Only I Am A Reader

With more people coming in at the last moment, the crowd only grew bigger and more dangerous as time passed by, the clock was ticking as everyone waited for the miraculous change.

"Heh, I knew this was nothing but bullshit!"

Of course, not everyone was of the same mind. The informant had only mentioned that the Azure Tree would emerge 'soon', but he didn't give a specific time schedule. After coming in to join the fun for a few days, a fraction of the attendees decided to go back.

"Last minute offer, come get your pills at 20% off!"

Naturally, as the enthusiasm started dying around and the faint belief in the Tree's appearance waned down, the profiteers started clothing shops, backing their things to return to their respective businesses. The bustle was only profitable when everyone was still under the influence of self-delusion…

'Martial Artists are really stubborn.'

Still, even with the last drops of hope fading away, the majority still persisted. It would have been different if they convinced themselves to leave earlier, but the more they did the opposite the harder it was for them to move.

Since I already stayed this long, wouldn't it be okay to try my luck for one more day? With this shared mindset spreading through the Martial Artists' mind, the crowd retained almost the same number with the occasional replenishment of the late comers.

'Maybe things will turn out for the better.'

On the other hand, after sharing an emotional night with the rest of his group under the illumination of True Internal Fire, Leo felt comparatively better. He had originally thought that he was destined to be lonely as the only reader in a sea of characters, but the more time spent living inside these fantastical worlds, the more he found out he was wrong.

"Want to spar?"

The awaiting audience had also grown tamer with time, but some still acted without care to kill time and ignore the silently growing tension. However…

Crack…

"A… a… a… look!"

Out of nowhere, a small crack appeared on the ground. Strangely enough, no one had set camp in that exact spot. The standing crowd didn't occupy it either. As if they had intentionally avoided sullying it, the strange cavity devoid of humans seemed to sprout with life.

However, nothing seemed to follow after.

"Huh? Is someone pulling a prank?"

"Could it be the barbarians of the mountain? I heard they possess the power of 'magic' that allows them to manipulate nature…"

After everything surprisingly calmed down, everyone started suspiciously discussing the occurrence while throwing glances and pointing fingers, but…

Crackk!

As if it had been waiting for discord to rise, the originally small crack produced an even stronger sound after standing silent for a while, growing larger and larger as something could be seen rising from its opening!

"This is… The tree?"

The sound that threatened of a grand emergence ended up only producing a small green sprout, dumbfounding the majority of the onlookers. However…

'What a prankster…'

Those who knew more about the Azure Tree's nature including Leo and his group were naturally aware that this was just one of its childish characteristics. Compared to the rest who just stood up in shock, they were already grabbing the hilts of their weapons, ready to take action!

'Hold…'

ِAlthough… That couldn't be said for them all, Leo for one was simply bracing for the impact.

Crack! Crack!

The onlookers started unconsciously moving back as the earth rocked once more, lush greenery mixed in sapphire blue started to rise under the disappointing sprout that appeared earlier. The process was incomparably slow, making everyone stand at the end of their feet.

Stack!

Suddenly, the whole tree we directly ejected out of the ground, showing off its lustrous gem-like roots as it stood at the towering height of mountains!

Wooo…

Responding to the towering tree's call, the wind suddenly blew over swaying the leaves in good display as it cleared the cloud out of the sky. The clear ceiling of the plant reflected the color of the tree's brilliant 'hair' like a high quality mirror…

"This is…"

Although everyone was confused by the strange delay and acceleration in the middle, they couldn't help getting mesmerized by the natural phenomenon taking place in front of them. As to be expected of the tree created from the condensation of the world's laws!

"It's a blank?"

However, the mesmerization didn't last long as the onlookers' eyes turned to the Azure Tree's fruitless crown. Did fate really play such a cruel trick on them just like that?

'Hold…'

"I will check it out for myself!"

A Peak Martial Artist couldn't hold himself back as he covered his feet with Internal Energy before jumping to walk up to the tree. Unfortunately, he dropped down before he could go far as the tree pridefully shook.

"Idiot!"

Those possessing more precise knowledge hurled out insults, but even if they did so, their eyes were still glued to the tree's crown. In reality, the Azure Tree always appeared fruitless at the start of its emergence, it was what followed that discouragement that made the real difference!

Learning from the arrogant Martial Artist that fell victim to the tree's pranks, everyone continued observing. Despite most of them lacking the relevant information, all the smarter ones needed to do was look around in search of those who looked like they knew and follow their example.

"There!"

After a few minutes had passed, the ones enhancing their sight with Internal Energy quickly caught something that looked like a shriveled hand climbing out from between the leaves. In no time, everyone spotted a total of five wooden arms stretching out of the Azure Tree's crown!

<Get ready!>

All kinds of Sound Transmissions flew through the air as everyone held their breath while observing the hands slowly opened up, revealing fair palms that contradicted their rugged blue bark skin. However…

Roaaaaaar!

Just as the last drop of the onlookers' attention was sapped away by the Azure Tree, a terrible roar that almost froze their blood came from the sky!