The Druid Who Swallowed Mother Nature - Chapter 48



Only Noblemtl

Episode 47. Killing

The morning dawned.

The sunlight streaming through the window opened my eyes naturally even though it was cloudy due to the smog.

It was a habit from my days working in the factory and the fate of a contract worker who couldn’t let his guard down, but today was different.

A trembling sensation like that of an elementary school student on the day of a field trip made my body tremble.

I focused my gaze on the corner of my vision.

A system message was blinking as if notifying an important fact.

“Time left until the World Tree grows”

「00:01」

The growth of the world tree is imminent.

The world tree, which had been motionless, was starting to stir as if it was about to wake up.

How does growth occur?

First of all, there was no change while I was sleeping… … .

As my curiosity grew, the long-awaited message came to mind.

“The World Tree Awakens!”

A bright light enveloped the sleeping World Tree.

Soon the world tree straightened its branches and stretched.

It was something I had done often before, but this time, something different caught my eye.

The branches are long and thick.

The fragile cotyledons fell off and large true leaves grew, asserting themselves powerfully.

The types of true leaves were varied.

One was wide like a broad-leaved tree, one was pointed like a conifer, and one was branched into many branches, forming a strange appearance.

It was a unique form that was difficult to classify based on my knowledge.

However, it is the world tree, the incarnation of Mother Nature.

I didn’t realize that it would be difficult to define it as a single plant.

It’s not important anyway.

Rather than analyzing it, I spoke to him gently.

“did you sleep well?”

“The World Tree welcomes a refreshing morning.”

The World Tree shook its body and danced happily under my touch.

I felt that there were many other changes, not just the external ones.

A complete sense of oneness, where even the slightest sense of foreignness has disappeared.

I felt a strong sense of being closer to the World Tree.

It was so funny that I thought maybe green juice was flowing through my veins instead of blood.

“The World Tree questions an unfamiliar place.”

“I found a house while you were sleeping.”

“The World Tree wants to move into a house.”

It’s your own house, but you use the expression ‘housewarming’.

I showed the world tree around the room, urging it on.

My favorite part was the small area that doubled as a bathtub for a half-bath and an outside yard.

The former can be used to play in water, while the latter may be an expression of the desire to tend a garden.

I left the world tree dreaming of a rosy future and looked at the system message.

“The World Tree

Growth stage: Nomadic

※Rooted in infinite possibilities.

※As you grow, you can awaken numerous abilities.

Skills held (viewable)

“The World Tree has grown safely!”

“As the World Tree grows into a nomadic state, it takes root in the possibilities of the future!”

“The World Tree realized its ability to reproduce by catching a glimpse of the lush nature in its dreams!”

I was looking forward to the awakening of new abilities as the World Tree grew.

Even the whip stem alone is a skill that has been very useful up until now.

Finally, my heart pounded at the awakening of the new ability that the system message proclaimed… … but all that remained in my heart was doubt.

“breeding?”

I looked at the skill description to check it in detail.

“breeding

─The World Tree is the embodiment of nature, containing infinite possibilities.

─The seeds of the World Tree differentiate into numerous plants until they form a true demigod.

※Due to lack of experience, propagation of the World Tree is limited to the types of plants I know.

“What are you talking about?”

I read it but I didn’t understand it.

A true demigod? Divided into countless plants?

I felt like I had to see it for myself to know.

“Can we try breeding right now?”

“The World Tree said it was just what it wanted to do, so watch over it.”

That’s what I wanted to do.

I looked at the World Tree, which seemed to be struggling, and thought,

‘Breeding… … ‘

Plants reproduce in two main ways.

There are two types of reproduction: sexual and asexual. The former involves the creation of seeds through fertilization, while the latter involves methods such as cuttings and grafting.

Since the world tree is only one tree and cannot be pollinated, it must reproduce asexually.

But then how do they reproduce in my body?

I couldn’t readily imagine it.

I looked forward to seeing what new sights the World Tree would show me.

Boom!

Contrary to my expectations, the skill was simple to use and cute.

Something grew round on the eggplant.

Soon its shell split open and the seeds inside bounced out elastically.

“… … Are you a hermaphrodite?”

I couldn’t even imagine.

I thought it was asexual, but it fertilizes itself and produces fruit.

It was shocking.

“The World Tree vehemently denies it.”

“The World Tree is criticizing him for being rude.”

“ouch.”

Pull out the stem and hit it for real.

This guy is so big that he’s even hitting me now.

The stem was thick, so even though I adjusted my strength, it still hurt quite a bit.

“The World Tree scatters spores.”

“You know how to reproduce asexually, too.”

Then how should I explain this?

… … No suitable explanation came to mind.

As far as I know, there is no creature that reproduces like this.

I decided to just play world water soccer.

“But this in itself doesn’t mean anything.”

If you pick up a seed, it is only natural to plant it.

But there was no place in this house to plant seeds.

The only thing spread out outside is dirt, but since it is a land where the spirit has left, it cannot grow properly… … .

“ah.”

I guess I’ve been worrying about useless things.

“You were here, spirit.”

I looked up at the world tree.

To be exact, he stared at the two spirits that lived inside the guy.

***

“Okay, it’s time to get to work.”

I applauded the unemployed and encouraged them to work hard.

One spirit recovered from Earth 7 and one spirit recovered from Cole Camisi in Quadraple.

The two spirits rose into the air at my urging and soon stopped.

It seemed like he was asking me what I was doing.

“You provided the house, so you should pay the rent. If you have a conscience, work obediently.”

The spirits moved around in a languid manner, as if they had been drained of all their vitality.

He’s always so lively when he’s joking around, but look at him trying to dodge work when told to do it.

This time, I didn’t even look at it.

The spirits reluctantly worked as they were urged by the iron-blooded dictator.

Swish!

The spirits burrowed into the empty grounds of the mansion.

The guys finally glowed brightly as if they had just been freed from the prison.

“The spirit has purified the player’s personal land.”

The barren, lifeless soil turned into rich, fertile soil, and the dry weeds shook their heads vigorously.

‘As expected, the spirit of the World Tree can purify the land.’

Although it was a temporary measure and not very efficient, it was enough to cover such small-scale issues.

Finally, I can have a garden in my home in this city.

That was why I urged the spirits with enthusiasm.

“The land in question is designated as the World Tree’s home garden.”

“You can grow crops in the World Tree’s garden.”

“The growth rate and size of crops increase.”

“Crops are affected by the structures you place.”

“You can harvest special crops with a certain probability.”

“If good growing conditions are maintained, crops that are not currently known to the world tree will grow.”

“… … ?”

As soon as the spirits finished their work, system messages poured out like a waterfall.

‘Is it recognized as my domain, like a blacksmith’s or a magician’s workshop?’

Depending on the job, there were cases where I had my own domain and gained an advantage in that space.

They call it the workshop, their home ground.

According to the description, the World Tree’s garden also appeared to be one of those types.

I didn’t really aim for it.

I saw unexpected benefits.

“If you plant a seed here… … .”

I buried the seed I received from the World Tree in the ground.

Plant growth takes a long time.

This was also true even though the World Tree’s garden increased the growth rate of crops.

There were many things to keep in mind in order to properly grow them, such as controlling sunlight, providing water, and preventing pests and diseases.

It wouldn’t take one day to get results… …but this time it was different.

“The spirit promotes the growth of seeds.”

The spirits gathered in one place released mana.

Raw mana worked miracles.

It was as if the video had been fast-forwarded; the stems and roots grew rapidly, and soon the plant was fully grown.

“Raspberries have grown in the World Tree’s garden.”

I reached out and picked a fruit and put it in my mouth.

The flesh burst and the refreshing juice moistened my tongue.

It was a real raspberry.

It was completely different from the ones I bought at the market and threw away because they were sour.

“… …Killing.”

It’s been a while since I’ve had such fresh fruit.

It was a dazzling taste.

After a brief moment of surprise, I asked in a heated voice.

“Raspberries aren’t the only species that can reproduce, are they?”

“The World Tree explains the types of plants that can reproduce.”

The number of breedable plant species was not large, but it was not small either.

「※Due to lack of experience, propagation of the World Tree is limited to the types of plants I know.」

This is the description in the breeding skill.

Since I don’t know much, it was something I could have just shown you.

In its current state, there was little room for its potential use, but this was enough for now.

“Let’s plant something to eat first.”

They say even Mt. Geumgang looks better after a meal.

Just as I missed the greenness of plants, I also missed eating fruits and vegetables.

***

“Take it.”

When I arrived at the office, I placed my things on the table before saying hello.

Cromwell wiggled his monocle, which he had not yet bought, with just his facial muscles.

“What is this?”

“It’s a gift. Open it.”

“… … It’s not a bomb, is it?”

“There’s still so much to be taken, why would you dig my grave?”

I can’t even give a gift.

Cromwell unwrapped the package with a still unsure look on his face.

“Hmm.”

And the doubts turned 180 degrees the moment I unpacked them.

Cromwell’s exclamation came from the depths of his heart.

He picked up a bunch of raspberries and ate them, slurping his lips with satisfaction.

“It’s a good thing. You must have spent a lot of money on it.”

“It was hard to find.”

“I guess I spent a lot of money this time. Well, I guess I can afford to indulge in this level of luxury.”

I did not correct Cromwell’s mistake.

In the grand scheme of things, it wasn’t all wrong.

Thanks to the money I spent on buying a house, I was able to plant a garden and had a hard time waiting for the world tree to grow.

‘There’s no good in going into detail about my abilities.’

Although it may seem simple, it is a special ability in this world.

It was better to hide it so that it wouldn’t turn into a fuss.

“Make sure to eat well. By the way, did you find a good house?”

“Thanks. He was a conscientious broker.”

“That’s good. Then I can work passionately again.”

Cromwell handed me a bundle of papers.

“I’ve selected the requests this time as well. I’ve selected the requests from large corporations just as you requested… … .”

I glanced over the request form.

Private requests, as I mentioned last time, there were many types even though I only collected requests from large companies because of the active movement.

“One of them is an exception.”

Cromwell cleverly pulled one of the commissions I had collected and spread it out on the table.

“This is a request for a place to be visited, specifically you.”

“Request for appointment?”

There were cases where well-known contractors were directly selected by the client to carry out the work.

This was classified as a nomination request.

As it was a rare occurrence, it was a level higher than a private request.

It was a bit of a leap for me, as I had just started taking on difficult commissions.

“I don’t know why I asked you to do this. It could be a trap.”

That kind of thing happened sometimes.

It is a trap request that is only intended to feed you a piece of shit under the pretext of stepping on sprouts, resentment, etc.

It was the broker’s job to filter these out.

“But there’s no way it could be a trap with a name like that.”

Cromwell pointed to a section of the commission with his finger.

“It’s a request from the Magic Tower. It may not be a large corporation, but its prestige is unparalleled.”

The requesting organization is Matap.

“You can rest assured, I have already verified its authenticity. It is truly a request from the Magic Tower.”

I could guess the whole story of why I had been asked to do the job.

‘Matap knows that I am working as a contractor.’

The noble magicians of the Magic Tower, whose pride reached the sky, did not easily make requests.

However, if you put in a request, you are guaranteed a reward and special privileges.

We did not outsource the task because it was difficult to handle with only the capabilities of the tower, but rather made a rational decision to assign the right task to the right person and provide the right compensation… … It was an unconvincing excuse.

“The request from the Magic Tower is so attractive that all the brokers in the city will fight over it as soon as it is posted. I recommend this request. I don’t doubt your skills, but honestly, I wonder why they nominated you.”

Cromwell was unusually forceful.

It seemed as if he had already ruled out any other options, and he even took the request form in my hand.

That meant that the request from the top of the tower was attractive.

‘There’s no reason to refuse.’

As important as it was to uncover the truth about Centrim, it was also important to become acquainted with Matap.

Since he owed me money and valued me highly, he was guaranteed top-notch treatment.

“Will you accept it?”

“If you ask me to decide when you’ve already made up your mind, what should I say?”

“It’s a wise choice.”

Cromwell grinned.

He is also thick-skinned, fearing that people might think he is a broker.

“The client asked for your address. He said he wanted to meet you in person and talk.”

“Wasn’t it a rule that clients and contractors are prohibited from meeting privately?”

“In principle, that means it’s possible through the back door.”

“That’s typical of the criminal industry.”

Don’t keep promises or rules.

I used to nag and say,

“Teach me. I’ll be waiting, so come find me.”

It just so happened.

While I’m here, I should tell Sage to give me the address of the house he moved to.