It was noisy throughout the night.

The tree was constantly attacking with vines from the corridor and the hole.

Thankfully our tents were enchanted to block a lot of sound. Things like alarming yells for help would be amplified but sound of battle and "other" sounds would be muffled or completely blocked.

I personally didn't do anything since I'm a heavy sleeper but who knows someone might have had the courage.

When we woke up we found large scotch marks and many tired foreigners sleeping but some battling with a new group of vines.

I guess it was a good thing to bring the foreigners. They need less sleep then we do. They normally can go three days without sleeping for those who stick around for long periods of time like this guild.

It really helped that they could stay up. It would have drained us all if we had to protect ourselves through the night.

With more of us waking up we let the humans rest and heal them. The tree stopped attacking as well after the sun rose. Seems it gains the 50% power up during the night.

The demons also get this bonus but mortal and celestial don't unless they are monster race. Seeing how most of us don't it wouldn't work for us.

We let the foreigner sleep a few hours until full sunrise before we head up.

Meil and another god of forest made the purified wood grow until it touched the broken branch that remained .

The climb took us around the tree at least once until it finally leveled out into a corridor. We were at least half way up the massive tree already.

Like I had seen the previous night we met up with our next opponents in the first room.

Several mini boss leveled wolf like treant led by several dryad and one several medium size normal treant.

Baal: Humans and monsters deal with the wolves. Gods and royals take priority with the dryads. They have the brains in this place. Peak higher demons and angels deal with the treant. Gods of hunt and archery instruct the angels with bows. Rook, Kitsu take the left. You two, twins, help the humans, Kumi and Plum take the right.

Like yesterday, we got into gear. This time it was a battle against various mini boss class monsters. The Minotaur’s rushed in to grab the attention of the wolves. Behind them were the human warriors and warrior type lord. Left behind was the spell lords, human archers and mages who were preparing spells.

Rushing overhead were me and the gods heading for the group of 10 dryad. The large treant behind them spread vines over the women but they were stopped by the elites. Using fire, air and darkness each of them chopped the vines out of the way letting us through before going to confront.

The dryad were ready and had their own nature spells ready. Controlling the vines like whips as well as holding a vine with many thorns they flailed there whips at us. It got a few of us but it didn’t stop us. I got close to my target by vanishing and appearing in front and punching her gut before pulling her face into my knee which made a disturbing crunch as her skull fractured a bit.

Getting up pissed off she flared the whip again but pulling my wings in, I skillfully dodged all the whips attempts to catch me.

When she stomped on the ground it raised a few more vines and they also began to whip my way. I changed Soul into his dual sickle form and continued dodging and when I couldn’t, a mana coated sickle would chop the vine.

Slowly I approached her and she got more desperate. Around me the others were fighting as well. Behind the Dryads, the elites were pounding the treant who couldn’t keep up with their speed. I was attacking any of them that got in his way. The others were going about a bit more skilled with swords and such chopping limbs off slowly cutting away at the treants body and life.

I n the front several wolves each attacked the monstrous Minos and a few went after the leader of the guild as well as the mages. The warrior class lord's stopped them and held them up.

Spell lord: Brace yourselves.

Hearing the warning everyone suddenly felt the mass of magic activate. Everyone jumped back kicking there opponent.

When I flew away I looked at the source and saw Kitsu in the center with 2 spell lords. They all held their hands up and a magic circle appeared under them.

Baal: Kitsu never learned magic circle formations so he is doing a chorus spell with those two then.

From Kitsu’s feet a fire field spread and covered the area near the door. The fire quickly grew white.

I understood what was going to happen and landed in the fire. Contrary to what normally happens this fire was holy flames that healed injuries. When used to attack it attacked only enemies and it ate away at negative demon power. Since all my demons are unique having positive light magic and none being evil we landed without receiving damage.

“Great spirit of fire. Grant us our request. Protect our allies in your holy flames, destroy our enemy and purify those too weak for fight the corruption. [Holy Rising]

The fire field raised up and spread all over the room. Anyone that was injured had their injuries healed. As for our enemies the burned in the flames. I watched as miasma was wrenched out of their bodies. The dry black wood slowly became brown and the black leaves turned green.

Baal: So it’s a purification spell instead of an attack spell.

I stick my hand out towards the rising miasma and gathered it in my hand. From it I could more or less feel the tree as a whole because its power was spread out. It was very weak unlike what you would think a tree this size would be. It was probably on the verge of dying from lack of energy. I could tell these were its last attempt to fight us before he released all the Lesser gods he has.

As the flames died down we saw all the monsters were unconscious. The room itself was also righter having had all the corruption eaten away.

The ball of miasma in my hand I compressed a lot until it formed into a small crystal smaller than the top digit of my pinky.

I don't know how to purify something like this. Miasma is just excess demon mana leaking out of their body but I don't want to absorb miasma of another being I'm currently fighting.

I pull out the mana crystals from the dead treant and the tiny shard to it. It started glowing a bit and was sucked into the bigger crystal.

The crystal that the boss treant, that Kitsu destroyed yesterday, dropped was a full on core. It’s about as large as my head and after it cooled down it stored away. We plan to keep it separate and make a different nature aligned forest dungeon someplace else with it.

With all the treants and dryads unconscious he tie their arms and legs and group and tie their branches in bunches so they can be held down. After that we case a mass healing spell on them.

Soon enough they started moving. The first to wake were the dryads.

They looked around and soon were screaming and crying.

Meil: Such a sad cry.

Baal: What happened?

Meil: Normal dryads are very connected to nature. They can't really venture out far of forests. I n places where nature is corrupt or dying they cry like this.

The treant also woke up and started to cause an uproar and soon broke free. It began to smash the walls and floors.

Meil: Treants aren't called the guardians if the forest for nothing. They try to kill all that threatens the forest and at this moment the tree here is a major threat.

Dalton: shouldn't we stop them.

Meil: Use powerful sleep magic. Best choice besides killing them.

Lilian and Flow walked forward and cast the spell. It caused a thin cloud to appear and soft gentle snow fell on all the tree monsters.

Slowly they calmed down and soon collapsed into a fitful sleep.

Meil: Its best leave them in this room. It’s safe from the trees influence.

Baal: He won't try anything else.

Lily: How is master certain?

Baal: When I pulled the miasma that leaked from them and left it. I felt the entire body of the tree. He grew large but had the same amount of energy since 2 thousand years back when it was sealed. He is living off the gods and creatures that come to attack and the trees and plants that were in the wasteland. When he reached a size that was too much for his power it started to take its toll. All the things we killed and captured took his sources of power. I'm sure he thought that we would die or be caught so he used his larger creatures. It's also the reason the maze inside his body is so simple instead of some complex labyrinth that you would think a tree compared to Yggdrasil.

Many of them thought deeply. It was clear that what I said was spot on.

Dalton: If he won't interfere then what is up ahead.

After a quick look ahead I respond.

Baal: An empty room with branches working its way up to the top. Then a bit of climbing through the massive island before we reach its core.

Dalton: don't want to jinx it but this seems to easy.

Meil: I'm sure the other gods are at the top and if he is desperate enough he will release a few to capture us.

Baal: It will only delay the inevitable. If we leave now and return in a few months he would be too weak to even hold the gods properly. We are pretty much done lets go.

Before more pessimists comments start lowering the moral I cut them off and we leave to the next room at the center and climb.

Dalton PoV

This whole raid has been weird. First they don’t even need us except as night guards up to now. I'm sure they could have raided this place in a day if we weren’t around. I wonder what the need for us was?

We follow behind and climb the long branch that curls around the wall around the room. The demons and angels all fly but us and all the monsters are stuck walking.

Looking at the walls I can’t see anything that indicates an attack but we are all on our guard because we don’t know what could happen.

After two uneventful hours of walking up the trees branches we reached the top. Above us is a huge mass of land. From our spot we could see hundreds of branches entering this rock and holding it up.

The Demons fly around and soon they return telling us there are several branches thick enough to support our weight.

Rook: Plum We can take them up.

The voice of the demon beast rabbit draws my attention. I remember their true form was a behemoth drill rabbit that frankly I'm scared of. Drill rabbits are supposed to be highly aggressive and a demon version should be nearly ten times worst. To see one so calm is frankly scary.

Baal: Good idea. Rook drill a space in the rock and tunnel through.

The rabbit man nods and with everyone clearing the space his body grows into this giant form. Black fur with red mana line tattoos on his body. All three mega sized horns started spinning and glowing. He stood up and pointed upwards. I looked at the hind legs and saw them clench up and in one bound that caused a tremor from the released power of his legs.

He flew up with terrifying speed and slammed into the rock and drilled in and vanished inside. We could clearly hear the noise from his horn and soon his head appeared.

Rook: A space is made. I ’ll it rise bring people up.

The demons and angels grabbed us by and started flying. I was taken by the demon leader.

Dalton: I wonder why are we here?

Baal: ...Who knows. Fate must have something in store.

I couldn’t help but sigh as I was dropped off. We could only see a large room and a huge tunnel that went upwards. Without asking we followed the rabbits tunnel and began climbing.

It was a 10 minute climb before we arrived at the top. Really straight forward for a dungeon. There was even an alert about being the first to discover this and get extra exp but since there aren’t monsters it was pretty worthless.

At the top all we saw was a barren island in the sky. At the center was a glowing dark green ball and around it were around 30 green grotesque pods with something inside.

???: ...So...you have...arrived...to end...my life.

Dalton: …

Baal: ... Who are you.

???: ...Van...drain…

Dalton: We should end this before he decides to attack.

Vandrain: ...hek...hek...hek

The slow rough laughter of the tree sends a chill down our spine.

Vandrain: ...The boy...is...smart. But...even if...I die...I will...kill you...all.

There was a sudden fall of killing intent. It felt like being hit by a hammer. We looked for the source but when we looked it came from several of the green pods. They swelled and finally burst. 20 of them released the same thing. A god releasing a thirst for blood that made your guts turn.

Boom...Bang

As they got up we heard two resounding bangs. At the source was the demon leader and the god leader.

Each had a fist in the face of a god and swiftly ripped the core right out of there body. Baal passed it to the girl who purified it and they replaced the gem they removed before and appeared in front of us again with the knocked out god's.

Baal: We got two of them easy enough. Now starts the battle. Get ready guys. All gods fight. Any monster in its fourth rank is to fight directly unless you are spell lord. half lord's work together. Peak ranks work together. Humans help out who you can.

With those simple orders he turned around and ran forward and started fighting.

All the gods did and soon the monsters as well.

Dalton: Alright archers spread out and commence fire. Mage classes as well warriors together assist them.

I ran to one of the remaining controlled gods that were without someone fighting and aggroed him. My class can be compared to a speed warrior class. The reason is that many demons are quick on their feet so the class matches that. I may not hit as hard as a tank but I sure as hell don’t get hit as much as one. The bad part though is that when attacking celestials I take 1/10 my normal attack. Demon Hunter is made to hunt demons. Against humans or monsters there are no penalties unless their alignment isn’t neutral. Since most monsters are neutral there isn’t much problem.

As I dodge my guild mates start backing me up.

I would say this guy is the hardest boss I’ve fought yet. He has over 100K life and I can barely take 50 per hit. If it was a demon I'm sure I would be taking thousands.

Giving myself a moment of distraction the god got a hit. He kicked me with a front kick to my chest and sent me flying. I landed a good 100m away after stabbing my sword into the ground fast.

The pain was major and I lost 60% of my life from that kick.

Dalton: Fuck that hurt.

As I sit up I looked around. For the first time I see why this was given as a quest.

Even with the monsters there were more gods then those that could fight against them. There were a few that were fighting two of the enemy gods and were getting injured.

When I looked I saw the god leader Lilian being attack by two and was getting beaten. Like me she was kicked but she stopped in the air near me but the two gods were already attacking.

At that moment I heard Baal’s yelling and the image of the quest notification appeared in my mind.

Quest: Roots of Corruption

The lord of Galton has been asked by the fairy queen for help. The fairies home must be a field dungeon made from the core of a nature being. The only nature creature that can be killed without repercussions is the corrupt World Tree to the south in the Dead man’s Wastelands. You must help the demon kingdoms army kill and retrieve the giant ent’s core to restore the fairies and save them from extinction.

Difficulty B++

Requirement: Baal must be on good terms with the fairy queen, high familiarity with Baal, fairy queen asks for help.

Requirement for success: Kills the corrupt world tree and successfully retrieves the core, convert it into a dungeon core and create a field dungeon in a suitable location for the fairies new home.

Requirement for failure: Baal or Lilian die, all the upper ranked demons die, all the gods die.

Reward: Restoration of the fairy race, expansion into the unknown for the demon kingdom, Fairy race is unlocked as a starting race.

Dalton: ”Requirement for failure: Baal or Lilian die, all the upper ranked demons die, all the gods die.” Will it end so quickly when we became useful.

I involuntarily my body moved in the way of the gods and with my arms stretched out in front of Lilian I blocked the incoming attack with my body.

Baal: DALTON!!

Baal PoV

I watch as the two swords cross Daltons body. Though I didn’t take much with him, he saved my sister.

I n the barren plateau there was a sudden cold chill that crawled down everyone's spine including the controlled gods.

Everyone stopped and looked at the source. Standing there with mana completely coating his body was me. All my feathers slowly gained metallic property as it absorbed the mana. I then reached my limit and start releasing miasma as well. With the mana coat it didn’t have a way out and started to mix with the mana and it slowly got sucked into my feathers and slowly rose from my body.

Lilian: B-baal

The feathers which were normally black now had an metallic abyssal black color that absorbs all light around it. Everyone took a step back as they looked at me but my eyes only saw the enemy gods. My rage had gone far beyond anything I ’ve felt.

???: Try controlling yourself Baal. Letting your rage take you will only lead to pain.

Baal: ...Shut...up...Shinko.

The demon crow that was the spirit of death that accompanied the grim reaper talked into my mind.

???: …

My attention was draw to the two gods that killed Dalton. Bending towards them my body vanished. I n a blink of an eye each of my fists was crushing into their faces and the orbs were already on the ground in front of Lilian.

I n another blink I took down the one Ares was fighting then the several extras that the gods were fighting and outnumbered them. After doing this I stopped in front of Lilian and dropped the crystal.

I took down more than half and now each other gods had to fight only one god.

Baal: I ...leave the...rest to...you guys.

As I said that, the mana coat disperses and the miasma is absorbed into my body and I collapse from the strain on my body.

Lilian PoV

I grab Baal as he falls down unconscious.

Hikura: What a reckless boy.

Lilian; Hikura! What happened?!

Hikura: *sigh* He mixed his miasma with his mana around his whole body. Along with that his mana was released death based magic. It was small traces but it was there. I can act in numerous way. Here have him drink this.

She hand me a bottle and I quickly have him drink it. I suddenly feel a shadow move towards me and see one of the gods advance but it was stopped by a warrior lord.

Lord: Get away mistress Lilian. Take care of master Baal. We will stop the rest.

Lilian: Be careful all of you.

Everyone nods and takes the initiative on the distracted gods aiming for the leg and crippling their speed.

I drag Baal near the hole we came through. The twins were there with other support demons and angel who rank below peak higher.

Beth: How is he?

Charlet: Can we help some way.

Lilian: No need. On second thoughts go grab those crystals over there.

I point at the gods mana crystals. They both run fast and grab a handful and return and go back and get the rest.

I began casting healing spells on Baal because his health was decreasing steadily. I made a three layered continuous healing circle and put him inside. Thankfully it held his health at a stable amount. I had the angles us all manner of status effect cleansing spells but none worked.

Lilian: What do I need!!! WHAT!

???: Just love my dear

The gentle voice came from nowhere.

???: No need to look dear. I am a spirit and until you train enough you can’t see me

Lilian: So who are you and how do I save Baal.

???: I am Aurora. The White crow that governs the power of life of a grim reaper. My pair Shinko gave his power to Baal. I give my power to you dear.

Lilian: Why me and not Baal?

Aurora: He has the soul reaper. A weapon of death. Though I have had to pass my power to it I would choose not to if I had a choice. I now have a choice and choose to give you, the wielder of the Holy Reaper, the power over life.

Shiro (holy reaper): The power flows wildly. Can we truly control such power great spirit.

Aurora: You will grow into it child. For now you have all the power you need to save Baal.

The spirit of Life, Aurora, has bound itself to youYou have gained a new affinity. Life affinity 15%You have learned a new skillLife magic Mastery (basic 1)

The mastery of controlling life itself. The great power of a grim reaper which all necromancer covet.

Spell:

Soul cleanse (basic 1)

Lilian: “Show Soul Cleanse”

Soul Cleanse

The basic skill automatically learned upon bonding with the spirit of life Aurora.

This skill can remove any energy of death magic from the body of the victim that didn’t die from it.

I smile wide seeing the skills description

Lilian: Thank you Aurora.

Aurora: It’s my pleasure dear

I put my hands on Baal’s chest.

[Soul Cleanse]

A bright light comes from his body. As the glow subsides from the spot his heart is a small black fog rises and vanishes.

When I looked Baal’s health had begun to rise and his breathing was calm now.

Lilian: He’s safe *sigh*

Everyone cheered. I carefully put Baal down and let him sleep and turn towards the fight. Several of the enemy gods were pushed to the corner but same could be said about our side as the humans were getting killed and only survived thanks to the monsters but they were nearing their limits.

I gathered mana into my feet and staff. The head of the staff suddenly changed and a huge horn like hammer made from the Minotaur I killed to rank up. I ran forwards like the wind and slammed this into the god fighting one of the Minotaur’s who was nearing death and drove her into the ground with a resounding crash. I pull the orb and head to another and we clash. Shiro was a staff again and I was spinning him and flying and jumping while dodging the sword of the god.

Ares who was fighting with the enemy came from behind and with a quick strike at the neck dazed his enemy and I finished with a hit to the face with the staff.

We continued until all the remaining gods were bloodied and beaten and I had a satisfied grin.

Though I didn’t know this but in everyone's mind was the same thought.

“She is just as scary as Baal”

Lilian: Guess that’s it for you.

I walk towards the unopened pods with gods in them. I saw hundreds of glowing roots attached to all the pods. Those that had burst were dull bark now. One by one I cut these roots and burnt them so they wouldn’t reattach. One by one they lost their color. Once all the roots to a pod was removed the sack burst open but the god was unresponsive and it was easy to purify their cores.

Vandrain: It...really...ends. Finally.

Lilian: You wanted death?

Vandrain: Trapped...in...this...cage...since...birth...I ...want...to...see...more.

Before cutting the last root of the last pod I stopped. I looked at the core. It was dull and only had the mana it could get from this god.

I look towards Baal who was stirring and sitting up. He must have heard the tree talking.

Baal: Do you want to be killed or purified?

Vandrain: …

He didn’t reply and stayed the same for a long time.

Vandrain: ...Kill...me. I ...want...to...sleep...and...move...on.

Baal looked at me and I cut the final root. The light dimmed from the root as the core used the last of its mana and it died.

You have killed the Corrupt World Tree Vandrain.

Everyone received the message and cheered.

With help Baal came over to me. His eyes were on the roots that held the tree. They didn’t change.

Baal: Let's hurry. I don’t know if the tree will continue standing without its power. Purify the core then lets change it to a dungeon core.

Lilian: Right.

I help him close and I touch the giant ball that was nearly 5 meters high. With the touch I could feel the whole tree and all of the wasteland but no life but us stood within. I activate the miasma neutralization which I use to purify all objects. The miasma in the who region began moving through me and I purified it and returned it. Slowly the light in the core returned and the dark green color began changing and slowly it became lighter. After a while yellow and pink began appearing and it then it became like a rainbow as it grew intensely bright.

I n my mind I could see the region being purified. The tree itself was having the corruption removed and energy of life return to it. I n the wasteland it was the same. Life magic spread throughout the entire region returning vitality to the ground. From dry crevices springs empty of water regained its power and began flowing out. The small shoots of grass gained power and were soon a strong green and began forming patches.

I could also feel all the creatures that were captured inside the tree. At my command the tree freed all of them outside its body at the base.

After a long while the brightness dimmed and the previously dark green core was a transparent light green.

You have purified the corrupt world tree and returned life to Dead man wasteland. You and all your companions that helped get rid of the corruption to nature will be remembered by all spirits of nature.

All Affinity +10%

Baal: Are you ok. Can you do this?

Lilian: It was nothing. Purifying only takes time. Not much mana.

Baal: Ok.

Baal placed his hand next to mine on the core and we both poured in mana.

Suddenly a magic circle appeared.

Baal: That must be the seal on the Vandrain.

Lilian: What do you think is needed to get rid of it.

???: Worry not.

A deep voice called from behind.

We turned and saw a cloaked figure.

Baal: Thanatos!

Thanatos: Good to see you once more Baal and Lilian.

Lilian: Are you going to get rid of it.

Thanatos: Yes unsealing that spell shouldn’t be a problem. The region is pure and it is allowing the power Vil’crI released in the demon world to flow into the other two worlds. The wastelands will once again gain life. Now to get that off.

He raised his hand and a small ball of mana shot out and impacted into the center. Cracks spread out all over and the spell broke.

Thanatos: Simple as that.

Baal: …

Thanatos: If you want to know. All I did was disrupt the magic. Simply break a small part of it and the spell falls apart. Though you still need power.

Lilian: Better not ask Baal. Its beyond us.

Baal: Ya.

We ignore the being that defies common sense and begin pouring mana in the core. From each of our hands a black and white ball forms. I n each is a small dot of the other color.

They grow separate until the core is completely filled with then and then they begin spinning in balance one no bigger than the other.

You have created a new dungeon core from the Nature core of the world's tree Vandrain.

The core must remain in the world tree of origin to properly work.

Please choose the dungeon boss.

Baal: The fairy queen?

Lilian: No I know someone better.

I turn my eyes towards a goddess near us.

Baal looks as well and smiles.

Baal/Lilian: Meil, the Lesser Goddess of the Forest and Hunt, is the dungeon boss.

Meil: WHAT!

The goddess Meil is now the dungeon boss. Due to her affinity to nature her power within the region marked as the field dungeon will be doubled and within the world tree her power will triple.

The dungeon has become the breeding ground to all fairies within the Demon Kingdom.

Minions that will be born within the dungeon and field dungeon in the forest around the forest:

Fae (baby fairy), Treeling (baby treant and dryad), goblins.

Monster born in the world tree, passive and aggressive.

Mortal animals of all kind, Elementals, monster plants, monster animals.

As we finished the core shined brightly and from under it the ground lifted it up and changed the area around it into a large crater. From underneath it large amounts of water was released. We all ran back and out of the crater as it was filled. Slowly it turned into a lake. The hole we made to enter was sealed by the core as a repair. As the water reached the shore height several lines sank in all the way to the edge letting the water flow. It was around 2 meter wide and 2 deep and there was 4 of them. As the water reached the edge it fell as a strong water fall and fell into another circular hole around the world tree. Slowly it began filling up and feed the land as well as the tree itself and flow out.

Up on the plateau flowers and tree sprouts sprang out and began to cultivate a beautiful garden which would make up the home of the fairies.

Lilian: The queen will definitely love this place. The fairies finally have a proper home.

As well looked a small whisper sounded in all our ears. It was a quiet voice we heard just before. It said two simple words but it had all the happiness in the world.

“Thank you”

The whisper of Vandrain called us as he watched over and explored the world beyond the dry wasteland.

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