Meanwhile, Cha Eui-jae had arrived at the location of the rift's master. The arch, draped with long strands of purple wisteria flowers, was tightly sealed with massive tree trunks and vines, protecting itself with no gaps.
Cha Eui-jae punched one of the tree trunks. It made a solid sound, indicating it was densely packed. The master of the rift was inside, but even breaking through the entrance was not easy.
He cautiously surveyed the surroundings. Often, the rift's master is associated with the internal environment. Given this rift was a giant forest, the master was likely a plant-type monster.
'It would be easy to burn it.'
However, as a non-smoker, Cha Eui-jae didn't even have a small lighter. He used to carry a lighter and a torch in his inventory just in case, but not anymore. He scratched his head and sighed deeply.
"Well, it's not made of steel…"
In most cases like this, there was one solution.
"If you keep hitting it, it will break eventually!"
Bang! Bang! Bang! His ruthless fist pounded the trunk. The trunk started to dent where his fist landed. Soon, one tree cracked and broke. After breaking several more trees, he noticed a fragrant smell from a split in one of the trunks.
Cha Eui-jae tore apart the broken tree and checked inside.
[You have entered the master's lair, the 'Garden of Life.']
Amidst a garden filled with vibrant flowers, a giant deer was curled up, lying down. Cha Eui-jae stepped into the flower field. Sensing his presence, the deer lifted its head. Its blue eyes focused on Cha Eui-jae. Upon spotting the intruder, the deer roared ferociously.
Gooooo…
The entire garden began to resonate. Cha Eui-jae firmly grasped his Buddha fan. Monsters with flower heads and root bodies sprang up from the flower bed and surrounded him in dozens. The deer roared once more.
Gooooo…!
Bang! The roots lunged at Cha Eui-jae's limbs. Cha Eui-jae swiftly swung his fan, striking down the approaching roots. However, for every ten he cut down, sixteen more emerged. Likely, all the flowers in this garden were monsters.
Cha Eui-jae took a deep breath, planted his fan into the ground, and infused it with energy.
Uuuuu…
Kwooong!
A blue shockwave emanated from the fan, shaking the garden. The monsters screeched in incomprehensible agony and twisted. The emerging roots went limp, oozing green sap.
The deer shook its massive antlers in fury. Now, instead of small roots, the vines and thick tree trunks that sealed the archway surged from the ground.
Though he could eventually defeat them if he kept fighting, it would be a waste of time. For the safety of the hangover soup restaurant and its clean broth, he needed to finish quickly. His goal was to return to the shop swiftly, and closing the rift was just a means to that end.
Cha Eui-jae placed the battered Buddha fan into his hoodie pocket.
'Sorry, Buddha. I have no choice.'
He always fought relying on his own body. It was the most efficient way. Without the need for complex tactics, most problems could be solved with a sturdy and agile body.
But now, under the weakening curse, his body wasn't functioning properly. And when the body fails to perform?
'…I have to use other means.'
Cha Eui-jae pulled out a pitch-black sword from his inventory. The sword, black from blade to hilt, seemed to fit perfectly in his hand as if waiting for his touch.
'If the body doesn't work, use tools.'
[Basilisk's Fang (S)]
[A sword forged from the Basilisk's Fang by a recluse artisan living in . Only those deemed worthy are permitted to wield it.]
[Creator: ]
[Compatibility assessment in progress…]
Hissss, contrary to his expectation, as he held the sword, an ominous sound emerged from his hand along with a white system alert.
[Warning! Incompatible. Your body is being invaded by poison.]
His hand holding the sword turned black. Despite the urgent situation with the rift's master roaring ahead, Cha Eui-jae quickly shook his hand, holding the sword.
"Hey, are you crazy? Don't you remember me?"
[Issue detected! Would you like to hear the 'Basilisk's Fang' thoughts?]
For once, the system was being helpful. Cha Eui-jae evaded another root and responded quickly.
"Sure. Let's hear it!"
[Reading 'Basilisk's Fang' thoughts…]
[Fang's thoughts: I don't take orders from those weaker than me.]
This crazy sword was protesting, saying it was unfit for someone of his level to wield it. It was absurd since he was an A-grade, even with this level of equipment.
Cha Eui-jae leaped over a vine trying to wrap around his leg. The system continued its helpful guidance.
[Calculating remaining time for your body…]
[Error! Variable detected!]
[Trait: Basilisk's Venom (S+) activated.]
[Time remaining: 999:59:59]
['Basilisk's Fang' thoughts updated!]
[Updating…]
[Fang's thoughts: Why is the Venom Boss here?]
Perched on a tree trunk, Cha Eui-jae checked his arm. Almost up to his elbow, the arm that had turned black was returning to its original color, thanks to the 'Basilisk's Venom.' This crazy sword had failed to recognize its owner and was now treating the trait as its superior. Cha Eui-jae scrutinized the sword with a look of exasperation.
'Who does this insane sword's attitude resemble?'
At the West Sea rift, the 'Basilisk's Fang' had appeared out of nowhere in front of J after he lost his usual spear. In the middle of a stark white ruin, the weapon suddenly stood there, naturally arousing suspicion.
But there was no time for such thoughts there. To survive, one had to completely rely on instincts, wielding weapons and fists without any hesitation. Sharpened senses and a killer instinct were what kept him alive.
J grabbed the sword without hesitation. The handle felt warm.
[Compatibility assessment in progress…]
[Challenger of ,]
[I will lend you the power entrusted by .]
The sword tried to communicate something, but J didn't hear it. He merely needed power and grabbed the sword. The sword's energy enveloped his arm. J slaughtered the white monsters charging at him with the 'Basilisk's Fang.'
And yet now, Cha Eui-jae, wielding an S-grade weapon, was helplessly dodging tree roots.
Wherever he stepped, vines sprouted, and the deer relentlessly attacked the ground, giving him no time to rest. The fragrance of the flowers was so strong it made his head spin.
Cha Eui-jae frowned as he cut another vine aiming for his ankle.
'If I do this right, I could end it in one blow…'
However, sharp leaves were whirling near the deer. Approaching it seemed impossible, given the fierce defense. With his current physical state, getting close could result in his entire body being slashed.
Not that getting injured was an issue, but. The problem was he had no potions. Even if he relied on natural healing, there was no way all his wounds would heal before the shop opened.
'I can't cook hangover soup while bleeding…'
Moreover, hunters are extremely sensitive to the smell of blood. They would undoubtedly sniff around until they found the source. Balancing on a flying root, Cha Eui-jae looked down at the sword in his hand.
'Maybe I…'
['Basilisk's Fang' wants to speak!]
[Fang's thoughts: Don't even think about throwing me.]
It was incredibly perceptive. Cha Eui-jae ground his teeth and glared at the hilt. Even his one weapon wasn't cooperating today. He missed his broken spear more than ever.
Kugugung, the ground rumbled as a massive root shot up like a mountain. It cast a shadow over half the garden. The root swayed as if searching for its prey.
'I have no choice.'
A slight sacrifice was inevitable. When the root attacks, he would ride it straight to the deer… and pierce it in one blow. Cha Eui-jae shouted.
"Hey! Dumbass!"
The swaying root paused for a moment, and the deer roared, shaking the entire garden. The root lunged at Cha Eui-jae with ferocious speed.
At that moment.
A gloved hand appeared behind Cha Eui-jae, covering his mouth and nose, yet he made no effort to remove it. There was a sense of urgency. Simultaneously, a black hand touched the tree root aiming to pierce Cha Eui-jae.
The tree root froze. It began to rot black from the point of contact.