Chapter 120: The World Tree × The romance of exploration
The ones truly worrying about the Kakin incident were the Zodiac. A small fry like Joey, who was not even a Professional Hunter, was nothing more than a typical spectator in a matter like this.
While people all over the world were discussing the Dark Continent, he had already boarded an airship bound for the World Tree.
This world was vast, and its population was enormous.
The area around the World Tree had been developed into a tourist destination. According to the travel brochure, around three hundred million tourists visited its vicinity every year.
Before the airship had even landed, Joey spotted the towering tree in the distance.
According to the records, the World Tree stood a full 1,784 meters above the ground, a height that human-made buildings had yet to reach.
Even Heavens Arena in the Republic of Padokea, which Joey knew of, stood only 991 meters tall, and it was already the fourth-tallest building in the world.
From a distance, the enormous tree, nearly twice its height, truly looked as though it would pierce the heavens.
Since the relevant authorities did not prohibit tourists from climbing the World Tree, some skilled climbers among the vast numbers of visitors challenged it every year.
They numbered around 3,000, but 94% turned back before reaching 1,000 meters. Another 4% paid hefty rescue fees to seek help, while 1% died in accidental falls.
In other words, only 1% of those who challenged the World Tree each year, or thirty people, completed the challenge and reached its summit.
Though that number might not look large, Joey found it astonishing enough.
Every person who completed the challenge had physical capabilities approaching the superhuman-no, not approaching it, but already reaching superhuman levels.
At least, Joey