chapter 207 – First Sight(3)

[Earth Orb]

[SSS-rank]

[Special Abilities: Giant, Earth Spirit, Titan]

*Giant: One who never breaks. It gives absolute defense to those who have the orb and also increases attackpower.

*Earth Spirit: Grants the power of the spirit of the Earth. When standing on the ground, all abilities increase, and you gain affinity with theground.

*Titan: You gain the power of the original giant born on the Earth.

“Oh…” There was a saying that simplicity was best. Kang Shin-hyuk thought that this orb fits that saying perfectly. In short, it was a treasure that amplified defense and attack insanely.

“It’s absurd.”

-When you’re standing on the ground, you can expect an additional increase to stats. You’ve received one powerful artifact.

The administrator was right. Of course, the Shinfeng Orb, Dark Spirit Pearl, Great Heavenly Spirit, and Water Orb each had special abilities, so this was the first time he received an orb that specialized just in physical battle. Even just holding it in his hand amplified his abilities immensely, so he could only imagine how powerful it would be in the Godslayer sword. It was a bit surprising, though, that the treasures all appeared in the form of such orbs.

[How fun. The power of the giant mixed with mine to produce such afruit.]

Halo was even surprised after checking the item’s information.

“This must’ve been because of my refinement of the tree roots.”

[It harmonized our two powers. Hmm, such a treasure would have been impossible to make if it weren’t for your excellent craftsmanship… it’s ourcollaboration.]

“Can I take something like this?”

[Sure. In fact, I’ve returned all the energy except what is in that orb to this land, so rather, I’m the one who has gained a lot.]

The giant was an X2 rank monster, so the by-products it would’ve produced would have been immeasurable. However, it had disappeared because Halo used the shackles to turn it into fertilizer for this world. Therefore, Halo thought at least this would serve as a suitable reward for Kang Shin-hyuk.

[I’m rather sorry. I thought it would be enough for it to reach the X-rank…no, it is possible the orb doesn’t fit therank.]

“If Halo says so…” Kang Shin-hyuk stored away from the orb. Just like the other ones, he couldn’t hand it over as it was likely to be a powerful card that would save his life. Additionally, it wouldn’t be effective until it replenished its energy, so he had to save it fornow.

“Do you think you can save the world with that giant’s energy?”

[It was a monster that could destroy the world, but it’s impossible to save it. However, I was able to take care of them so they can live in abundance for the rest of their lives. That is thanks to the fields you created.]

“Is that so…” It was gloomy to hear that this world couldn’t be saved. He recalled the image of Neorust as he thought of it.

[But, with you, the vitality and spiritual power you possess, it may be possible to sprout new plants in this land.]

“Is there still more I can do here?” Kang Shin-hyuk swept his eyes over the area the giant had died before climbing onto the bike.

[Sure. The seeds of this world are dead, so new ones are needed.]

“Seed? Oh, I don’t know exactly what kind of seed it is, but I’ll check the trading board.”

-Member.

[Anvil, that is not the type of seed I’m talking about…]

-Member, the quest is over, so let’s go back right now.

The administrator’s message seemed somewhat cold. However, he had just caught the giant so that he couldn’t leave right away. They had to celebrate with the elves, repair facilities that had collapsed, expand the fields…

[The seed I’m talking about is your love…]

-Quest completed! Returning to My Room!

The next moment, Kang Shin-hyuk was in his My Room.

-Sorry, member, I returned you by my authority as an administrator.

“No, it’s okay. I was late to understand what Halo was saying.” He didn’t know what would have happened with the elves had he stayed. Kang Shin-hyuk cleared his heart and looked around. The dim lighting, a fairly luxurious bed, and a burning furnace. There was even a nice anvil in front of the furnacenow.

“There wasn’t an anvil or furnace before.”

-This is a questreward.

It was a high-quality facility incomparable to the simple stove and anvil he had been carrying. Kang Shin-hyuk looked at the anvil and suddenly felt his pulse quicken.

“What is this… branch?” On top of it was a branch about the size of his hand. On it was the leaf he used to communicate withHalo.

-He said that when you finish the quest, you will receive the best branches.

“Hah, he sent them in advance… can anyone use this kind of magic?”

-It’s impossible. Would you like to check its information?

Kang Shin-hyuk gently examined the branches with his emotion skill.

[The EarlyBranch]

[???]

[The purest branch of a tree that has grown since the beginning. It can accumulate a vast amount of energy and purify it.]

“I wonder what I did to look at this.”

-It would be nice to have an affinity with the Great Heavenly Spirit… it feels a little too early to try and process it.

“It’s still a long time away.” Still, there was something to be gained by examining the branch with spiritual power. He put it away carefully in his inventory and laid down on the soft bed.

“The bed is also softer.”

-The dimension quest you solved this time involved a lot of high-ranking beings, so the rewards were inevitablybetter.

“How about the quest on the Neorust side?”

-That is not the name of the world… probably, you will receive more than this quest if you succeed.

Why? There were no traces of other Hero Universe members in that world; there was only the artifact created by Anvil.

“…Is it such an importantartifact?”

-That you will probably realize for yourself.

Kang Shin-hyuk stood up, pursing his lips.

-Would you like to go back toEarth?

“No, I’m trying to think of what I should make since I got the orbs.”

-What will you make?

“A belt.”

-…

“A beadedbelt.”

***

Kang Shin-hyuk returned to Earth safely after finishing his work. Claire, who was dealing with customers at the bar, shook his hand with a bright smile after heentered.

“You’re here?”

“Yes, I’ll changeclothes.”

“No, business is over anyway. Come and sit down; I’ll give you something delicious.”

“You guys are asking me to leave?” The superhuman still left in the store clicked his tongue. He was one Kang Shin-hyuk recognized from TV as a high-ranker.

“I don’t think we have any plans to hide our relationship anymore, but I don’t know if the conversation will go well with Eunah.”

“No, what kind of relationship do the Korean superhumans know about?”

“Korea?” The man laughed at Claire’s frown.

“Don’t you know that you’re not just talking about Korea? No. 5 in the international ranks is entangled with the Alchemist. So, you two are really dating? I also thought you had a better chance than theEmpress.”

“If you’re curious, why don’t you ask her directly?” Kang Shin-hyuk sat at the bar table as he said that. The customer emptied his glass and stood up.

“Me? I don’t want to die. Then, I’ll vanish as you wish, so please do your best inlove.”

“Love?” Shin Eunah appeared at that moment. With everyone frozen, she first looked at Kang Shin-hyuk and Claire to confirm they weren’t doing anything particularly suspicious. The two hadn’t even been holding hands since he had just arrived, then Shin Eunah looked at the man with clearrelief.

“So, who is datingwho?”

“Ah, Thunder Empress. It’s been a while! It’s me; I was hoping to have an affair with thebartender.”

“Aren’t you married?” The man who wasn’t aware Shin Eunah was that knowledgeable about him was sweating as he backed up.

“Ah… that…”

“Tsu.” Shin Eunah clicked her tongue at his attitude.

“A cheating man is the worst. Don’t betray your loved one. Next time I hear such a rumor, I will punish you severely on behalf of theassociation.”

“Well, then! Of course! Everyone have a good evening!” The man disappeared from the bar, leaving behind only his tears. Kang Shin-hyuk and Claire looked at Eunah, glancing away when she looked back atthem.

“…Both have you been busy these days.”

“I was doing a personal request.”

“I was one a dimensional quest.”

“I wonder what it was. Uncle Halo doesn’t talk much.” Shin Eunah walked down and sat next to Kang Shin-hyuk, then put her head on his shoulder.

“I want to be together today. Tell me about the dimensionalquest.”

“…”

“…” Claire and Kang Shin-hyuk shared a glance, thinking the same thing.

“Then, a drink first? Non-alcoholic for Shin-hyuk.”

“Thank you, Claire. Yes, there’s not much to say. Halo wanted to protect the elves and stop a giant…” Rather than dating; it felt like they were raising a child. Kang Shin-hyuk shrugged and told the story of the shackles he made. It was a grotesque story, but Shin Eunah listened with her eyes shining all the while.

Halo suffered from the anger of Claire and Kang Shin-hyuk the next day, as they learned the elves of that world were aiming for Kang Shin-hyuk’s chastity.