Chapter 46-2

Chapter 46-2

A gigantic tree called the Third World Tree stood with hundreds of branches spread out like an umbrella, and beneath it, there was a vast garden.

The World Tree, with its unique pale-colored aurora, gently enveloped the world, making everything underneath it appear blissful.

It was a park known as the "Orchard of the Dream Tree."

Anyone could enter, and it was a space where anyone could pick and eat fruit.

The view from the top was incredibly beautiful, making it a popular resort destination, and it was even considered a famous spot for in-game screenshots.

"It cant be compared to game graphics."

Baek Yu-Seol walked along the path, mesmerized by the various colorful stems and the feast of vibrant fruits in the orchard.

"Welcome, Stella's mage. We welcome human mages."

As he stepped off the train, a man with pointed ears and slightly rough skin approached him and spoke.

He was an elf.

As expected, there were many elves around, as it was their territory.

Baek Yu-Seol greeted him using the elf greeting he had memorized. "I would like to express my gratitude to the Mother of the Earth and the World Tree for bestowing such a beautiful garden upon us.

May your sincere heart reach the Mother." With a deep and captivating voice and broad shoulders, he was undoubtedly a "male" elf.

If someone is wondering what this means, elves were born without a specific gender. While there were distinctions between male and female forms, they didnt have reproductive organs.

However, when they experienced true love, they could change their gender to match their partner.

So, even if they were born as female, they could become male, and vice versa. It was quite common for elves.

Before their gender was determined, male elves generally had different body shapes and slightly androgynous features, making it possible to distinguish them.

Baek Yu-Seol walked slowly, exploring the surroundings.

Many elves recognized his academy uniform and approached him, mostly to express gratitude. It was because in the past, Eltwin had saved the Second World Tree from almost burning out.

They say that those who met her gaze, regardless of age or gender, had their souls stolen, and they eventually died, suffering from lovesickness.

The cursed attribute [Soul Devouring Gaze] would cause anyone who made eye contact with her to lose their souls and eventually perish.

Anyway, as Baek Yu-Seol reminisced about the past and the romance that he remembered, he wandered around the outskirts of the World Tree for a while and finally discovered a small side path.

"Ah, it must be around here."

He entered one of the countless branches of the World Tree, and ventured into a hidden passage. Typically, this area was off-limits, but there were no guards anyway.

If someone were to harm him, the World Tree would move itself to defend and alert the elves of the danger.

Sweating profusely, Baek Yu-Seol climbed for a while until he discovered an unusually spacious area. It was a place where roots grew in peculiar ways.

"Let's see, it should be around here. No, maybe here. Yes, that's right."

He tapped the transparent map hovering in the air with his finger, and his location appeared.

"Hmm, I found it. Well done."

He took out the Divine Spirit Gate Key from his pocket and approached the tree that had grown gray like stone. It was the hidden entrance to the Hidden Dungeon, Sacred Garden of the Divine Spirit.

For a moment, Baek Yu-Seol hesitated if he should casually insert and turn the key, as the cautionary note on the key bothered him.

[Caution! Opening the entrance to this place may alert someone else who possesses the key.]

Of course, it had been proven through numerous players' tests that this warning had no real significance.

Even in the game, the key had the same cautionary message, but many players had shared stories of their disappointment because no special event occurred.

"Well, what could possibly happen?"

With that thought in mind, Baek Yu-Seol firmly inserted and turned the key.

Clank!

[The door leading to the Sacred Garden of the Divine Spirit is now open!]