Farming in the Tower Alone [EN]: Chapter 579

High up in the Black Tower, on the ninety-ninth floor, a soft *thud* echoed. Flame, her plant roots wrapped protectively around the giant creature Jormungandr, hurried over to Podori and Sausage. She carried bowls filled with glowing green liquid.

“[Come on, everyone, eat up! Especially you, Sausage! You *must* become a World Tree today!]” Flame said, her voice full of energy.

“Sejun, please just hold on a little longer!” Flame thought urgently. “Only 195 more World Trees to grow!” She needed to reach 1,000 World Trees quickly. It was the second test to become a Creator Tree. If she passed, she would get a special power. *That* power, she hoped, would be enough to save Sejun from Jormungandr.”

“[Huh?!]” Sausage squeaked, his little body trembling. The idea of becoming a World Tree *today* was terrifying.

Just then, Podori spoke calmly, “[Flame, slow down. Sejun is alright. He’s been coming here every day.] Your brother is safe.” Podori knew Flame was rushing because she thought Sejun was in danger. He wanted to help Sausage avoid the nutrient drink.

“[Huh?! Coming here every day?! Really?!]” Flame asked, surprised.

“[Yes. Look.]” Podori pointed a branch towards a shimmering, swirling doorway. It pulsed with a faint green light, and seemed to lead somewhere far away – to >Earthworm>.

“[Oh?! It *is* real!]” Flame exclaimed, her plant leaves drooping with relief. A wave of calmness washed over her as she saw the doorway to >Earthworm>.

“[Right! So you should go back now, before Sejun finishes his day!]” Podori said quickly.

“[Yes! Go quickly!]” Sausage echoed, nodding eagerly. They both hoped Flame would leave so they wouldn’t have to drink the strange green liquid.

“[Oh?! That’s alright. Sejun is staying overnight at >Earthworm> tonight,]” Flame said, a knowing smile spreading across her leafy face. “He told me earlier.”

And then, Podori and Sausage stared at Flame, their eyes wide.

“[Huh?! What do you mean, overnight…?]” Podori stammered.

“[Eh?! No…]” Sausage whimpered.

Flame giggled. “[Hee hee! A new World Tree has grown in >Earthworm>! That means I can see everything happening there! We have *plenty* of time! Now, let’s drink up this nutrient solution, nice and slowly!]” Podori and Sausage realized, with horror, that they were trapped. It looked like they would be drinking Flame’s strange green liquid all night.

>Earthworm>.

“Our Devourers…” Sejun whispered sadly. *Squeak…* Blackie whimpered, his whiskers drooping.

“[The Great Blackie’s loyal followers…]”

“I’m so sorry,” Sejun murmured, stroking Blackie’s head. “I couldn’t protect you all.” They both felt a heavy sadness, realizing the Doomsday Devourers were gone, lost when >Earthworm> changed and grew.

Suddenly, a low *rumble* echoed through >Earthworm>. *Kiki!* A faint vibration ran through the ground. It was a deep, booming sound, like a giant’s heartbeat, coming from far away.

*Rumble.* *Kiki!* The vibration grew stronger, shaking the leaves of the new World Tree. The sound was getting closer.

“[Huh?!]” Sejun’s eyes widened. “That sound… it’s the Devourers!” Hope surged through him. Recognizing the booming call, Sejun grabbed Theo and Gooeng and started running towards the sound.

*Kiki!* A joyful cry echoed. “[Sejun! Look at me! I’m a World Tree now!]” Towering above them, so tall its leafy crown seemed to brush the clouds, stood the Doomsday Devourer. Its thick branches swayed happily, like giant arms waving hello.

>Earthworm> had evolved! It had reached level 11. In doing so, it had somehow gathered the spirit of all the Doomsday Devourers and transformed one of them into a magnificent World Tree. It was a wonderful gift, a reward for Sejun helping >Earthworm> grow.

“Congratulations,” Sejun said, smiling warmly. “You look amazing.”

“Hehe! Congratulations on becoming a World Tree, meow!” Theo purred, rubbing against Esepo’s trunk. *Goohehehe! Gooeng!* Gooeng chirped happily, flapping his tiny wings. *Keehee! Squeak!* Blackie squeaked excitedly, “[Hehe! Great job, Esepo! Congratulations!]” Sejun and his friends were truly happy for the newly born World Tree.

And then, Sejun grinned. “For such a special day, you need a special name!” Giving names was important, especially for something new and wonderful. Sejun thought of it as opening his ‘Naming Center’ – though it was really just him thinking hard.

“Earthworm… World Tree… Doomsday Devourer…” Sejun murmured, thinking hard. He considered all the things that made this new World Tree special. Images and ideas spun around in his mind… and then, suddenly, a word formed. It was perfect. “Earthworm’s World Tree Devourer…” he said slowly, testing it out. “…Esepo.”

*Keehee!* Blackie squeaked happily. “As expected of Sejun, the best name-giver ever!” *Chirp!* Gooeng chirped in agreement. While Blackie’s family celebrated the new name, something magical happened. A soft glow surrounded the name ‘Esepo’. Then, a message appeared in Sejun’s mind: *New Skill Acquired: Seed Cannon.* The name itself had given Esepo a special power.

“Seed Cannon?” Sejun repeated, curious. *Kiki!* Esepo seemed eager to show him. “[Watch this!]” The World Tree lifted its leafy head towards the evening sky, now turning a deep purple. *Ptoo!* From its branches, it launched a seed, like spitting it into the air.

The seed shot upwards, faster than Sejun could blink, soaring towards the very edge of the world. *Swoosh.* A shimmering barrier in the sky rippled and opened, letting the seed pass through. Then, *Bang!* It struck something unseen beyond the barrier, and burst into a shower of light.

“Oh! Wow! It’s like fireworks!” Sejun gasped, watching the explosion of colors – bright reds, shimmering golds, and deep blues – spread across the dark sky.

*Kiki?!* Esepo rustled its leaves excitedly. “[Did you like it, Sejun? Can I do it again?!]” *Ptoo!* Without waiting for an answer, Esepo launched another seed. *Bang!* More brilliant fireworks bloomed in the sky. Suddenly, >Earthworm> had its own spectacular fireworks show.

Sejun smiled, the sight of the fireworks warming his heart. “Let’s stay here tonight,” he said, feeling much lighter than he had earlier. He started preparing dinner, and then made a cozy sleeping spot under Esepo’s branches. The earlier sadness, the heavy feeling of loss, had begun to fade.

“Hehe! Hey, Sejun! My job is to get 100 trillion Tower Coins! Let’s go find some treasure, meow!” Theo suggested, his eyes gleaming. *Goohehehe! Gooeng!* Gooeng chirped, “[Hehe! Dad, my job is to find five new kinds of healing plants! Let’s go look for plants together, Gooeng and I!]” Theo and Gooeng, seeing Sejun looking happier, thought it was a good time to talk about their tasks.

“Okay,” Sejun agreed. “We can do them together, once we’ve made sure >Earthworm> is completely safe and sound.”

“Hehe! I understand, meow!” Theo purred. *Goohehehe! Gooeng!* Gooeng chirped, “[Hehe! We understand!]” Then, Blackie piped up, *Keehee! Squeak! Squeak?!* “[Hehe! Butler! My job is to eat 100 roasted sweet potatoes! You’ll help me, won’t you?!]” Blackie, always wanting to join in, tried to get Sejun’s attention too.

“Blackie,” Sejun said sternly, “who told you to make things up? Lying is wrong, remember? No dried sweet potatoes for you this week.”

*Squeak?! Squeak!* Blackie cried out in protest. “[Huh?! No! That’s not fair!]” Sejun had seen through his little trick, and Blackie was caught.

So, instead of his favorite dried sweet potatoes, Blackie got rice cakes for dinner, just like Gooeng. *Chomp. Chomp. Chomp.* He ate them quickly, but his heart wasn’t in it. Rice cakes were good, yes, but they weren’t *sweet potatoes*. Something was missing. It just wasn’t the same as his beloved dried roasted sweet potatoes – his comfort food, the food that made him truly happy.

Just as everyone was settling down to eat, a voice called out excitedly, “Sejun! Guess what?! I’m a demigod now!”

“A demigod?!” Sejun exclaimed, surprised. Tory landed gracefully beside them, beaming. “Yes! Me! I just got back from the Seed Shop headquarters, and let me tell you everything that happened!”

“Really? The god of plums is called Ploom? And the god of order is Order?” Sejun repeated, a thoughtful look on his face. Tory nodded eagerly, listing off the names of nearly ten gods he had met. Sejun listened carefully. *I should remember these names,* he thought. *Maybe one day, I can build a small shrine for them here, in >Earthworm>.*

When Tory finished his exciting story, Sejun smiled. “You must be hungry after all that. Eat up, Tory. Flourish!” As Sejun spoke the word ‘Flourish,’ a warm golden light flowed from his hands and into the ground around Tory. The soil seemed to glow for a moment, becoming rich and dark. Now that >Earthworm> was level 11, even a little of Sejun’s power could make the soil incredibly fertile.

“Yes! Thank you, Sejun! I will enjoy my dinner!” Tory chirped happily. *Munch. Munch.* He burrowed into the newly enriched soil with gusto, disappearing underground to enjoy his meal.

A short while later.

After dinner,

Ah, that was a good meal.

“Phoo-hoo! I’m stuffed, nya!”

Koohehehe. Kueng!

[Hehehe. That was delicious!]

Squeak···

[I’m full, but something’s missing…]

Theo, Kueng, and Kkamangi stayed close to Sejun, who was patting his stomach.

And then,

“Sepo, let’s have fireworks.”

[Yes!]

Bang! Bang!

While Sejun and his companions were relaxing and watching the fireworks made from seeds fired by Earth Sepo,

Ppoo!

[Hurry up and do the dishes and finish cleaning up!]

Bebe!

Hee hee!

Besugu and Sipdeokgu were cleaning up under Meokppupal’s watchful eye. Sipdeokgu, being the youngest, got the hardest jobs.

Besugu and Sipdeokgu were diligently cleaning.

“One is not enough! I can’t be the youngest forever!”

They were thinking different things, but they both came to the same conclusion: We must save Jormungandr! If Jormungandr becomes the youngest, things will be easier for us.

But how?

Kkamangi had already said he would destroy Jormungandr. So, they needed a good reason to change Kkamangi’s mind and save Jormungandr.

Is there anything?!

They tried hard to think of a reason to save Jormungandr, but nothing came to mind.

Ppoo!

[Stop daydreaming and work!]

Instead, Meokppupal just kept nagging them.

Ppuhehe.

Nagged.

Meokppupal smiled, feeling satisfied. He was usually the one being nagged.

When the cleanup was done,

Ppoo! Ppoo! Ppoo!

[Alright! Good job! Now let’s go to sleep!]

Meokppupal led Besugu and Sipdeokgu to where Sejun was.

Kuh-uh-uh.

Goro-rong.

Kkulorong.

Kkirolong.

···

..

.

Sejun and his friends were already asleep.

Everyone’s asleep.

Ugh. Ugh.

The three quietly climbed onto Sejun’s body, trying not to wake anyone.

“Ah, this is nice. Kkamangi-nim’s fur is so cozy, as expected.”

They settled into Kkamangi’s fluffy fur.

Ppurorong.

Beuh-uh.

Hidorong.

They quickly fell asleep, tired from cleaning.

***

The outskirts of destruction.

“Hah. Hah.”

What in the world is going on?!

The Earthworm grew huge inside the ship, and Jormungandr became bloated like a pufferfish. He was swelling enormously.

“Kuh-uhk!”

I have to spit this Earthworm out to survive!

He tried desperately to spit out the Earthworm for hours, but the Earthworm wouldn’t move.

As Jormungandr struggled,

Squeak?! Squeak?!

[Really?! Jormungandr has hidden treasure?!]

Bebe! Bebe!

[Yes! I’ve seen Jormungandr secretly hiding shiny things! Sparkling jewels!]

Besugu whispered the reason he had thought of all night to save Jormungandr into Kkamangi’s ear.

However,

Kkihihit. Squeak! Squeak!

[Heehee. Then we can just take it and get rid of him! Master will like it!]

Kkamangi used to be the First Seat of the Apostles of Destruction. He had become gentler, but he was still a bad guy.

Bebe···

[We’re doomed···]

Besugu was disappointed that he couldn’t change Kkamangi’s mind and turned to leave.

“Alright! Is it my turn?”

Sipdeokgu went to Kkamangi’s ear.

And then,

Whisper. Whisper.

He told him what he had been thinking.

Squeak?! Squeak?!

[Is that true?! Was Jormungandr next to the Lord of Destruction when he fell?!]

Hee hee!

[Yes!]

Squeak?!

[But why are you telling me this now?!]

Hee hee.

[It didn’t seem that important.]

Squeak. Squeak.

[I guess not. It’s not that important.]

Hee hee···

[Uh···]

Of course, he couldn’t change Kkamangi’s mind either.

While Kkamangi was listening to his subordinates,

“Kids, let’s eat!”

Sejun, who had made breakfast, called out.

Kkihihit. Squeak?!

[Heehee. Master! How many dried sweet potatoes are there today?!]

Kkamangi ran to Sejun, excited.

However,

That’s right. I can’t eat dried sweet potatoes for a week…

Looking at the Wyvern chicken in his bowl, he remembered the reality and became sad.

After breakfast and coffee,

Sejun stood up and said, “Now, let’s go catch the youngest.”

He looked outside as the barrier disappeared. The white snakes were gone, and there wasn’t any great danger. Kkamangi only needed to bump into Jormungandr to solve the problem.

However,

Squeak! Squeak! Squeak!

[Master! No! The great Kkamangi-nim said he would destroy Jormungandr! If he changes his mind, Kkamangi-nim will look silly!]

Kkamangi didn’t want to look weak if he changed his mind about Jormungandr.

“Three.”

Squeak!

[Ten!]

“Five.”

Squeak!

[Seven!]

“Alright. Seven.”

Kkihihit. Squeak! Squeak?

[Heehee. Master, but can’t we eat the dried sweet potatoes first?]

Of course, he would give up his pride for seven dried sweet potatoes.

This easily?!

Besugu and Sipdeokgu had been trying to save Jormungandr since yesterday and felt empty.

“Here you go.”

Sejun gave the dried sweet potatoes to Kkamangi.

Kkihihit.

Munch. Munch. Munch.

Kkamangi wagged his tail and ate the dried sweet potatoes, filling the emptiness in his soul.

This is it!

Kkamangi, his soul full of his favorite food,

Kkihihit. Squeak!

[Heehee. Master! Let’s go catch the youngest!]

He energetically went to catch Jormungandr.

Sejun and his companions flew through the sky with Kueng’s telekinesis.

“Fire seed cannon!”

[Yes!]

Earth Sepo fired the seed cannon and left the Earthworm through the opening in the barrier.

And then,

Kkihihi. Squeak!

[Heehee. Master! Wait a little, I’ll bring the youngest!]

Thud.

The Kkamangi family headbutted Jormungandr’s camouflage wall.