Chapter 595: Undead Wood Farming (1/2)

Against his will, Pocky found himself running back into the danger zone. The swampland wasn't anything he recognised. For one, the dark faes under the dark tree ent's command were swarming around something like bees attacking an enemy. They looked like they've officially lost their minds.

”No wonder he was taking so long,” Zero mused. ”I thought he was having difficulty with an old tree.”

Having difficulty was putting it lightly. Ordinarily, adventurers would be running away by now with severe injuries if they weren't dead yet. Unlike regular monsters, the dark tree ent was frightening because of two of its abilities.

Truen easily countered the nature magic manipulation. He was a wood spirit. The negative debuff effect of getting confusion and weakness in this swampland didn't affect him. It was not the main reason why Truen rigged the little game earlier to volunteer. Zero and Bob might not realise that because the debuff did little damage to people as powerful as them. Truen didn't mind if they wreaked havoc and let loose a little if this was the only thing the dark tree ent could do.

It was the second and less known effect of this wamp monster that Truen worried about. With enough time spent in this swampland, they would end up like shipwright Pocky. Truen couldn't risk that. The dark tree ent was good at subtle manipulation and brainwashing. Those without a firm heart will find themselves becoming puppets of the swamp monster. The weaker ones who died became fertiliser for the soil, creating a vicious cycle of trapped souls in the area.

The dark tree ent shot another root and branch at Truen, who simply dodged and returned shots of his own, cutting them off cleanly. Zero and Bob decided to watch from a safe distance so that Pocky wouldn't be dragged into the crossfire. At first sight, it looked as if Truen was struggling against the swamp master. However, when Zero checked his inventory that Truen shared with him, he wondered how much they were worth.

”Hey, shipwright. How much undead wood do you need to make that ship?” Zero asked. Even Bob was momentarily confused by that question.

From what the dragon saw, that dark tree ent should be enough to make a very good ship for three people. They weren't trying to create an underwater country or village. What kind of question was that?

”Half the trunk of that dark tree ent would be enough. Why do you ask? Is your friend trying to cut the tree and run?”

Zero glanced back to the battlefield. It wasn't clear to Pocky, but Bob and Zero could see it now. Truen used one of his ultimate skills to trap the dark tree ent, giving it only enough space to launch branches and roots at Truen. The dark faes controlled by the swamp monster were attacking the cage viciously, trying to tree its master after the tree ent realised swarming Truen with numbers didn't work.

Just like this, Truen farmed enough undead wood to make several houses. Zero doubted they needed any more building materials, but his friend looked like he was having so much fun. Zero felt bad for interrupting, so they decided to sit and watch instead.

”Say,” Zero asked slyly. ”Is undead wood very valuable?”

When Bob heard that, he had a feeling he knew what his master was going to do. Yet, he didn't hate it. It was in a dragon's nature to not detest wealth. However, Lord Baal would claim that Zero has been corrupted by Mammon's influence. At this rate, Zero would make a better businessman than a doctor.