Chapter 17: Spirit Tree’s Voyage

Choi Kangjoong dug up the ground beneath the roots and laid the Spirit Tree down, moving it all the way to the Dimension Boundary.

Meanwhile, the Elves repaired the broken Dimension Ship.

“How did you get all the way here without a map?”

“We abandoned the broken Dimension Ship and the Elves transferred to one that was still intact.”

“So you just barged your way in.”

“We had no choice. It was our last chance.”

“The clan won’t collapse just because the Spirit Tree is gone.”

Iselin shook her head.

“The Elves’ envy and jealousy run deep. And my clan has exterminated many Elves over the years.”

“If you get expelled from the Great Council, they’ll tear you apart from all sides.”

“That’s right. They’ll torment us until we fall. But now it’s different. We can recover everything we lost.”

Iselin added more criticisms, saying the Elves were stubborn and petty.

It was the first time Choi Kangjoong heard Elves insulted by an Elf, and he found it refreshing.

‘I thought all Elves were fiercely loyal to their own kind, but apparently not.’

Three days later, the Dimension Ship repairs were complete.

Since the mana engine was attached to the outer hull of a functional Dimension Ship, it was more of a retrofit, but navigation wasn’t a problem at all.

They hooked the cables, which the Dimension Ships had draped, onto the Spirit Tree and activated the mana engine.

The cables tightened, pulling the Spirit Tree beyond the Dimension Boundary.

The wooden planks laid out as makeshift wheels were flung into the Sea of Dimensions.

“We did it.”

The Spirit Tree floated on the Sea of Dimensions.

Once outside the gravitational pull of the dimension, pulling it required far less effort.

“Thank you. Derrael will never forget your kindness.”

“Do I need to escort you all the way beyond the Kraken Sea?”

“With the Traitor’s Map, pirates are no match for us.”

Even Iselin herself was a powerhouse, comparable to an S-rank Hunter, and her subordinates were no pushovers either.

“I’ll be going. Hopefully next time it’ll be for something good.”

Iselin took flight and boarded the Dimension Ship.

Choi Kangjoong waved as the ship disappeared into the distance.

Iselin looked down with a heavy gaze.

“The Princess has gone very quiet.”

“Not like there’s no love between different races.”

“As long as it’s not an Orc.”

“The Heir can just adopt an adopted daughter, right?”

“Does the Princess have that kind of taste?”

Iselin’s ears twitched, and the Elves who had spoken opened their mouths hanging outside the Dimension Ship.

[Dimensional Devouring is complete.]

The pirate stronghold had become the Apocalid dimension.

Because the Spirit Tree had been there, the ecosystem was rich, yielding a huge amount of nutrients.

Enough to create five Titan Classes.

“I’ll turn Kuongi into a Central Unit first.”

They connected the biocontainment facility to Kuongi and started supplying nutrients.

Kuongi greedily swallowed the nutrients and grew rapidly.

When the amount of nutrients for twice the Titan Class went in, a message popped up.

[Apocalid Titan specimen evolution potential detected.]

[Please select evolution direction.]

[1. Claw Devourer: An Apocalid Titan specializing in ramming attacks. Uses sturdy horns and chitin armor to break enemy formations.]

[Increased turning speed, high-speed movement ability acquisition, utilization of Outer Mind knowledge, evolution into Central Unit.]

[2. Swarm Lord: Can transport small Apocalids and launch them at dimensions and Dimension Ships. Assault Apocalids will instantly neutralize enemy Dimension Ships.]

[Creates transport space, launches Apocalid turrets, utilizes Outer Mind knowledge, evolves into Central Unit.]

[3. Maelstrom: Fires shells that generate mana storms. Only Apocalid Dimension Ships can move freely within the mana storm zone.]

[Can produce Mana Storm shells, increased recovery within mana storms, utilizes Outer Mind knowledge, evolves into Central Unit.]

“Kuongi’s a Special too? Your luck’s unreal.”

Special specimens with unique abilities were far superior to ordinary Central Units.

It was possible to create similar ones in the Chamber of Evolution, but they required massive amounts of nutrients.

“Using a Special specimen as a ramming warship is risky. If it gets trapped and can’t get out, it’ll just die.”

So Claw Devourer was immediately ruled out.

“Swarm Lord is an assault type. Since it also has to attach, it’s out.”

That left only Maelstrom.

Kangjoong liked the name from the start.

“It forms a mana storm zone? Not bad.”

It could create a zone where enemy Dimension Ships couldn’t approach and could selfishly heal while firing Mana Cannons nonstop.

“A moving mana storm. Let’s go with this.”

[You have selected Maelstrom.]

[Apocalid Titan is evolving.]

[Maelstrom has acquired .]

Kuongi grew rapidly.

Its body swelled, and the Mana Cannon on its side grew larger.

The number of barrels increased as well.

“Kuongi.”

Kuongi let out a joyful cry.

“Try firing the Mana Storm Cannon over there.”

Kuongi fired the Mana Storm Cannon.

Boom!

Where the shell exploded, a mana storm formed.

Though smaller and weaker than natural phenomena, it was a legitimate mana storm.

And it was Kuongi’s exclusive recovery and defense zone.

Choi Kangjoong was very satisfied.

“Now I can devour three places at once without having to watch over them.”

“Grrr.”

“Keek.”

“Kuongi.”

“Move out.”

Lutal, Kai, and Kuongi moved out, each accompanied by their respective classes.

Even though the pirate stronghold was gone, pirates scattered throughout the Kraken Sea still remained.

The dimension Lutal invaded was clawed and torn apart by nails.

Kai’s target was crushed by ambushes and precise bombardments.

Kuongi’s route was wiped out by relentless shelling.

No force in the Kraken Sea could stop the Apocalid.

While the Apocalid were busy, Choi Kangjoong proudly boasted about befriending Iselin on DimensionNet.

The reactions were always the same.

• Bullshit.
• What’s the point without proof?
• This guy is still going around like this.
• Friend? Believing delusions as reality is a mental illness. Go see a doctor.
• This is the troll who showed up a few days ago. Don’t feed the troll.
• Don’t feed it.
• Is the Princess your friend?
• I came from the IT department. I captured this ppap and will sue for defamation.
• If Iselin sees this, she’ll probably cut her wrist right away lololol

That woman’s cut a thousand fake wrists by now.

Seriously. Maybe I should’ve taken a picture with Iselin. Wait, let me post a photo of her necklace.

[Photo of Iselin’s necklace]

Fake lololol

• This would be a thousand won at the market.
• I have 100 of them.
• Is the Princess your friend?
• IQ tracking activated. You know how persistent the Derrael Elves are, right?

“It’s true.”

Choi Kangjoong deleted the post.

He never really expected anyone to believe it anyway.

Whether they believed or not, he wanted to brag and draw attention.

A week later, Iselin returned to Marsala.

She was welcomed by a large, enthusiastic crowd.

Every major broadcasting station was at the Dimension Ship harbor, so people could see her even from their homes.

• We offer infinite thanks to the Liberator of the Kraken Sea, who greatly helped punish the traitors and reclaim the Spirit Tree…

The Liberator of the Kraken Sea!

Choi Kangjoong’s mouth twitched.

“I did let a lot of people out.”

His fingers itched, so he logged into DimensionNet.

There were overwhelmingly many posts about Iselin, but some also mentioned the Liberator of the Kraken Sea.

• Is the troll who says he’s Iselin’s friend actually the Liberator of the Kraken Sea?
• How did that guy get here?
• That bastard thinks the internet’s booming even in the Kraken Sea lololol
• The Kraken Sea has no internet.
• Staying cooped up at home, he has no idea how big the world is.

The last comment was from Choi Kangjoong.

“Kangjoong, let’s have lunch.”

“Yes.”

Choi Kangjoong left the room and sat at the dining table.

Eating with family now felt natural.

While eating, Choi Jooyoung spoke.

“The company atmosphere is good lately.”

“Why?”

“The Princess came back with the Spirit Tree. So the mood in the Elf Great Council has softened.”

“Then trade volume should increase too?”

“Right. The stock market’s already stirring.”

Smack!

“Don’t look at the stock charts! You always lose.”

“I’m not investing, just checking the trends.”

“Then if you click the mouse, you’re putting money in! Don’t look!”

“I definitely won’t.”

Choi Jooyoung winked at Choi Kangjoong.

He already had.

‘You’ve lost a lot before.’

It was sure he’d lose again this time, but Choi Kangjoong didn’t worry.

As a Hunter, he could cover the losses himself.

‘Who am I? The Liberator of the Kraken Sea. Friend of Iselin.’

As Choi Kangjoong gave a sly smile, Yoo Haein asked,

“Kangjoong, did something good happen?”

“I made a friend.”

“Really? That’s great. Who is it?”

“An Elf.”

“Impressive. You even made friends with an Elf. Where did you meet? Online?”

“Something like that.”

“People meet online a lot these days. Then become real friends. You should try it too.”

“I will.”

After finishing their meal, they watched TV together in the living room.

A live broadcast showed the event of moving the Spirit Tree back to its original place.

Countless Elves and Dimension Ships moved the Spirit Tree into a large pit—the exact spot where it had originally stood.

They covered the roots with soil, and the head of the Derrael family ruled the Spirit Tree as a Life Spirit.

The leaves shone brightly, and various spirits happily flew about.

The flower petals that the Spirit Tree had carefully hidden among the leaves blossomed open.

A translucent spirit resembling a white rabbit appeared.

Life Essence poured forth.

• Impossible! It’s a new Life Spirit!

Iselin opened her palm, and the Life Spirit gently landed on it.

The Elves gasped in awe.

Their joy radiated even beyond the screen.

“Are High Elves really that important?” Choi Kangjoong asked.

“Absolutely. Only High Elves can nurture the Spirit Tree. The Elves practically worship it.”

“Since Iselin bonded with the Life Spirit, the Derrael family will rise again.”

“Right. As expected of my son. You’re even good with stocks.”

“Don’t even think about it!”

Yoo Haein scolded him.

After the Spirit Tree relocation event ended, Choi Kangjoong went out alone to exercise.

Gaining confidence, he tried going out wearing only a mask and hood, and succeeded on the first try.

“Who am I? Outer Mind.”

After his usual round in the park, he stopped by a department store.

Since he wasn’t wearing armor, he wanted to experience being in a crowded place.

Photos of Iselin were everywhere in the department store.

She was the Derrael family’s promotional ambassador and often appeared in advertisements for the family’s finances.

Thanks to that, the products she endorsed were flying off the shelves, boosted further by the recent broadcast.

‘My actions are changing the world.’

If he hadn’t helped Iselin, there wouldn’t have been such a pleasant commotion.

Originally, cosmetics, cleaning supplies, and vegetables had been monopolized by Marsala imports, but today was even more intense.

Choi Kangjoong bought cosmetics to give to his mother amid the fanatical enthusiasm.

They were quite expensive, but trivial compared to the money from selling mana stones.

When he gave them to Yoo Haein at home, her eyes grew wide.

“Oh my. Kangjoong, is this for me?”

“I found it lying around.”

“You’ve really grown up. You even make jokes like that. I’ll use it well. Thank you so much.”

Yoo Haein was very pleased with her son’s change.

She admired how well he was overcoming his wounds.

With tears welling, Yoo Haein went into the master bedroom.

“Kangjoong, you’re doing well. We always believe in you.”

Choi Jooyoung entered to comfort her.

Choi Kangjoong sat quietly, savoring the warmth.

“Though it’s late, it’s not too late to do well from now on.”

He turned on the computer and logged into DimensionNet.

He had gathered plenty of nutrients and evolution points, but was low on Evolution Codes.

The Kraken Sea was occupied by pirates, so monster diversity was lacking.

Choi Kangjoong skimmed the gate list.

“This one looks good.”

The main monster was Jumping Mantis, and the Evolution Code was Leap Attack.

“Leap Attack goes to Scout and Warrior. With this, we don’t need Runner Scouts.”

Since combat nerve levels were rising and speeds increasing, maintaining other types wasn’t necessary.

“It’s close to the Hydra Sea, so be careful.”

The Hydra Sea was teeming with Orcs.

They were constantly fighting among themselves, but if provoked by hunting the Jumping Mantis, a large-scale Orc invasion could occur.

“Why does this gate still exist?”

He found out it was because of money and risk.

Jumping Mantises were easy to catch first and their byproducts were valuable.

Its proximity to the Hydra Sea also played a part.

“I’ll get the Evolution Code and close the gate. If the Orcs come, it’s good for me.”

Choi Kangjoong left home with a light heart.

He told his parents not to worry if he came home late.