hansoo nodded. It wasn't certain that he would win. If he lacked strength, he just had to unite his with the others. If the two were to fight, he would be able to gain some profit and advantages. Even if this beast lacked the strength, just seeing their reactions and current strength was itself a benefit.
"I think they might have a hidden card…" Hansoo muttered, thinking about Clementine.
In fact, if he was determined, Clementine was totally able to monopolize this world. No matter how strong Eres and her comrades were along with the people that had come here 1 to 2 years after, their numbers were limited.
After installing filters in the Yellow Zone, he was able to succeed in growing a significant faction.
This had progressed for almost 15 years. However, none of those people were by Clementine. All of them were 1st or 2nd years of the first generation, and the latest being 3rd or 4th years.
'If all of them had followed Clementine, to begin with, then it was uncertain… But even so, the numbers wouldn't match.'
The purpose of those words meant one thing.
The ones that ascended did not unite but were doing some work elsewhere.
'What is this guy possibly hiding?'
Hansoo coldly smiled before speaking out, "What are you doing? Let's move."
"…?"
Hansoo quietly chuckled seeing those Adventurers.
"We're following it."
Hansoo smiled, seeing the large beast walking away.
—
Kureeeeeeeeeung!
"… What's happening?"
Eres had a suspicious expression, seeing the sudden trembles on the ground.
They had already entered far more inside than they had imagined. This hallway was longer beyond their imagination. However, to still be able to hear those trembles above meant that a large commotion was happening from above.
Keldian shook his head and calmed Eres' curiosity.
"Let's concentrate, Eres. We are not in a state to do anything anyways."
Keldian touched the hallway. He wasn't aware of what materials this hallway was made of, but it was clear that it was unusual.
None of their skills worked. Whether it was penetrating vision skills, communication skills, and even all sorts of teleportation and space movement skills, they were all prohibited in addition to inhibition of senses.
The only thing that was here was an open hallway. Other than that, for a Transcendent who used all sorts of skills and had the ability to cover several kilometers with their enhanced physical abilities, this corridor was a prison.
It was completely opposite of what he felt when he was outside in the white hallway.
The others felt similar, and their faces also showed quite a lot of frustration because of the lack of preparation for what might come out from the dark.
They felt as if their hands, feet, sight, and scent were all cut off.
Considering how the guys were able to inhibit their senses and abilities to their extent, it was clear that the guys that could attack them weren't normal.
In this unknown, undentable facility, if the internal defense system were to operate, it would mean that all of them would be in danger.
Eres, seeing the expressions of everyone, nodded and began to walk once more.
She agreed that she needed to focus on the current task.
'Yeah. It's not like I can communicate outside…'
However, not everyone was out of touch with the outside.
The power to communicate beyond dimensions.
Taehee, who was walking in the back, accepted the information from the trembles of the small soul shards in her body.
Soon…
She slowly fell back to Clementine's side and began to write something on his palm.
Taehee wrote once more on his palm from Clementine's question.
<… It's said that Desire Return has woken up. It is coming here.>
"Truly… What a crazy guy," Taehee bit her lips and muttered as she wrote.
Chapter 445: Desire Return (2)
Translator: Ares
Editor Group: Liber Reverie
Kureeeeeeeeeeung.
A bit north ahead of the entrance where Clementine and Eres had entered…
One man was exhaling roughly under the collapsed mountain.
"Whooooooo… It's so strong. Damn," the man mumbled as he continued to press down on the woman under his feet.
"Eeeeeeeeeek! Eeeeeeeeeeek!"
The woman continued to scream as the man trampled on the woman without mercy.
It might seem that it was a poor screaming woman being unconditionally trampled upon by the man, but if someone were to say anything like that to the man Magnus, he would personally catch the guy and throw him in front of this damn creature.
'What a truly arrogant guy.'
Thump.
Thump. Thump.
Whenever he stepped on her, the woman was so strong that it was his bones that were making sounds.
Magnus frowned at the struggling woman in a bloodstained state.
Though she might resemble a human, she was never one.
If she was a human, she wouldn't have a tail similar to a scorpion's tail, to begin with, though he had to admit that she was similar in size to them.
'Well, she's pretty.'
Magnus shook his head as he continued to step on the naked woman.
That was not important.
Chiiiiiiing!
Magnus held the Queen by her neck with the large sickle before lowering his head and whispering into the Queen's ear.
"Immediately… Tell your subordinates to clean up."
"Sub… ordinates?"
"So, um… Yeah, these. These things."
With a frustrated expression after seeing the Queen's incomprehension, Magnus reached out and grabbed something next to him.
It was the corpse of a half-broken beast.
He had only stepped one foot to the side, but a corpse was already there for him to pick up.
It couldn't be helped since the entire mountain was covered in bodies.
The Queen looked wistfully at the bodies that covered the entire mountain before soon nodding and wagging her tail.
Ruuuuuuuuuuuuuumble!
Soon…
Kooooooooo!
Kooo!
Far away from the corpse, about 500m away, there were hundreds and thousands of creatures beginning to flood out.
After seeing this, Magnus couldn't help but click his tongue.
'It hasn't even been long since she was released, but for there to be so many…'
If they had not secretly marked them before letting them go, they would have had such a difficult time.
If he hadn't caught the Queen by surprise, it was certain that it would have caused a large predicament since it wouldn't have been possible to capture the Queen hiding amongst that army.
Clicking his tongue once more, he watched the retreating army.
Some had the appearance of a monkey, while others were of birds and wolves.
They only look like those animals though since their sizes were much bigger and were vicious.
He knew what the identity of these guys were.
They were the beasts that descended from the Abyss.
However, they were currently infected by the Queen.
'This is the Queen.'
Queen.
Queen Ant, Queen Bee.
Though all of the species have a species name behind the Queen, this one was just Queen.
She didn't have a species, but she made one.
In other words, species weren't born from her, but whoever or whatever she touches would become her slave.
This was the reason why she was able to manufacture such an army in such a short time.
Whoever she fought or met, she would eat and infect and become stronger.
'Now… It should be hard for her to increase her faction.'
If they were able to hold her hostage and increase their power, everything would be simpler.
However, unfortunately, that was impossible because of the structure.
To begin with, if it felt that its life was threatened or received stress, it would stop dominating others and would stop producing the source of the material.
'In other words, you won't be used as a factory.'
However, this was more than sufficient.
That large number.
"Good. Miss Queen. Let's go on a date with those guys."
"Eeeeeeek. Eeeeeeek."
Magnus continued to hold the Queen's neck as he coldly smiled.
She wasn't the only one that was released. They had released the dangerous species that they felt they could control.
To get their hands on these species, aside from himself, there was another man along with his subordinates working in another location.
'Thanks to the filtering of the Yellow Zone, all of the subordinates were useful. How great.'
As for him, he preferred to work alone, and since his specialty was launching surprise attacks, he didn't bring along his men. However, he couldn't deny their usefulness.
Though they fought well, they were still realms apart from the 1st and 2nd years of the First Generation.
In fact, he wasn't fond of everyone.
'Eres and Keldian… It would be great if they were bound by a contract or by the Power of the Sovereign, but I wonder why he won't.'
Magnus had a sad look as he recalled Keldian.
Of course, whether it was Eres or Keldian, they were both strong.
If he had the Power of the Sovereign, even he would feel that he would have much difficulty subordinating them.
However, wasn't the man, Clementine, different?
That man was truly strong.
Everything would become easier if he had subordinated all of the people including guys like Dell Marcus.
His complaints were brief.
'He must have something in mind.'
Woooooooooooong.
Magnus shook the soul shard and sent a message to Taehee.
The message included a light voice.
It was then…
'…?'
Magnus gave a puzzled look.
—
Boooooooooom!
The large beast continued to crawl to the north, causing the earth to relentlessly tremble.
Several kilometers behind the beast, there was a group of people currently moving. It was Hansoo and the rest.
Aside from the 4-Star Transcendents, there were thousands of Transcendents and many Adventurers beyond that, running northward.
Hosang, seeing this scene, felt secure.
"Though we had separated due to our own reasons, seeing our group together is reassuring."
Hosang joking around caused for Dell Marcus' pride to take another hit.
"You must like it being the guy who left initially due to being crazy about women."
"… What's wrong with you? Did I say anything wrong?"
Dell Marcus nodded in response to Hosang's words.
He wasn't wrong.
With how much of a mess this world was, having everyone gather was reassuring.
However, a voice from behind broke the mood.
"We're at our weakest, so what's so reassuring."
"… You seriously… What a mood-breaker," Hosang complained after seeing Hansoo.
"We must have a plan for following it, right?"
"…"
"He's thinking more," Hansoo muttered, seeing Hosang.
Those words weren't wrong.
Their purpose for moving was for one reason.
It was for him to ascend to a 5-Star Transcendent.
He would also ensure that the others could also take the next step.
Though they might be weak compared to Clementine's faction, they were by no means weak.
'Well. We just have to proceed.'
Kuooooooooooooo.
Seeing the beast roughly cry while crawling upward, Hansoo fell into thought once more after seeing the Desire Return.
'Can he open up all seven of them?'
If so, then Noah was not needed.
He could jump in and finish it himself.
He would have the strength to destroy the beast up there.
Not only that, if there was someone that was able to reach 7-Star Transcendent before the Abyss opened, Hansoo thought that it would be himself.
He was the only one who had the true qualifications to reach that stage.
However, Hansoo soon shook his head.
'But this seed is the problem.'
Hansoo began to judge himself objectively.
5-Star Transcendent.
In Hansoo's perspective, it looked possible.
This was the reason why he had caused such a ruckus to reach that stage, and if things were to proceed as planned, he would achieve 5-Star Transcendent without much difficulty.
It wasn't far away from his current state.
'Though I am in a hurry.'
The ones that went up ahead were all 5-Stars, and he had to defeat them to obtain Noah, but if he were to engage battle with them as a 4-Star Transcendent, it would pose some complications.
However, if he had reached that stage, things would proceed smoothly.
6-Star?
This was a bit difficult.
Though there might be six seeds in his body, one of them was the problem.
Spiritual Outburst.
This seed was the problem.
He had to use this skill to become stronger.
He had to use his mana, determination, health, and stamina all into this skill to activate it.
That was the case for the Immortal Soul or Pandemic Blade, but there were no limits to this guy.
The moment he used it, his soul would explode. Of course, he would attain an unimaginable strength and ascend that barrier.
He would be able to delete all of his opponents.
However, would it matter?
If his soul were to break into pieces, it would be impossible to recover that even on the seventh floor of hell.
Self-sacrificing spells wouldn't exert unimaginable power for anything.
One was bereft of nothing which was why one was granted such strength.
'The demons must be quite sad. Haha.'
If the contract was broken due to the outburst of the sport, they would probably cry.
They would enjoy seeing him despair, but without his soul, they wouldn't even be able to witness it.
However, Hansoo soon shook his head.
What useless thoughts.
'Well. Regardless…'
It wasn't impossible to reach 6-Star Transcendent. He just had to get another seed and develop it one step further so that he could reach that stage although that might be the end.
"Well. Just being a 6-Star Transcendent is more than enough," Hansoo muttered.
If he reached 7-Star Transcendent, everything would be over. From his calculations, being a 6-Star was more than sufficient since it would allow his enhanced body and Transcendent skills to give rise to new heights.
Hansoo threw out these mixed thoughts and began to concentrate.
It was about time.
'Good. Good. How nice… that all of us have hasty personalities.'
Kureeeeeeeeu!
Far away…
Hansoo murmured as he watched a strange ripple heading toward Desire Return.
—
"… Dangerous species," Sangjin muttered as he felt the trembling soul shard of Neropa.
Surprisingly, the shards of this soul were able to communicate beyond dimensions.
He couldn't deny that this was very useful.
If it weren't for this, he wouldn't be able to communicate with Mihee from below.
He heard Mihee's reply who was holding the Relic.
Sangjin nodded and replied from Mihee's question.
Kuooooooooooooo!
Sangjin muttered coldly after seeing the large army of beasts rushing and fighting against a large monster the size of a mountain that was wailing.
Chapter 446: Desire Return (3)
Translator: Ares
Editor Group: Liber Reverie
Rumble!
Boooooom!
Hansoo opened his mouth briefly after seeing the collision between the large beast and the other beasts.
"Get ready."
Now, they had to prepare for battle.
Hansoo, who gave a short shout, breathed out.
'What kind of horror movie am I in to be in such hardships?'
To think about it, at some point, he didn't even hope for much.
He just beat up those that confronted him day by day and became stronger by overcoming them.
He descended downward.
He lived a bit longer.
He became a bit stronger.
'There's absolutely no difference from a machine.'
Hosang from the side and was preparing gave a short remark.
"Why do you have such a tired expression?"
"… There's too much to do."
Hosang chuckled from Hansoo's words.
"We're all doing what we can to survive. If we don't, we die."
Hansoo shrugged his shoulders.
"Well, I don't think there's anything pleasant to look forward to while being alive."
Hosang didn't know about the future which was why he spoke like that.
For him, he thought that he had almost arrived at the end.
Indeed, it would have been enough for the Desire Tree to give delusions to himself and the others of the end destination.
However, he knew the truth.
The world that they had traversed so far in the Otherworld was not the end but merely the preparation for the beginning.
'Knowing this… Would you want to keep living?'
When Hansoo muttered internally, Hosang spoke after seeing his expression, "Hey! No dreams! Dreams. Well, I mean…. It must be why you destroyed the Desire Trees."
"Dream?"
Hosang nodded from Hansoo's remark and spoke, "Yes, dreams! People have dreams! Huh? Of what you want to do! Yes, that is why people want to keep living. Huh?"
"A dream," Hansoo muttered once more before smiling.
'… What kind of dream could you have in this damned world?'
The situation made the dream.
Every day, he had to fight and hope that he wouldn't die, so what kind of dreams could he have in this world?
"Just worry about winning."
"No, well, aside from us! Why are you living so fast?! Huh? Make some women?! Create a harem?! Or make something delicious?"
"You're being noisy. Let's go."
Boooooooooom!
Passing by the shouting Hosang, Hansoo violently jumped from the ground toward the Desire Return far away.
"A dream," mumbled Hansoo as he smiled. He erased them from his thoughts and ran forward.
—
Ruuuuuuuumble!
Seeing the large beasts fighting, he clutched the neck of the Queen on his right hand.
"Tell them all to charge. All."
"All… All?"
"Yes. All of your subordinates under you."
From those words, the Queen flinched and made a shrilling sound before soon wagging her tail.
Soon…
Ruuuuuuuuuuuuuumble!
The army of beasts from all directions began to attack like a tidal wave toward the beast the size of a mountain.
Kwaaaaaaaaaaaaa!
Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaak!
The beasts of the Queen's army collided with the large mountain-sized beast.
Whenever the large beast moved its eight feet, hundreds to thousands of beasts died.
Thousands of tentacles stretched out from under its shell and swung everywhere, causing for dozens of monsters to be ripped apart and be sucked into the shell. It was a one-sided massacre.
However, despite that many beasts dying, there wasn't even much of a dent on the army's formation.
Ruuuuuuumble!
Boooom!
Kyaaaaaaak!
The Desire Return kept ripping and cutting the attacking beasts.
Even though the beasts died from its tentacles, they did not retreat and continued to try and inflict damage onto the beast in honor of the Queen's name whom they served.
"Eeeeeeeeeeek… Eeeek."
The Queen cried after seeing her children be ripped apart, causing Magnus to frown.
It wasn't because he felt pity for the Queen, but rather, he was annoyed at how the situation had turned out.
'Damn… This wasn't the reason why I had gathered these troops.'
Magnus couldn't help but feel regret after seeing all of them die.
The reason why he had released the Queen from the white metal room, give her the time to raise an army, and retrieve it with such hard effort was for one reason only. It was to completely wipe out the guys coming up from below.
This was the intention of the Clemention he served.
It was the extermination of all humans that were not under his rule.
They had planned this from the Yellow Zone and had succeeded aside from the 1st and 2nd years of the First Generation that followed Eres. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that everyone apart from that followed Clementine.
The Contract and Monarch that were closely intertwined, as well as the seven shards, were enough to speak for themselves.
However, that plan had begun to go awry. He wasn't exactly sure, but it was roughly three years before.
"Kang Hansoo," Magnus recalled the name and muttered.
Despite being 20 years apart, he had raised momentum from the lowest floor and had become their main enemy.
If it was just him that was strong, they wouldn't even need to divert their attention since there was no reason to.
However, the things that he had done were not at a normal standard.
He was ascending with the intention of strengthening the human race with as many people alive as possible.
It was an idea that was wholly contrary to their objectives.
At first, they snorted at the rumor that he was ascending with such a purpose since they considered such a feat impossible.
However, now they knew that he had landed a blow to their chin.
Their allies that were dispatched in the Yellow Zone, Green Zone, and even the Blue Zone died off sequentially.
Just like him, the allies that were loyally doing their roles in the various places couldn't endure and were swept away by the man named Kang Hansoo.
The seeds that he spread had grown far too much.
It was soon before tens to hundreds of thousands of people ascend, following the road that the guy had cleared way for.
No matter how strong they were, their faction could not withstand such a large force.
Clementine was one that emphasized complete control rather than strength in numbers.
A perfectly dense and controlled force like a sharp knife was of the highest value, and troops or forces that were deemed useful but were not on par with their ideals were always cut off and thrown away.
The Transcendents that were left behind at the Desire Trees this time was also for that reason.
Until this point, it had not been a problem.
However, with how the situation had transpired, it had become problematic to reduce their force for complete control.
No matter how elite their small faction was, even if it was a completely abandoned knife, the tide was coming at such force that it was impossible to cut through.
The enhanced Adventurers were coming at them in the millions, and that included the Transcendents mixed in their numbers.
After imagining such a scene, Magnus felt tired.
'That's why… I had caught this girl.'
Grasp.
He tightened his grasp subconsciously on the hand where he was clutching the Queen's neck.
The reason why they had worked so hard to subjugate the Queen and the other races was for this purpose.
And after somewhat succeeding with his plan, Magnus was at the point of anticipating for the guys below to hurry and ascend since he thought of showing them the strength of the army of this species.
However, with how things had transpired, he was now stuck in this position.
'How complicated.'
Booooooooooom!
Ruuuuumble!
Magnus mumbled seeing the battle in front.
Even the situation was becoming more heated.
Though the beasts that were subjugated by the Queen were relentlessly attacking the Desire Return. With that large body, it was using its weapon to reign destruction upon them.
At this rate, though they might be able to stop the beast from heading north, the damage would be too great.
However, if Agnus were to come and help, then with their combined forces, they would be able to unite their forces and kill it with fewer damages.
Completing his thoughts, Magnus shook the soul shard and sent a message to Agnus who was coming up from the South to unite with his army.
<… Agnus. Where are you? If you are available, come help.>
A moment later.
<… It'll be difficult.>
Magnus asked with an incomprehensible look.
At this time, it was more than enough to have finished unifying.
Why could he not help?
Then, he heard a witty reply from Agnus.
<… Shit.>
From this, Magnus raised his leg and soared into the air.
Around the time he had reached the clouds, he was able to clearly see Agnus from his sight.
It was the Adventurers that were rushing out of the elevator from the floor below.
'Damn… They're stronger than I thought.'
Magnus frowned.
Despite listening to Taehee's warning, he had a tendency to look down on Transcendents since there were already some by his side. The difference in talent was like heaven to earth. He was even a 5-Star Transcendent.
Though the large number in the millions was somewhat burdensome, he had the sentiment that even if they were to unify, they wouldn't be able to do much.
However, the moment he saw the ones that had ascended, that sentiment began to disappear.
There was so much pressure that he began to suspect whether they were the same Transcendents that he had seen.
'Oh my gosh… I want to see the face of Kang Hansoo now. What the hell did he do to his human body.'
He subconsciously thought about that after seeing the mana stretching out from the bodies of the fully-armored people.
That was only brief.
'… God really listens to my wishes too well.'
Magnus frowned, looking below at the ground.
When he began to fall, he saw the large group that was advancing toward him.
The description of the man in front of him was the same that he had been told so far.
Soon…
Boooooooooom!
Landing on the ground with the Queen in his grasp, Magnus looked around the crowd.
He sneered.
"These trash…"
How dare these losers that weren't chosen crawl over here?"
Booooooooom!
A powerful wave erupted around Magnus' body that could cut one's skin at a moment's glance.
Though he had lost some energy and strength engaging the Queen in battle, there was still such a large difference between him and the Transcendents in the vicinity.
That was the meaning of overcoming a wall.
To prove that, with a sneer, Magnus stared at the man at the very front. He was looking at Kang Hansoo that he had only heard of so far.
"You brought quite a lot of small frys. Why? Do you think that you could put up a fight?"
From those words, Hansoo coldly smiled as he twirled his hammer.
"I'm here since it's worth a try."
To be honest, it was correct to avoid such an opponent for now.
However, after taking a step forward, it was quite complicated to do that.
He wouldn't be motivated by any opponent. He needed to be at least that stage for him to be able to quickly raise his stage.
Before he was even able to fish speaking…
Boooooooom!
Hansoo took the lead and charged toward Magnus.
At the same time…
"Ah, sh*t I don't know! You bastard! You think you're so good!"
"Die!"
Booooooom!
Stemming from the clash between Hansoo and Magnus, the Transcendents gathered and began to rush in from all directions.