[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-adventures-of-hulim":3,"chapter-the-adventures-of-hulim-the-adventures-of-hulim-chapter-453":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","The Adventures of Hulim",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1882204,2498,"Chapter 453 Beneath the World Tree","the-adventures-of-hulim-chapter-453",453,"\u003Cp>A crimson-red sky......\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sand whipped endlessly across a desolate, barren land.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On this wasteland where not a single sign of life could be seen—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crackle, pop!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Scattered bonfires flickered faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the flames,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Haggard, exhausted people huddled together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their eyes were filled with confusion, unsure of where to turn next.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nations, villages, the homes they’d relied on for survival—all had been destroyed by the sudden, overwhelming tide of monsters. They ran and ran, but hope was nowhere to be found.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Waaah... Dad... Waaah, Mom...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a corner,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A young girl wept uncontrollably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They’re all dead...... Everyone’s dead...... Why is this happening?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Waaah... Bro... Brother... Are we going to die too?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man sitting beside her stared blankly up at the sky, silent for a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"......\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t have an answer either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His right hand tightened around the hilt of his sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man lowered his gaze to his little sister beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No. We won’t.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said firmly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I swear I’ll never let you die.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl wiped her tears and looked up at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Really...... Brother?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah.\" The young man nodded, raising his sword high. \"I swear on this blade—I’ll make sure you survive.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And don’t be too scared. I heard the north hasn’t been attacked by monsters yet. If we keep heading north, we’ll definitely escape this danger.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Waaah......\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl brushed away her tears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I understand, Brother. I won’t be scared anymore.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good.\" The young man smiled reassuringly. \"That’s my girl——\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mo-Monsters! They’re coming——!!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A panicked scream suddenly cut through the crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The smile froze on the young man’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire camp fell deathly silent for a heartbeat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumble......\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone looked up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the horizon, a black line was rapidly closing in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, chaos erupted in the camp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Monsters are here! Run for your lives!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Someone save me! I don’t want to die here!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mommy!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"......\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People fled in terror, trampling over everything in their path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Everyone, stay calm——!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man stood up and shouted at the top of his lungs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the sound of his voice, the panicked crowd regained a shred of their senses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Those who can still fight—come with me! We’ll buy time for the others! Everyone else—retreat north immediately!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"......\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’d seen far too many people \"buy time\" before—only to never return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even so, a few figures stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They exchanged brief, tearful goodbyes with their parents, wives, and children, then stood behind the young man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother, I want to——\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man cut her off decisively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"......You have to survive.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But I don’t want to! I don’t want to!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl shook her head frantically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t want to be alone! Mom and Dad are already gone— I can’t lose you too......\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flash of profound grief crossed the young man’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he forced his voice to stay steady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Take her away.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A woman wearing an apron stepped forward, leading several others to grab the girl by the arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let go of me! Let me go!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man didn’t look at his sister’s struggling form, only spoke in a calm, resolute tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Take good care of her. Don’t let her come back......\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he turned around silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s move out.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, sir!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swish——!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man drew his longsword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A small, ragged line of figures charged straight toward the overwhelming horde of monsters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind them, the people who carried the hope of survival ran in the opposite direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No! Brother!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl was dragged along in the crowd, held tightly by several pairs of hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She could only watch as her brother’s figure grew farther and farther away, then let out a helpless, grief-stricken cry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t go! Brother, come back! Come back! Brother......\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>......\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"......\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did you sleep well?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she opened her eyes,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A delicate, beautiful face was smiling gently down at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"......Irus?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hulim Heyerar rubbed her bleary eyes and sat up in bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What are you doing in my room?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why, admiring little Hulim’s adorable sleeping face, of course~.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(Stare——!)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haha...... Just kidding. But it’s rare to see you sleep so soundly, Hulim. Normally you’d wake up before I even step into the room. Did you have a nightmare?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A nightmare?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hulim tilted her head in confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt like something was lingering at the back of her mind—but she couldn’t quite recall what.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, I didn’t. Why do you ask?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm......\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Irus stroked her chin, studying Hulim’s face intently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I can’t put my finger on it. But when you opened your eyes just now, I had a feeling you might have.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"......\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What kind of reason is that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Never mind, let’s drop the subject. Speaking of which——\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hulim fixed Irus with a wary stare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You wouldn’t have come all the way here first thing in the morning unless you have something to say, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Heh. You’re as sharp as ever. No need to look so suspicious—I’m not here to tease you this time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"......\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(Stare——!)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ugh, that look of total distrust.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Irus clutched her chest, staggering backward in an exaggerated \"hurt\" pose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My poor heart is shattered into pieces~!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"......Irus, you can drop the dramatic act now.\" Hulim said helplessly. \"Cut to the chase.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aww, you’re no fun~.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Irus pouted, her tone oozing with disappointment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then her playful expression faded away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She grew serious, her demeanor shifting entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hulim, there’s actually something very important I need to talk to you about. Something that concerns you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hulim frowned in confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes. Originally, I should have come to you right after the battle at the World Tree. But I was worried that with you just having reached S-Rank, it might be too much of a burden. So I held off, waiting to see how you’d adjust.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And now it seems—you’re ready to handle it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was she talking about?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>......\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A long, winding underground passage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tap, tap, tap......\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound of their footsteps echoed endlessly through the darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hulim glanced at the walls around her, then spoke up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I never would’ve guessed there was a place like this beneath the World Tree.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah, well—that thing is dangerous and important beyond measure.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Irus’s words, Hulim looked at the figure leading the way ahead of her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So what exactly is ‘that thing’? Don’t you think it’s about time you told me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Patience, patience. You’ll find out soon enough once we get there.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Same old evasive answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hulim stared at the back of Irus’s head, her eyes tinged with exasperation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why did she have to be so mysterious? She could’ve just said it straight out. And she loved teasing people so much—she was such a frustrating, yet impossible-to-hate nuisance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that thought, Hulim narrowed her eyes, her tone turning deliberately sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Irus——\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is it~?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Honestly... Sometimes your personality is so annoying. You’re a total pain in the neck.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pfft——!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Irus stumbled, nearly tripping over the stone steps beneath her feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She whirled around, her cheeks puffing out, her eyes glistening with fake tears of hurt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s so mean! If you say things like that again—I’ll cry! I really will!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"......\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This woman was such a handful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sniffle.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, I’m sorry! I was just joking!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hulim apologized in a hurry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"......\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I said I was joking! Would you please stop looking like you’re actually about to cry? It’s embarrassing!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"......You were really just joking?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Really, really.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You don’t think I’m annoying and troublesome?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uh......\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, I knew it! I am a terrible, annoying person——\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, no! I don’t think that at all! Y-You’re the best, Irus!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hulim’s smile was stiff and forced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all—she was spouting complete nonsense......\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Really, truly?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Really.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hehe! Then I’ll forgive you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, Irus hummed a little tune and continued walking downward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her lightning-fast mood swing left Hulim staring after her, completely dumbfounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once she realized she’d been teased again, Hulim felt her cheeks heating up with irritation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That woman——!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’d been played right into her hands. Totally played.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>......\u003C\u002Fp>",1342,"2026-06-10T06:36:37.918Z",1,"novelbin.me","879ebf97858e4877ebd97507c18035561c59084b9308b334773c06d4f46f8389","the-adventures-of-hulim-chapter-454","the-adventures-of-hulim-chapter-452",528,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-adventures-of-hulim-cover.jpg"]