In the game, the World Tree’s blessing was a fortuitous encounter granted only to the protagonist, Kang Hanbyeol.
You could call it a special privilege.
So the fact that it had been given to me as well was incomprehensible.
‘Why? Why on earth? And what was that Kang Hanbyeol I just saw?’
I had no idea.
Even I, who had been a veteran of the game in my previous life, was faced with nothing but things I couldn’t understand.
Since it had never happened in the game, there was nothing I could do.
Just in case the World Tree’s blessing had also taken root in the others, I opened the status window and checked.
As expected, aside from Kang Hanbyeol and me, there had been no change whatsoever in their physical abilities.
It had been given only to Kang Hanbyeol and me.
Leaving aside Kang Hanbyeol, who had been the protagonist of the game, it had been given only to me—a character who, in the game, was no more than one of his party members and didn’t even have much importance.
There was only one possibility I could think of.
‘Could it be related to my reincarnation?’
It might sound self-absorbed, but I couldn’t help my thoughts from heading in that direction.
However, neither I nor anyone else could answer my question.
If there was any being who could, perhaps it was only the World Tree that had bestowed the blessing upon me.
“…”
Unfortunately, the World Tree gave no response.
Odelia, the guardian of the World Tree, also didn’t seem to have noticed the change that had occurred in me.
In the end, resolving my doubts seemed far off.
I was completely in the dark.
It was then that Yeon Haneul’s voice broke through my thoughts.
“Are you okay? You’ve been quiet for a while… and you don’t look so good…. Are you feeling sick? Tell me, Gyeonwoo.”
Yeon Haneul was looking up at me with an anxious expression.
Her two eyes, as she held my hand tightly, seemed to contain only me, not the scenery overlooking the shrine.
It was as if she were telling me that I mattered more than the view, that there was no one but me.
Receiving such a worried gaze, I felt better for no reason, though I felt sorry to her for it.
The unresolved question was pushed to the back of my mind.
It wasn’t something I could solve right away anyway.
Deciding to focus on her like this, I placed my other hand over hers.
“I was just looking around because everything here felt amazing. I’m not sick anywhere. I’m fine.”
“You’re really okay, right? I have Tylenol in my bag. If it hurts a lot, do you want to take some?”
“Why would I take painkillers when I’m not even in pain? I’m fine. I’m seriously full of energy.”
“Really?”
“Really, really.”
It seemed my condition just now had startled Yeon Haneul quite a bit.
She asked me again and again.
I did my best to soothe her.
Even so, she still didn’t seem reassured, her lips sticking out in a pout.
“If you say you’re okay, then you must be okay…. But still, if you feel like you’re not feeling well, you have to tell me.”
“I said I got it. If you’re that worried about me, just stick right by my side. If you’re next to me, I feel like even if something hurts, it won’t hurt at all.”
“What? Am I some kind of painkiller?”
“Ah, no wonder. So you were a painkiller? Yeon Haneul-brand painkiller. Pretty effective, huh? I’d like to keep some stocked at home at all times. What pharmacy can I buy a painkiller like you from?”
“You’re ridiculous, seriously. They don’t sell me at any pharmacy, okay? What, do you think there’s more than one of me?”
“…Haneul, this just occurred to me, but if we used the Gift of Division to mass-produce painkillers in a factory…”
“Yep, too far. Stop right there. It’s not funny at all, okay? There’s only one me.”
“No choice, then. I’ll just have to stock the you that’s here. You haven’t been sold to anyone else yet, right?”
“…Hmph. Do you even have enough money to buy me? I’d be really expensive, you know?”
“How much would it take?”
“I don’t know. I’ll tell you depending on how you do. But seeing you now, I guess you really are okay.”
Thankfully, it seemed my desperate joke had worked.
Yeon Haneul, who had looked dumbfounded at first, was now giggling before I knew it.
She said my jokes weren’t funny, but the smile on her face was cute.
With her hand held in mine, she also lightly tapped me with her elbow as if in protest.
“When will we get another chance to come up to the shrine? Let’s enjoy the view to our hearts’ content.”
“Yeah!”
As Yeon Haneul nodded happily, her long rabbit ears hopped along as well.
With her clinging to my arm, I decided to continue enjoying the scenery.
Then, I felt my friends’ gazes.
“…”
The friends looking at us each had expressions as if they had something they wanted to say.
The one who opened fire on behalf of them was Go Eunbi, whose shoulders were trembling as she tried to hold back her laughter.
“Ah, that’s so cringy! Way too cringy! Gyeonwoo, is Haneul a painkiller? Well, sure…. I think I’ve heard somewhere that love is a painkiller, too, heh, heh…. Ah, I’m getting embarrassed for you!”
“Love is a painkiller…. There is a similar saying in Grace. Love is a panacea… they say…. Ah, I shouldn’t laugh…”
“The statement that love is a painkiller isn’t scientifically incorrect. According to material I saw before, when you fall in love, the brain’s reward pathway is activated, so it’s like being addicted to drugs…”
“My ears, seriously…. You two start acting ridiculous whenever you get the chance, don’t you, absolutely ridiculous…. Damn it, why did I ever like someone like that…”
“When you’re sick, sleeping is best, yum.”
“You two really do get along, huh? But a painkiller…. Should I try using that line next time I meet Noona?”
“Emotions are connected to brain hormones! If Gyeonwoo-Gyeonwoo and Haneul-Haneul want to feel the same kind of emotion, ask me anytime! I’ll fiddle with your brains so dopamine gushes out like crazy! Ah, that sounds fun!”
“Hmm, still, emotions alone cannot actually fix an injury. If you are in pain, take Tylenol, Do Gyeonwoo.”
“Gyeonwoo and Haneul, sitting in a tree! Gyeonwoo and Haneul, sitting in a tree!”
“They say Haneul is a painkiller! Do Gyeonwoo likes Haneul—”
“Shh! Eundong hyung, stop there! If you say any more, Gyeonwoo will kill you!”
Lisa, covering her mouth with her hand and chuckling.
Bak Sa-gun, adjusting his glasses as he rattled off explanations.
Min Arin, clicking her tongue with an unhappy look.
Cha Eunsol, calmly munching on a red bean cream bun.
Kang Hanbyeol, laughing along with the others.
Nam Yuri, spreading both arms wide.
Yong Haerang, nodding with his arms crossed.
The triplets, barely keeping to the line.
“It’s nice to see how fresh and innocent you are. When it comes to expressions of affection, humans really do seem more varied. Elves aren’t like that because we live long lives and tend to be strongly closed-off. When you live for a long time, you can become dull to emotions, and you also know each other very well. Besides, it might later become a dark chapter in your past.”
And finally, even Odelia, the guardian of the World Tree.
“…”
Yeon Haneul and I, teased by all of them, couldn’t bring ourselves to lift our heads.
Our faces were burning with embarrassment.
We simply kept our arms linked together.
* * *
The foundation of the World Tree could be said to be the divine artifacts stored in the shrine.
Generally taking the form of weapons, according to the legends of the Grace Empire, they each displayed transcendent power according to their essence.
In fact, in the game, the divine artifact here showed power befitting its majesty.
‘It only appeared once in the entire story route. And even then, only for a very brief moment, as a finisher.’
The game Brave Hearts.
In this game, certain stories occurred automatically when specific conditions were met.
For instance, if the player failed to periodically clear the Gates appearing in Academy City, and the Gate encroachment rate reached 20%…
The Great Cataclysm would be recreated in Academy City.
Monsters would pour out from all over Academy City, demons and villains would run rampant, and signs of destruction would unfold.
Naturally, if it wasn’t stopped, a bad ending awaited.
[It was a fate destined to arrive someday.]
[It was merely that the time was now.]
[The Great Cataclysm recreated in Academy City intensified and affected the entire world.]
[Though the nations that had competed beneath the surface to cultivate excellent Hunters united, they could not defy fate.]
[There was no place where monsters did not swarm, Gates covered the sky, demons and villains took advantage of the chaos, law and society collapsed, and people no longer hesitated to harm others in order to survive.]
[Thus arrived a world devoid of humanity, where one had to kill one’s neighbor in order to live.]
[There is no longer any hope in the world.]
[In the end, beginning with Academy City, the world rapidly met its destruction.]
[At long last, the world was subjugated by the Gates.]
[Your soul will be preserved foreverë ê±°ã……세계편입,ì•„ì¹´ì ´ë¸Œë¶„ì„ ,ì ˜ì§€ê°„ì„….]
[─ Bad Ending ─…ê°„ì„ì €í•, ê¶Œí•œí†µì œ.]
[ì˜¤ì—¼ë ˜ì§€ ì•Šì € ì ˜ì§€ë¥¼ 보호합니다. ì„¸ìƒ ì „ 최ì ì ˜ 시기로 ë³µì› í•©ë‹ˆë‹¤. 회귀를 진행합니다.]
[eNoz1FEw0lEwBgAExQEv….]
[There is still a chance.]
[Would you like to start the game again?]
[Yes / No]
The so-called destruction ending caused by Gate encroachment.
For some reason, this bad ending also included an ending that felt as though the game had broken.
On the other hand, if the Great Cataclysm was prevented, the story returned to its original course.
The weapon that appeared in the process was the World Tree’s divine artifact here.
Divine Sword—Endless Hearts.
Kang Hanbyeol brought the Great Cataclysm to an end with that sword, which suddenly appeared before him.
He annihilated the monsters and used the power of the Divine Sword to stabilize the unstable dimension.
It was possible because his Gift was Resonance Hands.
‘And fundamentally, because he was the protagonist….’
But unfortunately, even if the Great Cataclysm was stopped with the Divine Sword, the story that returned to its original course ended with that semester, and from there an appropriate bad ending would appear.
Realistically, sacrifices from major characters were unavoidable in the process of stopping the Great Cataclysm.
Moreover, considering the state Academy City would have been in after being devastated by the Great Cataclysm, there was no way the story could proceed normally.
‘According to the news I saw this morning, the encroachment rate is currently 7%, was it? It’s still manageable. In the first place, the Gate encroachment rate only starts being mentioned after Hanbyeol joins Shield, so I don’t need to worry about it right now, but…’
So I could only hope that the Hunters would clear the Gates in the sky in time.
In any case, turning the topic back to the divine artifacts, it was truly a shame.
‘Endless Hearts must be stored in there, and I can’t even see it….’
I glanced sideways at the shrine and smacked my lips inwardly.
I had a feeling I might never once see a divine artifact in my life.
Unless the Gate encroachment rate reached 20%.
‘…Maybe it’s better not to see it.’
If the Great Cataclysm occurred, it would be impossible to clean up.
Wishing for peace, I decided to give up my longing for the divine artifact.
“I wonder what the Divine Sword looks like. It’s such a shame we can’t see it.”
“It’s better that we don’t.”
“What do you mean?”
“According to the legends of the Grace Empire, the World Tree’s Divine Sword only reveals itself when destruction looms. Unlike the other divine artifacts. So wouldn’t it be dangerous if we saw the Divine Sword?”
“True, I guess it would. Still, it’s a shame. I want to touch it just once…. I wonder what the grip of a Divine Sword feels like. I’m curious. Would it feel like becoming a god?”
“Now that you say it, I’m curious too.”
Kang Hanbyeol, who was helplessly fascinated by weapons, also seemed curious about the divine artifact.
Looking around, the others also seemed at least somewhat interested.
People’s thoughts seemed to be all the same.
I smiled bitterly.
It was then that Kim Samo, the president of the Mystery Exploration Club, drew everyone’s attention.
“Guys! Today’s club activity will end here! Good work, everyone! Anyone who wants to eat as an after-party, follow us. Those who aren’t participating can head back on their own!”
Before we knew it, the club activity was over.
After admiring the scenery from the shrine, we decided to leave the World Tree.
Then Odelia came to see us off.
“It was a pleasure meeting you today. Please all return safely.”
“Thank you so much for today!”
“Bye, guys. Yum yum.”
“What? Cha Eunsol, why are you over there? Aren’t you coming?”
Odelia waved at us as we climbed onto the suspension bridge.
Cha Eunsol stood beside her, munching on a hot dog.
Naturally, we couldn’t help but be bewildered by Cha Eunsol, who remained behind.
Of course, it was in line with the game’s flow.
“I’ll stay here just a little longer. It’s a place that feels good… and the World Tree is calling me.”
“The World Tree is a kind of spirit, too. Perhaps that’s why it seems to have taken quite a liking to Lady Cha Eunsol. So if it’s Lady Cha Eunsol, please don’t worry. I’ll make sure to send her back before it gets late.”
“…”
In the game, too, Cha Eunsol stayed behind at the World Tree’s shrine like this.
And by absorbing the World Tree’s energy, she raised every spirit-related skill by 1.
As someone who welcomed her growth, I had no reason to refuse.
“Fine. Do what you want. Please take good care of Eunsol. Just make sure she doesn’t cause any trouble.”
“Yes, don’t worry.”
“Hey. You’re always the one causing trouble, not me…. Anyway, take care.”
Leaving Cha Eunsol in Odelia’s care like that,
we turned our backs on the two of them and crossed the swaying bridge.
As we descended to the ground, we chattered away with one another.
“Lisa, something just occurred to me…”
“Yes, what is it?”
“You and Guardian Odelia both use the language of the Grace Empire as your native tongue, so when it was just the two of you, couldn’t you have just spoken comfortably in the imperial language?”
“Ah… you’re right. I got mixed up without thinking. Guardian Odelia spoke Korean so fluently… and after living here, Korean has become more comfortable for me too.”
“You haven’t forgotten the imperial language, have you?”
“Gyeonwoo, do you take me for a fool? Of course I still know the imperial language.”
“What, so that’s what it was.”
* * *
It was troublesome, but matters related to spirits were different.
So long as her power originated from spirits, she could not refuse such a request.
Especially if it came from the World Tree.
“Please guide me.”
“Yes, this way. And thank you for staying.”
After sending all her friends away, Cha Eunsol turned around.
She spoke to Odelia, who had been waiting behind her.
Though Odelia had not heard the matter in advance, she nodded as if she understood.
Then she began walking in the direction of the shrine.
“I’ll ask you in advance. Please keep what you see and hear inside a secret. You must never divulge it to anyone. Not to Princess Lisa, whom you just saw, and not to Student Kang Hanbyeol or Student Do Gyeonwoo either.”
“I know.”
It was true that she wanted to take in the World Tree’s clear energy and improve her communion with spirits.
But the fundamental reason Cha Eunsol had decided to remain was something else.
It was because of the World Tree’s request that she please share her mana.
Standing before the shrine, she looked at the tightly shut door.
At length, Odelia opened it.
“Come in.”
“Yes.”
Odelia stepped inside first.
Following after her, Cha Eunsol felt as though some unknown magic were feeling her out.
It was the protective magic guarding the shrine.
Having received Odelia’s permission, she was not hindered by the protective magic, and was able to enter the shrine with the sensation of passing through an invisible membrane.
“…”
“This way.”
The interior of the shrine, made from a hut, gave off an atmosphere that was both mysterious and cozy.
Here and there were traces suggesting Odelia had lived there.
Soon, following Odelia, Cha Eunsol turned her gaze toward the trunk of the World Tree.
The energy she had sensed ever since she recognized the World Tree had been coming from there.
It was the energy of the divine artifact, the source of the World Tree.
However, in the place where the divine artifact should have been, nothing existed.
There was only a hollow that showed something had once been kept there.
“How long has it been gone?”
“Quite… a long time. At some point, I found it had disappeared. But it wasn’t as though someone stole it. The World Tree said it had given it away.”
“Given it away… to whom?”
“I… don’t really know. The World Tree didn’t tell me anything. No, it says it can’t.”
Odelia shook her head with a dark expression.
It meant that even she, the guardian of the World Tree, did not know the details.
Giving up on asking her, Cha Eunsol reached into the hollow.
Then she poured mana into it.
“I’ll have to come often from now on.”
“Thank you, Student Eunsol. You saved me. It had been too much of a burden for me to handle with my power alone.”
The divine artifact, which was no different from the World Tree’s source, did not exist.
But that did not mean the World Tree had become an empty shell.
Even if the water of a spring had stopped flowing, a spring was still a spring.
If the spring had not dried up completely, then all one had to do was replenish its water and revive it.
Though it was only a temporary measure at best.
“Was the atmospheric mana in Academy City in bad condition because the divine artifact was gone?”
“The land itself was never very good to begin with. Though after the divine artifact disappeared, it did become worse than before.”
“It would be nice if we could find the divine artifact.”
“It would. At the very least, I’d like to know where it is…. Student Eunsol, as I said a moment ago, please never divulge this matter to anyone else.”
“I know.”
If news that the World Tree’s divine artifact had vanished became known to the world,
then the world—especially Academy City—would fall into great chaos.
Cha Eunsol, who understood what Odelia meant to say, did not bother to raise any objections.
In truth, she had a strong desire not to get caught up in troublesome matters by mistake.
Rather, she had already fallen into other thoughts.
“I’ll be coming here often from now on… Do they deliver here?”
“Pardon? Deliver? If you mean food delivery, they can’t deliver all the way to the shrine, but you can receive it below.”
“That’s a relief, at least.”
“…Shall I order something?”
“Yes, please.”
“Yes…”
Once she poured out all the mana in her body, she was certain to be hungry.
Cha Eunsol swallowed, thinking of pizza with cheese stretching in long strands.
I Became the Childhood Friend of the Mid-Boss