Steel-Eating Player - Chapter 156

Episode 156 [Unexpected Omens – 2]

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“That’s right, hmmm… Are you a dark elf? “You don’t know, right?”

The Dark Elves’ conquest of Europe… It was one of the big events that would happen in the future.

However, the current Dark Elves were weak, so it was a time for them to quietly hide in the Berlin erosion area while maintaining a secret friendly relationship with the powerful people of Germany. .

At this time, the German authorities hid their existence in exchange for supplying precious magic material items to the Dark Elves, which was a trick to control a large group of monsters without causing bloodshed. Previously, a group of Red Drakes or a Kingdom of Black Orcs took over a country. They tried not to follow in those footsteps while observing the shocking examples.

Later, it was clearly revealed that such thoughts were nothing more than arrogance. The Dark Elf army, which had developed without any damage over the years, swallowed up Europe in one bite… But

that Everything would happen in the next few years.

‘But… why is the Dark Elf army already moving?’

Earlier, Donald Harris said that the movements of the Dark Elf Legion were detected in his European intelligence network. Upon further investigation, he discovered that the target was the Republic of Chad and that a large-scale portal magic between continents was being prepared. Such a grandiose conspiracy

. It was as obvious as fire as to who was causing this.

‘……As expected, the villains are working together to control the dark elves.’

However, the question is still not resolved. The Dark Elf Legion has not yet completed its preparations for war, so what is their intention in starting a war now? If they reveal themselves as a threat to the whole world in an imperfect state, they will end up being attacked

. The current Dark Elf Kingdom is weaker than the Black Orc Kingdom.

After Donald Harris’s messenger, Vedrpolnir, returned, Lee Hyun-wook was troubled.

‘There must be some solid reason for his bold move. What is that?’

However, the answer was found surprisingly quickly.

– …Ah, this is the site of the gate occurrence in Vienna, Austria!

A breaking news broke out on Order Tower TV. It was about a raid taking place somewhere in the world. Lee Hyun-wook was worried. I was locked up and just listening to the sound.

– Do you see that over there? A huge monster appeared from the first eruption!

News like this was a routine event that happens all the time around the world.

Therefore, as a Korean watching the news, it was likely to pass by without much emotion.

It would just feel like an incident or accident that took place in a distant country.

Boom – boom –

But Lee Hyun-wook frowned as he looked at the giant figure filling the screen.

‘That can’t be…’

That was about the 5th floor of a building – about 12 meters high. It was a giant of that size, and one thing that was unusual about it was that it was dressed like a Greek soldier’s uniform. It was wearing a Corinthian bronze helmet with a red collar, a red cape on its back, and it was holding a spear and a shield. At that time, the giant threw an iron bar towards somewhere

. —

Bang——! Bang——! Bang——!

Three Gothic-style buildings were pierced in succession and collapsed.

It was an overwhelmingly destructive force for a regular monster, not even a boss monster.

As far as Lee Hyeon-wook knew, there was no such type of monster. There was only one.

‘That’s… a titan skirmisher, right?’

Titan Skirmishers These were not ordinary monsters that appeared at any time, and

could be seen as a harbinger of the great disaster called [Titanomachia] that would occur in the future.

They appeared all over the world, and then named titans appeared in Europe.

In other words, they also appeared at this time. It could be said that it is an entity that should not appear in.

‘In that case… [Titanomachia] has been brought forward.’

Perhaps because of Lee Hyun-wook’s performance, the Angra Mainyu Corps—Aji Dahaka—had appeared several years earlier. And since even that was resolved cleanly… ‘…the next scenario is about to begin.

‘

And it could be assumed that the villains noticed this and were trying to take advantage of it.

Once the Titanomachy began, all the world’s power would be focused on that event, so they planned to advance the Dark Elf Army into the Republic of Chad at that point. ‘

So. .. Is this a golden opportunity to take over the Republic of Chad?’

From the villain’s point of view, the biggest obstacles would have been two things. The

first of them was Lee Hyun-wook, who had foiled their plans several times.

And the second was the two members of the Republic of Chad, who had traditionally been the villain’s top priority for elimination. They are the tycoon ‘Manager of the World Tree’ Donald Harris and the ‘saint’ Emilia Müller.

Eliminating Lee Hyun-wook has repeatedly failed and only provided nutrients for Lee Hyun-wook’s growth. This time, they are targeting the Republic of Chad. Of the two

, Only by dealing with one thing will their future plans be completed.

‘But we can’t leave it like that…’

Lee Hyun-wook quickly noticed their plan and planned to respond preemptively.

‘Bold strategies are usually gambling. . I will make that gamble worthless…’

***

Lee Hyun-wook told Donald Harris that he would help with the war effort, and he gladly welcomed it.

The very next day, Lee Hyun-wook decided to go to the Republic of Chad and immediately prepared to leave.

From there, Donald Harris Harris planned to discuss future measures with Emilia Müller.

‘Actually… it will be more about persuasion than discussion.’

Lee Hyun-wook had a plan to deal with this situation in his head.

In order to proceed with it, he desperately needed the help of Donald Harris.

Perhaps the most difficult thing would be to persuade the stubborn eunja.

‘But I have shown you something, so he will believe you. ‘That’s it.’

“Master Friedwen’s preparations are complete!”

At that time, upon Talos’ report, Lee Hyun-wook went out from the Order Tower to the airship port.

“Boss, we are ready to launch.”

As expected, Park Jun-mo and Kim Se-hee were scheduled to join us on this trip.

“But why are you taking such a dangerous item?”

Kim Se-hee pointed to the door of Friedwen’s lamp. There was a box with a [Danger] sticker on it, and it was none other than the spirit bomb ‘City Vacuum Cleaner’. “But the boss said he couldn’t control it on the day it exploded

. ”

The moment it opens, it pulls in all the stones, earth, and metal in the area and disintegrates them. It was a dangerous material that could cause an unprecedentedly large-scale accident if done incorrectly.

“That’s true, but I have some important work to do when I get to Yggdrasil.”

Last night, while planning for the future, I thought of a way to use that fearsome thing.

After a while—

“A portal is starting to form in the sky near the Master!”

“Yes, Donald Harris came to get us himself.”

A huge two-way portal opened about 20 meters above the roof of the Order Tower.

Soon, the white falcon ‘Vedrpolnir’, a member of Donald Harris’ family, appeared there.

Bleep—!

The thing spun around in the sky and started crying loudly.

It seemed like he was signaling Hyunwook Lee to come in quickly.

“Now, let’s leave quickly.”

Lee Hyun-wook was the first to board the Friedwen, followed by Park Jun-mo and Kim Se-hee. And as always, Yeo Sang-min’s alter ego was sitting in the cockpit.

“Then, let’s go!”

Woowoowoo——

Prydwen took off and slowly began to increase altitude, and through the portal that opened in the sky above the head, the white divine tree ‘Yggdrasil’ could be seen swaying. It was a strange feeling, as if observing distant trees through a telescope hole.

“Wow, just looking through the portal, that tree is so big!”

Park Jun-mo looked at the scene with a blank expression, as if he was on an amusement ride.

“I really didn’t know that I would go to ‘Yggdrasil’ myself.”

Yggdrasil was the safest city today, the most beautiful city, and the best tourist destination where you could receive various ‘blessings’ just by staying there.

“Wow—that’s right!”

At that time, Park Jun-mo got up from his seat, thinking as if he remembered something.

“…Now that I think about it, I don’t have a passport. If I do this, isn’t this illegal entry?”

At those words, Kim Se-hee clicked her tongue.

“Hey, Donald Harris came to pick us up himself, so what does it matter?”

“Oh… I see? But what if I get lost?”

Those words seemed sincere, and Lee Hyun-wook and Kim Se-hee shook their heads at the same time.

“Okay, we’ll pass through the portal in 10 seconds!”

Before we knew it, Fridwen’s ship was approaching the Wight Hall, and at that moment, Vedrpolnir, who had been flying ahead, turned around and fired what looked like a blue bead towards Fridwen. When it reached the bow, a translucent film enveloped the entire hull.

yes-!

“Uh… what did you just do?”

“Probably a ‘cloaking’ spell.”

Hyunwook Lee answered Kim Sehee’s question.

“Ah, are you hiding us?”

“Yes. “There’s no need to expose it.”

Of course, it was never a good idea to let the world know that Steelein had visited Yggdrasil. If the world’s attention is focused, unnecessary noise will occur, causing fatigue, and more than anything, it will be valuable strategic information to someone.

“—Going through the portal!”

The moment I passed through the Wight Hall, the scenery on the ground changed instantly.

“Wow…”

The first thing I noticed was Yggdrasil, a sacred tree hundreds of meters tall.

“It’s a lot bigger than I thought.”

The white trunk, thicker than most skyscrapers, stretched out endlessly, even breaking through the clouds and spreading its magnificent green branches across the bright blue sky. So, when viewed from a distance, it gave the illusion that there was a forest above the clouds. “Huh.

” — It looks like a city has been covered with a dome.”

With several kilometers of branches completely blocking the sky, not a single ray of sunlight could come in. It may feel stuffy to say it, but the leaves of the World Tree gave off a faint glow, so ironically, the ‘shade’ was covered with light.

And the area just below the trunk of Yggdrasil—near the exposed roots—was an off-limits area with a white barrier, and the only structure there was the world’s largest sanctuary, the ‘Saint’s Dome’, where Saint Emilia Müller resides. Then to the surrounding area

. Skyscrapers in the planned city center were neatly lined up, and magic research institutes, often called ‘magic towers,’ towered above the building height limit and were shining like lighthouses. Looking further ahead, you could see black things coming from the chimneys of various factories installed in the suburbs. Instead of smoke, a mysterious ray of light was coming out.

This is the world’s newest city and the most magical city…

“…[Yggdrasil].”

Everyone was mesmerized and mesmerized by the truly unrealistic and idealistic appearance of the city.

At that moment, a white falcon named ‘Vedrpolnir’ flew over the window of Fridwen’s cockpit.

Bang! Bang!

Then it pecked at the window rather nervously. He opened his beak.

“—What are they doing? “You’re not planning on keeping this old man flying, are you?”

After saying that, he turned around and flew back towards the shadow of the World Tree.

“I guess the landlord doesn’t seem very friendly, so I’ll quickly follow him.”

Yeo Sang-min said that and started to run away from Pridwen and soon fell into the shadows.

“Wow… “I feel like a little bird.”

As we approached Yggdrasil, this huge airship felt infinitely small.

As Park Jun-mo put it, I felt like I was like a bird and flying to a tree.

“Now—it looks like we’ll be landing soon, so everyone, hold on tight.”

After flying for about three more minutes, Bedrepolnir landed on a broad branch.

The branch was as wide as a runway and seemed to be being used as a kind of airship port.

Wooooow—— As

Freedwen landed on the branch, a large door at the end of the ‘trunk’ opened.

From there came an old man, Donald Harris, wearing a white shirt and jeans.

And behind them stood Saint Emilia Müller, the head of Saint Dom.

In this way, the three people that the villain wants to kill the most gathered in one place.

***

“…We must strike first.”

Donald Harris, who was pouring tea, raised his head at Lee Hyun-wook’s words.

He tilted his head as if he had heard wrong.

“What did you just say preemptive strike?”

asked Emilia Müller, who was buried on the sofa, scratching her messy blonde hair. When

I saw her after a long time, she was hiccuping in a drunken state as always.

Still, I was just grateful that she came out sober during important events.

“Hiccup—I “I wonder if I’m sober… That sounds a little strange.”

Thump—Donald Harris sets down an unknown tea on a wooden table.

– Mana recovery speed increases slightly by absorbing unknown power. (+10%)

It was an incredible item that increased mana recovery speed just by smelling its scent.

“The preemptive strike you’re talking about is striking the green hell of Berlin, right?”

“Yes, isn’t that the dark elf’s stronghold? “It catches you off guard.”

“Well, do you have the strength to do that? You know that it’s so deep underground that it’s impossible to make a preemptive strike like you did when you bombed Shanghai, right?”

“It may be difficult for me alone, but if Mr. Harris and I work together, it will be possible.”

At those words, a faint expression of displeasure spread over Donald Harris’ face.

‘Donald Harris is, as expected, extremely reluctant to leave Yggdrasil.’

Just like Hyun-wook Lee experienced, Donald Harris must have experienced countless conspiracies and threats targeting Yggdrasil, which is why he became extremely reluctant to go outside. If he is away, Yggdrasil’s defenses will be greatly weakened.

In other words, I was always worried that someone would steal this treasure called Yggdrasil.

He savored the tea for a while without answering, then looked into space and opened his mouth.

“Well, if I’m away, don’t you think there’s a high possibility that someone will take advantage of that gap? There are so many villains in this world, so I’m giving them a chance.”

“Yes, I am taking that into consideration as well. In that respect….”

Lee Hyun-wook paused for a moment and the two people looked at Lee Hyun-wook.

“… We appease the ‘Water Spirit King’ in Lake Chad.”

Donald Harris’ eyebrows twitched at those words.

Emilia Müller, on the other hand, looked unreadable.

“What now—the Water Spirit King? “What is that?”

As Yggdrasil was born here and a ‘mana ecosystem’ was created in the area, spirits migrated across dimensions. And in Lake Chad, right next to Yggdrasil, powerful water spirits settled, and among them, there was even a being called the ‘Spirit King’.

“…How do you know that grumpy guy?”

The existence of the Spirit King was not well known to the public.

“Just as Mr. Harris sees things that others cannot see, such as upcoming disasters, through the World Tree, I also see many things through Laputa.”

Donald Harris still looked disapproving, but nodded.

“…But that might be a bit of a problem since I lost him and Chuck.”

Lee Hyun-wook didn’t know exactly, but from what he heard at first glance, S-class spiritist Donald Harris and the spirit king… ironically, the two never had a good relationship.

Should we say that they cause mutual rejection, like the same poles of a magnet?

And the purpose of the spirits migrating to Lake Chad was to benefit from the enormous source of mana called Yggdrasil, so whenever they had the chance, they would cling to the roots of Yggdrasil and absorb mana, but there was no way Donald Harris would tolerate that.

It is said that Donald Harris was unable to show condescension and ended up in a bloody situation with the spirits of Lake Chad. In other words, rather than having a relationship worthy of being entrusted with the living room of the house, they were closer to being enemies.

“You can’t make everyone your enemy just because you’re not in control, Mr. Harris.”

“…….”

“Isn’t Lake Chad’s Spirit King a neutral monster, a.k.a. NPC, that can be controlled at least? And if you’re really uncomfortable… let me try to persuade you.”

Donald Harris snorted at those words.

“Huh—you’re going to convince that bastard? Are you talking about meeting that bandit leader? “He’s a single-minded and self-indulgent guy, so it won’t make sense to him, right?”

Yes, since two single-minded people looked at each other and growled, they had no choice but to antagonize…

‘But it is easier to persuade a single-minded person because his needs are clear.’

First of all, the ‘Spirit King’ was a boss monster that could be raided and an NPC that could cooperate, and Lee Hyun-wook remembered some of the ‘cooperation routes’.

‘And in such a Spirit King scenario, there is a key NPC called the Spirit King’s daughter.’

It was an obvious character who disguised himself as a human out of curiosity, came out to the human world, fell in love with humans, and became a bridge between spirits and humans.

There would be many advantages to finding her and building up her affection, but…

‘Not only do I not know where she is right now, it takes a long time to build a relationship.’

Therefore, it seemed like we had no choice but to go with the somewhat difficult second option.

“Mr. Harris, if you are the Spirit King of Lake Chad, wouldn’t you be able to stop the army attacking this place for quite some time? Even if what you want is a little excessive, maintaining a long-term alliance in a peaceful manner will be positive for the existence of Yggdrasil.”

Lee Hyun-wook gave several other reasons to persuade Donald Harris.

In the end, the most important thing to this single-minded Donald Harris was Yggdrasil itself.

So, when he appealed to the importance of a ‘preemptive strike’ in waging a war, he eventually gave in.

” Ha—yeah, I guess you’re right. If we launch a surprise strike before they’ve finished preparing for war… it could definitely lower their ability to wage war…” Donald

Harris, who had been admitting that, suddenly nodded again. He waved it.

“But there’s one problem: there’s no way to contact those spirits… anymore.”

“yes?”

“The last time I met him, he was stealing mana from the root of the World Tree, so I kicked him out rather harshly… and he hasn’t come out to the material world since then, right?”

Lee Hyun-wook calmly nodded, as if he had already expected this.

“In that case, we have no choice but to visit there in person.”

But this time, Donald Harris made negative remarks.

“No, that’s not possible. The spirit world over there is a place where humans cannot enter without permission.”

He scratched his chin, feeling a little embarrassed, and continued,

“…The spirit world is a space separate from the material world where ordinary living beings live, so it is a strange space where you cannot find direction with your normal senses. That is why the enemies are spirits of grade A or higher. I need this guidance so I don’t get lost…” ”

Seeing as you say this, I guess there’s a reason why you can’t be Mr. Harris?”

“Yes, as much as I kicked those children out, they also completely blocked my access, so I can’t enter their spirit world using my mana pattern.”

It was what is commonly called a ‘ban’.

“I can’t go in myself, so I need a guide spirit that is at level A…”

‘Kim Se-hee is also a spiritist, but Hanui has not yet reached level A.’

To become A grade, the player had to be level 85 or higher.

It was difficult to find a trustworthy elementalist of that level.

‘But there is one way.’

Just for this moment, Hyunwook Lee prepared something,

‘…using a city vacuum cleaner.’

If the land spirit colony contained within it were normalized, it would be Class A.

‘Tame them and use them as guides.’

But tearing it apart was, as I’ve said many times before, the worst kind of craziness.

Since it was forcibly locked up in a spirit prison, the moment it is opened, it goes crazy and decomposes all the stones, earth, and metal in the area, eventually becoming exhausted and disappearing. And it was safe to say that there was virtually no place in the human world without stone, earth, and metal.

‘But there is only one place.’

That was right here…inside the World Tree.

A huge building made entirely of wood…

‘If you’re inside here, you can’t do anything even if you take them out.’

In this place, their behavior didn’t work, so we were able to have a serious conversation.

And if conversation doesn’t work, you can tame it with force in the traditional way.