Strange Grief Wants to Retire ~ The Weakest Hunter Dreams of a Hero ~ - C.333.1: Lifting the Curse ③Feb 26, 2024

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It is as dark as the night under the World Tree. Even when I look up at the sky, I can't really see it because it is so huge, but I guess the sunlight is completely blocked by the thick branches and leaves.

With Eliza in the lead, we move forward, stepping through the piles of leaves. A cold wind blows and Astor shivers.

The constantly falling leaves seem to be rejecting any intruders. The World Tree should have a sacred image, but the one it has right now is similar to the Black World Tree.

To begin with, the size of this tree is unusual. I thought I understood the enormity of the tree when I saw it from a distance, but I never imagined that a tree so huge that its trunk would look like a wall would exist in this world.

Once more It has gotten bigger again. Until recently It wasn't that big. It is all because of the excess of Mana Materials. (Serene)

Says Serene in a small voice. Since it has grown to this size by absorbing Mana Materials, I wonder if Anthem will grow to this size someday

The estimated Level 10 Treasure Shrine Temple of Origin manifested as if it was trying to hide the World Tree.

In the dim darkness, black pillars grow here and there on the decaying black walls that seem to surround the World Tree. High-level Monsters are usually found around High-Level Treasure Shrine, but at least nothing seems to be moving outside the walls. I couldn't see the details clearly because of the distance, but the scene was indescribably creepy. I feel that the atmosphere is somewhat similar to that of the Lost Inn. Maybe our instincts as living creatures are telling us that this Treasure Shrine is dangerous.

The Members of Starlight (Hoshi no Seirai), who have conquered various dungeons in their career, are looking at the Treasure Shrine with stiff expressions.

Perhaps it has manifested as if it were one with the World Tree. This is still the appetizer. If we go through that wall, we will find the Entrance to the World Tree. That is probably where the main dish is. (Eliza)

Says Eliza looking the same as usual. Is she calm because she doesn't have a sense of danger, or is it because she has scouted it so many times?

Even if there are no Phantoms in sight, the atmosphere around the entrance alone reeks of danger. Moreover, with this vast place Even if dozens of large Phantoms appeared, they would still be able to move around with ease. The only saving grace is that we don't have to conquer it this time.

Serene, who has been looking at the World Tree with narrowed eyes, says in a slightly trembling voice as she adjusts her breathing. freewebnov el.com

I had received the report, but How powerful I-If it is like this, if we can step inside the wall, it should be plenty enough to lift the curse. (Serene)

So we have no choice but to go inside the wall, huh If I wasn't in a comfortable state, I might have thrown up. There are parts of the wall that are crumbling here and there. This is probably where we can enter.

The place beyond the wall, is quite large. The walls are probably for ceremonial purposes, not for defense purposes. There are also murals. (Eliza)

Hmph I doubt anything good will come out of there. (Lapis)

Unusually, it seems that Lapis and I are of the same opinion. And there, Eliza, who has been looking at the wall in a daze, frowns.

After all, I don't feel any presence of Phantoms Even though there were so many a few days ago. (Eliza)

*Yosh, Yosh* Good, good, good. I wondered what would happen, but my luck finally turned around. No matter how heinous the Treasure Shrine is, it will not matter if there are no Phantoms in it. Of course, that is assuming there are no traps

Isn't this the perfect timing? I am sooo lucky this time (Cry)

Yowaningen, don't say things that jinx it! Desu!! (Kruz)

!? It is not like I said anything in particular tho'

Anyway, let's quickly accomplish our goal and return to Zebrudia. Since Liz and the others are also down, it is best not to stay too long.

Then Lapis opens her eyes wide as if she has noticed something and looks at Kruz.

If there are no Phantoms, there is no need to split the escorts, huh? Is this the interesting thing you were talking about, Kruz? (Lapis)

It is hard to believe that the number of Phantoms could be predicted in advance, but It is true that it is impossible for Phantoms to disappear from a Treasure Shrine of this level. Interesting. (Astor)

Astor nods in admiration. But what exactly are they talking about?

So it is a little shocking to me, but it seems that it is normally impossible for a Treasure Shrine of this level to have the number of Phantoms reduced So I guess I am really lucky this time. That's really rare.

Hmm Interesting It's certainly interesting, but are you really fine with this, desu? (Kruz)

For some reason, Kruz looks at me as if she is looking at something suspicious. I don't know what she is asking, but isn't it fine like this?

It might be cheap thinking but now that the Phantoms are gone, I feel better.

Eliza goes ahead of me, approaches the wall, checks inside, and *choichoi* beckons me to come over. Originally, we were supposed to split the escort up, but if nothing is there, there is no need to split up.

It would have been nice if some of them came out, we can't challenge ourselves like this. (Cry)

Hmph So much confidence. But you certainly have a point. It would also have served as a reference for the enemy's strength in the next battle. (Lapis)

Un, un, that's right. (Cry)

You are full of motivation, huuh, Lapis. Maybe it is her sense of mission I want you to do your best when fighting with Ark and the others.

In any case, Lapis and the others scurry closer to Eliza, put their hands on the wall, and quietly peek inside.

Eliza has told me beforehand, but the place beyond the walls looks just like ruins. The huge rubble and stone pillars over there are all black, and just looking at them disturbs my heart.

And, beyond those mysterious ruins, there was the World Tree.

The Temple of Origin has manifested itself As one with the World Tree. (Serene)

Serene grips her staff tightly and speaks in a hushed voice.

What was there was a temple. Carved out of the trunk of the gigantic World Tree and made with astonishing precision wasA temple.

The ground is sometimes covered with a thick carpet of leaves, creating an indescribable eerie feeling. There is no doubt the god spawn in this Temple-type Treasure Shrine would be nothing good.

Let's finish this quickly and go home. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝐞𝐰𝐞𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝐞𝐥.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Just when I am about to take a step inside, between the walls, Eliza suddenly strongly pulls my arm.

!? (Cry)

(Eliza)

Our eyes meet. Eliza's face, which is always absent-minded, stiffens. She doesn't say anything, but I can feel the urgency from her silence. What in the world is going on As I blink my eyes, Eliza says while her shoulders are trembling.

Kuu My legs want to run away. (Eliza)

Eh? Umh D-Don't run away, okay? (Cry)

I don't know what it is, but it would be bad if she ran away now, so I stress on that. When Eliza puts pressure on her hand to grab my armA strong wind blows.

Thanks for reading! Cry jinxed it Or maybe he did it on purpose because it will be too easy if he didnt And now a little cliffhanger before the next chapter!