Path of the Giant (3)

Spiritual glue was the first product he had obtained as a login bonus from the Hero Universe, and it had played an active role in holding the monsters down after he had fallen into the mantis den. It activated based on one’s spiritual power and connected objects together with a transcendent level of adhesion. However, the effect was depleted after a few minutes, and the adhesive strength would vanish.

I’ve already crossed that limit.’ It was a product that varied depending on the user’s capabilities. Even when restoring the Shinfeng orb, it was possible to completely restore it by using his spiritual power after fitting it together with the spiritual glue. Moreover, his spiritual power was SS-rank now.

“… These pieces are sized differently.” With the help of Halo, Kang Shin-hyuk had taken the shackles made of the tree roots and crushed them into dozens of pieces. Halo seemed very curious about the whole process.

[Huh, first split the roots and then attach them again? Can what was once broken go back to normal?]

“I already have experience with this sort of thing, so leave it to me. Oh, instead, use some of your mana here.” Kang Shin-hyuk produced the Great Heavenly Spirit and placed it on Halo’s branches.

[Is this a treasure you made? This seems like something in the realm of alchemy…]

“Is it necessary to possess alchemy to make something like this?”

[Hmm. Well, regardless, it’s quite the novelty. It will be effective against Jormungand.]

He avoided explaining how he had made it, as he would have to explain everything had happened in Gromas.

[It’s only SS-rank? What nonsense.]

“Only SS-rank…” Whenever he talked to other members of the Hero Universe, earth’s standards seemed so low. However, now, when Kang Shin-hyuk was determined to make something, it was easy enough to achieve the SS-rank so that he couldn’t blame them for that view. In fact, he planned on looking beyond that. He was still holding onto the SSS-grade materials he obtained from the light basilisk, after all.

[Now, I’ve put in as much as I can.]

Halo handed it back to him now that his vitality filled the Great Heavenly Spirit. Halo’s trait was strong, so it would be perfect to use with the shackles made from his tree.

‘Well, the true power of the Great Heavenly Spirit is to convert energy and amplify it. I wish it were possible to use it in boosting the vitality of this world or convert it into a destructive attack.’ There was a high likelihood Jormungand would cause more problems, after all.

[It’s a really great thing, but its capacity is lacking. Why don’t you try upgrading it by adding what is lacking?]

“Upgrade?”

[Right…if you make the shackles well this time, I shall give you the best branches from this tree. As you know, they are good mediums for storing and transforming energy.]

He knew it well. A tree absorbed and stored water and sunlight, circulating energy as a part of its life span. It was also a symbol for life, as the phrase world tree wasn’t just for show. Of course, just telling him to upgrade the orb with the tree’s branches didn’t mean he fully understood how to do it yet.

“Is Halo a world tree?”

[My body isn’t a tree.]

“Really?!”

[Sometimes your jokes are difficult.]

– Please don’t be fooled, member.

[Stop it, administrator.]

The administrator was trying to say something but was blocked by Halo. It was clear that Halo was a special member that even the administrator had to be careful around.

“Alright, good. I cut everything anyway.”

[Are you going to work with these now?]

“Yeah. Time is running out, so it can’t be helped.” Kang Shin-hyuk didn’t have the time to have a leisurely conversation now.

[Those Jormungand guys are resentful.]

“You can get rid of them quickly, then I can just come over to play.”

-Member. Rather than going to My Room, why don’t I introduce you to a new dimensional quest?

“Ah?”

-It is a world with minimal Jormungand intervention, as it has already been ruined. Its time ratio with the earth is 1 to 20. In a world with virtually no potential for rebirth, Jormungand has already left after absorbing most of its energy.

“What sort of quest is there?”

– It is one to recover an object you previously made.

Those were the two types of quests available to him. There were ones he got from accepting requests from other members like he did now, and the others were quests to recover artifacts Anvil had previously created. He thought the second-dimensional quest in Kieron had been given to him to protect the potential Hero Universe candidate Milia, but the administrator wouldn’t admit this.

-It isn’t urgent so that you can prioritize the shackles there.

“The recovery quest will be left unattended and I can use the slower time.”

-This is the privilege of being a VIP member. It should be used when possible.

Kang Shin-hyuk had no complaints about accepting the administrator’s favor in this case.

“Then, let’s go. Thank you. Oh, is it a dangerous place?”

-It would be nice if you had at least one person assisting you.

Kang Shin-hyuk had only one idea of who to ask.

[If so, I will send my alter ego!]

-Halo is busy enough. We will take care of this here.

[No, it’s okay. This world’s work will be okay without me for a little while.]

-Fine…

For some reason, the two started bickering. Kang Shin-hyuk left the two of them be and began to store the shackle parts after marking them.

“Okay, it’s ready. Then, I’ll head over. In the meantime, it would be nice to find out what’s happening with the giant.”

[Anvil…]

-Halo has the ability to make rational judgments. You know who the wise choice is.

[…Administrator. If he has chosen someone else, leave it be.]

-Hm? What could you mean?

Kang Shin-hyuk went to greet the elves before he left. They seemed impressed that he was going on an adventure to protect Mirotoz; however, the emotions they were displaying were somewhat regrettable.

“There’s nothing we can do for someone on such a dangerous path…even so, can’t I try with my body?”

“Please stop taking off your clothes so boldly.” These damn exhibitionist elves had ruined his excitement over naked bodies.

“We can’t just let master Anvil go off on such a dangerous path!”

“No, before you go….”

“Aren’t you all just letting out your desires?!” He ran away from the elves and returned to earth. It was Tuesday evening when he got back, so he had practice tomorrow, but…

[Can I leave for a while?]

[Hyeongju Ahn: You proudly ask for me to fake official documents? Your practice for school…]

[How about the gloves you received before? Maybe some matching boots would be nice.]

[Hyeongju Ahn: …Will you be gone the entire week?]

Convincing Hyeongju Ahn went over easily.

[Just this week.]

[Hyeongju Ahn: Well, Baek can handle it alone…]

[Then, thank you.]

It was a little risky to skip training, but if Hyeongju Ahn and Baek In-ha vouched for him, they wouldn’t be caught. He texted Baek too, but since he could hold the Shinfeng orb hostage, he had no worries about the result.

[Baek In-ha: Are you going to Africa or something?]

[Hahahahaha.]

Africa one of the most dangerous places to go since it had been consumed by gates. Fortunately, such a thing had been prevented in Paris when the erosion gates appeared there.

Only

[Baek In-ha: I’m really curious, where are you going and what are you doing?]

[Lodging trip with Claire.]

[Baek In-ha: Ah, you said it?!]

He left Baek alone and contacted Claire next.

[Eunah, can you do a dimensional quest alone with me?]

[Claire: I’ll do it, I’ll do it!]

-I can’t stand this atmosphere. 250,000HP bonus from an impressed administrator!

Thus, it was confirmed who would go with him.