Chapter 91 : Yggdrasill (Part 1)

They continued their journey to the Elf Kingdom after spending a night in the forest.

A lot of things happened since they departed from Aven town a week ago.

From the rebellious Adventurers who committed many crimes, to a village controlled by a Demon Cultist alongside the Bandits.

Rei and Iris also managed to spend some time bonding with each other. What remains after that was...curiosity.

In their own carriage, the two are curious about what or who they are, and what are their purposes coming to this world but they didn't suspect a thing about where they originally came from.

Instead of thinking about that, they're focused towards the path they currently created.

Rei leaned his head against the window, deep in thought thinking about the next plan.

'So let me get this straight...there are two monsters from the East and West part of the Elf Kingdom, one of them has this rare monster called [Arachne].' Rei spoke.

'Indeed, this is the info I got from the future...a rare and Unique Boss monster, [The Spider Queen, Arachne], an insect type monster with many capabilities.' Ray explained.

'Finally, a [Unique Boss]...these days we haven't had any luck with one.'

'Well it's better that you be careful on this one since this will be your first time to meet such strong and complicated monsters.'

'How complicated?'

'Firstly, this thing created a silk that's stronger than any steel and very sticky that's enough to hold on Giant type monsters.'

'Stronger than any steel I see.'

'Secondly, strong and hard exoskeleton that's able to pierce through even steel.'

'Even the exoskeleton?'

'And last but not least, this thing has a deadly poison that can cause [Paralyze], [Corrosion] and [Poisoned] status.'

'Three at the same time?!–' Rei's eyes went wide after hearing that as he went suprised more than ever.

Ray nodded, 'on top of everything else, that thing can spawn its children to protect herself.'

'Damn...this is much harder than I thought.' Rei could tell this will be the hardest battle he will ever face.

'But how about the other monster?' Rei asked.

'Well...I don't have any information regarding about that monster, but for sure that thing is equal with the other one.' Ray explained.

Their conversation was interrupted by a hologram board that suddenly showed up in front of them.

[Notice!]

[Chatroom]

Ifrit : "But somehow in the future, these monsters were defeated by someone and the Elves Kingdom were saved <(￣︶￣)>."

'By someone?' Rei looked at the chatroom curiously.

Ifrit : "Ohhh? You forgot? You met that person not too long ago ( ￣ω￣ )."

The two of them were puzzled with his riddle-like text and thus tried to search through their memory to come up with an answer.

'[The Saintess]?' Rei spoke.

Ifrit : "Bingo!!（＾▽＾）."

'So [The Saintess] really did defeat those monsters.' Ray guessed

Ifrit : "Yes, it happened when she attended the Academy in the Capital and received such request from her friend!"

'So that means she's still young!?' Rei claimed.

Ifrit : "Correct again, (⌐■_■)."

'I never thought she's even capable to defeat such monsters. I think I'm seeing that girl in a new light.' Ray spoke.

Ifrit : "Well, she's not able to defeat it all by herself, she had her companions and her light magic which enables her to neutralize all kind of poison."

Ifrit : "Her existence is a cheat itself!!

(╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻"

'That's true....the legend says that [Saintess] have the abilities to heal everything.' Ray spoke.

The two explained while Rei remained clueless about this [Saintess] and the future they are talking about.

Ifrit : "But I must warn you this monster doesn't come out naturally."

'What does that mean?' Rei asked.

Ifrit : "We could say...this monster was created not by [nature] but [artificially]."

'Artificially? You mean like man made?' Rei spoke.

Ifrit : "yes, they're still called monsters by people but the system won't recognize them as a single being ( ´･_･`)."

'Wait...if the system won't recognize them then how come they have a name? How people would know that monster is called [Arachne].' Rei spoke.

'Yeah...that's definitely weird.' Ray agreed.

Ifrit : "Maybe [the Saintess] is the one who can appraised it, I mean she is higher being which have the job called [Saintess] althogh unlike the monster, it become higher being because it took the name of similar monster in the Greek Mythology (ーー; )."

Ifrit : "I don't know how they know such name or how they were brought here, but from what I hear its a calamity type of monster that could destroy everything it touches (╥﹏╥)."

'Don't worry, we won't let that happen.' Rei spoke.

Ifrit : "I know, I could count on you comrade! (-_-)ゞ゛."

Ifrit : "I will prepare a [Quest] for you to keep your spirit up! Just you wait! （＾▽＾）."

'Wait you haven't–'

[Notice!]

[Ifrit went offline]

'–Told me about the other monster.' Before Rei could remind him, Ifrit already went offline.

'He really is a quite honest God.' Ray commented.

'And a quick one to leave before explaining anything else.' Rei commented.

The two of them sighed, and continue their journey once again.

******

They finally reached their destination few hours later. They arrived at the entrance of a big forest filled with thick mist.

The forest had a name, it's known as [the Great World Tree Forest] where the Elf Kingdom lives in. The forest were surrounded by a barrier that looked like mist which was created by magic they specialized in.

[The Spirits Magic], a magic that was borrowed from a creature called [Spirits] that belonged to the [Spirit Realm]. They are an ancient race, the same as [Demon] and also [Angels].

Unlike [Spirits] and [Demon], [Angels] are very rare race that cannot be stumbled just by accident, its because they lived in a very different world than them. But that's a story for another time.

Right now, Rei, Iris, and everyone else were standing right in front of the entrance of the forest.

'So this is [The Great World Tree Forest].' Rei thought while observing the forest filled with mist.

He couldn't even see the Great World Tree he just mentioned, despite it's known to be very big like a mountain right in the middle of the forest.

But when he looked up and down, there was nothing, 'Is it because of [Spirits Magic].'

Ray nodded, 'I'm guessing they are using some sort of [Illusion Magic]'

'How did they managed to do that? Doesn't that require a lot of Mana?' Rei asked.

'Did you forget where this is?' Ray asked.

Rei finally caught on, 'Oh, right...'

While the two are conversing with each other, the others were more astonished to see such a weird phenomenon.

Except for one person.

Ruru was just staring blankly at the entrance filled with mist.

Rei definitely noticed it, since he knew that in this party, she's the only one who's from this Kingdom they were about to negotiate with.

Rei looked at Iris, "So what's the plan here? We cannot take the rider because it might endanger their lives." He spoke while looking at the rider of the carriage who looked nervous just standing there.

Iris looked at him, "I know that, that's why I am planning to let them go back, but first we need to prepare before going in."

Rei nodded, "I understand, everyone! gear up! we are going in!" He ordered his team to prepare while Iris approached the rider to tell them to go back, and paid them for getting them here.

In the meantime, Rei was concerned about Ruru so he went to Fang and dragged him away from the rest of the team.

"W-wait–what–!"

Fang was surprised when Rei brought him behind the carriage a bit far away from the others.

"What's wrong?" Fang asked him.

Rei looked around before looking at Fang, "I wanna ask...is Ruru related to this Elf Kingdom?"

"I mean...she's an Elf. Doesn't that mean she's related already?" Fang answered.

"No no, what I mean is...her behavior is kinda...weird." Rei said while taking a peek at Ruru who's standing nearby the others.

She acted like her usual self, but somehow Fang noticed it too.

"Hmmm...yeah, looks like she's hiding something, but I'm sure we shouldn't get involved with it."

"Why?"

"She choose to keep it a secret, and we should respect that. And you also have some secrets you're not telling us right?" Fang spoke while staring at him

"...I do." Rei replied.

Fang sighed, "You're our leader and the one who taught me how to use aura, and I respected you."

"Right now we just need to wait for her to open up. It might happen sooner or later, so don't worry about it." Fang smiled while tapping his shoulder. "I have known my team longer than you, you will notice the difference between them soon."

"Now then, let's get started." Fang turned his head towards the entrance, Rei followed his gaze.

"Yeah, let's go." Rei replied.

******

"We are going to go inside with this item." Iris spoke out to them after they finally finished with their preparations.

Iris held out what looks like an oil lamp in front of them, "This is a magic item called [Guidance Lamp], which help you to know which path you want to go."

"Ohhhh." They were suprised to hear it.

"So how do you use this?" Rei asked.

"It's simple, when you directed this lamp towards any direction, the lamp will glow brighter or dimmer. The brighter it gets, it means you're in the right path."

"But if the light is dim, it means that you're in the wrong path." Iris explained.

"I am giving out four lamps, one for me and the rest is for your team, you can divide them among yourselves." Iris spoke as she started to the rest of the lamps towards them.

They looked at the item in amazement, thinking that this lamp will be a great help, especially when they're trying to navigate their way around the forest, but...

"Before that, I have something to say." Ruru spoke, catching everyone's attention.

"Sure, what is it?" Rei replied.

"Can I be the guide? I mean...as an Elf, I know a way around the forest." Ruru suggested, and they looked at her in surprise.

"You know how to pass through this?" Rei asked.

"Mhm...more like, I have done this before." Ruru spoke while rubbing the back of her right arm.

Before? That means she did go to this forest once. That, or she's from this Kingdom...and for whatever reason, left to be an Adventurer.

They didn't question her about it, but Rei approached her anyway.

"If you can be our guide...then that's enough. After all, no one in our team knows how to get around a forest as good as you." Rei spoke.

Ruru smiled and nodded, "Thank you."

"I'm sorry Iris-san...it seems we wouldn't be using this item now." Rei spoke for her.

"N-no! It's fine! I used it before to find my way out." Ruru spoke.

Rei raised his eyebrows at that, "You do?"

"Mhm, but all of you must listen to what I said. This is a warning and an advice before you enter this forest."

[Never trust your own sense and look for another way out, then you will find the answer you have been looking for].

'Never trust your own sense?' Rei wondered while staring at her.

"Make sure to follow me, because in this forest...people tend to get lost." Ruru warned them as she stood in front of the entrance with the others behind her.

After that, they finally made their way inside the forest.

******

As they walked, Rei used his heightened senses but he couldn't pick up any presence around them at all. Fang also used his strong nose but all he got was nothing.

'This forest really do messing up with your senses.' Rei sighed internally

There was a rumor about some people who tried to infiltrate this forest once. Long story short, they disappeared without a trace and they don't know how and what happened to them.

'If you think about it, what does it mean by looking for another way.' Rei wondered about her advice from earlier.

'I don't know either.' Ray replied.

Rei sighed, starting to get anxious about this situation as they continue to walk. There's no sound or something that he could see clearly with his own eyes. Before them is thick white mist and vague silhouettes all around.

'I guess we just need to trust her.' Rei mumbled while looking at Ruru who walked in front of him.

Meanwhile, Iris who walked from behind them couldn't help but feel nervous and excited at the same time.

'I was unsure whether to use that magic item or not before, but with her as our guide...I can't help but feel lucky.'

'But if you think about it...how did she know where the right path is? Even in the game there's no such thing like the right path, since they got lost in the game and was lucky enough to stumble into the Kingdom by accident.' Iris thought, remembering the scene in the game.

'And how come...I never met her in the game?'

As they continue to walk, the mist around them became thicker.

"Everyone! Hold on to each other!" Rei who noticed it first, quickly ordered them to holds hands together. They immediately responded to it and held their hands together as tight as they can.

"Ruru, now it's time for you to tell us the way." Rei spoke to her.

"I know." Ruru nodded while turning the lamp to different directions.

She started with the right direction, the lamp didn't have much of a reaction. Then she went forward, and the light glowed brighter.

"Is this the way?" Rei asked since he was right behind her now and watched her doing that.

"No." She moved the lamp to her left, the light suddenly became dimmer.

"This way." Ruru spoke.

Rei widened his eyes when hearing her answer. Ruru continue to walk and they followed her from behind while holding hands.

When the lamp started to glow bright, she moved to other direction where the lamp was dim.

It was confusing for them, especially Rei who's watching her closely. Then he realized the meaning behind her advice earlier.

'[Never trust your own sense and look for another way out, then you will find the answer you have been looking for]...so that's what it means.'

'When the light from the lamp is getting brighter, it means we are in the right path...that was the case outside of this forest.' Rei thought.

'Since this place is not normal, everything is reversed.' Ray concluded.

Rei continue to observe her from behind, the light got dimmer once again to their left. But it felt like they were just going around in circles.

They don't know how many hours have been pass, but it feels like it's already been half a day or more.

So many questions piling up as their anxiety grows. Questions about whether they are in the right path or not. Well, that was until...

*SSSHHHHH*

The mist slowly dissipated around them, the ground and the trees became clearer. The lamp become brighter all of sudden, as if its telling them all that they are at the right place.

Then...it was revealed to them.

Gigantic trees surrounding them, with large vines underneath. Some sparkling small lights were flying around them, firefly? who knows.

And when they look up...

Rei widened his eyes.

"Is this..."

"Yes...Welcome to [The Great World Tree, Yggdrasill] and [the Elf Kingdom, Viorgrand]."

In front of them, there's a large white castle in. It was attached to a gigantic tree, surrounded with big white wall which protected the kingdom. But behind it, there was something much bigger than anything they ever seen.

Another gigantic tree, but the size of it is unlike any other trees around them. Maybe around two mountains being toppled together, or even more than that. The branches and the leaves from that tree is enough to cast massive shadow underneath them.

Rei gulped seeing such massive greenery before him. Even Ray who lived longer than him was even more amazed. After a while, Rei started to realize what it was called.

"[Yggdrasill]?" Rei spoke.

"Yes, [The Great World Tree, Yggdrasill]...it is a tree which is the source of life in this forest and to connects us with the Spirit Realm, which also the source of our Spirit Magic." Ruru explained.

"Although I shouldn't be saying this to an outsider, but since you guys are important for me, I guess that won't be a problem." Ruru spoke with a smile.

But this unbelievable, no–more like it's impossible to think such thing existed. But what matters was the fact that the name is the exact name that Rei himself knew.

'Isn't that tree supposed to be a legend from–' Before Rei could even finish that thought, he suddenly picked up multiple presences.

Fang who's in daze before, noticed the smell as well.

"Everyone! On your position!" Rei ordered them quickly as he took out his sword from his [Inventory] while covering Iris and her companions with his team standing protectively around them.

*RUSTLE* *RUSTLE*

A sudden noise appeared above those gigantic trees around them and they could see multiple pairs of eyes.

Green eyes, shining through the shadow from the trees above them. Rei could tell, these people were lying in wait for their arrival with their bows on their hand, and one order away from firing their arrows.

'For a second...I felt their presence showing up slowly, it means they show their presence on purpose.' Rei thought.

'That's also mean that their level of hiding one's presence is much higher...I couldn't even notice until now, and among them...'

'There's someone strong.' He gulped

When they were standing on guard and those people were preparing their bow and arrow to rain them, Ruru suddenly walked past the group, leaving her post.

"Ruru, what are you doing?!" Fang shouted at her.

"It's okay you guys, they are harmless." Ruru spoke with a smile. They looked at her in confusion, is she talking to them or to these people?

Then someone just dropped off from a tree and landed in front of Ruru, the way he landed was gentle and swift. It was a man, with long ears which was the trait of an [Elf]. He has blonde hair, and green eyes. The same color as Ruru.

Not only that, he looked like if Ruru was a man, and taller.

Rei observed them, 'No way...don't tell me she is...'

Ruru turned around to look at them.

"I will introduce myself once again...my name is Rurua Lei Viorgrand. I am the 2nd Princess of the Elf Kingdom." Ruru revealed her name as she bowed her head at them.

Rei and the others were surprised at such revelation from her, but who knew the cheerful Ranger in their group who constantly fight with Fang

Was the Princess of this Kingdom.

'Isn't this way more cliche?' Rei sighed.

To be continue...