Chapter 337

Time passed really quickly, and soon, Do-Jun tore off a page from the calendar. November had arrived before he knew it. Not long ago, the heat of summer had been relentless, but in just a month, people would be bundling up in thick coats as winter’s chill set in.

The TV was tuned to the news channel as usual.

⌜Next story: The Hunter’s Bureau has announced that Behemoth will be entering the eighth floor of the Core this November. Since this will be their first operation after a three-month hiatus, the announcement has sparked global anticipation. Chief Jung Young-Chul of the Hunter’s Bureau stated...⌟

Every major news network, including KBC, was leading with the story of Behemoth’s upcoming mission. They were reporting based on the official documents provided by the Hunter’s Bureau during a press conference held just the day before.

Do-Jun heard his smartphone buzz with an incoming text message. He opened his phone to check the message.

Changshin Daycare: Dear parents, as previously mentioned, today is a shortened day. Since our daycare program will end at 11 AM today, please note that lunch will not be provided. We appreciate your understanding.

Do-Jun realized today would be a busy day. Although he had a day off after his shift duty, there was still much to do. Checking his phone, he opened a portal site. A blog page was already displayed on the screen.

"How to Make Baeksuk”[1]

“Hi everyone! It feels like it’s been a while since I last posted. Today, I’m going to show you how to make a hearty and comforting meal—baeksuk! Now that the weather’s getting colder, don’t you crave a warm, nourishing broth?

“But enough chit-chat—let’s get to the ingredients! The key to my baeksuk is ginseng. I’m sure you all know about the health benefits of ginseng! I’ll also be adding glutinous rice and mung beans...”

Do-Jun took out the ingredients he had prepared earlier. The chicken, kept in the freezer, would thaw naturally over time. The glutinous rice and mung beans needed to soak in water for about two hours.

After using the restroom and washing up, Byeol came out, her face looking fresh and clean. Do-Jun approached her, squeezing a small amount of baby moisturizer onto his fingertip. He dabbed it gently on her cheeks, nose, and forehead, then helped her put on her daycare backpack. Byeol gave Do-Jun a quick kiss on the cheek before heading toward the door. Or at least, she was about to until something on the dining table caught her eye—the chicken for the baeksuk.

Do-Jun heard her gulp.

“Are we eating... chickin...? Daddy?” she asked expectantly.

“I’m making baeksuk,” he replied.

“W-weally?” Byeol’s eyes already sparkled with excitement.

Do-Jun chuckled and nodded.

“Yay! Okie!”

Though she hadn’t said anything, Byeol had been craving baeksuk for days. She wanted it so much that she even dreamed about it two nights ago. And now, her dad was actually making it?

“Today’s an early dismissal day, right?” Do-Jun asked her.

“Yeah! I finish at... uh... the time is... um....” Byeol glanced at the wall clock. The hour hand had just passed eight. She counted on her fingers.

“Nine... ten... eleven.” She folded three fingers.

“Eleven o’clock.” Do-Jun helped her out.

“Yeah!” Overjoyed, Byeol planted another kiss on Do-Jun’s cheek. Wearing her tiny character-themed shoes, she dashed outside.

He smiled as he saw her off. He had received twice as many kisses as usual today.

He returned to reading the blog.

“Ginseng prices vary significantly based on size, type, and appearance. However, you can easily find it at most supermarkets. A bundle of thirty roots for samgyetang typically costs...”

Do-Jun had already gathered all the necessary ingredients except for the ginseng. However, instead of regular ginseng, he planned to use Everfrost Ginseng. Not only would it save him a trip to the store, but it was also far more beneficial than regular ginseng. But before that, since Behemoth would soon enter the eighth floor of the Core, Do-Jun felt it was time to check the place again, especially the progress of what he had discussed with the Rainbow Bird and the World Tree last time.

***

The eighth floor of the Core was a place waiting for its demise. The biggest reason was the sea of poison known as the Sea of Death. For most, even a single touch of the toxic water would dissolve flesh and bone. Yet, adventurers had managed to survive thanks to the World Tree. It had nearly perished at the hands of the Rainbow Bird, the Water Serpent, and Antaras, but after Do-Jun’s visit, it was slowly regaining its vitality.

How massive was it originally?

Marf wondered.

As the Monarch of the eighth floor, he was overseeing a large-scale purification project. He meticulously removed impurities clinging to the bark and leaves, then carefully applied the World Tree’s sap to the areas damaged by the Rainbow Bird. As the restoration progressed, the tree’s size steadily increased.

Marf clicked his tongue in amazement.

Just look at those roots.

They had thickened and stretched to nearly three times their original size. According to the World Tree itself, it had regained about seventy percent of its former power.

This had dramatically improved the lives of adventurers on the eighth floor. In the past, they had fought viciously over sap and prime shelter spots. Now, with the World Tree flourishing again, there was more than enough for everyone.

All of this... is thanks to the King of Earth.

There were no longer any major threats on the eighth floor. Of the three creatures that had once gnawed away at the World Tree, two had been reformed, and the third had perished.

Marf looked out at the horizon where the toxic sea roiled. He and his fellow adventurers had made plans to continue living on this floor, but if they had one wish left, it would be for the ocean’s poison to disappear.

But that’s most likely impossible...

Not even Do-Jun could accomplish such a feat. After all, even the World Tree wouldn’t dare try it.

Marf tilted his head up, looking at the highest branches of the World Tree. Something caught his eye as it fell from the treetop. They were thin, circular fragments, and an unfamiliar wrapper covered in strange markings. Marf furrowed his brows in confusion.

***

“P-please, hear me out, my King!” the Rainbow Bird said, wiping the potato chip crumbs from the corners of his mouth with the back of his hand.

Do-Jun fixed him with a piercing gaze. Just moments ago, this bird had been lounging atop the World Tree, munching on chips. Where had he even gotten them? And for that matter, where did he get Dark of Darkness from?

“I’m truly innocent!”

“Fifty pages,” Do-Jun declared.

“E-eeek!! P-please, anything but that! I swear, just a little while ago, I was working diligently!”

Do-Jun looked at the woman standing beside him. She was an avatar of the World Tree. With just a glance, he silently asked her if the Rainbow Bird’s words were true.

“He’s lying. He went to the sixth floor two days ago, came back with snacks and that book, and has been lazing around ever since. ‘Just thirty minutes, just thirty minutes,’ he kept saying... and now it’s been two days.” She ratted him out immediately.

The book in the Rainbow Bird’s hands was the fourth volume of Dark of Darkness. For his blatant lie, Do-Jun sentenced him to write a hundred-page reflection paper. The Rainbow Bird collapsed onto the ground in despair, his mouth slightly open. This was all because of Dark of Darkness. Ryzagal had recommended it, insisting that he read it at least once. That had been his downfall.

“

Hmph

. See what happens when you slack off? But... what brings you here, my King?” the World Tree asked cautiously.

Do-Jun was about to incinerate Dark of Darkness with his Samadhi Fire, but decided against it. Instead, he spread his qi senses, scanning the World Tree’s condition.

“You’ve recovered a lot,” he said, after a quick scan.

“Yes, it’s all thanks to you. I’m very grateful.”

The Rainbow Bird sneaked a glance at Do-Jun before adjusting his posture and kneeling properly. He desperately wanted to pick up the potato chips he had dropped, but he knew any wrong move could result in an even harsher punishment, so he restrained himself.

“I have a question,” Do-Jun said to the World Tree.

“Yes, please ask.”

“If you regain all of your strength, would you be able to purify the water here?”

Like all other adventurers, Behemoth wouldn’t be able to withstand the poisonous water on this floor. A single mistake during the expedition could lead to serious injury or even death. Obtaining the Hidden Pieces on the eighth floor would definitely involve intense battles, making it highly likely that someone would fall into the water.

The World Tree hesitated briefly before giving a firm answer. “I... cannot.”

Even if she regained her original strength, it was impossible to purify all the toxic energy spread across the vast sea. She had tried before, but without enough qi of the highest purity, her efforts had been futile.

Do-Jun nodded, thinking that he would have to find another way when the World Trees said, “Although... it’s not entirely impossible.”

“You have a solution?”

“Well, yes, but it’s... close to impossible.”

If they could obtain about ten of

it

, they might be able to cleanse the poisonous water of the entire eighth floor.

The World Tree’s voice was heavy as she spoke. “My King, are you aware that the Deep Realm is filled with countless trials?”

“To some extent.”

“Among them, there are three high-difficulty trials known as the Path of Suffering. If you pass all three, you receive a reward—a legendary herb so potent it is called the ‘Panacea’ among the residents of the Deep Realm. If you manage to get it, we could purify the waters of this floor.”

“Three trials?” Do-Jun asked.

“Yes.” The World Tree began explaining the trials. “The first is the Trial of Fire. You must cross the bridge of hellfire, which burns hot enough to melt steel. The second is the Trial of Water. You must swim across a sea that is even more toxic than the Sea of Death.”

“Hm.”

“The third is the Trial of Blade Winds. You must climb a mountain while enduring winds sharp enough to cut through flesh. These trials are so dangerous that even the Transcendents hesitate to challenge them. And... we would need at least ten portions of that herb. But completing a single trial only yields one, which means you’d have to go through the Path of Suffering ten times.”

The Rainbow Bird, who had been listening in, was utterly horrified. “That is terrifying.”

He knew exactly what that herb was. It was extremely famous in the Deep Realm, and everyone knew about it. Countless individuals had attempted the Path of Suffering to obtain it, only to die in the process.

The Rainbow Bird turned to Do-Jun. “My King, this is far too dangerous. Once, maybe. But ten times...?”

He then carefully studied Do-Jun’s expression.

Do-Jun remained impassive, merely checking the time on his wristwatch. It was already nine o’clock. He figured it was about time to get going.

“So, you would have to absorb the pure qi in that herb, correct?” he asked to clarify.

“Yes... I’m sorry. My power alone is not enough—”

Do-Jun interrupted, “I was the one who asked. You don’t need to apologize.”

He prepared to shift dimensions, then spoke again. “What’s the name of that herb?”

The World Tree took a deep breath. Then, with a solemn expression, she answered, “Have you ever heard of Millenium Snow Ginseng?”

1. Korean Ginseng Chicken Soup ☜