Cale sat down, feeling the emptiness beneath his feet. Despite the lack of solid ground, he managed to settle into a somewhat decent position.
"So, tell me."
Frowning, Cale massaged his temples with his fingers before speaking.
"You're saying I can help you readjust the energy of this world?"
- Yes! In fact, it would be more like restoring it to its original condition rather than simply readjusting it.
The Source of the World, with a radiant smile, enthusiastically nodded.
"Why?"
- Mmm, why?
"Explain briefly and precisely why that is possible."
- Well...
Facing Cale's firmness, the Source of the World scratched her head and wiped her nose with her furry hair.
- Within you, natural energy is in perfect balance. That's why, upon entering here, not only do you not lose your life force, but you are even drawn to the power residing in this place.
The Source of the World sniffled a bit more and continued.
- In summary, you are eligible to be a conduit.
"A conduit?"
- A conduit for my power to flow into this world.
The Source of the World continued her explanation, and Cale, upon hearing it, finally asked.
"So, in short, do I have to absorb your power, ventilate the world, and then return it to you?"
- Yes! It won't cause you any harm! By cleansing the world with energy, impurities will naturally disappear!
Cale compared himself to an air purifier and felt ridiculous.
'No, it's not the same.'
He wasn't an air purifier since he didn't have to act as a filter.
"…"
Cale was speechless at his own thoughts. He realized how absurd they were.
'What? An air purifier?'
It was madness.
"And what benefit do I get out of this?"
Cale kept an eye on what he would gain from this.
- Your Plate will strengthen!
- Wow
- Really?
The Ancient Powers reacted in different ways.
- The power of the Source of the World is pure natural energy. By absorbing it, your Plate will become even more resilient! Although it's already huge, it has been broken and reassembled once, hasn't it?
Cale nodded.
- Of course, repairing it made it stronger, and then with various potions and the reinforcement of Ancient Powers, your Plate has surpassed its original state. But still, don't you feel insecure?
Cale admitted it. Mila the Dragon had warned him that if his Plate broke again, it couldn't be repaired.
- If you do this, your Plate will become so strong that even the traces of reassembly will disappear.
Cale weighed the proposal.
"And the side effects?"
- There shouldn't be any. You might feel a little dizzy but compared to the pain you've suffered from the weakness of your Plate; it will be much less!
The Source of the World, with her nose still running, continued speaking.
- Cale, you're not a Single-lifer, right?
"Right."
- Then, it's fine!
"Why? Is it bad for Single-lifers?"
- Yes, they will probably suffer a lot!
Cale understood that he shouldn't involve Choi Han, Rosalyn, or Lock.
- Your body is closer to nature and the new world, so there's no problem!
Cale heard a strange whisper in his mind: "new world." A fragmentary memory resurfaced in his mind.
In the Central Plains, Old Baek of the Blood Cult had told him.
'You carry nature within you.'
'Also, you possess powers from different spaces and times.'
'In other words, you carry within you nature and space-time. And you have also registered them.'
And then he added.
'Of course, your world is still unbalanced. Water overflows and fire devours the earth.'
Cale opened his mouth.
"But the natural properties of my body are not completely equal, are they?"
The balance of nature.
The Source of the World looked puzzled and asked.
- Why do you say that?
"Didn't you tell me that my balance was perfect?"
Certainly, the Source of the World had stated that Cale's natural energy was in balance.
- Yes, I did!
However, Cale's Ancient Powers did not have the same intensity in all properties. That's why Cale found it hard to believe the words of the Source of the World.
At that moment, the Source of the World spoke with a clear voice.
- The balance of nature doesn't mean equality.
"What do you mean?"
- Volcanic regions have strong fire power. But they are also part of nature. The sea has strong waterpower, but it's also part of nature. Swamps and deserts are also part of nature!
Cale understood what the Source of the World meant.
- Nature has different forms. But they are all contained within it. Like you, Cale.
The Source of the World wiped her nose once more with her hair and continued.
- Your insides seem like a new world to me. It's beautiful!
Beautiful...
Old Baek from the Central Plains had also used that word.
'The world that contained the King's Successor was horrible. It had no beauty to it. It was terrifying. In that small body... But you are beautiful.'
Old Baek had said that the world containing the Absolute God candidate created by the Hunter family was a whirlwind of emotions. It contained a great deal of despair, joy, pleasure, fear, and much more. It was a God Vessel different from Cale's.
'Hmm'.
Old Baek had told Cale that he possessed a "God Vessel."
'That's why I will make you into a God.'
Old Baek's words echoed in Cale's mind, just like those of the God of Balance.
'Abandon your human form immediately. And become a God.'
'The easiest way to achieve balance is to turn your achievements into a legend.'
God Vessel, legend, worship. The requirements to be a God passed through Cale's mind.
- Uh, uh, there... Angel-nim?
Cale's expression twisted upon hearing the word "angel." Can't you use another term?
- What's wrong?
"Well, it's just that..."
The Source of the World, playing with her hair, seemed hesitant.
- Could you do it?
"For free?"
Negotiations begin!
The Source of the World's eyes widened, and she vehemently shook her head, causing her hair to flutter.
- N-No! I have a conscience.
"Oh, I see. Alright then. Let's leave the issue of the reward for later."
Cale had other questions in mind.
"What should I do with the World Tree Seed? And about purifying the air, no, about using your energy, is it possible to do it right away?"
- No, it's not possible right away. That's the problem.
The Source of the World sobbed again, still speaking fluently. Despite her crying, the Source of the World spoke clearly.
- The Dragon Lord used his 'Time' attribute to put the energy of this world in 'temporal stasis'.
Cale looked at the girl and spoke.
"But time is still flowing."
- Only the energy's time was frozen.
"Is that possible?"
Cale couldn't hide his surprise. To bind the time of the energy permeating this vast world? Was that something a single entity could achieve? Even a God?
- He's too powerful. The Dragon Lord is already a God.
Cale looked at the Source of the World as he heard her soft voice. Her clear eyes, visible through her disheveled hair, were filled with tears, but also with a calmness that could barely conceal her fear.
- He accessed the flow through the World Tree, and the moment he touched it, he took a considerable amount of my power, the power of the Source of the World, and absorbed it.
- ...It happened in an instant, before I could even realize.
However, her fear was not solely directed towards the Dragon Lord.
- At that moment, I was distracted watching over the God visiting this world. That's why I didn't notice him taking my power.
Cale opened his mouth.
"The God of War?"
- ...I can't answer that.
Though she didn't explicitly say it, her silence was an answer in itself.
"Is the God of War allied with the Hunters?"
- I don't know. I really don't know.
The girl shook her head.
- I was just nervous because he was visiting this world and traveling to various places. Because Gods act according to their title.
Cale's eyebrows arched slightly.
"So, does the God of War come to places where there is war?"
- ...I don't know if he comes to places where there is war or if he comes to create war.
Cale nodded silently. Seeing this, the Source of the World continued.
- Anyway, the Dragon Lord is extremely powerful, even more so than before, after absorbing my energy. Maybe... maybe...
Stammering, the girl finally finished the sentence.
- ...he can already be considered a 'God of Time.'
Suddenly, Cale remembered Raon's words about the being who would save this world. Raon, with his attribute "Present." Raon, who had the aptitude of a Dragon Lord. With effort, Cale changed the course of his thoughts.
"So, in this state of temporal stasis, can't you execute your plan?"
- In the Dragon Lord's 'nest,' there should be a reference point for 'temporal stasis.'
"A reference point?"
- Yes. I don't know if it will take the form of a seal or a device. If it's a seal, it needs to be broken; if it's a device, it needs to be stopped.
"And that will release the frozen time?"
- Exactly. At that moment, just like in the Catastrophe Era, strange phenomena will occur in the world, and the world's energy will stir.
"So, at that time, can I use your power to stir up this world?"
- Yes! That's right! You're very smart!
Cale looked at the girl who was smiling brightly, and he said.
"Is that easy?"
- ...No.
Watching the Source of the World shrink, Cale sighed.
- But my power is still leaking. First, we must stop that. Only then I can accumulate power and give it to you.
Cale sighed again.
"Okay. Let's do it."
Things have changed. The Dragon Lord must be eliminated.
So, I just have to go to his lair and destroy the device or seal, right?
We'll sneak in.
Of course, Cale planned to sneak in and destroy everything without being detected.
"Is your power leaking through the World Tree?"
- Yes!
"And you can't stop it?"
- ...No.
The girl responded with a grim expression.
- To plug the hole, I have to move myself, and the best I can do is stay here and resist.
Cale crossed his arms.
"Then I'll first go to the World Tree and plug the hole."
- Yes, yes!
"Then I'll go to the Dragon Lord's lair and destroy the 'reference point.' Then I'll use your power to restore the energy."
- Right! And then you can plant the seed you have in the right place!
"The World Tree?"
- Yes, yes!
Cale nodded and asked.
"Where is the World Tree?"
- It's to the east. A guy with the absurd name of 'God of Earth' protects the World Tree.
The God of Earth. One of the Ten Dragon Gods and the Third Strongest Star among the Three Stars. Additionally, the Elf Inquisitor has sent an Earth Elemental to his territory.
"Anyway, I was already planning to go there after this."
Perfect. Cale decided his next destination with indifference.
"It seems I have to go directly to the territory of the God of Earth."
- But, ah...!
The Source of the World timidly raised her hand.
"What's wrong?"
- Well, I don't know if this will help...
"Oh, tell me."
Faced with Cale's indifferent expression, the girl continued, feeling a bit unsure.
- The more of us we have on our side, the stronger we'll be, right?
"You're right."
- Dragons act like Gods, but wouldn't it be better to summon a real God?
A real God? Cale asked without thinking.
"The Blue Wolf?"
- Yes! The Beast King!
Seeing that Cale knew about that entity, the Source of the World spoke enthusiastically.
- Since I'm down here, I can know a little about what's happening above.
The First Star, Ryan.
The Source of the World, who dwelled in the depths of his castle and whose location is unknown, spoke.
- Do you hear the howls?
"Yes, what about those howls?"
- Among those countless howls, I can hear the howl of a beast.
It is said that in Dragon Ryan's territory, Beast People are treated as slaves.
- But that howl sounds familiar to me.
The girl pressed her face against the surface of the sphere. Her eyes narrowed.
- It seems like a divine artifact.
Cale's eyes widened.
- I'm sure it is. The 'Howl of the Sunset.'
One of the Three Divine Artifacts.
- I can hear the wolf's howl. It's evident that Ryan has the divine artifact and is trying to use it.
The increasing secrecy and the strange sounds emanating from Ryan's Castle are evidence of this. Choi Han even discerned a howl in those sounds, one that evoked deep despair.
"What is he doing?"
It's evident that something is happening in Ryan's Castle.
'If the Blue Wolf's divine artifact is really in Ryan's Castle...'
The Beast People of Aipotu crossed Cale's mind. Beings unable to reach the true Berserk State. If only they could become Berserks properly...
- Cale, shouldn't we loot it?
Facing Super Rock's gentle suggestion, Cale responded firmly.
"Of course we should."
* * *
"Cale-nim!"
"Human!"
Choi Han and Raon hurried towards Cale as he ascended through the bright light. Upon emerging, Cale was unscathed, and even his complexion seemed improved. He addressed those waiting for him.
"We need to loot Ryan's Castle."
Choi Han froze, while Raon exclaimed with joy.
"Human, let's raid a castle again after so long!"
Cale nodded indifferently and gallantly extended his hand towards the Elven Guardian.
The Elven Guardian and Wisha looked at him in astonishment, but Cale kept his palm open as he said.
"Do you have a map of the interior of Ryan's Castle?"
Hand over the map.
Cale's tone, expression, and attitude clearly conveyed that order.
* * *
Summary of Today's Chapter.
Cale and Aipotu discussed their plans for what they needed to do. Their plan was as follows.
1. Steal the divine relic "Howl of the Sunset" in Dragon Ryan's castle to contact the Blue Wolf God and have him as an ally.
2. Visit the lair of Dragon Exion, the God of Earth, where Aipotu's World Tree is located, and close the hole in the World Tree through which Aipotu's power was constantly leaking.
3. Head to the Dragon Lord's lair, find the seal or device of the "control point," and stop or destroy it.
4. Use Aipotu's power to restore the world's powers to normalcy.
5. Plant the seed of the new World Tree in the right place.
* * *
If you find any errors or have suggestions, please feel free to provide feedback.
Thank you for reading!
[Author – Yu Ryeo Han]
[Translator – Anowa]
[Proofreader – Rai_Mayank]