The Druid Who Swallowed Mother Nature - Chapter 45



Only Noblemtl

Episode 45. The spring that never dries

“Cough!”

The lizardman caught in my grasp let out a ragged breath.

It wasn’t a very pleasant sound.

The breath on my wrist felt like it was touching the smooth skin of an amphibian.

Shhh!

Even though his vital points were captured, the guy didn’t give up the fight.

It was a programmed, conditioned reflex rather than the guy’s will.

The tail that had been supporting the ground stood up straight and turned into a ray of light that shot at me.

The lizardman narrowed his eyes.

Are you laughing?

That’s not the situation.

“This was already the most annoying thing.”

chin!

“… … !”

The lizardman sucked in a gasp as he lightly grabbed the tip of its tail.

It was a close combat that was aimed at from the beginning.

If cornered, the tail will move, and if the trajectory is limited, the eagle’s vision will be able to pierce through it.

Knock knock!

The enhanced muscle power bent the tail of the powerful metal.

The tail flickered as if screaming, but it was no use.

My body, which had accepted all of the eagle’s abilities, had been transformed into that of a beast.

And the sharp eagle’s talons never missed its prey.

“A monster, like water… …!”

“That’s not for you to say.”

What would a guy who modified his body into a machine that imitates animals say to others?

I dismissed him and took his face in my hands.

The curved claws pierced through the creature’s scaled armor and pierced its tender flesh.

“What do you want to say?”

“… … Save me, Dao.”

“Begging for one’s life is a cliché.”

I wasn’t a fool who would leave a lasting impression and then regret it.

As I tightened my grip on his face, the guy continued speaking urgently.

“I remember. Special agents of the city government. I know you have special abilities.”

“… … ?”

The lizardman started babbling incomprehensible words.

‘I’m a special agent of the city government.’

They were only a rumor in FP.

It is a sort of Easter egg, and unlike the Lizardman, its true identity is not revealed.

In reality, there was absolutely no chance of encountering them while playing the game.

The only contact we had was rumors from NPCs about where and how they were active.

‘You mistook me for those guys… … .’

It seemed like my unique ability had fooled the guy.

‘I must remember that.’

In this world that was not a game but reality, the special agents of the city government were not ghosts.

Just as the Lizardman mistakenly thought he was being targeted for nothing more than the status of a gang leader, he could have come into contact with them for something surprisingly insignificant.

I don’t think I’ll do anything to hold a grudge, but I didn’t know.

Because the contractor’s requests were so capricious, it was possible to encounter them in a hostile manner.

Every little bit of information was important.

It was a law that allowed us to devise a way to deal with the dust collected one by one, rather than a blank sheet of paper.

“I have information that may be of help to you. I will cooperate.”

“What information? Recite it.”

“War. Assassination. This is beyond… … .”

The lizardman’s skin turned blue.

The red light lingered on my hand as if asking me to release the hand that was strangling my neck.

‘War and Assassination.’

It was a huge keyword for a mere gang leader to mention.

Some militant users even went so far as to claim that the final content of FP was inter-city warfare.

It was an event that had a huge impact on the worldview.

The fact that war broke out so early in the game meant the worst.

All the plans I had made could have gone awry.

And the possibility of war breaking out at this early date… … .

“Unfortunately, this is information I already know.”

It was already known.

Kkwaduk!

As I tightened my grip, a fountain of blood spurted out along with an unpleasant sensation like kneading mud.

Soon the red light blinked and then went out completely.

“Synchronization will be canceled!”

“Phew.”

The vitality of the sentinel falcon that circled my entire body returned to the tattoo.

A deep sense of weakness weighed down my entire body as my body, which had been transformed into that of a beast, returned to that of a human.

‘Is it a bit physically exhausting?’

Since it was an ability that I demonstrated with my body, the direct consumption of physical strength was great.

Although it was very effective, it was not something that could be used for a long time.

It was a finishing move that should only be used in a decisive battle.

“Okay, are you done?”

Sylvester’s staff, who had been hiding in the corner, approached cautiously.

The staff member who spoke even screamed as the lizardman’s corpse collapsed.

“As long as the outside doesn’t collapse, we’ll be safe here.”

“Haha, that’s good. Thank you for your hard work.”

The employee cleared his throat and plopped down in front of me.

What are you doing?

He explained as I stared blankly.

“Oh, I hear that Lizardman bodies sell well. Modified body parts are high-quality and in high demand… … .”

Somehow, the gaze that examined the corpse seemed greedy.

I laughed.

“You’re not asking me to give up my hard-earned spoils for free, are you?”

“Hey, can that really be so?”

The answer was cool, but my regrets were dripping down.

The beads of sweat running down his shining forehead were filled with regret.

If I didn’t say anything, you probably would have just pretended not to know and taken it.

Anyway, these guys were so insane that they deserved to be demoted.

‘Anatomy is not my specialty.’

The problem is disassembly of parts.

Handing over a whole body would be difficult to manage and you wouldn’t get a fair price for it.

Should I get my hands dirty?

‘I guess we should just hand it over to the city government.’

The simplest way was to collect the bounty.

He is the leader of a gang that has reigned over the underdeveloped area for a long time.

It was only natural that there would be a bounty.

“It must be almost finished outside.”

The noise coming from my ears had passed its peak and was now subsiding.

It meant that the balance had shifted to one side.

Even if it was rotten, Percy Belle was more than capable of taking the lead in a half-and-half fight.

I didn’t even need to raise a hand.

After about an hour, the battle was decided.

The annihilation of the Race Lizard Gang.

It was a great victory.

***

“I will definitely serve you when we meet next time.”

“Don’t say such horrible things. Let’s not meet again.”

It is a shame to work together again on the same project.

I’ve never had a partner that was helpful in a mission I took on, but the Python Mercenaries were among the worst.

Percibel cleared the air by coughing in response to my direct reprimand.

“Ahem, I didn’t say anything I didn’t mean.”

“I guess so for you.”

The damage suffered by the Python Mercenaries was great.

Half of the available personnel were either dead or scheduled to retire due to serious injuries.

A single request caused the mercenary group to falter for a while.

However, the Python Mercenaries’ unique operating method did not turn this into a loss.

Since we do not train each and every member individually, these are people who can be supplemented at any time.

On the contrary, the money he would receive for the successful request would more than make up for it.

I no longer have to worry about finding a house… … so it was natural that Percibel was overjoyed.

“Anyway, please don’t think too badly of me. I’ll treat you really well next time.”

Was it that impressive that he took down the Lizardman alone?

Percibel’s rebellious attitude had changed 180 degrees.

‘In this industry, those with good skills are the ones who truly excel.’

Becoming friends with a monster that can complete impossible requests can change your life.

That was the reason why famous hitmen all had dirty personalities.

Still, it was decided to provide convenience.

In the end, all you have to do is prove it with your skills.

“Oh, you are here.”

As Percibel left, one of the staff members approached me.

It was the male employee who first picked me up and continued to assist me.

“You look busy.”

“No one thought they would win. They were busy because something unexpected came up that they weren’t prepared for.”

The employee scratched the back of his head and smiled bitterly.

“So, will the new project be withdrawn as scheduled?”

“No, the decision has been made by the higher-ups to proceed as planned.”

“Unexpected?”

The project was a gamble from the beginning, driven by factional strife and the demotion of useless personnel.

No matter how well the situation worked out, there was not enough basis to continue.

“I’m only telling this to the contractor… … In fact, I’m okay with the project failing.”

“… … ?”

The employee took me to a corner and whispered a secret.

“Even if the new business fails, it’s a gain just to have District 16 in your hands.”

“… … So you’re going to swallow up the Race Lizard Gang’s business and weapons import routes.”

“Business plans can change midway.”

If there is any room for profit, a company will squeeze out even a single weed.

The option to embrace the gang’s legacy as it was seemed reasonable.

“Yes, the compensation will be delivered to the broker without delay.”

This is the advantage of large corporations.

High pay and fast turnaround.

“And the higher-ups will keep a close eye on you, sir.”

It would have been the icing on the cake if a high-ranking client had shown interest.

Because I could be nominated to handle the work before handing over the request to a broker.

Of course the treatment is good.

It was a higher grade than a private request.

‘I even have a purpose to dig up the sentry.’

There was nothing wrong with being deeply involved with the second-tier company, Sylvester.

Because Sylvester, who is in a rivalry with Centrim, will be pathologically digging into them.

If I made contact with the upper line, there were a lot of beans that would fall.

“Thank you for your hard work. I hope we can meet again next time.”

The employee smiled brightly.

“It’s not time to say goodbye yet.”

“yes?”

Why are you asking so stupidly?

“Shouldn’t I take you there?”

“ah.”

It was the sorrow of a snail.

‘I think I should buy a car too.’

Cars are hard to maintain, but maybe a motorcycle would be okay.

First, I had to find a house and then think about the money I had left over.

“Then I will bring it to you right now.”

“Can we stop by somewhere before that?”

“Of course. I also enjoy skipping work.”

I told the clerk my destination, who shrugged his shoulders cheerfully.

The employee’s eyes widened when he heard what I said.

***

“We have arrived.”

I got out of the car.

The floor was muddy.

The ship felt even muddier than Sylvester’s outpost.

“From here on out, cars can’t pass. I think you’ll have to walk.”

“Wait here.”

We haven’t quite reached our destination yet.

Home of the Race Lizard Gang.

It was a rough terrain that would have buried any normal vehicle upon approach.

I walked through the mud, leaving behind the staff who warned me to be careful.

Thud! Thud!

With every step, mud splattered everywhere.

It is a land that is difficult for people to travel on, let alone vehicles.

What would have happened if we had fought the Race Lizard Gang here?

The calculations quickly completed in my head.

‘It could have been the other way around.’

A gang accustomed to the environment would have overwhelmed the mercenary group, and the lizardmen would have been running wild like swallows in a bucket of water.

I’m glad my strategy worked.

‘But no matter how messed up the environment of District 16 is, it’s strange that it’s this bad.’

Even though it was clearly within the city limits, it deserved to be called a remote area.

If it were a game, I would have thought it was a concept, but it wasn’t the case now that it was reality.

There is no effect without a cause.

It was suspicious enough, especially considering that I had come this far based on the information I had obtained from the Magic Tower.

As we approached our base, a path appeared.

It was a stepping stone bridge that appeared to be used by regular gang members, not lizardmen.

We headed deeper inland, passing half-collapsed houses.

When even the stepping stones disappeared, I walked with the trunk of the world tree wrapped around the soles of my feet.

I became increasingly convinced as I watched the viscosity approaching the muddy waters in the mud.

‘There are traces of a spring here that never dries.’

“The World Tree sucks in the water and enjoys the refreshing feeling.”

The World Tree’s reaction was decisive.

There was only one refreshing stream of water in the murky mud.

We even walked for a while past a huge building that was presumed to be the Lizardmen’s quarters.

“This is… … .”

Bubbling!

Cloudy foam flowed down the soles of his feet.

The mud was flowing like a river.

No, it was just a mound of dirt flowing along with the gushing water.

Water was gushing from the bare floor like an open-air hot spring.

I felt it instinctively.

It was an endless spring.

“I witnessed the wonders of Earth 16!”

“Your natural affinity increases!”

“The knowledge of the World Tree analyzes the wonders of the 16 Earths!”

…

… … .

“Target: The spring that never dries up”

As I reached out my hand, the trunk of the World Tree stretched out from the tip.

The trunk of the World Tree touched the gushing water and was soon bathed in bright light from the tip.

“The essence of the never-ending spring is absorbed!”

“I feel the refreshing sensation of the World Tree flowing through my entire body!”

“The integrity of the World Tree is partially restored!”

“The World Tree has all the conditions to grow into a nomad!”

It was the long-awaited growth of the world tree.