The Druid Who Swallowed Mother Nature - Chapter 27



Only Noblemtl

Episode 27. What should I do with this guy?

An agent believed to be Alfonso, an errand boy for a major corporation.

Centrim and the Deliphercy that supported it.

Could these connections really be a coincidence?

‘No way.’

It might be okay in reality, but it’s inevitable in games.

It was likely related somehow.

‘But I guess we’ll have to put that on hold for now.’

There are times when you just have to let it go, even if you know it.

Centrim was too big a behemoth for me to touch.

I could have easily been eaten.

First of all, it was enough to know that Centrim may have contacted Dalton Sunderland through Alphonso, and that Deliphercy was of interest to Centrim.

***

Basically, the use of bayonets is illegal in Korea.

Purchasing it required qualifications, and even possession required a permit.

Aside from the shooting range, which was a recreational area, the only place where guns could be carried and used in peacetime was the military.

But the world view of FP here was different.

The purchase and possession of firearms and swords was free, and even their use was not a major problem.

It is a world where you have to protect yourself, even if it is because of the police department’s lax handling of affairs.

It was natural that arms dealers, including gun dealers, gained power.

Among them, the chain store that I like the most is ‘Smith & Whale’.

Although it is not the most famous, its quality is known to the extent that it has branches in other cities beyond Galaga City.

It was a real deal that not only handled the bulk of large companies’ business, but also had its own brand of products.

These were not just stopgap measures to fill the void, but highly competitive products comparable to those of large corporations.

I still had fond memories of using it and being satisfied with it in previous play sessions.

‘It’s been a while.’

I looked up at the Smith & Weil branch in the middle of the street.

It was a large store that took up an entire commercial building.

It was bright and cozy, and at first glance it looked more like a large supermarket than a weapons store.

Even the floating population was like that.

People constantly moving in and out of the store.

It was a place worth stopping by, even if only out of curiosity.

I crossed the front gate with my hood pulled down tightly.

Contrary to its cute exterior, the interior was that of a typical arms store.

A heavy drum sound that hits your chest.

The shelves in the spacious space, just like the exterior, were filled with a variety of products.

Prosthetics, guns, bullets, swords, etc.

The gruesome weapons were displayed naturally like meat in a butcher’s shop.

Thud! Thud thud!

The sound of gunshots rang deafeningly in my ears.

On one side of the building, a shooting range was even provided for demonstration use.

People choosing weapons as if they were familiar with them.

It was an ordinary day, but it was foreign to my hometown sensibility.

Taang!

I lightly tapped the prosthetic hand that had come into view.

I don’t know what metal was used, but it was a good weight and was sturdy.

‘It’s not hard to understand why there are machine-lovers.’

In Galaga City, body modification was a major surgery.

If there were prosthetic arms and legs that could move like real hands and feet, their utility would be indescribable.

The design was so clean and well-chosen that it felt good as a decoration.

“In the case of SE─II products, they are perfect as prosthetic limbs, but their design focuses on their use as weapons. In this dangerous world, shouldn’t there be a means of self-protection?”

Next to me, an employee was introducing the same product to a customer.

When I pressed the root of my thumb, the tip of my finger became sharp like a blade.

Roast!

When we cut the test ore that was just placed there, it split in half too easily.

‘That’s amazing.’

And the price was just as great as the effects.

I put the items back on the shelf and headed to the corner I was going to.

‘There are a lot of them.’

All I could see were guns and ammunition.

They were sorted by type for easy finding, and I looked at the pistols among them.

‘Even though it was a cheap gun, it felt pretty good to use.’

In the fighting with the Malays, the pistols were used with good effect.

I’m not going to use the gun as my main weapon anyway.

It was suitable for use as a sidearm.

Clang! Tick!

I tried firing it without loading any ammunition.

The design was appropriate and the grip could also be described as good.

After fiddling around for a while, an employee approached me.

“Quirral-3. It’s a product I would recommend even if it’s not our own brand. It’s so hard that it can’t be sharpened by a saw, and its power is also top-notch. You won’t regret it.”

Is it a private brand product?

Somehow I felt like it was okay.

Smith & Whale’s private label products are planned and produced entirely by Dwarf.

It was only natural that the quality was guaranteed.

‘Dwarf.’

As is commonly known, they are a nation of blacksmiths.

Although he was short, he had strong muscles and stubborn stubbornness, and was considered a heavenly craftsman.

It goes without saying that a nation without even political ties was granted entry into District 2 in an unusual way.

“What’s the price?”

“It is introduced here.”

“… … .”

I put it down quietly.

It was too expensive for me to afford.

What pistol is more expensive than a rifle?

It was a luxury for me, who had not even set up a home of my own and was not even a master.

“Where can I find cheap products?”

“This way.”

The staff gave a friendly introduction.

But the low price didn’t appeal to me either.

If the price is right, it lacks power, and if the power is right, it makes me think about the cost-effectiveness when compared to Hastok-400.

In the end, the problem was my tight finances.

“Sorry, sir, but I don’t think we have any more recommendations for you.”

Even the friendly staff declared they had given up.

At the moment when I was about to turn around and leave after purchasing only the holster and ammunition.

“If you don’t see a product you like, how about modifying a gun?”

“alteration?”

“There are discerning people who hate factory-made products. This is a personalized service.”

Hastok-400 is one of the cheapest among the cheap ones.

Even if it was modified, it was no better than recently developed firearms.

As soon as a topic came to mind, an inspiration flashed through my mind.

“I’ll visit you next time.”

I went outside and sat down on a lonely bench.

People didn’t pay any attention even though he took the gun out of the holster.

It’s a relief to me.

‘There is a more certain way than artificial modification, which has clear limitations.’

This is a method that most people don’t even try, but it was familiar to me.

‘Enchant.’

It is a specialized skill that changes properties by giving magic.

The improved items were called artifacts.

Even if it’s just a stone on the side of the road, most people would be excited if it were an artifact.

The effectiveness has been proven to that extent.

‘The problem is that this is not my area of ​​expertise.’

The enchantment of inanimate objects differed from the use of regular magic.

Of course, I could have done it if I had been told to.

But it was impossible with this body.

‘Enchantment requires the work of engraving a spell on a medium.’

This is an engraving work that utilizes one’s own magical power.

It was obvious that it would take a month with the magical power stored in this body.

“… … .”

My gaze, floating in the air, landed on a spirit that was babbling without even knowing my serious situation.

“… … Now that I think about it, that guy was there.”

The circuit engraved in the spirit’s cocoon operated without any other power source.

This is probably because it was powered by the mana held by the spirit.

The very nature of rejecting twisted black magic hinted at this.

In other words, the spirit itself is the sum total of natural mana.

therefore.

‘What if I use this as a driving force to carve it into a drink?’

I licked my dry lips without realizing it.

“The World Tree is astonished by the terrible imagination.”

Snap! Snap!

“Ouch!”

The whip’s stem lashed my back.

The spirit hid behind the trunk and trembled as if it had received a message from the World Tree.

“No, I was just imagining it.”

Should I tease him and say I’m crazy?

It was just a what-if assumption.

‘Should I just give up then?’

I thought it was a good idea.

Realistic difficulties kept holding me back.

Then suddenly a person came to mind.

‘There was a guy who was good at this.’

He is a talented person who stands out on the rooftop.

Although artifact creation was not his main occupation, he was talented enough to constantly receive recommendations to change his major.

There was no doubt about the quality of the items that were made to relieve boredom and presented to the owner.

‘I entered the Magic Tower late, so if I contact it early, I can get a cheaper deal.’

Talent isn’t something that can be hidden.

Even at this early stage, when the crop is still unripe, I believe you have the skills to meet my demands.

‘You said you grew up in the slums when you were young.’

He is a rare example of self-made success among magicians who usually come from noble families.

So, making contact in advance wasn’t as easy as I thought.

The name used on the rooftop couldn’t possibly be his real name, and considering the vast size of District 7, it was like looking for a needle in a haystack.

‘Should I buy some information?’

It would be like pouring water into a bottomless pit.

But if by any chance you could find his whereabouts, it would definitely be a gain.

The connection with the artifact creator was equally sweet.

‘I must tell Cromwell.’

Anyway, it was about time to visit Greenwood to take on his commission.

I stood up from my seat, determined.

“The World Tree has detected an unpleasant gaze and is warning you.”

“I know.”

It was roughly from the time I left ‘Smith & Whale’.

I felt eyes secretly watching me.

I didn’t really feel any hostility so I left it alone, but at this rate it was going to follow me all the way to the hotel.

If it was this persistent, it definitely wasn’t a random crime.

‘What kind of guy is he?’

Aside from the Brotherhood thing, we’ve never had any direct animosity… … .

I thought about it for a while and then gave up.

It was enough to check it out myself.

Clang!

“… …Turn it off!”

A scream that was suppressed and held back.

The weight on the whip stem was light.

‘Young Anne.’

I didn’t let my guard down.

Originally, age was not a factor in this industry.

It was a classic tactic for a child to lull others into letting their guard down with their immature appearance.

Hurrah!

“The World Tree is warm and the wind blows on its burnt trunk.”

A flow of magical power with laws and sparks burning in the air.

It was elemental fire magic.

‘A wizard would personally take part in something like stalking?’

I was surprised, but the things I had to do didn’t change.

I heard several sounds.

The sound of hasty footsteps hitting the ground, the messy sound of hands reaching out to correct their posture.

Maybe it was because he was a wizard, or maybe it was because he was young, but he was immature in many ways.

Crunch!

“Hic!”

When I aimed the gun at the center of his forehead, the guy stopped moving.

“Raise both hands above your head and come forward.”

He nodded and gave an order.

The guy acknowledged his disadvantage and obediently followed orders.

“What is the purpose of following me? If you tell me who gave you the order, I will spare your life.”

“… … .”

The guy was silent.

Does that mean that you have pride in your appearance?

I laughed at the other person’s uncooperative attitude.

“If you don’t want to talk, then don’t worry.”

Even if you don’t hear the inside story now, it will only go back a little.

“You just have to investigate it yourself.”

Warlocks, necromancers, psychics… … .

There were many routes through which information could be obtained without necessarily going through the mouths of living people.

I knew the lofty pride of the so-called wizards.

If you decide to keep your mouth shut, I will only respect that.

But you’ll have to take care of the aftermath yourself.

“This is your final warning. Blow.”

I brought the gun closer and took off Rob’s hat.

The aim was to destroy the last bastion of hiding in the shadows and doing tricks.

Whoosh!

And only then did I realize what his silence meant.

“Did you faint?”

The pupils were rolled back, revealing the whites of the eyes.

“Amateur.”

The guy who was following me fainted because I threatened him with a gun.

I don’t know who sent it, but it was incredibly clumsy.

“What should I do with this guy?”

While I was thinking, I looked into the face and felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity.

“The World Tree looks familiar and observes it closely.”

I’ve seen this image somewhere.

As I recalled my memories, I soon realized.

“This guy… … .”

I scratched my head and put the gun down.

Because we weren’t meant to be this hostile.

“You’re a kid from District 7.”

“The World Tree is pleased to meet you and asks to shake your hand.”

The World Tree grabbed the fainted child’s hand and shook it.

Meanwhile, I opened the child’s eyelids to check his consciousness.

The results showed that he didn’t seem like he would wake up any time soon.

“For now.”

I put the hat back on the child.

“I guess I should take her.”

There was a misunderstanding between us.

First, we needed to have a deep conversation after the child woke up.

The joy of reunion aside, it was because of the magic this child had unleashed.

***

“It’s been a while. I thought you washed your hands since you haven’t come for a while.”

“No way.”

It was Cromwell’s greeting.

It had been a long time since I had been here, considering how often I had been out and about except when I was resting.

I had no choice because of my deal with Hartig.

I shrugged and sat down at the bar table.

“I had some work to do. There were things to take care of.”

“Is that a gun? It’s a decent weapon.”

Cromwell added that he recognized the aircraft only by the handle of the gun in its holster.

“But if I were to give you personal advice, I would recommend using something a little better.”

“I know. But, you need a budget.”

I’ve used up all the bounty money and now I have no money left.

Cromwell also had a conscience and did not nag him any further.

“It’s been quite some time, but Greenwood still has no requests?”

“No, you came right on time anyway.”

He took the request form out of the drawer.

“It’s Greenwood. Take a look.”

It took a long time.

It was finally Greenwood’s request.

I looked at the contents with anticipation.

After skimming through the entire content, I took a deep breath without realizing it.

“Phew.”

“It’s considerably more difficult than the last request. There’s no need to take on a reckless challenge.”

“No, that’s not what I meant when I sighed.”

Rather, it is closer to elasticity.

“I will take this commission.”

“Raid on the Deliphersi Production Plant”

There was no reason to refuse.