After a simple meal, Hassan, who still felt like he was wandering through a dream, was ridiculed by Kyler.
“I clearly told you. This place is not as easy as you think.”
“……You are addressing an elder far too casually. Do you have no respect for the elderly?”
“Who exactly is demanding respect after trespassing into someone else’s home?”
There was nothing he could say.
At Kyler’s words, Hassan lightly licked the empty plate and bowed his head toward Kyu-seong.
“I’m sorry for barging in like this. I couldn’t resist my curiosity and entered without permission.”
“I would appreciate it if you refrained from doing so in the future.”
“Of course. In addition, as an apology for today’s incident, I would like to invite you. How about it?”
At Hassan’s sly words, Kyler interrupted, sounding dumbfounded.
“You’re still not thinking straight.”
“What are you saying? I am speaking sincerely.”
“You’re saying you have no ulterior motives?”
“Of course, there might be a little bit mixed in. Haha.”
Watching Hassan laugh heartily, Kyler thought again that he was indeed an extraordinary person.
Given that he must have already guessed from Mammon and Ashu that they were part of the Seven Deadly Sins, yet acted so carefree.
“I’ll think about the invitation. Of course, I’m not rejecting it; I mean that in a positive sense.”
“Oh?”
At Kyu-seong’s answer, Hassan’s eyes gleamed with interest.
He had expected a flat refusal, but Kyu-seong responded casually.
Moreover, judging by his demeanor, it seemed likely he would accept the invitation.
‘Lee Kyu-seong, he really isn’t an ordinary person.’
Of course, even without that attitude, he was not ordinary in many ways.
First, the Seven Deadly Sins.
Hassan, sharp as ever, had already realized that the monsters present before him were truly members of the Seven Deadly Sins.
At first, he thought they might be similar monsters, but it wasn’t long before he abandoned that hopeful denial.
They were the real thing.
In that case, it made sense how Kyu-seong had survived all the attacks and crises he had faced.
‘That familiar was one of the Seven Deadly Sins too……………’
Ara was already a famous familiar of Kyu-seong.
Not only did she always stay by his side, but she was also a celebrity appearing on YouTube and broadcast shows.
However, no one had even guessed that Ara was one of the Seven Deadly Sins.
Thus, those who recklessly attacked Kyu-seong must have let their guard down without knowing Ara’s true identity, and were swiftly defeated.
It was a well-known fact that even if all seven Level 9 Awakener gathered, it would be difficult to defeat a member of the Seven Deadly Sins.
There was no way just two executive-level members from Isthart could have handled such a boss monster.
Although this time it wasn’t exactly an assault, the misunderstanding was largely their fault.
Still……………..
How on earth had Lee Kyu-seong come to live in the Dungeon of Gluttony with not just one, but three of the Seven Deadly Sins?
And above all, that gigantic tree they had seen earlier.
He was burning with curiosity about it.
“Hmm, what I currently have with me…………….”
Hassan suddenly rummaged inside his robe, prompting Kyler to raise his guard slightly.
Kyler subtly positioned himself to defend Kyu-seong.
Meanwhile, Kyu-seong, unaware of Kyler’s tension, tilted his head and watched Hassan.
“Hmm, I’m not sure if you’ll like it, but here, take this.”
“What is this?”
“It’s a pocket dimension item. As an apology for today, would you accept it, even if it’s a modest one?”
Kyu-seong was extremely grateful since he had been thinking about pocket dimension items.
Bokkeum was exclusively for Kyu-seong’s use, so he had been searching for pocket dimension items for his younger siblings.
‘Even if you had money, there were no items available.’
Since they were incredibly versatile, not only were they expensive, but they were almost impossible to find.
Especially in Korea, they were practically extinct.
Sometimes they popped up overseas, but the capacity wasn’t satisfactory, so he hadn’t bought any.
“Thank you!”
“Haha, I’m glad you like it. By the way, just so you know, it can store as much as three 8-ton trucks. It’s also enchanted to lighten the load, so it should be easy to carry.”
Kyu-seong became excited, thinking of giving it to Jae-seong, who always struggled to transport food supplies.
Meanwhile, Ara, who had filled her belly, asked Kyu-seong.
“Can we go insect collecting with Hassan now?”
“Ah, shall we? But let’s go together.”
Kyu-seong made a small request to Kyler.
Since there had been unexpected visitors, he asked Kyler to inform the others.
Kyler nodded and whispered in Kyu-seong’s ear.
“Even with Ara at your side, you should still be careful with that old man.”
“Yes, I’ll be cautious.”
Not ignoring Kyler’s advice, Kyu-seong increased his escort familiars.
This time, it was Ashu.
-Ashu will come too! Yay!
Receiving Kyu-seong’s pat, Ashu smiled happily.
Since Ashu was the fastest among the Seven Deadly Sins in sensing movement and signs, they could quickly respond if Hassan acted suspiciously.
Thus, including Ashu, Kyu-seong, Ara, and Hassan set off on an unexpected insect-collecting adventure.
“There are many different insects living around here. What kind are you looking for?”
“Um, can we go toward that tree?”
“The sparkling tree! That’s a good one. Many sparkling insects and various bugs live there.”
At the mention of the “sparkling tree,” Hassan smiled warmly.
He then asked Kyu-seong casually.
“Is that tree actually called the sparkling tree?”
“I call it the World Tree, but Ara calls it that. It glows at night.”
“Oh! Really? I’d love to see that!”
“If you stay until evening, you can watch it. It glows for about ten minutes, and it’s quite a sight.”
Seeing Hassan, who was as excited as a child rediscovering wonder, felt strange to Kyu-seong.
To think the renowned Level 9 Awakener Hassan could show such a childlike side.
As they walked slowly toward the World Tree, they also observed and collected various insects along the way.
“Indeed, I’ve never seen these kinds of insects before. I thought I knew most dungeon insects, but…………”
“Catch lots and lots!”
Hassan got Kyu-seong’s permission and began collecting insects by species.
Then, he let out a regretful sigh.
“I’d love to stay here and research these insects. They’re truly fascinating.”
“You really love insects, don’t you?”
“Not just insects. I love nature itself. I even know almost all the plant species.”
“Ohhh.”
Kyu-seong thought that maybe Hassan should have been a farmer.
But then he became curious about where Hassan lived.
“Is the place where Hassan lives also full of plants?”
“Unfortunately, the place where I live is a dry land where sandstorms blow all year round.”
“Didn’t you say you liked plants?”
“It’s an environment where plants can’t grow. Strong mana covers most of the land where we live.”
“Then moving…”
“Ironically, it’s a land full of nothing but sandstorms, but it’s also rich in oil. Even though magic stones are replacing it nowadays, the importance of oil hasn’t diminished. Thanks to that, we can still live in abundance.”
It truly was ironic.
Hassan, who loved plants and insects, had no choice but to live in a desert.
Listening more closely, Kyu-seong learned that Hassan was the leader of a tribe and had the responsibility of caring for everyone.
‘Even a Level 9 Awakener can’t have everything they want.’
Kyu-seong once again realized how happy his own life was.
And perhaps it was precisely because he lived in such an environment that Hassan longed so much for greenery like this.
Before they knew it, the group had reached the outskirts of the World Tree forest.
Seeing the changed vegetation, Hassan once again exclaimed in awe.
“Goodness, how can the environment change so drastically with just a single boundary? Truly astonishing.”
By now, Hassan looked more like a scholar than a legendary assassin.
As Ara caught and explained about various insects, Hassan repeatedly expressed his amazement.
Hassan’s collection box was already filled with dozens of insect species.
“This tree is part of the World Tree’s roots that have risen above the ground. It looks like a forest made up of its roots.”
“Ah! No wonder I thought it had some different qualities than an ordinary tree… Truly amazing.”
Hassan then began to nibble, chew, and study the roots of the World Tree.
Perhaps his scholarly curiosity had been triggered, as he examined it for a long time before making another request to Kyu-seong.
“I know it’s shameless, but could I possibly cut off a small piece of this root?”
“Hmm, let me ask first.”
“Ask?”
“I can communicate with the World Tree.”
“What?!”
A plant that could communicate.
For Hassan, it was like a dream come true.
“Really, you can communicate with it?!”
“Yes. Though I can’t do it personally, there’s a kid who can.”
“Now, where are they…”
Kyu-seong located Mark Two through the minimap.
Confirming that he was at the slime village farm, Kyu-seong quickly excused himself and headed to the village.
Squirm?
“Oh! Is this slime the one who can communicate with the World Tree?”
“That’s right.”
“Such a precious being!”
Seeing Hassan so overjoyed, Kyu-seong started wondering whether Hassan was really a scholar or an assassin.
Of course, you can’t define a person by just one trait, but given Hassan’s strong image, it felt strange.
And finally.
They arrived at the fairy village.
– (‘~’))
~(~“)~
Kyu-seong confirmed via minimap that Frey was with Ras.
In the end, the Alfheim fairies came out to greet them, shocking Hassan once again.
“Th-These children…”
“They are fairies who have settled around the World Tree. There’s even a queen, but she’s off playing somewhere else right now.”
“Ah…”
Trembling, Hassan respectfully knelt down and greeted the fairies.
“H-Hello?”
-(”)?
-g(^-^)g
After a moment of communicating with the fairies, Hassan was finally able to greet the World Tree.
Tears welled up in Hassan’s eyes.
Seeing that, Kyu-seong and the group waited quietly for Hassan.
“Truly… this is moving. I’ve never seen such a beautiful tree before. I’m so glad I stayed alive.”
Was it that moving…
Scratching his head, Kyu-seong still felt pleased that they could bring such emotion to someone.
‘Wait…………… just a second.’
Suddenly.
Something he had briefly forgotten came back to him.
But first, he decided to take care of Hassan’s earlier request.
“Mark Two, could you ask the World Tree if it’s okay to take a little bit of its root?”
At that moment, Hassan, still overcome with emotion, waved his hands hurriedly.
“Ah! Please, forget about that request!”
“Huh? Why?”
“I can’t possibly hurt such a beautiful tree. I’d be tormented by guilt.”
Seeing Hassan more captivated after witnessing the World Tree up close, Kyu-seong decided to offer him something else instead.
“I’ll let you talk directly with the World Tree. Ara will interpret. Feel free to ask anything you’re curious about.”
“Oh… Ohhh!!”
Seeing Hassan so overjoyed made Kyu-seong feel a little shy.
Thus, Hassan eagerly expressed his curiosity and love, spending over two hours communicating with the World Tree.
Meanwhile, Frey returned to the village.
– He’s an amazing person.
“Right? But seeing how much he loves the World Tree warms my heart too.”
– That’s so true!
At this point, the thing that Kyu-seong had remembered earlier came back to him.
Maybe Hassan…
Could he be trusted?
Kyu-seong hadn’t had much time to deal with that issue, but if he could entrust it to someone else, it would solve two problems at once.
“Ah, no!! Withering away?! What do you mean!!”
Just then, it seemed Hassan heard about the World Tree’s current problem and shouted in panic.
He immediately rushed over to Kyu-seong and asked urgently.
“I heard the World Tree could wither! Did you know about this?!”
“Yes. I actually wanted to ask you about that, Mr. Hassan.”
“Don’t call me ‘Mr’ or ‘honorifics.’ Just Hassan is fine.”
“Then… could I call you Elder instead?”
“That’s fine too. Anyway, what were you trying to ask?”
At Hassan’s urgent tone, Kyu-seong cautiously began to explain.
“The World Tree needs to root itself in a new area to sustain itself through resonance.”
“So you’re saying a new World Tree is needed? Oh dear, that’s troublesome. I knew it was a mystical plant, but this is beyond troublesome… I don’t even know how to find seeds.”
Hassan frowned deeply.
And to that Hassan, Kyu-seong quietly said.
“Elder, what if I told you… I actually have a seed of the World Tree?”
“What?!”
Cliche Novel 