Strange Grief Wants to Retire ~ The Weakest Hunter Dreams of a Hero ~ - Chapter 358.1: 《Infinite Variety's》 Strategy ④

My eyes involuntarily widen.

The Black World Tree. That was the name of the curse that half-destroyed Zebrudia Magic Academy just the other day.

After capturing many Magi at Zebrudia Magic Academy and absorbing their Magic, it was finally reduced to ashes by Lucia and Rosemary Pyropos, a Level 8 Hunter named 《Abyssal Fire of Destructive (Shin En Kametsu)》.

And what was created from those ashes was――This staff.

I had completely forgotten about it until Tino told me about it. Because you know…… I wasn’t the one who created the staff.

“…… It is scary that it is still alive even though it was once turned into ashes and remade into something else.” (Cry)

The destructive energy created by the Phantoms loses its luster little by little each time it encounters a root, and is eventually completely swallowed up by the roots.

I think back on the information in the cursed item encyclopedia.

If I remember correctly…… It should have been written that the Black World Tree is a replica of the World Tree.

Unlike the original World Tree, which absorbs power from the earth’s veins and grows to a gigantic size, the imitation tree actively attacks living things and consumes their Magic power. The tree had grown to a size that dwarfed the school building as a result of being attacked by many Magi’s offensive Magic at Zebrudia Magic Academy.

However, the current growth ability of the Black World Tree seems to exceed that.

My perspective further increases. The growing Black World Tree is just like a jet-black giant. I grab the part of the staff that has barely kept its original shape and desperately hold onto it so it won’t shake me off.

Apparently, the Black World Tree has no interest in Tino or me at the moment.

The Phantoms start attacking all at once. The arrow that has been pointed at us, the newly constructed offensive Magic pierced the trunk of the Black World Tree. A violent tremor hits us.

However, the Black World Tree does not collapse. Large holes left by the attacks of the Phantoms are healed at a faster rate than they are created.

“Ma-Master~, that――Isn’t it sucking Mana Materials from the earth’s vein?” (Tino)

“Eh?” (Cry)

“I-I-I learned afterward that――The Black World Tree has no choice but to steal Magic power because there is no Mana Materials――” (Tino)

I see, I see…………… I, see?

……………… We may have resurrected an incredible monster. Even though it is supposed to be a curse, it is much more violent than Marin and the others. It could be worse than what I saw at the Magic Academy.

Tino yells in a flustered manner.

“N-No-No-No-No way, to think――A plan like this would exist――Master~! Masteeer~!!” (Tino)

“…… Un, un, that’s right.” (Cry)

No way, to think a plan like this would exist, huuuh………… As if a plan like this would exist!

The Phantoms look wary and keep their distance. The Black World Tree stops moving for a moment.

Has it given up on chasing them? Was the damage it took too great?

The ground suddenly trembles beneath us as we watch the situation unfold with bated breath.

It is a sight that looks like a natural disaster.

Large areas of the ground shatter and black roots pop out from the cracks.

This is a very special type of attack, a surprise attack from directly below. The countless roots that shoot out are as fast and sharp as spears fired by a skilled spear user, and there is no way they could escape them.

Countless roots entangle with the Phantoms. The Phantoms try to cut the roots, but there is no way they can escape from the roots, which regenerate even if offensive Magics hit them and leave a large hole. Even if they are Phantoms from the 【Temple of Origin】, Thief-type or Magi-type Phantoms do not seem to be powerful enough to shake off the restraints.

Marin and the Black Knight, who quickly cling to the trunk, are stunned by the Black World Tree’s rampage. I want to be stunned too, but in this situation――Maybe I am lucky?

At the very least, this Black World Tree probably has less killing intent than the Phantoms. Well, I don’t think I will be able to keep my promise to Serene――Not to kill as much as possible, but this is beyond my control.

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This forest is probably the perfect feeding ground for the Black World Tree as the power around it is very dense. The trunk is pulsating and growing rapidly.

Even though it is a copy, it is definitely made with the aim of becoming a World Tree……

Even if I am not being targeted, if it is this big――If I slip and fall, I would be trampled like an insect.

As I am desperately trying to survive the situation, not knowing whether it is dangerous or not, the roots that have wrapped the Phantoms suddenly begin to writhe and *peh* spit out their contents onto the ground.

Seeing what has been carelessly spit out on the ground, Tino leans forward and screams.

“!? A-A Spirit People came out from inside!? Is that what you mean!?” (Tino)

Eh? Seriously?

I strain my eyes and look down, but it is happening far below me. My eyesight isn’t that bad, but I can’t see very well.

I have heard that the people of Yggdra had been transformed into Phantoms. I have also heard that they can be saved by using Finis’ power to make their Mana Materials disappear.

Certainly, if it can absorb Mana Materials from the earth’s veins, it would be possible to absorb it from Phantoms too.

The Black World Tree throws away the Phantoms it once captured one after another. As if to say that they are no longer needed. The Phantoms that are tossed away――The Spirit People do not move. But they are probably not dead. It seems that there were no fatalities in the incident at the Magic Academy either――.

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Tino yells as she opens her eyes and stares at the battlefield that I can’t see.

“So fast――So many…… It is much more efficient than Finis’ depletion, Masteeer~! To think the Black World Tree has this kind of ability…… Haaah! D-Don’t tell me…… The cursed item commotion was――Just a rehearsal!?” (Tino)

I have a hard time understanding how you can come to that conclusion. I am not bragging, but nothing has gone my way this time either.

No matter how hard I squint, I can’t see clearly, so I have no choice but to give up trying to grasp the situation.

Thanks for reading! Haha everything that happened in the previous is for this moment! To save Yggdra and the world, Cry unleashed all the cursed items in the Imperial Capital in order to test their power. Sasuga Tino, she finally found out his motive