Chapter 22: Gardener of the Earth Mother God (4)
[As the final reward, the Gardener of the Earth Mother God presents a ?-grade item.]
The initial surprise at the unfamiliar grade lasted only a moment.
The ground in front of me shook, and a sword shot up.
[The Gardener of the Earth Mother God urges you.]
I slowly drew the sword at the prompting of the Divine Throne.
It was an item resembling a Western longsword.
A small serpent was embossed on the cross guard, and a groove large enough to hold a sphere was carved at the end of the hilt.
The sharply honed blade radiated a subtle white glow.
“A sword, huh.”
I had been thinking about getting a weapon soon.
Especially after clearing the Garden of Mind this time, that thought became even more certain.
Specifically, while wrestling with the Lizardmen in the lake.
“Not bad.”
I murmured while reflecting the sword in the sunlight.
Immediately, I received a scolding.
[The Gardener of the Earth Mother God jumps in anger!]
It seemed my evaluation of the reward felt harsh to them.
Still, it wasn’t enough to make them leap with joy either.
Considering the hardships so far, it felt a bit underwhelming as a final reward…
[The Gardener of the Earth Mother God transmits the item information for “Emperor’s Remnant.”]
At the same time, information about the sword unfolded rapidly.
[Emperor’s Remnant - ?-Grade]
[The Emperor’s footprints have persisted for thousands of years. All traces of the current world are layered over those footprints. Therefore, this sword can imitate any trace.]
[You can use Residual Copy.]
“So why is the grade a question mark?”
There are all sorts of items in the world, from E-grade to S-grade.
But I had never heard of an item with a question mark grade being discovered.
“Ah, could it be because of this skill effect?”
[Residual Copy - A skill modified based on the abilities of the bound target. By inserting a summoning sphere into the hilt groove, you can copy the highest stat and one skill of that monster. ※ Monsters cannot be summoned while using Residual Copy.]
A question mark means the item’s objective rating cannot be measured.
According to the description, it made sense why the item’s grade was displayed as a question mark.
Depending on which monster’s sphere is inserted into the hilt,
and which skill and stat are copied, the effects vary greatly.
“I’ll make good use of it, Divine Throne.”
It was an item with limitless potential, almost comparable to S-grade.
[The Gardener of the Earth Mother God shrugs.]
The Divine Throne finally seemed satisfied.
I put the sword into the dimensional pouch at my waist.
Then, smiling faintly, I looked up at the Beholder.
“Now, let’s proceed to the next one.”
[The Gardener of the Earth Mother God flinches.]
“This is just the beginning, Divine Throne.”
The Emperor’s Remnant was only a reward for clearing the dungeon.
The personal deal I had negotiated with the Gardener of the Earth Mother God hadn’t even started yet.
“You’re not planning to pull a fast one here, are you? You, a Divine Throne.”
I displayed the status window proudly before the Divine Throne.
[Until the wave ends, Beholder Sage must survive.]
[Reward - Ownership of Beholder Sage]
“Ah, it’s fine even if you change your mind.”
I could have just captured it and sent it straight to the Lord.
[The Gardener of the Earth Mother God lets out a heavy sigh.]
I heard the subdued voice of the Divine Throne, deprived of choice.
Vwoooom!
A bright light erupted from the purple body of the floating Beholder Sage.
Soon, I could confirm the satisfactory information.
[The Gardener of the Earth Mother God has transferred the Beholder Sage.]
I checked the summoning list in the status window and confirmed “Beholder Sage” had been added.
[Ownership is now linked with “Monsters Are Blocked by Monsters.” The Beholder Sage can now acquire information related to the Castle.]
Only after this partially incomprehensible information window appeared did I give a thumbs-up.
“Thank you. I’ll take good care of this one.”
[The Gardener of the Earth Mother God sighs weakly.]
“Then it’s time to receive the final reward.”
For broadcasting my every move during the defense process,
the Divine Throne had no complaints this time.
Thanks to that, the Throne became passionate not just about managing the garden,
but also protecting it.
[The Gardener of the Earth Mother God urges you.]
I wasn’t going to drag this out either.
“Divine Throne.”
I said softly while looking at the Beholder.
“Please share your authority with me.”
Little was known about the Divine Throne.
Some approached it by borrowing the names of divine artifacts appearing in ancient myths or countless legends,
calling those they chose “avatars” and generously supporting them.
Of course, there were also Divine Thrones like Yun Su-a’s “Great Warrior of the Firmament,” who trained their avatars in a harsh, Spartan way without support.
However, most provided overwhelming stats or skills to the avatars, backing them.
In other words, the Divine Throne’s authority was the highest support possible in this world.
[The Gardener of the Earth Mother God strokes their chin.]
And I was certain.
The Gardener of the Earth Mother God was by no means a low-tier Divine Throne.
“I know you are a noble Divine Throne, Emperor.”
In ancient myths, only one gardener became emperor.
In the 24th century BC, the first empire governing the entire Arabian Peninsula was founded by a human.
Loved by Ishtar, the Earth Mother God,
the First Emperor, Sargon.
The character borrowed the myth of humanity’s first emperor.
How could such a being be low-tier?
[The Gardener of the Earth Mother God proposes a contract.]
However, the voice that echoed in my mind differed from my expectation.
“No, a contract isn’t necessary.”
[The Gardener of the Earth Mother God displays a question mark.]
I asked for authority, not a contract.
A contract is a mutual promise for exchange, not one-sided.
A contract with the Divine Throne is the same.
As the Throne provides stats and skills to mortals,
mortals must provide the Throne with the price it desires.
“I want a reward for showing you the defense.”
But I want it one-sidedly.
[The Gardener of the Earth Mother God ponders.]
The Divine Throne fell into deep thought.
After a few minutes, the Throne finally concluded.
[The Gardener of the Earth Mother God nods. A formal contract is proposed under the condition of unilateral authority grant.]
Some of its authority was granted to me.
At the same time, my body began to soak in warm light.
It felt like a gentle spring breeze wrapping around.
However,
[!]
Suddenly, the light disappeared, and a voice echoed in my head.
[The Gardener of the Earth Mother God is flustered.]
I immediately understood the situation.
“There seems to be a problem with the contract.”
[The Gardener of the Earth Mother God nods.]
A problem.
The only thing that can prevent the Divine Throne from interfering with an avatar
is if the avatar is already contracted to another Throne.
“I don’t have a contracted Divine Throne. No Throne has approached me.”
Just to be sure, I checked the status window. The contracted Throne was still marked as ‘none.’
It couldn’t have existed.
Until linking with MonMonMak, I was an E-grade, literally garbage-tier Awakened.
No Throne, not even a shabby guild would accept me.
[The Gardener of the Earth Mother God uses persuasion to communicate fully.]
Suddenly, a deep, solemn voice echoed in my head.
[It says there is already a Divine Throne scheduled to contract with you.]
“Scheduled to contract?”
I asked incredulously.
A contract is a contract, but I’d never heard of a “scheduled contract” before.
[The Gardener of the Earth Mother God mutters that even trying to break it with persuasion is impossible due to the high tier.]
There are tiers among Thrones.
As mentioned earlier, Sargon was no low-tier Throne.
Even a Throne of such stature couldn’t be touched.
The Gardener of the Earth Mother God seemed genuinely angry at this fact.
“So it’s impossible to grant authority?”
[The Gardener of the Earth Mother God tells me to wait a moment.]
The Throne fell silent after saying this.
Exactly 10 minutes later, it returned with a joyful voice,
[The Gardener of the Earth Mother God begins detailed instructions, claiming there is a method.]
I listened silently to the explanation.
The summary:
I am neither contracted with a Throne nor uncontracted.
It’s like being a freelancer officially attached to a company.
Using this situation, I could proceed with a provisional contract as if outsourcing.
“So this means I can gain authority from the Throne this way.”
[The Gardener of the Earth Mother God nods.]
By using this showy contract as a pretext, I could obtain the right to be granted authority.
There was no better choice.
“Understood. Let’s do it.”
[The Gardener of the Earth Mother God is delighted!]
[Divine Throne, “Gardener of the Earth Mother God” proposes a temporary contract to you.]
“Very well.”
It’s a hollow contract, but
[From now on, the Gardener of the Earth Mother God sponsors you.]
[Temporary contract. Authority values are reduced.]
[Acquired Poison Resistance Lv.5 through the Gardener’s Blessing!]
[Acquired Fear Resistance Lv.5 through the Blessing of Emperor Akard!]
[Overall stats increased by +10!]
As the status window rose, new energy surged throughout my body.
I had only received a tiny portion of the authority.
Yet I gained two resistance passives and overall stat boosts.
The quality was unlike rewards from items or dungeon clears.
“I look forward to working with you, Emperor.”
***
After finishing my conversation with the Divine Throne,
Odolf approached as I prepared to leave the dungeon.
“My lord, please accept this.”
I looked at what Odolf held, narrowing my eyes.
“Hmm? I couldn’t harvest Magic Stones in this field, right?”
“Yes. Magic Stones couldn’t be harvested from that beast’s corpse either. But I was able to acquire this instead.”
I examined the item more closely.
A small stone resting on a palm as wide as the Pacific.
At a glance, I couldn’t tell what it was.
It resembled a Magic Stone but looked different.
More like a ruby-type gem…
“Oh?”
The thought struck me as I opened my mouth.
“Yes. It’s probably one of the things humans like most.”
Odolf nodded with a gentle smile.
After giving me the gem, he bowed deeply.
“Will this be helpful?”
If this was what I thought, it was huge.
“Of course, Odolf. Well done.”
“I’m relieved. Then I shall take my leave.”
Odolf disappeared, and the brown sphere returned to my hand.
I held the gem and turned my head.
“You all worked hard too.”
“Keeit.”
“Kiruuk.”
Zen Karuk, who had extracted magic frantically, and Gono, who became Goblin Bullets, looked extremely exhausted.
I patted their heads and said,
“You really did well. Go back and rest.”
Bang!
The summons vanished, leaving green and purple spheres in my hands.
Come to think of it, even after patting their heads and praising them, their Affinity didn’t increase.
A bit disappointing, I looked at the last remaining summon.
“You… aren’t affiliated with the Castle. You won’t go back, huh? Then will you stay by my side?”
The Beholder Sage shook its body up and down.
Hmm, that seemed right.
It was a kind of taming concept.
Taming-type Hunters sometimes carry monsters alongside them.
But a large eye following constantly… not ideal.
If I just killed it and sent it to the Lord…
[The Gardener of the Earth Mother God watches with a suspicious expression.]
“Alright, Divine Throne. I won’t kill it, so don’t worry.”
[The Gardener of the Earth Mother God breathes a sigh of relief.]
Even a first emperor-level Throne had a surprisingly gentle heart.
Vwoooom.
Suddenly, a blue rift opened, large enough for a person to enter.
It was time to leave the familiar garden.
“Then let’s go, Divine Throne.”
[The Gardener of the Earth Mother God waves.]
The Gardener of the Earth Mother God and I were temporarily contracted.
Unlike other Thrones formally contracted with avatars, it couldn’t observe my every action.
So, until mutually needed, this was a temporary parting.
I stepped into the rift.
[Congratulations. You have perfectly cleared the Garden of Mind.]
The world spun before my eyes, and light poured in from the dark beyond.
‘One mountain after another.’
I gained countless things on this expedition.
Yet questions also multiplied.
Especially about the identity of the Divine Throne I had a temporary contract with.
While floating in thought,
“Oh?”
[Condition for Skill “Conversation with the Lord” fulfilled. * Talk with Divine Throne 1/1]
An unexpected status window appeared.
[Only one condition remains to unlock “Conversation with the Lord”!]
[The final condition information is revealed. * Craft S-grade or higher item from Monster Byproducts 0/1]
This was an unexpected gain.
Conversation with the Lord.
The day to talk with the knight in the Audience Chamber was approaching.
The final task was tough, but there was enough clue.
“Biological response! Rapidly approaching!”
Then.
“Hmm?”
“Everyone, prepare for combat! Something’s about to happen!”
“Prepare for dungeon rampage! The pattern hasn’t changed yet, the rift just opened!”
Urgent voices echoed from beyond the bright light.
And right after emerging from the rift,
I frowned, lost in thought.
“What’s this?”
Why were so many Hunters visible as soon as I left the dungeon?
Had I been transported to another dungeon where a sudden raid was unfolding?
“Everyone, prepare…”
The man straining his neck in front of the Hunters turned to stare at me.
Then, his mouth dropped open.
I slowly looked around, tilting my head.
No, this was Sillim Station.
“Kim Han-ul Hunter. Kim Han-ul Hunter has survived!”
The silence broke as someone shouted my name.
“Really? Is that person Kim Han-ul Hunter?”
“What, did they clear the deep layer of the Garden of Mind alone?!”
Chaos rippled through the Hunters like a wave.
“Damn, I believed in you!”
Meanwhile, Yun Su-hyeok clenched his fist and shouted, and Yun Su-a looked relieved.
“Look at that!”
“The Garden of Mind is disappearing…!”
Finally, after confirming the floating aerial garden emitting a bright light and vanishing,
I admitted it.
At this moment, going home calmly was impossible.