Episode 241
[Sub-quest completed.]
[Sub-quest settlement completed.]
[Partial rewards for incomplete Main Quest #8 are applied retroactively.]
[100,000,000 Gold received.]
[100 Stat Points granted.]
[Experience increased by 150,000,000.]
[Level increased by 4.]
[4 Stat Points granted.]
[Main Quest branching point for Episode 7 reset.]
[Progress rate increases.]
-Look at the rewards;
-What's with the 10x bug for one person?
-It was worth it.
-Too much happened.
-Seriously; The sub-
quest was completed along with the Essence of the Forest returning to its original state.
The rewards were substantial, as they included the compensation for the main quest that had been cut short.
Just then, another alarm rang in my ears.
Ding-
[Main Quest #8.5: Return]
Successfully purified the Forest of Illusions, afflicted by a blood-red curse.
How are the Elves and the Blue Moon Bird doing?
Objective: Return to the Elf village to decide the direction of travel.
Reward: None
*Current Progress: 83 percent
'…Decision, huh.'
The original main quest was to travel to the World Tree's realm by airship.
However, the airship crashed, resulting in the rescue of the Forest of Illusions and the Elves.
Since the original plan was to travel by borrowing the power of the summoned Blue Moon Bird, it was necessary to assess the situation.
“Ah……”
Wendy sighed as she looked at the turquoise sphere.
As this was the essence of the forest she was seeing for the first time, she, too, must have felt a sense of renewed emotion in many ways.
To begin with, without Wendy, entering this place would have been impossible.
"The wind is still stirring. It will take a while to recover."
Just then, Ariel's voice echoed in my mind.
A judgment made while sensing the unstable winds blowing across the forest.
While the purification by the power of light had certainly succeeded, the aftermath of the curse required time to heal, much like a wound.
The elves, too, could not escape its influence.
"…I am uneasy."
The forest was currently in a vulnerable state regarding defenses.
If the Sacred Faction were to invade again, complete annihilation was possible.
"Black Dragon, is this the end?"
Charlotte, gazing at the sphere, also felt a sense of unease.
It was an instinctive sense of crisis stemming from the successive anomalies.
"Let's go back for now."
Hanbit walked with everyone toward a glittering portal in the back corner.
Whoosh—
a soft sensation of transference was accompanied by a blackout.
When their vision returned, they found themselves in front of a spring.
"Ah…!"
Wendy's eyes widened at the sight of the village, now free of the red aura.
She quickly turned around and started running.
"Wendy, wait a minute!"
Charlotte, watching her, hurriedly followed behind.
Hanbit's party also moved toward the front of the ancient tree.
"Ugh."
Elves lay collapsed in the space in front of the central ancient tree.
Wendy, holding a woman in her arms, buried her face in her chest and wept.
It was her mother.
“Lord Black Dragon, he’s alright, isn’t he?”
Haneul asked cautiously as he looked around.
This was because not a single elf had regained consciousness yet.
“They are depleted, so they will need some time.”
Even if the healing process had been successful, the aftereffects of being consumed would not disappear all at once.
It was safe to say that they were currently in a state akin to a recovery slumber.
Of course, there were some who were free from its effects.
Creak—
“Huh?”
Heads turned at the sound coming from behind.
The door built as an entrance beneath the ancient tree.
A male elf emerged from there.
“Roandel?”
Recognizing his identity, Charlotte sprang to her feet and opened her eyes wide.
[Elf Elder Roandel]
Roandel, who had been lying collapsed and bound in his quarters.
Unable to move, he was standing there, leaning against the door.
-Shudder;
-Already awake by himself?
-Elder class.
"—Insane willpower;
“Charl… Lot. You… have come.”
Unlike the voice that trailed off precariously, the gaze was sharp and burning.
“Elder…?”
Hearing that voice, Wendy also turned her gaze while holding her mother in her arms.
It was the first time she had encountered an elf who hadn’t lost her mind in this hellish day.
“…You did well.”
Upon seeing Wendy, Roandel forced a smile.
As expected, he had accurately grasped the situation and prepared for the future.
“Wait, don’t move around!”
Charlotte quickly approached and supported Roandel.
He looked to be nearing his limit just by holding onto the door.
“I’m sorry.”
He nodded slowly and turned his gaze.
His sharp eyes met Hanbit.
Charlotte, standing beside him, delivered the introduction.
“Ah, it’s the Black Dragon. Should I say he is the one who restored everything to its original state?”
“Everything…?”
Roandel’s eyes widened, as if he hadn’t anticipated that part.
Hanbit slowly walked closer.
“Let me explain the situation first.”
After exchanging perfunctory greetings, he explained what had happened to the Forest of Illusions and the Elves.
Roandel listened to the story, closing and opening his eyes briefly.
“The Holy Kingdom and the curse… is that it?”
Having grasped the situation, he nodded slowly.
Then, looking around, he asked,
“Where are those who lost their lives…?”
“…He’ll be outside. I’ll take you.”
Supporting Roandel, Charlotte stepped out of the barrier.
On one side of the village, a group of investigators and elves lying on the ground were visible.
“Captain.”
Dusk appeared before Charlotte could even get close.
Kneeling, he began to report to her.
“As you ordered, we have moved the elves scattered throughout the forest here. We have classified them into those unharmed, those with minor injuries, those with serious injuries, and the deceased.”
“Yeah, thank you. You worked hard.”
“You are welcome. I will move to guard the forest.”
Whoosh—
Dusk, knowing what he had to do, vanished immediately.
Charlotte, who had smiled briefly, turned her gaze away again.
“It’s over there.”
She led Roandel to the base of a large tree.
There, the elves who had lost their lives lay side by side.
-Ah;
-Over 50 of them.
-T_T
-Damn adult faction.
-There are so many Rankers too, it’s disgusting.
Swoosh—
Roandel let go of Charlotte's hand and staggered toward the dead elves.
Standing before the corpses, he quietly raised his hand.
Snap!
A beautiful green light emanated from directly in front of him .
Although Roandel, a magic user, stumbled several times, Charlotte did not approach recklessly.
Rustle—
the light gently enveloped the elves' bodies.
Seeing this, Roandel slowly lowered his hand.
"It is preparation for the return."
Charlotte knew the reason for his actions.
The return, a funeral custom unique to elves.
It was a tradition born from the belief that they came from the forest and are returning to the forest.
Using that magic granted to the Elder, one could witness the corpses naturally vanishing.
"I hope… I am not late."
The reason Roandel had left this final procedure unfinished was for the sake of the sleeping elves. After all
, racial differences were irrelevant when preparing to send them off.
"Now, the seriously wounded… Ugh!"
As he turned to leave, he lost his balance.
Charlotte quickly grabbed his arm.
“I’ve reached my limit. It’s dangerous to exert any more force.”
“No, I… cannot cause any more innocent deaths.”
“…….”
At those words, Charlotte bit her lip.
Under normal circumstances, borrowing the power of those in the investigation team capable of healing magic would have been sufficient.
However, the situation for the elves was different.
It was difficult to heal their bodies, which possessed a high mana density, with ordinary magic.
At best, the limit was to cure minor injuries.
“Use this.”
Knowing the situation well, Hanbit took a crimson fruit from his inventory.
“…Is that the Ruby of Life?”
Charlotte’s eyes widened as she recognized its true identity at once. It was
an item rarely found in a place called the Forest of Death.
It was a fruit capable of healing by borrowing the power of nature.
She had bought that item, which cost 30 million won per piece, for the sake of the elves, but she never imagined she would be using it in this situation.
Originally, she had planned to use it while carrying out Ivela’s mission.
“Use it quickly. If you’re late, the effect will wear off.”
“Okay!”
Charlotte quickly grabbed the fruit and approached the seriously wounded.
She squeezed the juice with both hands and dropped it into the elves' mouths one by one.
Rustle—
at the same time, heat rose from the bodies of the seriously wounded.
The effect appeared to be manifesting normally.
“Ah…”
Roandel, who had been watching the elves, let out a quiet sigh.
Seeing that trembling gaze, Hanbit’s heart was also complicated.
An elf who was the youngest elder and one of the strongest in the world.
It was quite rare for him to show any signs of wavering.
It was inevitable that he
would be reminded of his friend, who always appeared as solid as a giant tree. “…Thank you, Lord Black Dragon. I do not know how to repay you for saving the forest and the elves.”
Roandel, staggering to regain his balance, placed his right hand on the center of his chest in a bow.
It was the highest form of respect an elf could display.
“It was something I ought to have done. Although, it is thanks to the help of my friends and the spirits.”
“The spirits… The energy I feel belongs to them.”
Roandel nodded as if he understood.
To even recognize the energy of spirits meant he was no ordinary being.
“Roandel, we originally intended to head toward the World Tree.”
“The World Tree?”
“Yes. We were attacked on the way and crashed near the Forest of Illusions.”
Charlotte casually explained what had happened earlier.
Roandel, listening to the story, wore a grim expression.
“We have our own ships and routes. However, in the current state…”
To reach the World Tree’s realm using an Elf ship, an Elf’s accompaniment was absolutely necessary.
Naturally, it was impossible for Roandel to leave his post in this situation.
Although Hanbit’s objective was different from the start.
“You don’t need to worry about that. I was planning to ask the Beast for a favor.”
“Huh? But even the Beast is affected by the curse…”
Flap!
Just then, the sound of fierce flapping wings echoed from the sky.
As everyone looked up, a massive silver-blue bird was seen gliding down.
Whoosh!
Laying down and stirring up a gust of wind, the Blue Moon Bird stared directly at Hanbit.
“It’s you. The human who strangled me and put me to sleep.”
—Huh?
—Why are you angry?
—I saved you…
—Stop being so unfair;
The Beast’s eyes were deep enough to draw you in.
Lowering his stance, Hanbit offered an apology.
“I am sorry. Disrespectfully, Wendy and I laid our hands on you, Lord Cheongwoljo, without permission.”
The words, delivered as if prepared, were merely a necessary formality.
Although the spirit appeared angry at first glance, Hanbit knew the reality was different.
The proof of this was evident in the words that followed.
“Well done.”
Cheongwoljo nodded.
Looking around, the spirit continued slowly.
“If I had remained in a state of madness, the damage might have increased. It was an excellent decision to put me to sleep, even for a moment. To have succeeded in clearing the water immediately afterward, you are truly a remarkable human.”
“Thank you.”
Pouring out honest praise was also a characteristic trait of Cheongwoljo.
Of course, he was a being who would unleash merciless venom in the opposite case.
“So, did you say you were heading to the World Tree?”
Cheongwoljo brought up the topic as if he had heard the story.
Hanbit nodded and spoke.
“Yes. However, the situation is not yet safe for you to leave your post, Lord Cheongwoljo. That is why I intend to use this item.”
He took a sphere filled with a sky-blue light from his inventory.
It was the resonance of the Sky Whale.
“…That is quite something.”
Cheongwoljo’s eyes widened slightly. It was
a special trophy from the Sky Whale, rated as a Rank 8 Epic.
It was an item capable of protecting an entire area by covering it with special waves.
It was not merely a defensive barrier; it also had the effect of tearing apart anything that approached and sending it flying into the distant sky.
In particular, it could even restore HP and MP within, making it a perfect fit for this situation.
“Roandel, will you be alright?”
Cheongwoljo turned his gaze to the Elder.
Roandel then bowed respectfully just as before and spoke.
“Lord Black Dragon is also our benefactor. We would be grateful if you could help us. With the resonance of the Sky Whale, this place should be safe.”
“Then it is decided.”
Nodding, Cheongwoljo spoke in a low voice.
Then, looking at Hanbit and Charlotte, he said,
“Only the two of you can go. Get on board.”
Ding-
[Main Quest #8.5 completed.]
[Progress increases.]
[Main Quest #9: Blue Moon Bird]
With the assistance of the summoned beast Blue Moon Bird, you are now heading toward the World Tree's Realm.
You must move quickly before the path closes.
Objective: Move to the World Tree's Realm with the help of the Blue Moon Bird.
Reward: None
*Current progress: 87 percent
