Farming in the Tower Alone [EN]: Chapter 501

High up in the Green Tower, on the 42nd floor, the air was thin and cool.

“Puhuhu! The great Hybrid Vice-Chairman Te is here!” Teo announced. He climbed down from the large backpack of a traveling merchant who went between the Nine Towers.

“Welcome!” “Welcome!” Turbo and Shark hurried over to greet Teo. But then, *Whoosh!* They saw Ophelia’s angry face and quickly ran away again.

Ophelia rushed towards Teo, her eyes bright. “Teo, you’re finally here! Why are you so late?!” she asked impatiently. “And where’s my grilled sausage?”

“Of course, nya! But first, the mugwort, nya!” Teo replied.

“Okay, here you go.” Ophelia handed him the herbs.

Teo gave her the grilled sausage. “Here’s your sausage, nya!”

“Teo, thank you!” Ophelia said and quickly left.

Their deal finished, Teo turned to Turbo and Shark. “Report, nya!” He listened as they told him what happened, giving him five land deeds and a glowing green orb.

“Now,” Teo announced, “the auction will begin, nya!” He quickly sold all of Sejun’s crops in the auction.

“Sold out, nya!” Teo was known as the ‘King of Sellouts’ because he could sell anything quickly.

“Puhuhu, sales are great today!” he thought, happy that the green grapes were so popular.

Feeling pleased, Teo found a nice spot with a view. “Puhuhu, time for lunch, nya!” He opened the grilled fish lunchbox that Sejun had made for him and ate with enjoyment.

As he ate the grilled fish, Teo suddenly noticed something. “Nya?!” He reached into the ‘pouch of abundance’ he wore and pulled out a seed.

“Puhuhu! Now I can make 10 magic streams, nya!” Teo was excited. He planned to create many magic streams because he wanted to help the great Hybrid Chairman Park become even greater – the *ultra-giant* Chairman Park!

“Then,” Teo thought, “the system will see how amazing Chairman Park is, nya!” Full of excitement, Teo looked at the seed in his paw.

But then, “Nya?!” He frowned. “Why is there only one, nya?!”

There was only one seed, but it was larger than the others. “This can’t be right, nya!” Teo thought, confused. “Chairman Park said I was lucky, nya!” He looked closely at the seed. It had a label: **[Seed of Great Magic Stream]**.

“Nya?!” Teo exclaimed. “The name is different, nya!” He read the description: *’This seed is made from ten magic stream seeds combined and evolved.’*

“Puhuhu!” Teo grinned. “Of course! I, Hybrid Vice-Chairman Teo, chosen by the great Chairman Park, am never unlucky, nya! Chairman Park knew this would happen! He gave me the magic stream seed and the pouch of abundance because he is so wise, nya! Chairman Park is truly amazing, nya!” Teo thought, his mind full of praise for Sejun.

*Swish.* “Puhuhu! This time it will definitely become ten, nya!” Teo said confidently. He put the Seed of Great Magic Stream back into the pouch.

But then, a message appeared: **[The energy of the pouch of abundance has run out.]** “Nya?!!!” *Crackle.* The pouch glowed brightly, then turned into light and vanished.

“Nya?! Chairman Park! Leia gave me a broken pouch, nya!” Teo cried. He rushed back to the Black Tower to tell Sejun that Leia had given him something faulty.

“Understood, nya!” Teo said, panting as he arrived at the warehouse door.

“Wait a moment,” Sejun’s voice said from inside.

“Understood, nya!” Teo replied. *Clank.* The heavy door to the warehouse closed, leaving Teo waiting outside.

Teo, a small black cat with bright green eyes, twitched his whiskers impatiently. “I want to see Chairman Park soon!” he thought, his tail flicking back and forth. He settled into standby mode, his body still but his mind alert, waiting for his next task.

High in the Black Tower, between the shadowy 90th and slightly less shadowy 80th floors, a figure descended. *Thump-thump* echoed softly in the stone corridor as Schval 18th, a young adventurer who had somehow reached the dizzying 99th floor, made his way down.

The rhythmic *thump-thump* of large paws on the stone floor echoed as Schval 18th clung to the back of Silver Wolf. The magnificent creature, with fur as white as moonlight and eyes like molten gold, carefully navigated the winding staircase, his powerful muscles moving with grace. Schval 18th, still slightly breathless from his climb to the 99th floor, held on tight, grateful for the unexpected kindness of this tower guardian.

Yuren gasped, taking in a deep breath of fresh, flower-scented air. Sunlight streamed through unseen windows, warming his face. “Was it always like this?” he wondered, his eyes wide with amazement. After the dark, damp tunnels he had explored with Bbyot, this brightly lit corridor felt like stepping into a completely different world – a world of light and comfort.

They reached the 79th floor, and Silver Wolf gently lowered Schval 18th to the ground. “We’ve arrived,” Silver Wolf rumbled, his voice a low, comforting sound. “See you next time, little one.”

“Yes,” Schval 18th replied, looking up at the magnificent wolf with gratitude. “Thank you, Silver Wolf.”

With a nod of his great head, Silver Wolf turned and bounded back up the stairs, disappearing quickly into the shadows of the tower.

Schval 18th squinted, shielding his eyes from the sudden brightness of the open space. “Hmm,” he murmured, recognizing the faint scent of rich earth and blooming flowers. “That must be Bulssak.”

A soft *rustle* of leaves and the gentle *creak* of ancient wood drew his attention. In the distance, a tree unlike any he had ever seen dominated the floor. Its trunk was wider than a house, and its branches, laden with glowing, golden fruit, stretched upwards, disappearing into the hazy heights of the tower, truly seeming to pierce the very sky.

Schval 18th remembered the message he was supposed to deliver. It was from Podori, another World Tree. *‘Right,’* he thought, rehearsing the words in his head. *‘I need to say: “Are you Bulssak? Podori here, a World Tree who was around long before you. From now on, you listen to me, got it? I’m your senior now!”’* Podori’s message was full of puffed-up pride.

Podori’s message was all about showing who was boss, just because he was an older World Tree. Schval 18th hesitated. *Could he really say all that?* He shrugged internally. *‘I’m just the messenger,’* he reasoned with himself. *‘They wouldn’t hurt the messenger, right?’* He was being very, very naive.

However, before Schval 18th could even open his mouth, a flurry of feathers erupted around him. “Did you hear that?” screeched a small, bright blue bird, its eyes flashing with anger. “How *dare* that… that *sapling* insult Mother Bulssak like that?!”

“War!” cried a larger, brown bird, flapping its wings fiercely. The air filled with angry chirps and tweets. These birds were Bulssak’s protectors, fiercely loyal. They remembered the pain of losing their first mother tree, and they would defend Bulssak with their very lives.

Schval 18th’s heart leaped into his throat. *Oh no. I’m doomed,* he thought, his legs turning to jelly. Before he could even take a step back, a dozen birds swooped down, their tiny claws surprisingly strong as they grabbed at his clothes and wings. He was lifted into the air, protesting weakly, “Wait! No! I just have a message!” But his pleas were ignored.

With a dizzying rush, he was carried through the air and unceremoniously dropped with a *thud* at the base of the giant tree. “Please tie me up gently!” he squeaked, his voice trembling. “My bones will break!”

“[Say that again, little messenger,] Bulssak’s voice boomed, shaking the very ground. [Did I just hear you say ‘senior’ in the same sentence as ‘Podori oppa’?]”

Schval 18th stammered, “Well, yes, but I didn’t mean…”

[Silence!] Bulssak interrupted, her leaves rustling angrily. [This is outrageous! I was already planning to have words with Podori oppa for ignoring Flame’s advice, but this… this is the last straw! We need a World Tree Conference. Right now. To settle this once and for all.] She paused, her branches swaying thoughtfully. [Flame…]”

Bulssak’s branches began to tremble, as if gathering energy to reach out to Flame, the mysterious force that connected all World Trees. Just as she was about to focus her will, a blur of brown feathers landed at her base. “Mother! Mother!” panted a bird, out of breath. “Sejun has arrived!”

“[Sejun is here?]” Bulssak’s voice softened, a hint of excitement entering her tone. *Sejun!* Of course! Why hadn’t she thought of it before? Sejun, the owner of Flame itself. Flame, the very essence that flowed through all World Trees, giving them life and power. In Bulssak’s ancient mind, Sejun’s word carried more weight than any World Tree Conference. He was the ultimate authority.

Sejun stepped forward, a gentle smile on his face as he looked up at the towering tree. “Bulssak,” he said, his voice calm and reassuring, “it’s good to see you.” He paused for a moment, then added decisively, “And of course, Bulssak is the better World Tree.”

He winked. “After all,” he explained with a mischievous grin, “eggs are just so much more versatile than grapes, aren’t they? Think of all the dishes you can make with eggs!”

“[Thank you, Sejun! Thank you!]” Bulssak’s leaves rustled with delight, showering the area with golden pollen. [Did you hear that, you birds?!] she boomed, her voice filled with triumph. [Go tell that to Podori oppa! And messenger boy! You tell him too! Bulssak is the better World Tree! So from now on, *he* should be serving *me* as his senior!]”

The birds, chirping excitedly, immediately released Schval 18th, untying the ropes with surprising dexterity. “Yes!” Schval 18th gasped, rubbing his wrists, finally free.

“Ah…” Schval 18th groaned quietly. “I really don’t want to go back.” His feet felt like they were glued to the ground. The thought of facing Podori and delivering Bulssak’s triumphant message filled him with dread. He could already hear Podori’s whiny voice complaining and scolding him for failing to assert his seniority. *Nagging* didn’t even begin to describe what Podori would do.

Just as Schval 18th was trying to force his feet to move, a shadow fell over him. “Heh heh heh,” a familiar voice chuckled. “Caught you, nya!” A small, black paw reached out and playfully batted at Schval 18th’s wing.

“Teo?” Schval 18th asked, surprised.

Teo grinned, his green eyes gleaming mischievously. “That’s right, nya! Schval 18th, listen carefully. If you call Leia down here right now, I promise I’ll personally send you all the way back to the 4th floor of the tower! Think of it as a… shortcut, nya!”

“Really?! You promise?” Schval 18th asked, his eyes widening. The thought of avoiding Podori and returning to the lower floors was suddenly very appealing. “Cross my paws, nya!” Teo declared dramatically.

“Okay!” Despite a faint, unsettling feeling in his stomach, Schval 18th called out, “Leia! Goddess of Abundance, please descend here!” But instead of the familiar shimmering light of a summoning, a cold, echoing voice filled his mind. *[The Goddess of Abundance, Leia, refuses to descend.]* A shiver ran down Schval 18th’s spine. *That was it!* That was the source of the strange, uneasy feeling he’d had all day. Leia, it seemed, had sensed danger and was refusing to come.

Teo, seeing Leia’s refusal, smirked. “Heh, stubborn goddess, nya? Don’t worry, I have an idea.” He leaned closer to Schval 18th and whispered, “Tell Leia… tell her that if she refuses to come, Chairman Park says he’ll strip her of her title as Deputy Guardian Deity!”

Schval 18th repeated the message, his voice trembling slightly. A moment of tense silence hung in the air. Then, a sigh, heavy with resignation, echoed in his mind. *[Ahem. Park Sejun, is that you? What is it you require?]* Leia’s voice, though still cool, now held a note of forced politeness. The threat had worked. Leia, the powerful Goddess of Abundance, had no choice but to obey Sejun, the one who could take away her important role as Deputy Guardian Deity.